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diff --git a/28649.txt b/28649.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..58a0a88 --- /dev/null +++ b/28649.txt @@ -0,0 +1,34262 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Letters of Queen Victoria, Volume III (of +3), 1854-1861, by Queen of Great Britain Victoria, Edited by Arthur +Christopher Benson and Viscount Reginald Baliol Brett Esher + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Letters of Queen Victoria, Volume III (of 3), 1854-1861 + A Selection from Her Majesty's Correspondence between the Years 1837 and 1861 + + +Author: Queen of Great Britain Victoria + +Editor: Arthur Christopher Benson and Viscount Reginald Baliol Brett Esher + +Release Date: May 3, 2009 [eBook #28649] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LETTERS OF QUEEN VICTORIA, +VOLUME III (OF 3), 1854-1861*** + + +E-text prepared by Paul Murray and the Project Gutenberg Online +Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations and also + the index for all three volumes of the set with links + to the other two volumes. + See 28649-h.htm or 28649-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28649/28649-h/28649-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28649/28649-h.zip) + + Volumes I and II are available in the Project Gutenberg + Library: + Volume I--see https://www.gutenberg.org/etext/20023 + Volume II--see https://www.gutenberg.org/etext/24780 + + +Transcriber's note: + + [ae] and [oe] are used for the diphthongs/ligatures in (mostly) + French words. (e.g. c[oe]ur, heart; s[oe]ur, sister; ch[oe]ur; + choir). + + The original page headings have been retained and moved to + appropriate positions at the beginning of letters and text to + which they refer, so as not to interrupt the flow of the text. + Thus, a long letter may be prefaced by two, or even three + page headings. Likewise, footnotes have been moved to the end + of the appropriate letter, or the appropriate paragraph in the + case of longer pieces of text. + + In the text file version, for "See _ante_/_post_, p. xyz", the + date and note number (where applicable) have been given instead + of the page number, for easier reader look-up. + + + INDEX + + Page numbers have been adjusted to allow for the re-positioning + of footnotes. Other (numerous) page numbering errors have been + corrected. + + A list of corrections will be found at the end of the text. + + + + + +[Illustration: H.M. QUEEN VICTORIA, H.R.H. THE PRINCE CONSORT, AND +CHILDREN + +From the picture by F. Winterhalter at Buckingham Palace + +_Frontispiece, Vol. III._] + + +THE LETTERS OF QUEEN VICTORIA + +A Selection from Her Majesty's +Correspondence between the Years +1837 and 1861 + +Published by Authority of His Majesty The King + +Edited by + +ARTHUR CHRISTOPHER BENSON, M.A. +and +VISCOUNT ESHER, G.C.V.O., K.C.B. + +In Three Volumes + +VOL. III.--1854-1861 + + + + + + + +London +John Murray, Albemarle Street, W. +1908 + +_Copyright in Great Britain and Dependencies, 1907, by_ +H.M. THE KING. + +_In the United States by_ Messrs LONGMANS, GREEN & CO. + +_All rights reserved._ + + + + + +TABLE OF CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER XXIII + + 1854 + PAGES + The Eastern Question--Attack on the Prince--The French + alliance--The Orleans family--The Reform Bill--The Baltic + command--The British ultimatum--Departure of the Guards--War + declared--Cabinet dissensions--Austrian interests--The + Sultan--Prussian policy--Marshal St Arnaud--Invasion of + the Principalities--Separation of Departments--The Russian + loan--Debates on the War--Prince Albert and the Emperor + Napoleon--The Crimea--Battle of the Alma--Maharajah Dhuleep + Singh--Attack on Sebastopol--Battle of Inkerman--Death of + Sir G. Cathcart--A hurricane--Lord John Russell and the + Premiership--Miss Nightingale's mission 1-62 + + + CHAPTER XXIV + + 1855 + + Peace proposals--The Four Points--Offer of the Garter to the + Premier--Sufferings of the troops in the Crimea--Resignation + of Lord John--The Queen's disapproval--Lord Palmerston as + Leader--The Ministry defeated--Lord Derby sent for--Lord + Palmerston and the Leadership--Lord Derby's failure--Lord + Lansdowne consulted--Lord John sent for--Disappointment of + Lord John--Lord Palmerston to be Premier--Intervention of Lord + Aberdeen--The new Cabinet--The Vienna Conference--Resignation + of the Peelites--Death of the Czar--Lord Panmure at the War + Office--Negotiations at Vienna--Visit of the Emperor--Russia + and the Black Sea--Estimate of the Emperor--Retirement + of Canrobert--Death of Lord Raglan--General Simpson in + command--Lord John resigns--Battle of the Tchernaya--Visit + to Paris--At the tomb of Bonaparte--Fall of Sebastopol--Life + Peerages--Prince Frederick William of Prussia--Offer to Lord + Stanley--France and Austria--Visit of the King of Sardinia + 63-157 + + + CHAPTER XXV + + 1856 + + The Conference--The Queen's determination--Russia accepts + the terms--Sardinia and the Conference--Protection of + neutrals--The Crimean enquiry--Incorporation of Oudh--Canning + succeeds Dalhousie--Unclouded horizon in India--Future of the + Principalities--Birth of the Prince Imperial--The Princess + Royal--The Treaty of Paris--End of the War--Garter for Lord + Palmerston--The Title of Prince Consort--Position of the + Queen's husband--Retirement of Lord Hardinge--Appointment of + the Duke of Cambridge--Lord Granville's mission--Coronation of + the Czar--A Royal proposal--Russian procrastination--Death + of Lord Hardinge--The Archduke Maximilian--Affair of + Neuchatel--Death of Prince Charles of Leiningen--Dispute with + the United States 158-222 + + + CHAPTER XXVI + + 1857 + + The China War--Position of Parties--Defeat of the + Government--The General Election--The Divorce + Bill--Betrothal of Princess Charlotte of Belgium--The Indian + Mutiny--Delhi--Cawnpore--Marriage of Princess + Charlotte--Visit of the Emperor Napoleon--Death of Sir + Henry Lawrence--Condition of Lucknow--Sir Colin + Campbell--Reinforcement of Lucknow--Death of the Duchesse + de Nemours--Crisis in the City--Future Government of + India--Clemency of Lord Canning--Death of Havelock 223-260 + + + CHAPTER XXVII + + 1858 + + Marriage of Princess Royal--The Orsini _attentat_--The + Conspiracy Bill--Resignation of the Government--Lord Derby + summoned--The new Cabinet--Trial of Bernard--The Emperor and + the Carbonari--Capture of Lucknow--Confirmation of the Prince + of Wales--The second India Bill--The Oudh Proclamation--Lord + Ellenborough's despatch--A crisis--Lord Derby's despatch--Lord + Aberdeen consulted--Prerogative of Dissolution--Collapse + of the attack--Views of Sir James Outram--Offer to + Mr Gladstone--Purification of the Thames--Visit to + Cherbourg--British Columbia--The Ionian Islands--The + Princess Royal in Prussia The India Office--Lord Canning's + Proclamation--Napoleon and Italy 261-306 + + + CHAPTER XXVIII + + 1859 + + The Emperor Napoleon and M. Huebner--Attitude of the + Pope--Northern Italy--The Queen's first grandchild--Advice + to the Emperor Napoleon--Meeting of Parliament--The Indian + forces--The Prince of Wales at Rome--Advice to Emperor of + Austria--Mission of Lord Cowley--Question of a Conference--The + summons to Sardinia--Revolution in the Duchies--The compact + of Plombieres--The general election--Policy of the + Emperor Napoleon--Meeting a new Parliament--Question of + neutrality--Debate on the Address--The Ministry defeated--The + Garter for Lord Derby--Lord Granville summoned--The rival + leaders--Lord Palmerston Premier--Offer to Mr Cobden--India + pacified--Victory of the French--The Emperor Napoleon's + appeal--End of the War--Ascendancy of France--Views of the + Pope--Cavour's disappointment--Meeting of the Emperors--The + provisions of Villafranca--Italian policy--Sardinia + and Central Italy--The Emperor Napoleon and Lord + Palmerston--Invitation from President Buchanan--Pro-Italian + Ministers--Objections to Sir J. Hudson--Divorce Court reports + 307-378 + + + CHAPTER XXIX + + 1860 + + The Emperor Napoleon's pamphlet, _The Pope and + the Congress_--Annexation of Savoy--Meeting of + Parliament--Sardinian designs--Mr Gladstone's Budget--Scene + at the Tuileries--The Emperor and Lord Cowley--The Swiss + protest--Death of Prince Hohenlohe--The Indian Civil + Service--The Paper Duties--The Lords and Money Bills--Mr + Gladstone and resignation--The Prince of Wales's tour--The + Volunteer Review--Flight of the King of Naples--The King's + appeal to Queen Victoria--Tour of Prince Alfred--Sardinia + and Naples--The Empress of Austria--Betrothal of Princess + Alice--Episcopal appointments--Visit of the Empress Eugenie + 379-419 + + + CHAPTER XXX + + 1861 + + Conservative overtures to Lord Palmerston--Illness of King of + Prussia--His death--The absorption of Naples--Garter for + new King of Prussia--The Provostship of Eton--Lord John and + Garibaldi--Death of Duchess of Kent--Bereavement--The war in + America--Recognition of the South--Death of Cavour--Death of + Lord Campbell--The new Foreign Office--Earldom for Lord John + Russell--Swedish politics--The Emperor Napoleon's aims--At + Frogmore--Visit to Ireland--Tranquillity of Ireland--The + Orleans Princes--The Prussian Coronation--Fetes at + Berlin--_The Times_ and Prussia--Death of King of + Portugal--The affair of the _Trent_--The Compiegne + interview--An ultimatum--The Prince's last letter--Illness of + the Prince--The Crisis--Sympathy--Bereavement--Death of Lady + Canning--A noble resolve--Comfort and hope 420-478 + + + INDEX 479-520 + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + + + H.M. QUEEN VICTORIA, H.R.H. THE PRINCE CONSORT, + AND CHILDREN. _From the picture by F. Winterhalter + at Buckingham Palace_ _Frontispiece_ + + H.M. EUGENIE, EMPRESS OF THE FRENCH. _From a miniature + by Sir W. K. Ross at Windsor Castle_ _Facing p._ 120 + + VISCOUNT PALMERSTON, K.G. _From the drawing by + Sir George Richmond, R.A., in the possession of + the Earl of Carnwath_ " 232 + + H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES. _From a drawing by + F. Winterhalter, 1859_ " 320 + + H.R.H. THE PRINCE CONSORT, 1861. _From the picture + by Smith, after Corbould, at Buckingham Palace_ " 472 + + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +TO CHAPTER XXIII + + +At the meeting of Parliament, on the 31st of January 1854, the +Ministry were able triumphantly to refute the charge of illegitimate +interference in State affairs which had been made by a section of the +Press against Prince Albert; they were, however, severely attacked for +not acting with greater vigour in Eastern affairs. In February, the +Russian Ambassador left London, the Guards were despatched to the +East, and the Russian Government was peremptorily called upon by Great +Britain and France to evacuate the Principalities. The Peace Party, +Bright, Cobden, and others, were active, but unheeded; the Society of +Friends sending a pacific but futile deputation to the Czar. In March, +the demand for evacuation being disregarded, war was declared, and a +treaty of alliance signed between England and France; Lord Raglan and +Marshal St Arnaud were appointed to command the respective armies, +Vice-Admiral Sir James Dundas and Sir Charles Napier having command +of the Mediterranean and Baltic Fleets respectively. The attitude of +Austria was ambiguous, and, after England and France were committed to +war, she contracted an offensive and defensive alliance with Prussia, +each country engaging to make limited preparations for war. At home, +with a view to greater efficiency, the duties of the Secretary +of State for War and the Colonies, till then united in a single +Secretaryship, were divided, the Duke of Newcastle assuming the former +office, while Sir George Grey became Colonial Secretary; Lord John +Russell also resumed office as President of the Council. The Russians +were unsuccessful in their operations against the Turks, notably at +Silistria and Giurgevo, while, as the summer advanced, public opinion +in support of an invasion of the Crimea rose steadily, the _Times_ +indicated the taking of Sebastopol as indispensable, and Lord +Aberdeen's hand was forced. On the 28th of June, the Cabinet +sanctioned a despatch to Lord Raglan, urging (almost to the point of +directing) an immediate attack upon Sebastopol; the French Emperor +was in favour of the plan, though both Commanders-in-Chief entertained +doubt as to whether it was immediately feasible. On the 7th of +September, the allied forces (58,000 strong) sailed from Varna, a +landing being effected a few days later at Old Fort, near Eupatoria; +at about the same time an important interview took place at Boulogne +between Prince Albert and the Emperor Napoleon. The signal victory at +the Alma, on the 20th of September, was followed by the death of St +Arnaud, and the appointment of Canrobert as his successor. Decisive +successes were next obtained at Balaklava on the 25th of October, and +at Inkerman on the 5th of November; but on the 14th a fierce gale did +immense damage to life and property, both at Balaklava and on the +sea. Meanwhile, indignation at home was aroused by the tidings of +the breakdown of the commissariat and transport departments, and the +deplorable state of the hospitals; Miss Florence Nightingale, who had +sailed from England with a number of nurses, arrived at Scutari early +in November, and proceeded to remedy deficiencies as far as possible; +while Lord John Russell vainly urged on the Premier the substitution +of Lord Palmerston for the Duke of Newcastle as Secretary for War. +Sir Charles Napier, who, previously to his departure with the Baltic +Fleet, had been feted at the Reform Club, and extravagantly lauded +by Cabinet Ministers, was by the month of October engaged in a +recriminatory correspondence with the First Lord of the Admiralty. +At about the same time the Patriotic Fund was established under the +presidency of Prince Albert. + +In Parliament, the last vestige of the old Navigation System, limiting +the coasting trade to British ships, was repealed, and a Bill also +passed for preventing corrupt practices at elections. Owing to the +war, the Reform Bill was withdrawn, Lord John Russell, on announcing +the fact in Parliament, being overcome, and giving way to tears. +In the short session, which took place during the latter half of +December, a Foreign Enlistment Act was passed, providing for a force +of 10,000 foreigners, to be drilled in this country. + +The Exhibition Building, which had been constructed in Hyde Park +in 1851, and had been re-erected at Sydenham, was opened with great +ceremony by the Queen, and was henceforth known as the Crystal Palace. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +1854 + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _6th January 1854._ + +LORD ABERDEEN presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He cannot +wonder at the indignation expressed by your Majesty at the base and +infamous attacks made upon the Prince during the last two or three +weeks in some of the daily papers.[1] They are chiefly to be found in +those papers which represent ultra-Tory or extreme Radical opinions; +but they are not sanctioned by the most respectable portion of the +Press. Lord Aberdeen has received some information respecting the +origin of these attacks; but it is vague and uncertain. At all events +he believes that your Majesty may safely make yourself at ease upon +the subject, as he is satisfied that these hostile feelings are shared +by few. It is much to be desired that some notice of the subject may +be taken in Parliament, when, by being treated in a proper manner, +it may be effectually stopped. Lord Aberdeen has spoken to Lord +John Russell, who will be quite prepared to moot it in the House of +Commons. + +It cannot be denied that the position of the Prince is somewhat +anomalous, and has not been specially provided for by the Constitution; +but the ties of Nature, and the dictates of common sense are more +powerful than Constitutional fictions; and Lord Aberdeen can only say +that he has always considered it an inestimable blessing that your +Majesty should possess so able, so zealous, and so disinterested an +adviser. It is true that your Ministers are alone responsible for the +conduct of public affairs, and although there is no man in England whose +opinion Lord Aberdeen would more highly respect and value, still if he +had the misfortune of differing from His Royal Highness, he would not +hesitate to act according to his own convictions, and a sense of what +was due to your Majesty's service. + +The Prince has now been so long before the eyes of the whole country, +his conduct so invariably devoted to the public good, and his life +so perfectly inattackable, that Lord Aberdeen has not the slightest +apprehension of any serious consequences arising from these +contemptible exhibitions of malevolence and faction. + +Your Majesty will graciously pardon Lord Aberdeen for writing thus +plainly; but there are occasions on which he almost forgets your +Majesty's station, and only remembers those feelings which are common +to all ranks of mankind. + + [Footnote 1: A section of the Press, favourable to Lord + Palmerston, had insinuated that his resignation was due to + "an influence behind the throne." Similar attacks were made + by other journals, and not abandoned upon Lord Palmerston's + re-admission to the Cabinet: the most extravagant charges of + improper interference in State affairs were made against the + Prince, and it was even rumoured that he had been impeached + for high treason and committed to the Tower! The cartoons + in _Punch_ usually present a faithful reflection of current + popular opinion, and in one of them the Prince was depicted as + skating, in defiance of warning, over dangerous ice.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PERSIA] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _9th January 1854._ + +The Queen thanks Lord Clarendon for his letter just received with the +enclosures. + +As the proposed answer to the Emperor contains perhaps necessarily +only a repetition of what the Queen wrote in her former letter,[2] she +inclines to the opinion that it will be best to defer any answer for +the present--the more so, as a moment might possibly arrive when +it would be of advantage to be able to write and to refer to the +Emperor's last letter. + +With respect to the Persian Expedition[3] the Queen will not object +to it--as the Cabinet appears to have fully considered the matter, but +she must say that she does not much like it in a moral point of view. +We are just putting the Emperor of Russia under the ban for trying +"to bring the Sultan to his senses" by the occupation of part of his +territory after a diplomatic rupture, and are now going to do exactly +the same thing to the Shah of Persia! + + [Footnote 2: See _ante_, vol. ii, 18th October-26th November, + 1853, notes 30, 31, 32.] + + [Footnote 3: Under the belief that Persia had declared war + against Turkey, and that diplomatic relations between England + and Persia were suspended, the Cabinet had agreed upon the + occupation of the Island of Karak by a British force.] + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _9th January 1854._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I wrote you a most abominable scrawl on Friday, +and think myself justified in boring you with a few words to-day. + +The plot is thickening in every direction, and we may expect a great +confusion. The dear old Duke used to say "You cannot have a little +war." The great politicians of the Press think differently. The Duke +told me also once: "At the place where you are you will always have +the power to force people to go to war." I have used that power to +_avoid_ complications, and I still think, blessed are the peacemakers. + +How the Emperor could get himself and everybody else into this +infernal scrape is quite incomprehensible; the more so as I remain +convinced that he did not aim at conquest. We have very mild weather, +and though you liked the cold, still for every purpose we must prefer +warmth. Many hundred boats with coal are frozen up, and I am told that +near two hundred ships are wanting to arrive at Antwerp.... + +I am much plagued also by little parliamentary nonsense of our own +here, a storm in a bottle; this is the way of human kind, and in such +cases it always pleases me to think that I am not bound to be always +their working slave, and I cast a sly look at my beautiful villa on +the Lake of Como, _quite furnished_.... My beloved Victoria. Your +devoted Uncle. + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PRESS] + +[Pageheading: THE FRENCH ALLIANCE] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _13th January 1854._ + +MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--I grieve to see how unjustly you are plagued, +and how wonderfully untrue and passionate are the attacks of part +of the Press. Abuse is somewhat the _staff of life in England_, +everything, everybody is to be abused; it is a pity, as nothing +more unproductive as this everlasting abuse can well be imagined. As +nothing ever gave the slightest opening to this abuse, it is to be +hoped that it will be soon got over--the meeting of Parliament will +now do good in this respect. As far as your few continental relations +are concerned, I don't think they will be able to fix anything upon +your faithful servant. I have done England at all times good services, +in the sense of her best interests. I hold a position of great +geographical importance for England, just opposite the mouth of the +Thames. Successes of vanity I am never fishing for in England, +nor anywhere else. The only influence I may exercise is to prevent +mischief where I can, which occasionally succeeds; if war can be +avoided, and the same ends obtained, it is natural _that_ THAT _should +be tried first_. Many English superficial newspaper politicians +imagine that threatening is the thing--I believe it the worst of all +systems. The Emperor Nicholas and Menschikoff wanted by threatening +the Turks to get certain things, and they have by that means got a +very troublesome and expensive affair on their hands. I wish England +too well to like to see it, but one of these days they will get into +some scrape in the same way. The foolish accusation that we are doing +all we can to break up the French Alliance is certainly the _most +absurd of all_; if anything can be for our local advantage, it is to +see England and France closely allied, and for a long period--for ever +I should say.... + +I have heard, and that from the Prussian Quarter, that great efforts +are making on the part of Russia, to _gain over_ Louis Napoleon. I +understand, however, that though Louis Napoleon is _not_ anxious for +war, that his opinion is favourable to the continuation of a good +understanding with England. That it should be so is, I must say, +highly desirable. The poor Orleans will be grieved and hurt by all +these things. The death of the child of the poor Queen of Spain will +not be a favourable omen for Spain.[4]... + +With my best love to Albert. Believe me ever, my beloved Victoria, +your truly devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 4: A daughter had been born to the Queen of Spain on + the 5th of January, and lived only three days.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE ORLEANS FAMILY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _16th January 1854._ + +The Queen sends the answer she has this morning received from the Duc +de Nemours, which she hopes is on the whole satisfactory as regards +the reported visit of the Count de Chambord.[5] The Duke does not see +in so strong a light as _we_ do, the danger of even the _report_ being +believed--probably from living so much out of the world as he does. +What would Lord Aberdeen wish her to do farther, and what does he +think can be done in the way of contradiction? The Queen wishes +likewise to have Lord Aberdeen's opinion and advice on the following +subjects. He knows that we have invariably received the poor Orleans +family (in particular our own near relations, the Nemours) from time +to time _here_ and in London, and that the Queen has _always_ from +the first year done this _openly_ but _unostentatiously_. It is by _no +means_ her intention to change her conduct in this respect--but since +the great noise caused by the "fusion" she thought it better _not_ +to invite the Nemours either to Osborne or here, hoping that by +_this time_ these tiresome rumours would have ceased. They have not, +however, and we think that perhaps it would be wiser _not_ to see them +here, _at any rate_ till after the meeting of Parliament, though it is +very painful to the Queen to hurt their feelings by apparent neglect. +Is Lord Aberdeen of this opinion, and does he think that it will _not_ +be misconstrued into an _admission_ of having encouraged _intrigues_ +or of _submission_ to the will and pleasure of Louis Napoleon? + +For the Queen would never submit to such an accusation, nor would she +continue (after the excitement is past) to exclude these poor exiles +from occasional visits--which have been paid and received ever since +_'48_, and which would be unworthy and ungenerous conduct. + +Likewise does Lord Aberdeen think that a morning visit to the Duchess +of Aumale to enquire after her health would be imprudent? + +It goes much against the Queen's feelings of generosity and kindness +to neglect the poor exiles as she has done this winter, but the +present moment is one of _unparalleled_ excitement and of +great political importance, which requires great prudence and +circumspection. There is an admirable article in the _Morning +Chronicle_ of to-day, taking quite the _right line_ upon the infamous +and _now_ almost ridiculous attacks on the _Queen_ and Prince. Has +Lord Aberdeen any idea who could have written it? + +The Queen sends a letter she had received from her Uncle, which +may amuse and interest him. To make the statement of the Queen's +intercourse with the Orleans family quite clear, she should add, that +when the family visit the Queen or she visits them, that it is put +into the Court Circular, and this of course gets copied into country +papers and foreign papers; but after consideration the Queen thought +this the wiser course, for with all the spies who are no doubt +about--if this were not done, and the Queen's visits and _vice versa_ +were suppressed and _yet_ found out--it would give them an air of +_mystery_ which is just what we wish to avoid. + + [Footnote 5: Son of the Duc de Berri, and known formerly as + the Duc de Bordeaux. (See _ante_, vol. i., 9th October, 1843, + note 72). The Duc de Nemours denied all knowledge of the + rumoured visit, and thought its importance had been exaggerated.] + + + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _17th January 1854._ + +... With respect to your Majesty's custom of seeing the French Royal +Family, Lord Aberdeen humbly thinks that there is no good reason +for making any change. It has always taken place without parade or +ostentation; and knowing, as Lord Aberdeen does, that no political +object is in view, he would feel ashamed to advise your Majesty to do +anything at variance with that sympathy which your Majesty has been +careful to keep within the bounds of prudence and moderation.... + +Lord Aberdeen hopes that he may venture to congratulate your Majesty +on the commencement of a change with respect to the newspaper attacks +upon the Prince. He observed the article, to which your Majesty +refers, in the _Morning Chronicle_ of yesterday; and he believes he +may certainly say that it was written by Mr Gladstone, although he +would not wish it to be known. There was also a very sensible letter +in the _Standard_ of last night, signed D. C. L. This is the signature +always assumed by Mr Alexander Hope,[6] in his contributions to the +Press, and Lord Aberdeen does not doubt that it is written by him. +It is only a wonder to find it in such a quarter; and it shows some +disposition on the part of that scurrilous paper to alter its course. +There is perhaps no great objection to the papers dealing with the +subject as they think proper, before the meeting of Parliament, +provided the _Times_ takes no part at present; for as this paper is +supposed to be influenced by the Government, this belief would injure +the effect of anything that might appear in its columns.[7]... + + [Footnote 6: Mr. A. J. Hope (afterwards Beresford-Hope), at + this time out of Parliament, had written over the signature + "D.C.L." a series of letters to the Press on the Papal + claims.] + + [Footnote 7: On the re-assembling of Parliament, the charges + against the Prince were at once refuted by the Prime Minister + and Lord John Russell; and his right to assist the Queen + completely established by those Ministers, with the + concurrence of Lord Derby and Mr Walpole, on behalf of the + Opposition, and Lord Campbell, the Chief Justice of the + Queen's Bench.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE REFORM BILL] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _21st January 1854._ + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter of the 19th, and the +Bill as now agreed upon by the Cabinet, which she hopes may meet the +wishes of the Country and pass into law.[8] From what she understands +the chief argument used in opposition to the measure will be, that +corruption and bribery is the evil which the Country really complains +of, and not an unequal distribution of the representation, and that a +new distribution or even extension of the franchise will not touch +the evil, and may be said perhaps in some instances to tend towards +increasing it. The success of the measure will therefore, she +concludes, in some degree depend upon the Bribery Bills which will +accompany it. How far are these advanced? and what expectation has +Lord John Russell of succeeding in framing such a measure as would +remove that ground of objection to the Reform Bill? + + [Footnote 8: Notwithstanding the impending war, the Government + considered itself bound in honour to bring in a Reform Bill. + Lord Palmerston and his special supporters were opposed to the + project, but the measure was brought forward on the 13th of + February. After a chequered career it was withdrawn. The + Bill for the prevention of corrupt practices at elections + was introduced on the 10th of February, and after many + vicissitudes and several Ministerial defeats in the Commons as + well as in the Lords, it was, in a modified form, carried.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Mr Gladstone._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _7th February 1854._ + +The Queen must apologise for having kept the enclosed papers so long, +and in now sending them back she does so without feeling sure in +her mind that she could with safety sanction Mr Gladstone's new and +important proposal.[9] The change it implies will be very great in +principle and irretrievable, and the Queen must say that Lord John +Russell's apprehensions as to the spirit it is likely to engender +amongst the future civil servants of the Crown have excited a +similar feeling in her mind. Where is moreover the application of the +principle of public competition to stop, if once established? and must +not those offices which are to be exempted from it necessarily degrade +the persons appointed to them in public estimation? + + [Footnote 9: Mr Gladstone had written on the 26th of January + on the subject of competitive examinations for the Civil + Service; in reply to the Queen's letter, he referred to + the discontent existing in the Service with the system of + appointment by favour, and of promotion by seniority alone.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE BALTIC COMMAND] + +[Pageheading: SIR CHARLES NAPIER] + + +_Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria._ + +ADMIRALTY, _9th February 1854._ + +Sir James Graham, with humble duty, begs to lay before your Majesty +certain important considerations which were discussed at the Cabinet +yesterday with respect to the selection of a Commander-in-Chief for +the Fleet about to be appointed for Service in the Baltic.[10]... + + [Footnote 10: War had not yet been declared, but the Russian + Ambassador left London on the 7th of February, and Sir + Hamilton Seymour was recalled from St Petersburg on the same + day.] + +Lord Dundonald[11] is seventy-nine years of age; and though his +energies and faculties are unbroken, and though, with his accustomed +courage, he volunteers for the Service, yet, on the whole, there is +reason to apprehend that he might deeply commit the Force under his +command in some desperate enterprise, where the chances of +success would not countervail the risk of failure and of the fatal +consequences, which might ensue. Age has not abated the adventurous +spirit of this gallant officer, which no authority could restrain; and +being uncontrollable it might lead to most unfortunate results. The +Cabinet, on the most careful review of the entire question, decided +that the appointment of Lord Dundonald was not expedient.... + + [Footnote 11: This was the Lord Cochrane who had been unjustly + convicted in 1814, under the direction of Lord Ellenborough, + Chief Justice, of conspiracy to defraud. His naval honours + were restored to him in 1832. He is said to have stipulated, + on this occasion, that he should be allowed to destroy + Cronstadt by a chemical process invented by himself.] + +Sir Charles Napier is an excellent seaman, and combines boldness with +discretion.[12] He has served in large squadrons, and he has commanded +them. As a Second, he may not have been submissive; as a Chief, he has +been successful in command. His appointment will give confidence both +to officers and men; and his name is not unknown both to enemies and +allies. If he has the faults of his family, he is not without their +virtues; courage, genius, love of country are not wanting; and the +weighty responsibilities of high command, without oppressing him, +would give steadiness to his demeanour. + +He behaved ill to Lord John Russell and to Sir Francis Baring; and on +shore he has given just cause of complaint; but at sea and in command +he is a different person; and Lord John Russell in the Cabinet +yesterday, regardless of all former displeasure, pronounced an opinion +favourable to the appointment of Sir Charles Napier. Lord Aberdeen, +also, together with the entire Cabinet, came to the same conclusion; +and Sir James Graham on their behalf, and in concurrence with his own +opinion, ventures to ask the permission of your Majesty to appoint Sir +Charles Napier to this important Naval command.[13] + +The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's dutiful Subject and +Servant, + +J. R. G. GRAHAM. + + [Footnote 12: He had had a long naval career. In 1833 he + commanded the Portuguese Fleet for Donna Maria, and won a + small engagement against Dom Miguel. He was "not submissive" + at Beyrout, where, having command of the land forces, and + being told to retire and hand over the command, he advanced + and won a victory, resulting in the evacuation of the city. He + also disobeyed orders at Acre.] + + [Footnote 13: The inadequate results of an appointment which + promised so well are described in Parker's _Sir James Graham_, + vol. ii. pp. 229 _et seq_.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Mr Gladstone._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _17th February 1854._ + +The Queen has received Mr Gladstone's letter and memorandum, and had +heard from the Prince the further explanation of the grounds upon +which he, Mr Gladstone, thinks the new regulations respecting the +Civil Service necessary. The Queen, although not without considerable +misgivings, sanctions the proposed plan, trusting that Mr Gladstone +will do what he can, in the arrangements of the details of it, to +guard against the dangers, which she has pointed out in her former +letter and through the Prince when he saw Mr Gladstone. A check, +for instance, would be necessary upon the admission of candidates +to compete for employment, securing that they should be otherwise +eligible, besides the display of knowledge which they may exhibit +under examination. Without this a young man might be very ineligible, +and still after having been proclaimed to the world as first in +ability, it would require very strong evidence of misconduct to +justify his exclusion by the Government. + + + + +[Pageheading: COMPETITIVE EXAMINATIONS] + + +_Mr Gladstone to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _17th February 1854._ + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer presents his humble duty to your +Majesty, and has the honour to acknowledge your Majesty's gracious +letter. + +He takes blame to himself for having caused your Majesty trouble by +omitting to include in his short memorandum an explanation of the +phrase "qualified persons." + +Experience at the universities and public schools of this country has +shown that in a large majority of cases the test of open examination +is also an effectual test of character; as, except in very remarkable +cases, the previous industry and self-denial, which proficiency +evinces, are rarely separated from general habits of virtue. + +But he humbly assures your Majesty that the utmost pains will be +taken to provide not only for the majority but for all cases, by the +strictest enquiries of which the case will admit; and he has the most +confident belief that the securities for character under the +system, although they cannot be unerring, will be stronger and more +trustworthy than any of which the present method of appointment is +susceptible. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _21st February 1854._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--... War is, I fear, _quite_ inevitable. You will +have seen that the Emperor Nicholas has not given a favourable +answer to _our Brother_ Napoleon (which I hear has disappointed him +extremely, as he expected very great results from it); and the last +proposals or attempts made by Buol[14] it is to be hoped will not be +accepted by Russia, for France and England could _not_ accept them; +but if Austria and Prussia go with us--as we hope they will--the War +will only be a local one. Our beautiful Guards sail to-morrow. +Albert inspected them yesterday. George is quite delighted to have a +division.... + +I must now conclude, with Albert's affectionate love. Believe me +always, your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 14: Austrian Premier and Minister of Foreign + Affairs.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE BRITISH ARMY] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _24th February 1854._ + +The Queen must write to Lord Aberdeen on a subject which at this +moment appears to her of paramount importance--viz., the augmentation +of the Army. The ten thousand men by which it has been ordered to be +augmented can hardly be considered to have brought it up to more than +an improved PEACE _establishment_, such as we have often had during +profound peace in Europe; but even these ten thousand men are not +yet obtained. We have nearly pledged ourselves to sending twenty-five +thousand men to the East, and this pledge will have to be redeemed. +To keep even such a force up in the field will require a strong, +available reserve at home, of which we shall be quite denuded. But we +are going to make war upon Russia! encouraging Austria and Prussia to +do so likewise, whereby we assume a moral obligation not to leave them +without assistance. We engage in a War which may assume in its course +a totally different character from that of its beginning. Who can say +it is impossible that our own shores may be threatened by powers now +in alliance with us? We are powerless for offence or defence without +a _trained_ Army; to obtain this will require considerable time. The +Queen must, therefore, urge Lord Aberdeen to consider with the Cabinet +whether it will not be essential to augment the Army at once, and by +at least thirty thousand men. Considerations of home policy make this +also advisable; the country is eager for War at this moment, and ready +to grant men and money. It will be a great facility hereafter to have +obtained what is most needed at first. If the force should finally not +be wanted, retrenchments may very easily be made. The Crown should +at least have the power of raising the men without the necessity for +further application to Parliament. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE BRITISH ULTIMATUM] + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _26th February 1854._ + +Lord Aberdeen, with his humble duty, begs to inform your Majesty that +another Cabinet was held to-day, in order to consider the draft of +a letter which it is proposed that Lord Clarendon should address to +Count Nesselrode, and in which he should summon the Russian Government +to evacuate the Principalities. The messenger will be directed to wait +six days for an answer, and the British Government will consider +the refusal or the silence of Count Nesselrode as equivalent to a +declaration of War, and proceed to act accordingly.[15] + +An assurance has been received, in general terms, of the intention +of Austria to support this demand; and a telegraphic message has been +sent to Vienna with a desire to know whether the Austrian Government +will join in this summons, or in what manner support will be +given.[16] No answer has yet been received, and Lord Aberdeen would +think it right not to make the summons until Austria has declared her +intention; but the Cabinet appears to desire that the letter should be +sent to-morrow evening. + +The period fixed for the complete evacuation of the Principalities is +the 30th of April. + +As it cannot be supposed that the Emperor of Russia will listen to +such a demand as this, immediate hostilities must be expected, with +all their consequences. + + [Footnote 15: This summons to evacuate the Principalities, and + an ultimatum to a similar purport from Paris, were delivered + to the Czar on the 14th of March; on their receipt the Czar + intimated that he did not think it fitting (_convenable_) that + he should make any reply. His decision was known in London on + the 24th.] + + [Footnote 16: The attitude of Austria caused great perplexity. + Count Orloff had gone to Vienna to obtain a pledge of + neutrality in the event of war, but refused to give the + Emperor Francis Joseph satisfactory assurances as to the + Czar's future policy, and, in particular, as to the evacuation + of the Principalities at the close of the war. The Austrian + Government accordingly announced its intention of acting as + circumstances might dictate, but subsequently limited the + assistance which it now expressed itself willing to give + to England and France in insisting upon the evacuation, to + diplomatic support.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _26th February 1854._ + +The Queen has received Lord Aberdeen's letter of this day. + +To be able to form a judgment on the important question to which it +refers, the Queen would require to be furnished with the exact terms +of "the general assurance" which Austria has given with respect to it. +The Queen, however, does not doubt for a moment that the gain of a day +or two in making the summons to Russia could not be compared to the +advantage of being able to make the summons conjointly with Austria. +She must therefore wish that the answer to the telegraphic message +should be awaited before the messenger is sent off. + + + + +[Pageheading: DEPARTURE OF THE GUARDS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _28th February 1854._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--... The news from Austria are quite excellent, +and much more than we had any reason to expect. It will make a great +difference in the nature and duration of the War. Our summons to +Russia went last night _via_ Paris, Berlin, and Vienna, and if they +are received either with silence, or the Emperor refuses to evacuate +the Principalities--_War_ will be considered as declared. The French +send a similar summons. The messenger is to wait _six_ days for an +answer, but no longer. + +The last battalion of the Guards (Scots Fusiliers) embarked to-day. +They passed through the courtyard here at seven o'clock this morning. +We stood on the balcony to see them--the morning fine, the sun +rising over the towers of old Westminster Abbey--and an immense crowd +collected to see these fine men, and cheering them immensely as they +with difficulty marched along. They formed line, presented arms, +and then cheered us _very heartily_, and went off cheering. It was a +_touching and beautiful_ sight; many sorrowing friends were there, and +one saw the shake of many a hand. My best wishes and prayers will be +with them all.... + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +[_Undated._] + +The Queen was rather annoyed at the manner in which Lord Clarendon +pressed the Duke of Cambridge's going to the Tuileries last night.[17] +She thought it an immense boon upon her part to allow the Duke of +Cambridge _to go to Paris_--and instead of its being considered as +such by Lord Clarendon and Count Walewski, the Queen was told it would +offend the Emperor if the Duke did not go to the Tuileries also. The +Queen observed that it was unnecessary and unusual for the Duke, or +any Prince almost, to live at the _Palace_ of the Sovereign, unless he +was a very particular friend or near relation. The Duke of Genoa had +refused going there, though he had received other civilities here; in +the same manner _no Prince_ comes to this _Palace_ unless he is a very +_near relation_ or particular friend. To this Lord Clarendon replied +that it was "because the _Emperor wished_ it," which rather shocked +the Queen, and she spoke _strongly_ to him upon the subject. The +result was that the Queen said she would speak to the Duke of +Cambridge about it, and see, as the Emperor made _so great a point of +it_, and Lord Clarendon considered that the _Alliance depended upon +it_, what he would do.... + +The Queen must and _will_ protest, for she cannot mix up personal +friendship with a political Alliance. The former is the _result_ of +the _experience_ of years of mutual friendship, and cannot be _carried +by storm_.... + +There would be nothing unusual in apartments being offered to the Duke +of Cambridge, and declined by him. This was done by the King of the +Belgians only last summer at Berlin and Vienna, without anybody's +construing it into an affront. The Queen adds a list of the Royal +personages who have been in England and never resided at the Palace. +Lord Aberdeen may show this letter to Lord Clarendon. + + [Footnote 17: The Duke was going to the Crimea, and it was + arranged that he should stop at Paris on the way.] + + + + +[Pageheading: STABILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _1st March 1854._ + +The Queen has to acknowledge Lord John Russell's letter of this +morning. Much as she must regret the postponement of the second +reading of the Reform Bill, she must admit its wisdom under the +present peculiar circumstances;[18] but she doubts the advantage +of naming a precise day after Easter on which it is to come on. +Considering the _importance_ to the country of _preserving_ the +present Government and of not allowing it to be beat on so vital a +question, the opportunity should not be lost of ascertaining the state +of feeling both in the House of Commons and in the country after the +reassembling of Parliament, before the Government decide on entering +upon the struggle which the carrying through of the measure might +entail. It is quite impossible _now_ to conjecture with certainty what +that state of feeling and the general political circumstances at home +and abroad may be at that time. Possibly the country may be more eager +_then for_ the measure--or the War may _disincline_ it _altogether_ +towards it. + +The Queen seizes this opportunity of expressing her sense of the +_imperative importance_ of the Cabinet being _united_ and of one mind +at this moment, and not to let it _appear_ that there are differences +of opinion within it. The knowledge that there are such is a cause of +GREAT _anxiety_ to the Queen, at a time when she is to enter upon a +European War, of which nobody can confidently predict the extent. + + [Footnote 18: See the Queen's letter of the 4th of March, + _post_.] + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _2nd February (? March) 1854._ + +In returning these letters to Lord Aberdeen the Queen must express to +him that there are _hints_ in them which give her great uneasiness. +The stability of this Government is not only of _paramount importance_ +at the _commencement_ of the War, but throughout it; the moment for +negotiation may arrive much sooner than we now expect--and _then_, +more than _now even_, the Government ought to be composed of the +_ablest and most moderate_ men which this Country can produce. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _4th March 1854._ + +The Queen thanks Lord John Russell for his letter received this +morning. She has read the proceedings in the House of Commons with +much interest.[19] She was particularly pleased with Lord John's +second speech, in which he affirmed the principle that public men +ought not to oppose the regard for personal honour or reputation to +the well-understood interests of the Country. Indeed, the Queen cannot +conceive the possibility of their collision, as an exclusive regard +for the well-understood interests of the Country must always redound +to the honour and reputation of a Statesman. + + [Footnote 19: Lord John Russell had announced the decision of + the Government to postpone till the 27th of April the second + reading of the Reform Bill, and, in reply to some sarcastic + comments from Mr Disraeli, stated that he would be ashamed + of himself if he preferred anything connected with his own + personal reputation to the interest of the country. He added + that the security of the country depended upon its confidence + in the character of public men.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE BALTIC FLEET] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _14th March 1854._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Your kind letter of the 9th arrived here on Saturday +just when we returned from a splendid and never-to-be-forgotten sight-- +the sailing of our noble Fleet for the Baltic;[20] the Navy and Nation +were particularly pleased at _my leading them out_, as they call it, +which in fact was the case, as, in our little _Fairy_ we went on and +lay to, to see them all come out, which (the wind being fair) they did, +with sails set, each passing us close by, and giving us three hearty +cheers, as I think none but British tars _can_ give. Gloriously they +bore along, followed by the prayers and good wishes of all. You should +read the account in yesterday's _Times_. Another sailing squadron goes +to-morrow. The Captains and Admirals all took leave on board, and +seemed much impressed with the solemnity of the moment.... Ever your +truly devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 20: The Fleet, under Sir Charles Napier, had been + assembled at Spithead.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE KING OF PRUSSIA] + +[Pageheading: PRUSSIAN NEUTRALITY] + +[Pageheading: WAR DECLARED] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of Prussia._ + +[_Translation._] + +OSBORNE, _17th March 1854._ + +DEAR SIR AND BROTHER,--General Count von der Groeben has brought me the +official letter of your Majesty, as well as the confidential one,[21] +and I send your kind messenger back, with these two answers to you. He +will be able to tell you, orally, what I can express only imperfectly +in writing, how deep my pain is, after our going so far, faithfully, +hand in hand, to see you, at this weighty moment, separating yourself +from us. My pain is still further increased by the fact that I cannot +even conceive the grounds which move your Majesty to take this step. + + [Footnote 21: The Prussian Court considered itself under no + obligation to engage in the impending struggle, till its own + interests became directly involved; it would not (said Baron + Manteuffel, President of the Ministry, on the 18th of March) + take part, for the protection of the integrity of the Ottoman + Empire, "in a conflict, the full scope of which cannot yet be + apprehended, and the original subject matter of which does not + affect the interests of our fatherland."] + +The most recent Russian proposals came as an answer to the _last_ +attempt for an understanding which the Powers believed could be +arrived at honourably, and they have been rejected by the Vienna +Conference, not because they were not in accordance with the literal +wording of the programme, but because they were contrary to the +intention of it. Your Majesty's Ambassador has taken part in this +Conference and its decision, and when your Majesty now says: "The task +of Diplomacy ceases at the exact point where that of the Sovereigns +emphatically begins"; I am unable to assent to such a definition. For +what my Ambassador does, he does in my name, and I feel myself not +only bound in honour thereby, but also placed under an obligation +to take upon myself the _consequences_ which the step which he is +directed to take may lead to. + +The dreadful and incalculable consequences of a War weigh upon my +heart not less than on your Majesty's. I also know that the Emperor of +Russia does not wish for it. He, none the less, demands from the Porte +things which all the Powers of Europe--among them, yourself--have +solemnly declared to be incompatible with the independence of the +Porte, and the European balance of power. In view of this declaration +and of the presence of the Russian Army of invasion in the +Principalities, the Powers could not but be ready to confirm their +word by action. If "the Turk" now goes into the background, and if +the approaching War appears to you as a "War of tendency" this is +the case only because the very motives which may induce the Emperor to +insist on his demands--in defiance of the opposition of the whole of +Europe, and with the danger of a War that may devastate the world, do +betray a _distinct tendency_, and because the grave consequences of +the War must appear much more momentous than the original ostensible +cause of it, which at first appeared only as the request for a key to +the back door of a mosque. + +Your Majesty asks me "to examine the question in a spirit of love for +peace, and even now to build a bridge for the Imperial honour." Ah, my +dear Sir and Brother, all the inventive gifts, all the architecture +of diplomacy and of goodwill, have been uselessly wasted during these +last nine months in this bridge-building! The _Projets de Notes, de +Conventions, de Protocoles_, etc., etc., have proceeded, by the dozen, +from the Chancelleries of the different Powers, and one might call +the ink wasted on them another Black Sea. But everything has been +shipwrecked against the self-will of your honourable brother-in-law. + +If now your Majesty informs me "_that now you mean to persist in +complete neutrality_," and if, on this occasion, you refer us to your +Nation, who are said to exclaim with sound common sense: "Acts of +violence have been done by the Turks, the Turk has good friends +in large numbers, and the Emperor has done us no harm"--I do not +understand you. Certainly I should understand this language if I +heard it from the Kings of Hanover or of Saxony. But I have, hitherto, +looked upon Prussia as one of the Great Powers which, since the peace +of 1815, have been guarantors of treaties, guardians of civilisation, +defenders of the right, the real arbiters of the Nations; and for +my part I have felt the divine responsibility of this sacred office, +without undervaluing at the same time the heavy obligation, not +unconnected with danger, which it imposes on me. If you, dear Sir +and Brother, abdicate these obligations, you have also abdicated that +position for Prussia. And should such an example find imitators, then +the civilisation of Europe would be delivered up to the play of winds; +right will then no longer find a champion, the oppressed will find no +longer an umpire. + +Let not your Majesty believe that what has been said in this letter +is aimed at persuading you to change your resolves; it flows from the +affectionate heart of a sister, who could not pardon herself, were she +not, at so weighty a moment, to let you see into her inmost soul. So +little is it my intention to desire to win you over to our view, that +nothing has grieved me more than the suspicion, expressed in your name +by General von der Groeben, that England had desired to seduce you from +your purpose by opening a prospect of advantages to be gained. The +baselessness of such a supposition is evident from the Treaty itself +which had been offered to you, and whose most important clause +consisted in the promise of the contracting parties, _not to desire in +any case to derive from the War any advantage for themselves_. + +Your Majesty could not have given a more powerful proof of your +unselfishness than by the very fact of attaching your signature to +this Treaty. + +To come to a close. You suppose that War may already have been +declared; you express, however, at the same time, the hope that it may +not already have actually broken out. I cannot unfortunately hold out +any hope that the sentence will be followed by any stay of execution. +Shakespeare's words: + + "Beware + Of entrance to a quarrel; but, being in, + Bear it that the opposer may beware of thee," + +are deeply engraved on the hearts of all Englishmen. Sad that they +are to find an application at this crisis, in a nation with whom +previously nothing prevailed but friendship and affection! And how +much more melancholy must be the present emotions of your Majesty's +heart and mind to see such words applied to a beloved brother-in-law, +whom yet--however much you love him--your conscience cannot absolve +from the crime of having brought upon the world wilfully and +frivolously such awful misery! + +May the Almighty take you under His protection! + +With Albert's most cordial compliments, and our united greetings +to the dear Queen, I remain, my much honoured Sir and Brother, your +Majesty's faithful Sister and Friend, + +VICTORIA R.[22] + + [Footnote 22: The King afterwards agreed to the proposed + protocol for the preservation of the integrity of Turkey, + which was signed at Vienna on the 7th of April.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +_1st April 1854._ + +The Queen rejoices to see the Debate was favourable in the House of +Lords, and that it was concluded in the House of Commons.[23] + +She is rather startled at seeing Lord Aberdeen's answer to Lord Roden +upon the subject of a day of humiliation, as he has never mentioned +the subject to her, and it is one upon which she feels strongly. +The only thing the Queen ever heard about it was from the Duke of +Newcastle, who suggested the _possibility_ of an _appropriate_ prayer +being introduced into the Liturgy, in which the Queen quite agreed; +but he was strongly against a day of humiliation, in which the Queen +also entirely agreed, as she thinks we have recourse to them far too +often, and they thereby lose their effect. The Queen therefore hopes +that this will be reconsidered carefully, and a _prayer_ substituted +for the _day of humiliation_. Were the services selected for these +days of a different kind to what they are--the Queen would feel +less strongly about it; but they always select chapters from the Old +Testament and Psalms which are so totally inapplicable that it does +away with all the effect it ought to have. Moreover, really to say +(as we probably should) that the _great sinfulness of the nation_ has +brought about this War, when it is the selfishness and ambition of +_one_ man and his servants who have brought this about, while our +conduct has been throughout actuated by unselfishness and honesty, +would be too manifestly repulsive to the feelings of every one, and +would be a mere act of hypocrisy. Let there be a prayer expressive of +our great thankfulness for the benefits we have enjoyed, and for the +immense prosperity of this country, and entreating God's help and +protection in the coming struggle. In this the Queen would join heart +and soul. If there is to be a day set apart, let it be for prayer in +this sense. + + [Footnote 23: On the 27th of March the Queen announced to + Parliament that the negotiations with the Czar had terminated, + and that she felt bound "to afford active assistance to her + ally, the Sultan." Next day the Declaration of War was issued, + containing a narrative of the events which finally led to the + rupture. The debates on the Address in answer to the message + took place on the 31st of March, Mr Bright, in the Commons, + censuring the declaration, and being replied to by Lord + Palmerston. The addresses were presented to the Queen on the + 3rd of April.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE REFORM QUESTION] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th April 1854._ + +The Queen is anxious to express to Lord John Russell the extreme +satisfaction she experiences at the communication Lord Aberdeen +yesterday evening made her of the settlement of the Reform Question, +viz., of its postponement for the present Session, with the +understanding that it is to be brought forward again whenever the +state of affairs will admit of its being fairly and calmly considered +by Parliament.[24] The sacrifice of personal feeling which no doubt +this may cost Lord John will, she is certain, be amply compensated by +the conviction that he has done so for the interest and tranquillity +of his Sovereign and Country, to whom a dissolution of the present +Government would have been a source of immense danger and evil. + + [Footnote 24: From a memorandum, made by Prince Albert, of + interviews with Lord Aberdeen, it appears that before the + Cabinet of the 8th of April Lord Palmerston declared that + under neither present nor any future conditions could he vote + for the second reading of the Reform Bill. Lord John thereupon + tendered his resignation; this Lord Aberdeen asked him to + suspend until after the meeting of the Cabinet.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DISSENSION IN THE CABINET] + +[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +PEMBROKE LODGE, _9th April 1854._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he cannot +think it consistent with fairness to conceal from your Majesty the +deep feelings of mortification which affect him on reviewing the +proceedings of the Cabinet yesterday.[25] + +Lord Aberdeen was the only person who behaved with due regard to the +honour of the Administration. The rest appeared ready to sacrifice +everything in order to keep the Ministry together; and Lord John +Russell feels bound to warn your Majesty that, although he was quite +willing to waive the consideration of the Reform Bill for the present +Session, he is not ready to consent that it shall be entirely set +aside in order to keep together a Ministry whose continuance would +be dearly bought at the price of the welfare of the Country, and the +consistency of public men. Lord John Russell must reflect further on +this subject before he comes to a final determination. + + [Footnote 25: Lord John Russell's actions at this period + of his career seem often incomprehensible; but his private + domestic anxieties seem to have weighed him down. Having made + the great sacrifice, for an ex-Premier, of taking office under + an old opponent, he was now engaged in trying to regain the + first place for himself. Lord Aberdeen had always contemplated + retiring in his favour, but would not give up the Premiership + in the face of the dangers threatening the country. Moreover, + he had believed his continuance in office to be a guarantee + for peace. Lord John Russell, after accepting the Foreign + Office, had then insisted on being a Minister without office; + later still, by displacing Mr Strutt and transferring Lord + Granville to the Duchy, he himself became Lord President of + the Council, an office which no commoner had held since the + reign of Henry VIII. By such action, coupled with perpetual + threats of resignation, he marred his prospects of succeeding + Lord Aberdeen, and, as will be seen, failed in his attempt to + construct an Administration when the opportunity was offered + him.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _10th April 1854._ + +The Queen received Lord John Russell's letter last night. She is much +grieved that he should be "affected by deep feelings of mortification +on reviewing the proceedings of the Cabinet." From all the Queen +had heard of the views of the different members of the Cabinet, she +believes them to have been fully convinced that the present moment +would be inopportune to press the Reform Bill, but _quite_ prepared +to take it up again on the first fitting opportunity; she, of course, +does _not_ speak of Lord Palmerston. + +The Queen would, no more than Lord John, wish to see "the Reform Bill +set aside in order to keep together a Ministry," but does not consider +the decision of the Cabinet at all to imply this, whatever Lord +Palmerston's personal wishes may be, and trusts that the Country will +fully understand and appreciate the motives which have guided the +Government. Lord Aberdeen and Lord John will always receive every +support from the Queen when they shall think it right to propose the +re-introduction of the measure. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _10th April 1854._ + +Lord Aberdeen has just left the Queen, after an interview which he +had had with Sir James Graham and Lord John Russell at Lord John's +request. He reported that at that interview Lord John renewed his +complaint of the Cabinet, declared that he could not state to the +House what was untrue, and must therefore resign. Lord Aberdeen called +this "really too monstrous" after the pledge given by the Sovereign, +himself as Prime Minister, and the whole Cabinet, with the exception +of one man, and he would repeat his promise that whenever Lord John +said, "The Reform Bill is to come on," and Lord Palmerston opposed it, +he should go. + +Lord John could not be appeased, but spoke with the greatest +bitterness. He had written to Lord Palmerston in the same sense; and +Lord Palmerston's answer arrived during the interview. It was to the +effect that if one of them was to resign, it was not Lord John, who +agreed with the rest of the Cabinet upon the Bill, but himself, +who was the dissentient. Lord Aberdeen asked Lord John whether Lord +Palmerston's resignation would satisfy him; to which he answered, he +believed it would not mend matters. Lord Aberdeen's opinion, however, +is that it is what Lord John, and still more what Lady John, wants. +He thinks the Country will never understand how the Government could +break up, and that Lord John is cutting his own throat, and told him +so. If Lord John went, he could not go on with Lord Palmerston as +Leader of the House of Commons, which he called "perfectly ludicrous." +Lord Palmerston would probably insist upon this, however; Lord +Palmerston's retirement would be a great blow to the Government, as +the Country persisted in thinking him the only able War Minister, and +would cry out at "the imbecile old Head of the Government having it +now all his own way." He thought, should he not be able to go on, new +combinations could be formed, perhaps under the Duke of Newcastle and +Mr Gladstone, as the Country liked younger men. Lord John must give +his answer in the House of Commons to-morrow at half-past four. Lord +Aberdeen would wish to see the Duke of Newcastle, Sir James Graham, +and Mr Gladstone, as his more particular friends, this evening, to +discuss the whole question with them, and would see Lord Palmerston +and Lord John to-morrow, before he could make any report to the Queen. + +This is all really very bad! + +ALBERT. + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _11th April 1854._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he has the +honour to acknowledge, with gratitude, your Majesty's communication +of yesterday. Lord John Russell waited to see Lord Aberdeen before he +answered, and having now had a long conversation with him, Lord John +Russell being assured of your Majesty's support, of Lord Aberdeen's +concurrence, and of the assent of the majority of his colleagues, is +willing to continue his humble services in the Cabinet, and in the +House of Commons. + +Lord John Russell must ask your Majesty to excuse what may have seemed +intemperate in his letter of Sunday last. He is still of opinion that +without public confidence in his integrity and uprightness he can be +of no use to your Majesty, or to the Country. + +And on that confidence must depend the continuance of his +services.[26] + + [Footnote 26: On the same day Lord John announced in the + Commons the withdrawal of the Reform Bill. He admitted that + this course would expose him to the taunts and sarcasms of his + opponents, and to the suspicions of his supporters. Here "his + feelings overcame him, and, as he used the word 'suspicion' + in reference to his motive, his utterance was choked, and the + sentence he struggled to pronounce was evidently given through + tears." (_Ann. Reg._, 1854, p. 120.) Loud and sympathetic + cheers followed from all parts of the House.] + + + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _11th April 1854._ + +We saw Lord Aberdeen at three o'clock to-day, who reported to the +Queen that the change of mind of Lord John had been the result of an +hour and a half's discussion with him this morning. He must admit, +however, that he found Lord John in a mood willing to let himself be +convinced. The Queen's letter might have contributed to this as well +as the entreaties of the Duke of Bedford and Lord Lansdowne. Lord +Aberdeen could tell Lord John in truth that there was not a shadow of +difference of opinion amongst any of his friends, that he would lose +himself for ever, and meet with universal reprobation, if he persisted +in resigning after every cause for it had been removed, and he +had agreed to the course Lord Palmerston had insisted upon. Lord +Palmerston had written a very clever letter to Lord John, begging him +not to desert the Queen and the Country, which, if he read it to the +House of Commons, would floor Lord John completely. + +We asked what had been agreed upon at yesterday evening's meeting. +Lord Aberdeen told us the decision, under the impression that Lord +John would resign, had been for Lord Aberdeen to call upon Lord +Palmerston, and to explain to him that although he had acted cordially +with him as a Colleague in this Government, yet they had been +political antagonists during their whole lives--the Government also +was still a Reform Government; from personal, therefore, as well as +public, reasons it was impossible that he should be entrusted with the +lead of the House of Commons, being the only anti-Reformer. And it was +hoped that he would have no difficulty in letting Mr Gladstone lead +the House, as Sir James Graham was the same age and political standing +with Lord Palmerston, but at once cheerfully contented to waive all +his claims in favour of Mr Gladstone. + +ALBERT. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE] + +[Pageheading: THE EMPEROR OF AUSTRIA] + + +_The Duke of Cambridge to Queen Victoria._[27] + +VIENNA, _28th April 1854._ + +MY DEAR COUSIN,--Before leaving this place I think it right that I +should once more trouble you with a letter, to inform you that the +messenger has arrived who brought your autograph letter for the +Emperor, which I presented to him to-day at an audience I had for this +purpose.... I had a very long and most interesting conversation with +the Emperor, who opened frankly and fairly upon the great questions +of the day. The impression he made upon me was an excellent one, his +confidence and frankness are complete, and I have the firm conviction +that he is a man of his word, and that he never would say a thing +that he did not in his heart mean. The result of what he said was +the following: that he naturally was most distressed at all that +had occurred; that he was placed by the Emperor of Russia in a most +difficult position; that he quite disapproved his acts; but that he +could not but have a great disinclination to break with a very old +ally; and that even still he hoped this painful step might be spared +to him by the Emperor of Russia making some proposal so honourable to +all parties, that it would not be rejected by the Western Powers, +who would naturally not be disinclined to a peace, honourable to +themselves and tranquillising for the future; that the basis of such +treaty would be the position of the Christian population of the +East; that this might be discussed in Conference, the Russians having +_first_ evacuated the Principalities, upon which the Turks would +hold the right bank of the Danube, our Fleets to await events in +the Bosphorus, and our armies at Constantinople, such position being +highly honourable and advantageous to us in the eyes of Europe, and +certainly not nearly so favourable to Russia; that he was certainly +sensible that the English Government had not pressed him, feeling +as they had done the extreme delicacy of his position, and the great +extent of his frontier so easily attacked; that he did not wish to say +now, till the moment of decision came, thinking it more honourable +and straightforward not to raise false expectations, but that his +interests being so completely with us, should the Emperor of Russia +do nothing in the honourable direction he hoped to see him adopt, he +should then consider himself called upon to express frankly to us what +he proposed to do, in order that our action might become united and +of advantage to one another. He further thought that the treaty with +Prussia would greatly facilitate all this, as Prussia had acceded to +the wishes of Austria in the event of certain eventualities, which, +however, for the moment are not named, but which, as far as I +understand, go to the length of leaving Austria unfettered to act as +she likes at the moment when she considers her so doing essential to +her position as a young Empire. It is quite evident to me that this is +the general feeling here, amongst all those who have any weight in the +councils of the Empire. These are _Austrian_ views, and I must say I +can understand them and appreciate them as such. I am confident, I am +certain, they are _honest_ on the part of the Emperor, and I doubt +not he will carry them through to the letter, for I am confident +the Emperor never would say what he did not mean. Rely upon it, this +Country will never go with Russia; she knows her interests too well +for that; she would like to avoid a War altogether if she could, +and with that view she would be delighted to see some honourable and +acceptable proposal made, but should this fail she will then take a +very decided line, and that line will be in accordance with Austrian +interests--which means with us. I find that most of the more prudent +people, and many of those in high office, are fully alive to the +advantages of the English alliance, and would wish to see this +alliance confirmed _de novo_; and I think it would be very well for us +to meet them half-way with this. But then it would be better to avoid +all after-dinner speeches such as those at the Reform Club,[28] all +Polish legions such as are talked of, and in short any of these little +matters, which are painfully felt here, and which always produce an +uncomfortable and distrustful effect. The Emperor expressed himself in +the most grateful manner towards yourself, and I think is pleased at +your having permitted me to be present on this occasion.... Hoping +that you will approve of my humble endeavours here, and with sincere +regards to Albert, I beg to remain, my dear Cousin, your most dutiful +Cousin, + +GEORGE. + + [Footnote 27: The English forces destined for the East were + under the command of Lord Raglan (formerly Lord Fitzroy + Somerset). The Duke of Cambridge commanded one infantry + division, the other three being respectively under Sir George + Brown, Sir De Lacy Evans, and Sir Richard England; the cavalry + division was commanded by the Earl of Lucan, General Scarlett + commanding the heavy cavalry, and Lord Cardigan the Light + Brigade.] + + [Footnote 28: At a dinner given on the 7th of March by the + Reform Club to Sir Charles Napier, Lord Palmerston, who was + in the chair, and Sir James Graham, had made provocative and + unbecoming speeches; on attention being called in Parliament + to the proceedings, Mr Bright complained of the reckless + levity displayed; Lord Palmerston made a flippant and + undignified defence, the tone of which was much resented.] + + + + +[Pageheading: BOMBARDMENT OF ODESSA] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th May 1854._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Accept my best thanks for your kind letter of the +5th. I return you the Emperor's kind letter. Nothing could be more +satisfactory than the reception George met with by everybody at +Vienna--beginning with the Emperor. They showed him much confidence, +and he obtained from them intelligence which I think no one else +would. The Fleets have done their duty admirably at Odessa;[29] the +town has not been touched, and all the fortifications and many ships +have been destroyed.... + +We had a concert last night, and I saw good Sir H. Seymour, who is +full of your kindness and goodness; and a most worthy, honourable and +courageous little man he is.[30] If the poor Emperor Nicholas had had +a few such--_nous ne serions pas ou nous en sommes_. But unfortunately +the Emperor does _not like_ being _told_ what is unpleasant and +_contrary_ to _his wishes_, and gets very violent when he hears the +_real_ truth--which _consequently_ is not told him! There is the +misery of being violent and passionate; if Princes and still more +Kings and Emperors are so, _no_ one will _ever_ tell them the truth, +and _how_ dreadful that is! I think one never can be too careful in +bringing up Princes to inculcate the principle of _self-control_. + +We have a good deal of rain and thunder since yesterday, which I hope +will revive poor parched Nature. I must now wish you good-bye, as +I expect dear Victoire shortly. Nemours intends going to fetch the +Queen. With Albert's love, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 29: In consequence of the Russians firing upon a + flag of truce, Odessa was bombarded on the 22nd of April, and + most of its batteries silenced or destroyed.] + + [Footnote 30: The conversations of Sir Hamilton Seymour and + the Emperor Nicholas in the year 1853 had now been given + to the world. The Czar, believing the time ripe for the + dismemberment of Turkey, had expressed himself openly to the + British Ambassador, and the conversations were all reported to + the British Ministry. On the 2nd of March 1854, an obviously + inspired article in the _Journal de St. Petersbourg_ professed + to contradict the statements of Lord John Russell in the + House of Commons reflecting on the bad faith of the Russian + Government, and accordingly, in their own vindication, the + English Cabinet now published the conversations above referred + to.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE SULTAN] + +[Pageheading: THE BRITISH FORCES] + + +_The Duke of Cambridge to Queen Victoria._ + +CONSTANTINOPLE, _13th May 1854._ + +MY DEAR COUSIN,--I have not as yet announced to you my safe arrival +here, as I was anxious first to see the Sultan and the general state +of things before giving you a report of what was really going on.... + +I found a great proportion of the Infantry arrived, a portion of the +Artillery, but as yet no Cavalry. Lord Raglan is well and in good +spirits, Lord Stratford de Redcliffe ill in bed with a bad fit of the +gout--most miserable to see in every respect. The Sultan[31] received +me at once on the day of arrival, and made his return visit to +me yesterday. I confess I was not much impressed with either his +appearance or general ability. He is, to say the truth, a wretched +creature, prematurely aged, and having nothing whatever to say for +himself. A few commonplace civilities was all the conversation which +passed between us. I said everything I could think of to make a +conversation, among other things messages of civility from yourself; +but though he appeared pleased and expressed his satisfaction at our +being here, I could not get him to enter into anything, and I was not +sorry on both occasions when our interview was at an end. As to his +Ministers, and in fact the whole population and country, with the +exception of Redschid Pasha,[32] they are all a most wretched and +miserable set of people, and far, far worse than anything I could +possibly have imagined or supposed. In fact, the "sick man" is +_excessively sick indeed_, dying as fast as possible; and the sooner +diplomacy disposes of him the better, for no earthly power can save +him, that is very evident. This is the opinion of every person out +here of both armies, French and English, and you may rest assured it +is the truth. The great thing is that we are here and no other Power +can now step in, but diplomacy must settle what is to happen, for as +to the Turks remaining in Europe that is out of the question, and the +very fact of our being here now has given them their death-blow. I +hope, my dear cousin, you will forgive me for being very candid on +this point, but I really do not think that anybody in England had any +idea of the real state of affairs here. The sooner therefore that they +are put in possession of the truth unvarnished the better. The great +and imperative necessity is that the four Powers of Europe should +strike together, otherwise things will become much worse than they +are even at present. Everybody is very civil and obliging to me, the +Sultan has put me into one of his best Palaces, very nicely fitted up, +and is anxious to do everything I wish. I find it inconvenient, as the +troops are on the other side of the Bosphorus, and I therefore intend +going over there to reside if possible. Marshal St Arnaud is here and +Prince Napoleon, but no French troops. I have seen the latter once; he +was very civil indeed to me, but I do not think he has made at all a +good impression here, his manner being offensive and harsh. I do not +think the Army like him at all. I am afraid the French Ambassador is +giving much trouble. Neither St Arnaud nor the Prince like him at all, +and I believe they have written to demand his recall, which would be +a very good thing, as he cannot hit it off with anybody. As to our +movements, I know nothing of them as yet, nor do I think that much has +as yet been settled, but I fear we shall not be fit to move for some +time; the difficulty of transport is very great, our Artillery +only partly arrived, and no Cavalry. We require more troops, more +particularly of the latter arm, in which the Russians are very strong. +We ought to have at least 10,000 men more, and the sooner they are +sent out the better. Even that number is not enough, for the French +talk of 100,000 men, and we should be in a most dreadful minority +unless we had 40,000 to 50,000. I am afraid all this will alarm people +in England, but it is the truth.... I remain, my dear Cousin, your +most dutiful Cousin, + +GEORGE. + +We never hear any news here. All that does come to us generally comes +by way of Europe; another proof of what a miserable country this is. + + [Footnote 31: Abdul Medjid, born 1823, who had succeeded to + the throne at the time of the Syrian War; see _ante_, vol. i., + 19th August, 1839, note 54.] + + [Footnote 32: Minister of Foreign Affairs, born 1802, died + 1858.] + + + +[Pageheading: THE KING OF PRUSSIA] + + +_The King of Prussia to Queen Victoria._ + +[_Translation._] + +SANS SOUCI, _24th May 1854._ + +MOST GRACIOUS QUEEN,--... My policy,[33] which has been so terribly +criticised and derided as "vacillating," has been, since the beginning +of this most inauspicious conflict, one and the same, and _without a +hairsbreadth of deviation_ either to the right or to the left. As it +rests on the unshakable foundation which my conscience as a King and +a Christian has laid down, and which does not admit _que je fasse la +besogne ni de l'un ni de l'autre parti_, I am abused and insulted +at the Winter Palace, and regarded, by way of contrast in London and +Paris, as a kind of simpleton--neither of which is pleasant. + +May your Majesty believe my Royal Word: I was, I am, I remain the +truest and most faithful friend of Great Britain, as well in principle +as from religious feeling and from true affection. I desire and +practise a good and honest understanding with France; but when it +comes to helping the French--to whom Prussia's geographical position +between Paris and Warsaw is very inconvenient--to pull the _chestnuts +from the fire_ for them, for such a task I am frankly too good. If the +Emperor wishes to force me to assist--as evidently he is inclined to +do--it will end by becoming too difficult for him. He ought to thank +God that my view of Russian policy and my fidelity to your Majesty +have prevented me from making him begin this _Turkish_ War on the +_other side of his own frontier_. The great advantage of this result +is totally forgotten in France, and, unfortunately, in England too. +Those who every day fill the papers of home and foreign countries with +accounts of my vacillations, nay, who represent me as leaping from my +own horse on to a Russian one, are inventing lies, in a great measure, +deliberately. I tell your Majesty, on my honour and conscience, that +my policy is to-day _the same_ as it was nine months ago. I have +recognised it as my duty before God to preserve, for my people and my +provinces, peace, _because I recognise Peace as a blessing and War +as a curse_. I cannot and will not side with Russia, because Russia's +arrogance and wickedness have caused this _horrible_ trouble, and +because duty and conscience and tradition forbid me to draw the sword +against Old England. In the same degree duty and conscience forbid +me to make unprovoked war against Russia, because Russia, so far, +has done me no harm. So I thought, so I willed when I thought myself +isolated. How then could I now suddenly abandon a steady policy, +preserved in the face of many dangers, and incline to Russia at the +moment when I have concluded with Austria an Alliance defensive and +offensive, in which (if God grant His blessing) the whole of Germany +will join in a few days, thus welding, for the entire duration of the +War, the whole of Central Europe into a Unity, comprising 72,000,000 +people, and easily able to put 1,000,000 men into the field? And +yet, most gracious Queen, I do not take up a defiant position on the +strength of this enormous power, but I trust in the Lord's help and +my own sacred Right; I also believe, honestly and firmly, that the +character of a so-called Great Power must justify itself, _not by +swimming with the current_, but _by standing firm like a rock in the +sea_. + +I close this letter which, in consequence of various interruptions, +is almost a week old, on the 24th of May. This is your birthday, ever +dearest, most gracious Queen. On this day I lay at your Majesty's feet +the expression of my wishes for every blessing. May God grant your +Majesty a joyful day, and a richly blessed year of rule. May He +strengthen, preserve, and invigorate your precious health, and may He +give you, within the three hundred and sixty-five days of the year +of your life which begins to-day, _that_ one day of overabundant +blessing, of unspeakable joy, for which I long, for which I pray to +God--_that blissful day on which you can utter the word_ PEACE. + +Now I beg your Majesty from the bottom of my heart not to be angry +with me for my unconscionably long letter, nor to worry yourself +about sending an answer, but, on the other hand, graciously to keep +it secret, communicating it only to the dear Prince. It is a matter +of course that the facts which it contains, and the resulting +explanations, which may be of importance for your Majesty's +Government, must, from their nature, no longer be kept secret, so +soon as you think it right to announce them. I embrace the dear Prince +tenderly, and commend myself to the grace, goodwill, and friendship +of my august Royal Sister, I being your Majesty's most faithfully +devoted, most attached Servant and Good Brother, + +FREDERIC WILLIAM. + + [Footnote 33: In the previous portion of this long letter, + here omitted, the King gives a detailed account of his + position and policy.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MARSHAL ST ARNAUD] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Duke of Newcastle._ + +OSBORNE, _29th May 1854._ + +The Queen acknowledges the receipt of the Duke of Newcastle's letter, +which she received quite early this morning. + +The Duke of Cambridge's letter does _not_ give a flourishing account +of the state of Turkey. What alarms the Queen most is the news given +by the Duke of Newcastle of the pretensions of Marshal St Arnaud.[34] +She does not quite understand whether he has received the supreme +command over the Turkish Army, but at any rate if the Porte should +be willing to allow its Army to be placed under Foreign Command, a +portion of it ought to be claimed by us for Lord Raglan, which, joined +to his English forces, would produce an Army capable of taking the +field independently. + +The Queen trusts that the Government will take this into serious +consideration, and, if they should concur in this view, that no time +will be lost. + + [Footnote 34: The Duke had written to say that a demand had + been made by Marshal St Arnaud upon the Porte that Omar Pasha + should be superseded, and the Turkish Army placed under his + (St Arnaud's) orders; also that Marshal St Arnaud was desirous + of assuming the supreme command of the allied forces. The + incident is graphically recorded by Mr Kinglake.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S REPLY] + +[Pageheading: INVASION OF THE PRINCIPALITIES] + +[Pageheading: FRIENDLY RELATIONS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of Prussia._ + +[_Translation._] + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _June 1854._ + +DEAREST SIR AND BROTHER,--Your faithful Bunsen has handed me your +Majesty's long explanatory letter, and has taken his leave of us,[35] +with tears in his eyes, and I can assure your Majesty that I, too, see +with pain the departure of one whom I have been accustomed to consider +as the faithful mirror of your feelings, wishes, and views, and whose +depth and warmth of heart I esteem no less highly than his high mental +gifts. Sympathy with his fate is general here. I entirely recognise in +your letter the expression of your friendship, which is so dear to me, +and which does not admit any sort of misunderstanding to exist between +us, without my endeavouring at once to clear it up and remove it. +How could I meet your friendship otherwise than by equally absolute +frankness, allowing you to look into my inmost heart! Though you have +shown me a proof of your gracious confidence in giving me, down to the +smallest detail, an account of your personal and business relations +with your servants, I still believe that I have no right to formulate +any judgment. Only one thing my heart bids me to express, viz., that +the men with whom you have broken were faithful, veracious servants, +warmly devoted to you, and that just by the freedom and independence +of spirit, with which they have expressed their opinions to your +Majesty, _they have given an indisputable proof_ of having had +in view, not their own personal advantage and the favour of their +Sovereign, but his true interests and welfare alone; and if just such +men as these--among them even your loving brother, a thoroughly noble +and chivalrous Prince, standing next to the throne--find themselves +forced, in a grave crisis, to turn away from you, this is a _momentous +sign_, which might well give cause to your Majesty to take counsel +with yourself, and to examine with anxious care, whether perhaps the +hidden cause of past and future evils may not lie in your Majesty's +own views?[36] You complain, most honoured Sire and Brother, that +your policy is blamed as _vacillating_, and that your own person is +insulted at home and abroad (a thing which has often filled me with +_deep grief and indignation_), and you asseverate that your policy +rests upon a firm basis, which the conscience of "a King and a +Christian has laid down for it." But should it be possible to discover +in your Majesty's fundamental views something self-contradictory, +then necessarily, the more consistently and conscientiously these +fundamental views are revealed in their consequences, the more +contradictory must your actions appear to those who are not intimately +aware of your intentions, and cannot but force upon the world the +impression that your views themselves were wavering. + +You will not take it amiss in a true friend and sister, if she +endeavours to place before you her impressions on this matter, as +frankly as they appear to her. + +Your Majesty has acknowledged in the face of the world that Russia +has addressed to the Porte demands which she had no right to make. You +have further acknowledged that the forcible taking possession of two +Turkish provinces with the intention of enforcing the demand was a +political wrong. You have, together with Austria, France, and England, +several times declared in Protocols the preservation of the integrity +of the Turkish empire to be a European interest. Notwithstanding all +this, Russia continues to occupy the Danube principalities, penetrates +further into Turkey, and, by forcing on a sanguinary and exhausting +war, leads the unhappy and _suffering_ empire on to the brink of the +grave. What should Europe then do under these circumstances? + +It could not possibly be the intention of the Powers to declare the +preservation and integrity of the Porte to be a matter of European +concern, solely in order to allow that empire to be destroyed before +their very eyes! As to Prussia, I can conceive a line of policy, not +that indeed which I should think in harmony with the generosity and +chivalry of your rule, but still one possible in itself, by which +she would say to herself: "The preservation of this integrity I have +indeed declared to be a matter of European concern, but I wish to +leave England and France to defend that policy with their wealth and +blood, and reserve to myself only a _moral_ co-operation." But what am +I to think if, after England and France with courageous readiness have +taken upon themselves alone this immense responsibility, sacrifice, +and danger, your Majesty is now mainly considering the erection of +a barrier of 72,000,000 of men between them and that Power, against +whose encroachment the European interest is to be defended? What am I +to say to the threat uttered against the _West_ as well as against +the _East?_ and to your even asking from the West gratitude for "the +enormous advantage" that you do not, into the bargain, yourself join +in attacking it!! For your Majesty says expressly in your letter: +"The Emperor ought to thank God that my view of Russian policy, my +_fidelity_ to your Majesty, have prevented me from making him begin +the Turkish war on the other side of his own frontier. The enormous +advantage of this abstention is totally forgotten in France, and, +unfortunately, in England too!" + +Dearest Sir and Brother, this language shows a contradiction in +your own mind, which fills me with the greatest anxiety for possible +consequences, an anxiety not diminished by your kindly adding: "Duty, +Conscience, and Tradition forbid you to draw the sword against Old +England." + +I shall gladly with you bless the day on which the word of Peace can +be uttered. Your Majesty can, by vigorous co-operation, help to usher +in that day, just as you might have--in my conviction--contributed, by +vigorous co-operation to prevent the War altogether. + +Whatever these troublous times may bring us, I harbour the firm +confidence that the warmth of our friendly relations cannot be +troubled by anything, and rejoice in the circumstance that the +personal relations of the two Sovereigns are, in this matter, so +entirely in harmony with the interests of the two nations. + +Albert sends you his homage, and I remain, with most cordial +remembrance to the dear Queen, and with thanks for the kind wishes +expressed by both of you, ever your Majesty's faithful Sister and +Friend, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 35: The influence of Russia over the King had been + proved by the recall of Baron Bunsen, and the dismissal of + all those Ministers who had opposed the policy of the Czar in + Turkey.] + + [Footnote 36: The Prince of Prussia had shown his + dissatisfaction with the King's policy by quitting Berlin.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE WAR OFFICE] + + +_Minute of Interview by the Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _8th June 1854._ + +Lord Aberdeen had an Audience to-day before the Council, and +represented that what was intended was merely a division of the office +of Secretary of State, and not the creation of any new power, and must +be considered rather as a means of avoiding further changes.[37] Lord +Grey, in hearing of this intention, called it in a letter "the worst +arrangement of all," as unfavourable to his further views; the Duke +of Newcastle would fill the office, and would have to prepare the +changes, inherent in the arrangement, and was determined not to break +down the present arrangements; Lord John Russell was agreed herewith, +and Sir George Grey would take office knowing this to be Lord +Aberdeen's firm decision. But there was in fact no choice. Mr Rich +would this afternoon bring forward a Motion in the House of Commons +for the consolidation of all military offices under one Department and +a Civil Head, and Lord John Russell, to whom Lord Aberdeen had said +that the Queen still hesitated about admitting the separation of the +duties of Secretary of State, declared to him angrily, if that was +so, he would go down to the House and vote for Mr Rich's Motion!! The +Motion would be carried without fail in the House. + +So this important measure had been carried by storm (as the Queen +could only give way under these circumstances), and carried without a +definite plan, leaving everything to the future!! + +Lord John is to be Lord President, and he insisted upon Sir George +Grey taking the Colonies. Lord Aberdeen fears much dissatisfaction +from Lord Canning, Mr Cardwell, and Mr Peel, and just dissatisfaction; +the Cabinet are very angry at the whole proceeding. Lord Granville +behaved exceedingly well, putting himself and his office entirely at +Lord Aberdeen's disposal.[38] + +It is supposed that in the House expressions will be dropped in favour +of Lord Palmerston's taking the conduct of the War in his hands. The +Duke of Newcastle, whom we saw, also states the extreme difficulty of +_defining_ the duties of the Secretary of State, but promises to do +so, as far as possible, for the Queen's convenience. + +ALBERT. + + [Footnote 37: Lord John Russell had some time before proposed + the separation of the War and Colonial Departments, with a + view of filling the Colonial Office himself, "which, in every + point of view." wrote Lord Aberdeen to the Queen, "would have + been a most satisfactory arrangement."] + + [Footnote 38: Lord Fitzmaurice, in his _Life of Lord + Granville_, points out that Mr Strutt was really the person + who had a right to complain. He was abruptly removed from the + Chancellorship of the Duchy, and replaced by Lord Granville to + suit Lord John's convenience.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _26th June 1851._ + +The Queen has not yet acknowledged Lord Aberdeen's letter of the 24th. +She is very glad to hear that he will take an opportunity to-day of +dispelling misapprehensions which have arisen in the public mind in +consequence of his last speech in the House of Lords, and the effect +of which has given the Queen very great uneasiness.[39] She knows +Lord Aberdeen so well that she can fully enter into his feelings and +understand what he means, but the public, particularly under strong +excitement of patriotic feeling, is impatient and annoyed to hear at +this moment the first Minister of the Crown enter into an _impartial_ +examination of the Emperor of Russia's character and conduct. The +qualities in Lord Aberdeen's character which the Queen values most +highly, his candour and his courage in expressing opinions even +if opposed to general feelings of the moment, are in this instance +dangerous to him, and the Queen hopes that in the vindication of his +own conduct to-day, which ought to be triumphant, as it wants in fact +_no_ vindication, he will not undertake the ungrateful and injurious +task of vindicating the Emperor of Russia from any of the exaggerated +charges brought against him and his policy at a time when there is +enough in it to make us fight with all might against it. + + [Footnote 39: The speech of Lord Aberdeen, to which the Queen + here refers, had created a very unsatisfactory impression. On + the 19th of June the venerable Lord Lyndhurst had denounced + the aggressive policy and the perfidy of Russia; in the debate + which followed, Lord Aberdeen spoke coldly, in a strain of + semi-apology for Russia, and with an unlucky reference to the + Treaty of Adrianople. Popular feeling against Russia being + then at a white heat, the speech was considered indicative of + apathy on behalf of the Government in the prosecution of the + war. Accordingly, by moving on a later day for a copy of his + own despatch of 1829, relative to the Treaty, the + Premier obtained an opportunity of dispelling some of the + apprehensions which his speech had excited.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE RUSSIAN LOAN] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _27th June 1854._ + +The Queen observes in Lord Cowley's letter a suggestion of M. Drouyn +de Lhuys to stop, if possible, the Russian Loan. She thinks this of +the highest importance as _cutting_ the _sinews_ of war of the enemy. +The Queen does not know whether we have by law the power to forbid the +quotation of this stock in our market, but a short Act of Parliament +might be obtained for the purpose. The London and Paris markets +rejecting such paper would have the greatest influence upon its +issue.[40] + + [Footnote 40: Lord Clarendon replied:--"... With reference to + your Majesty's note of this morning, Lord Clarendon begs to + say that having laid a case fully before the Law Officers, and + having ascertained from them that it would be high treason for + any subject of your Majesty's to be concerned in the Russian + Loan, he will give all possible circulation to the opinion, + and he has this evening sent it to Vienna, Berlin, and The + Hague...."] + + + + +[Pageheading: INSTRUCTIONS TO LORD RAGLAN] + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _29th June 1854._ + +Lord Aberdeen presents his humble duty to your Majesty. The Cabinet +assembled yesterday evening at Lord John Russell's, at Richmond, and +continued to a very late hour.[41] + +A Draft of Instructions to Lord Raglan had been prepared by the +Duke of Newcastle, in which the necessity of a prompt attack upon +Sebastopol and the Russian Fleet was strongly urged. The amount of +force now assembled at Varna, and in the neighbourhood, appeared to be +amply sufficient to justify such an enterprise, with the assistance +of the English and French Fleets. But although the expedition to the +Crimea was pressed very warmly, and recommended to be undertaken with +the least possible delay, the final decision was left to the judgment +and discretion of Lord Raglan and Marshal St Arnaud, after they should +have communicated with Omar Pasha. + +It was also decided to send the reserve force, now in England, of +5,000 men, to join Lord Raglan without delay. This will exhaust the +whole disposable force of the country at this time, and renders it +impossible to supply British troops for any undertaking in the Baltic. +A communication was therefore made yesterday to the French Government +to know whether they would be disposed to send 6,000 French troops, to +be conveyed in English transports, to the Baltic, in order to join in +an attack upon the Aland Islands,[42] which appeared to be attended +with no great difficulty; although any attempt upon Helsingfors, or +Cronstadt, was pronounced by Sir Charles Napier to be hopeless. + + [Footnote 41: The war now entered upon a new phase. Though the + land forces of the Allies had hitherto not come into + conflict with the enemy, the Turks under Omar Pasha had been + unexpectedly successful in their resistance to the Russians, + whom a little later they decisively defeated at Giurgevo. + Silistria had been determinedly besieged by the Russians, + and its fall was daily expected. Yet, under the leadership of + three young Englishmen, Captain Butler and Lieutenants Nasmyth + and Ballard, the Russians were beaten off and the siege + raised. The schemes of the Czar against Turkey in Europe had + miscarried. + + Mr Kinglake describes, in an interesting passage, the growth + in the public mind of a determination that the Crimea should + be invaded, and Sebastopol destroyed. The Emperor Napoleon + had suggested the plan at an earlier stage, and the _Times_ + newspaper fanned popular enthusiasm in favour of it. The + improved outlook in the East warranted the attempt being made, + but the plan was not regarded with unqualified approval by the + commanders of the allied forces in the East. In the speech, + already referred to, of Lord Lyndhurst, the project had been + urged upon the Government, and Lord Raglan considered that the + despatch now sanctioned by the Cabinet, which is printed in + the _Invasion of the Crimea_, left him no discretion in the + matter. + + The scheme had previously been considered in all its + aspects by the Cabinet, and Mr Kinglake gives an exaggerated + importance to the fact that some of the members of the Cabinet + gave way to sleep while the long draft of instructions was + being read to them at the after-dinner Council at Pembroke + Lodge.] + + [Footnote 42: Bomarsund, a fortress on one of these islands, + was taken by Sir Charles Napier, aided by a French contingent + under General Baraguay d'Hilliers, on the 16th of August; + but the high expectations raised as to the success of the + operations in the Baltic were not realised.] + + + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _30th June 1854._ + +Lord Aberdeen presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He begs to +call your Majesty's attention to the circumstance that, in 1842, your +Majesty was graciously pleased to authorise Sir Robert Peel to declare +that your Majesty had determined that the Income Tax should be charged +upon the sum payable to your Majesty under the Civil List Act, and +that this declaration was received with marked satisfaction. Lord +Aberdeen humbly presumes that your Majesty will be disposed to follow +the same course with reference to the augmentation of the Tax; and +should this be the case, Lord Aberdeen begs to intimate that the time +for making it known has now fully arrived.... + + + + +[Pageheading: HOME DEFENCES] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Duke, of Newcastle._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _3rd July 1854._ + +In consequence of the departure of these additional 5,000 men for the +East, the Queen feels very uneasy at the very defenceless state +in which the country will be left, not from any want of confidence +arising from the present conjuncture of affairs, but from a strong +sense of the impolicy and danger of leaving this great country in such +a helpless state under any circumstances, for we never can foresee +what events may not suddenly spring up at any moment (like Greece, +for instance[43]) which may require a force to be in readiness for any +particular purpose. + +The Queen therefore wishes the Duke of Newcastle to give her detailed +answers upon the various points stated in the accompanying paper; but +the Queen wishes to have the "_effective_ state" and not "the state +upon paper only." The Duke will be able to obtain these reports from +the different departments. + +What store of muskets are there _here?_ + +When will the new ones be ready? + +What is the force of Artillery left in the country in men and horses? + +What amount of troops are there in the country of Infantry (deducting +the 5,000 men under orders for the East), and of Cavalry, and where +are they stationed? + +How much Militia has been and will be embodied? + +What is the Naval Force at home? + +How much serviceable ammunition is there both of Artillery and small +arms in the country? + + [Footnote 43: A violently hostile feeling between the Turks + and Greeks had culminated earlier in the year in a formidable + insurrection among the Sultan's Greek subjects. It was + terminated on the 18th of June by an engagement at Kalampaka, + in Thessaly.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _4th July 1854._ + +The Queen approves the enclosed drafts, and wishes only to remark on +one passage, where Lord Clarendon says, "that he acts by the unanimous +desire of the Cabinet," which she thinks better altered or omitted. If +left, it might weaken the authority of future instructions emanating +from the Secretary of State alone; moreover, he acts constitutionally +under the authority of the Queen, on his own responsibility and not +that of the Cabinet. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _17th July 1854._ + +The Queen has just received Lord Aberdeen's letter, and has fully +considered the contents of it. She has finally decided to make no +change in her intended departure, from a conviction that her doing so +might shake confidence in the result of this night's Debate. Should +anything serious occur, she would be ready to return to-morrow or at +any time that her presence in town was considered of importance to the +public service. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _19th July 1854._ + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter of yesterday, and +was very glad to hear that both the meeting and the Debate went off so +well. The party which supports the Government is certainly "a strange +basis for a Government to rest upon," but such as it is we must +make the best of it, and nothing will contribute more to keeping +it together than to give it the impression that the Government is +thoroughly united.[44] + + [Footnote 44: During a desultory discussion on the 13th of + July, Mr Disraeli had assailed the Government and its chief in + the Commons, to such purpose that Lord John Russell, stung + by his sarcasms, and mortified by his own failure, asked Lord + Aberdeen to relieve him of the Leadership of the House. The + Queen, to whom he had also written, entreated Lord John not to + let his opponent see that his object in making his attack had + been successful. A meeting of the Ministerialists was held + on the 17th at the Foreign Office, at which one hundred and + eighty members of the House of Commons were present, and some + diversity of opinion was expressed; the result of the meeting + was that the Government was more satisfactorily supported.] + + + + +[Pageheading: INDIAN AFFAIRS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Marquis of Dalhousie._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _26th July 1854._ + +It is a very long time since the Queen has had the pleasure of hearing +from Lord Dalhousie, but she supposes that (fortunately) there is very +little to say, everything being so quiet and prosperous. The Queen +highly appreciates and values Lord Dalhousie's kind offer to remain +in India while there is any prospect of difficulty being caused by +the present War, which will be a source of great satisfaction and +tranquillity to her, as she feels that her Indian Dominions cannot be +in safer hands. + +The Queen wishes to tell Lord Dalhousie how much interested and +pleased we have been in making the acquaintance of the young Maharajah +Dhuleep Singh.[45] It is not without mixed feelings of pain and +sympathy that the Queen sees this young Prince, once destined to so +high and powerful a position, and now reduced to so dependent a one +by her arms; his youth, amiable character, and striking good looks, +as well as his being a Christian, the first of his high rank who has +embraced our faith, must incline every one favourably towards him, and +it will be a pleasure to us to do all we can to be of use to him, and +to befriend and protect him. + +It also interested us to see poor old Prince Gholam Mohammed, the last +son of the once so dreaded Tippoo Sahib. + +We both hope that Lord Dalhousie's health is good, and the Prince +sends him his kind remembrance. + + [Footnote 45: This young Prince was born in 1838, and was a + younger son of Runjeet Singh, Chief of the Sikhs, who, after a + loyal alliance with England for thirty years, died in 1839. + In 1843 Dhuleep Singh was raised to the throne, which had been + occupied successively by Runjeet's elder sons. After the Sikh + war in 1845, the British Government gave to the boy-king the + support of a British force. In 1849, after the destruction of + the Sikh army at Gujerat, and the annexation of the Punjab, + a pension was bestowed on the young Maharajah on condition + of his remaining loyal to the British Government. He became a + Christian and was at this time on a visit to England.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MILITARY APPOINTMENTS] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Hardinge._ + +OSBORNE, _6th August 1854._ + +The Queen has received Lord Hardinge's letter of the 4th.[46] She +would for the future wish all papers for signature to be accompanied +by a descriptive list showing at a glance the purport of the +documents, as is done with papers from other Government offices. + +The Queen has looked over the lists of Major-Generals made by the last +brevet which Lord Hardinge submitted, and must confess that it does +not afford a great choice; yet, leaving out the cavalry officers and +those disqualified by age or infirmities, there remain some few whom +she has marked with an "X," for whose exclusion no adequate reason +is apparent. An exclusion of officers who have served in the Guards, +_merely on that account_, the Queen would not wish to see adopted as +a principle, and the selection of Colonels of the Line (because there +are no Generals fit), in preference to Generals of the Guards who are +perfectly so, will amount to this. General Eden,[47] moreover, has +been in command of a Regiment of the Line, and General Knollys[48] has +not been promoted from the Guards, and, in accepting the Governorship +of Guernsey, specially begged that this might not exclude him from +active service--a circumstance which he mentioned to the Prince at the +time. Both these have the reputation of very good officers. + +The Queen does not wish anything to be arranged prospectively now, but +would recommend the subject to Lord Hardinge's future consideration. + + [Footnote 46: In reply to a letter from the Queen, stating + that she had inadvertently signed certain papers in the + ordinary course. Her attention had not been drawn to their + important features.] + + [Footnote 47: Lieut.-General John Eden, C.B., nephew of the + first Lord Auckland.] + + [Footnote 48: Sir William Knollys, K.C.B., 1797-1883, became + in 1855 the organiser of the newly formed Camp at Aldershot.] + + + + +[Pageheading: SPECIAL PRAYERS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +OSBORNE, _21st August 1854._ + +The Queen must repeat what she has frequently done, that she strongly +objects to these _special_ prayers which _are_, in fact, _not_ a sign +of gratitude or confidence in the Almighty--for if this is the +course to be pursued, we _ought_ to have one for every _illness_, and +certainly in '37 the influenza was notoriously more _fatal_ than the +cholera had ever been, and _yet no one_ would have thought of having +a prayer against _that_. Our Liturgy _has_ provided for these +calamities, and we may have frequent returns of the cholera--and yet +it would be difficult to _define_ the _number_ of deaths which are +to _make_ "a form of prayer" _necessary_. The Queen would, therefore, +strongly recommend the usual prayer being used, and no other, as is +the case for the prayer in time of War. What is the use of the prayers +in the Liturgy, which were no doubt composed when we were subject +to other equally fatal diseases, if a new one is always to be framed +specially for the cholera? + +The Queen would wish Lord Aberdeen to give this as her decided opinion +to the Archbishop, at all events, for the present. Last year the +cholera quite decimated Newcastle, and was bad in many other places, +but there was _no special_ prayer, and _now_ the illness is in +_London_ but _not_ in any other place, a prayer is proposed by the +Archbishop. The Queen cannot see the difference between the one and +the other. + + + + +[Pageheading: CIVIL LIST PENSIONS] + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _1st September 1854._ + +Lord Aberdeen, with his humble duty, begs to lay before your Majesty +the pensions proposed to be granted on the Civil List at this time. +The only case requiring any special remark is that of the children +of Lord Nelson's adopted daughter. There seems little doubt that the +person referred to was really Lord Nelson's daughter, according to +evidence recently produced, and was recommended by him to the care of +the country, just before the battle of Trafalgar.[49] + +A numerous party in the House of Commons wished that your Majesty's +Government should propose a special vote for this person and her +family; but the Cabinet thought that it would give rise to much +scandal and disagreeable debate, and finally recommended Lord Aberdeen +to place the three daughters on the Pension List. The circumstances of +the case are, no doubt, very peculiar; and although Lord Aberdeen does +not feel perfectly satisfied with the course pursued, he thinks it +very desirable to avoid the sort of Parliamentary debates to which the +discussion of such a subject would necessarily give rise. + + [Footnote 49: Horatia, daughter of Nelson and Lady Hamilton, + was born on the 29th of January 1801, and married in 1822 the + Rev. Philip Ward of Tenterden. She died in 1881.] + + + + +_The Emperor of the French to Queen Victoria._[50] + +BOULOGNE, _le 8 Septembre 1854._ + +MADAME ET BONNE S[OE]UR,--La presence du digne epoux de votre Majeste +au milieu d'un camp francais est un fait d'une grande signification +politique, puisqu'il prouve l'union intime des deux pays: mais j'aime +mieux aujourd'hui ne pas envisager le cote politique de cette visite +et vous dire sincerement combien j'ai ete heureux de me trouver +pendant quelques jours avec un Prince aussi accompli, un homme doue de +qualites si seduisantes et de connaissances si profondes. Il peut +etre convaincu d'emporter avec lui mes sentiments de haute estime et +d'amitie. Mais plus il m'a ete donne d'apprecier le Prince Albert, +plus je dois etre touche de la bienveillance qu'a eue votre Majeste de +s'en separer pour moi quelque jours. + +Je remercie votre Majeste de l'admirable lettre qu'elle a bien +voulu m'ecrire et des choses affectueuses qu'elle contenait pour +l'Imperatrice. Je me suis empresse de lui en faire part et elle y a +ete tres sensible. + +Je prie votre Majeste de recevoir l'expression de mes sentiments +respectueux et de me croire, de votre Majeste, le bon Frere, + +NAPOLEON. + + [Footnote 50: The French Emperor had established a camp + between Boulogne and St Omer, and early in the summer + had invited Prince Albert to visit him. It was reasonably + conjectured at the time that one of the chief purposes of + the invitation was by personal intercourse to overcome the + prejudice which the Emperor believed prevailed against him. + The visit lasted from the 4th till the 8th of September, and + the Prince's impressions were recorded in a memorandum, "the + value of which," writes Sir Theodore Martin, by way of preface + to his publication of it, "cannot be overstated; nor is it + less valuable for the light which it throws upon the Prince's + character, by the remarkable contrasts between himself and the + Emperor of the French, which were elicited in the unreserved + discussions which each seems equally to have courted."] + + + + +[Pageheading: PRINCE ALBERT AND THE EMPEROR] + + +_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._ + +FOREIGN OFFICE, _22nd September 1854._ + +Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty to your Majesty.... + +Count Walewski told Lord Clarendon to-day that the Emperor had spoken +with enthusiasm of the Prince, saying that in all his experience +he had never met with a person possessing such various and profound +knowledge, or who communicated it with the same frankness. His Majesty +added that he had never learned so much in a short time, and was +grateful. He began his conversation with reproaching Count Walewski +for not having written to him much oftener respecting the Prince, and +endeavoured to ascertain the opinions of His Royal Highness upon all +important subjects. + +With respect to the invitation, the Emperor's account of it to +Count Walewski was that he had apologised to the Prince for the bad +reception he had given His Royal Highness, and expressed a hope that +he might have an opportunity of _doing better_ at Paris, if your +Majesty and the Prince would honour him with a visit; and that His +Royal Highness had then said, "the Queen hopes to see your Majesty at +Windsor, and will be happy to make acquaintance with the Empress." +The Emperor, however, had only taken this as a courteous return to his +invitation, and not as intended for a positive invitation. + +Lord Clarendon told Count Walewski that he believed the matter had +passed inversely, and that the Prince had first communicated your +Majesty's message. + +Be that as it may, Count Walewski said the Emperor will be delighted +to avail himself of the Queen's gracious kindness; nothing will give +him so much pleasure.... + + + + +[Pageheading: THE EMPEROR'S VISIT] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +BALMORAL, _24th September 1854._ + +The Queen returns the two letters from Lord Cowley. She is very sorry +to see doubts arise as to the correctness of the intelligence about +the safe debarkation of our whole expeditionary force in the Crimea, +but still clings to the hope of its being true. + +Count Walewski's account of the Emperor's version of his conversation +with the Prince explains what the Prince suspected at one time +himself, that the Emperor had not understood the Prince's remark +as conveying a _direct_ invitation, but merely as a general term of +civility. What the Prince intended to convey was something between the +two, making it clear that he would be well received, and leaving it +entirely open to him to come or not according to his own political +views and circumstances. This appeared to the Prince the most polite +and delicate, preventing all appearance as if a counter-visit for his +own at Boulogne was expected. Lest the Emperor should not have rightly +understood the Prince, he repeated the wish to see the Emperor in +England, and the hope of the Queen to make the Empress's acquaintance +also, _more directly_ to Marshal Vaillant, who gave the same answer as +the Emperor had done--he hoped we should come to Paris in return. + +Matters stand as well as possible with regard to the visit; in the +Queen's opinion, the Emperor can come if he likes, and if prevented, +is bound to nothing. Should he ask when his visit would be most +agreeable to the Queen, the middle of November would be the time. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +BALMORAL, _30th September 1854._ + +The Queen returns the enclosed letters. The French show their usual +vivacity in pressing so hard for decision upon what is to be done +with Sebastopol when taken.[51] Surely we ought to have taken it first +before we can dispose of it, and everything as to the decision about +it must depend upon the state in which we receive it, and the opinion +of the Military and Naval Commanders after they find themselves in +possession of it. The Queen hopes, therefore, that Lord Clarendon will +succeed in restraining French impatience as he has often done before. + + [Footnote 51: Lord Clarendon had given the Queen the two + reasons for which the French were pressing, in anticipation, + the retention of the Crimea, viz. as affording suitable winter + quarters, and as a guarantee in case of peace negotiations. + On the 7th of September the allied forces had sailed for the + Crimea; on the 21st the Queen learned by telegram that 25,000 + English, 25,000 French, and 8,000 Turks had landed safely + without encountering resistance, and begun the march to + Sebastopol. The Queen, with her usual kindly solicitude for + the health and comfort of her Ministers, had summoned Lord + Aberdeen from London to have the benefit of the Scotch air; he + remained at Balmoral from the 27th till the 30th, when he went + to his own house at Haddo. Immediately after his departure, a + telegram arrived from Lord Clarendon announcing the victory of + the Alma.] + + + + +[Pageheading: BATTLE OF THE ALMA] + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +HADDO HOUSE, _1st October 1854._ + +Lord Aberdeen presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He had the +honour of receiving your Majesty's box this morning at nine o'clock +by post; and he now sends a Messenger to Aberdeen, with Despatches +received this morning from London, to meet the special conveyance to +Balmoral this evening. + +Lord Aberdeen humbly presumes to offer his most cordial +congratulations to your Majesty on the great intelligence received +by telegraph this morning. The account sent by Lord Stratford of +the victory on the Alma must be correct; the report mentioned by Mr +Colquhoun[52] may possibly be so too. At all events, we may fairly +hope that the fall of Sebastopol cannot long be delayed. + +Lord Aberdeen has written to Lord Clarendon this morning on the +subject of the fortifications of Sebastopol, which although, somewhat +embarrassing at the moment, is not attended with any great practical +importance. + +Lord Aberdeen regrets that the speedy return of the post prevents him +from sending your Majesty a copy of his letter, which in substance, +however, was to the following effect. Without attaching any undue +importance to the decision, he was inclined to adhere to his first +proposition of the immediate and entire destruction of the works. +He did not see the advantage of doing the thing by halves; while the +destruction of the sea defences only might give rise to erroneous +impressions and would be of an equivocal character. The fall of +Sebastopol would in fact be the conquest of the Crimea, and the Allies +might winter there with perfect security, as, by occupying the +lines of Perekop,[53] any access to the Crimea would effectually be +prevented by land. Lord Aberdeen thought that with a view to peace, +and the restitution of the Crimea to Russia, it would be more easy +for the Emperor to accept the destruction of the fortifications when +accomplished, than to agree to any stipulation having such an object. + +On the whole, Lord Aberdeen was inclined to think that if the place +should not be at once destroyed, it might be better to preserve it in +its present state, until the matter should be further considered. +The Allies would always have it in their power to act as they thought +best, and the question might in some degree be affected by future +events. The great objection to leaving the matter undecided for the +present appeared to be from the possibility of differences hereafter +between France and England upon the subject. After the astounding +proposition made to Lord Raglan by the French Generals when actually +embarked and at sea, it would be well to leave nothing in doubt. The +Turks, too, might perhaps desire to have a voice in the matter, and +might become troublesome.... + + [Footnote 52: Mr (afterwards Sir) Robert Gilmour Colquhoun + (1803-1870), Agent and Consul-General at Bucharest.] + + [Footnote 53: A district on the isthmus of Crimea, guarded by + a wall and a ditch, the name meaning "Cross-ditch." The whole + isthmus is now often called Perekop.] + + + + +[Pageheading: INDIAN AFFAIRS] + +[Pageheading: INDIA AND RUSSIA] + + +_The Marquis of Dalhousie to Queen Victoria._ + +GOVERNMENT HOUSE, _2nd October 1854._ + +The Governor-General presents his most humble duty to your Majesty, +and begs to offer his respectful thanks for the very gracious manner +in which your Majesty has been pleased to acknowledge the offer he has +made to retain still the Government of India during the ensuing year. + +The Governor-General does not affect to say that he makes no sacrifice +in so doing. Many things unite to warn him that it is time he were +gone: and his family circumstances, in which your Majesty has long +shown so gracious an interest, have rendered the prospect of his +remaining longer absent from England a source of much anxiety and +perplexity to him. But he felt that this was no time for any man, high +or low, to leave his post. And as a seven-years' experience must needs +have rendered him more capable of immediate usefulness than any other, +though a far abler man, without such experience could possibly be, +he did not hesitate to offer the continued service which your Majesty +might most justly expect, and which he is proud to render cheerfully. + +Your Majesty's remark on the absence of any letter from the +Governor-General of late would have disquieted him with apprehensions +that he had been thought neglectful, but that your Majesty at the same +time ascribed the silence to its real cause. Since the announcement +of the termination of the Burmese War there has, in truth, been no +occurrence which, of itself, seemed worthy of being made the subject +of a report to your Majesty. India has been tranquil in all her +borders. And although no event could well be more gratifying than this +continuous tranquillity was in itself, still the periodical report of +peace and quiet on all sides seemed likely to be as uninteresting +as the monotonous, though satisfactory, "All's well" of a ring of +sentries. + +At Christmas the Governor-General anticipated having the honour of +narrating to your Majesty the events of a year which he hoped would, +before its close, have been fruitful of great results.... + +Very recently an interesting mission has arrived from the Khan of +Kokan, a state to the north of Bokhara, reporting the capture of their +fort of Ak Mussid by the Russians. + +The fact was known before; but the mission is important from the +certainty it imparts to us that all the Turcomans, the people of +Kokan, of Khiva, and of Bokhara, all detest as much as they dread the +Muscovites, with whose approach they are threatened. + +The Khan asks for aid. We can render him but little. The only real +bulwark which can be raised for these states of Central Asia--the only +real barrier to the progress of Russia which can be set up there--must +have their foundations in the Treaty, which may be framed by the +Allied Powers after the present war shall have brought the spirit of +Russia into temporary subjection. + +The war in which your Majesty has engaged with that great Power has +not been directly felt in this part of your Majesty's dominions; but +its indirect influence is most sensibly apparent. + +The notions entertained of Russia, and the estimate formed of her +powers, by the nations of India, are exaggerated in the extreme. +Although our pride must wince on hearing it, it is an unquestionable +fact that the general belief in India at this moment is that Russia +gravely menaces the power of England, and will be more than a match +for her in the end. + +This feeling cannot prudently be disregarded. The Governor-General +need hardly say to your Majesty that he believes that any direct +attack by Russia on these dominions at the present time is utterly +impracticable; and that there is no more risk of an invasion of +India by the Emperor Nicholas than of another by Mahmood of Ghuznee. +Nevertheless, the uneasy feeling which now prevails among native +States and among ourselves, partly of alarm, partly of indefinite +expectation, ought to be guarded against; and the means of meeting any +difficulties which may arise out of it should be at our command. + +Earnestly desirous to contribute every possible aid to your Majesty's +arms in the great contest now going on in Europe, the Governor-General +has respectfully placed at the disposal of your Majesty's Ministers +all the four regiments of Royal Cavalry now serving in India. The +Infantry is already hardly adequate for our own necessities: and while +the Governor-General will be quite ready to accept and to face any +additional responsibilities which he may be called upon to bear, he +has felt it to be his duty to state that, beyond the four regiments +of Cavalry, European troops cannot safely be spared from India at the +present time. + +The Governor-General, however, feels that he is not indulging in any +vain boast when he ventures to assure your Majesty that, under God's +good blessing, these, your Dominions in the East, are at present +absolutely safe.... Your Majesty's most obedient, most humble, and +devoted Subject and Servant, + +DALHOUSIE. + + + + +[Pageheading: DEPOSED INDIAN PRINCES] + +[Pageheading: MAHARAJAH DHULEEP SINGH] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Marquis of Dalhousie._ + +BALMORAL, _2nd October 1854._ + +As the Queen knows that the East India Company are chiefly guided by +Lord Dalhousie's advice with respect to all Indian affairs in public +as well as of a more private nature, she thinks that she cannot do +better than write to him upon a subject which she _feels_ strongly +upon, and which she is sure that Lord Dalhousie will enter into. It +is the position of those unfortunate Indian Princes who have, either +themselves or their fathers, been for public reasons deposed. Two +instances are now before the Queen's eyes upon which she wishes to +state her opinion. + +The first is old Prince Gholam Mohammed, and his son Prince Feroz +Shah. The Queen understands (though she is not sure of the fact) that +the old man is here in order to try to obtain his pension continued +to his son. This is very natural, and it strikes the Queen to be an +arrangement difficult to be justified, in a moral point of view, to +give these poor people--who after _all_ were once so mighty--_no_ +security beyond their lives. Whilst we remain permanently in +possession of their vast Empire, they receive a pension, which is not +_even_ continued to their descendants. Would it not be much the +best to allow them, instead of a pension, to hold, perhaps under the +Government, a property, which would enable them and their descendants +to live respectably, maintaining a certain rank and position? The +Queen believes that Lord Dalhousie himself suggested this principle in +the case of the Ameers of Scinde. + +Nothing is more painful for _any_ one than the thought that their +children and grandchildren have no future, and may become absolutely +beggars. How much more _dreadful_ must this be to proud people, who, +like Prince Gholam, are the sons and grandsons of great Princes like +Hyder Ali and Tippoo Sahib! Besides it strikes the Queen that the more +kindly we treat Indian Princes, whom _we_ have _conquered_, and the +more consideration we show for their birth and former grandeur, the +more we shall attach Indian Princes and Governments to us, and the +more ready will they be to come under our rule. + +The second instance is that of the young Maharajah Dhuleep Singh (and +the Queen must here observe that the favourable opinion she expressed +of him, in her last letter to Lord Dalhousie, has only been confirmed +and strengthened by closer acquaintance). This young Prince has the +_strongest_ claims upon our generosity and sympathy; deposed, for _no_ +fault of his, when a little boy of ten years old, he is as innocent +as any private individual of the misdeeds which compelled us to depose +him, and take possession of his territories. He has besides since +become a Christian, whereby he is for ever cut off from his own +people. His case therefore appears to the Queen still stronger than +the _former_ one, as he was not even a conquered enemy, but merely +powerless in the hands of the Sikh soldiery. + +There is something too painful in the idea of a young deposed +Sovereign, once so powerful, receiving a pension, and having _no_ +security that his children and descendants, and these moreover +Christians, should have any home or position. + +The Queen hears that Lord Dalhousie himself would wish and advise his +pension to be exchanged for a property on which the Maharajah might +live, which he might improve (giving thereby a most valuable example) +and transmit some day to his descendants, should he have any; she +hopes therefore that this may be so settled, and that he may, on +attaining the age of eighteen, have a comfortable and fitting position +worthy his high rank. + +Where such a property might be must be of course left to Lord +Dalhousie to decide, but the Queen hopes that Lord Dalhousie will give +it his serious attention. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE AUSTRIAN PROPOSALS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +BALMORAL, _10th October 1854._ + +The Queen has received Lord Clarendon's letters of the 8th.[54] She +cannot consider it wise to reject the Austrian proposals _altogether_, +although we may usefully amend them. The success in the Crimea ought +to be followed up by strengthening the alliance of the European +powers, else it may turn out a sterile victory, and the English blood +will have flowed in vain; for supposing even the whole Crimea to fall +into our hands, it is not likely that the war will be concluded on +that account. How are England and France to bring it to a termination +single-handed? Our Army in the Crimea is the only one we have.... + +It is true that the Austrian proposal promises little performance on +her part, yet the stipulation by Treaty that she will never let the +Russians pass the Pruth again is a positive advantage to us; and the +other, that a defensive and offensive alliance with us is to follow +the breaking out of the war by Russia against Austria, although being +entirely at _our_ expense, yet realises the chief condition which +will make Austria hesitate less to bring it to a war with Russia. +She always (and not without reason) dreaded to have to fight Russia +single-handed, and the allied armies in the Crimea could not assist +her. What reason could Austria put forward and justify to Prussia and +Germany, for going to war at this moment? To obtain the evacuation +of the Principalities was a tangible one, indeed the same _we_ put +forward when _we_ declared war; but this is now obtained. + +We must certainly not allow our policy to be mixed up with the +miserable German squabbles, but we must acknowledge that Austria, as a +member of the Confederation, is not and cannot be independent of them. + +The Queen would accordingly advise a temperate consideration of the +Austrian proposals and an amendment of them in those points which seem +to require them, and which Lord Clarendon clearly points out in his +letter, and the avoidance of anything which could weaken the _accord +Europeen_.[55] + +The Emperor Napoleon's answer to Lord Cowley with reference to this +visit to England renders it probable to the Queen that he was not +anxious to have the general invitation changed into a special one, +_obliging_ him to come or to refuse. The answer is almost a refusal +now, and has not improved our position. The Queen would wish that +no anxiety should be shown to obtain the visit, now that it is quite +clear to the Emperor that he will be _le bienvenu_ at any time. His +reception here ought to be a boon to him and not a boon to us. + +The Queen fully enters into the feelings of exultation and joy at the +glorious victory of the Alma, but this is somewhat damped by the sad +loss we have sustained, and the thought of the many bereaved families +of all classes who are in mourning for those near and dear to them. + + [Footnote 54: In one of which, in reference to Austria's + desire for an offensive and defensive treaty with Great + Britain, Lord Clarendon had described the Austrian terms as + irritating, and the discussion of them a mere waste of time.] + + [Footnote 55: The Cabinet, at its meeting on the 20th, decided + to meet the Austrian proposals in the most conciliatory manner + possible.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE ALMA] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +HULL, _13th October 1854._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Already far away from my loved beautiful Highlands +and Mountains, I find a few minutes to write and thank you for your +kind letter of the 2nd, with such lively and glowing descriptions of +such glorious and beautiful scenery, which I hope and trust to see +_some day_. Still, with all its beauties, I would not exchange it for +our northern beauties, which really they are--for a _lovelier_ country +with a _more beautiful_ combination of wood and mountain, and river, +and cultivation with the greatest wildness, at the same time close +at hand, cannot, I am sure, be seen; Stockmar is in the greatest +admiration of it. We left it yesterday morning, slept at Holyrood last +night, and came here this evening; the good people of this large +port, having since two years entreated us to come here. We shall reach +Windsor to-morrow. + +We are, and indeed the whole country is, _entirely_ engrossed with one +idea, one _anxious_ thought--the _Crimea_. We have received all the +_most_ interesting and _gratifying_ details of the _splendid_ and +decisive victory of the Alma; alas! it was a bloody one. Our loss +was a heavy one--many have fallen and many are wounded, but my noble +Troops behaved with a _courage_ and _desperation_ which was beautiful +to behold. The Russians expected their position would hold out three +weeks; their loss was immense--the whole garrison of Sebastopol +was out. Since that, the Army has performed a wonderful march to +Balaklava, and the bombardment of Sebastopol has begun. Lord Raglan's +behaviour was worthy of the old Duke's--such coolness in the midst of +the hottest fire. We have had all the details from young Burghersh[56] +(a remarkably nice young man), one of Lord Raglan's Aides-de-camp whom +he sent home with the Despatches, who was in the midst of it all. I +feel so _proud_ of my dear noble Troops, who, they say, bear their +privations, and the sad disease which still haunts them, with such +courage and good humour. + +George did enormously well, and was not touched. Now with Albert's +love, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 56: Francis, Lord Burghersh, afterwards twelfth Earl + of Westmorland (1825-1891).] + + + + +[Pageheading: FRANCE AND AUSTRIA] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _5th November 1854._ + +The Queen has received Lord Clarendon's letter referring to the new +Draft of a Treaty with Austria proposed by the French Government, +and has since attentively perused the Treaty itself.[57] Vague and +inconclusive as it is as to _co-operation_ (which is the main object +of our desire), it is a step in advance, and has the advantage of +assuring Austria of our alliance should the war between her and Russia +break out. The Queen regrets to find a Clause omitted which stood +in the former French project (rejected by us about three weeks ago), +stipulating that Austria was to prevent the re-entry of Russia into +the Principalities. Although she would of her own accord have to do +this, a treaty obligation towards the _belligerents_ to that effect +would have made a considerable inroad into her position as a _neutral_ +power, and secured a co-operation in the war--_ad hoc_ at least. +Austria ought to be told, in the Queen's opinion, that this project +of treaty contains almost nothing; and that her signing it _at once_ +would give a moral pledge of her sincerity towards the Western Powers, +who have to pay with the lives of their best troops every day that +Austria hesitates to do what in the end she must find it in her own +interest to do. + +As to M. Olozaga's proposal,[58] the Queen thinks it ought to be +treated like all the former ones, viz. met with the remark that we +cannot discuss eventualities implying the dethronement of a Sovereign +with whom we are on a footing of amity. + + [Footnote 57: Lord Clarendon wrote that he and Lord John + Russell approved of the treaty, but that Lord Aberdeen thought + that Austria would not accept it; while Lord Palmerston felt + confident that Austria, even if her co-operation were not now + secured, would at least not lend her support to the King of + Prussia's scheme. + + At this date only partial and misleading accounts had arrived + of the battle of Balaklava, and it was believed that four + English (not Turkish) redoubts had been taken; and, while the + disastrous charge of the Light Brigade had been announced, the + success of the heavy cavalry was not yet known. Anxiety began + accordingly to be felt at home as to the adequacy of the + allied forces to encounter the Russian army, augmented as + it now was by the troops which had recently evacuated the + Principalities. Accordingly fresh efforts were being made to + engage Austria in effectual alliance with the Western Powers.] + + [Footnote 58: The document containing this proposal does + not seem to have been preserved among the papers. It was not + impossibly a scheme for betrothing King Pedro to the infant + Princess of the Asturias, thereby uniting the two Crowns, and + bringing about the dethronement of Queen Isabella.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _9th November 1854._ + +The Queen returns the letters from Lord Cowley and Count Walewski.[59] +No consideration on earth ought to stand in the way of our sending +what ships we can lay hold of to transport French reinforcements to +the Crimea, as the safety of our Army and the honour of the Country +are at stake. The Queen is ready to give her own yacht for a transport +which could carry 1,000 men. Every account received convinces the +Queen more and more that numbers alone can ensure success in this +instance, and that without them we are running _serious_ risks. + + [Footnote 59: The Count wrote that France was ready to send + 20,000 men to the Crimea, if England could furnish transports. + Lord Clarendon added: "We have not a single available steamer, + as all must be left in the Baltic until the ice sets in, and + the stores, ammunition, and clothing for the Army are going + out in sailing vessels."] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _14th November 1854._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I am quite shocked to find that I missed writing my +letter to-day--but really _la tete me tourne_. I am so bewildered and +excited, and my mind so entirely taken up by the news from the Crimea, +that I really forget, and what is worse, I get so confused about +everything that I am a very unfit correspondent. My whole soul and +heart are in the Crimea. The conduct of our _dear noble_ Troops is +_beyond praise_; it is quite heroic, and really I feel a pride to +have _such Troops_, which is only equalled by my grief for their +sufferings. We now know that there has been a pitched battle on the +6th, in which we have been victorious over much greater numbers, but +with great loss on both sides--the greatest on the Russian. But we +know _nothing_ more, and now we must live in a suspense which is +indeed dreadful. Then to think of the numbers of families who are +living in _such_ anxiety! It is terrible to think of all the wretched +wives and mothers who are awaiting the fate of those nearest and +dearest to them! In short, it is a time which requires courage and +patience to bear as one ought. + +Many thanks, dearest Uncle, for your kind letter of the 11th, which I +received on Saturday. The Brabants will soon leave you; I shall write +to Leo to-morrow or next day, _quand je pourrais un peu rassembler mes +idees_. I must now conclude, dearest Uncle. With Albert's affectionate +love, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: INKERMAN] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord Raglan._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _18th November 1854._ + +The Queen has received with pride and joy the telegraphic news of the +glorious, but alas! bloody victory of the 5th.[60] These feelings of +pride and satisfaction are, however, painfully alloyed by the grievous +news of the loss of so many Generals, and in particular Sir George +Cathcart--who was so distinguished and excellent an officer.[61] + +We are most thankful that Lord Raglan's valuable life has been spared; +and the Queen trusts that he will not expose himself more than is +absolutely necessary. + +The Queen cannot sufficiently express her high sense of the great +services he has rendered and is rendering to her and the country, by +the very able manner in which he has led the bravest troops that ever +fought, and which it is a pride to her to be able to call her own. To +mark the Queen's feelings of approbation she wishes to confer on +Lord Raglan the Baton of Field-Marshal. It affords her the sincerest +gratification to confer it on one who has so nobly earned the highest +rank in the Army, which he so long served in under the immortal +hero, who she laments could not witness the success of a friend he so +greatly esteemed. + +Both the Prince and Queen are anxious to express to Lord Raglan their +unbounded admiration of the heroic conduct of the Army, and their +sincere sympathy in their sufferings and privations so nobly borne. + +The Queen thanks Lord Raglan for his kind letter of the 28th ultimo. + + [Footnote 60: The English loss at the battle of Inkerman was + over 2,500 killed and wounded; the French lost 1,800. The + loss of the enemy was doubtful, but the Russian estimate (much + smaller than our own) was about 12,000 killed, wounded, and + prisoners. The Grand Dukes Nicholas and Michael both fought in + the battle.] + + [Footnote 61: Besides Sir George Cathcart, Brigadier-Generals + Strangways and Goldie were killed. Sir George Brown was shot + through the arm, Major-Generals Bentinck and Codrington, and + Brigadier-General Adams were all severely wounded, but not so + seriously. Sir de Lacy Evans a few days earlier, being then + in shattered health, had had a fall from his horse, and was + absent from the battle.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S PROPOSAL] + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _23rd November 1854._ + +Lord Aberdeen presents his most humble duty to your Majesty. He +regrets, at a moment of such public interest and importance, to +trouble your Majesty with domestic difficulties; but he thinks it his +duty to lay before your Majesty the enclosed correspondence without +delay.[62] Lord Aberdeen has for some time past expected a proposition +of this kind, and it is impossible not to see that it may be attended +with very serious consequences. At first Lord Aberdeen was in doubt +whether the proposition was made by Lord J. Russell in concert with +Lord Palmerston; but this appears not to be the case. Much will +therefore depend on the decision of Lord Palmerston. Should he join +with Lord John, matters will probably be pushed to extremity; but +should he decline, Lord Aberdeen does not think that Lord John will +venture to act alone. + + [Footnote 62: Lord John Russell urged, in this correspondence, + that Lord Palmerston should supersede the Duke of Newcastle at + the War Office.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MAHARAJAH DHULEEP SINGH] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Marquis of Dalhousie._ + +_24th November 1854._ + +The Queen thanks Lord Dalhousie for his long and most interesting and +satisfactory letter of the 2nd of October. + +It is peculiarly gratifying to hear of such quiet and prosperity in +her vast Indian dominions, in which the Queen ever takes the liveliest +interest, and at the present moment of intense anxiety, when +England's best and noblest blood is being profusely shed to resist the +encroaching spirit of Russia. The heroism of our noble Troops in the +midst of herculean difficulties and great privations is unequalled, +and will fill Lord Dalhousie's loyal and patriotic heart with pride +and admiration. Though entirely concurring in his opinion that Russia +can undertake no invasion of India, her spirit of encroachment on the +north frontier must be carefully watched and, if possible, put a stop +to, when peace is made. + +The progress of the railroad will make an immense difference in India, +and tend more than anything else to bring about civilisation, and will +in the end facilitate the spread of Christianity, which hitherto has +made but very slow progress. + +The Queen was already aware of the idea formerly entertained by the +Maharajah Dhuleep Singh of marrying the young Princess of Coorg.[63] +Agreeing as she does with Lord Dalhousie in the wisdom of advising the +young man to pause before he makes his choice of a wife, she thinks +such a marriage between these two most interesting young Christians +most desirable; indeed, as Lord Dalhousie himself observes, the +difficulty of any other marriage for either must be great. The young +people have met and were pleased with each other, so that the Queen +hopes that their union will, in the course of time, come to pass. Her +little god-daughter has been here lately, and though still childish +for her age (she is nearly fourteen) is pretty, lively, intelligent, +and going on satisfactorily in her education. + +Of the young Maharajah, who has now been twice our guest, we can only +speak in terms of praise. He promises to be a bright example to +all Indian Princes, for he is thoroughly good and amiable, and most +anxious to improve himself. + + [Footnote 63: A few years earlier, while still holding his + ancestral creed, Dhuleep Singh, had made overtures to the + ex-Rajah of Coorg with a view to his betrothal to the eldest + daughter of the latter; but at that time the matter was + dropped. After becoming a Christian, and having also heard of + the baptism of the Princess of Coorg, the Maharajah renewed + his proposal, which, however, was not eventually accepted. The + Princess married an English officer, and died in 1864, aged + twenty-four.] + + + + +[Pageheading: BATTLE OF INKERMAN] + + +_Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar[64] to Queen Victoria._ + +CAMP BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, _28th November 1854._ + +MADAM,--Your Majesty's very kind letter reached me by the last mail. I +avail myself of your permission to write to you again, although there +is not much to say since I last wrote to Prince Albert on the 7th or +8th of this month. I wrote to him soon after the battle of Inkerman, +when I was still under the excitement of that fearful scene, and I am +afraid that I made use of expressions that I was afterwards sorry that +I had done. I believe I made some reflections on our Commanders, which +are at all times wrong. By this time your Majesty will, of course, +be in possession of all the details of that fearful day, on which our +loss was so very great.[65] I made a mistake in stating the number of +dead in the Grenadiers; it was much larger than I stated. I think we +must have suffered more than any other Corps, for, on the following +day, when the roll was called, two hundred and twenty-five men +were absent; of these one hundred and one were killed, and the rest +wounded. There cannot be any doubt that we allowed ourselves to be +surprised, for the first notice we had of the Russians was receiving +their heavy shot in the camp of the 2nd Division. Nearly all their +tents were torn by round shot. It is even said that a shell lodged +in an officer's portmanteau, burst, and, of course, scattered all his +goods to the winds. Experience has made us wise, or rather Lord Raglan +wise, for since that day the French and ourselves have been busy in +entrenching our right; it is now so strong that no enemy can attack us +there with the slightest chance of success; it is only a pity it +was not done before. The Turks were chiefly employed making these +redoubts, which is in fact the only thing they have done except +burying the dead Russians. Never shall I forget the sight of the dead +and dying Russians on the field. Some of these poor wretches had to +lie on the field for at least sixty hours before they were removed to +the hospital tents; the majority of course died. I am afraid this is +one of the necessities of war, for we had to remove our own people +first. I went round the hospitals next morning. It was a horrid sight +to see the bodies of the men who had died during the night stretched +before the tents, and to see the heaps of arms and legs, with the +trousers and boots still on, that had been cut off by the surgeons. + +The Russians were so near that most of the officers had to use their +swords and revolvers. Many single acts of daring took place; among +others, Colonel Percy,[66] of our Regiment, dashed in front of his +Company, sword in hand, into a dense body of Russians who were in +a battery. I was not in the thick of it, but was engaged with an +outlying picquet on the left of the attack. George was in the very +thick of it, and, not seeing me, kept asking some of our men where I +was. They did not know. He tells me that he thought for a long time I +was killed, and even fancied that he had seen me lying on the ground; +it turned out later to have been poor Colonel Dawson's[67] body which +he mistook for me. + +On the 14th we had a terrible storm, such a one as, fortunately for +mankind, does not happen but very rarely. All our tents of course were +blown down, and we passed the day very uncomfortably; but at sea it +was terrible. At Balaklava alone more than two hundred and sixty souls +perished, and eleven ships went down. George will have been able +to give you a perfect account of it, for, for many hours, the +_Retribution_ was in imminent danger. I went a few days after the +storm to see him on board.[68] ... He had a little fever or ague on +him, but was otherwise well. He has now gone to Constantinople.... + +May I beg of your Majesty to remember me kindly to Prince Albert and +the Duchess of Kent. I have the honour, etc. + +EDWARD OF SAXE-WEIMAR. + + [Footnote 64: Son of Duke Charles Bernard and Duchess Ida, the + latter being a Princess of Saxe-Meiningen and sister to Queen + Adelaide. The Prince was at this time Lieut.-Colonel and + A.D.C. to Lord Raglan. He was afterwards A.D.C. to the Queen + and ultimately Commander of the Forces in Ireland. He died in + 1902.] + + [Footnote 65: See _ante_, 18th November, 1854, note 60.] + + [Footnote 66: Colonel Henry Hugh Manvers Percy, 1817-1877, + whose father afterwards became the fifth Duke of + Northumberland. The Legion of Honour, the Medjidie, and the + V.C. were all subsequently conferred on him.] + + [Footnote 67: Hon. Thomas Vesey Dawson, brother of the third + Lord Cremorne (created Earl of Dartrey).] + + [Footnote 68: In this terrible hurricane the _Prince_, a + new and magnificent steamer, with a cargo of the value of + L500,000, including powder, shot and shell, beds, blankets, + warm clothing for the troops, and medical stores for the + hospitals, was lost; six men only of a crew of one hundred and + fifty were saved; but the soldiers of the Forty-sixth, whom + she was conveying to Balaklava, had happily been landed. + Thirty of our transports, as well as the French warship _Henri + IV._, were wrecked. A thousand men were lost, and many more + escaped drowning, only to fall into the hands of the + Cossacks and be carried to Sebastopol. One solitary source + of consolation could be found in the circumstance that the + tempest did not occur at an earlier period, when six hundred + vessels, heavily laden and dangerously crowded together, were + making their way from Varna to Old Fort.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE CRIMEAN MEDAL] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Duke of Newcastle._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _30th November 1854._ + +The Queen thinks that no time should be lost in announcing the +intention of the Queen to confer a _medal_ on all those who have been +engaged in the arduous and brilliant campaign in the Crimea. + +The medal should have the word "_Crimea_" on it, with an appropriate +device (for which it would be well to lose no time in having a design +made) and _clasps_--like to the Peninsular Medal, with the names +_Alma_ and _Inkerman_ inscribed on them, according to who had been in +one or both battles. _Sebastopol_, should it fall, or any other name +of a battle which Providence may permit our brave troops to gain, can +be inscribed on other clasps hereafter to be added. The names _Alma_ +and _Inkerman_ should likewise be borne on the colours of all the +regiments who have been engaged in these bloody and glorious actions. + +The Queen is sure that nothing will gratify and encourage our noble +troops more than the knowledge that this is to be done. + +We have just had two hours' most interesting conversation with General +Bentinck,[69] whose sound good sense and energy make us deeply regret +that he is not now on the spot; he is, however, ready to go out again +next year, as Lord Raglan wishes to give him a Division. We hope that, +after two or three months' rest, he may be able to go out again. + + [Footnote 69: General (afterwards Sir Henry) Bentinck had been + wounded at Inkerman; he returned to the Crimea to command a + Division.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL] + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _7th December 1854._ + +Lord Aberdeen presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He would have +been desirous of personally submitting to your Majesty the result of +the meeting of the Cabinet last night; but he was apprehensive that +his sudden journey to Windsor Castle this morning would give rise +to speculations and conjectures which, in the present state of the +Ministry, it is as well to avoid. + +Lord Aberdeen thinks he may venture to assure your Majesty that the +correspondence recently circulated is regarded by all the Members of +the Cabinet precisely in the same light; and that the propositions +of Lord John Russell are considered by all as quite untenable. Lord +Palmerston forms no exception; and, whatever may be his views in +future, it is clear that at present he contemplates no changes in the +Government. Lord John was himself fully aware of this unanimity, and +remained entirely silent with respect to his former suggestions. He +dwelt in general terms on the absence of vigour in the prosecution +of the war, and stated his conviction that the same course would +be observed in future. He referred to his position in the House of +Commons with much bitterness, and declared that he would never pass +such another Session of Parliament as the last. He attributed the +frequent defeats of the Government in the House of Commons to the +Reform Bill having been withdrawn, by which it was shown that hostile +attacks might be made with impunity. + +It was obvious, however, that the drift of his observations tended to +the substitution of himself as the Head of the Government rather than +to any change of Departments; and this he did not deny, when Lord +Aberdeen pointed out the inference to be drawn from his remarks. + +Finally, Lord John said that he had quite made up his mind. He was +ready to continue in office during the short Session before Christmas, +and to defend all that had been done; but that he was determined to +retire after Christmas. An observation being made that it would be +unconstitutional to go into Parliament with such a determination, he +replied that, if such was the opinion, he would request Lord Aberdeen +to convey his resignation to-morrow morning to your Majesty, which, at +all events, would be perfectly constitutional. + +Lord Aberdeen feels it to be his duty to state to your Majesty that, +whatever may be the real cause, Lord John has made up his mind to act +in the manner he has announced. + +In this situation it is Lord Aberdeen's desire to come to your +Majesty's assistance by any means in his power. Lord John's defection +will be a great blow, from which it is very doubtful if the Government +could recover; but Lord Aberdeen will come to no conclusion or form +any decided opinion until he shall have had the honour of seeing your +Majesty. + + + + +[Pageheading: CABINET DISSENSIONS] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _9th December 1854._ + +Lord Aberdeen arrived yesterday evening, leaving the Cabinet sitting, +revising the Speech from the Throne.[70] He had come to no decision. +Sir James Graham and Mr Gladstone had been anxious that he should +accept Lord John's resignation at once. He himself felt reluctant to +do anything which might be considered harsh towards Lord John, and +might make him a martyr hereafter. There was no doubt, however, that +they could not go on with Lord John. The universal feeling of the +Cabinet seemed to be one of indignation ... at Lord John's conduct. +Nobody had expressed himself stronger about it than Lord Lansdowne to +Lord Clarendon, feeling it, as he said, "quite a necessity to speak +out." The Chancellor said he owed his political allegiance to Lord +John as well as his office; but as a man of honour he could not go +with him. Lord Granville feels the same. Lord Palmerston had written +a long and very able letter to Lord John, proving the impossibility +of joining the offices of Secretary at War and Secretary of State for +War. Lord John had now, however, dropped his proposal altogether, +and made it quite clear that it was Lord Aberdeen he wished to have +removed. He said to Lord Palmerston: "When the Cabinet was formed, +I always understood that Lord Aberdeen would soon give me up my old +place; it has now lasted more than two years, and he seemed to get +enamoured with office, and I could not meet the House of Commons in +the position I was in last Session." + + [Footnote 70: Parliament was to meet on the 12th, chiefly for + the purpose of passing a Foreign Enlistment Bill, authorising + the immediate enlistment of 15,000 (afterwards reduced to + 10,000) foreigners, to be drilled in this country.] + +In answer to Lord Palmerston's enquiry what he would do, and how he +could expose the Country to such fearful risks at such a moment, he +said that he would support the Government out of office. "You will +support it at the head of a very virulent Opposition," was Lord +Palmerston's reply; "and when you have succeeded in overthrowing the +Government, which has difficulty enough to hold its ground even with +your assistance, what will you say to the Country? Will you say: +'Here I am. I have triumphed, and have displaced, in the midst of most +hazardous operations, all the ablest men the Country has produced; +but I shall take their place with Mr Vernon Smith, Lord Seymour, Lord +Minto, and others....'" + +Sir Charles Wood is the only person who says it is all nothing, and he +knows Lord John, and it is sure to blow over. + +Lord Aberdeen said it is come to a point where this is no longer +possible, as he laid his ground not only on the position that the war +had been badly conducted, but that it _would_ be so for the future. + +At the Cabinet yesterday a significant incident occurred: Lord John +asked what should become of Reform. Lord Aberdeen's answer was, that +it had been set aside on account of the war, and that as the war was +now raging at its height, it could not be brought on again. Later, +when they came to the passage about Education, Lord John made an +alteration in the Draft, adding something about strengthening the +institutions of the Country. Lord Palmerston started up and asked: +"Does that mean Reform?" Lord John answered: "It might or might not." +"Well, then," said Lord Palmerston, with a heat of manner which struck +the whole Cabinet, and was hardly justified by the occasion, "I wish +it to be understood that I protest against any direct or indirect +attempt to bring forward the Reform question again!" Lord John, +nettled, muttered to himself, but loud enough to be heard by +everybody: "Then I shall bring forward the Reform Bill at once." + +It is evident to me that after this a junction between Lord Palmerston +and Lord John is impossible, and that it must have been Lord +Palmerston's object to make this clear to the Cabinet. Lord Aberdeen +has declared that he is quite willing to yield his post to Lord +John--but that it would not suffice to have got a head--that there +must be some Members also, and where are they to be found? He is +certain that not one of the present Cabinet could now serve under Lord +John. An attempt to solve the question how the present Government is +to be maintained, naturally leads everybody to the same conclusion: +that Lord Palmerston must be substituted for Lord John as the Leader +of the House of Commons. Disagreeable as this must be ... to Lord +Aberdeen, and dangerous as the experiment may turn out, we agreed with +Lord Aberdeen that he should make the offer to him with the Queen's +consent. An alternative proposed by Lord Clarendon, that Lord +Aberdeen should ask Lord John what he advised him to do under the +circumstances, was strongly condemned by me, as depriving Lord +Aberdeen of all the advantage of the initiative with Lord Palmerston. +Lord Aberdeen states his great difficulty to be not only the long +antecedent and mutual opposition between him and Lord Palmerston, but +also the fact that Lord Palmerston loved war for war's sake, and he +peace for peace' sake.... He consoled himself, however, at last by the +reflection that Lord Palmerston was not worse than Lord John in +that respect, and, on the other hand, gave greater weight to the +consideration of what was practicable. It remains open for the present +whether Lord John is to act as the organ for the Government during the +short Session, and resign afterwards, or to resign now. + +ALBERT. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD ROKEBY] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Hardinge._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _10th December 1854._ + +The Queen is glad to hear of Lord Rokeby's readiness to go out, as she +is sure that he will prove himself an efficient officer in command of +that noble Brigade of Guards.[71] + +The Queen must repeat again her opinion relative to General Bentinck. +She thinks that he ought to go out again, and that, if a division +were offered to him, he would not hesitate (when he has recruited his +health) to go out. For the sake of example it would be most desirable, +for there evidently is an inclination to ask for leave to go home, +which would be very detrimental to the Army. + + [Footnote 71: Lord Rokeby had on the previous evening been + offered and had accepted the command.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL] + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _16th December 1854._ + +Lord Aberdeen presents his humble duty to your Majesty. The Cabinet +met to-day, and discussed various measures, with a view to their +introduction into Parliament during the course of the ensuing Session. +In this discussion Lord John Russell took an active part, and must +have greatly astonished his colleagues, after their knowledge of +all that had recently passed. Lord Aberdeen had been previously made +aware, although not by himself, of the change which had taken place +in Lord John's intentions. After the meeting of the Cabinet, Lord John +came to Lord Aberdeen, and spoke of the affair of Mr Kennedy,[72] but +did not seem disposed to advert to any other subject. Lord Aberdeen +therefore took an opportunity of referring to the correspondence which +had taken place, and the notice which had been given by Lord John. +Without any embarrassment, or apparent sense of inconsistency, he at +once admitted that he had changed his intention, and attributed it +chiefly to a conversation yesterday with Lord Panmure, who, although a +great military reformer, had convinced him that the present was not a +fitting time for his proposed changes. + +Lord Aberdeen had not seen any member of the Cabinet this evening +since the meeting terminated, and does not know how they may be +affected by this change. Some, he feels sure, will be disappointed; +but, on the whole, he feels disposed to be well satisfied. It is true +that there can be no security for a single week; and it is impossible +to escape from a sense of self-degradation by submitting to such an +unprecedented state of relations amongst colleagues; but the scandal +of a rupture would be so great, and the evils which might ensue so +incalculable, that Lord Aberdeen is sincerely convinced it will be +most advantageous for your Majesty's service, and for the public, +to endeavour, by a conciliatory and prudent course of conduct, to +preserve tranquillity and union as long as possible. This does not +exclude the necessity of firmness; and in the present case Lord +Aberdeen has yielded nothing whatever, but he has received Lord John's +change without resentment or displeasure. + + [Footnote 72: Mr Kennedy (who was remotely connected by + marriage with Lord John) had been removed by Mr Gladstone from + an office he held. Lord John took it up as a family matter.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE SCUTARI HOSPITAL] + + +_The Duke of Newcastle to Queen Victoria._ + +WAR DEPARTMENT, _22nd December 1854._ + +... The Duke of Newcastle assures your Majesty that the condition +of the Hospital at Scutari, and the entire want of all method and +arrangement in everything which concerns the comfort of the Army, are +subjects of constant and most painful anxiety to him, and he wishes +most earnestly that he could see his way clearly to an early and +complete remedy.[73] + +Nothing can be more just than are all your Majesty's comments upon the +state of facts exhibited by these letters, and the Duke of Newcastle +has repeatedly, during the last two months, written in the strongest +terms respecting them--but hitherto without avail, and with little +other result than a denial of charges, the truth of which must now be +considered to be substantiated. + +Your Majesty is aware that the Duke of Newcastle sent out a Commission +to enquire into the whole state of the Medical Department nearly three +months ago, and he expects a report very soon. + +In the meantime, the Duke of Newcastle will again write in the sense +of your Majesty's letter to him. + + [Footnote 73: Early in November, a band of capable and + devoted nurses, under the superintendence of Miss Florence + Nightingale, had arrived at Scutari, the experiment having + been devised and projected by Mr Sidney Herbert, who was a + personal friend of Miss Nightingale. The party was accompanied + by Mr and Mrs Bracebridge, whose letters describing the + condition of the hospitals had been sent by the Queen to the + Duke of Newcastle.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _30th December 1854._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Once more, in this old and very _eventful_ year, +allow me to address you, and to ask you for the continuation of that +love and affection which you have ever borne me! May God bless you +and yours in this New Year--and though the old one departs in war and +blood, may we hope to see this year restore peace to this troubled +world, and may _we_ meet again also! + +With the affectionate wishes of all the children, believe me always, +your most devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +TO CHAPTER XXIV + + +At the end of the year 1854, negotiations had been on foot with a +view to terminating the war, on terms which were known as the "Four +Points," the third of which was designed to extinguish Russian +preponderance in the Black Sea; and a conference of the Powers +ultimately assembled at Vienna for the purpose. Early in 1855, +Sardinia, under the influence of Cavour, her Premier, joined the +Western Alliance against Russia. On Parliament re-assembling in +January, Mr Roebuck gave notice of a motion for the appointment of a +Committee to enquire into the conduct of the war. Lord John Russell, +finding himself unable to resist the motion, at once resigned, and the +Ministry was overwhelmingly defeated by a majority of more than two +to one. Lord Derby, as Leader of the Conservative Opposition, was +summoned to form a Ministry, but failed to do so; the age of Lord +Lansdowne prevented his accepting the Premiership; and Lord John +Russell, whose action had largely contributed to the defeat of the +coalition, then attempted the task, but found that he could not +command the support even of his old Whig colleagues. The Queen +accordingly desired Lord Palmerston, whom the voice of the country +unmistakably indicated for the Premiership, to construct a Government; +he was successful in the attempt, the Cabinet being a reconstruction +of that of Lord Aberdeen, with Lord Panmure substituted for the Duke +of Newcastle at the War Office, while Lord John Russell was appointed +British Plenipotentiary at the Vienna Conference. The new Premier +desired to prevent the actual appointment of the Committee which Mr +Roebuck's motion demanded, the displacement of the late Ministry--the +real objective of the attack--having been effected; but as the House +of Commons manifested a determination to proceed with the appointment +of the Committee, the Peelite section of the Cabinet (Sir James +Graham, Mr Gladstone, and Mr Sidney Herbert) withdrew, and Lord John +Russell, who was then on his way to Vienna, accepted the Secretaryship +of the Colonies. Early in March, the Czar Nicholas died suddenly of +pulmonary apoplexy, and the expectation of peace increased; shortly +afterwards, the Emperor and Empress of the French paid a state visit +to this country, and were received with much enthusiasm, the Emperor +being made a Knight of the Garter. + +In February, a determined attack by the Russians upon Eupatoria was +repulsed by the Turks; the defenders of Sebastopol, however, succeeded +in occupying and fortifying an important position, afterwards known as +the "Mamelon." The bombardment was resumed by the Allies in April, +and a successful attack made upon Kertsch, from which the supplies +of Sebastopol were mainly drawn; while a squadron under Captain Lyons +destroyed the Russian magazines and stores in the Sea of Azov. General +Canrobert was succeeded in the French command by General Pelissier, +and on the 7th of June the Mamelon was taken by the French. A +desperate but, as it proved, unsuccessful assault was then made by +the Allies on the Redan and Malakhoff batteries; at this juncture Lord +Raglan died, and was succeeded in the command by General Simpson. + +The Vienna Conference proved abortive, Russia refusing to accept the +third point, and though a compromise was proposed by Austria, which +was favoured by the British and French Plenipotentiaries, their +respective Governments did not ratify their views. The negotiations +accordingly broke down, and Lord John Russell, on his return, used +language in Parliament quite inconsistent with the view which it +afterwards appeared he had urged at Vienna. He was loudly denounced +for this, and, to avoid Parliamentary censure, again resigned office. + +Among the measures which became law during the session, were those +for enabling companies to be formed with limited liability, and for +granting self-government to some of the Australasian Colonies. The +Committee appointed by the House of Commons held its meetings in +public (after a proposal to keep its investigations secret had been +rejected), and, by the casting vote of the Chairman, reported that the +late Cabinet, when directing the expedition to the Crimea, had had +no adequate information as to the force they would have to encounter +there; but a motion to "visit with severe reprehension" every member +of the Cabinet was parried by carrying the "previous question." + +In August, the Queen and Prince Albert paid a return visit to the +French Emperor, and were received with great magnificence in Paris, +while later in the year King Victor Emmanuel of Sardinia visited this +country, and was made a Knight of the Garter. On the 9th of August, +Sweaborg was severely bombarded by the allied fleets in the Baltic, +and a forlorn attempt to raise the siege of Sebastopol resulted in +another decisive success at the Tchernaya, the Sardinian contingent +fighting with great bravery. Sebastopol fell on the 8th of September, +after a siege of three hundred and forty-nine days; the citadel of +Kinburn was bombarded and surrendered in October, after which General +Simpson retired, in favour of Sir William Codrington. On the other +hand, the fortress of Kars in Armenia, which had been defended by +General Fenwick Williams, had to surrender to the Russian General +Mouravieff, in circumstances, however, so honourable, that the +officers were allowed to retain their swords, and their General +received a Baronetcy and a pension of L1000 a year. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +1855 + + +[Pageheading: THE FOUR POINTS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +OSBORNE, _9th January 1855._ + +THE Queen received Lord Clarendon's box by special messenger yesterday +evening. The acceptance by Russia of our interpretation of the +four points[1] is a most clever, diplomatic man[oe]uvre, and very +embarrassing for us at this moment, before Sebastopol is taken, and +before Austria has been compelled to join in the war. It leaves us no +alternative but to meet in conference, which, however, in the Queen's +opinion, ought to be preceded by a despatch to Austria, putting on +record our opinion as to the nature and object of the step taken by +Russia, and the advantages she hopes to derive by it from Austria and +Germany, and the disadvantages she expects to inflict on the Western +Powers. As hostilities ought not to be interrupted unless the Russians +give up Sebastopol and evacuate the Crimea (which would give rest +and quiet to our poor soldiers), there still remains the hope of our +getting the place before preliminaries of peace could be signed; and +in that case a Peace on the four points would be everything we could +desire, and much preferable to the chance of future convulsions of the +whole state of Europe. Russia would then have yielded all our wishes +for the future. + +A mere moral defeat, such as Count Buol seems disposed to consider +as sufficient, would soon prove to have been none at all, and Austria +would be the Power which, to its cost, would find out (when too late) +that the preponderance of Russia is by no means diminished. + +The Queen has given her permission to Lord John to go to Paris; he +will find the Emperor as little able to help himself in this stage of +the business as ourselves. + +The Queen is afraid that the news of the Russian acceptance may induce +our commanders in the Crimea to rest on their oars, and thinks it +necessary, therefore, that immediate orders should go out, pointing +out that the early fall of the town is just now more important than +ever. + +The Queen wishes Lord Clarendon to communicate this letter to Lord +Aberdeen and the Duke of Newcastle. + +She returns to Windsor this afternoon. + + [Footnote 1: The celebrated "Four Points" were-- + + 1. Cessation of the Russian protectorate over Moldavia, + Wallachia, and Servia: the privileges granted by the Sultan + to the Principalities to be collectively guaranteed by the + Powers. + 2. Free navigation of the Danube. + 3. Termination of the preponderance of Russia in the Black Sea. + 4. Abandonment by Russia of her claim over any subjects of the + Porte; the Five Powers to co-operate in obtaining from the + Sultan the confirmation and observance of the religious + privileges of the different Christian communities, and to + turn to account in their common interest the generous + intentions manifested by the Sultan, without infringing + his dignity or the independence of his crown. + + Towards the end of 1854, negotiations as to the Four Points + had been proceeding between the Allies and Austria, and on the + 28th of December the Three Powers had agreed in communicating + to Russia a memorandum giving a more exact interpretation of + the Four Points. This was agreed upon as the basis on which + the Plenipotentiaries were to meet at Vienna to settle the + Eastern Question, and to conclude the war. + + Another event, productive ultimately of results of great + importance, took place at the end of January. King Victor + Emmanuel of Sardinia joined the Western Alliance, and + despatched 15,000 men under General La Marmora to the Crimea. + This act was inspired by Cavour, the Sardinian Prime Minister, + who took the step that Austria hesitated to take, and thereby + established strong claims both upon the Emperor Napoleon and + Lord Palmerston.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD ABERDEEN AND THE GARTER] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _10th January 1855._ + +Before Parliament meets for probably a very stormy Session, the Queen +wishes to give a public testimony of her continued confidence in Lord +Aberdeen's administration, by offering him the vacant Blue Ribbon. +The Queen need not add a word on her personal feelings of regard and +friendship for Lord Aberdeen, which are known to him now for a long +period of years. + + + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _10th January 1855._ + +Lord Aberdeen presents his most humble duty to your Majesty. He has +had the honour of receiving your Majesty's most gracious letter, and +humbly begs to return your Majesty his grateful acknowledgments for +this mark of your Majesty's continued confidence and favour. When your +Majesty mentioned the subject to Lord Aberdeen some time ago, he had +not thought of any such distinction; and perhaps at his time of life, +and with his present prospects, he scarcely ought to do so. There +is no doubt that this unequivocal mark of gracious favour might +strengthen his hands, and especially in those quarters where it would +be most useful; but the power of misconstruction and malevolence is +so great that the effect might possibly be more injurious than +beneficial. + +Perhaps your Majesty would be graciously pleased to permit Lord +Aberdeen to reflect a little on the subject, and to submit his +thoughts to your Majesty. + +Lord Aberdeen entreats your Majesty to believe that in this, as +in everything else, it is his desire to look exclusively to your +Majesty's welfare. When he leaves your Majesty's service, your Majesty +may be fully aware of his many imperfections as a Minister; but he +trusts that your Majesty will always have reason to regard him as +perfectly disinterested. + + + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _11th January 1855._ + +Lord Aberdeen presents his most humble duty to your Majesty. He has +maturely reflected on the subject of your Majesty's gracious letter +of yesterday, and he is fully sensible of the very important advantage +which, in his official position, he might derive from such a public +and signal proof of your Majesty's confidence and favour. + +Although this might naturally give rise to more or less of political +animadversion, Lord Aberdeen would not hesitate in his decision, if +the alternative were only between himself and some Peer of high rank +whose claim consisted in being a supporter of the Government; but Lord +Aberdeen believes that he may venture to make a suggestion to your +Majesty, the effect of which would redound to your Majesty's honour, +and which might not prove altogether disadvantageous to himself. + +Lord Aberdeen understands that in consequence of the regulations of +the Order, Lord Cardigan could not properly receive the Grand Cross +of the Bath. From his rank and station, Lord Cardigan might fairly +pretend to the Garter, but his violent party politics would make it +impossible for Lord Aberdeen, under ordinary circumstances, to submit +his name to your Majesty for this purpose. At the same time, Lord +Cardigan's great gallantry and personal sacrifices seem to afford +him a just claim to your Majesty's favourable consideration; and Lord +Aberdeen believes that to confer upon him the Blue Ribbon at this +moment would be regarded as a very graceful act on the part of your +Majesty. It is even possible that Lord Aberdeen's political opponents +might give him some credit for tendering such advice. + +If therefore your Majesty should be pleased to take the same view of +this matter, Lord Aberdeen would communicate with Lord Cardigan on his +arrival in London, and would willingly postpone all consideration of +your Majesty's gracious intentions towards himself. But Lord Aberdeen +will venture humbly to repeat his grateful sense of all your Majesty's +kindness, and his acknowledgments for the expression of sentiments +which he can never sufficiently value.[2] + + [Footnote 2: Subsequently Lord Aberdeen yielded to the Queen's + affectionate insistence, and was installed Knight of the + Garter at a Chapter held on the 7th of February.] + + + + +[Pageheading: WELFARE OF THE ARMY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Duke of Newcastle._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th January 1855._ + +The Queen returns the enclosed despatch to the Duke of Newcastle, +which she has read with much pleasure, as bringing before Lord +Raglan in an official manner--which will require official enquiry and +_answer_--the various points so urgently requiring his attention and +remedial effort. It is at the same time so delicately worded that it +ought not to offend, although it cannot help, from its matter, being +painful to Lord Raglan. The Queen has only one remark to make, viz. +the entire omission of her name throughout the document. It speaks +simply in the name of the _People_ of England, and of _their_ +sympathy, whilst the Queen feels it to be one of her highest +prerogatives and dearest duties to care for the welfare and success of +_her_ Army. Had the despatch not gone before it was submitted to the +Queen, in a few words the Duke of Newcastle would have rectified this +omission. + +The Duke of Newcastle might with truth have added that, making every +allowance for the difficulties before Sebastopol, it is difficult +to imagine how the Army could ever be _moved_ in the field, if the +impossibility of keeping it alive is felt in a _stationary camp_ only +seven miles from its harbour, with the whole British Navy and hundreds +of transports at its command. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _13th January 1855._ + +The Queen has received Lord Aberdeen's letter of the 11th, and has +since seen Lord John Russell's letter. It shows that the practice +of the Queen's different Cabinet Ministers going to Paris, to have +personal explanations with the Emperor, besides being hardly a +constitutional practice, must lead to much misunderstanding. How is +the Emperor to distinguish between the views of the Queen's Government +and the private opinions of the different members of the Cabinet, all +more or less varying, particularly in a Coalition Government? + +The Queen hopes therefore that this will be the last such visit. The +Ambassador is the official organ of communication, and the Foreign +Secretary is responsible for his doing his duty, and has the means of +controlling him by his instructions and the despatches he receives, +all of which are placed on record.[3] + + [Footnote 3: The cause of Lord John's visit to Paris had been + the illness there of his sister-in-law, Lady Harriet Elliot; + but he took the opportunity of conferring both with + the Emperor and his Ministers on the conduct of the + war.--Walpole's _Life of Lord John Russell_, chap. XXV.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LETTER FROM LORD RAGLAN] + +[Pageheading: THE COMMISSARIAT] + + +_Lord Raglan to Queen Victoria._ + +BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, _20th January 1855._ + +Lord Raglan presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has the +honour to acknowledge with every sentiment of devotion and gratitude +your Majesty's most gracious letter of 1st January, and the kind +wishes which your Majesty and the Prince are pleased to unite in +offering to the Army and your Majesty's most humble servant on the +occasion of the New Year. + +The deep concern and anxiety felt by your Majesty and the Prince for +the privations of the troops, their unceasing labours, their exposure +to bad weather, and the extensive sickness which prevails among them, +are invaluable proofs of the lively interest which your Majesty and +His Royal Highness take in the welfare of an Army which, under no +circumstances, will cease to revere the name, and apply all its best +energies to the service of your Majesty. + +Lord Raglan can with truth assure your Majesty that his whole time +and all his thoughts are occupied in endeavouring to provide for the +various wants of your Majesty's troops. It has not been in his power +to lighten the burthen of their duties. Those exacted from them before +Sebastopol are for the preservation of the trenches and batteries; and +there are many other calls upon the men, more especially when, as at +present, the roads are so bad that wheeled carriages can no longer +be used, and that the horse transport is diminished by sickness and +death, and that the Commissariat, having no longer any sufficient +means of conveyance at its command, cannot bring up the daily supplies +without their assistance, thereby adding, however inevitably, to their +labour and fatigue. + +Lord Raglan begs leave to submit, for your Majesty's information, that +the Allied Armies have no intercourse with the country, and can derive +no resources from it; and consequently all the requirements for +the conveyance of stores and provisions, as well as the stores and +provisions themselves, must be imported. Such a necessity forms in +itself a difficulty of vast magnitude, which has been greatly felt by +him, and has been productive of the most serious consequences to the +comfort and welfare of the Army. + +The coffee sent from Constantinople has been received and issued +to the troops green, the Commissariat having no means whatever of +roasting it. Very recently, however, an able officer of the Navy, +Captain Heath of the _Sanspareil_, undertook to have machines made by +the engineers on board his ship for roasting coffee; and in this he +has succeeded, but they have not yet produced as much as is required +for the daily consumption. + +The Commissary-General applied to the Treasury for roasted coffee +three months ago. None has as yet arrived. A very large amount of warm +clothing has been distributed, and your Majesty's soldiers, habited in +the cloaks of various countries, might be taken for the troops of any +nation as well as those of England. + +Huts have arrived in great abundance, and as much progress is made in +getting them up as could be hoped for, considering that there has been +a very heavy fall of snow, and that a thaw has followed it, and the +extremely limited means of conveyance at command. + +Much having been said, as Lord Raglan has been given to understand, in +private letters, of the inefficiency of the officers of the Staff, he +considers it to be due to your Majesty, and a simple act of justice to +those individuals, to assure your Majesty that he has every reason +to be satisfied with their exertions, their indefatigable zeal, and +undeviating, close attention to their duties, and he may be permitted +to add that the horse and mule transport for the carriage of +provisions and stores are under the charge of the Commissariat, not of +the Staff, and that the Department in question engages the men who are +hired to take care of it, and has exclusive authority over them. + +Lord Raglan transmitted to the Duke of Newcastle, in the month of +December, the report of a Medical Board, which he caused to assemble +at Constantinople for the purpose of ascertaining the state of health +of the Duke of Cambridge. The report evidently showed the necessity of +His Royal Highness's return to England for its re-establishment. +This, Lord Raglan knows, was the opinion of the Honourable +Lieutenant-Colonel Macdonald,[4] whose attention and devotion to +His Royal Highness could not be surpassed, and who was himself very +anxious to remain with the Army. + +The Duke, however, has not gone further than Malta, where, it is said, +his health has not improved. + + [Footnote 4: The Hon. James Bosville Macdonald [1810-1882], + son of the third Baron Macdonald, A.D.C., Equerry and Private + Secretary to the Duke of Cambridge.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE ARMY BOARD] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _22nd January 1855._ + +The Queen has received Lord Aberdeen's letter of yesterday, giving an +account of the proceedings of the last Cabinet.... + +The Queen is quite prepared to sanction the proposal of constituting +the Secretary of State for War, the Commander-in-Chief, the +Master-General of the Ordnance, and the Secretary at War, a Board on +the affairs of the Army, which promises more unity of action in +these Departments, and takes notice of the fact that the powers and +functions of the Commander-in-Chief are not to be changed. As these, +however, rest entirely on tradition, and are in most cases ambiguous +and undefined, the Queen would wish that they should be clearly +defined, and this the more so as she transacts certain business +directly with him, and ought to be secured against getting into any +collision with the Secretary of State, who also takes her pleasure, +and gives orders to the Commander-in-Chief. She would further ask to +be regularly furnished with the Minutes of the proceedings of the new +Board, in order to remain acquainted with what is going on. + +Unless, however, the Militia be made over to the direction of the +Secretary of State for _War_, our Army system will still remain very +incomplete. The last experience has shown that the Militia will have +to be looked upon as the chief source for recruiting the Army, and +this will never be done harmoniously and well, unless they both be +brought under the same control. + +With reference to the Investiture of the Garter, the Queen need not +assure Lord Aberdeen that there are few, if any, on whom she will +confer the Blue Ribbon with greater pleasure than on so kind and +valued a friend as he is to us both. + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _24th January 1855._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he has had +the honour of receiving your Majesty's gracious invitation to Windsor +Castle. He would have waited upon your Majesty this day had he not +been constrained by a sense of duty to write to Lord Aberdeen last +night a letter of which he submits a copy. + +Lord John Russell trusts your Majesty will be graciously pleased to +comply at once with his request. But he feels it would be right to +attend your Majesty's farther commands before he has the honour of +waiting upon your Majesty. + + + + +[Pageheading: MR. ROEBUCK'S MOTION] + + +[_Enclosure in previous Letter._] + +_Lord John Russell to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _23rd January 1855._ + +MY DEAR LORD ABERDEEN,--Mr Roebuck has given notice of a Motion to +enquire into the conduct of the war. I do not see how this Motion is +to be resisted. But as it involves a censure of the War Departments +with which some of my colleagues are connected, my only course is to +tender my resignation. + +I therefore have to request you will lay my humble resignation of the +office, which I have the honour to hold, before the Queen, with the +expression of my gratitude for Her Majesty's kindness for many years. +I remain, my dear Lord Aberdeen, yours very truly, + +J. RUSSELL. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL RESIGNS] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, 24th _January 1855._ + +The Queen has this moment received Lord John Russell's letter and +enclosure, and must express to him her surprise and concern at hearing +so abruptly of his intention to desert her Government on the Motion of +Mr Roebuck. + + + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _25th January 1855._ + +Yesterday evening Lord Aberdeen came down here. He had heard that Lord +John had written to the Queen, and she showed him the correspondence. +He then reported that Lord John's letter to him had come without the +slightest notice and warning, and whatever the cause for it might be, +the object could only be to upset the Government. Upon receiving it, +he had sent for the Duke of Newcastle and shown it to him. The Duke +at once proposed, that as a sacrifice seemed to be required to appease +the public for the want of success in the Crimea, he was quite ready +to be that sacrifice, and entreated that Lord Aberdeen would put his +office into the hands of Lord Palmerston, who possessed the confidence +of the nation; Lord Aberdeen should propose this at once to the +Cabinet, he himself would support the Government _out_ of office like +_in_ office. Lord Aberdeen then went to Lord Palmerston to communicate +to him what had happened, and ascertain his feelings. Lord Palmerston +was disgusted at Lord John's behaviour,[5] and did not consider +himself the least bound to be guided by him; he admitted that +somehow or other the Public had a notion that he would manage the War +Department better than anybody else; as for himself, he did not expect +to do it half so well as the Duke of Newcastle, but was prepared to +try it, not to let the Government be dissolved, which at this moment +would be a real calamity for the country. + + [Footnote 5: Lord Palmerston wrote him a most scathing letter + on the subject.] + +The Cabinet met at two o'clock, and Lord Aberdeen laid the case +before it. The Duke then made his proposal, and was followed by Lord +Palmerston, who stated pretty much the same as he had done in the +morning, upon which Sir George Grey said it did both the Duke and Lord +Palmerston the highest honour, but he saw no possibility of resisting +Mr Roebuck's Motion without Lord John; Sir Charles Wood was of the +same opinion. Lord Clarendon proposed that, as the Duke had given +up his Department to Lord Palmerston, Lord John might be induced to +remain; but this was at once rejected by Lord Aberdeen on the ground +that they might be justified in sacrificing the Duke to the wishes +of the Country, but they could not to Lord John, with any degree of +honour. The upshot was, that the Whig Members of the Cabinet, not +being inclined to carry on the Government (including Lord Lansdowne), +they came to the unanimous determination to tender their resignations. + +The Queen protested against this, as exposing her and the Country to +the greatest peril, as it was impossible to change the Government at +this moment without deranging the whole external policy in diplomacy +and war, and there was nobody to whom the reins could be confided. +Lord Derby and his party would never have done, but now he had allied +himself with Lord Ellenborough, who was determined to have the conduct +of the war.... + +Lord Aberdeen thought yet, that on him[6] devolved the responsibility +of replacing what he wantonly destroyed. The Queen insisted, however, +that Lord Aberdeen should make one appeal to the Cabinet to stand by +her, which he promised to do to the best of his ability, but without +hope of success. The Cabinet will meet at twelve o'clock to-day, but +at five the Ministers will have to announce their determination to the +Houses of Parliament, as Mr Roebuck's Motion stands for that hour. + +ALBERT. + + [Footnote 6: _I.e._, Lord John Russell.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD JOHN'S JUSTIFICATION] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _25th January 1855._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He has +received with deep regret the imputations of deserting the Government. + +Lord John Russell, after being at the head of the Ministry for more +than five years, and being then the leader of a great party, consented +to serve under Lord Aberdeen, and served for more than a year and a +half without office. + +After sacrificing his position and his reputation for two years, he +has come to the conclusion that it would not be for the benefit of +the country to resist Mr Roebuck's Motion. But it is clear that the +enquiry he contemplates could not be carried on without so weakening +the authority of the Government that it could not usefully go on. + +In these circumstances Lord John Russell has pursued the course which +he believes to be for the public benefit. + +With the most sincere respect for Lord Aberdeen, he felt he could +not abandon his sincere convictions in order to maintain the +Administration in office. + +It is the cause of much pain to him that, after sacrificing his +position in order to secure your Majesty's service from interruption, +he should not have obtained your Majesty's approbation. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _25th January 1855._ + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter of to-day in +explanation of his resignation. She has done full justice to the +high-minded and disinterested manner in which Lord John sacrificed +two years ago his position as former Prime Minister and as Leader of a +great party, in consenting to serve under Lord Aberdeen, and hopes she +has sufficiently expressed this to him at the time. He will since +have found a further proof of her desire to do anything which could +be agreeable to him in his position, by cheerfully agreeing to all the +various changes of offices which he has at different times wished +for. If Lord John will consider, however, the moment which he has +now chosen to leave her Government, and the abrupt way in which his +unexpected intention of agreeing in a vote implying censure of the +Government was announced to her, he cannot be surprised that she could +not express her approbation. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD JOHN'S INDIGNATION] + + +_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _25th January 1855._ + +Lord Aberdeen arrived at six o'clock to report the result of the +meeting of the Cabinet, which was so far satisfactory that they +agreed upon retaining office at present for the purpose of meeting Mr +Roebuck's Motion. They expect (most of them, at least) to be beat and +to have to resign, but they think it more honourable to be driven out +than to run away. They will meet Parliament therefore without making +any changes in the offices. Lord Aberdeen and the Duke of Newcastle +fancy even that they will have a chance of defeating Mr Roebuck's +Motion. Sir George Grey has declared, however, that, perfectly willing +as he is not to desert his post at this moment, he will consider +himself at liberty to resign even after success, as he thinks the +Government has no chance of standing with Lord John in Opposition. +The other Whigs would in that case very likely do the same, and the +Government come to an end in this way; but it is not impossible that +Sir George Grey may be prevailed upon by the Queen to stay. Much must +depend upon the nature of the Debate. + +Lord Aberdeen seems to have put the Queen's desire that the Cabinet +should reconsider their former decision in the strongest words, which +seems to have brought about the present result. He saw Lord John this +morning who, though personally civil towards himself, was very much +excited and very angry at a letter which he had received from the +Queen. He said he would certainly vote with Mr Roebuck. The Houses are +to be adjourned to-day, and the whole discussion comes on to-morrow. +Lord Aberdeen brought a copy of a letter Lord Palmerston had written +to Lord John. The Peelites in the Cabinet, viz. the Dukes of Newcastle +and Argyll, Sir J. Graham, Mr Gladstone, and Mr S. Herbert, seem to be +very bitter against Lord John, and determined to oppose him should +he form a Government, whilst they would be willing to support a Derby +Government. + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _26th January 1855._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and is +very grateful for your Majesty's communication of yesterday. + +He confesses his resignation was very abrupt, but it is the +consequence of many previous discussions in which his advice had been +rejected or overruled. + +Lord John Russell acknowledges the repeated instances of your +Majesty's goodness in permitting him to leave the Foreign Office, +and subsequently to serve without office as Leader of the House +of Commons. These changes, however, were not made without due +consideration. To be Leader of the House of Commons and Foreign +Secretary is beyond any man's strength. To continue for a long time +Leader without an office becomes absurd. Lord Aberdeen at first +meant his own continuance in office to be short, which justified the +arrangement. + + + + +[Pageheading: MR ROEBUCK'S MOTION] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._[7] + +144 PICCADILLY, _26th January 1855._ + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +to state that Lord John Russell having made his statement, concluding +with an announcement that he did not mean to vote on Mr Roebuck's +Motion, and Viscount Palmerston having made a few remarks on that +statement, Mr Roebuck rose to make his Motion; but the paralytic +affection under which he has for some time laboured soon overpowered +him, and before he had proceeded far in his speech he became so unwell +that he was obliged to finish abruptly, make his Motion, and sit down. + +Mr Sidney Herbert, who was to reply to Mr Roebuck, rose therefore +under great disadvantage, as he had to reply to a speech which had not +been made; but he acquitted himself with great ability, and made an +excellent statement in explanation and defence of the conduct of the +Government. He was followed by Mr Henry Drummond,[8] Colonel North +for the Motion, Mr Monckton Milnes against it; Lord Granby who, in +supporting the Motion, praised and defended the Emperor of Russia; Mr +Layard, who in a speech of much animation, gave very strong reasons +to show the great impropriety of the Motion, and ended by saying he +should vote for it; Sir George Grey, who made a spirited and excellent +speech; Mr Walpole, who supported the Motion and endeavoured, but +fruitlessly, to establish a similarity between the enquiry proposed by +Mr Roebuck and the enquiry in a Committee of the whole House into the +conduct of the Walcheren Expedition when the operation was over and +the Army had returned to England. Mr Vernon Smith declared that his +confidence in the Government had been confined to three Members--Lord +Lansdowne, Lord John Russell, and Lord Palmerston--and that it was +greatly diminished by the retirement of Lord John Russell. Colonel +Sibthorp,[9] Sir John Fitzgerald, and Mr Knightley[10] followed, and +Mr Disraeli having said that his side of the House required that the +Debate should be adjourned, an adjournment to Monday was agreed to; +but Viscount Palmerston, in consenting to the adjournment, expressed a +strong hope that the Debate would not be protracted beyond that night. + +Viscount Palmerston regrets to say that the general aspect of the +House was not very encouraging. + + [Footnote 7: His first letter to the Queen as Leader of the + House of Commons.] + + [Footnote 8: M.P. for West Surrey.] + + [Footnote 9: Sibthorp, whose name is almost forgotten, earned + some fame as an opponent of the Exhibition of 1851, and + remained faithful to Protection, after Lord Derby and his + party had dropped it. His beard, his eye-glass, and his + clothes were a constant subject for the pencil of Leech.] + + [Footnote 10: Mr (afterwards Sir) Reginald Knightley, M.P. for + South Northamptonshire, 1852-1892. In the latter year he was + created Lord Knightley of Fawsley.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DEBATE] + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _27th January 1855._ + +Lord Aberdeen presents his humble duty to your Majesty. It is probable +that your Majesty may have heard from Lord Palmerston some account +of the debate in the House of Commons last night; but perhaps your +Majesty may not object to learn the impressions which Lord Aberdeen +has received on the present state of affairs both in and out of the +House. + +There can be no doubt that Lord John Russell has injured his position +by the course which he has pursued. His own friends having remained in +the Cabinet, is his practical condemnation. He made a very elaborate +and dexterous statement; but which, although very plausible, did not +produce a good effect. It had been decided that he should be followed +by Mr Gladstone, who was in full possession of the subject; but at the +Cabinet yesterday held before the meeting of the House, it was decided +that Lord Palmerston should follow Lord John, in order to prevent the +appearance of a division in the Cabinet between the Whig and Peelite +Members. As Lord Palmerston was to act as Leader of the House, the +substitution of Mr Gladstone would have appeared strange. But the +decision was unfortunate, for by all accounts the speech of Lord +Palmerston was singularly unsuccessful. + +In the debate which followed, the impression in the House was strongly +against the War Department; and the indications which occasionally +appeared of the possibility of Lord Palmerston filling that office +were received with great cordiality. Sir George Grey made an excellent +speech, and his censure must have been deeply felt by Lord John. + +Lord Aberdeen has waited until the Cabinet had met to-day before he +had the honour of writing to your Majesty, in order that he might +learn the impressions and opinions of the Members, especially of those +who are in the House of Commons. All agree that if the division had +taken place last night, Mr Roebuck's Motion would have been carried by +a large majority. This still seems to be the prevailing opinion, but +there is considerable difference. The Motion is so objectionable and +so unconstitutional that delay is likely to be favourable to those who +oppose it. A little reflection must produce considerable effect. Lord +Aberdeen sees that Mr Gladstone is preparing for a great effort, and +he will do whatever can be effected by reason and eloquence. + +It is said that Lord Derby shows some reluctance to accept the +responsibility of overthrowing the Government; but the part taken last +night by Mr Walpole, and the notice of a Motion in the House of Lords +by Lord Lyndhurst, would appear to denote a different policy. The +result of the Division on Monday will depend on the course adopted by +his friends, _as a party_. It is said that Mr Disraeli has signified a +difference of opinion from Mr Walpole. + + + + +[Pageheading: DEFEAT OF THE MINISTRY] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +144 PICCADILLY, _30th January 1855._ + +(2 A.M.) + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +begs to state that Mr Roebuck's Motion has been carried by 305 to 148, +being a majority of 157 against the Government, a great number of the +Liberal party voting in the majority. + +The debate was begun by Mr Stafford,[11] who gave a very interesting +but painful account of the mismanagement which he had witnessed in the +Hospitals at Scutari and Sebastopol, while he gave due praise to the +conduct of His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge toward the men +under his command, and related the cheering effect produced by your +Majesty's kind letter, when read by him to the invalids in Hospital. +He was followed by Mr Bernal Osborne,[12] who found fault with all +the military arrangements at home, and with the system under which +Commissions in the Army are bought and sold, but who declared that he +should vote against the Motion. + +Mr Henley then supported the Motion, directing his attack chiefly +against the management of the Transport Service. + +Admiral Berkeley,[13] in reply, defended the conduct of the Admiralty. +Major Beresford supported the Motion, but defended Lord Raglan against +the attacks of the newspapers. Mr. Rice, Member for Dover, opposed the +Motion. Mr Miles[14] found fault with the Commissariat, and supported +the Motion, saying that the proposed enquiry would apply a remedy to +the evils acknowledged to exist in the Army in the Crimea; and Sir +Francis Baring, after ably pointing out the inconveniences of the +proposed Committee, said he should vote against it, as tending to +prevent those evils from being remedied. Mr Rich criticised the +composition of the Ministry, and the conduct of the war, and supported +the Motion as a means of satisfying public opinion. Sir Edward Lytton +Bulwer supported the Motion in a speech of considerable ability, and +was replied to by Mr Gladstone in a masterly speech, which exhausted +the subject, and would have convinced hearers who had not made up +their minds beforehand. + +He was followed by Mr Disraeli, who in the course of his speech made +use of some expressions in regard to Lord John Russell, which drew +from Lord John some short explanations as to the course which he +had pursued. Viscount Palmerston then made some observations on +the Motion, and, after a few words from Mr Muntz,[15] Mr Thomas +Duncombe[16] asked Mr Roebuck whether, if he carried his Motion, +he really meant to name and appoint the Committee and prosecute the +enquiry, saying that he hoped and trusted that such was Mr Roebuck's +intention. Mr Roebuck declared that he fully meant to do so, and after +a short speech from Mr Roebuck, who lost the thread of his argument in +one part of what he said, the House proceeded to a division. + +The Conservative Party abstained, by order from their Chiefs, from +giving the cheer of triumph which usually issues from a majority after +a vote upon an important occasion.... + + [Footnote 11: Augustus Stafford (formerly Stafford O'Brien), + Secretary of the Admiralty in the Derby Ministry of 1852.] + + [Footnote 12: Secretary of the Admiralty, who, contrary to + modern practice, criticised on this occasion the action of his + own colleagues.] + + [Footnote 13: Maurice Frederick Fitzhardinge Berkeley, + 1788-1867, M.P. for Gloucester 1831-1857.] + + [Footnote 14: M.P. for Bristol.] + + [Footnote 15: M.P. for Birmingham.] + + [Footnote 16: M.P. for Finsbury.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD ABERDEEN RESIGNS] + +[Pageheading: LORD DERBY SUMMONED] + + +_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _30th January 1855._ + +Lord Aberdeen arrived here at three. He came from the Cabinet, and +tendered their unanimous resignation. Nothing could have been better, +he said, than the feeling of the members towards each other. Had it +not been for the incessant attempts of Lord John Russell to keep +up Party differences, it must be confessed that the experiment of a +coalition has succeeded admirably. We discussed future possibilities, +and agreed that there remained nothing to be done but to offer the +Government to Lord Derby, whose Party was numerically the strongest, +and had carried the Motion. He supposed Lord Derby would be prepared +for it, although he must have great difficulties, unless he took in +men from other Parties, about which, however, nothing could be known +at present. + +Lord Aberdeen means to behave more generously to Lord Derby than he +had done to him, and felt sure that his colleagues would feel a desire +to support the Queen's new Government. + +He said Lord Grey's plan[17] had not met with the approbation of the +House of Lords. The indignation at Lord John's conduct on all sides +was strongly on the increase. + +Lord Aberdeen was much affected at having to take leave of us. + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 17: For concentrating in a single department the + business connected with the administration of the Army.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _30th January 1855._ + +The Queen would wish to see Lord Derby at Buckingham Palace (whither +she is going for a few hours) to-morrow at half-past eleven. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Duke of Newcastle._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _31st January 1855._ + +The Queen has just received the Duke of Newcastle's letter. + +She readily grants him the permission he asks,[18] and seizes this +opportunity of telling him how much she feels for him during this +trying time, and what a high sense she shall ever entertain of +his loyal, high-minded, and patriotic conduct, as well as of his +unremitting exertions to serve his Sovereign and Country. + + [Footnote 18: The Duke, in order to refute Lord John Russell, + asked leave to state what had passed in the Cabinet.] + + + + +[Pageheading: INTERVIEW WITH LORD DERBY] + +[Pageheading: THE LEADERSHIP] + + +_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _31st January 1855._ + +We went up to Buckingham Palace and saw Lord Derby at half-past +eleven. The Queen informed him of the resignation of the Government, +and of her desire that he should try to form a new one. She addressed +herself to him as the head of the largest Party in the House of +Commons, and which had by its vote chiefly contributed to the +overthrow of the Government. Lord Derby threw off this responsibility, +saying that there had been no communication with Mr Roebuck, but that +his followers could not help voting when Lord John Russell told them +on authority that there was the most ample cause for enquiry, and the +whole country cried out for it. Moreover, the Government, in meeting +the Motion, laid its chief stress upon its implying a want of +confidence in the Government--a confidence which they certainly did +not enjoy. He owned that his Party was the most compact--mustering +about two hundred and eighty men--but he had no men capable of +governing the House of Commons, and he should not be able to present +an Administration that would be accepted by the country unless it was +strengthened by other combinations; he knew that the whole country +cried out for Lord Palmerston as the only man fit for carrying on +the war with success, and he owned the necessity of having him in the +Government, were it even only to satisfy the French Government, the +confidence of which was at this moment of the greatest importance; +but he must say, speaking without reserve, that whatever the ignorant +public might think, Lord Palmerston was totally unfit for the task. He +had become very deaf as well as very blind, was seventy-one years +old, and ... in fact, though he still kept up his sprightly manners +of youth, it was evident that his day had gone by.[19] ... Lord Derby +thought, however, he might have the Lead of the House of Commons, +which Mr Disraeli was ready to give up to him. For the War Department +there were but two men--both very able, but both liable to objections: +the first was Lord Grey, who would do it admirably, but with whom he +disagreed in general politics, and in this instance on the propriety +of the war, which he himself was determined to carry on with the +utmost vigour; then came his peculiar views about the Amalgamation +of Offices, in which he did not at all agree. The other was Lord +Ellenborough, who was very able, and would certainly be very popular +with the Army, but was very unmanageable; yet he hoped he could keep +him in order. It might be doubtful whether Lord Hardinge could go on +with him at the Horse Guards. We agreed in the danger of Lord Grey's +Army proposal, and had to pronounce the opinion that Lord Ellenborough +was almost mad. This led us to a long discussion upon the merits of +the conduct of the war, upon which he seemed to share the general +prejudices, but on being told some of the real facts and difficulties +of the case, owned that these, from obvious reasons, could not be +stated by the Government in their defence, and said that he was aware +that the chief fault lay at headquarters in the Crimea. Lord Raglan +ought to be recalled, as well as his whole staff, and perhaps he could +render this less painful to him by asking him to join the Cabinet, +where his military advice would be of great value. + + [Footnote 19: Lord Derby's judgment was not borne out by + subsequent events. Lord Palmerston was Prime Minister when + he died on the 18th of October 1865, ten years later. "The + half-opened cabinet-box on his table, and the unfinished + letter on his desk, testified that he was at his post to the + last,"--Ashley's _Life of Lord Palmerston_, vol. ii. p. 273.] + +To be able to meet the House of Commons, however, Lord Derby said he +required the assistance of men like Mr Gladstone and Mr S. Herbert, +and he was anxious to know whether the Queen could tell him upon what +support he could reckon in that quarter. We told him we had reason to +believe the Peelites would oppose a Government of Lord John Russell, +but were inclined to support one of Lord Derby's; whether they were +inclined to join in office, however, appeared very doubtful. The Queen +having laid great stress on a good selection for the office of Foreign +Affairs, Lord Derby said he would have to return to Lord Malmesbury, +who, he thought, had done well before, and had now additional +experience. + +Should he not be able to obtain strength from the Peelites, he could +not be able to form a creditable Government; he must give up the task, +and thought the Queen might try some other combinations with Lord John +Russell or Lord Lansdowne, etc. + +He did not think a reconstruction of the old Government would be +accepted by the country; however, whatever Government was formed to +carry on the war, should not only not be opposed by him, but have +his cordial support, provided it raised no question of general +constitutional importance. + +Should all attempts fail, he would be ready to come forward to the +rescue of the country with such materials as he had, but it would be +"a desperate attempt." + +Lord Derby returned a little before two from Lord Palmerston, to whom +he had gone in the first instance. Lord Palmerston was ready to accept +the Lead of the House of Commons, and acknowledged that the man +who undertook this could not manage the War Department besides. He +undertook to sound Mr Gladstone and Mr S. Herbert, but had, evidently +much to Lord Derby's surprise, said that it must be a coalition, and +not only the taking in of one or two persons, which does not seem +to suit Lord Derby at all--nor was he pleased at Lord Palmerston's +suggestion that he ought to try, by all means, to retain Lord +Clarendon at the Foreign Office. Lord Palmerston was to sound the +Peelites in the afternoon, and Lord Derby is to report the result to +the Queen this evening. + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD CLARENDON] + + +_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._ + +ST JAMES' SQUARE, _31st January 1855._ + (9:30 P.M.) + +Lord Derby, with his humble duty, hastens to submit to your Majesty +the answer which he has this moment received from Viscount Palmerston +to the communication which he made to him this morning by your +Majesty's command. Lord Derby has not yet received from Mr Sidney +Herbert and Mr Gladstone the answers referred to in Lord Palmerston's +letter; but, from the tenor of the latter, he fears there can be no +doubt as to their purport. With respect to Lord Clarendon, Lord +Derby is fully sensible of the advantage which might accrue to your +Majesty's service from the continuance in office of a Minister of +great ability, who is personally cognizant of all the intricate +negotiations and correspondence which have taken place for the last +two years; and neither personally nor politically would he anticipate +on the part of his friends, certainly not on his own part, any +difficulty under existing circumstances, in co-operating with Lord +Clarendon; but the present political relations between Lord Clarendon +and Lord Derby's friends are such that, except upon a special +injunction from your Majesty, and under your Majesty's immediate +sanction, he would not be justified in making any overtures in that +direction.[20] Should Lord Derby receive any communication from Mr +Gladstone or Mr. Sidney Herbert before morning, he will send it down +to your Majesty by the earliest opportunity in the morning. Lord Derby +trusts that your Majesty will forgive the haste in which he writes, +having actually, at the moment of receiving Lord Palmerston's answer, +written a letter to say that he could not longer detain your Majesty's +messenger. Lord Derby will take no farther step until he shall have +been honoured by your Majesty's farther commands. + +The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's most dutiful Servant +and Subject, + +DERBY. + +[Pageheading: LORD DERBY'S REFUSAL] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +_1st February 1855._ + +Lord Derby came down here at eleven o'clock, and brought with him two +letters he had received from Mr Gladstone and Mr Sidney Herbert, who +both declared their willingness to give Lord Derby's Government an +independent support, but on mature consideration their impossibility +to take office in his Administration. Lord Derby said, as to +the independent support, it reminded him of the definition of an +independent Member of Parliament, viz. one that could not be depended +upon. Under the circumstances, he would not be able to form such an +Administration as could effectively carry on the Government. + + [Footnote 20: Although opposed to the ordinary procedure + of party government, there were recent precedents for such + overtures being made. When the Whigs displaced Peel in 1846, + Lord John Russell attempted to include three of the outgoing + Ministers in his Cabinet, and on the formation of the + Coalition Ministry, negotiations were on foot to retain Lord + St. Leonards on the woolsack.] + +He thought that Lord Palmerston had at first been willing to join, +but it was now evident that the three letters had been written in +concert.[21] + + [Footnote 21: Lord Palmerston wrote that, upon reflection, he + had come to the conclusion that he would not, by joining + the Government, give to it that stability which Lord Derby + anticipated. He, however, gave the promise of his support to + any Government which would carry on the war with energy and + vigour, and maintain the alliances which had been formed.] + +He was anxious to carry any message to any other statesman with which +the Queen might wish to entrust him. This the Queen declined, with her +best thanks. He then wanted to know what statement Lord Aberdeen would +make to-night in the House, stating it to be very important that it +should not appear that the Administration had gone from Lord Aberdeen +through any other hands than the ones which should finally accept it. + +It would be well known that he had been _consulted_ by the Queen, but +there was no necessity for making it appear that he had undertaken to +form an Administration. The fact was, that he had consulted none of +his Party except Mr Disraeli, and that his followers would have reason +to complain if they thought that he had put them altogether out of the +question. We told him that we did not know what Lord Aberdeen meant to +say, but the best thing would be on all accounts to state exactly the +truth as it passed. + +After he had taken leave of the Queen with reiterated assurances of +gratitude and loyalty, I had a further long conversation with him, +pointing out to him facts with which he could not be familiar, +concerning our Army in the Crimea, our relations with our Ally, +negotiations with the German Courts, the state of public men and the +Press in this country, which convinced me that this country was in +a crisis of the greatest magnitude, and the Crown in the greatest +difficulties, which could not be successfully overcome unless +political parties would show a little more patriotism than hitherto. +They behaved a good deal like his independent Member of Parliament, +and tried to aggravate every little mishap in order to get Party +advantages out of it. I attacked him personally upon his ... +opposition to the Foreign Enlistment Bill, and pointed to the fact +that the French were now obtaining the services of that very +Swiss Legion we stood so much in need of. His defence was a mere +Parliamentary dialectic, accusing the clumsy way in which Ministers +had introduced their Bill, but he promised to do what he could to +relieve the difficulties of the country. In conclusion I showed him, +under injunctions of secrecy, the letter I had received from Count +Walewski, which showed to what a state of degradation the British +Crown had been reduced by the efforts on all sides for Party objects +to exalt the Emperor Napoleon, and make his will and use the sole +standard for the English Government.[22] + + [Footnote 22: This curious letter of the Count stated in + effect that the alliance of England and France, and the + critical circumstances of the day, made Lords Palmerston and + Clarendon indispensable members of any Ministry that might be + formed.] + +Lord Derby called it the most audacious thing he had ever seen, adding +that he had heard that Count Walewski had stated to somebody with +reference to the Vienna Conferences: "What influence can a country +like England pretend to exercise, which has no Army and no +Government?" + +I told him he was right, as every one here took pains to prove that +we had no Army, and to bring about that the Queen should have no +Government. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD LANSDOWNE CONSULTED] + +[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL SUGGESTED] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _2nd February 1855._ + +Lord Lansdowne arrived late yesterday evening. The Queen, after having +stated that Lord Derby had given up the task of forming a Government, +asked his advice under the present circumstances, to which he replied +that he had little advice to give. I interrupted that at least he +could impart knowledge to the Queen, upon which she could form +a decision. The first and chief question was, What was Lord John +Russell's position? Lord Lansdowne declared this to be the most +difficult question of all to answer. He believed Lord John was not at +all dissatisfied with the position he had assumed, and was under the +belief that he could form an Administration capable of standing, +even without the support of the Peelites. He (Lord Lansdowne) would +certainly decline to have anything to do with it, as it could +receive its support only from the extreme Radical side, which was not +favourable to Lord John, but shrewd enough to perceive that to obtain +a Government that would have to rest entirely upon themselves would +be the surest mode of pushing their own views. Lord John, although not +intending it, would blindly follow this bias, excusing himself with +the consideration that he must look for support somewhere. He himself +doubted, however, even the possibility of Lord John succeeding; but +till he was brought to see this no strong Government was possible. +We asked about the Peelites, Lord Palmerston, etc. He did not +know whether the Peelites would serve with Lord John Russell--they +certainly would not under him. There was a strong belief, however, +particularly on the part of Lord Clarendon, and even shared by Lord +Palmerston, that without Lord John a stable Government could not +be formed. The Queen asked whether they could unite under him (Lord +Lansdowne). He replied he had neither youth nor strength to make an +efficient Prime Minister, and although Lord John had often told him +"If you had been in Aberdeen's place my position would have been quite +different," he felt sure Lord John would soon be tired of him and +impatient to see him gone. He thought an arrangement might be possible +by which Lord Clarendon might be Prime Minister, Lord John go to the +House of Lords and take the Foreign Office, and Lord Palmerston +the Lead in the House of Commons. We told him that would spoil two +efficient men. Lord Clarendon had no courage for Prime Minister, and +Lord John had decidedly failed at the Foreign Office. + +Lord Lansdowne had had Lord Palmerston with him during the Derby +negotiation, and clearly seen that at first he was not unwilling to +join, but had more and more cooled upon it when he went further into +the matter. Lord Derby and Lord Palmerston had had a full discussion +upon Lord Grey, and discarded him as quite impracticable.... After +much farther discussion it was agreed that Lord Lansdowne should go +up to Town this day, see first Lord Palmerston, then the Peelites, +and lastly Lord John, and come to Buckingham Palace at two o'clock, +prepared to give answers upon the question what was feasible and what +not. He inclines to the belief that we shall have to go through the +ceremony at least of entrusting Lord John with the formation of an +Administration. + +Lord John was not without large following amongst the Whigs, and +whatever was said about his late conduct in the higher circles, +he believed that it is well looked upon by the lower classes. His +expression was, that it would be found that the first and second class +carriages in the railway train held opposite opinions. + + + + +_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _2nd February 1855._ + +Lord Lansdowne arrived at two o'clock, and reported that he had seen +all the persons intended, but he could not say that he saw his +way more clearly. They all gave pledges generally to support any +Government, but were full of difficulties as to their participation in +one. + +Mr Gladstone would clearly not serve under Lord John--might possibly +with him--if much pressed by Lord Aberdeen to do so. He would probably +serve under Lord Palmerston. Mr S. Herbert expressed apprehension at +the effect upon the prospects of peace which would be produced by Lord +Palmerston's being at the head of the Government. + +Lord John Russell would not serve under Lord Palmerston, and fancies +he might form a Whig Administration himself, of which Lord Palmerston, +however, must be the chief member. Lord Palmerston would not like +to serve under Lord John Russell--would be ready to form an +Administration, which could not have duration, however, in his +opinion, if Lord John Russell held aloof! + +He found Lord John fully impressed with the fact of his having +brought the Queen into all these difficulties, and of owing her what +reparation he could make. Lord Palmerston also felt that he had +some amends to make to the Queen for former offences. We asked Lord +Lansdowne whether they could not be combined under a third person. He +felt embarrassed about the answer, having to speak of himself. Both +expressed their willingness to serve under him--but then he was +seventy-five years old, and crippled with the gout, and could not +possibly undertake such a task except for a few months, when the whole +Administration would break down--of which he did not wish to be the +cause. In such a case, Lord John had stated to him that the man to be +Leader of the House of Commons was Lord Palmerston, meaning himself +to be transferred to the House of Lords, in his former office as +President of the Council. + +Without presuming to give advice, Lord Lansdowne thought that under +all circumstances it would do good if the Queen was to see Lord John +Russell, and hear from himself what he could do. She could perfectly +keep it in her power to commission whom she pleased hereafter, even if +Lord John should declare himself willing to form a Government. + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL SUMMONED] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _2nd February 1855._ + +The Queen has just seen Lord Lansdowne. As what he could tell her has +not enabled her to see her way out of the difficulties in which the +late proceedings in Parliament have placed her, she wishes to see Lord +John Russell in order to confer with him on the subject. + + + + +[Pageheading: INTERVIEW WITH LORD JOHN] + +[Pageheading: NEGOTIATIONS] + + +_Memorandum by Queen Victoria_[23] + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _2nd February 1855._ + +Lord John Russell came at five o'clock. + +The Queen said she wished to consult him on the present crisis, and +hear from him how the position of Parties stood at this moment. He +said that immediately at the meeting of Parliament a general desire +became manifest for a modification of the Government; that the +Protectionists were as hostile to the Peelites as they had been in the +year '46; that the old Whigs had with difficulty been made to support +the late Government; that the dissatisfaction with the conduct of the +war was general, and the country cried out for Lord Palmerston at the +War Department; that he considered it of the greatest importance +that Lord Clarendon should remain at the Foreign Office, where he had +gained great reputation, and nobody could replace him. On the +question whether Lord Palmerston would be supported if he formed an +Administration, he said everybody would give a general support, but he +doubted the Whigs joining him. He did not know what the Peelites +would do, but they would be an essential element in the Government, +particularly Mr Gladstone; the best thing would be if Lord Palmerston +took the lead of the House of Commons. A Government formed by Lord +Lansdowne or Lord Clarendon would ensure general support, but Lord +Lansdowne had declared that he would not undertake it for more than +three months, and then the Government would break down again; and we +objected that Lord Clarendon ought, as he had said, not to be moved +from the Foreign Office, to which he agreed. He himself would prefer +to sit on the Fourth Bench and support the Government. The Queen asked +him whether he thought he could form a Government. After having taken +some time for reflection, he said he thought he could,[24] but he +thought it difficult without the Peelites, and next to impossible +without Lord Palmerston; he did not know whether both or either would +serve with or under him; he would offer Lord Palmerston the choice +between the Lead of the House of Commons and the War Department--and +in case he should choose the former, ask himself to be removed to the +House of Lords; he had been Leader of the House of Commons since '34, +and as far as being able to support his title, he was enabled to do +so, as his brother, the Duke of Bedford, intended to leave an estate +of L5000 a year to his son. The Queen asked him whether he would do +the same under the Administration of Lord Lansdowne, for instance; +he begged to be allowed time to consider that. He acknowledged to the +Queen--on her remark that he had contributed to bring her into the +present difficulties--that he was bound to do what he could to help +her out of them; and on the Queen's question what he could do, he +answered that depended very much on what the Queen would wish him to +do. + + [Footnote 23: This Memorandum, though signed by the Queen, was + written by the Prince.] + + [Footnote 24: Colonel Phipps thus describes Lord Aberdeen's + comment on Lord John Russell's words:--"I told Lord Aberdeen + that Lord John had said that he thought that he could form a + Government. He laughed very much, and said: 'I am not at all + surprised at that, but whom will he get to serve under him? + Has he at present any idea of the extent of the feeling that + exists against him?' I replied that I thought not, that it was + difficult for anybody to tell him, but that I thought that it + was right that he should know what the feeling was, and that + he would soon discover it when he began to ask people to join + his Government. Lord Aberdeen said that was very true...."] + +She commissioned him finally to meet Lord Lansdowne and Lord +Palmerston, to consult together, and to let Lord Lansdowne bring her +the result of their deliberation this evening, so that she might see a +little more clearly where the prospect of a strong Government lay. + +We had some further discussion upon Mr Roebuck's Committee, which +he thinks will not be as inconvenient as all his friends suppose. +It would meet with great difficulties, and might be precluded from +drawing up a report. On Lord Grey's Motion[25] and the Army question +he declared that he held to his Memorandum of the 22nd January which +the Duke of Newcastle had read to the House of Lords, and acknowledged +the necessity of maintaining the office of the Commander-in-Chief, +although subordinate to the Secretary of State, and retaining the Army +Patronage distinct from the Political Patronage of the Government. + + [Footnote 25: See _ante_, 30th January, 1855, note 17.] + +I omitted to mention that Lord John, in answer to the question whether +Lord Clarendon would serve under Lord Palmerston, answered that he +could not at all say whether he would; he had mentioned to him the +possibility, when Lord Clarendon drew up and made a long face. + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _2nd February 1855._ + +The Queen has just seen Lord Lansdowne after his return from his +conference with Lord John Russell and Lord Palmerston. As moments are +precious, and the time is rolling on without the various consultations +which Lord Lansdowne has had the kindness and patience to hold with +the various persons composing the Queen's late Government having led +to any positive result, she feels that she ought to entrust some one +of them with the distinct commission to attempt the formation of a +Government. The Queen addresses herself in this instance to Lord John +Russell, as the person who may be considered to have contributed to +the vote of the House of Commons, which displaced her late Government, +and hopes that he will be able to present her such a Government +as will give a fair promise successfully to overcome the great +difficulties in which the country is placed. It would give her +particular satisfaction if Lord Palmerston could join in this +formation. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S ATTEMPT] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _2nd February 1855._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He +acknowledges that having contributed to the vote of the House of +Commons, which displaced your Majesty's late Government (although the +decision would in any case have probably been unfavourable), he is +bound to attempt the formation of a Government. + +As your Majesty has now entrusted him with this honourable task, and +desired that Lord Palmerston should join in it, Lord John Russell will +immediately communicate with Lord Palmerston, and do his utmost to +form a Government which will give a fair promise to overcome the +difficulties by which the country is surrounded. + +Lord John Russell considers Lord Clarendon's co-operation in this task +as absolutely essential. + + + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _3rd February 1855._ + +Lord John Russell arrived at half-past one o'clock, and stated that +he had to report some progress and some obstacles. He had been to Lord +Palmerston, and had a long and very free discussion with him. He (Lord +Palmerston) told him although the general voice of the public had +pointed him out as the person who ought to form a Government, he +had no pretensions himself or personal views, and was quite ready to +accept the lead of the House of Commons under Lord John in the House +of Lords; but that he thought that, if the Queen would see him, now +that she had seen Lord Derby, Lord John, and Lord Lansdowne, it would +remove any impression that there were personal objections to him +entertained by the Queen, which would much facilitate the position of +the new Government. They then discussed the whole question of +offices, agreed that Lord Panmure would be the best person for the War +Department; that Lord Grey could not be asked to join, as his views +on the Foreign Policy differed so much from theirs, and he had always +been an intractable colleague; that if Mr Gladstone could not be +prevailed upon to join, Mr Labouchere,[26] although an infinitely +weaker appointment, might be Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Sir F. +Baring replace Sir J. Graham, if he could not be got to stay. + + [Footnote 26: He had been President of the Board of Trade in + the former administration of Lord John Russell.] + +Lord John then saw Mr S. Herbert, who declared to him that it was +impossible for any of the Peelites to join his Government, connected +as they were with Lord Aberdeen and the Duke of Newcastle, but that +they would infinitely prefer a Government of Lord John's to one of +Lord Palmerston, whose views on Foreign Policy, uncontrolled by Lord +Aberdeen, they sincerely dreaded. + +Lord John then went to Lord Clarendon, and was surprised to find that +he could not make up his mind to remain at the Foreign Office under +his Government. Lord John thought that the expression of a wish on +the part of the Queen would go a great way to reconcile him. His +objections were that he had always received the handsomest support +from the Peelites, and thought the Government too weak without their +administrative ability. + +Lord John had seen none of his own friends, such as Sir G. Grey, Sir +C. Wood, Lord Lansdowne, and Lord Granville, but had not the smallest +doubt that they would cordially co-operate with him. + +Lord John is to come again at a quarter before six o'clock. The Queen +has appointed Lord Palmerston for three o'clock, and Lord Clarendon at +four. + + + + +[Pageheading: ATTITUDE OF THE PEELITES] + +[Pageheading: THE FOREIGN OFFICE] + +[Pageheading: LORD CLARENDON] + + +_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._[27] + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _3rd February 1855._ + + [Footnote 27: This Memorandum, though signed by the Queen, was + written by the Prince.] + +In the Audience which the Queen has just granted to Lord Palmerston, +he thanked her for the message which she had sent him through Lord +John Russell, and declared his readiness to serve her in any way he +could under the present difficulties. He had preferred the lead of +the House of Commons to the War Department, having to make a choice +between two duties which no man could perform together. + +In answer to a question from the Queen, he said he hoped that the +present irritation in the Whig party would subside, and that he would +be able to complete a Government. He regretted that the Peelites +thought it impossible for them to join, which would make it very +difficult for Lord John. He had just heard from Count Walewski that +Lord Clarendon was very much disinclined to remain at the Foreign +Office under Lord John. They were to have a meeting at Lord John's at +five, where he hoped to find that he had waived his objections; but he +must say that if Lord Clarendon persisted he must himself withdraw, as +he had indeed made it a condition with Lord John. The Queen asked him +whether, if this attempt failed, she could reckon upon his services in +any other combination. His answer was that it was better not to answer +for more than one question at a time; we must now suppose that this +will succeed. + +What he stated with reference to the Army question and the Committee +of the House of Commons was perfectly satisfactory. + + +Lord Clarendon, whom we saw at four o'clock, complained very much of +the unfairness of Lord John in making him personally answerable for +impeding the progress of Lord John's Government. The fact was that his +opinion was only that of every other member of the late Government, +and of the public at large; which could be heard and seen by anybody +who chose to listen or to read. So impossible had it appeared to the +public that Lord John should be blind enough to consider his being +able to form a Government feasible, that it was generally supposed +that he had been urged to do so by the Queen, in order to escape +the necessity of Lord Palmerston. He acknowledged that the Queen's +decision in that respect had been the perfectly correct and +constitutional one, and perhaps necessary to clear the way; but he +hoped that for her own sake, and to prevent false impressions +taking root in the public mind, the Queen would give afterwards Lord +Palmerston his fair turn also, though he could not say that he would +be able to form an Administration. The Queen said that this was her +intention, that she never had expected that Lord John would be able +to form one, but that it was necessary that his eyes should be opened; +Lord Clarendon only regretted the precious time that was lost. + +He must really say that he thought he could do no good in joining Lord +John; his Government would be "a stillborn Government," which "the +country would tread under foot the first day," composed as it would be +of the same men who had been bankrupt in 1852, minus the two best men +in it, viz. Lord Lansdowne and Lord Grey, and the head of it ruined +in public opinion. If he were even to stay at the Foreign Office, his +language to foreign countries would lose all its weight from being +known not to rest upon the public opinion of England, and all this +would become much worse when it became known that from the first day +of Lord John's entering into Lord Aberdeen's Government, he had only +had one idea, viz. that of tripping him up, expel the Peelites, and +place himself at the head of an exclusive Whig Ministry. Besides, +he felt that the conduct of all his colleagues had been most +straightforward and honourable towards him, and he was not prepared +"to step over their dead bodies to the man who had killed them." The +attempt of Lord John ought _not_ to succeed if public morality were +to be upheld in this country. He had avoided Lord John ever since his +retirement, but he would have now to speak out to him, as when he was +asked to embark his honour he had a right to count the cost. + +Lord Lansdowne had no intention to go to Lord John's meeting, as he +had originally taken leave of public life, and had only entered the +Coalition Government in order to facilitate its cohesion; among a +Government of pure Whigs he was not wanted, for there was no danger +of their not _cohering_. Sir C. Wood declared he had no business to be +where Lord Lansdowne refused to go in. + +He thought Lord Palmerston would have equal difficulty in forming an +administration, but when that had failed some solid combination would +become possible. + +Lord Lansdowne had declared that he could not place himself at the +head for more than three months, but that was a long time in these +days. + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: FRESH DIFFICULTIES] + + +_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._ + +Lord John Russell returned at six o'clock from his meeting, much +put out and disturbed. He said he had nothing good to report. Mr +Gladstone, whom he had seen, had declined to act with him, saying that +the country did not wish for Coalitions at this moment. Sir J. Graham, +whom he had visited, had informed him that the feeling against him was +very strong just now, precluding support in Parliament; he gave him +credit for good intentions, but said the whole difficulty was owing +to what he termed his (Lord John's) _rashness_. He felt he could not +separate from Lord Aberdeen, and had no confidence in the views of +Foreign Affairs of Lord Palmerston. + +He had then seen Sir George Grey, who told him he had no idea that +a Government of Lord John's could stand at this moment; the country +wanted Lord Palmerston either as War Minister or as Prime Minister. +He must hesitate to engage himself in Lord John's Government, which, +separated from the Peelites, would find no favour. Lord Clarendon +had reiterated his objections, saying always that this must be gone +through, and something new would come up at the end, when all these +attempts had failed. He could not understand what this should be. Did +Lord Clarendon think of himself as the head of the new combination? I +asked what Lord Lansdowne had said. He answered he had a letter from +him, which was not very agreeable either. He read it to us. It was +to the purport--that as Lord John had been commissioned to form an +Administration, and he did not intend to join it, he thought it better +not to come to his house in order to avoid misconstruction. Lord John +wound up, saying that he had asked Lord Clarendon and Sir G. Grey to +reflect further, and to give their final answer to-morrow morning. +The loss of the Peelites would be a great blow to him, which might +be overcome, however; but if his own particular friends, like Lord +Clarendon and Sir G. Grey, deserted him, he felt that he could go on +no farther, and he hoped the Queen would feel that he had done all he +could. + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD JOHN'S FAILURE] + + +_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._[28] + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _3rd February 1855._ + + [Footnote 28: This Memorandum, though signed by the Queen, was + written by the Prince.] + +Lord Lansdowne arrived at half-past nine in the evening, and met our +question whether he had anything satisfactory to report, with the +remark that he saw his way less than ever, and that matters had rather +gone backward since he had been here in the morning. He had been +in the afternoon at Sir James Graham's bedside, who had had a +consultation with Mr Gladstone, and declared to him that the country +was tired of Coalitions, and wanted a united Cabinet; that they (the +Peelites) could not possibly serve under Lord John or even with him +after what had happened; that he felt the strongest objections to +serving under Lord Palmerston. They were one and all for the vigorous +prosecution of the war, but in order to attain a speedy peace. Lord +Palmerston was known to entertain ulterior views, on which he was +secretly agreed with the Emperor of the French; and when it came to +the question of negotiations, the Government was sure to break up on +a ground most dangerous to the country. Lord Lansdowne could but agree +in all this, and added he had been tempted to feel his pulse to know +how much it had gone down since he had been with Sir James. + +The meeting between Lord Palmerston and Lord John had just taken place +in his presence. They had discussed everything most openly, but being +both very guarded to say nothing which could lead the other to believe +that the one would serve under the other. He confessed everything was +darker now than before. They both seemed to wish to form a Government, +but he could really not advise the Queen what to do under the +circumstances. + +I summed up that the Queen appeared to me reduced to the necessity +of now entrusting one of the two with a _positive_ commission. It +was very important that it should not appear that the Queen had any +personal objection to Lord Palmerston; on the other hand, under such +doubtful circumstances, it would be safest for the Queen to follow +that course which was clearly the most constitutional, and this was, +after having failed with Lord Derby, to go to Lord John, who was the +other party to the destruction of the late Government. The Queen might +write such a letter to Lord John as would record the political reasons +which led to her determination. Lord Lansdowne highly approved of +this, and suggested the addition of an expression of the Queen's hope +of seeing Lord Palmerston associated in that formation. + +I drew up the annexed draft which Lord Lansdowne read over and +entirely approved. + +He has no idea that Lord John will succeed in his task, but thinks it +a necessary course to go through, and most wholesome to Lord John to +have his eyes opened to his own position, of which he verily believed +he was not the least aware. + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _4th February 1855._ + +The Queen quite approves of the pension to Sir G. Grey, which he has +fully earned, but would wish Lord Aberdeen well to consider the exact +moment at which to offer it to him, as Sir George is so very delicate +in his feelings of honour. Lord John Russell will probably have +to give up the task of forming an Administration on account of Sir +George's declining to join him. If the pension were offered to him by +Lord Aberdeen during the progress of negotiations, he could not help +feeling, she thinks, exceedingly embarrassed. + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _4th February 1855._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He saw +last night Sir George Grey, who is extremely averse to the formation +of a purely Whig Government at this time. Since that time he has +received the two notes enclosed: one from Lord Palmerston, the other +early this morning from Lord Clarendon.[29] + +It only remains for him to acknowledge your Majesty's great kindness, +and to resign into your Majesty's hands the task your Majesty was +pleased to confide to him. + + [Footnote 29: Lord Palmerston wrote:-- + + "144 PICCADILLY, _3rd February 1855._ + + "MY DEAR JOHN RUSSELL,--I certainly inferred from what + Clarendon said this afternoon at your house, that he had + pretty well made up his mind to a negative answer, and I could + only say to you that which I said to Derby when he asked me + to join him, that I should be very unwilling, in the present + state of our Foreign relations, to belong to any Government in + which the management of our Foreign Affairs did not remain in + Clarendon's hands. + + "George Grey, by your account, seems to tend to the same + conclusion as Clarendon, and I think, from what fell from + Molesworth, whom I sat next to at the Speaker's dinner this + evening, that he would not be disposed to accept any offer + that you might make him. + + --Yours sincerely, PALMERSTON." + + Lord Clarendon wrote:-- + + "GROSVENOR CRESCENT, _3rd February 1855._ + + "MY DEAR LORD JOHN,--The more I reflect upon the subject, the + more I feel convinced that such a Government as you propose to + form would not satisfy the public nor command the confidence + of the Country. + + "To yourself personally I am sure it would be most injurious + if you attempted to carry on the Government with inadequate + means at this moment of national danger. + + "On public and on private grounds, therefore, I should wish to + take no part in an Administration that cannot in my opinion be + either strong or permanent. Yours sincerely, + + CLARENDON."] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD PALMERSTON PREMIER] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _4th February 1855._ + +Lord John Russell having just informed the Queen that he was obliged +to resign the task which the Queen confided to him, she addresses +herself to Lord Palmerston to ask him whether he can undertake to form +an Administration which will command the confidence of Parliament and +efficiently conduct public affairs in this momentous crisis? Should he +think that he is able to do so, the Queen commissions him to undertake +the task. She does not send for him, having fully discussed with him +yesterday the state of public affairs, and in order to save time. +The Queen hopes to receive an answer from Lord Palmerston as soon as +possible, as upon this her own movements will depend. + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +144 PICCADILLY, _4th February 1855._ + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and with +a deep sense of the importance of the commission which your Majesty +asks whether he will undertake, he hastens to acknowledge the gracious +communication which he has just had the honour to receive from your +Majesty. + +Viscount Palmerston has reason to think that he can undertake with a +fair prospect of success to form an Administration which will command +the confidence of Parliament and effectually conduct public affairs in +the present momentous crisis, and as your Majesty has been graciously +pleased to say that if such is his opinion, your Majesty authorises +him to proceed immediately to the accomplishment of the task, he will +at once take steps for the purpose; and he trusts that he may be +able in the course of to-morrow to report to your Majesty whether his +present expectations are in the way to be realised. + + + + +[Pageheading: WHIG SUPPORT] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _5th February 1855._ + (5 P.M.) + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has +had the honour to receive your Majesty's communication of to-day; and +in accordance with your Majesty's desire, he begs to report the result +of his proceedings up to the present time. + +The Marquis of Lansdowne, the Lord Chancellor, the Earl of Clarendon, +the Earl Granville, Sir George Grey, Sir Charles Wood, have expressed +their willingness to be members of the Administration which Viscount +Palmerston is endeavouring to form, provided it can be constructed +upon a basis sufficiently broad to give a fair prospect of duration. + +Mr Gladstone, Mr Sidney Herbert, and the Duke of Argyll have declined +chiefly on the ground of personal and political attachment to the Earl +of Aberdeen, against whom, as well as against the Duke of Newcastle, +they say they consider the vote of the House of Commons of last week +as having been levelled. Viscount Palmerston has not yet been able to +ascertain the decision of Sir James Graham, but it will probably be +the same as that of his three colleagues. + +Viscount Palmerston hopes, nevertheless, to be able to submit for your +Majesty's consideration such a list as may meet with your Majesty's +approval, and he will have the honour of reporting further to your +Majesty to-morrow. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PEELITES] + + +_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _6th February 1855._ + +We came to Town to hear the result of negotiations, and saw Lord +Palmerston at one o'clock. He said there were circumstances which +prevented him from submitting a List of the Cabinet, but would at all +events be able to do so in the afternoon. + +Lords Lansdowne, Clarendon, Granville, Sir G. Grey, Sir C. Wood, +Sir William Molesworth, and the Chancellor had consented to +serve--unconditionally--having withdrawn their former conditions in +consequence of the very general opinion expressed out of doors that +the country could not much longer be left without a Government. He +heard this had also made an impression upon the Peelites, who had +refused to join. He submitted their letters (declining) to the +Queen, of which copies are here annexed. They had been written after +consultation with Sir J. Graham, but Lord Aberdeen and the Duke of +Newcastle having heard of it, have since exerted themselves strongly +to prevail upon them to change their opinion, and it was still +possible that they would do so. Lord Clarendon had suggested that if +Lord Aberdeen himself was invited to join the Government, and could +be induced to do so, this would obviate all difficulty. He had in +consequence asked Lord Lansdowne to see Lord Aberdeen on the subject, +as his joining could only be agreeable to him. Many of the Peelites +not in the late Cabinet had strongly disapproved of the decision +taken by Mr Gladstone and friends, and offered their services, amongst +others Lord Canning, Lord Elcho,[30] and Mr Cardwell. + + [Footnote 30: Now Earl of Wemyss.] + +Lord Palmerston had been with Lord John Russell yesterday, and had had +a very long conversation with him in a most friendly tone; he asked +Lord John whether he would follow out the proposal which he had lately +made himself, and take the lead in the House of Lords as President of +the Council. He declined, however, saying he preferred to stay out of +office and to remain in the House of Commons, which Lord Palmerston +obviously much regretted. They went, however, together all over the +offices and their best distribution. He would recommend Lord Panmure +for the War Department and Mr Layard as Under Secretary.... Lord +Palmerston was appointed to report further progress at five o'clock. + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_The Prince Albert to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _6th February 1855_. + +MY DEAR LORD ABERDEEN,--It would be a great relief to the Queen if you +were to agree to a proposal which we understand is being made to +you to join the new Government, and by so doing to induce also Mr +Gladstone, Mr S. Herbert, and Sir James Graham to do the same. + +Ever yours truly, ALBERT. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD ABERDEEN INTERVENES] + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to the Prince Albert._ + +LONDON, _6th February 1855_. + +SIR,--I am sanguine in believing that the great object of the union of +my friends with the new Government may be attained without the painful +sacrifice to which your Royal Highness refers. Contrary to my advice, +they yesterday declined to remain in the Cabinet, but I have renewed +the subject to-day, and they have finally decided to place themselves +in my hands. This rendered other explanations necessary, before I +could undertake so great a responsibility. When I shall have the +honour of seeing your Royal Highness, I will, with your Royal +Highness's permission, communicate what has passed, so far as I am +concerned. + +I venture to enclose the copy of a letter which I addressed to Mr +Herbert this morning, in answer to one received from him late last +night, in which he expressed his doubts of the propriety of the first +decision at which they had arrived. I have the honour to be, Sir, your +Royal Highness's most humble and devoted Servant, + +ABERDEEN. + + + + +[Pageheading: MR SIDNEY HERBERT] + + +[_Enclosure--Copy._] + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Mr S. Herbert._ + +ARGYLL HOUSE, _6th February 1855_. + +MY DEAR HERBERT,--I received your letter too late to answer it last +night. In fact, I had gone to bed. + +You say that you are in a great difficulty as to the course you ought +to take. I am in none whatever. + +I gave you my decided opinion yesterday that you ought to continue in +Palmerston's Administration; and I endeavoured to support this opinion +by the very arguments which you repeat in your letter to me. Surely +this letter ought to have been addressed to Gladstone and Graham, +and not to me. I fully concur in thinking that you came to a wrong +conclusion yesterday, and I would fain hope that it would still be +reversed. + +When you sent to me yesterday to attend your meeting, I certainly +hoped it was with the intention of following my advice. + +Your reluctance to continue in Palmerston's Cabinet is chiefly founded +on the apprehension that he will pursue a warlike policy beyond +reasonable bounds. I have already told you that I have had some +explanations with him on the terms of peace, with which I am +satisfied. But whatever may be his inclinations, you ought to rely +on the weight of your own character and opinions in the Cabinet. I am +persuaded that the sentiments of the great majority of the Members of +the Cabinet are similar to your own, and that you may fairly expect +reason and sound policy to prevail in the question of peace and war. + +But above all I have recently had some very full conversations +with Clarendon on the subject, and I am entirely satisfied with his +disposition and intentions. I am sanguine in the belief that he will +give effect to his present views. + +A perseverance in the refusal to join Palmerston will produce very +serious effects, and will never be attributed to its true cause. The +public feeling will be strongly pronounced against you, and you will +greatly suffer in reputation, if you persevere at such a moment as +this in refusing to continue in the Cabinet. + +In addition to the public necessity, I think you owe much to our late +Whig colleagues, who behaved so nobly and generously towards us +after Lord John's resignation. They have some right to expect this +sacrifice. + +Although your arguments do not apply to me, for I yesterday adopted +them all, you conclude your letter by pressing me to enter the +Cabinet. Now there is really no sense in this, and I cannot imagine +how you can seriously propose it. You would expose me to a gratuitous +indignity, to which no one ought to expect me to submit. I say +_gratuitous_, because I could not be of the slightest use in such a +situation for the purpose you require. + +I can retire with perfect equanimity from the Government in +consequence of the vote of the House of Commons; but to be stigmatised +as the Head and tolerated as the subordinate member I cannot endure. + +If at any future time my presence should be required in a Cabinet, I +should feel no objection to accept any office, or to enter it without +office. But to be the Head of a Cabinet to-day, and to become a +subordinate member of the very same Cabinet to-morrow, would be a +degradation to which I could never submit, that I would rather die +than do so--and indeed the sense of it would go far to kill me. + +If you tell me that your retaining your present offices, without the +slightest sacrifice, but on the contrary with the approbation of all, +is in any degree to depend on my taking such a course, I can only +say that, as friends, I cannot believe it possible that you should be +guilty of such wanton cruelty without any national object. + +I must, then, again earnestly exhort you to reconsider the decision of +yesterday, and to continue to form part of the Government. I will do +anything in my power to facilitate this. If you like, I will go to +Palmerston and promote any explanation between him and Gladstone on +the subject of peace and war. Or I will tell him that you have yielded +to my strong recommendation. In short, I am ready to do anything in my +power. + +I wish you to show this letter to Gladstone and to Graham, to whom, as +you will see, it is addressed as much as to yourself. + +I hope to meet you this morning, and Gladstone will also come to the +Admiralty. Yours, etc. + +ABERDEEN. + + + + +[Pageheading: ADHESION OF THE PEELITES] + + +_The Prince Albert to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _6th February 1855_. + +MY DEAR LORD ABERDEEN,--We are just returning to Windsor. Lord +Palmerston kissed hands after having announced that his Peelite +colleagues also have agreed to keep their offices. The Queen is thus +relieved from great anxiety and difficulty, and feels that she owes +much to your kind and disinterested assistance. I can quite understand +what you say in the letter which I return. You must make allowances +also, however, for the wishes of your friends not to be separated from +you. You will not be annoyed by further proposals from here. + +To-morrow we shall have an opportunity of further conversation with +you upon the state of affairs. Believe me always, yours, etc., + +ALBERT + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _6th February 1855_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--We are here again for a few hours in order to try +and facilitate the formation of a Government, which seemed almost +hopeless. + +Van de Weyer will have informed you of the successive failures of Lord +Derby and _Lord John_ ... and of Lord Palmerston being now charged +with the formation of a Government! I had _no_ other alternative. The +Whigs _will_ join with him, and I have got hopes, _also_ the Peelites, +which would be very important, and would tend to allay the _alarm_ +which his name will, I fear, produce abroad. + +I will leave this letter open to the last moment in the hope of giving +you some decisive news before we return to Windsor.... + +I am a good deal worried and knocked up by all that has passed; my +nerves, which have suffered very severely this last year, have not +been improved by what has passed during this trying fortnight--for it +_will_ be a _fortnight_ to-morrow that the beginning of the mischief +began.... + +_Six o'clock p.m._--One word to say that _Lord Palmerston_ has just +_kissed_ hands as _Prime_ Minister. ALL the _Peelites_ except poor +dear Aberdeen (whom I am deeply grieved to lose) and the Duke of +Newcastle, remain. It is _entirely_ Aberdeen's _doing_, and very +patriotic and handsome of him. In haste, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: A FAREWELL LETTER] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _7th February 1855_. + +Though the Queen hopes to see Lord Aberdeen at six, she seizes the +opportunity of approving the appointment of the Hon. and Rev. A. +Douglas[31] to the living of St Olave's, Southwark, to say what +she hardly dares to do verbally without fearing to give way to her +feelings; she wishes to say what a pang it is for her to separate from +so kind and dear and valued a friend as Lord Aberdeen has ever been +to her since she has known him. The day he became Prime Minister was +a very happy one for her; and throughout his Ministry he has ever been +the kindest and wisest adviser--one to whom she could apply on all and +trifling occasions even. This she is sure he will still ever be. But +the thought of losing him as her First Adviser in her Government +is very painful. The pain is to a certain extent lessened by the +knowledge of all he has done to further the formation of this +Government, in so noble, loyal, and disinterested a manner, and by +his friends retaining their posts, which is a great security against +possible dangers. The Queen is sure that the Prince and herself +may ever rely on his valuable support and advice in all times of +difficulty, and she now concludes with the expression of her +warmest thanks for all his kindness and devotion, as well as of her +unalterable friendship and esteem for him, and with every wish for his +health and happiness. + + [Footnote 31: The Hon. Arthur Gascoigne Douglas (1827-1905), + son of the nineteenth Earl of Morton; Bishop of Aberdeen and + Orkney, 1883-1905.] + + + +[Pageheading: LEADERSHIP OF THE LORDS] + +[Pageheading: THE NEW CABINET] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _7th February 1855_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +to state that a difficulty has arisen in regard to the reconstruction +of the Administration, which your Majesty might perhaps be able to +assist in removing. It is considered by the Members of the proposed +Cabinet to be a matter of great importance that Lord Lansdowne should +not only be a Member of the Cabinet, but that he should also be the +Organ of the Government in the House of Lords. + +Viscount Palmerston pressed this upon Lord Lansdowne yesterday +afternoon, and was under the impression that Lord Lansdowne had +consented to be so acknowledged, with the understanding that Lord +Granville, as President of the Council, should relieve him from the +pressure of the daily business of the House, while Lord Clarendon +would take the burthen of Foreign Office discussions, and that thus +the ordinary duties of Leader of the House of Lords would be performed +by others, while Lord Lansdowne would still be the directing chief, +who would give a character and tone to the body. But Viscount +Palmerston learns this morning from Lord Granville and Lord +Bessborough that Lord Lansdowne does not so understand the matter, +and is unwilling to assume the ostensible Leadership, even upon the +above-mentioned arrangement, and that he wishes Lord Granville to be +the Leader in the House of Lords. + +Lord Granville, however, with reason urges that there are many members +of the House of Lords who would show to Lord Lansdowne, from his long +standing and high political position, a deference which they would not +show towards Lord Granville, so much younger a man. If Lord Lansdowne +were in Town, Viscount Palmerston would have gone to him strongly to +entreat him to be the person to announce in the House of Lords the +formation of a Ministry, and to continue to be the organ of the +Government in that House, at least till Easter, and upon such matters +and occasions as might require the weight of his authority; but if +your Majesty were to view the matter in the same light in which it has +presented itself to Viscount Palmerston, to the Chancellor, to Lord +Clarendon, to Lord Granville and others, and if your Majesty should +think fit to express an opinion upon it to Lord Lansdowne, such an +opinion would no doubt have great weight with Lord Lansdowne. + +Viscount Palmerston submits a list of the proposed Cabinet. Until Sir +George Grey returns to Town this afternoon from Portsmouth, whither he +went yesterday evening to take leave of his son, who has a commission +in the Rifles,[32] and was to embark this morning for the Crimea, +Viscount Palmerston will not know whether he prefers the Colonial +Office or the Home Office. Whichever of the two he chooses, Mr Herbert +will take the other. Viscount Palmerston does not submit to your +Majesty the name of any person for the office of Secretary at War, as +he proposes that that office shall merge in the office of Secretary of +State for the War Department, and Viscount Palmerston suspends for +the present any recommendation to your Majesty for the office of +Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, as that office may be made +available for giving strength either in the House of Lords or in the +House of Commons according to circumstances. + + PROPOSED CABINET. + + _First Lord of Treasury_ Viscount PALMERSTON. + _Organ of the Government or_ } Marquis of LANSDOWNE. + _Leader of the House of Lords_} + _Lord Chancellor_ Lord CRANWORTH. + _President of the Council_ Earl GRANVILLE. + _Privy Seal_ Duke of ARGYLL. + _Foreign Affairs_ Earl of CLARENDON. + _War Department_ Lord PANMURE. + _Home Office_ {Mr SIDNEY HERBERT + { or Sir GEORGE GREY. + _Colonial Department_ {Sir GEORGE GREY or + { Mr SIDNEY HERBERT. + _Admiralty_ Sir JAMES GRAHAM. + _Chancellor of Exchequer_ Mr GLADSTONE. + _India Board_ Sir CHARLES WOOD. + _Board of Works_ Sir WILLIAM MOLESWORTH. + _Post Office_ VISCOUNT CANNING. + + [Footnote 32: George Henry Grey, afterwards Lieut.-Colonel + of the Northumberland Militia, and Captain in the Grenadier + Guards; father of the present Sir Edward Grey, M.P. He + predeceased his father in 1874.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _7th February 1855_. + +The Queen has just received Lord Palmerston's letter with the List of +the Government, which she approves. She entirely agrees with him in +the view he takes with respect to Lord Lansdowne's position in the +House of Lords, and will write to him on the subject. From what he +said, however, the Queen would hope that he would not be disinclined +to make the announcement of the Government as well as to take the lead +on all occasions of great importance.[33] + +The Queen approves that the office of Secretary at War should remain +open at present; but as regards the question itself of these two +offices, she reserves her judgment till the subject is submitted to +her in a definite form. + + [Footnote 33: Lord Lansdowne consented, on particular + occasions only, to represent the Government, but claimed to be + himself the judge of the expediency or necessity of his doing + so. The ministerial life of this _doyen_ of the Whig Party + spanned half a century, for he had, as Lord Henry Petty, + been Chancellor of the Exchequer in the ministry of "All the + Talents" in 1806-1807. Lord Granville now assumed the Liberal + leadership in the Lords, which, as Lord Fitzmaurice points + out, he held, with a brief exception of three years, till his + death in 1891]. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE VIENNA CONFERENCE] + + +_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._ + +_10th February 1855._ + +Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and humbly +begs to say that, with the permission of Lord Palmerston, and at the +urgent recommendation of Lord Aberdeen and Lord Lansdowne, he has made +to Lord John Russell the proposal to act as our negotiator at Vienna, +which your Majesty was pleased to sanction on Wednesday night.[34] + +Lord Clarendon thinks, that whether the negotiations end in peace or +are suddenly to be broken off, no man is so likely as Lord John to +be approved by the Country for whichever course of proceeding he may +adopt, and it will be a great advantage that the negotiator himself +should be able to vindicate his own conduct in Parliament. + +Lord Clarendon has this evening received a very kind and friendly +answer from Lord John, who is disposed to accept, but desires another +day to consider the proposal. + +As our relations with the United States are of the utmost importance +at this moment, and as they have rather improved of late, Lord +Clarendon humbly hopes he may be excused if he ventures to suggest to +your Majesty the expediency of inviting Mr Buchanan[35] to Windsor. + + [Footnote 34: In pursuance of the negotiations referred + to (_ante_, p. 65), a conference of the Powers was held at + Vienna. Lord John's view of the attitude which he hoped Great + Britain would take up is clearly stated in his letter of the + 11th to Lord Clarendon, printed in Walpole's _Life of Lord + John Russell_, vol. ii. p. 242. He favoured the admission of + Prussia to the Conference.] + + [Footnote 35: American Minister to Great Britain, afterwards + President of the United States.] + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _10th February 1855_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +to state that having been very kindly received at Paris by the Emperor +of the French, he thought it would be useful to write to the Emperor +on the formation of the present Government, and he submits a copy of +the letter[36] which he addressed to the Emperor. + +The Emperor, when Viscount Palmerston took leave of him, signified his +intention of writing occasionally to Viscount Palmerston, and that is +the reason why Viscount Palmerston adverts to such communications in +his letter. + +Viscount Palmerston has just had the honour to receive your Majesty's +communication of this day, and will not fail to bear in mind the +suggestions which it contains. + + [Footnote 36: _Viscount Palmerston to the Emperor of the + French._ + + LONDRES, _8 Fevrier 1855_. + + SIRE,--Appele par la Reine ma Souveraine au poste que + maintenant j'occupe, je m'empresse de satisfaire au besoin que + je sens d'exprimer a votre Majeste la grande satisfaction + que j'eprouve a me trouver en rapport plus direct avec le + Gouvernement de votre Majeste. + + L'Alliance qui unit si heureusement la France et l'Angleterre + et qui promet des resultats si avantageux pour toute l'Europe, + prend son origine dans la loyaute, la franchise, et la + sagacite de votre Majeste; et votre Majeste pourra toujours + compter sur la loyaute et la franchise du Gouvernement + Anglais. Et si votre Majeste avait jamais une communication a + nous faire sur des idees non encore assez muries pour etre le + sujet de Depeches Officielles, je m'estimerais tres honore en + recevant une telle communication de la part de votre Majeste. + + Nous allons mettre un peu d'ordre a notre Camp devant + Sevastopol, et en cela nous tacherons d'imiter le bel exemple + qui nous est montre par le Camp Francais. A quelque chose + cependant malheur est bon, et le mauvais etat de l'Armee + Anglaise a donne aux braves et genereux Francais l'occasion de + prodiguer a leurs freres d'armes des soins, qui ont excite la + plus vive reconnaissance tant en Angleterre qu'a Balaclava. + J'ai l'honneur d'etre, Sire, etc. etc., + + PALMERSTON.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PALMERSTON AND THE EMPEROR] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _11th February 1855_. + +This letter gave us great uneasiness.... The sort of private +correspondence which Lord Palmerston means to establish with the +Emperor Napoleon is a novel and unconstitutional practice. If carried +on behind the back of the Sovereign, it makes her Minister the Privy +Councillor of a foreign Sovereign at the head of her affairs. How can +the Foreign Secretary and Ambassador at Paris, the legitimate organs +of communication, carry on their business, if everything has been +privately preconcerted between the Emperor and the English Prime +Minister? What control can the Cabinet hope to exercise on the Foreign +Affairs under these circumstances?... + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _11th February 1855_. + +The Queen thanks Lord Palmerston for his letter of the 10th, and for +communicating to her the letter which he had addressed upon the 8th to +the Emperor of the French on the formation of the present Government, +the copy of which the Queen herewith returns. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE ROEBUCK COMMITTEE] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _16th February 1855_. (_Friday night._) + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +begs to state that after he had made his statement this afternoon, +a conversation of some length took place, in which Mr Disraeli, Mr +Roebuck, Mr Thomas Duncombe, and several other Members took part, the +subject of discussion being whether Mr Roebuck's Committee should or +should not be appointed. + +Viscount Palmerston is concerned to say that it was not only his own +impression but the opinion of a great number of persons with whom he +communicated in the course of the evening, including the Speaker, +that the appointment of the Committee will be carried by a very great +majority, perhaps scarcely less great than that by which the original +Motion was affirmed; and it was also the opinion of good judges that +a refusal to grant an enquiry would not be a good ground on which to +dissolve Parliament and appeal to the Country. The general opinion was +that the best way of meeting the Motion for naming the Committee +which Mr Roebuck has fixed for next Thursday, would be to move some +instruction to the Committee directing or limiting the range of its +enquiry. This is a matter, however, which will be well considered at +the meeting of the Cabinet to-morrow.... + +The reason alleged for the determination of Members to vote for Mr +Roebuck's Committee is the general desire throughout the Country +that an enquiry should be instituted to ascertain the causes of the +sufferings of your Majesty's troops in the Crimea. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of Prussia._ [_Translation._] + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _20th February 1855_. + +DEAREST BROTHER,--I must not let Lord John Russell visit Berlin +without personally recommending him to your Majesty--an honour +which he deserves in a high degree, as a statesman of wide outlook, +well-informed, and moderate. At the same time I may be allowed to +repeat my conviction, which I have expressed several times already, +that it appears to me impossible to obtain peace so long as Prussia +continues indisposed to maintain, in case of necessity by force +of arms, the principles publicly expressed in concert with the +belligerent Powers and Austria. + +Much blood, very much blood, has already been shed. Honour and justice +force the belligerent Powers to make every sacrifice in continually +defending those principles to the utmost. Whether diplomacy will +succeed in saving Prussia from taking an active share in this +defence--that remains the secret of the future, which the King of +kings alone possesses! + +Albert presents his homage to your Majesty, and I beg to be most +cordially remembered, and remain as ever, my dear Brother, your +Majesty's faithful Servant and Friend, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: MR GLADSTONE] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _21st February 1855_. + +I have just seen Mr Gladstone, who received my box so late that I did +not wish to detain him more than a few minutes, as the Cabinet +was waiting for him. I told him, however, the substance of Lord +Palmerston's letter, and of the Queen's answer, the wisdom of which, +he said, nobody could doubt for a moment, and added that the choice +lying only between many evils, I hoped he and his friends would not +strive to obtain an absolute good, and thereby lose the Queen the +services of an efficient Government. He begged that I should rest +assured that the first and primary consideration which would guide +their determination would be the position of the Crown in these +critical circumstances. He had had no opportunity of consulting these +last days either Mr S. Herbert or Sir James Graham. But for himself he +felt the greatest difficulty in letting the House of Commons succeed +in what he must consider a most unconstitutional, most presumptuous, +and most dangerous course, after which it would be impossible for +the Executive ever to oppose again the most absurd and preposterous +demands for enquiry.[37] + + [Footnote 37: See _post_, 21st February, 1855, note 38.] + +I asked, "But can you stop it?" + +He answered: I believe Lord Palmerston made a mistake in not grappling +with it from the first, and using all the power the Crown had +entrusted to him, even ostentatiously, for the purpose. Now it might +be most difficult--but it ought not to pass without a solemn protest +on the part of the men who were not connected with the Government, +and should not be supposed to have any other than the interests of +the Country at heart. A Government was powerless in resisting such an +encroachment of the House, where the whole Opposition, from personal +motives, and the supporters of Government from fear of their +constituents, were bent upon carrying it. Such a protest, however, +might form a rallying-point upon which future resistance might be +based, and the Country, now intoxicated by agitation, might come to +its senses. + +As to the strength of the Government, he believed it had very little +at this moment in the House, and that such would be the case with any +Government Lord Palmerston could form, he had foretold him, when Lord +Derby had made him the offer to join an Administration of his forming. +At this moment the secession of the Peelites would rather strengthen +the Government than otherwise, as, from their connection with Lord +Aberdeen, they had been decried in the Country with him, and the Whigs +looked upon them with all the personal feelings of men deprived of +their offices by them. + +He agreed with me that in the present disruption of Parties, the +difficulty of obtaining any strong Government consists, not in the +paucity of men, but in the over-supply of Right Honourable gentlemen +produced by the many attempts to form a Government on a more extended +base. There were now at least three Ministers for each office, from +which the two excluded were always cried up as superior to the one +in power. He said this could not be amended until we got back to two +Parties--each of them capable of presenting to the Queen an efficient +Administration. Now the one Party did not support its Chief from +personal rivalry--and the other, from the very feeling of its own +incapacity, became reckless as to the course of its political actions. + +He concluded by saying he felt it right to reserve his final +determination till the last moment at which it would become necessary. + +ALBERT. + + + + +[Pageheading: RESIGNATION OF THE PEELITES] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _21st February 1855_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +feels extreme regret in having to state to your Majesty that Sir James +Graham, Mr Gladstone, and Mr Sidney Herbert announced at the Cabinet +Meeting to-day their determination to retire from the Government in +consequence of their inability to consent to the nomination of Mr +Roebuck's Committee.[38] _No other_ Member of the Government has +as yet intimated any intention to retire. Viscount Palmerston will +assemble the remaining Members of the Government to-morrow at twelve +to take into consideration the steps to be taken for supplying the +places of the retiring Members.[39] + +An endeavour has been made to induce Mr Roebuck to postpone the +appointment of the Committee till Monday, but he will not consent to +delay it beyond to-morrow, and he will insert in the votes to-night, +to be printed to-morrow morning (in accordance with the rules of the +House), the proposed list of names which have been settled between the +Government and Mr Roebuck, and which seem to be unobjectionable, all +things considered.... + + [Footnote 38: The retirement of the Peelites in a body from + Lord Palmerston's Ministry is a curious instance of the + tenacity of Party ties, since the prosecution of the enquiry + into the conduct of the war affected the Whig as much as the + Peelite section of the Aberdeen Cabinet. In reference to their + reason for resignation (_viz._ that the investigation was a + dangerous breach of a great constitutional principle, and that + similar enquiries could never thenceforward be refused), see + Parker's _Sir James Graham_, vol. ii. pp. 268-272. + + The secession of the Peelites, however, did not make the + Ministry a Whig Government. The last Whig Administration was + that which left office early in 1852. Had Lord John Russell + succeeded in his attempt on the present occasion, the Whig + party might have endured _co nomine_; but Palmerston had, + notwithstanding Cobden's distrust, been popular with the + Radicals, and henceforward his supporters must be known as the + Liberal Party.] + + [Footnote 39: Sir Charles Wood became First Lord of the + Admiralty (Mr. Vernon Smith succeeding him at the Board of + Control), Sir George Lewis succeeded Mr Gladstone at the + Exchequer, and the Colonial Office was offered to and accepted + by Lord John Russell, who was at the moment in Paris on his + way to attend the Vienna Conference.] + + + + +[Pageheading: CRIMEAN HEROES] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _27th February 1855_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Since I last wrote to you, we have again had much +trouble, as Van de Weyer will have informed you. We have lost our +_three_ best men--certainly from the purest and best of motives--but +the result is _unfortunate_. Altogether, affairs are very unsettled +and very unsatisfactory. The good people here are really a little +_mad_, but I am certain it _will_ right itself; one must only _not_ +give way to the nonsense and absurdity one hears. + +Lord John's return to office _under_ Lord Palmerston is very +extraordinary![40] I hope he may do good in his mission; he is most +anxious for it. + +Many thanks for your kind letter of the 23rd. The frost has left us, +which personally I regret, as it agrees so well with me; but I believe +it was very necessary on account of the great distress which was +prevalent, so many people being thrown out of employment. + +The Emperor's meditated voyage[41]--though natural in him to wish--I +think most alarming; in fact, I don't know how things are to go on +without him, independent of the great danger he exposes himself +to besides. I own it makes one tremble, for _his life_ is of such +_immense importance_. I still hope that he may be deterred from it, +but Walewski was in a great state about it. + +On Thursday we saw twenty-six of the wounded Coldstream Guards, and +on Friday thirty-four of the Scotch Fusileers. A most interesting and +touching sight--_such_ fine men, and so brave and patient! _so ready_ +to go back and "_be at them again_." A great many of them, I am glad +to say, will be able to remain in the Service. Those who have lost +their limbs cannot, of course. There were two poor boys of nineteen +and twenty--the one had lost his leg, quite high up, by the bursting +of a shell in the trenches, and the other his poor arm so shot that it +is perfectly useless. Both had smooth girls' faces; these were in the +Coldstream, who certainly look the worst. In the Scotch Fusileers, +there were also two very young men--the one shot through the +cheek, the other through the _skull_--but both recovered! Among the +Grenadiers there is one very sad object, shot _dreadfully_, a ball +having gone in through the cheek and behind the nose and eye and out +through the other side! He is shockingly disfigured, but is recovered. +I feel so much for them, and am _so fond_ of my dear soldiers--so +_proud_ of them! We could not have avoided sending the Guards; it +would have been their ruin if they had not gone.... + +I must now conclude. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 40: For twenty years Lord John Russell had been + Leader of the Whig Party in the House, and Lord Palmerston + subordinate to him.] + + [Footnote 41: The Emperor had announced his intention of + going to the Crimea, and assuming the conduct of the war. The + project was most unfavourably regarded by the Queen and the + Prince, by Lord Palmerston, and by the Emperor's own advisers. + But the intention, which had been carefully matured, was + arrived at in full loyalty to the Alliance with this country, + and had to be tactfully met. Accordingly, it was arranged + that when Napoleon was at the Camp in Boulogne in March, Lord + Clarendon should visit him there, and discuss the question + with him. Eventually, the Foreign Secretary persuaded the + Emperor to relinquish, or at any rate defer, his expedition; a + memorandum of what passed on the occasion was drawn up by the + Prince from the narration of Lord Clarendon, and printed by + Sir Theodore Martin. (_Life of the Prince Consort_, vol. iii. + p. 231.)] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _1st March 1855_. + +The Queen thanks Lord Clarendon for his letter received this evening, +and will return the enclosures to-morrow. + +The Queen gathers from what she has read that the Emperor is bent upon +going, and that nothing in the shape of remonstrance or argument will +turn him from his purpose. + +Should the Emperor's journey take place, Lord Cowley's accompanying +him appears to the Queen in all respects a most useful step, and the +Queen gives accordingly her permission for him to go. + +The Emperor's taking the management of the whole Campaign, as well as +the command of our Forces, entirely into his own hands, involves so +many considerations that it may be worth considering whether we +ought not previously to come to a more direct and comprehensive +understanding with him, such as full and verbal discussion would alone +afford--to which, in some shape or other, his present stay at Boulogne +might afford some facilities. + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF THE CZAR] + + +_From Sir Ralph Abercromby._[42] + +THE HAGUE. _2nd March 1855_. (Received 3.45 P.M.) + +The Emperor Nicholas died this morning at 1 A.M. of Pulmonic Apoplexy, +after an attack of Influenza.[43] + + [Footnote 42: Who had married the sister of Lady John + Russell.] + + [Footnote 43: Nothing had been known publicly of the Czar's + illness, and the startling news of his death caused a + sensation in England of tragedy rather than of joy. Mr + Kinglake has vividly depicted the feelings of agony and + mortification with which the news of the earlier Russian + reverses had been received by Nicholas. On the 1st of March, + he received the full account of the disaster at Eupatoria, + after which he became delirious, and died on the following + day. He had stated, in referring to the horrors of that + Crimean winter, that Russia had still two Generals on whom + she could rely: Generals Janvier and Fevrier; and Leech, with + matchless art, now made his famous cartoon--"General Fevrier + turned traitor," depicting Death, in the uniform of a Russian + officer, laying his bony hand on the Emperor's heart.] + + + +[Pageheading: THE COMMITTEE OF ENQUIRY] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +HOUSE OF COMMONS, _2nd March 1855_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty.... + +The death of the Emperor of Russia may or may not produce important +changes in the state of affairs. It is probable that the Grand Duke +Hereditary will succeed quietly, notwithstanding the notion that a +doubt would be started whether he, as son of the Grand Duke Nicholas, +would not be superseded by his younger brother born son of the +Czar.[44] It is possible that the new Emperor may revert to that +peaceful policy which he was understood to advocate in the beginning +of these transactions, but it is possible, on the other hand, that +he may feel bound to follow out the policy of his father, and may be +impelled by the headstrong ambition of his brother Constantine. At all +events, this change at Petersburg should not for the present slacken +the proceedings and the arrangements of the Allies. + +The House of Commons has been engaged in discussing Mr Roebuck's +proposal that the Committee of Enquiry should be a secret one. This +proposal was made by the majority of the Committee on the ground that +they anticipated a difficulty in conducting their enquiries without +trenching on the delicate and dangerous ground of questioning the +proceedings of the French. The proposal was objected to by Lord +Seymour[45] and Mr Ellice, members of the Committee, by Sir James +Graham as unjust towards the Duke of Newcastle, and others whose +conduct ought to be enquired into with all the safeguards which +publicity secures for justice, and not before a Secret Tribunal in the +nature of an Inquisition. The general sense of the House was against +secrecy, and Viscount Palmerston expressed an opinion adverse to it, +on the ground that it could not be enforced because the Committee +could not gag the witnesses, and that the character of secrecy +would excite suspicion and disappoint public expectation. Sir John +Pakington, a member of the Committee, was for secrecy, Mr Disraeli +spoke against it, and the Motion has been withdrawn. + + [Footnote 44: The eldest son, the Grand Duke Alexander + (1818-1881), succeeded as Czar Alexander II.] + + [Footnote 45: Lord Seymour (afterwards Duke of Somerset) + drafted the Report of the Committee.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Princess of Prussia._ [_Translation._] + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _4th March 1855_. + +DEAR AUGUSTA,--The astounding news of the death of your poor uncle the +Emperor Nicholas reached us the day before yesterday at four o'clock. +A few hours previously we had learnt that his condition was hopeless. +The news is sudden and most unexpected, and we are naturally very +anxious to learn details. His departure from life at the present +moment cannot but make a particularly strong impression, and what +the consequences of it may be the All-knowing One alone can foresee. +Although the poor Emperor has died as our enemy, I have not forgotten +former and more happy times, and no one has more than I regretted that +he himself evoked this sad war.[46] To you I must address my request +to express to the poor Empress, as well as to the family, my heartfelt +condolence. I cannot do it officially, but you, my beloved friend, you +will surely be able to convey it to your sister-in-law as well as to +the present young Emperor in a manner which shall not compromise me. I +have a deep, heartfelt desire to express this. To your dear, honoured +mother convey, pray, my condolence on the death of her brother.... + + [Footnote 46: The Queen records, in the _Life of the Prince + Consort_, that she entertained a sincere respect for the + Emperor personally, and received the news of his death with + regret (vol. iii. p. 225, note).] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE HOSPITAL QUESTION] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord Panmure._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _5th March 1855_. + +The Queen is very anxious to bring before Lord Panmure the subject +which she mentioned to him the other night, viz. that of Hospitals for +our sick and wounded soldiers. This is absolutely necessary, and +_now_ is the moment to have them built, for no doubt there would be no +difficulty in obtaining the money requisite for this purpose, from the +strong feeling now existing in the public mind for improvements of all +kinds connected with the Army and the well-being and comfort of the +soldier. + +Nothing can exceed the attention paid to these poor men in the +Barracks at Chatham (or rather more Fort Pitt and Brompton), and they +are in that respect very comfortable; but the buildings are bad--the +wards more like prisons than hospitals, with the windows so high that +no one can look out of them; and the generality of the wards are small +rooms, with hardly space for you to walk between the beds. There is no +dining-room or hall, so that the poor men must have their dinners in +the same room in which they sleep, and in which some may be dying, +and at any rate many suffering, while others are at their meals. The +proposition of having hulks prepared for their reception will do very +well at first, but it would not, the Queen thinks, do for any length +of time. A hulk is a very gloomy place, and these poor men require +their spirits to be cheered as much as their physical sufferings to be +attended to. The Queen is particularly anxious on this subject, which +is, he may truly say, constantly in her thoughts, as is everything +connected with her beloved troops, who have fought so bravely and +borne so heroically all their sufferings and privations. + +The Queen hopes before long to visit all the Hospitals at Portsmouth, +and to see in what state they are. + +_When_ will the medals be ready for distribution? + + + + +[Pageheader: LORD DALHOUSIE RESIGNS] + + +_The Marquis of Dalhousie to Queen Victoria._ + +OOTACAMUND, _14th March 1855_. + +The Governor-General presents his most humble duty to your Majesty; +and in obedience to the command, which your Majesty was pleased to lay +upon him, that he should keep your Majesty acquainted with the course +of public events in India, he has the honour to inform your Majesty +that he has now felt it to be his duty to request the President of +the Board of Control to solicit for him your Majesty's permission to +retire from the office of Governor-General of India about the close of +the present year. + +The Governor-General begs permission respectfully to represent, that +in January next, he will have held his present office for eight years; +that his health during the last few months has seriously failed him; +and that although he believes that the invigorating air of these hills +will enable him to discharge all his duties efficiently during this +season, yet he is conscious that the effects of an Indian climate have +laid such a hold upon him that by the close of the present year he +will be wholly unfit any longer to serve your Majesty. + +Lord Dalhousie, therefore, humbly trusts that your Majesty will +graciously permit him to resign the great office which he holds before +he ceases to command the strength which is needed to sustain it. He +has the honour to subscribe himself, your Majesty's most obedient, +most humble and devoted Subject and Servant, + +DALHOUSIE. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _14th March 1855_. + +The Queen returns the letter and Despatches from Vienna. They don't +alter her opinion as to our demands. Every concession in form and +wording ought to be made which could save Russian _amour-propre_; but +this ought in no way to trench upon the _substance_ of our demands, to +which Austria must feel herself bound.[47] + + [Footnote 47: As has already been stated, the "Four Points" + were the basis of the negotiations at Vienna; the third + alone, which the Allies and Austria had defined as intended + to terminate Russian preponderance in the Black Sea, caused + difficulty.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE VIENNA CONFERENCE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +OSBORNE, _19th March 1855_. + +The Queen has read with the greatest interest Lord Cowley's three +reports. The changeableness of the French views are most perplexing, +although they have hitherto not prevented a steady course from being +followed in the end. Lord Cowley seems to have been a little off his +guard when he took the proposal of our taking Sinope as a second Malta +or Gibraltar, for a mere act of generosity and confidence towards +us. We must be careful not to break down ourselves the barrier of the +"abnegation clause" of our original treaty.[48] The Austrian proposal +can hardly be serious, for to require 1,200,000 men before going to +war is almost ridiculous. + +The Queen read with much concern the two simultaneous proposals +from the King of Prussia's simultaneous Plenipotentiaries--both +inadmissible, in her opinion. A very civil answer would appear to the +Queen as the best, to the effect that, as Prussia was evidently not +now in a mood to resume her position amongst the great Powers with the +responsibilities attaching to it, we could not hope to arrive at any +satisfactory result by the present negotiations, but shall be ready +to treat Prussia with the same regard with which we have always done, +when she shall have something tangible to propose. + + [Footnote 48: _I.e._ the formal renunciation by the Allies of + any scheme of territorial acquisition.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE BALTIC EXPEDITION] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _19th March 1855_. + +With regard to the Expedition to the Baltic[49] the Queen concurs in +believing it probable that we shall have to confine ourselves to a +blockade, but this should be with the _certainty_ of its being done +effectually and free from any danger to the squadron, from a sudden +start of the Russian fleet. Twenty sail of the Line (to which add +five French) would be a sufficient force if supported by the necessary +complement of frigates, corvettes, and gunboats, etc., etc.; alone, +they would be useless from their draught of water, and if twenty ships +only are meant (not sail of the Line), the force would seem wholly +inadequate. The Queen would therefore wish, before giving her sanction +to the proposed plan of campaign, to have a complete list submitted +to her of what it is intended to constitute the Baltic Fleet.[50] +We ought likewise not to leave ourselves destitute of any Reserve at +home, which the uncertain contingencies of another year's war may call +upon at any moment. + +The Queen regrets Lord Shaftesbury's declining office, and approves of +Lord Elgin's selection in his place.[51] + +She thanks Lord Palmerston for the clear and comprehensive explanation +of Sir George Lewis's Stamp Duties Bill,[52] and approves of Lord +Palmerston's proposal for the adjournment of Parliament for the Easter +holidays. + + [Footnote 49: The expedition was commanded by Rear-Admiral + Richard Dundas. About the same time Vice-Admiral Sir James + Dundas retired from the Mediterranean Command, in favour of + Sir Edmund Lyons.] + + [Footnote 50: The allied fleet comprised 23 line-of-battle + ships, 31 frigates and corvettes, 29 smaller steamers and + gunboats, and 18 other craft.] + + [Footnote 51: As Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster; Mr + Matthew Talbot Baines was ultimately appointed.] + + [Footnote 52: Imposing a penny stamp upon bankers' cheques, + if drawn within fifteen miles of the place where they were + payable.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord Panmure._ + +OSBORNE, _22nd March 1855_. + +The other day, when the Queen spoke to Lord Panmure on the subject of +the distribution of the _Medal_ for the _Crimean_ Campaign amongst the +Officers, and those who _are_ in _this_ country, no decision was come +to as to how this should be done. The Queen has since thought that +the value of this Medal would be greatly enhanced if _she_, were +_personally_ to deliver it to the officers and a certain number of men +(selected for that purpose). The valour displayed by our troops, +as well as the sufferings they have endured, have never been +surpassed--perhaps hardly equalled; and as the Queen has been a +witness of _what_ they have gone through, having visited them in their +hospitals, she would _like_ to be able _personally_ to give them +the reward they have earned so well, and will value so much. It will +likewise have a very beneficial effect, the Queen doubts not, on the +recruiting. The manner in which it should be done, and the details +connected with the execution of this intention of hers, the Queen will +settle with Lord Panmure, when she sees him in Town. + +Will the Medals now be soon ready? + + + + +[Pageheading: THE IMPERIAL VISIT] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _17th April 1855_. + +DEAREST UNCLE,--Your kindness will, I know, excuse any description of +all that has passed, and _is_ passing, and I leave it to Charles. The +impression is very favourable.[53] There is great fascination in the +quiet, frank manner of the Emperor, and _she_ is very pleasing, very +graceful, and very unaffected, but very delicate. She _is_ certainly +very pretty and very uncommon-looking. The Emperor spoke very amiably +of you. The reception by the public was _immensely_ enthusiastic. I +must end here. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 53: The Emperor and Empress of the French arrived + on the 16th of April, on a visit to England. They were + enthusiastically received both at Dover (notwithstanding a + dense fog, which endangered the safety of the Imperial yacht) + and on their progress from the South-Eastern terminus to + Paddington. In passing King Street, the Emperor was observed + to indicate his former residence to the Empress.] + + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _19th April 1855_. + +DEAREST UNCLE,... I have not a moment to myself, being of course +entirely occupied with our Imperial guests, with whom I am much +pleased, and who behave really with the greatest tact.[54] The +Investiture went off very well, and to-day (we came from Windsor) the +enthusiasm of the thousands who received him in the City was immense. +He is much pleased. Since the time of my Coronation, with the +exception of the opening of the great Exhibition, I don't remember +anything like it. To-night we go in state to the Opera. In haste, ever +your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 54: A review of the Household troops in Windsor Park + was held on the 17th, and a ball was given at the Castle in + the evening. A Council of War on the 18th was attended by + the Prince, the Emperor, and some of their Ministers; in the + afternoon the Queen invested the Emperor with the Garter. On + the following day the Emperor received an address at Windsor + from the Corporation of London, and lunched at the Guildhall; + the Queen and Prince and their guests paid a State visit to + Her Majesty's Theatre in the evening to hear _Fidelio_. On the + 20th the party, with brilliant ceremonial, visited the Crystal + Palace at Sydenham, and were enthusiastically received by an + immense multitude; another important Council, relative to the + future conduct of the war, was held in the evening.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _24th April 1855_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Many thanks for your kind letter of the 19th and +20th, by which I am glad to see that you were well. Our great visit +is past, like a brilliant and most successful dream, but I think the +effect on the visitors will be a good and lasting one; they saw in our +reception, and in that of the whole Nation, nothing _put on_, but a +warm, hearty welcome to a faithful and steady Ally. I think also that +for Belgium this visit will be very useful, for it will increase the +friendly feelings of the Emperor towards my dear Uncle, and towards a +country in which England takes so deep an interest. + +The negotiations are broken off, and Austria has been called upon +to act according to the Treaty of the 2nd December. She intends, I +believe, to make some proposal, but we know nothing positive as yet. +In the meantime I fear the Emperor (I mean Napoleon) _will_ go to the +Crimea, which makes one anxious.... Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _25th April 1855_. + +The Queen has read the letter of Lady ---- to Lady Palmerston, and now +returns it to Lord Palmerston. + +She has to observe that it has been with her an invariable rule +never to take upon herself the office of sitting in judgment upon +accusations or reports against private character. No person therefore +can have any reason to suppose that she will by marked neglect or +manner appear to pronounce a verdict upon matters in which she is not +the proper Court of Appeal. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE EMPEROR'S LETTER] + + +_The Emperor of the French to Queen Victoria._ + +PALAIS DES TUILERIES, _le 25 Avril 1855_. + +MADAME ET BONNE S[OE]UR,--A Paris depuis trois jours, je suis encore +aupres de votre Majeste par la pensee, et mon premier besoin est +de Lui redire combien est profonde l'impression que m'a laissee son +accueil si plein de grace et d'affectueuse bonte. La politique nous a +rapproches d'abord, mais aujourd'hui qu'il m'a ete permis de connaitre +personnellement votre Majeste c'est une vive et respectueuse sympathie +qui forme desormais le veritable lien qui m'attache a elle. Il est +impossible en effet de vivre quelques jours dans votre intimite sans +subir le charme qui s'attache a l'image de la grandeur et du bonheur +de la famille la plus unie. Votre Majeste m'a aussi bien touche par +ses prevenances delicates envers l'Imperatrice; car rien ne fait plus +de plaisir que de voir la personne qu'on aime devenir l'objet d'aussi +flatteuses attentions. + +Je prie votre Majeste d'exprimer au Prince Albert les sentiments +sinceres que m'inspirent sa franche amitie, son esprit eleve et la +droiture de son jugement. + +J'ai rencontre a mon retour a Paris bien des difficultes diplomatiques +et bien d'autres intervenants au sujet de mon voyage en Crimee. Je +dirai en confidence a votre Majeste que ma resolution de voyage s'en +trouve presque ebranlee. En France tous ceux qui possedent sont bien +peu courageux! + +Votre Majeste voudra bien me rappeler au souvenir de sa charmante +famille et me permettre de Lui renouveler l'assurance de ma +respectueuse amitie et de mon tendre attachement. De votre Majeste, le +bon Frere, + +NAPOLEON. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S REPLY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Emperor of the French._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _le 27 Avril 1855_. + +SIRE ET MON CHER FRERE,--Votre Majeste vient de m'ecrire une bien +bonne et affectueuse lettre que j'ai recue hier et qui m'a vivement +touchee. Vous dites, Sire, que vos pensees sont encore aupres de nous; +je puis Vous assurer que c'est bien reciproque de notre part et que +nous ne cessons de repasser en revue et de parler de ces beaux jours +que nous avons eu le bonheur de passer avec Vous et l'Imperatrice et +qui se sont malheureusement ecoules si vite. Nous sommes profondement +touches de la maniere dont votre Majeste parle de nous et de notre +famille, et je me plais a voir dans les sentiments que vous nous +temoignez un gage precieux de plus pour la continuation de ces +relations si heureusement et si fermement etablies entre nos deux +pays. + +Permettez que j'ajoute encore, Sire, combien de prix j'attache a +l'entiere franchise avec laquelle Vous ne manquez d'agir envers nous +en toute occasion et a laquelle Vous nous trouverez toujours prets a +repondre, bien convaincus que c'est le moyen le plus sur pour +eloigner tout sujet de complication et de mesentendu entre nos deux +Gouvernements vis-a-vis des graves difficultes que nous avons a +surmonter ensemble. + +Depuis le depart de votre Majeste les complications diplomatiques ont +augmente bien peniblement et la position est assurement devenue bien +difficile mais le Ciel n'abandonnera pas ceux qui n'ont d'autre but +que le bien du genre humain. + +J'avoue que la nouvelle de la possibilite de l'abandon de votre voyage +en Crimee m'a bien tranquillisee parce qu'il y avait bien des causes +d'alarmes en vous voyant partir si loin et expose a tant de dangers. +Mais bien que l'absence de votre Majeste en Crimee soit toujours +une grande perte pour les operations vigoureuses dont nous sommes +convenus, j'espere que leur execution n'en sera pas moins vivement +poussee par nos deux Gouvernements. + +Le Prince me charge de vous offrir ses plus affectueux hommages et +nos enfants qui sont bien flattes de votre gracieux souvenir, et qui +parlent beaucoup de votre visite, se mettent a vos pieds. + +Avec tous les sentiments de sincere amitie et de haute estime, je me +dis, Sire et cher Frere, de V.M.I. la bien bonne S[oe]ur, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: RUSSIA AND THE BLACK SEA] + +[Pageheading: AUSTRIAN PROPOSALS] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._[55] + +PICCADILLY, _26th April 1855_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +to state that the Members of the Cabinet who met yesterday evening at +the Chancellor's were of opinion that the Austrian proposal adopted by +M. Drouyn de Lhuys, even with his pretended modification, could not +be described more accurately than in the concise terms of H.R.H. +the Prince Albert, namely, that instead of making to cease the +preponderance of Russia in the Black Sea, it would perpetuate and +legalise that preponderance, and that instead of establishing a secure +and permanent Peace, it would only establish a prospective case for +war. Such a proposal therefore your Majesty's Advisers could not +recommend your Majesty to adopt; but as the step to be taken seems +rather to be to make such a proposal to Austria than to answer such +a proposal which Austria has not formally made, and as M. Drouyn's +telegraphic despatch stated that he thought that Lord John Russell +would recommend such an arrangement to his colleagues, the Cabinet +were of opinion that the best course would be simply to take no +step at all until Lord John Russell's return, which may be expected +to-morrow or next day, especially as Lord Clarendon had already, by +telegraphic message of yesterday, intimated to the French Government +that such an arrangement as that proposed by M. Drouyn, and which +would sanction a Russian Fleet in the Black Sea to any amount short by +one ship of the number existing in 1853, could not be agreed to by +the British Government. Such an arrangement would, in the opinion of +Viscount Palmerston, be alike dangerous and dishonourable; and as +to the accompanying alliance with Austria for the future defence of +Turkey and for making war with Russia, if she were to raise her Black +Sea Fleet up to the amount of 1853, what reason is there to believe +that Austria, who shrinks from war with Russia now that the Army +of Russia has been much reduced by the losses of the last twelve +months--now that her Forces are divided and occupied elsewhere than on +the Austrian frontier, and now that England and France are actually in +the field with great Armies, supported by great Fleets, what reason +is there to believe that this same Austria would be more ready to +make war four or five years hence, when the Army of Russia shall have +repaired its losses and shall be more concentrated to attack +Austria, when the Austrian Army shall have been reduced to its Peace +Establishment, and when the Peace Establishments of England and +France, withdrawn within their home stations, shall be less ready to +co-operate with Austria in war? What reason, moreover, is there for +supposing that Austria, who has recently declared that though prepared +for war she will not make war for ten sail of the Line more or less +in the Russian Black Sea Fleet, will some few years hence, when +unprepared for war, draw the sword on account of the addition of one +ship of war to the Russian Fleet in the Black Sea? + +Such proposals are really a mockery. + + [Footnote 55: It had long become evident that Russia + would refuse assent to the Third Point, terminating her + preponderance in the Black Sea, but Austria now came forward + with a proposal to limit the Russian force there to the number + of ships authorised before the war. This was rejected by + Russia, whereupon the representatives of England and France + withdrew from the negotiations. Count Buol, representing + Austria, then came forward again with a scheme the salient + features of which were that, if Russia increased her Black Sea + fleet beyond its existing strength, Turkey might maintain a + force equal to it, and England and France might each have a + naval force in the Black Sea equal to half the Russian force, + while the increase of the Russian fleet beyond its strength + in 1853 would be regarded by Austria as a _casus belli_. These + terms were satisfactory neither to the British Government + nor to the French Emperor, so that it was learned with some + surprise that Lord John Russell and M. Drouyn de Lhuys (the + French Plenipotentiary) had approved of them. Upon the + Emperor definitely rejecting the proposals, M. Drouyn de + Lhuys resigned; he was succeeded as Foreign Minister by Count + Walewski, M. de Persigny becoming Ambassador in London. + Lord John Russell tendered his resignation, but, at Lord + Palmerston's solicitation, and most unfortunately for himself, + he withdrew it.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _28th April 1855_. + +The Queen returns these very important letters. She thinks that it +will be of great use to ask the Emperor to send M. Drouyn de Lhuys +over here after having discussed the plans of peace with him, in order +that he should hear our arguments also, and give us his reasons +for thinking the terms acceptable. The influence of distance and +difference of locality upon the resolves of men has often appeared to +the Queen quite marvellous. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE IMPERIAL VISIT] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _1st May 1855_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--On this day, the fifth birthday of our darling +little Arthur--the anniversary of the opening of the Great +Exhibition--the _once_ great day at Paris, viz. the poor King's +name-day--and also the birthday of the dear old Duke--I write to +thank you for your kind and affectionate letter of the 27th. The +_attentat_[56] on the Emperor will have shocked you, as it did us; it +shocked me _the more_ as we had _watched over_ him with such anxiety +while he was with us. + +It has produced an immense sensation in France, we hear, and many of +_his_ political _enemies_, he says, cheered him loudly as he returned +to the Tuileries. As you say, he is _very personal_, and _therefore_ +kindness _shown_ him _personally_ will make a _lasting_ effect on his +mind, peculiarly susceptible to _kindness_. Another feature in his +character is that _il ne fait pas de phrases_--and _what_ is said +is the result of deep reflection. I therefore send you (in _strict +confidence_) a copy of the really very kind letter he wrote me, +and which I am sure is _quite sincere_. He felt the simple and kind +treatment of him and her _more_ than _all_ the outward homage and +display. + +Please kindly to return it when you have done with it. + +I am sure you would be charmed with the Empress; it is not such great +beauty, but such grace, elegance, sweetness, and _nature_. Her manners +are charming; the _profile_ and figure beautiful and particularly +_distingues_. + +You will be pleased (as I was) at the abandonment of the journey to +the Crimea, though I think, as regarded the Campaign, it would have +been a good thing.... + +Lord John is returned. I can't say more to-day, but remain, ever your +devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +We have a Childs' _Ball_ to-night. + + [Footnote 56: An Italian, Giacomo Pianori, fired twice at the + Emperor, while he was riding in the Champs Elysees, on the + 29th of April; the Emperor was uninjured.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S IMPRESSIONS] + +[Pageheading: LOUIS PHILIPPE AND NAPOLEON III] + +[Pageheading: ISOLATION OF THE EMPEROR] + +[Pageheading: THE FRENCH ALLIANCE] + + +_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _2nd May 1855_. + +The recent visit of the Emperor Napoleon III. to this country is a +most curious page of history, and gives rise to many reflections. A +remarkable combination of circumstances has brought about the very +intimate alliance which now unites England and France, for so many +centuries the bitterest enemies and rivals, and this, under the reign +of the present Emperor, the nephew of our greatest foe, and bearing +his name, and brought about by the policy of the late Emperor of +Russia, who considered himself as the head of the European Alliance +against France! + +In reflecting on the character of the present Emperor Napoleon, and +the impression I have conceived of it, the following thoughts present +themselves to my mind: + +That he _is_ a very _extraordinary_ man, with great qualities +there can be _no_ doubt--I might almost say a mysterious man. He is +evidently possessed of _indomitable courage_, _unflinching firmness +of purpose_, _self-reliance_, _perseverance_, and _great secrecy_; to +this should be added, a great reliance on what he calls his _Star_, +and a belief in omens and incidents as connected with his future +destiny, which is almost romantic--and at the same time he is endowed +with wonderful _self-control_, great _calmness_, even _gentleness_, +and with a _power_ of _fascination_, the effect of which upon +all those who become more intimately acquainted with him is _most +sensibly_ felt. + +How far he is actuated by a strong _moral_ sense of _right_ and +_wrong_ is difficult to say. On the one hand, his attempts at +Strasbourg and Boulogne, and this last after having given a solemn +promise never to return or make a similar attempt--in which he openly +called on the subjects of the then King of the French to follow him +as the successor of Napoleon, the _Coup d'Etat_ of December 1851, +followed by great ... severity and the confiscation of the property of +the unfortunate Orleans family, would lead one to believe that he is +not. On the other hand, his kindness and gratitude towards all those, +whether high or low, who have befriended him or stood by him through +life, and his straightforward and steady conduct towards us throughout +the very difficult and anxious contest in which we have been engaged +for a year and a half, show that he is possessed of noble and right +feelings. + +My impression is, that in all these apparently inexcusable acts, he +has invariably been guided by the belief that he is _fulfilling a +destiny_ which God has _imposed_ upon him, and that, though cruel or +harsh in themselves, they were _necessary_ to obtain the result which +he considered _himself_ as _chosen_ to carry out, and _not_ acts of +_wanton_ cruelty or injustice; for it is impossible to know him and +not to see that there is much that is truly amiable, kind, and honest +in his character. Another remarkable and important feature in his +composition is, that everything he says or expresses is the _result_ +of deep reflection and of settled purpose, and not merely _des phrases +de politesse_, consequently when we read words used in his speech +made in the City, we may feel sure that he _means_ what he says; and +therefore I would rely with confidence on his behaving honestly and +faithfully towards us. I am not able to say whether he is deeply +versed in History--I should rather think not, as regards it +_generally_, though he may be, and probably is, well informed in +the history of his own country, certainly fully so in that of the +_Empire_, he having made it his special study to contemplate and +reflect upon all the acts and designs of his great uncle. He is very +well read in German literature, to which he seems to be very partial. +It is said, and I am inclined to think with truth, that he reads but +little, even as regards despatches from his own foreign Ministers, he +having expressed his surprise at my reading them daily. He seems to +be singularly ignorant in matters not connected with the branch of +his _special_ studies, and to be ill informed upon them by those who +surround him. + +If we compare him with poor King Louis Philippe, I should say that the +latter (Louis Philippe) was possessed of vast knowledge upon all and +every subject, of immense experience in public affairs, and of great +activity of mind; whereas the Emperor possesses greater judgment and +much greater firmness of purpose, but no experience of public affairs, +nor mental application; he is endowed, as was the late King, with much +fertility of imagination. + +Another great difference between King Louis Philippe and the +Emperor is, that the poor King was _thoroughly French_ in character, +possessing all the liveliness and talkativeness of that people, +whereas the Emperor is as _unlike_ a _Frenchman_ as possible, being +much more _German_ than French in character.... How could it be +expected that the Emperor _should_ have any _experience_ in _public +affairs_, considering that till six years ago he lived as a poor +exile, for some years even in prison, and never having taken the +slightest part in the _public_ affairs of _any_ country? + +It is therefore the more astounding, indeed almost incomprehensible, +that he should show all those powers of Government, and all that +wonderful tact in his conduct and manners which he evinces, and which +many a King's son, nurtured in palaces and educated in the midst of +affairs, never succeeds in attaining. I likewise believe that he would +be incapable of such tricks and over-reachings as practised by poor +King Louis Philippe (for whose memory, as the old and kind friend of +my father, and of whose kindness and amiable qualities I shall ever +retain a lively sense), who in great as well as in small things took +a pleasure in being cleverer and more cunning than others, often +when there was no advantage to be gained by it, and which was, +unfortunately, strikingly displayed in the transactions connected with +the Spanish marriages, which led to the King's downfall and ruined +him in the eyes of all Europe. On the other hand, I believe that the +Emperor Napoleon would not hesitate to do a thing by main force, +even if in itself unjust and tyrannical, should he consider that the +_accomplishment of his destiny_ demanded it. + +The _great advantage_ to be derived for the permanent alliance +of England and France, which is of such vital importance to both +countries, by the Emperor's recent visit, I take to be this: that, +with his peculiar character and views, which are very personal, a +kind, unaffected, and hearty reception by us _personally_ in our own +family will make a lasting impression upon his mind; he will see +that he can rely upon our friendship and honesty towards him and his +country so long as he remains faithful towards us; naturally frank, +he will see the advantage to be derived from continuing so; and if he +reflects on the downfall of the former dynasty, he will see that it +arose _chiefly_ from a _breach_ of pledges,... and will be sure, if I +be not very much mistaken in his character, to _avoid_ such a course. +It must likewise not be overlooked that this kindly feeling towards +us, and consequently towards England (the interests of which are +_inseparable_ from us), must be increased when it is remembered that +_we_ are almost the only people in _his_ own position with whom he has +been able to be on any terms of intimacy, consequently almost the only +ones to whom he could talk easily and unreservedly, which he cannot +do naturally with his inferiors. He and the Empress are in a most +isolated position, unable to trust the only relations who are near +them in France, and surrounded by courtiers and servants, who from +fear or interest do not tell them the truth. It is, therefore, natural +to believe that he will not willingly separate from those who, like +us, do not scruple to put him in possession of the real facts, and +whose conduct is guided by justice and honesty, and this the more +readily as he is supposed to have always been a searcher after truth. +I would go still further, and think that it is in our power to _keep_ +him in the right course, and to protect him against the extreme +flightiness, changeableness, and to a certain extent want of honesty +of his own servants and nation. We should never lose the opportunity +of checking in the bud any attempt on the part of his agents or +ministers to play us false, frankly informing him of the facts, and +encouraging him to bring forward in an equally frank manner whatever +he has to complain of. This is the course which we have hitherto +pursued, and as he is France in his own sole person, it becomes of the +utmost importance to encourage by every means in our power that very +open intercourse which I must say has existed between him and Lord +Cowley for the last year and a half, and now, since our personal +acquaintance, between ourselves. + +As I said before, the words which fall from his lips are the result of +deep reflection, and part of the deep plan which he has staked out +for himself, and which he intends to carry out. I would therefore lay +stress on the following words which he pronounced to me immediately +after the investiture of the Order of the Garter: "_C'est un lien de +plus entre nous, j'ai prete serment de fidelite a votre Majeste et +je le garderai soigneusement. C'est un grand evenement pour moi, et +j'espere pouvoir prouver ma reconnaissance envers votre Majeste et son +Pays._" In a letter said to be written by him to Mr F. Campbell, the +translator of M. Thiers's _History of the Consulate and Empire_, when +returning the proof-sheets in 1847, he says "Let us hope the day may +yet come when I shall carry out the intentions of my Uncle by uniting +the policy and interests of England and France in an indissoluble +alliance. That hope cheers and encourages me. It forbids my repining +at the altered fortunes of my family." + +If these be truly his words, he certainly has acted up to them, since +he has swayed with an iron hand the destinies of that most versatile +nation, the French. That he should have written this at a moment when +Louis Philippe had succeeded in all his wishes, and seemed securer +than ever in the possession of his Throne, shows a calm reliance in +his destiny and in the realisation of hopes entertained from his very +childhood which borders on the supernatural. + +These are a few of the many reflections caused by the observation and +acquaintance with the character of this most extraordinary man, in +whose fate not only the interests of this country, but the whole of +Europe are intimately bound up. I shall be curious to see if, after +the lapse of time, my opinion and estimate of it has been the right +one. + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _10th May 1855_. + +The Queen returns these interesting letters to Lord Clarendon. When +the Emperor expresses a wish that positive instructions should be sent +to Lord Raglan to join in a general forward movement about to take +place, he should be made aware that Lord Raglan has been ready and +most anxious for the assault taking place on the 26th, and that he +only consented to postpone it for a few days at General Canrobert's +earnest desire, who wished to wait for the army of Reserve. It should +be kept in mind, however, that the English cannot proceed farther as +long as the Mamelon has not been taken, and that as long as the +French refuse to do this they must not complain of Lord Raglan's not +advancing. The refusal to undertake this has, the Queen is sorry to +say, produced a bad feeling amongst many of our officers and men, +which she owns alarms her.[57] + + [Footnote 57: General Canrobert was deficient in dash and + initiative; he knew his defects, and was relieved of his + command at his own request, being succeeded by General + Pelissier. + + On the 24th of May (the Queen's Birthday) a successful + expedition was made against Kertsch, the granary of + Sebastopol, and vast quantities of coal, corn, and flour were + either seized by the Allies, or destroyed in anticipation of + their seizure by the Russians. + + On the 7th of June, the Mamelon (a knoll crowned by a redoubt + and protected by the Rifle Pits) was taken by the French, + and the Gravel Pits, an outwork in front of the Redan, by the + English.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE CRIMEAN MEDAL] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _22nd May 1855_. + +MY DEAREST, KINDEST UNCLE,--... The state of affairs is uncomfortable +and complicated just now, but our course is _straight_; we _cannot_ +come to any peace unless we have such guarantees by _decided_ +limitation of the Fleet, which would secure us against Russian +preponderance for the future.[58] + +Ernest will have told you what a _beautiful_ and _touching_ sight +and ceremony (the first of the kind ever witnessed in England) the +distribution of the Medals was. From the highest Prince of the Blood +to the lowest Private, all received the same distinction for the +bravest conduct in the severest actions, and the rough hand of the +brave and honest private soldier came for the first time in contact +with that of their Sovereign and their Queen! Noble fellows! I own I +feel as if they were _my own children_; my heart beats for _them_ as +for my _nearest and dearest_. They were so touched, so pleased; many, +I hear, cried--and they won't hear of giving up their Medals, to have +their names engraved upon them, for fear they should _not_ receive the +_identical one_ put into _their hands by me_, which is quite touching. +Several came by in a sadly mutilated state. None created more interest +or is more gallant than young Sir Thomas Troubridge, who had, at +Inkerman, _one leg_ and the _other foot_ carried away by a round shot, +and continued commanding his battery till the battle was won, refusing +to be carried away, only desiring his shattered limbs to be raised in +order to prevent too great a hemorrhage! He was dragged by in a bath +chair, and when I gave him his medal I told him I should make him one +of my Aides-de-camp for his very gallant conduct, to which he replied: +"I am amply repaid for everything!"[59] + +_One must_ revere and love such soldiers as those! The account in the +_Times_ of Saturday is very correct and good. + +I must, however, conclude now, hoping soon to hear from you again. +Could you kindly tell me if you could in a few days forward some +letters and papers with _safety_ to good Stockmar. Ever your devoted +Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 58: Prince Albert, in a Memorandum dated the 25th of + May, emphasised the difficulties in the way of peace caused + by the attitude of Austria, and the possibility of her passing + from the one alliance to the other.] + + [Footnote 59: He was made a C.B. and a Brevet-Colonel; and + also received the Legion of Honour.] + + + + +[Pageheading: SUCCESSOR TO LORD DALHOUSIE] + + +_Queen Victoria to Mr Vernon Smith._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _19th June 1855_. + +The Queen has received Mr Vernon Smith's letter on the subject of Lord +Dalhousie's resignation and the appointment of a successor. She +was somewhat astonished that the name of a successor to that most +important appointment should for the first time be brought before her +after all official steps for carrying it out had been completed. +If the selection should now not receive the Queen's approval, it is +evident that great awkwardness must arise.[60] + + [Footnote 60: Mr Vernon Smith, in reply, referred to the + statutory power then existing of the Directors of the East + India Company to nominate a Governor-General, subject to the + approbation of the Crown.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Mr Vernon Smith._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _20th June 1855_. + +The Queen received Mr V. Smith's letter yesterday evening after her +return from Chatham. She readily acquits him of any _intentional_ +want of respect towards her, or of any neglect in going through the +prescribed forms with regard to the appointment in question, neither +of which she meant to insinuate by her letter. But she does not +look upon the question as one of form. She takes a deep and natural +interest in the welfare of her Indian Empire, and must consider the +selection of the fittest person for the post of Governor-General as +of paramount importance. She had frequently discussed this point with +Lord Palmerston, but the name of Lord Canning never occurred amongst +the candidates alluded to. The Queen is even now quite ignorant as to +the reasons and motives which led to his selection in preference to +those other names, and Mr V. Smith will see at once that, were the +Queen inclined to object to it, she could not _now_ do so without +inflicting a deep, personal injury on a public man, for whose personal +qualities and talents the Queen has a high regard. + +She accordingly approves the recommendation, but must repeat her +regret that no opportunity had been given to her to discuss the +propriety of it with her Ministers previous to the intention of the +recommendation becoming known to all concerned in it. + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF LORD RAGLAN] + + +_General Simpson to Lord Panmure._[61] +[_Telegram._] + +_29th June 1855._ +(8.30 A.M.) + +Lord Raglan had been going on favourably until four in the afternoon +yesterday, when very serious symptoms made their appearance. +Difficulty of breathing was experienced, which gradually increased. +Up to five o'clock he was conscious, and from this time his strength +declined almost imperceptibly until twenty-five minutes before nine, +when he died. I have assumed the command, as Sir George Brown is too +ill on board ship. + + [Footnote 61: On the 18th of June, the fortieth anniversary of + Waterloo, a combined attack by the English on the Redan, and + the French on the Malakhoff, was repulsed with heavy losses. + The scheme was that of Pelissier, and Lord Raglan acquiesced + against his better judgment. The result depressed him greatly; + he was attacked with cholera, and died on the 28th.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to General Simpson._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _30th June 1855_. + +Not being aware whether Sir George Brown is well enough by this +time to assume the command of the Army, the Queen writes to General +Simpson, as the Chief of his Staff, to express to him, and _through_ +him to the Army, her deep and _heartfelt grief_ at the irreparable +loss of their gallant and excellent Commander, Lord Raglan, which has +cast a gloom over us all, as it must do over the whole Army. + +But, at the same time, the Queen wishes to express her earnest hope +and confident trust that every one will more than ever now do their +duty, as they have hitherto so nobly done, and that she may continue +to be as proud of her beloved Army as she has been, though their brave +Chief who led them so often to victory and to glory, has been taken +from them. + +Most grievous and most truly melancholy it is that poor Lord Raglan +should die _thus_--from sickness--on the eve, as we have every +reason to hope, of the glorious result of so much labour, and so much +anxiety, and not be allowed to witness it. + +The Queen's prayers will be more than ever with her Army, and most +fervently do we trust that General Simpson's health, as well as that +of the other Generals, may be preserved to them unimpaired! + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lady Raglan._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _30th June 1855_. + +DEAR LADY RAGLAN,--Words _cannot_ convey _all_ I feel at the +irreparable loss you have sustained, and I and the Country have, in +your noble, gallant, and excellent husband, whose loyalty and devotion +to his Sovereign and Country were unbounded. We both feel _most +deeply_ for you and your daughters, to whom this blow must be most +severe and sudden. He was so strong, and his health had borne the bad +climate, great fatigues, and anxieties so well, ever since he left +England, that, though we were much alarmed at hearing of his illness, +we were full of hopes of his speedy recovery. + +We must bow to the will of God; but to be taken away thus, on the eve +of the successful result of so much labour, so much suffering, and so +much anxiety, is cruel indeed! + +We feel much, too, for the brave Army, whom he was so proud of, who +will be sadly cast down at losing their gallant Commander, who had led +them so often to victory and glory. + +If sympathy can be any consolation, you have it, for _we all_ have +_alike_ to mourn, and no one more than I, who have lost a faithful and +devoted Servant, in whom I had the greatest confidence. + +We both most anxiously hope that your health, and that of your +daughters, may not materially suffer from this dreadful shock. Believe +me always, my dear Lady Raglan, yours very sincerely, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: GENERAL SIMPSON TAKES COMMAND] + + +_Queen Victoria to General Simpson._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _7th July 1855_. + +When the Queen last wrote to General Simpson to express to him, and +through him to her Army in the Crimea, her _deep_ grief at the loss +of their noble, gallant, and excellent Commander, it was not yet known +that Sir George Brown would return home, and that the command of the +Army would devolve upon General Simpson. She writes to him, therefore, +to-day, for the _first_ time as the Commander-in-Chief of her heroic +Army in the East, to assure him of her confidence and support. It is +as proud a command as any soldier could desire, but its difficulties +and responsibilities are also very great. + +General Simpson knows well how admirably his lamented predecessor +conducted all the communications with our Allies the French, and he +cannot do better than follow in the same course. While showing the +greatest readiness to act with perfect cordiality towards them, he +will, the Queen trusts, never allow her Army to be unduly pressed +upon, which would only injure both Armies. + +The Queen feels very anxious lest the fearful heat which the Army +is exposed to should increase cholera and fever. Both the Prince and +herself, the Queen can only repeat, have their minds _constantly_ +occupied with the Army, and count the days and hours between the +mails, and it would be a relief to the Queen to hear herself directly +from General Simpson from time to time when he has leisure to write. + +The Prince wishes to be most kindly named to General Simpson, and +joins with the Queen in every possible good wish for himself and her +brave and beloved troops. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S UNPOPULARITY] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _12th July 1855_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty.... + +Viscount Palmerston very much regrets to have to say that the adverse +feeling in regard to Lord John Russell grows stronger and spreads +wider every day, and there is a general desire that he should +resign.[62] This desire is expressed by the great bulk of the +steadiest supporters of the Government, and was conveyed to Lord John +this evening in the House of Commons by Mr Bouverie on behalf of those +members of the Government who are not in the Cabinet. Lord John has +himself come to the same conclusion, and informed Viscount Palmerston +this evening in the House of Commons that he has finally determined to +resign, and will to-morrow or next day write a letter to that effect +to be laid before your Majesty. Viscount Palmerston told him that +however great would be the loss of the Government by his resignation, +yet as this is a question which more peculiarly regards Lord John +personally, his course must be decided by his own judgment and +feelings; but that if he did not think necessary to resign, Viscount +Palmerston would face Sir Edward Bulwer's Motion with the Government +as it is.[63] He asked Lord John, however, whether, if he determined +to resign, there was any arrangement which he would wish to have +submitted for your Majesty's consideration, and especially whether, if +your Majesty should be graciously pleased to raise him to the Peerage, +such an Honour would be agreeable to him. He said that perhaps in the +autumn such an act of favour on the part of your Majesty might fall in +with his views and would be gratefully received, but it would not do +at present, and should not be mentioned.... + + [Footnote 62: Lord John Russell had, as stated above, favoured + the proposals of Count Buol at Vienna, compromising the Third + Point to the advantage of Russia. The Ministry had disavowed + this view, but Lord John had remained in office. On the 24th + of May, Mr Disraeli moved a vote of censure on the Government + for its conduct of the war, fiercely assailing Lord John for + his proceedings both at Vienna and as Minister. In repelling + the charge, Lord John made a vigorous speech disclosing no + disposition to modify the British attitude towards Russian + preponderance in the Black Sea, and Mr Disraeli's Motion was + lost by a majority of 100. On a subsequent night he made a + further speech strongly antagonistic to Russia, his attitude + as to the Austrian proposals being still undisclosed to the + public. But these speeches caused Count Buol to reveal the + favourable view taken of his proposals by the English + and French Plenipotentiaries, and Lord John Russell's + inconsistency aroused widespread indignation.] + + [Footnote 63: This Motion was one of censure on Lord John + Russell for his conduct at Vienna, and it was deeply galling + to be informed by subordinate members of the Government that, + unless he resigned, they would support the vote of censure. + Lord John bowed before the storm and retired from office.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL RESIGNS] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _13th July 1855_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +submits for your Majesty's gracious acceptance the resignation of Lord +John Russell's office, which Viscount Palmerston trusts your Majesty +will think is expressed in terms highly honourable to Lord John +Russell's feelings as a man and as a Minister. + +The step, Viscount Palmerston regrets to say, has become unavoidable. +The storm of public opinion, however much it may exceed any just or +reasonable cause, is too overbearing to be resisted, and Lord John +Russell has no doubt best consulted his own personal interests in +yielding to it. After a time there will be a reaction and justice will +be done; but resistance at present would be ineffectual, and would +only increase irritation. + +Viscount Palmerston is not as yet prepared to submit for your +Majesty's consideration the arrangement which will become necessary +for filling up the gap thus made in the Government.... + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _13th July 1855_. + +The Queen is much concerned by what Lord Palmerston writes respecting +the feeling of the House of Commons. Lord John's resignation, although +a severe loss, may possibly assuage the storm which he had chiefly +produced. But she finds that Sir E. Lytton's Motion will be equally +applicable to the Government after this event as it would have been +before it. She trusts that no stone will be left unturned to defeat +the success of that Motion, which would plunge the Queen and the +executive Government of the Country into new and most dangerous +complications. These are really not times to play with the existence +of Governments for personal feeling or interests! + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _14th July 1855_. + +The Queen has received Lord Palmerston's letter of yesterday, and +returns Lord John Russell's letter,[64] which reflects the greatest +credit on him. The resignation had become unavoidable, and Lord +Palmerston will do well to let the Debate go by before proposing a +successor, whom it will be difficult to find under any circumstances. +Having expressed her feelings on the position of affairs in her letter +of yesterday, she will not repeat them here. + +She grants her permission to Lord Palmerston to state in Parliament +what he may think necessary for the defence of the Cabinet. She could +have the Council here on Wednesday, which day will probably be the +least inconvenient to the Members of the Government. + +The Queen has just received Lord Palmerston's letter of last night, +which gives a more cheering prospect.[65] + + [Footnote 64: Stating that his continuance in office would + embarrass and endanger the Ministry.] + + [Footnote 65: In consequence of Lord John's resignation, the + motion of censure was withdrawn.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _24th July 1855_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I feel _quite_ grieved that it must again be _by +letter_ that I express to you all my feelings of love and affection, +which yesterday morning I could still do _de vive voix_. It was indeed +a _happy_ time; I only fear that I was a dull companion--silent, +absent, stupid, which I feel I have become since the War; and the +constant anxiety and preoccupation which that odious Sebastopol causes +me and my dear, brave Army, added to which the last week, or +indeed the _whole fortnight_ since we arrived here, was one of such +uncertainty about this tiresome scarlatina, that it made me still more +_preoccupee_. + +The _only_ thing that at all lessened my sorrow at seeing you depart +was my thankfulness that you got safe _out_ of our _Hospital_.... Ever +your devoted Niece and Child, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pagheading: AFFAIRS OF SWEDEN] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +OSBORNE, _27th July 1855_. + +The Queen has delayed answering Lord Clarendon's letter respecting +Sweden till she received the first letter from Mr Magenis,[66] +omitted in Lord Clarendon's box. Now, having read the whole of these +documents, she confesses that she requires some explanation as to the +advantages which are to arise to England from the proposed Treaty, +before she can come to any decision about it. When a Treaty with +Sweden was last in contemplation, she was to have joined in the war +against Russia and to have received a guarantee of the integrity of +her dominions by England and France in return; yet this clause was +found so onerous to this Country, and opening so entirely a new field +of questions and considerations, that the Cabinet would not +entertain it. Now the same guarantee is to be given by us without the +counterbalancing advantage of Sweden giving us her assistance in the +war. + + [Footnote 66: Mr (afterwards Sir) Arthur Charles Magenis, + Minister at Stockholm (and afterwards at Lisbon), had written + to say that an attempt was being made to change the partial + guarantee of Finmark into a general guarantee on behalf of + Sweden and Norway. An important Treaty was concluded between + Sweden and Norway, and the Western Powers, in the following + November, which secured the integrity of Sweden and Norway.] + + + + +[Pageheading: GENERAL SIMPSON'S DIFFICULTIES] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord Panmure._ + +OSBORNE, _30th July 1855_. + +The Queen has received Lord Panmure's letter of yesterday evening, +and has signed the dormant Commission for Sir W. Codrington. A similar +course was pursued with regard to Sir George Cathcart. The Queen hopes +that General Simpson may still rally. He must be in a great state of +helplessness at this moment, knowing that he wants, as everybody out +there, the advantages which Lord Raglan's name, experience, position, +rank, prestige, etc., etc., gave him, having his Military Secretary +ill on board, the head of the Intelligence Department dead, and no +means left him whereby to gather information or to keep up secret +correspondence with the Tartars--Colonel Vico[67] dead, who, as Prince +Edward told the Queen, had become a _most important_ element in the +good understanding with the French Army and its new Commander, and +not possessing military rank enough to make the Sardinian General[68] +consider him as his Chief. If all these difficulties are added to +those inherent to the task imposed upon him, one cannot be surprised +at his low tone of hopefulness. As most of these will, however, meet +every Commander whom we now can appoint, the Queen trusts that means +will be devised to assist him as much as possible in relieving him +from too much writing, and in the diplomatic correspondence he has to +carry on. The Queen repeats her opinion that a _Chef de Chancellerie +Diplomatique_, such as is customary in the Russian Army, ought to be +placed at his command, and she wishes Lord Panmure to show this letter +to Lords Palmerston and Clarendon, and to consult with them on the +subject. Neither the Chief of the Staff nor the Military Secretary +can supply that want, and the General himself must feel unequal to it +without any experience on the subject, and so will his successor. + +Prince Edward told the Queen _in strict confidence_ that General +Simpson's position in Lord Raglan's Headquarters had been anything +but pleasant, that the Staff had been barely civil to him; he was +generally treated as an interloper, so that the Sardinian and French +Officers attached to our Headquarters observed upon it as a strange +thing which would not be tolerated in their Armies, and that General +Simpson showed himself grateful to them for the civility which they +showed to a General Officer of rank _aux cheveux blancs_. These little +details, considered together with the General's extreme modesty, +enable one to conceive what his present feelings must be.[69] + + [Footnote 67: Colonel Vico, the French Commissioner attached + to Lord Raglan's staff, had died on the 10th.] + + [Footnote 68: General La Marmora.] + + [Footnote 69: The Russian resources for the defence of + Sebastopol, both as to ammunition and provisions, were + becoming exhausted, and a supreme effort was to be made, + by massing more Russian troops in the Crimea, to inflict a + decisive blow on the besieging forces of the Allies. Early on + the morning of the 16th of August Prince Gortschakoff attacked + the French and Piedmontese at the River Tchernaya. The attack + on the left was repulsed by the French with the utmost spirit + and with very little loss; while the Russian loss, both in + killed and wounded, was severe. The Sardinian army, under + General La Marmora, were no less successful on the right. The + news of this victory did not reach England until the Queen and + Prince had left for their visit to Paris.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +[OSBORNE, _7th August 1855_.] + +The Queen has read Sir B. Hall's[70] letter, and must say that she +quite concurs in the advantage resulting from the playing of a band +in Kensington Gardens on Sunday afternoon, a practice which has been +maintained on the Terrace at Windsor through good and evil report, +and she accordingly sanctions this proposal.[71] [She would wish Lord +Palmerston, however, to notice to Sir B. Hall that Hyde Park, although +under the management of the Board of Works, is still a Royal Park, +and that all the Regulations for opening and shutting gates, the +protection of the grounds and police regulations, etc., etc., stand +under the Ranger, who alone could give the order Sir B. Hall proposes +to issue....][72] + + [Footnote 70: First Commissioner of Public Works; afterwards + Lord Llanover.] + + [Footnote 71: The Government granted permission for the + Band to play, but the practice was discontinued in 1856. + See _post_, 1st June, 1856, note 31.] + + [Footnote 72: The portion of the letter within brackets was + struck out of the draft by the Queen.] + + + +[Pageheading: VISIT TO PARIS] + +[Pageheading: ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +ST CLOUD[73] _23rd August 1855_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I do not intend to attempt any description, for I +have no time for anything of the sort; besides, I have no doubt you +will read the papers, and I know good Van de Weyer has written _au +long_ to you about it all. I will therefore only give in a few words +my impressions. + +I am _delighted_, _enchanted_, _amused_, and _interested_, and think +I never saw anything more _beautiful_ and gay than Paris--or more +splendid than all the Palaces. Our reception is _most_ gratifying--for +it is enthusiastic and really kind in the highest degree; and Marechal +Magnan[74] (whom you know well) says that such a reception as I have +received _every day here_ is much greater and much more enthusiastic +even than Napoleon on his return from his victories had received! Our +entrance into Paris was a scene which was _quite feenhaft_, and +which could hardly be seen anywhere else; was quite _overpowering_-- +splendidly decorated--illuminated--immensely +crowded--and 60,000 troops out--from the Gare de Strasbourg to St +Cloud, of which 20,000 Gardes Nationales, who had come great distances +to see me. + +The Emperor has done wonders for Paris, and for the Bois de Boulogne. +Everything is beautifully _monte_ at Court--_very_ quiet, and +in excellent order; I must say we are both much struck with the +difference between this and the poor King's time, when the noise, +confusion, and bustle were great. We have been to the Exposition, +to Versailles--which is most splendid and magnificent--to the Grand +Opera, where the reception and the way in which "God save the Queen" +was sung were _most magnificent_. Yesterday we went to the Tuileries; +in the evening _Theatre ici_; to-night an immense ball at the Hotel de +Ville. They have asked to call a new street, which we opened, _after +me!_ + +The heat is very great, but the weather splendid, and though the sun +may be hotter, the air is certainly _lighter_ than ours--and I have no +headache. + +The _Zouaves_ are on guard here, and you can't see finer men; the Cent +Gardes are splendid too. + +We drove to look at poor Neuilly on Sunday, the Emperor and Empress +proposing it themselves; and it was a most _melancholy sight_, all in +ruins. At _le grand Trianon_ we saw the pretty chapel in which poor +Marie was married; at the Tuileries the Cabinet where the poor King +signed his fatal abdication. I wish _you_ would take an opportunity of +telling the poor Queen that we had thought much of her and the family +here, had visited those spots which were connected with them in +particular, and that we had greatly admired the King's great works at +Versailles, which have been left _quite intact_. Indeed, the Emperor +(as in everything) has shown _great_ tact and good feeling about all +this, and spoke without any bitterness of the King. + +I still mean to visit (and this was _his_ proposition) the Chapelle de +St Ferdinand, which I hope you will likewise mention to the Queen.... + +The children are so fond of the Emperor, who is so very kind to them. +He _is_ very _fascinating_, with that great quiet and gentleness. He +has certainly excellent manners, and both he and the dear and _very_ +charming Empress (whom Albert likes particularly) do the _honneurs +extremely_ well and _very_ gracefully, and are full of _every kind_ +attention.... + +Instead of my short letter I have written you a very long one, and +must end. Many thanks for your kind letter of the 17th. + +How beautiful and how enjoyable is this place! Ever your devoted +Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 73: The Queen and Prince left Osborne early on the + 18th in their new yacht, _Victoria and Albert_, for Boulogne, + and the visit to France, which lasted nine days, was + brilliantly successful. The Queen, in her Journal, recorded + with great minuteness the details of this interesting time, + and some extracts are printed by Sir Theodore Martin in _The + Life of the Prince Consort_.] + + [Footnote 74: Marshal Magnan had repressed an insurrection in + Lyons in 1849, and aided in the _Coup d'Etat_ of 1851.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LETTER TO THE EMPEROR] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Emperor of the French._ + +OSBORNE, _le 29 Aout 1855_. + +SIRE ET MON CHER FRERE,--Une de mes premieres occupations en arrivant +ici est d'ecrire a votre Majeste et d'exprimer du fond de mon c[oe]ur +combien nous sommes penetres et touches de l'accueil qui nous a ete +fait en France d'abord par votre Majeste et l'Imperatrice ainsi +que par toute la Nation. Le souvenir ne s'effacera jamais de notre +memoire, et j'aime a y voir un gage precieux pour le futur de la +cordialite qui unit nos deux Gouvernements ainsi que nos deux peuples. +Puisse cette heureuse union, que nous devons surtout aux qualites +personnelles de votre Majeste, se consolider de plus en plus pour le +bien-etre de nos deux nations ainsi que de toute l'Europe. + +C'etait avec le c[oe]ur bien gros j'ai pris conge de vous, Sire, apres +les beaux et heureux jours que nous avons passes avec vous et que vous +avez su nous rendre si agreables. Helas! comme toute chose ici-bas, +ils se sont ecoules trop vite et ces dix jours de fetes paraissent +comme un beau reve, mais ils nous restent graves dans notre memoire +et nous aimons a passer en revue tout ce qui s'est presente a nos yeux +d'interessant et de beau en eprouvant en meme temps le desir de les +voir se renouveler un jour. + +Je ne saurais vous dire assez, Sire, combien je suis touchee de toutes +vos bontes et de votre amitie pour le Prince et aussi de l'affection +et de la bienveillance dont vous avez comble nos enfants. Leur sejour +en France a ete la plus heureuse epoque de leur vie, et ils ne cessent +d'en parler. + +Nous avons trouve tous les autres enfants en bonne sante, et le petit +Arthur se promene avec son bonnet de police qui fait son bonheur et +dont il ne veut pas se separer. Que Dieu veille sur votre Majeste et +la chere Imperatrice pour laquelle je forme bien des v[oe]ux. + +Vous m'avez dit encore du bateau "au revoir," c'est de tout mon +c[oe]ur que je le repete aussi! + +Permettez que j'exprime ici tous les sentiments de tendre amitie et +d'affection avec lesquelles je me dis, Sire et cher Frere, de votre +Majeste Imperiale, la bien bonne et affectionnee S[oe]ur et Amie, + +VICTORIA R. + +Je viens a l'instant meme de recevoir la si aimable depeche +telegraphique de votre Majeste. Recevez-en tous mes remerciments les +plus affectueux. + + + + +[Pageheading: AN _ENTENTE CORDIALE_] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _29th August 1855_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Here we are again, after the _pleasantest_ and +_most interesting_ and triumphant ten days that I think I ever passed. +So complete a success, so very hearty and kind a reception with and +from so _difficile_ a people as the French is indeed _most_ gratifying +and _most_ promising for the future. The Army were most friendly and +amicable towards us also. + +In short, the _complete_ Union of the two countries is stamped and +sealed in the most satisfactory and solid manner, for it is not _only_ +a Union of the two Governments--the two Sovereigns--it is that of +the _two Nations!_ Albert has told you of all the very extraordinary +combinations of circumstances which helped to make all so interesting, +so satisfactory. Of the splendour of the _Fete_ at Versailles I can +really give _no_ faint impression, for it exceeded all imagination! I +have formed a _great_ affection for the Emperor, and I believe it is +very reciprocal, for he showed us a confidence which we must feel +as very gratifying, and spoke to us on all subjects, even the _most +delicate_. I find _no_ great personal rancour towards the Orleans. He +has destroyed nothing that the King did, even to the Gymnastics of the +children at St Cloud, and showed much kind and good feeling in taking +us to see poor Chartres' monument, which is beautiful. Nothing could +exceed his tact and kindness. I find I must end in a great hurry, and +will say more another day. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: PERSONAL FRIENDSHIP] + + +_Queen Victoria to Baron Stockmar._ + +OSBORNE, _1st September 1855_. + +You continue to refuse to answer me, but I am _not_ discouraged by it; +but on the contrary _must_ write to you to give _vent_ to my _delight_ +at our triumphant, most interesting, and most enjoyable visit to +Paris! The Prince has written to you, and given you some general +accounts, which will please you, and the _Times_ has some descriptions +... of the wonderful beauty and magnificence of _every_thing. I never +enjoyed myself more, or was more delighted or more interested, _and +I can think_ and talk of nothing else. I am _deeply_ touched by the +extraordinary warmth, heartiness, and enthusiasm with which we have +been received by _all_ ranks, and the kindness shown to every one +has brought us all back--beginning with ourselves and ending with +the lowest of our servants--full of gratitude, pleasure, admiration, +regret at its being over, and a great desire to see such a visit +renewed! It was touching and pleasing in the extreme to see the +alliance sealed so completely, and without lowering _either_ Country's +pride, and to see old enmities and rivalries _wiped out_ over the tomb +of Napoleon I., before whose coffin I stood (by torchlight) at the arm +of Napoleon III., now my nearest and dearest ally! We have come back +with feelings of _real_ affection for and interest in _France_--and +indeed how could it be otherwise when one saw _how_ much was done to +_please_ and delight us? The Army too (such a fine one!) I feel a real +affection for, as the companions of my beloved troops! + +For the Emperor _personally_ I have conceived a _real_ affection and +friendship, and so I may truly say of the Prince. You know what _I +felt_ the moment I saw him and became acquainted with him, what I +wrote down about him, etc. Well, we have now seen him for full _ten +days_, from twelve to fourteen hours every day--often alone; and I +cannot say _how_ pleasant and easy it is to live with him, or how +attached one becomes to him. I know _no_ one who puts me more at my +ease, or to whom I felt more inclined to talk unreservedly, or in whom +involuntarily I should be more inclined to confide, than the Emperor! +He was entirely at his ease with us--spoke most openly and frankly +with us on all subjects--EVEN the _most_ delicate, viz. the Orleans +Family (this was with _me_, for I was driving alone with him), and I +am happy to _feel_ that there is nothing now between us which could +_mar_ our personal good _entente_ and friendly and intimate footing. +He is so simple, so _naif_, never making _des phrases_, or paying +compliments--so full of tact, good taste, high breeding; his +attentions and respect towards us were so simple and unaffected, his +kindness and friendship for the Prince so natural and so gratifying, +_because_ it is _not_ forced, not _pour faire des compliments_. He +is quite _The Emperor_, and yet in _no_ way playing it; the Court and +whole house infinitely more _regal_ and better managed than in poor +Louis Philippe's time, when all was in great noise and confusion, and +there was _no_ Court. We parted with _mutual_ sorrow, and the Emperor +expressed his hope that we shall frequently meet and "pas avec de si +grandes ceremonies"! + +What I write here is my feeling and conviction: wonderful it is that +this _man_--whom certainly we were _not_ over well-disposed to--should +by _force_ of _circumstances_ be drawn into such close connection with +us, and become _personally_ our friend, and _this_ entirely by his +_own personal_ qualities, in spite of so much that _was and could_ be +said against him! To the children (who behaved beautifully, and had +the most extraordinary success) his kindness, and judicious kindness, +was _great_, and they are _excessively_ fond of him. In short, without +_attempting_ to do anything particular to _make_ one like him, or +ANY personal attraction in outward appearance, he _has_ the power +of _attaching_ those to him who come near him and know him, which is +_quite incredible_. He is excessively kind in private, and so very +quiet. I shall always look back on the time passed not only in France, +but with _him_ personally, as _most_ agreeable. The Prince, though +less enthusiastic than I am, I can see well, shares this feeling, and +I think it is very reciprocal on the Emperor's part; he is very fond +of the Prince and truly appreciates him. With respect to the War, +nothing can be more frank and fair and honest than he is about it, but +it makes him unhappy and anxious. + +The dear Empress, who was all kindness and goodness, whom we are all +very fond of, we saw comparatively but little of, as for _really_ and +_certainly very_ good reasons she must take great care of herself.... + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: MISGOVERNMENT AT NAPLES] + +[Pageheading: CO-OPERATION OF THE POWERS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +OSBORNE, _3rd September 1855_. + +The Queen has read the enclosed papers, and must express her strongest +objection to a Naval Demonstration (which to be effectual must be +prepared to pass on to measures of hostility), in order to obtain +changes in the _internal system of Government_ of the Kingdom of +Naples.[75] England would thereby undertake a responsibility which +she is in no way capable of bearing, unless she took the Government +permanently into her own hands. The plea on which the interference is +to be based, viz. that the misgovernment at Naples brings Monarchical +institutions into disrepute, and might place weapons in the hands of +the democracy (as put forth by Sir W. Temple),[76] would be wholly +_insufficient_ to justify the proceeding. Whether such an armed +interference in favour of the people of Naples against their +Government would lead to a Revolution or not, as apprehended by the +French Government and disbelieved by Lord Palmerston, must be so +entirely a matter of chance that it would be idle to predict the +exact consequences. If 99 out of every 100 Neapolitans, however, are +dissatisfied with their Government (as Lord Palmerston states), it +is not unreasonable to expect that our demonstration may give them +confidence enough to rise, and if beat down by the King's troops +in presence of our ships, our position would become exceedingly +humiliating. + +Any insult offered to the British Government, on the other hand, it +has a perfect right to resent, and to ask reparation for. The case, +however, is a very unpleasant one. The Neapolitan Government deny +having intended any slight on the British Legation by the order +respecting the Box of the "Intendant du Theatre," which they state to +have been general, and deny any intention to interfere with the free +intercourse of the members of our Legation with Neapolitans, to which +Sir W. Temple merely replies that notwithstanding the denial such an +intention is believed by the public to exist. + +The case becomes therefore a very delicate one, requiring the greatest +care on our part not to put ourselves in the wrong. + +It will be of the greatest importance to come to a thorough +understanding with France, and if possible also with Austria, on the +subject. + + [Footnote 75: Lord Palmerston had suggested co-operation + by England and France in obtaining the dismissal of the + Neapolitan Minister of Police as an _amende_ for an + affront offered to this country, to be enforced by a naval + demonstration, coupled with a demand for the liberation of + political prisoners.] + + [Footnote 76: The Hon. Sir William Temple, K.C.B. [_d._ 1856], + only brother of Lord Palmerston, Minister Plenipotentiary to + the Court of Naples.] + + + + +_Lord Panmure to Earl Granville._[77] + +[_Telegram._] + +_10th September 1855._ + +Telegram from General Simpson, dated Crimea, nine September, one +eight five five, ten nine A.M. "Sebastopol is in the possession of the +Allies. The enemy during the night and this morning have evacuated +the south side after exploding their Magazines and setting fire to the +whole of the Town. All the men-of-war were burnt during the night with +the exception of three Steamers, which are plying about the Harbour. +The Bridge communicating with the North side is broken." + +War Department, tenth September, one eight five five, four forty-five +P.M.... + + [Footnote 77: Minister in attendance at Balmoral. The Queen + and Prince occupied their new home for the first time on the + 7th of September; it was not yet completed, but, the Queen + wrote, "the house is charming, the rooms delightful, the + furniture, papers, everything, perfection."] + + + + +[Pageheading: FALL OF SEBASTOPOL] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BALMORAL CASTLE, _11th September 1855_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--The great event has at length taken +place--_Sebastopol has fallen!_ We received the news here last night +when we were sitting quietly round our table after dinner. We did what +we could to celebrate it; but that was but little, for to my grief +we have not _one_ soldier, no band, nothing here to make any sort +of demonstration. What we did do was in Highland fashion to light +a _bonfire_ on the top of a hill opposite the house, which had been +built last year when the premature news of the fall of Sebastopol +deceived every one, and which we had to leave _unlit_, and found here +on our return! + +On Saturday evening we heard of one Russian vessel having been +destroyed, on Sunday morning of the destruction of another, +yesterday morning of the fall of the Malakhoff Tower--and _then_ of +_Sebastopol!_ We were not successful against the Redan on the 8th, +and I fear our loss was considerable. Still the _daily_ loss in the +trenches was becoming so serious that no loss in achieving such a +result is to be compared to that. This event will delight my brother +and faithful ally--and _friend_, Napoleon III.--I may add, for we +really are _great friends_; this attempt,[78] though that of a madman, +is very distressing and makes one _tremble_.... + +We expect the young Prince Fritz Wilhelm[79] of Prussia on a little +visit here on Friday. + +I must now conclude. With Albert's love, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 78: As he was about to enter the Opera House on the + evening of the 7th, the Emperor was fired at without effect by + one Bellegarde, who had been previously convicted of fraud, + on which occasion his punishment had been mitigated by + the Emperor's clemency; he was now sentenced to two years' + imprisonment.] + + [Footnote 79: Only son of the Prince of Prussia, and + afterwards the Emperor Frederick.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE MALAKHOFF] + + +_Lord Panmure to General Simpson._ + +[_Telegram._] + +_12th September 1855._ + +The Queen has received, with deep emotion, the welcome intelligence of +the fall of Sebastopol. + +Penetrated with profound gratitude to the Almighty, who has vouchsafed +this triumph to the Allied Armies, Her Majesty has commanded me to +express to yourself, and through you to the Army, the pride with which +she regards this fresh instance of its heroism. + +The Queen congratulates her Troops on the triumphant issue of this +protracted siege, and thanks them for the cheerfulness and fortitude +with which they have encountered its toils, and the valour which has +led to its termination. + +The Queen deeply laments that this success in not without its alloy in +the heavy losses which have been sustained; and while she rejoices in +the victory, Her Majesty deeply sympathises with the noble sufferers +in their country's cause. + +You will be pleased to congratulate General Pelissier in Her Majesty's +name upon the brilliant result of the assault on the Malakhoff, which +proves the irresistible force as well as indomitable courage of her +brave Allies. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to General Simpson._ + +BALMORAL, _14th September 1855_. + +With a heart full of gratitude and pride, as well as of sorrow for the +many valuable lives that have been lost, the Queen writes to General +Simpson to congratulate him, as well on her own part as on that of +the Prince, on the glorious news of the _Fall of Sebastopol!_ General +Simpson must indeed _feel proud_ to have commanded the Queen's noble +Army on _such_ an occasion. + +She wishes him to express to that gallant Army her high sense of their +gallantry, and her joy and satisfaction at their labours, anxieties, +and cruel sufferings, for nearly a year, having _at length_ been +crowned with such success. + +To General Pelissier[80] also, and his gallant Army, whom the Queen +ever unites in her thoughts and wishes with her own beloved troops, +she would wish General Simpson to convey the expression of her +personal warm congratulations, as well as of her sympathy for their +losses. + +The Queen intends to mark her sense of General Simpson's services by +conferring upon him the Grand Cross of the Bath. + +We are _now_ most anxious that not a moment should be lost in +following up this great victory, and in driving the Russians, while +still under the depressing effect of their failure, from the Crimea! + + [Footnote 80: He now became Duke of Malakhoff, and a Marshal + of the French Army.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ATTITUDE OF AUSTRIA] + + +_Earl Granville to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +BALMORAL, _14th September 1855_. + +MY DEAR CLARENDON,--I was sent for after breakfast. The Queen and the +Prince are much pleased with the draft of your Despatch to Naples; +they think it good and dignified. With respect to the draft to Lord +Stratford, instructing him to recommend to the Porte an application +to the Austrian Government for the withdrawal or diminution of the +Austrian troops in the Principalities, I have been commanded to write +what the Queen has not time this morning to put on paper. Her Majesty +does not feel that the objects of this proposed Despatch have been +sufficiently explained. It does not appear to Her Majesty that, in +a military point of view, the plans of the Allies are sufficiently +matured to make it clear whether the withdrawal of the Austrian Army +would be an advantage or a disadvantage. If the Allies intend to +march through the Principalities, and attack Russia on that side, the +presence of the Austrians might be an inconvenience. If, on the other +hand, they advance from the East, it is a positive advantage to have +the Russians contained on the other flank, by the Austrians in their +present position. Looking at the political bearing of this move, Her +Majesty thinks that it will not fail to have an unfavourable effect on +Austria, who will be hurt at the Allies urging the Porte to endeavour +to put an end to an arrangement entered into at the suggestion, or at +all events with the approval, of the Allies. It cannot be an object +at this moment, when extraneous circumstances have probably acted +favourably for us on the minds of the Emperor of Austria and his +Government, to check that disposition, make them distrust us, and +incline them to throw themselves towards Russia, who now will spare no +efforts to gain them. Her Majesty sees by your proposed Despatch you +do not expect the Austrians to comply with this demand. Even if they +consented to diminish the numbers of their Troops, they would do so +only to suit their own convenience, and such diminution would in no +ways decrease the evils of the occupation. Lastly, the Queen is of +opinion that if such a proposal is to be made, it ought not to be done +through Lord Stratford and the Porte, but that the subject should +be broached at Vienna and the Austrian Government asked what their +intentions are; that this would be the more friendly, more open, and +more dignified course, and more likely than the other plan of being +successful. Her Majesty, however, doubts that any such demand will be +acceded to by the Austrians, and believes that their refusal will put +the Allies in an awkward position. + +This is, I believe, the pith of Her Majesty's opinions--there appears +to me to be much sense in them--and they are well deserving of your +and Palmerston's consideration. Yours sincerely, + +GRANVILLE. + + + + +[Pageheading: LIFE PEERAGES] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BALMORAL, _19th September 1855_. + +The Queen has to thank Lord Palmerston for his letter of the 16th. The +want of Law Lords in the Upper House has often been complained of, and +the Queen has long been of opinion that in order to remedy the same +without adding permanently to the Peerage, the Crown ought to use its +prerogative in creating Peers for life only. Lord Lansdowne coincided +with this view, and Lord John Russell actually proposed a "Life +Peerage" to Dr. Lushington, who declined it, however, from a dislike +to become the first of the kind. Mr Pemberton Leigh has _twice_ +declined a Peerage, but the Queen can have no objection to its being +offered to him again.[81]... + + [Footnote 81: See _ante_, vol. ii., 25th January, 1851, note 1.] + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _20th September 1855_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty.... + +A Blue Ribbon has become vacant by the death of the late Duke of +Somerset, and Viscount Palmerston having communicated with Lord +Lansdowne and Lord Clarendon on the subject, would beg to submit for +your Majesty's gracious consideration that this honour might be well +conferred upon the Duke of Newcastle, who has been the object of much +undeserved attack, though certainly from inexperience not altogether +exempt from criticism, and who since his retirement from office +has shaped his public course in a manner honourable to himself, and +advantageously contrasting with the aberrations of some of his former +colleagues.[82] + +Your Majesty must no doubt have been struck with the vast accumulation +of warlike stores found at Sebastopol. That there should have remained +there four thousand cannon, after the wear and tear of the Siege, +proves the great importance attached by the Russian Government to that +Arsenal over which your Majesty's Flag is now triumphantly flying. + + [Footnote 82: He had gone out to the Crimea, and entered + Sebastopol with General Simpson. The Duke did not at this time + accept the Garter, which was bestowed on Earl Fortescue. See + _post_, 26th November, 1855, note 98.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DISTRIBUTION OF HONOURS] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BALMORAL, _21st September 1855_. + +The Queen is anxious to mark her sense of the services of the Army and +Military Departments at home by conferring the rank of Field-Marshal +on Lord Hardinge, who, from his position as Commander-in-Chief, +and his long, distinguished services, has a strong claim to such an +honour. Moreover, Marshal Vaillant receiving the G.C.B., whilst it +has been thought more prudent not to accept the _Legion d'Honneur_ for +Lord Hardinge, makes it the more desirable. The Prince is now again +the only Field-Marshal in the Army, which has always had several. The +Queen thinks that Lord Combermere, being the second senior officer of +the whole Army, a full General of 1825, might expect not to be passed +over when Lord Hardinge is made. The only other General of distinction +and seniority might be Lord Strafford, but he is only a full General +of 1841. On this point Lord Palmerston might consult Lord Hardinge +himself. If he and Lord Combermere alone are made, the honour is the +greater for him.[83] + +The Queen thinks likewise that Lord Panmure ought to receive a mark +of favour and approval of his conduct on the occasion of the Fall of +Sebastopol; either the Civil G.C.B. or a step in the Peerage--that of +Viscount.[84] + +Lord Palmerston would perhaps, without delay, give his opinion +on these subjects to the Queen; the honours she would wish then +_personally_ to bestow upon the recipients, and she thinks the arrival +of the official Despatches the right moment for doing so. + + [Footnote 83: Lord Hardinge, Lord Strafford, and Lord + Combermere were all made Field-Marshals.] + + [Footnote 84: He received the G.C.B.] + + + + +_The Prince Albert to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +BALMORAL, _21st September 1855_. + +MY DEAR LORD CLARENDON,--The Queen wishes me to send you the enclosed +letters, with the request that they may be sent by messengers to +Coblentz.[85] + +I may tell you in the strictest confidence that Prince Frederic +William has yesterday laid before us his wish for an alliance with the +Princess Royal with the full concurrence of his parents, as well as +of the King of Prussia. We have accepted his proposal as far as we are +personally concerned, but have asked that the child should not be +made acquainted with it until after her confirmation, which is to take +place next Spring, when he might make it to her himself, and receive +from her own lips the answer which is only valuable when flowing +from those of the person chiefly concerned. A marriage would not be +possible before the completion of the Princess's seventeenth year, +which is in two years from this time. The Queen empowers me to say +that you may communicate this event to Lord Palmerston, but we beg +that under present circumstances it may be kept a strict secret. What +the world may say we cannot help. Ever yours, etc., + +ALBERT. + + [Footnote 85: The Prince and Princess of Prussia were then at + Coblentz.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PRINCE FREDERICH WILLIAM] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BALMORAL, _22nd September 1855_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I profit by your own messenger to confide to _you_, +and to _you alone_, begging you not to mention it to your children, +that _our_ wishes on the subject of a future marriage for Vicky _have_ +been realised in the _most gratifying_ and _satisfactory_ manner. + +On Thursday (20th) after breakfast, Fritz Wilhelm said he was anxious +to speak of a subject which _he_ knew his parents had never broached +to us--which _was to belong to our_ Family; that this had long been +his wish, that he had the entire concurrence and _approval_ not +only of his parents but of the King--and that finding Vicky _so +allerliebst_, he could delay _no_ longer in making this proposal. I +need _not_ tell you with _what_ joy _we_ accepted him _for_ our +part; but the child herself is to know nothing till _after_ her +confirmation, which is to take place next Easter, when he probably +will come over, and, as he wishes himself, make her the proposal, +which, however, I have little--indeed no--doubt she will gladly +_accept_. He is a dear, excellent, charming young man, whom we shall +give our dear child to with perfect confidence. What pleases us +greatly is to see that he is really delighted with Vicky. + +Now, with Albert's affectionate love, and with the prayer that _you_ +will give _your_ blessing to this alliance, as you have done to ours, +ever your devoted Niece and Child, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _22nd September 1855_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +begs, in the first place, to be allowed to offer to your Majesty his +most sincere congratulations upon the prospective arrangement which +His Royal Highness the Prince Albert announced in his letter to Lord +Clarendon, but which, for obvious reasons, should be left to public +conjecture for the present. Viscount Palmerston trusts that the event, +when, it takes place, will contribute as much to the happiness of +those more immediately concerned, and to the comfort of your Majesty +and of the Royal Family, as it undoubtedly will to the interests of +the two countries, and of Europe in general.... + +Viscount Palmerston begs to state that the Professorship of Greek +at the University of Oxford, which was held by the late Dean of +Christchurch,[86] is still vacant, Viscount Palmerston having +doubts as to the best person to be appointed. The present Dean of +Christchurch admitted that the Professorship ought to be separated +from the Deanery; he has now recommended for the Professorship the +Rev. B. Jowett, Fellow and Tutor of Balliol College, who is an +eminent Greek scholar and won the Hertford Scholarship; and Viscount +Palmerston submits, for your Majesty's gracious approval, that Mr +Jowett may be appointed. + + [Footnote 86: The Very Rev. Thomas Gaisford, D.D., who was + appointed Regius Professor of Greek in 1811, and Dean of + Christchurch in 1831.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE COLONIAL OFFICE] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _31st October 1855_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +to state that he has this morning seen Lord Stanley, and offered to +him the post of Secretary of State for the Colonies.[87] Lord Stanley +expressed himself as highly gratified personally by an offer which +he said he was wholly unprepared to receive, and which was above +his expectations and pretensions; but he said that as he owed to his +father Lord Derby whatever position he may have gained in public +life, he could not give an answer without first consulting Lord Derby. +Viscount Palmerston said that of course in making the proposal, he had +taken for granted that Lord Stanley would consult Lord Derby first, +because a son would not take a decision on such a subject without +consulting his father, even if that father were merely in private +life; and next because such a course would be still more natural in +this case, considering Lord Derby's political position with reference +to those with whom Lord Stanley has more or less been generally +acting. Lord Stanley said that he should go down to Knowsley by the +five o'clock train this afternoon, and that he would at an early +moment communicate his answer to Viscount Palmerston; but he said +that if he was to state now his anticipation of what Lord Derby would +recommend and wish him to do, it would rather be to decline the offer. + + [Footnote 87: Sir William Molesworth, who had represented + Radicalism in the Cabinets of Lord Aberdeen and Lord + Palmerston, died on the 22nd, at the age of forty-five. The + Premier thereupon offered the vacant place to Lord Stanley, + one of his political opponents, then only twenty-eight, who + was the son of the leader of the Conservative Opposition, + and had already held office under his father. Lord Stanley's + temperament was, in fact, more inclined to Liberalism than + that of Lord Palmerston himself, and, twenty-seven years + later, he took the office in a Liberal Government which he now + declined.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MR SIDNEY HERBERT] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _10th November 1855_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +begs to state that in consequence of some things that passed in +conversation at Sir Charles Wood's two days ago, when Mr and Mrs +Sidney Herbert dined there, Sir Charles Wood is under a strong +impression that Mr Herbert would be willing to separate himself from +Mr Gladstone and Sir James Graham, and the Peace Party, and to join +the present Government. Viscount Palmerston having well considered +the matter in concert with Sir Charles Wood and Sir George Grey, is +of opinion that it would be advantageous not only for the present, but +also with a view to the future, to detach Mr Herbert from the clique +with which accidental circumstances have for the moment apparently +associated him, and to fix him to better principles of action than +those by which Mr Gladstone and Sir James Graham appear to be guided. +For this purpose Viscount Palmerston proposes with your Majesty's +sanction to offer to Mr Herbert to return to the Colonial Office, +which he held on the formation of the present Government. + +Mr Herbert is the most promising man of his standing in the House of +Commons, and is personally very popular in that House; he is a good +and an improving speaker, and his accession to the Government would +add a good speaker to the Treasury Bench, and take away a good speaker +from ranks that may become hostile. + +He would also supply the place of Lord Canning as a kind of link +between the Government and some well-disposed members of both Houses +who belonged more or less to what is called the Peel Party. It would +be necessary, of course, to ascertain clearly that Mr Herbert's views +about the war and about conditions of peace are the same as they were +when he was a Member of the Government, and not such as those which Mr +Gladstone and Sir James Graham have of late adopted. + +If Mr Herbert were to accept, Sir George Grey, who has a strong +disinclination for the Colonies, would remain at the Home Office; and +if Lord Harrowby would take the Post Office, which must be held by a +Peer, the Duchy of Lancaster, which may be held by a Commoner, might +be offered to Mr Baines[88] with a seat in the Cabinet, and Mr Baines +might perhaps, with reference to his health, prefer an office not +attended with much departmental business of detail, while he would be +thus more free to make himself master of general questions. Such an +arrangement would leave the Cabinet, as stated in the accompanying +paper, seven and seven; and if afterwards Lord Stanley of Alderley +were added in the Lords, and Sir Benjamin Hall in the Commons, which, +however, would be a matter entirely for future consideration, the +equality of division would still be preserved.[89] + +Viscount Palmerston finds that Mr Herbert is gone down to Wilton, and +as Viscount Palmerston is going this afternoon to Broadlands to +remain there till Tuesday morning, he proposes during the interval to +communicate with Mr Herbert, Wilton being not much more than an hour's +distance from Broadlands by the Salisbury railway. + + [Footnote 88: Mr. Matthew Talbot Baines died prematurely in + 1860. His abilities were of a solid rather than a brilliant + kind.] + + [Footnote 89: Mr. Labouchere became Colonial Secretary. See + List of Cabinet as it stood in 1858, _post_, 25th February, 1858.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MR HERBERT DECLINES OFFICE] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +BROADLANDS, _11th November 1855_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +to state that he has seen Mr Sidney Herbert, who declines joining the +Government, because he thinks that his doing so would expose both him +and the Government to the suspicion of having altered their opinions. +The difference between him and the Government is not as to the +necessity of prosecuting the war with vigour, but as to the conditions +of peace with which he would be satisfied. He would consent to accept +conditions which he is aware that the country would not approve, and +to which he does not expect that the Government would agree. Viscount +Palmerston will have to consider with his Colleagues on Tuesday what +arrangement it will be best for him to submit for the sanction of your +Majesty. + + + + +[Pageheading: PEACE NEGOTIATIONS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _13th November 1855_. + +The Queen returns the enclosed most important letters. She has read +them with much interest, but not without a very anxious feeling that +great changes are taking place in the whole position of the Eastern +Question and the War, without our having the power to direct them +or even a complete knowledge of them.[90] Should Austria really be +sincere,--if the Emperor Napoleon is really determined not to carry on +the war on a large scale without her joining, we shall be obliged by +common prudence to follow him in his negotiations. He may mistrust our +secrecy and diplomacy, and wish to obtain by his personal exertions +a continental league against Russia. The missions to Stockholm and +Copenhagen, the language to Baron Beust and M. von der Pfordten and M. +de Bourqueney's single-handed negotiation, seem to point to this. +Can Russia have secretly declared her readiness to accept the +"Neutralisation"? It is hardly possible, and if so it would be a +concession we cannot refuse to close upon. Whatever may be the case, +the Queen thinks it the wisest course not to disturb the Emperor's +plans, or to show suspicion of them, but merely to insist upon the +importance of the Army in the Crimea being kept so imposing that +Russia cannot safely arrange her plans on the supposition of a change +of policy on the part of the Western Powers. + +Had the Queen known of Lord Cowley's letter a few hours earlier, she +could have spoken to the Duke of Cambridge, who was here; as it was, +both she and the Prince were very cautious and reserved in what they +told him. + +The Queen thought it right to let Sir Hamilton Seymour, who is staying +here, see the letters, as his thorough acquaintance with the present +position of affairs is most important. + + [Footnote 90: The Emperor was now bent on the termination + of hostilities, and the French and Austrian Governments had + concerted proposals for peace to be submitted to Russia, with + which they somewhat peremptorily demanded that England should + concur. Lord Palmerston announced that, rather than make an + unsatisfactory peace, he would continue the war without the + aid of France. States such as Saxony and Bavaria favoured + Russia, and Baron Beust and M. von der Pfordten, their + respective Prime Ministers, had interviews with the Emperor, + who was anxious for peace on the basis of the Third Point, + on which, since the fall of Sebastopol, the Allies were in a + better position to insist.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Charles Wood._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _16th November 1855_. + +The Queen wishes to draw Sir Charles Wood's attention to a subject +which may become of much importance for the future. It is the absence +of any Dockyard for building and repairing out of the Channel, +with the exception of Pembroke. Should we ever be threatened by +a combination of Russia and France, the absence of a Government +establishment in the north would be very serious. It strikes the Queen +that the present moment, when our yards hardly supply the demands +made upon them, and when attention is directed to the Baltic, is a +particularly favourable one to add an establishment in the Firth of +Forth, for which the Queen believes the Government possess the ground +at Leith. Such a measure would at the same time be very popular in +Scotland, and by making the Queen's Navy known there, which it hardly +is at present, would open a new field for recruiting our Marine. + +Whether Cork in Ireland should not also be made more available is very +well worth consideration. + +The Queen would ask Sir Charles to communicate this letter to Lord +Palmerston, who has always had the state of our powers of defence so +much at heart. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE AUSTRIAN ULTIMATUM] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _19th November 1855_. + +The Queen has attentively perused the voluminous papers, which she now +returns according to Lord Clarendon's wish. + +An anxious consideration of their contents has convinced her that it +would be the height of impolicy if we were not to enter fairly and +unreservedly into the French proposal, and she wishes Lord Clarendon +to express this her opinion to the Cabinet. + +The terms of the Austrian Ultimatum are clear and complete and very +favourable to us, if accepted by Russia.[91] If refused, which they +almost must be, rupture of diplomatic relations between Austria and +Russia is a decided step gained by us, and will produce a state of +things which can scarcely fail to lead them to war. + +A refusal to entertain the proposal may induce and perhaps justify the +Emperor of the French in backing out of the War, which would leave us +in a miserable position. + +If we are to agree to the Emperor's wishes, it must be politic not to +risk the advantage of the whole measure by a discussion with Austria +upon minor points of detail, which will cost time, and may lead to +differences. + + [Footnote 91: The Queen and her Ministers, however, insisted + that the neutralisation clause (the Third Point) should be + made effective, not left illusory, and incorporated in the + principal and not in a supplementary treaty. Modified in this + and other particulars, an ultimatum embodying the Austrian + proposals, which stipulated, _inter alia_, for the cession of + a portion of Bessarabia, was despatched to St Petersburg on + the 15th of December, and the 18th of January was fixed as the + last day on which a reply would be accepted.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Hardinge._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _22nd November 1855_. + +The Queen informs Lord Hardinge that on speaking to Sir Colin Campbell +yesterday, and informing him how much she wished that his valuable +services should not be lost to her Army in the Crimea, he replied in +the handsomest manner, that he would return immediately--"for that, if +the Queen wished it, he was ready to serve under a Corporal"! +Conduct like this is very gratifying, and will only add to Sir Colin +Campbell's high name; but, as by Lord Hardinge's and Lord Panmure's +advice, the Queen has obtained from him this _sacrifice_ of _his +own_ feelings to _her_ wishes, _she_ feels personally bound _not_ +to _permit_ him to be passed over a _second_ time should the Command +again become vacant. + +The Queen has had a good deal of conversation with him, and from what +he told her, as well as from what she has heard from others, there +seems to be a good deal of laxity of discipline--particularly as +regards the officers--in the Army in the Crimea; and she thinks Lord +Hardinge should give an order to prevent so many officers coming home +on leave except when _really ill_. The effect of this on the French +is very bad, and the Prince had a letter only two days ago from the +Prince of Prussia, saying that every one was shocked at the manner in +which our officers came home, and that it lowered our Army very much +in the eyes of foreign Armies, and generally decreased the +sympathy for our troops. We deeply regret the death of poor General +Markham.[92] + + [Footnote 92: He commanded the 2nd Division of the Army at + the attack on the Redan, and after the fall of Sebastopol, his + health, already shattered, broke down completely; he returned + home, and died on the 21st of November.] + + + + +[Pageheading: FRANCE AND AUSTRIA] + +[Pageheading: THE NEUTRALISATION CLAUSE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _23rd November 1855_. + +The Queen has received Lord Clarendon's letter, and returns the very +satisfactory enclosures from Lord Cowley. Count Walewski remains true +to himself; yet the admission that the Neutralisation Clause ought to +be part of the European treaty, and not an annex, which _he makes_, is +the most important concession which we could desire. That the Sea +of Azov is to be dropped the Queen is glad of, as it would appear so +humiliating to Russia that Austria would probably decline proposing +it. What the Queen is most afraid of, and what she believes actuates +the Emperor also, is the consideration that Austria, made aware of +the intense feeling for Peace _a tout prix_ in France, might get +frightened at the good terms for us she meant to propose to Russia, +and might long for an opportunity given by us, in any unreasonable +demand for modification, to back out of her proposal altogether. Lord +A. Loftus in his last letter states that Baron Manteuffel[93] even was +afraid of having admitted as proper, terms too hard upon Russia, since +peace is wanted at Paris. + +The course intended to be pursued by Lord Clarendon in summing up the +whole question in a public Despatch seems quite the right one, as it +would never do, on the other hand, to let England be considered as +merely _a la remorque_ of France, an impression unfortunately very +prevalent on the Continent at this moment.[94] + +As to Marshal Pelissier, the best thing the Emperor could do would be +to recall him, and to put a younger and more enterprising man in his +place. As we have got our hero coming home, his French colleague might +be recalled also. + +The Duke of Newcastle's letter is very interesting; the Queen will +return it this evening. It confirms the truth of the axiom that a +_settled policy_ ought to precede a military plan of campaign, for +which the Prince is always contending. + +We have been much pleased with old Sir Colin Campbell, who is a +thorough soldier, and appears not at all wanting in good sense. On +asking him about our rising men, and the officer whom _he_ would point +out as the one of most promise, he said that Colonel Mansfield[95] was +without comparison the man from whom great services could be expected +both in the Field and as an Administrator. Lord Clarendon will be +pleased to hear this, but will also not be surprised if the Queen +should look out for an opportunity to reclaim him for the Army from +the Foreign Office. + + [Footnote 93: President of the Prussian Ministry.] + + [Footnote 94: Lord Clarendon, in the letter to which this + was a reply, observed that he had asked Lord Cowley to inform + Count Walewski that he would have to learn that England was a + principal in the matter, and "not a political and diplomatic + Contingent."] + + [Footnote 95: He had distinguished himself in the first + Sikh War, and was in 1855 Military Adviser to the British + Ambassador at Constantinople.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _24th November 1855_. + +The Queen returns Lord Cowley's letter and General Pelissier's +telegram. Lord Cowley is quite right in insisting upon a clear +understanding between England and France before negotiations are +entered into with Austria. To come to a speedy agreement, it will be +wise to drop the minor points and _insist_ upon the most important. +These the Queen takes to be the incorporation of the _Neutralisation_ +Clause in the general Treaty, and the promise on the part of Austria +not to accept and communicate to us counter-proposals from Russia. If +France agreed to this, we might agree to the rest of the arrangement. +General Pelissier's plan has the advantage of setting us free, but +deprives us of the Sardinians in the field, an object the French +have kept steadily in view. The Duke of Cambridge will come down here +to-night, and we may then hear more on the subject. + +The Queen of the French has been taken dangerously ill at Genoa; the +Duc d'Aumale and Prince de Joinville have been summoned by telegraph. +The Queen has asked the Foreign Office to telegraph to enquire after +the Queen's state. + + + + + + +[Pageheading: SIR WILLIAM CODRINGTON] + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir William Codrington._[96] + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th November 1855_. + +The first Despatches of Sir William Codrington, acknowledging his +appointment to the Command of the Queen's gallant Army in the East, +having arrived, she will no longer delay writing herself to Sir +William, to assure him of her support and confidence in his new, +proud, and important, though at the same time difficult position. +She wishes to assure him of her confidence and support. It is with +pleasure that she sees the son of her old friend and devoted servant, +himself so distinguished in the sister Service, raised by his own +merits to so exalted a position. Sir William knows the Queen's pride +in her beloved Troops, as well as her unceasing solicitude for their +welfare and glory, and she trusts he will on all occasions express +these feelings from herself personally. + +The Queen feels certain that Sir William Codrington will learn, with +great satisfaction, that that distinguished and gallant officer, Sir +Colin Campbell, has most readily and handsomely complied with the +Queen's wishes that he should return to the Crimea and take command +of the First Corps d'Armee. His presence and his assistance will be +of essential service to Sir William Codrington, who, the Queen knows, +entertains so high an opinion of him. + +The Prince wishes his sincere congratulations and kind remembrance to +be conveyed to Sir William Codrington. + +The Queen would be glad if Sir William could--when he has leisure to +do so--from time to time write to her himself, informing her of the +state of her Army, and of affairs in the Crimea. + +She concludes with every wish for his welfare and success. + + [Footnote 96: Considerable difficulty had been found in + appointing a successor to General Simpson, who had resigned + a task which he found overtaxed his powers. Sir William + Codrington was junior to three other Generals, who might + have felt aggrieved by being passed over. The sagacity of the + Prince found a way out of the difficulty by appointing two + of the three to the commands of the two _corps d'armee_ into + which the Army had, at his instance, been subdivided. See + _ante._ 22nd November, 1855, note 92.] + + + + +[Pageheading: VISIT OF KING OF SARDINIA] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _5th December 1855_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I must make many excuses for not writing to you +yesterday, to thank you for your kind letter of the 30th, as on Friday +and Saturday my time was entirely taken up with my _Royal_ brother, +the King of Sardinia,[97] and I had to make up for loss of time +these last days. He leaves us to-morrow at an extraordinary hour--four +o'clock in the morning (which you did once or twice)--wishing to be at +Compiegne to-morrow night, and at Turin on Tuesday. He is _eine ganz +besondere, abenteuerliche Erscheinung_, startling in the extreme in +appearance and manner when you _first_ see him, but, just as Aumale +says, _il faut l'aimer quand on le connait bien_. He is so frank, +open, just, straightforward, liberal and tolerant, with much sound +good sense. He never breaks his word, and you may rely on him, but +wild and extravagant, courting adventures and dangers, and with a very +strange, short, rough manner, an exaggeration of that short manner of +speaking which his poor brother had. He is shy in society, which makes +him still more brusque, and he does not know (never having been out of +his own country or even out in Society) what to say to the number +of people who are presented to him here, and which is, I know from +experience, a most odious thing. He is truly attached to the Orleans +family, particularly to Aumale, and will be a friend and adviser to +them. To-day he will be invested with the Order of the Garter. He is +more like a Knight or King of the Middle Ages than anything one knows +nowadays. + +On Monday we go to Osborne till the 21st. + +One word about Vicky. I must say that she has a quick discernment of +character, and I have never seen her take _any_ predilection for a +person which was _not motive_ by personal amiability, goodness, or +distinction of some kind or other. You need be under no apprehension +whatever on this subject; and she has, moreover, great tact and +_esprit de conduite_. It is quite extraordinary how popular she is in +Society--and again now, all these Foreigners are so struck with her +sense and _conversation_ for her age. + +Hoping soon to hear from you again, and wishing that naughty Stockmar +may yet be brought to come, believe me ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 97: King Victor Emmanuel was received with + great cordiality by the English people, grateful for his + co-operation and for the gallantry of his soldiers at the + Tchernaya. Count Cavour accompanied him, and drafted the + reply read by the King at Guildhall to the address of the + Corporation.] + + + + +[Pageheading: GARTER FEES] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _11th December 1855_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty and +submits a letter which he received a few days ago from the Duke of +Newcastle declining the Garter. Viscount Palmerston on his return +from Woburn, where he was for two days, saw the Duke of Newcastle, but +found that the enclosed letter expressed the intention which he had +formed. Viscount Palmerston would propose to your Majesty the Earl +of Fortescue as a deserving object of your Majesty's gracious favour; +Lord Fortescue held the high office of Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, and +is a person highly and universally respected.[98] + +Viscount Palmerston cannot refrain from saying on this occasion that +he is not without a misgiving that the high amount of fees which he +understands is paid by persons who are made Knights of the Garter may +have some effect in rendering those whose incomes are not very large +less anxious than they would otherwise be to receive this distinction; +and he cannot but think that it is unseemly in general that persons +upon whom your Majesty may be disposed to confer dignities and +honours, either as a mark of your Majesty's favour or as a reward for +their public services, should on that account be subject to a heavy +pecuniary fine; and he intends to collect information with a view to +consider whether all such fees might not be abolished, the officers to +whom they are now paid receiving compensation in the shape of adequate +fixed salary.[99] ... + + [Footnote 98: Earl Fortescue received the Garter; he died in + 1861.] + + [Footnote 99: This reform was effected in 1905.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord Panmure._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _22nd December 1855_. + +The Queen has received Lord Panmure's answer to her letter from +Osborne, and is glad to see from it that he is quite agreed with the +Queen on the subject of the Land Transport Corps. She would _most +strongly_ urge Lord Panmure to give at once _carte blanche_ to Sir +W. Codrington to organise it as he thinks best, and to make him +personally responsible for it. We have only eight weeks left to the +beginning of spring; a few references home and their answers would +consume the whole of that time! The Army has now to carry their huts +on their backs up to the Camp; if it had been fighting, it would have +perished for want of them, like the last winter. If each Division, +Brigade, and Battalion has not got within itself what it requires for +its daily existence in the field, a movement will be quite impossible. + +The Queen approves the intended increase of Artillery and Sappers +and Miners; but hopes that these will be taken from the _nominal_ and +_not_ the existing strength of the Army. + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +TO CHAPTER XXV + + +After two years' duration, the Crimean War was terminated in March +1856, at a Conference of the Powers assembled at Paris, by a treaty +the principal terms of which provided for the integrity of Turkey, +and her due participation in the public law and system of Europe, +the neutralisation of the Black Sea, and the opening of its waters to +commerce (with the interdiction, except in a limited degree, of the +flag of war of any nation, and of the erection by either Russia or +Turkey of arsenals), free navigation of the Danube, cession of a +portion of Bessarabia by Russia, and the reciprocal evacuation of +invaded territories; the Principalities to be continued in their +existing privileges under the suzerainty of the Porte and a guarantee +of the Contracting Powers. No European protectorate was to be +established over the Sultan's Christian subjects. Certain general +principles of International Law were also agreed upon. In the course +of the summer, the Guards made a public re-entry into London; and the +Crimea was finally evacuated; great reviews of the returned troops +taking place at Aldershot. The thanks of Parliament were accorded to +the soldiers and sailors engaged, and peace-rejoicings celebrated on a +great scale. + +The Commissioners who had been sent out, nearly a year before, to the +Crimea, to investigate the causes of the breakdown in various military +departments, presented a Report, censuring several high officials; +a Military Commission was accordingly appointed to investigate the +Report, and after sitting for some months at Chelsea, completely +exonerated the officials in question. + +The Government having resolved to strengthen the administration of the +appellate jurisdiction of the House of Lords, Letters Patent were made +out purporting to create Sir James Parke, an ex-Judge, a Baron for +his life, under the title of Lord Wensleydale. After frequent and +protracted debates on this question, the Peers decided that such +a patent conferred no right to sit and vote in Parliament. The +Government gave up the contest by creating Sir James (who had no son) +a hereditary peer. + +The Czar Alexander was crowned at Moscow in September with great +ceremonial, the Sultan being duly represented, while Lord Granville +was present as special Ambassador for the Queen. The discovery of +the cruelty with which political offenders were being treated in +Neapolitan prisons led to the rupture of diplomatic relations between +England in union with France on the one hand, and King Ferdinand on +the other; while a dispute as to the enlistment of recruits for the +English Army in the United States led to the dismissal of the British +Minister at Washington, and to temporary friction between the two +countries. + +The provisions of the Treaty of Paris were not carried out without +considerable procrastination on the part of Russia, which, by its +method of evacuating Kars and surrendering Ismail and Reni, and by +laying claim to Serpent's Island at the mouth of the Danube, compelled +England to send a fleet to the Black Sea, to enforce strict observance +of the Treaty. By the end of the year the matter was arranged, though +in the meantime the possibility of Great Britain being represented at +the Czar's coronation had been imperilled. + +The abuses which had long existed in the Government of Oudh induced +the Governor-General of India, early in the year, to issue a +proclamation placing that kingdom permanently under the authority of +the British Crown. Lord Dalhousie at this time retired from the office +(which he had held for eight years) of Governor-General, and was +succeeded by Lord Canning. It fell to the lot of the latter to +announce the commencement of hostilities between this country and +Persia, on the ground that the latter was endeavouring, in defiance +of Treaties, to subvert the independence of Herat. The Shah had laid +siege to the town, when, in December, the English fleet, under Admiral +Sir Henry Leeke, attacked and captured Bushire on the Persian Gulf. +Soon afterwards, Sir James Outram arrived on the scene from Bombay, +and assumed the command. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +1856 + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord Panmure._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _5th January 1856_. + +The Queen returns the drawings for the "Victoria Cross." She has +marked the one she approves with an X; she thinks, however, that it +might be a trifle smaller. The motto would be better "For Valour" than +"For the Brave," as this would lead to the inference that only those +are deemed brave who have got the Victoria Cross. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _7th January 1856_. + +The Queen has received Lord Clarendon's letter, and in answer to his +question expresses her opinion that Lord Cowley's presence at the +Council of War will be absolutely necessary.[1] She believes Lord +Clarendon to be agreed with her, that the value of a plan of military +campaign is entirely dependent upon the _general policy_ which the +Government intends to pursue. As none of our Commissioners at the +Council of War are in the least acquainted with the latter, they might +be drawn into plans which would not at all agree with it. Lord Cowley +would take that part of the question into his own hands, in which +it will be quite safe. The Queen thinks that it is of secondary +importance whether Count Walewski attends or not, but that the Emperor +cannot have the same need of his presence which we have of that of our +Ambassador. + + [Footnote 1: A satisfactory and speedy conclusion of + hostilities appearing at this time far from probable, a + Council of War to settle the course of operations was, at the + Emperor's suggestion, summoned to meet at Paris. Lord Cowley, + Count Walewski, Prince Jerome Bonaparte, and others, were + present, besides Naval and Military representatives of the + Allies, among whom was the Duke of Cambridge.] + + + + +[Pageheading: POLICY OF CAVOUR] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _9th January 1856_. + +The Queen has read Sir J. Hudson's[2] letter with much interest. +There is much truth in what Count Cavour says, and it must ever be our +object and our interest to see Sardinia independent and strong; as +a Liberal constitutional country, opposing a barrier alike to +unenlightened and absolute as well as revolutionary principles--and +this she has a right to expect us to support her in. + +But _what_ she wants to obtain from Austria is not clear. She has no +right, however, to expect further assurances from us on wishes which +she seems even to be afraid to state distinctly. + +It is clearly impossible to ask Austria to give up a portion of Italy +to her, if nothing has occurred to make this necessary to Austria. At +any rate Sardinia can have lost nothing, but on the contrary must +have gained by the position which she is placed in as an ally of the +Western Powers. + + [Footnote 2: British Minister at Turin, and an enthusiastic + sympathiser with Cavour. The latter had complained to him that + if the Austrian proposals were accepted, and peace were made, + Sardinia could expect no realisation of her cherished hopes, + viz. Anglo-French support against Austria and against Papal + aggression, increased political consideration in Europe, and + the development of Constitutional Government.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _11th January 1856_. + +The Queen now returns the draft[3] to Lord Bloomfield, which she could +only write about in haste yesterday, as being of a nature not to be +sanctioned by her. It is quite natural and excusable that our patience +should at last be worn out by the miserable policy which Prussia is +pursuing, but it can never be our interest openly to quarrel with her. +This would be simply playing the game of Russia, who would thus be +relieved from all attacks upon her and see the theatre of the war +transferred to Germany; all other complications (which would arise +therefrom)--ruinous to the best interests of the Western Powers +as they would be--the Queen need not refer to. But when the draft +concludes with a declaration to Prussia that England "_considers her +neutrality as now at an end_," this is tantamount to a declaration of +_war!_ The late articles in our newspapers, and the language of Count +Walewski to Lord Cowley, make the Queen doubly anxious to warn the +Government not to let themselves be drawn on to such a policy. + + [Footnote 3: The draft expressed disapproval of the silence + maintained by the Prussian Government towards England with + regard to the Austrian proposals, of the active measures + adopted to induce the German Powers not to take part with + Austria, as well as of the extended facilities afforded by + Prussia to Russia for carrying on the war.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LETTER FROM NAPOLEON III] + +[Pageheading: THE EMPEROR AND PEACE] + + +_The Emperor of the French to Queen Victoria._ + +TUILERIES, _le 14 Janvier 1856_. + +MADAME ET CHERE S[OE]UR,--Votre Majeste m'ayant permis de lui parler +a c[oe]ur ouvert toutes les fois que des circonstances graves se +presenteraient, je viens aujourd'hui profiter de la faveur qu'elle a +bien voulu m'accorder. + +Je viens de recevoir aujourd'hui la nouvelle de la reponse de la +Russie a l'Ultimatum de Vienne, et avant d'avoir manifeste mon +impression a qui que ce soit, pas meme a Walewski, je viens la +communiquer a votre Majeste pour avoir son avis. + +Je resume la question: La Russie accepte tout l'Ultimatum autrichien +sauf la rectification de frontiere de la Bessarabie, et sauf le +paragraphe relatif aux conditions _particulieres_ qu'elle declare ne +pas connaitre. De plus, profitant du succes de Kars, elle s'engage a +rendre cette forteresse et le territoire occupe en echange des points +que nous possedons en Crimee et ailleurs. + +Dans quelle position allons-nous nous trouver? D'apres la convention, +l'Autriche est obligee de retirer son ambassadeur, et nous, nous +poursuivons la guerre! Mais dans quel but allons-nous demander a nos +deux pays de nouveaux sacrifices d'hommes et d'argent? Pour un interet +purement autrichien et pour une question qui ne consolide en rien +l'empire ottoman. + +Cependant nous y sommes obliges et nous ne devons pas avoir l'air +de manquer a nos engagements. Nous serions donc places dans une +alternative bien triste si l'Autriche elle-meme ne semblait pas deja +nous inviter de ne point rompre toute negociation. Or en reflechissant +aujourd'hui a cette situation, je me disais: ne pourrait-on pas +repondre a l'Autriche ceci: La prise de Kars a tant soit peu change +nos situations; puisque la Russie consent a evacuer toute l'Asie +Mineure nous nous bornons a demander pour la Turquie, au lieu de la +rectification de frontiere, les places fortes formant _tete de pont_ +sur le Danube, tels que Ismail et Kilia. Pour nous, nous demandons en +fait de conditions particulieres, l'engagement de ne point retablir +les forts des iles d'Aland et une amnistie pour les Tartares. Mon +sentiment est qu'a ces conditions-la la paix serait tres desirable; +car sans cela je ne puis pas m'empecher de redouter l'opinion publique +quand elle me dira: "Vous aviez obtenu le but reel de la guerre, Aland +etait tombe et ne pouvait plus se relever, Sebastopol avait eu le +meme sort, la flotte Russe etait aneantie, et la Russie promettait non +seulement de ne plus la faire reparaitre dans la Mer Noire, mais meme +de ne plus avoir d'arsenaux maritimes sur toutes ses rives; la Russie +abandonnait ses conquetes dans l'Asie Mineure, elle abandonnait son +protectorat dans les principautes, son action sur le cours du Danube, +son influence sur ces correligionnaires sujets du Sultan, etc., +etc. Vous aviez obtenu tout cela non sans d'immenses sacrifices et +cependant vous allez les continuer, compromettre les finances de la +France, repandre ses tresors et son sang et pourquoi: pour obtenir +quelques landes de la Bessarabie!!!" + +Voila, Madame, les reflexions qui me preoccupent; car autant je me +sens de force quand je crois etre dans le vrai pour inculquer mes +idees a mon pays et pour lui faire partager ma persuasion, autant je +me sentirais faible si je n'etais pas sur d'avoir raison ni de faire +mon devoir. + +Mais ainsi que je l'ai dit en commencant a votre Majeste je n'ai +communique ma premiere impression qu'au Duc de Cambridge, et autour de +moi au contraire j'ai dit qu'il fallait continuer la guerre. J'espere +que votre Majeste accueillera avec bonte cette lettre ecrite a la +hate et qu'elle y verra une nouvelle preuve de mon desir de m'entendre +toujours avec elle avant de prendre une resolution. En remerciant +votre Majeste de l'aimable lettre que S.A.R. le Duc de Cambridge m'a +remise de sa part, je la prie de recevoir la nouvelle assurance de mes +sentiments de tendre et respectueux attachement avec lesquels je suis +de votre Majeste, le bon frere et ami, + +NAPOLEON. + +Je remercie bien le Prince Arthur de son bon souvenir. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _15th January 1856_. + +... The Queen will send her letter to the Emperor this evening for +transmission to Paris. She will enclose it _open_ to Lord Clarendon, +who will seal and send it after having read it. + +The Queen cannot conceal from Lord Clarendon what _her own_ feelings +and wishes at this moment are. They _cannot_ be for peace _now_, for +she is _convinced_ that this country would _not_ stand in the eyes of +Europe as she _ought_, and as the Queen is convinced she _would_ after +_this_ year's campaign. The honour and glory of her dear Army is as +_near_ her heart as almost anything, and she cannot _bear_ the thought +that "the failure on the Redan" should be our _last fait d'Armes_, and +it would cost her more than words can express to conclude a peace with +_this_ as the end. However, what is best and wisest must be done. + +The Queen cannot yet bring herself to believe that the Russians are at +all sincere, or that it will _now_ end in peace. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S REPLY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Emperor of the French._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _le 15 Janvier 1856_. + +SIRE ET CHER FRERE,--La bonne et aimable lettre que je viens de +recevoir de la main de votre Majeste m'a cause un tres-vif plaisir. +J'y vois une preuve bien satisfaisante pour moi que vous avez apprecie +tous les avantages de ces epanchements sans reserve, et que votre +Majeste en sent comme moi le besoin dans les circonstances graves ou +nous sommes. Je sens aussi toute la responsabilite que votre confiance +m'impose, et c'est dans la crainte qu'une opinion formee et exprimee +par moi trop a la hate pourrait nuire a la decision finale a prendre +que je me vois obligee de differer pour le moment la reponse plus +detaillee sur les considerations que vous avez si clairement et si +consciencieusement developpees. Cependant, je ne veux point tarder de +vous remercier de votre lettre, et de vous soumettre de mon cote les +reflexions qui me sont venues en la lisant. La Reponse Russe ne nous +est pas encore arrivee; nous n'en connaissons pas exactement les +termes; par consequent, il serait imprudent de former une opinion +definitive sur la maniere d'y repondre, surtout comme le Prince +Gortschakoff parait avoir demande un nouveau delai du Gouvernement +Autrichien et de nouvelles instructions de St Petersbourg, et comme M. +de Bourqueney parait penser que la Russie n'a pas dit son dernier +mot. Nous pourrions donc perdre une chance d'avoir de meilleures +conditions, en montrant trop d'empressement a accueillir celles +offertes dans ce moment. Celles-ci arriveront peut-etre dans le +courant de la journee, ou demain, quand mon Cabinet sera reuni pour +les examiner. Nous sommes au 15; le 18 les relations diplomatiques +entre l'Autriche et la Russie doivent etre rompues; je crois que +notre position vis-a-vis de la Russie sera meilleure en discutant +ses propositions apres la rupture et apres en avoir vu les effets. +En attendant, rien ne sera plus utile a la cause de la paix que la +resolution que vous avez si sagement prise de dire a tous ceux qui +vous approchent qu'il faut continuer la guerre. Soyez bien sur que +dans l'opinion finale que je me formerai, votre position et votre +persuasion personnelle seront toujours presentes a mon esprit et +auront le plus grand poids. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE BRITISH ARMY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _17th January 1856_. + +The Queen returns the Duke of Cambridge's and Lord Cowley's letters, +which together with the account which Lord Clarendon gives of his +interview with M. de Persigny causes the Queen no little anxiety. If +negotiations on a vague basis are allowed to be begun, the Russian +negotiator is sure to find out that the French are ready to grant +anything.... + +However, whatever happens, one consolation the Queen ever will have, +which is--that with the one exception of that failure on the _Redan_, +her noble Army--in spite of every possible disadvantage which any army +could labour under, _has_ invariably been victorious, and the Russians +have always and everywhere been beaten excepting at Kars, where +_famine_ alone enabled them to succeed. + +Let us therefore not be (as alas! we have often been) its detractors +by our croaking. + + + + +[Pageheading: POSITION OF THE EMPEROR] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _17th January 1856_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +concludes that Lord Lansdowne informed your Majesty that the Cabinet, +after hearing from Lord Clarendon a statement of the course of +the recent negotiations as explained by the despatches which Lord +Clarendon read, came to the decision that no further step should be +taken, and no further communication should be made to the Government +of France on the matters at issue, until the final decision of the +Russian Government on the pure and simple adoption of the Austrian +ultimatum[4] should be known. Viscount Palmerston begs to congratulate +your Majesty upon the telegraphic message received this morning from +Sir Hamilton Seymour, announcing that the Russian Government has +adopted that Austrian ultimatum. So far so well, and the success which +has attended firmness and steadiness of purpose in regard to those +conditions may be looked upon as a tolerably sure indication that a +perseverance in the same course will bring the Russian Government to +consent to those remaining conditions which the Austrian Government +has not yet (as it says) made known to the Cabinet of Petersburg. + +With regard to the letter of the Emperor of the French to your +Majesty, and the statements made to Lord Clarendon by the Count de +Persigny as to the difficulties of the Emperor's internal position +with respect to finance, and a general desire for peace throughout +the Nation, Viscount Palmerston expressed his opinion to the Cabinet +yesterday that all those representations were greatly exaggerated. He +is convinced that the Emperor of the French is perfectly master of his +own position, and that he can as to peace or war take the course which +he may determine to adopt. + +The cabal of stock-jobbing politicians, by whom he is surrounded, +_must_ give way to him if he is firm. They have no standing place in +the confidence and respect of their fellow-countrymen, they represent +nothing but the Stock Exchange speculations in which they are engaged, +and the Emperor's throne would probably be stronger, rather than +weaker, if they were swept away, and better men put in their places. +And it is a very remarkable circumstance that at the very moment when +your Majesty and your Majesty's Government were being told that +the Emperor would be unable to go on with the war on account of the +difficulty of finding money, the French Government was putting forth +in the _Moniteur_ an official statement showing that they have a +reserve surplus of twenty-one millions sterling for defraying the +expenses of a campaign in the ensuing spring, without the necessity of +raising any fresh loan. + +Viscount Palmerston fully concurs in the sentiment of regret expressed +by your Majesty to Lord Clarendon that the last action of the war in +which your Majesty's troops have been engaged, should, if peace be now +concluded, have been the repulse at the Redan; but however it may suit +national jealousy, which will always be found to exist on the other +side of the Channel, to dwell upon that check, yet your Majesty may +rely upon it that the Alma and Inkerman have left recollections which +will dwell in the memory of the living and not be forgotten in the +page of history; and although it would no doubt have been gratifying +to your Majesty and to the Nation that another summer should have +witnessed the destruction of Cronstadt by your Majesty's gallant Navy, +and the expulsion of the Russians from the countries south of the +Caucasus by your Majesty's brave Army, yet if peace _can_ now be +concluded on conditions honourable and secure, it would, as your +Majesty justly observes, not be right to continue the war for the +mere purpose of prospective victories. It will, however, be obviously +necessary to continue active preparations for war up to the moment +when a definite Treaty of Peace is signed, in order that the Russians +may not find it for their interest to break off negotiations when the +season for operations shall approach, emboldened by any relaxation +on the part of the Allies induced by too ready confidence in the good +faith of their adversary.... + + [Footnote 4: See _ante_, 19th November, 1855, note 91.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE AT PARIS] + + +_The Duke of Cambridge to Queen Victoria._ + +TUILERIES, _20th January 1856_. + +MY DEAR COUSIN,--Your letters of the 14th and 18th have reached me, +and I am happy to find by them that you approve in conjunction with +the Government with what has been done by me and my colleagues whilst +at Paris.[5] I have given all the messages and carried out all the +instructions as contained in your letters, and I trust as far as +possible I have been enabled to do some good. On the other hand, I +cannot deny that the feelings universally expressed here as to the +prospects of a speedy peace are so different from those felt in +England, that it is extremely difficult to produce any impression in +the sense that we could wish it. France wishes for peace more than +anything else on earth, and this feeling does not confine itself +to Walewski or the Ministers--it extends itself to all classes. The +Emperor alone is reasonable and sensible in this respect, but his +position is a most painful one, and he feels it very much. The fact +is that public opinion is much more felt and more loudly expressed +in this country than anybody in England at all imagines. No doubt the +Emperor can do much that he wishes, but still he cannot go altogether +against a feeling which so loudly expresses itself on all occasions, +without thereby injuring his own position most seriously. I have +written to Clarendon very fully on this subject, and have explained to +him my reasons for wishing to return to England as soon as possible, +now that our military mission is concluded. It is essential that +I should see the members of the Government, and that I should +communicate to them the exact state of feeling here and the views of +the Emperor as to the mode of smoothing down all difficulties. This +can only be done by a personal interview on the part of somebody +thoroughly aware of the present position of affairs. Probably at this +moment I am in a better position to do this than anybody else, from +the peculiar circumstances in which I have been placed while here, and +it is this feeling which makes me desirous to return to England with +the least possible delay. It is my intention therefore to start +with my colleagues to-morrow, Monday night, for England, to which +arrangement the Emperor has given his sanction, and by which time he +will be prepared to tell me what he thinks had best be done, from his +view of the question. I think it my duty to communicate this to you, +and hope that you will give my resolution your sanction. I beg to +remain, my dear Cousin, your most dutiful Cousin, + +GEORGE. + + [Footnote 5: At the Council of War. See _ante_, 7th January, 1856, + note 1.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ENGLAND AND FRANCE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _28th January 1856_. + +The Queen sends a letter which she wishes Lord Clarendon to give to +General La Marmora.[6] We have been extremely pleased with him (indeed +he is a universal favourite) and found him so sensible, mild, and +right-minded, in all he says--and a valuable adviser to the King. +The Queen wishes _just_ to mention to Lord Clarendon that the Duke of +Cambridge told her that the Emperor had spoken to _him_ about what the +King of Sardinia had said relative to _Austria and France_, asking +the Duke whether such a thing had been said.[7] The Duke seems to have +answered as we could wish, and the Queen pretended _never_ to have +_heard_ the report, merely saying that as the proposed ultimatum +was then much talked of, it was very possible the King might +unintentionally have mistaken the observations of the Ministers and +ourselves as to our being _unable_ to _agree_, without great caution, +to what appeared to be _agreed_ on beforehand between _France_ and +_Austria_, and possibly _might_ have in his blunt way stated something +which alarmed the Emperor--but that she could not imagine it could be +anything else. There seems, however, really no _end_ to _cancans_ at +_Paris_; for the Duke of Cambridge seems to have shared the same fate. +The two atmospheres of France and England, as well as the Society, are +so different that people get to talk differently. It seems also that +the King got frightened lest he should at Paris be thought too liberal +in his _religious_ views (having been complimented for it) which he +was very proud of--and thought it necessary to tell the _Emperor_ he +was a _good Catholic_. This is not unnatural in his peculiar position. +When Lord Clarendon goes to Paris, he will be able to _silence_ any +further allusion to these idle stories which only lead to mischief, +and which even Lord Cowley seems to have made more of (as to his own +feelings upon them) than was necessary, but that is equally natural. +Speaking of his King--General La Marmora said: "Il ne dira jamais ce +qu'il ne pense pas, mais il dit quelquefois ce qui serait mieux qu'il +ne dit pas." He more than any other regrets the King's not having seen +more of the world, and says his journey had done him a _great_ deal of +good. + + [Footnote 6: The Sardinian Commander had been attending the + Council of War at Paris.] + + [Footnote 7: The King of Sardinia was reported to have told + the Emperor that the latter's loyalty to the Alliance was + questioned by Great Britain, and that it was conjectured in + London that he was in favour of co-operation with Austria + instead.] + + + +[Pageheading: THE SPEECH FROM THE THRONE] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +_28th January 1856._ + +The Queen returns to Lord Palmerston the draft of the speech, which +she thinks _extremely well_ worded, and which she therefore trusts +will be (with the exception of those passages marked) as little +altered as possible. Lord John Russell used to say that as soon as +a speech was discussed in the Cabinet, it was so much _pruned_ and +altered as to lose all its force. The Queen must own that she is +_much_ alarmed at hearing that the _papers_ of the War Council were to +be printed and circulated amongst the Cabinet, as she fears that the +secrecy, which is so necessary, upon which the Emperor laid so _much +stress_, will be very difficult to be maintained. The Emperor's +opinion at least, the Queen hopes, will _not_ be printed or generally +circulated? + +The Queen must again press for a very early decision on the subject. +If this is allowed to _drag_, it will appear, particularly to the +_Emperor_, as if we were not really in earnest, though we stickled so +much for our additional conditions, which might lessen the hopes +of peace. Of course the Government must not give any answer on this +subject--should Parliament be so indiscreet as to ask _what_ the +result of the deliberations of the Council of War has been. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +Windsor Castle, _29th January 1856_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--You will kindly forgive my letter being short, but +we are going to be present this morning at the wedding of Phipps's +daughter[8] with that handsome lame young officer whom you remember +at Osborne. It is quite an event at Windsor, and takes place in St +George's Chapel, which is very seldom the case. + +Many thanks for your kind letter of the 25th, by which I am glad to +see that dear good Philip has arrived safe and well and brought back +_de bons souvenirs_. We shall always be _happy_ to see him. + +The _peace negotiations_ occupy every one; _if_ Russia is _sincere_, +they will end most probably in peace; but _if_ she is _not_, the war +will be _carried_ on with _renewed vigour_. The recollection of last +year makes one _very distrustful_. + +England's policy throughout has been the _same_, _singularly +unselfish_, and _solely_ actuated by the _desire_ of _seeing Europe +saved_ from the _arrogant_ and _dangerous pretensions_ of that +_barbarous power_ Russia--and of having _such safeguards_ established +for the _future_, which may ensure us against a _repetition_ of +similar _untoward events_. + +I repeat now, what we have said from the beginning, and what I have +_repeated_ a _hundred_ times, _if Prussia_ and _Austria_ had held +_strong and decided_ language to _Russia in_ '53, we should _never_ +have had _this war!_ + +Now I must conclude. With Albert's best love, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 8: Maria Henrietta Sophia, daughter of Sir Charles + Beaumont Phipps, K.C.B., Keeper of the Privy Purse, married + Captain Frederick Sayer, 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MISS NIGHTINGALE] + + +_Queen Victoria to Miss Florence Nightingale._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _[January] 1856_. + +DEAR MISS NIGHTINGALE,--You are, I know, well aware of the high sense +I entertain of the Christian devotion which you have displayed during +this great and bloody war, and I need hardly repeat to you how warm my +admiration is for your services, which are fully equal to those of my +dear and brave soldiers, whose sufferings you have had the _privilege_ +of alleviating in so merciful a manner. I am, however, anxious of +marking my feelings in a manner which I trust will be agreeable to +you, and therefore send you with this letter a brooch, the form and +emblems of which commemorate your great and blessed work, and which, +I hope, you will wear as a mark of the high approbation of your +Sovereign![9] + +It will be a very great satisfaction to me, when you return at last to +these shores, to make the acquaintance of one who has set so bright an +example to our sex. And with every prayer for the preservation of your +valuable health, believe me, always, yours sincerely, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 9: The presentation took place on the 29th of + January. The jewel resembled a badge rather than a brooch, + bearing a St George's Cross in red enamel, and the Royal + cypher surmounted by a crown in diamonds. The inscription + "Blessed are the Merciful" encircled the badge which also bore + the word "Crimea."] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _7th February 1856_. + +With respect to Lord Clarendon's observation that he hopes that the +Queen "will approve of his upholding the Sardinians in the Conference +and in all other respects," she can only assure him that she is _most +sincerely_ anxious that he should do so, as the Queen has the greatest +respect for that noble little country, which, since it has possessed +an honest, straightforward as well as courageous King, has been a +bright example to all Continental States. + +The Queen rejoices to hear that Count Cavour is coming to Paris. +The Queen hopes that the determination not to admit Prussia will be +adhered to.[10] She hears that Baron Beust[11] means to go to Paris +to represent the German Confederation; this should be prevented by all +means. + + [Footnote 10: Prussia was not admitted to the sitting of the + Conference until a later stage.] + + [Footnote 11: Prime Minister of Saxony.] + + + + +[Pageheading: BELGIAN NEUTRALITY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _13th February 1856_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I had the happiness of receiving your kind letter +of the 8th on Saturday, and thank you much for it. I gave your kind +message to Colonel Phipps, who was much gratified by it. We came here +in wretched weather yesterday, leaving Mamma _still_ at Frogmore. + +The Conferences will begin very shortly; Lord Clarendon starts for +Paris on Friday. _No_ one but him could undertake these difficult +negotiations. _No_ one can tell _what_ the result will be--and I will +say nothing, for I have _too strong_ personal feelings to speak upon +the subject. + +With respect to your answer respecting your _neutrality_, and the +possibility of your being obliged to break it, I must repeat that I +see _no possibility_ or _eventuality_ that _could oblige_ you to do +so. _Belgium_ of its own accord bound itself to remain neutral, and +its very existence is _based_ upon that neutrality, which the other +Powers have guaranteed and are bound to maintain _if Belgium keeps_ +her engagements. I cannot at all see HOW you could _even_ entertain +the question, for, as I just said, the _basis_ of the _existence_ of +Belgium is her _neutrality_. + +The weather is so mild that we should almost hope Stockmar would start +soon. If _he_ can't come himself, he should send his son for a few +days, who could bring us any confidential communication from his +father, and could be the bearer of any from us. Something of this kind +is most necessary, for it is overwhelming to write to one another upon +so many details which require immediate answer.... + +With Albert's love, and ours to your young people, believe me, always, +your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +_14th February 1856._ + +The Queen has seen in the reports of the House of Commons that a +return has been moved for of all the decorations of the Bath given +since the war. The Queen hopes the Government will not allow the House +of Commons so much further to trespass upon the prerogatives of +the Crown as now _virtually_ to take also the control over the +distribution of honours and rewards into their hands. + + + + +[Pageheading: TERMS OF PEACE] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _15th February 1856_. + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I have to thank you for your dear kind letter of +the 12th. Madame de Sevigne says, with great truth, that a letter to +be a good letter ought to be as if one heard the person speak; your +dear letters are always so, and you would therefore be praised by +Madame de Sevigne, and that very deservedly. Lord Clarendon is, Heaven +be praised, well calculated to bring matters to a happy conclusion. I +will try to make some impression on the mind of the Emperor Alexander, +his best policy will be the most honest. By all I can learn they +wish most sincerely the conclusion of this war. If on the side of the +Allies only the things which really protect the territories of +the present Turkish Empire are asked, the Russians ought not to +man[oe]uvre, but grant it, and the Allies also ought to be moderate. +You are very properly never to be contradicted, but there are a few +things to be remarked. This neutrality was in the real interest of +this country, but our good Congress here did _not_ wish it, and even +opposed it; it was _impose_ upon them. A neutrality to be respected +must be _protected_. France at all time in cases of general war can +put an end to it, by declaring to us _Vous devez etre avec nous ou +contre nous_. If we answer _Nous sommes neutres_, they will certainly +try to occupy us; then the case of self-defence arises and the claim +to be protected by the other powers.... + +My beloved Victoria, your devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE CONFERENCE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Emperor of the French._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _le 15 Fevrier 1856_. + +SIRE ET CHER FRERE,--Mes Commissaires pour le Conseil de Guerre sont +a peine revenus de Paris et notre plan de campagne est a peine arrete, +que mes Plenipotentiaires pour la Conference de paix se mettent +en route pour assister sous les yeux de V.M. a l'[oe]uvre de la +pacification. Je n'ai pas besoin de vous recommander Lord Clarendon, +mais je ne veux pas le laisser partir sans le rendre porteur de +quelques mots de ma part. + +Quoique bien convaincue qu'il ne pourra dans les discussions +prochaines s'elever de questions sur lesquelles il y aurait divergence +d'opinions entre nos deux Gouvernements, j'attache toutefois le plus +haut prix a ce que l'accord le plus parfait soit etabli avant que les +conferences ne soient ouvertes; et c'est dans ce but que j'ai charge +Lord Clarendon de se rendre a Paris quelques jours avant, afin qu'il +put rendre un compte exact des opinions de mon Gouvernement, et jouir +de l'avantage de connaitre _a fond_ la pensee de V.M. + +J'eprouverai un sentiment d'intime satisfaction dans ce moment +critique, et je le regarderai comme une preuve toute particuliere +de votre amitie, si vous voulez permettre a Lord Clarendon de vous +exposer personnellement mes vues et d'entendre les Votres de Votre +proper bouche. + +Les operations de nos armees et de nos flottes combinees, sous un +commandement divise, ont ete sujettes a d'enormes difficultes; mais +ces difficultes ont ete heureusement vaincues. Dans la Diplomatie +comme a la guerre, les Russes auront sur Nous le grand avantage de +l'unite de plan et d'action, et je les crois plus forts sur ce terrain +que sur le champ de bataille; mais a coup sur, nous y resterons +egalement victorieux, si nous reussissons a empecher l'ennemi de +diviser nos forces et de nous battre en detail. + +Sans vouloir jeter un doute sur la sincerite de la Russie en acceptant +nos propositions, il est impossible d'avoir a ce sujet une conviction +pleine et entiere. J'ai tout lieu de croire cependant que nul effort +et nul stratageme ne seront negliges pour rompre, s'il etait possible, +ou au moins pour affaiblir notre alliance. Mais je repose a cet egard +dans la fermete de V.M. la meme confiance qui saura detruire +toutes ces esperances, que j'ai dans la mienne et dans celle de mes +Ministres. Cependant, on ne saurait attacher trop d'importance a +ce que cette commune fermete soit reconnue et appreciee des le +commencement des negociations, car de la dependra, j'en ai la +conviction, la solution, si nous devons obtenir une paix dont les +termes pourront etre consideres comme satisfaisants pour l'honneur de +la France et de l'Angleterre, et comme donnant une juste compensation +pour les enormes sacrifices que les deux pays ont faits. Une autre +consideration encore me porte a attacher le plus haut prix a cet +accord parfait, c'est que si, par son absence, nous etions entraines +dans une paix qui ne satisferait point la juste attente de nos +peuples, cela donnerait lieu a des plaintes et a des recriminations +qui ne pourraient manquer de fausser les relations amicales des deux +pays au lieu de les cimenter davantage comme mon c[oe]ur le desire +ardemment. + +D'ailleurs, je ne doute pas un moment qu'une paix telle que la France +et l'Angleterre ont le droit de la demander sera bien certainement +obtenue par une determination inebranlable de ne point rabaisser les +demandes moderees que nous avons faites. + +Vous excuserez, Sire, la longueur de cette lettre, mais il m'est si +doux de pouvoir epancher mes sentiments sur toutes ces questions si +importantes et si difficiles, avec une personne que je considere non +seulement comme un Allie fidele, mais comme un ami sur lequel je puis +compter en toute occasion, et qui, j'en suis sure, est anime envers +nous des memes sentiments. + +Le Prince me charge de vous offrir ses hommages les plus affectueux, +et moi je me dis pour toujours, Sire et cher Frere, de V.M.I., la tres +affectionnee S[oe]ur et Amie, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE CRIMEAN ENQUIRY] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _16th February 1856_. + +The subject to which Lord Palmerston refers in his letter of last +night, and upon which the Cabinet is going to deliberate to-day, has +also caused the Queen much anxiety. + +A Civil Commission is sent out by the Government to enquire into the +conduct of the officers in command in the Crimea; this is done without +any consultation with the Commander-in-Chief. They report to the +Government, inculpating several general officers and others in high +command; this report is not communicated to the military authorities, +nor to the persons affected by it, but is laid on the table of both +Houses of Parliament.[12] These officers then for the first time +find themselves accused under the authority of Government, and that +accusation communicated to the Legislature without ever having been +heard in answer or allowed an opportunity to defend themselves. It +is stated in both Houses by the Government that the officers may send +papers in reply if they choose! But who is to be the Judge on the +trial? The Press, of course, and the _Times_ at the head, have already +judged and condemned, and the House of Commons is now moving _in +default of another Judge_ to constitute its tribunal by a Committee of +Enquiry. + +It is quite evident if matters are left so, and military officers of +the Queen's Army are to be judged as to the manner in which they have +discharged their military duties before an enemy by a Committee of the +House of Commons, the command of the Army is at once transferred from +the Crown to that Assembly. + +This result is quite inevitable if the Government appear as accusers, +as they do by the report of their Commission, and then submit the +accusation for Parliament to deal with, without taking any steps of +their own! + +The course suggested by Sir James Graham and alluded to by Lord +Palmerston, of following the precedent of the enquiry into the +Convention of Cintra,[13] appears therefore to the Queen to be the +only prudent one. + +The Queen thinks it most unfair to the officers to publish their +statements beforehand, as these will not go before judges feeling +the weight of their responsibility, but before the newspapers who are +their sworn enemies and determined to effect their ruin, for which +they possess unlimited means. + +The Queen wishes Lord Palmerston to read this letter to the Cabinet. + + [Footnote 12: Sir John MacNeill and Colonel Tulloch had + been sent out to the Crimea early in 1855 to investigate the + breakdown of various military departments. They had issued a + preliminary report in the summer of 1855, and a final one in + January 1856, which was presented to Parliament. The officers + specially censured were Lord Lucan (who had been given the + command of a Regiment), Lord Cardigan, Inspector of Cavalry, + Sir Richard Airey, Quartermaster-General, and Colonel Gordon, + Deputy Quartermaster-General. Lord Panmure wrote on the 17th + of February that the Government recommended the appointment + of a Commission of Enquiry, consisting of General Sir Howard + Douglas and six other high military officers. The Commission + sat at Chelsea, and made its report in July, exonerating the + officers censured.] + + [Footnote 13: The Convention of Cintra was concluded on + the 30th of August 1808. It was founded on the basis of an + armistice agreed upon between Sir Arthur Wellesley and General + Kellerman, on the day after the battle of Vimiera, and some of + its provisions were considered too favourable to the French. A + Board of Enquiry, under the presidency of Sir David Dundas, + in the first instance exculpated the British officers; but the + Government having instructed the members of the Board to give + their opinions individually, four were found to approve and + three to disapprove the armistice and convention.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE EMPEROR'S CORDIALITY] + + +_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._ + +PARIS, _18th February 1856_. + +Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and humbly +begs to say that he dined last night at the Tuileries, and had a +conversation of two hours with the Emperor, which was in all respects +satisfactory. On no occasion has Lord Clarendon heard the Emperor +express himself more warmly or with greater determination in favour +of the Alliance, and H.M. entirely concurred with Lord Clarendon, that +upon the perfect understanding between the two Governments, and the +conviction on the part of others that the Alliance was not to be +shaken, depended the facility with which negotiations might be +conducted, and the terms on which peace would be made. Lord Clarendon +spoke with the utmost frankness about the flattery that had been +and would continue to be addressed to His Majesty, and the contrast +perpetually drawn between England and France, to the disparagement of +the former, for the purpose of disturbing the relations between them; +but that your Majesty and your Majesty's Government had always treated +these tricks with contempt, because the confidence in the Emperor's +honour and loyalty was complete. Lord Clarendon dwelt particularly +upon the feelings of your Majesty and of the Prince on this subject, +and the pleasure it gave the Emperor was evident; and he desired Lord +Clarendon to say that your Majesty should never find such confidence +misplaced. + +He promised Lord Clarendon that he would give Baron Brunnow and +Count Buol to understand that if they thought the Alliance could be +disturbed by them they would find themselves grievously mistaken, and +that it would be waste of time to try and alter any conditions upon +which he had agreed with the English Government. + +The Emperor appeared to be much gratified by your Majesty's letter, +for the first thing he said to Lord Clarendon on coming into the room +before dinner was "_quelle charmante lettre vous m'avez apportee de +la Reine_," and then began upon the extraordinary clearness with which +your Majesty treated all matters of business, and the pleasure he +derived from every discussion of them with your Majesty.... + +The Empress was looking in great health and beauty. She was in the +highest spirits, and full of affectionate enquiry for your Majesty. + + + + +[Pageheading: OUDH] + + +[Pageheading: THE KING'S APPEAL] + + +_The Marquis of Dalhousie to Queen Victoria._ + +CALCUTTA, _19th February 1856_. + +The Governor-General presents his most humble duty to your Majesty, +and has the honour of submitting to your Majesty a copy of a +Proclamation, whereby the Kingdom of Oudh has been placed exclusively +and permanently under the authority of your Majesty's Government.[14] + +The various considerations, and the course of public events, which +led to this necessity, have long since been laid before your Majesty's +Government in great detail. + +The Governor-General during the past summer communicated to the Home +Authorities his readiness to remain in India as long as he dared, +namely, for one additional month, until the 1st of March, for the +purpose of carrying into effect the proposed policy regarding Oudh--if +it was desired that he should do so. + +The orders from the Home Government reached the Governor-General only +upon the 2nd of January, leaving barely two months for the assembling +of the military force which was necessary to provide against all +risks--for the negotiations with the King--and for the organisation of +the future Civil and Military Administration of Oudh. + +Every preparation having been completed, the Resident at Lucknow +waited upon the King in person--communicated to him the resolution +which the British Government had taken--and tendered for his +acceptance a new Treaty, whereby the transfer of the Government of +Oudh would have been made a matter of amicable agreement. + +The King wholly refused to sign any Treaty. He declared himself ready +to submit to the will of the British Government in all things. He bade +the Resident observe that every mark of power had already been laid +down by His Majesty's own orders--the guns at the palace gates were +dismounted, the guards bore no arms, and, though drawn up as usual in +the Court, they saluted the Resident with their hands only; while not +a weapon was worn by any officer in the Palace. + +The King gave way to passionate bursts of grief and anger--implored +the intercession of the Resident in his behalf--and finally, +uncovering his head, he placed his turban in the Resident's hands. +This act--the deepest mark of humiliation and helplessness which a +native of the East can exhibit--became doubly touching and significant +when the head thus bared in supplication was one that had worn a royal +crown. + +The Government, however, had already borne too long with the wrongs +inflicted by the sovereigns of Oudh upon their unhappy subjects. The +clamorous grief of the King could not be allowed to shut out the cry +of his people's misery. The King's appeal, therefore, could not be +listened to; and as His Majesty, at the end of the three days' space +which was allowed him for deliberation, still resolutely refused to +sign a Treaty, the territory of Oudh was taken possession of, by the +issue of the Proclamation which has now been respectfully submitted to +your Majesty. + +It is the fourth kingdom in India which has passed under your +Majesty's sceptre during the last eight years.[15] + +Perfect tranquillity has prevailed in Oudh since the event which +has just been narrated. General Outram writes that the populace of +Lucknow, more interested than any other community in the maintenance +of the native dynasty, already "appear to have forgotten they ever had +a King." In the districts the Proclamation has been heartily welcomed +by the middle and lower classes; while even the higher orders, who of +course lose much in a native state by the cessation of corruption and +tyranny, have shown no symptoms of dissatisfaction. + +There seems every reason to hope and expect that the same complete +tranquillity will attend the further progress of our arrangements for +the future administration of Oudh.... + +The Governor-General has only further to report to your Majesty that +Lord Canning arrived at Madras on the 14th inst., and that he will +assume the Government of India on the last day of this month. + +The Governor-General will report hereafter Lord Canning's arrival at +Fort William; and he has now the honour to subscribe himself, your +Majesty's most obedient, most humble and devoted Subject and Servant, + +DALHOUSIE. + + [Footnote 14: In a letter of the 13th, Mr Vernon Smith had + told the Queen that the Press rumours of "annexation" were + premature, and that the use of the word itself had been + avoided in Lord Canning's correspondence with the Court of + Directors.] + + [Footnote 15: The earlier annexations were those of the Punjab + (1849), Pegu (1852), and Nagpur (1853); some minor additions + were also made under what was called the "doctrine of lapse."] + + + + +[Pageheading: PRELIMINARIES OF PEACE] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _27th February 1856_. + +The Queen returns Lord Clarendon's letter. + +The matter becomes very serious, and it would be a bad position for +us to be left quite alone in the Conference, which the Russians, the +Queen has every reason to believe, are anxiously striving to bring +about. In fact, well-informed persons pretend that this was the main +aim of Russia in accepting the Austrian ultimatum and going to Paris. + +Would it not answer to take this line: to say to Russia, "You have +accepted the ultimatum, _pur et simple_, and have now again recognised +its stipulations as preliminaries of peace. You will, therefore, first +of all, have to execute them; you may then come to the question of +Kars and say you mean to keep it--then you will see that Europe, bound +to maintain the integrity of Turkey, will be obliged to go on with +the war, and it will be for you to consider whether you mean to go on +fighting for Kars; but at present this is not in question, as you are +only called upon to fulfil the engagements to which you have solemnly +pledged yourself"? + +Perhaps Lord Palmerston will discuss this suggestion with his +colleagues to-night. + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _27th February 1856_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +to state that as the result of the deliberations of the Cabinet this +evening, the accompanying telegraphic message is proposed to be sent +to-morrow morning to Lord Clarendon. It is founded upon the substance +of your Majesty's memorandum of this afternoon. Viscount Palmerston +has taken another copy of this draft. + + + + +_Telegram to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +_28th February 1856_. + +[_Enclosure._] + +Your letter has been considered by the Cabinet. + +Russia should be told that she cannot recede from the conditions +which she deliberately agreed to by a _pur et simple_ acceptance at +Petersburg, which she afterwards formally recorded in a protocol at +Vienna, and which she has within a few days solemnly converted into +preliminaries of peace. + +Those engagements must be fulfilled, and those conditions must be +carried into execution. + +As to Kars, Austria, France, and Great Britain have undertaken to +maintain the integrity of the Turkish Empire, and that integrity must +be maintained. + +Russia received no equivalent for giving up the principalities which +she had occupied as a material pledge. She can receive none for giving +up Kars. + +If Russia determines to carry on the war, rather than give up Kars, +things must take their course. + + + + +[Pageheading: TRANQUILLITY OF INDIA] + + +_The Marquis of Dalhousie to Queen Victoria._ + +GOVERNMENT HOUSE, _29th February 1856_. + +Lord Dalhousie presents his most humble duty to your Majesty. + +The guns are announcing from the ramparts of Fort William that Lord +Canning has arrived. In an hour's time he will have assumed the +Government of India. Lord Dalhousie will transfer it to him in a +state of perfect tranquillity. There is peace, within and without. And +although no prudent man will ever venture to predict the certainty +of continued peace in India, yet Lord Dalhousie is able to declare, +within reservation, that he knows of no quarter in which it is +probable that trouble will arise.[16] + +Lord Dalhousie desires that his very last act, as Governor-General, +should be to submit to your Majesty a respectful expression of the +deep sense he entertains of your Majesty's constant approbation of +his public conduct while he has held the office of Governor-General +of India; together with a humble assurance of the heartfelt gratitude +with which he shall ever remember your Majesty's gracious favour +towards him through the eight long years during which he has borne the +ponderous burden he lays down to-day. + +Lord Dalhousie begs permission to take leave of your Majesty, and has +the honour to subscribe himself, with deep devotion, your Majesty's +most obedient, most humble and faithful Subject and Servant, + +DALHOUSIE. + + [Footnote 16: It has been, however, freely alleged that the + failure to repress acts of insubordination in the administration + of Lord Dalhousie was a contributory, if not the direct, cause + of the events of 1857. See _post_, Introductory Note to Chapter + XXVI, and Walpole's _History of England from the Conclusion of + the Great War in 1815_, ch. xxvii., and authorities there + referred to.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD CLARENDON'S INSTRUCTIONS] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, [_? March_] _1856_. + +The Queen returns these letters to Lord Palmerston. She entirely +concurs in Lord Palmerston's general views of the question, but at the +same time she thinks--as circumstances, which are beyond our control, +may so vary from day to day or even from hour to hour--that Lord +Clarendon should receive full powers to act according to what may +appear to him to be best and wisest at the time, even if it should not +be in strict accordance with what we originally contemplated and must +naturally wish. Such a power would certainly not be misplaced in Lord +Clarendon's hands; his firmness, and his sense of what this country +expects, are too well known to lead us to doubt of his permitting +anything but what would _really_ be for the best of this country, and +for the maintenance of the Alliance. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _6th March 1856_. + +With reference to Lord Clarendon's letter, the Queen must say that +she, though _very reluctantly_, shares his opinion, that we have no +choice _now_ but to accept the peace, even if it is not all we could +desire, and if another campaign might have got us better terms. She +feels certain that the bad accounts of the French Army in the Crimea, +which appears to suffer _now_ all the misery which ours suffered last +year at the worst time of the siege, will more than ever indispose the +Emperor from risking a renewal of hostilities. It is affirmed that the +French have beyond 20,000 men in hospital! + +If we are to have this peace, however, the Queen must again agree with +Lord Clarendon that we ought not _ourselves_ to depreciate it, as our +Press has done the deeds of our Army. + +With regard to the principalities, it is the Queen's opinion that +nothing will oppose a barrier to Russia and her intrigues but +the arrangement which will satisfy the people themselves, viz. an +_hereditary monarchy_. The example of Egypt might perfectly well be +followed in Wallachia and Moldavia. + +The subject of Poland would, in the Queen's opinion, be much better +left unintroduced into the present negotiations; we have no claim +arising out of this war to ask Russia to make concessions on that +head, which, moreover, would be treated by her as an internal question +not admitting of foreign interference. + +The clause in the Treaty of Vienna about the Bonapartes is a dead +letter, as this very Treaty, now to be signed, will prove, and the +Emperor would act very unwisely to call for an alteration in which all +Powers who signed the original Treaty would claim to be consulted. We +have every interest not to bring about a European Congress _pour la +Revision des Traites_, which many people suspect the Emperor wishes to +turn the present Conference into. + +The Queen wishes only to add that, should Prussia be asked to join in +the final Treaty on the ground of her having been a party to the July +Treaty, we should take care that it does not appear that this was +an act of courtesy of all the other Powers towards Prussia except +England, who need not be made to take additional unpopularity in +Germany upon herself. + + + + +_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._ + +PARIS, _18th March 1856._ + +Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and humbly +begs to say that the Emperor gave him to-day the most satisfactory +report of the Empress and the young Prince.[17] There appears to be +little or no fever now, and a great power of sleeping. The Emperor's +eyes filled with tears when he described the tortures of the Empress +and his own sensations. He said he hardly knew how to express his +gratitude for the interest which your Majesty had manifested for the +Empress, and for the letters which he had received from your Majesty +and the Prince. + +The Prussian Plenipotentiaries[18] were admitted at the close of the +Conference this afternoon--all important matters under negotiation +having been concluded. + +Count Walewski made an ineffectual attempt to make it appear by a +doubtful form of expression that Prussia had taken part throughout in +the negotiations. Lord Cowley and Lord Clarendon said that they wished +to show all courtesy to Prussia, but could not consent to sign what +was manifestly untrue.... + + [Footnote 17: The Prince Imperial, Napoleon Eugene Louis Jean + Joseph, was born on the 16th of March.] + + [Footnote 18: Baron Manteuffel and Count Hatzfeldt.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PRINCESS ROYAL] + + +_Extract of a Letter from Mr Cobden to a Friend._[19] + +MIDHURST, _20th March 1856._ + +... It is generally thought that the young Prince Frederic William +of Prussia is to be married to our Princess Royal. I was dining +_tete-a-tete_ with Mr Buchanan, the American Minister, a few days ago, +who had dined the day before at the Queen's table, and sat next to +the Princess Royal. He was in raptures about her, and said she was +the most charming girl he had ever met: "All life and spirit, full +of frolic and fun, with an excellent head, and a _heart as big as +a mountain_"--those were his words. Another friend of mine, Colonel +Fitzmayer, dined with the Queen last week, and in writing to me a +description of the company, he says, that when the Princess Royal +smiles, "it makes one feel as if additional light were thrown upon the +scene." So I should judge that this said Prince is a lucky fellow, and +I trust he will make a good husband. If not, although a man of peace, +I shall consider it a _casus belli_.... + + [Footnote 19: Submitted to the Queen.] + + + + +_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._ + +PARIS, _29th March 1856._ + +Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and humbly +begs to say that the Emperor sent General Ney to him this morning to +request that Lord Clarendon would convey the cordial thanks of the +Emperor to your Majesty for the _feu de joie_ fired by your Majesty's +troops in the Crimea upon the announcement of the birth of the Prince +Imperial. + +Lord Clarendon was much embarrassed by a letter this morning from +Lord Palmerston, desiring that the signature of the Treaty should be +postponed till Monday, in case the Cabinet should have any amendments +to propose; and Lord Clarendon humbly hopes that your Majesty may not +be displeased at his not having acted upon this injunction, because +he had promised to sign the Treaty to-morrow in accordance with the +general wish of the Congress, notwithstanding that it was Sunday, and +he could not therefore go back from his engagement--every preparation +is made for illuminations, not alone at Paris, but throughout France, +as all the Prefects have been informed of the signature--the odium +that would have fallen [on] us all would have been extreme throughout +Europe it may be said, and it would have been regarded as a last +proof of our unwillingness to make peace. The friendly feeling of the +Congress towards the English P.P.'s[20] would have changed, and they +probably would have agreed to no amendments, requiring that all +the seven copies of the Treaty should be recopied. In short, Lord +Clarendon felt that he had no choice but to take upon himself the +responsibility of signing to-morrow; but he has suggested that Lord +Palmerston's private letter should be converted into a despatch, +in order that the sole and entire blame should rest with Lord +Clarendon....[21] + + [Footnote 20: _I.e._, Plenipotentiaries.] + + [Footnote 21: For the chief stipulations of the Treaty, see + _ante_, Introductory Note to Chapter XXV. In addition to the + actual Treaty, an important declaration was made as to the + rules of international maritime law, to be binding only on + the signatory powers, dealing with the following points:-- + + (_a_) Abolition of Privateering. + (_b_) Neutral flag to cover enemy's goods, other than + contraband of war. + (_c_) Neutral goods, other than contraband of war, under + enemy's flag, to be exempt from seizure. + (_d_) Blockades to be binding must be effective, + _i.e._ maintained by adequate marine force.] + + + + +[Pageheading: TERMS ARRIVED AT] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _30th March 1856._ + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and in +submitting the accompanying letter from Lord Clarendon, he begs to +state that he informed Lord Clarendon by the messenger yesterday +evening that all he had done and agreed to was approved, and that he +might sign the Treaty to-day. It was to be signed at half-past twelve +this day. + +Viscount Palmerston begs to congratulate your Majesty upon an +arrangement which effects a settlement that is satisfactory for the +present, and which will probably last for many years to come, of +questions full of danger to the best interests of Europe. Greater +and more brilliant successes by land and sea might probably have been +accomplished by the Allies if the war had continued, but any great +and important additional security against future aggressions by Russia +could only have been obtained by severing from Russia large portions +of her frontier territory, such as Finland, Poland, and Georgia; and +although by great military and financial efforts and sacrifices those +territories might for a time have been occupied, Russia must have been +reduced to the lowest state of internal distress, before her Emperor +could have been brought to put his name to a Treaty of Peace finally +surrendering his sovereignty over those extensive countries; and +to have continued the war long enough for these purposes would have +required greater endurance than was possessed by your Majesty's +Allies, and might possibly have exhausted the good-will of your +Majesty's own subjects.... + + + + +[Pageheading: THE TREATY OF PARIS] + + +_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._ + +PARIS, _30th March 1856._ + +Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and humbly +begs to congratulate your Majesty upon the signature of peace this +afternoon. It is not to be doubted that another campaign must have +brought glory to your Majesty's arms, and would have enabled England +to impose different terms upon Russia, but setting aside the cost and +the horrors of war, in themselves evils of the greatest magnitude, +we cannot feel sure that victory might not have been purchased too +dearly--a continuation of the war would hardly have been possible +either with or without France--if we had dragged her on with us it +would have been most reluctantly on her part, her finances would have +suffered still more, she would have borne us ill-will, would have +acted feebly with us, and would on the first favourable occasion +have left us in the lurch. If we had continued the war single-handed, +France would feel that she had behaved shabbily to us, and would +_therefore_ have hated us all the more, and become our enemy sooner +than under any other circumstances; a coalition of Europe might then +have taken place against England, to which the United States would +but too gladly have adhered, and the consequence might have been most +serious. + +Lord Clarendon would not make such an assertion lightly, but he feels +convinced that your Majesty may feel satisfied with the position now +occupied by England--six weeks ago it was a painful position here, +everybody was against us, our motives were suspected, and our policy +was denounced; but the universal feeling now is that we are the only +country able and ready, and willing, if necessary, to continue the +war; that we might have prevented peace, but that having announced +our readiness to make peace on honourable terms we have honestly and +unselfishly acted up to our word. It is well known, too, that the +conditions on which peace is made would have been different if England +had not been firm, and everybody is, of course, glad _even here_ that +peace should not have brought dishonour to France. + +Lord Clarendon, therefore, ventures to hope that the language +in England with respect to the peace will not be apologetic or +dissatisfied. It would be unwise and undignified, and would invite +criticism if such language were held before the conditions are +publicly known. + + + + +[Pageheading: END OF THE WAR] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _31st March 1856._ + +The Queen thanks Lord Clarendon much for his two letters of Saturday +and yesterday; and we congratulate _him_ on the success of his +_efforts_ in obtaining the Peace, for to him _alone_ it is due, and +also _to him alone_ is due the dignified position which the Queen's +beloved country holds, and which she owes to a straightforward, +steady, and unselfish policy throughout. + +Much as the Queen disliked the idea of _Peace_, she has become +reconciled to it, by the conviction that France would either not have +continued the war, or continued it in such a manner that _no_ glory +could have been hoped for for us. + +We have a striking proof of this in Pelissier not having obeyed the +Emperor's orders and never having thought of occupying Sak.[22] _This +really might_ be hinted to the Emperor.... + +The Queen finds Lord Palmerston very well pleased with the Peace, +though he struggled as long as he could for better conditions.... + + [Footnote 22: The word is so written in the original draft. + There was a place of the name near Old Fort in the Crimea, + but this is more probably an abbreviation for Sakatal in + Caucasia.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _1st April 1856_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--... _Peace is signed!_ But till the ratifications +have taken place its terms cannot be known. That so _good_ a Peace +_has_ been obtained, and that this country stands in the high position +she now does by _having_ made peace, but _not_ yielding to _unworthy_ +and dishonourable terms, is _all_ owing to Lord Clarendon, whose +difficulties were immense, and who cannot be too highly praised. + +May I beg to remind you to make enquiries, _quietly_, about the +young Prince of Orange[23]--as to his education, _entourage_, and +disposition? Pray also don't forget to try and let us have a _new_ +Russian; it would be infinitely _better_.[24] + +We were much grieved to hear the day before yesterday from Sommer +that poor Stockmar had had a relapse, but the illness is clearly of +a spasmodic nature and therefore _not_ at all dangerous, and the pain +had speedily left him, but of course left him again weaker, which is +most distressing. + +Now with Albert's affectionate love and our reiterated _warmest_ +thanks, in which Vicky is included, for your having so VERY kindly +come over for her Confirmation, believe me, ever, your devoted Niece +and Child, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 23: Prince William Nicholas, born 1840, elder son of + King William III. of Holland.] + + [Footnote 24: The new Russian Ambassador was Count + Creptowitch.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Emperor of the French._ + +PALAIS DE BUCKINGHAM, _le 3 Avril 1856_. + +SIRE ET MON CHER FRERE,--V.M. me permettra de lui offrir toutes mes +felicitations a l'occasion de la paix qui a ete conclue sous vos +auspices, et peu de jours seulement apres l'heureux evenement qui vous +a donne un fils. Quoique partageant le sentiment de la pluspart de +mon peuple qui trouve que cette paix est peut-etre un peu precoce, +j'eprouve le besoin de vous dire que j'approuve hautement les termes +dans lesquels elle a ete concue, comme un resultat qui n'est pas +indigne des sacrifices que nous avons faits mutuellement pendant cette +juste guerre, et comme assurant autant que cela se peut, la stabilite +de l'equilibre Europeen.... + +Le Prince me charge de vous offrir ses hommages les plus affectueux, +et je me dis pour toujours, Sire et cher Frere, de V.M.I., la bien +affectionnee S[oe]ur et Amie, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: HONOURS GRATEFULLY DECLINED] + + +_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._ + +PARIS, _6th April 1856_. + +Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty to your Majesty.... + +Lord Clarendon humbly begs in Lord Cowley's name and his own most +gratefully to acknowledge the kind and gracious intention of your +Majesty to raise each of them a step in the Peerage, and they venture +to hope that your Majesty will not have been displeased at their +having respectfully declined this great distinction. Lord Cowley's +reason was his extreme poverty, and the feeling that an accession of +rank would only aggravate the inconvenience he already experiences +from being a Peer.... + +Lord Clarendon felt that courtesy titles to his younger sons would be +a positive injury to them in working for their bread, and he relied +upon your Majesty's unvarying kindness for appreciating his reluctance +to prefer himself to his children. He may, with entire truth, add that +the knowledge that your Majesty has approved of their conduct is ample +and abundant reward for Lord Cowley and himself. Lord Clarendon hopes +it is not presumptuous in him to say that he would not exchange your +Majesty's letters of approval for any public mark of your Majesty's +favour.... + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD PALMERSTON AND THE GARTER] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _11th April 1856_. + +Now that the moment for the ratification of the Treaty of Peace is +near at hand, the Queen wishes to delay no longer the expression +of her satisfaction as to the manner in which both the War has been +brought to a conclusion, and the honour and interests of this country +have been maintained by the Treaty of Peace, under the zealous and +able guidance of Lord Palmerston. She wishes as a public token of her +approval to bestow the Order of the Garter upon him. Should the two +vacant Ribbons already have been promised to the Peers whose names +Lord Palmerston has on a former occasion submitted to the Queen, there +could be no difficulty in his being named an extra Knight, not filling +up the next vacancy which may occur; this course was followed when +Lord Grey received the Garter from the hands of King William. + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _11th April 1856_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and is +unable to express in words the gratification and thankfulness which he +feels upon the receipt of your Majesty's most gracious and unexpected +communication of this morning. The utmost of his ambition has been so +to perform the duties of the high position in which your Majesty has +been pleased to place him, as to prove himself not unworthy of the +confidence with which your Majesty has honoured him; and the knowledge +that your Majesty has found no reason to be dissatisfied with your +choice; and that his endeavour properly to discharge his duties to +your Majesty and the country have met with your Majesty's approval +would of itself be an ample reward for any labour or anxiety with +which the performance of those duties may have been attended, and, +therefore, the gracious communication which he has this morning +received from your Majesty will be preserved by him as in his eyes +still more valuable even than the high honour which it announces your +Majesty's intention to confer upon him. + +That high and distinguished honour Viscount Palmerston will receive +with the greatest pride as a public mark of your Majesty's gracious +approbation, but he begs to be allowed to say that the task which he +and his colleagues have had to perform has been rendered comparatively +easy by the enlightened views which your Majesty has taken of all the +great affairs in which your Majesty's Empire has been engaged, and +by the firm and steady support which _in_ all these important +transactions your Majesty's servants have received from the Crown. + + + + +[Pageheading: SERVICE RETRENCHMENTS] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _12th April 1856_. + +The Queen returns the draft of Treaty, which she approves, and of +which she would wish to have a copy. + +The Queen believes that the Cabinet are going to consider to-day the +amount of retrenchments which may be necessary in the Army and Navy. + +She trusts and _expects_ that this will be done with great +_moderation_ and very _gradually_; and that the difficulties we have +had, and the sufferings which we have endured, may not be forgotten, +for to the miserable reductions of the last thirty years are entirely +owing our state of _helplessness_ when the War began; and it would +be unpardonable if we were to be found in a similar condition, when +another War--and _who_ can tell _how_ soon there may be one?--breaks +out. + +We must _never_ for a moment forget the very peculiar state of France, +and _how entirely all there_ depends upon _one_ man's life. + +We _ought_ and _must_ be prepared for every _eventuality_, and we have +splendid material in that magnificent little Army in the Crimea. + +The Queen wishes Lord Palmerston to show this letter to the Cabinet. + + + + +[Pageheading: LETTER FROM THE EMPEROR] + + +_The Emperor of the French to Queen Victoria._ + +PARIS, _le 12 Avril 1856_. + +MADAME ET TRES CHERE S[OE]UR,--Votre Majeste m'a fait grand plaisir en +me disant qu'elle etait satisfaite de la conclusion de la paix, car +ma constante preoccupation a ete, tout en desirant la fin d'une guerre +ruineuse, de n'agir que de concert avec le Gouvernement de votre +Majeste. Certes je concois bien qu'il ait ete desirable d'obtenir +encore de meilleurs resultats, mais etait-ce raisonnable d'en attendre +de la maniere dont la guerre avait ete engagee? J'avoue que je ne +le crois pas. La guerre avait ete trop lentement conduite par nos +generaux et nos amiraux et nous avions laisse le temps aux Russes de +se rendre presque imprenables a Cronstadt comme en Crimee. Je crois +donc que nous aurions paye trop cherement sous tous les rapports les +avantages que nous eussions pu obtenir. Je suis pour cette raison +heureux de la paix, mais je suis heureux surtout que notre Alliance +sorte intacte des conferences et qu'elle se montre a l'Europe aussi +solide que le premier jour de _notre union_. (Je prie le Prince Albert +de ne pas etre jaloux de cette expression.) + +Nous avons appris avec la plus vive satisfaction que les projets que +votre Majeste avait concus pour le bonheur de la Princesse Royale +allaient bientot se realiser. On dit tant de bien du jeune Prince +Frederic Guillaume que je ne doute pas que votre charmante fille ne +soit heureuse. L'Imperatrice, qui attend avec impatience le moment de +pouvoir ecrire a votre Majeste, a ete bien touchee de votre aimable +lettre. Vers le commencement de Mai nous irons a St Cloud ou votre +souvenir nous y accompagne toujours, car ces lieux nous rappellent +le sejour de votre Majeste et nous faisons des v[oe]ux pour qu'un si +heureux evenement puisse se renouveler. + +Je prie votre Majeste de me rappeler au souvenir du Prince Albert +et de recevoir avec bonte l'assurance des sentiments de respectueuse +amitie avec lesquels je suis, de votre Majeste, le devoue Frere et +Ami, + +NAPOLEON. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Hardinge._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _21st April 1856_. + +The Queen has heard from Colonel Phipps that Lord Hardinge is most +anxious for her sanction to the paper submitted yesterday, if even as +merely a temporary measure, before the mail goes this evening, as all +the shipping at Balaklava is waiting for it. She hopes Lord Hardinge +will see how inconvenient and unpleasant it must be to the Queen to +have important matters submitted at such short notice that they cannot +even be discussed by her without detriment to the public service, and +trusts that she may not again be placed in a similar position. She has +now signed the paper, but _only_ as a temporary measure, and upon the +understanding that Lord Hardinge will submit to her, between this and +the next mail, the arrangements which are now wanting. + +She has also signed the proposal about Canada, but must express her +conviction that General Le Marchant,[25] as Civil Governor of the +Colony, cannot possibly attend to the command of the Brigade, which +ought to have a distinct Commander. There may be Artillery in Canada, +but is it horsed? and in Batteries? + +We are rapidly falling back into the old ways! + + [Footnote 25: Sir John Gaspard Le Marchant, 1803-1874, + Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia from 1852 to 1857.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _6th May 1856_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Having returned late from a drive, I have but +little time to spare to thank you for your kind letter of the 2nd. +Last Thursday (1st) was our darling Arthur's sixth birthday, which he +enjoyed duly. On the 3rd we received Brunnow[26]--who was so nervous +and humble, and so _emu_ that he could hardly speak. He dines with us +to-night, and the dinner is given for him, being a _funny collection +of antagonistic elements_--Granville, Clarendon, Lansdowne, Aberdeen, +Graham, John Russell, Derby, and Malmesbury! "The Happy Family," I +call it. + +The Opposition have taken the line of disapproving the Peace and +showing great hostility to Russia. + +To-morrow we have a Levee, and on Thursday a ball in our fine new +room, which we open on that day; and on Friday there is a _Peace_ Fete +at the Crystal Palace. On Saturday we go out of town; and now I must +end, begging to be forgiven for so hurried a scrawl, but I had to +write a long letter and to _sit_ to Winterhalter. Ever your devoted +Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 26: He had come to England, charged with a special + mission.] + + + + +[Pageheading: COLONIAL GOVERNORSHIPS] + + +_Queen Victoria to Mr Labouchere._ + +OSBORNE, _14th May 1856_. + +The Queen has received Mr Labouchere's letter, and hastens to express +her opinion that Mr Wilson[27] would not be at all a proper person to +be Governor of so large and important a Colony as Victoria. It ought +to be a man of higher position and standing, and who could represent +his Sovereign adequately.... + +She wishes further to observe that Mr Labouchere should in future take +care that, while he tries to ascertain the feelings of people as to +their accepting the offer of a Colonial appointment, before he submits +them to the Queen, that these enquiries should be made in such a +manner as not to lead these persons to _expect_ the appointment, +else, if the _Queen_ does not approve of them, the whole odium of the +refusal will fall upon her. The best way, and the way in which similar +appointments are conducted in the other Offices, would be to mention +the names first to the Queen, and if she approves of them, to +ascertain the feelings of the respective candidates. This would avoid +all difficulties on the subject. + + [Footnote 27: James Wilson, the founder of _The Economist_, + was at this time Financial Secretary to the Treasury. In 1859 + he accepted the new office of Financial Member of the Council + of India, but died in the following year.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Mr Labouchere._ + +_14th May 1856_. + +The Queen would quite approve of the selection of Sir H. Bulwer, Lord +Lyttelton, or Sir H. Barkly for Victoria. She is decidedly of opinion +that the Governor should be an Englishman and not a Colonist. Now that +self-Government has been established in the Colonies, the person of +the Governor is the only connection remaining with the Mother Country; +and if the Government were once filled from among the public men in +the Colonies, this would become a precedent most difficult to break +through again, and possibly paving the way for total separation.[28] + + [Footnote 28: Sir Henry Bulwer declined. Sir Henry Barkly was + appointed.] + + + + +[Pageheading: NAVAL POLICY] + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Charles Wood._ + +OSBORNE, _18th May 1856_. + +The Queen has to thank Sir C. Wood for his long and clear statement +as to the present position of the Naval Force, which she quite +understands. She attaches the greatest importance to perfect faith +being kept with the sailors, and on that account was distressed to +hear of the misapprehension at Portsmouth the other day. + +A good system for a Naval Reserve would be most important. The Queen +thinks a Commission, composed chiefly of _younger officers_ still +conversant with the _present_ feelings of our sailors, would best be +able to advise on the subject; the old Admirals are always and not +unnaturally somewhat behind their time. + +With respect to the policy of not too rapidly reducing our naval +armaments, Sir C. Wood only anticipates the Queen's most anxious wish +on this subject, for we cannot tell what may not happen anywhere at +any moment; our relations with America are very unsettled, and our +Alliance with France _depends_ upon the life of one man. And it +is best to be prepared, for else you excite suspicion if you have +suddenly to make preparations without being _able_ to state for what +they are intended. + +With regard to the Sailors' Homes, the Queen concurs in the advantage +of leaving them to private management; but the Government, having so +large a stake in the sailors' welfare, would act wisely and justly to +make a handsome donation to all of them at the present moment, taking +care that this should be used by the different establishments for +their permanent extension. Five thousand pounds amongst them would +be by no means an unreasonable sum to give as a token of the interest +taken in the well-being of these brave men when no immediate return in +shape of service was expected for it. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _21st May 1856_. + +The Queen is very anxious about the fixing of our Peace establishment +both for the Army and Navy. Although Lord Hardinge's proposals are +before the Government already for some time, no proposal has yet been +submitted to the Queen; and on enquiry from Sir C. Wood, he stated +but two days ago that no reduction of the Navy was yet settled. On +the other hand, the Queen sees from the Chancellor of the Exchequer's +speech that he specifies the sums by which both Army and Navy +estimates are to be reduced. This _prejudges_ the whole question, +and will deprive the Government of all power freely to consider +these important questions. The Queen was, moreover, sorry to find +Mr Disraeli, Mr Gladstone, and Sir Francis Baring agreeing with the +doctrine of the _Times_ and Lord Grey that we ought _not_ to improve +our state of preparation for war; and if we had been better prepared +for the late war, we should have been still more disappointed.[29] + + [Footnote 29: In the course of an elaborate reply, Lord + Palmerston stated that the country had never been in a better + condition of defence than at the present time, but he insisted + that the Militia, which from 1815 to 1832 had been allowed + to become extinct, must be maintained in an efficient + state--120,000 strong.] + + + + +[Pageheading: TITLE OF PRINCE CONSORT] + +[Pageheading: PRECEDENCE OF PRINCE ALBERT] + + +_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _May 1856_. + +It is a strange omission in our Constitution that while _the wife_ +of a _King_ has the highest rank and dignity in the realm after her +husband assigned to her by law, the _husband_ of a _Queen regnant_ +is entirely ignored by the law. This is the more extraordinary, as +a husband has in this country such particular rights and such great +power over his wife, and as the Queen is married just as any other +woman is, and swears to obey her lord and master, as such, while by +law he has no rank or defined position. This is a strange anomaly. +No doubt, as is the case _now_--the Queen _can_ give her husband the +highest _place_ by _placing_ him _always near her person_, and the +Nation would give it him as a _matter of course_. Still, when I first +married, we had much difficulty on this subject; much bad feeling was +shown, and several members of the Royal Family showed bad grace +in giving precedence to the Prince, and the late King of Hanover +positively resisted doing so. I gave the Prince precedence by issuing +Letters Patent, but these give no rank in Parliament--or at the +Council Board--and it would be far better to put this question beyond +all doubt, and to secure its settlement for _all future Consorts of +Queens_, and thus have this omission in the Constitution rectified. +Naturally my own feeling would be to give the Prince the same title +and rank as I have, but a Titular King is a complete novelty in +this country, and might be productive of more inconveniences than +advantages to the individual who bears it. Therefore, upon mature +reflection, and after considering the question for nearly _sixteen +years_, I have come to the conclusion that the title which is now by +universal consent given him of "Prince Consort," with the highest rank +in and out of Parliament immediately after the Queen, and before every +other Prince of the Royal Family, should be the one assigned to the +husband of the Queen regnant _once and for all_. This ought to be done +before our children grow up, and it seems peculiarly easy to do so +_now_ that none of the old branches of the Royal Family are still +alive. + +The present position is this: that while every British subject, down +to the Knight, Bachelor, Doctor, and Esquire, has a rank and position +by _Law_, the Queen's husband alone has one by _favour_--and by his +wife's favour, who may grant it or not! When granted as in the present +case, it does not extend to Parliament and the Council, and the +children may deny the position which their mother has given to their +father as a usurpation over them, having the law on their side; or if +they waive their rights in his favour, he will hold a position granted +by the forbearance of his children. In both cases this is a position +most derogatory to the Queen as well as to her husband, and most +dangerous to the peace and well-being of her family. If the children +resist, the Queen will have her husband pushed away from her side by +her children, and they will take precedence over the man whom she is +bound to obey; if they are dutiful, she will owe her peace of mind to +their continued generosity. + +With relation to Foreign Courts, the Queen's position is equally +humiliating in this respect. _Some_ Sovereigns (crowned heads) address +her husband as "Brother," some as "Brother and Cousin," some merely as +"Cousin." When the Queen has been abroad, her husband's position has +always been a subject of negotiation and vexation; the position which +has been accorded to him the Queen has always had to acknowledge as +a grace and favour bestowed on her by the Sovereign whom she visited. +While last year the Emperor of the French treated the Prince as a +Royal personage, his uncle declined to come to Paris avowedly because +he would not give precedence to the Prince; and on the Rhine in 1845 +the King of Prussia could not give the place to the Queen's husband +which common civility required, because of the presence of an +Archduke, the third son of an uncle of the then reigning Emperor of +Austria, who would not give the _pas_, and whom the King would not +offend. + +The only legal position in Europe, according to international law, +which the husband of the Queen of England enjoys, is that of a younger +brother of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg, and this merely because the +English law does not know of him. This is derogatory to the dignity of +the Crown of England. + +But _nationally_ also it is an injury to the position of the Crown +that the Queen's husband should have no other title than that of +Prince of Saxe-Coburg, and thus be perpetually represented to the +country as a foreigner. "The Queen and her foreign husband, the Prince +Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha!" + +The Queen has a right to claim that her husband should be an +Englishman, bearing an English title, and enjoying a legal position +which she has not to defend with a wife's anxiety as a usurpation +against her own children, her subjects, and Foreign Courts. + +The question has often been discussed by me with different Prime +Ministers and Lord Chancellors, who have invariably entirely agreed +with me; but the wish to wait for a good moment to bring the matter +before Parliament has caused one year after another to elapse without +anything being done. If I become _now_ more anxious to have it +settled, it is in order that it should be so before our children are +grown up, that it might not appear to be done in order to guard their +father's position against them personally, which could not fail to +produce a painful impression upon their minds. + +If properly explained to Parliament and the country, I cannot foresee +the slightest difficulty in getting such a necessary measure passed, +particularly if it be made quite clear to the House of Commons that it +is in no way connected with a desire to obtain an increased grant for +the Prince.[30] + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 30: See _post_, 28th June, 1856, note 33.] + + + + +[Pageheading: SABBATARIANISM] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Hardinge._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _1st June 1856_. + +The Queen understands that there is an attempt to be made to prevent +the military bands from playing when the Troops march to church on a +Sunday. + +She is anxious to express to Lord Hardinge her very strong feeling on +this subject, and her wish that he should on _no_ account give way +to such a proposal. _Whatever_ has been the custom should be firmly +adhered to, and Lord Hardinge is perfectly at liberty to make use of +the Queen's name, and say he could not bring such a proposal before +her, as he knew she would not consent to it.[31] + + [Footnote 31: The custom of bands playing in the public parks + on Sundays had been objected to by various religious bodies, + and in April a letter on the subject was written to Lord + Palmerston by the Archbishop of Canterbury, after which the + performances were discontinued, the Government giving way + before the threat of a vote of censure. A similar movement + was made in opposition to the playing of regimental bands. See + _ante_, 7th August, 1855, note 71.] + + + + +[Pageheading: WELLINGTON COLLEGE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _3rd June 1856_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I hasten to thank you for your very kind letter +of yesterday, just received. Your kind _question_ puts me into +considerable perplexity, and I think I cannot do better than by +putting you in full possession of the state of the case. + +Our house is very full--and it is _possible_ that we may have very +shortly the visit of Prince Oscar of Sweden. These Princes have very +large _suites_, and I should therefore in such a case be totally +unable to lodge you and _them_. But there is another reason. While +Fritz Wilhelm is here, _every_ spare moment Vicky has (and _I_ have, +for I must chaperon this loving couple--which takes away so much of my +precious time) is devoted to her bridegroom, who is _so_ much in +love, that, even if he is out driving and walking with her, he is not +satisfied, and says he has not seen her, unless he can have her for an +hour to himself, when I am naturally bound to be acting as chaperon. +Under these circumstances I may truly say that dear Charlotte would +have very little enjoyment; she would see very little of Vicky, _I +could not_ take care of her, and I fear it would be anything but +agreeable for her. Fritz Wilhelm would besides be miserable if I took +Vicky more away from him than I already do, and therefore _while he_ +is here, it would _not_, I think, be advisable that _Charlotte_ should +come. Could you _not_ come a little in August when the Prince and +Princess of Prussia have left us? Or would you prefer coming in +October, when we return from Scotland? You will easily believe, +dearest Uncle, _what_ pleasure it gives me to see you; but I know you +will understand the reasons I here give for begging you to delay this +dear visit either to August or October.... + +I had a little hope that the Archduke and Charlotte _might_ take a +mutual liking; it would be such a good _parti_. + +We had an interesting ceremony yesterday, the laying of the first +stone of the Wellington College--which is the monument to the memory +of the dear old Duke. Dear little Arthur appeared for the first time +in public, and I hope you will approve my answer.[32] + +Now, dearest Uncle, ever your truly devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 32: The Queen's reply to an address presented to + her, on behalf of the College, by Lord Derby.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE NATIONAL GALLERY] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord Panmure._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th June 1856_. + +The Queen and Prince had intended to take their visitors down to +the Camp on Monday next--the _only day_ which we shall have for +a fortnight free from other engagements--and hears, to her _utter +astonishment_, that _all_ the troops are gone--not only the Militia, +but the 3rd Battalion of the Rifles!--and this without the Queen's +hearing _one_ word of it! The Queen is the more astonished and +annoyed, as Lord Panmure had promised that the Militia regiments +should _not_ be disembodied until there were other troops to replace +them, which will not be the case for some little time. _What_ is the +cause of this, sudden determination? The Queen is much vexed, as her +visitors will not stay long, and are very anxious to visit the Camp; +and it is of much importance that Foreign Princes should see what we +have, and in what state of efficiency our troops are. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _26th June 1856_. + +The Queen hopes Lord Palmerston will make it quite clear to the +subordinate Members of the Government that they cannot be allowed +to vote against the Government proposal about the National Gallery +to-morrow, as she hears that several fancy themselves at liberty to do +so. + + + + +[Pageheading: TITLE OF PRINCE CONSORT] + + +_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._[33] + +ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _28th June 1856_. + +Lord Derby, with his humble duty ... will be prepared, as well as Lord +Lyndhurst, to give his cordial support to such a Bill as that sketched +out by the Lord Chancellor; but using that freedom which is invited by +and due to the gracious confidence reposed in him by your Majesty, he +hopes he may be pardoned for earnestly submitting to your Majesty's +serious consideration the question whether it may be expedient to +raise a discussion on such a subject during the short remainder of the +present Session of Parliament. Measures of public importance already +in progress are now beginning to be abandoned in consequence of +the advanced period of the Session, and Lord Lyndhurst concurs very +strongly in Lord Derby's apprehensions as to the result on public +feeling of the introduction of such a measure at the present moment. +If it could be stated that your Majesty contemplated a foreign visit +in the course of the summer, which rendered it desirable that a +measure should be passed to obviate the embarrassment which had been +created on previous occasions of the same sort, some case might be +made out for immediate legislation, though even then the question +would arise why it was not thought of sooner; but in the absence of +any change of circumstances, and in the present unfortunate temper of +the House of Commons, of which a proof was given last night, such +a course would probably lead to suspicions and remarks of the most +painful character. It would be said, and with some justice, that the +greater the constitutional importance of a settlement, the greater was +also the necessity of ample opportunity for consideration being given +to Parliament; and the hurry of passing the Bill would be cited as a +proof that it covered some unavowed and objectionable design. If such +suspicions should lead to the postponement of the measure, not only +would the Crown have been subjected to a mortifying defeat, but the +Bill would be open to the hostile criticisms of the Press during the +whole summer and autumn, the effect of which might even endanger its +ultimate success.... + +Should your Majesty be otherwise advised, Lord Derby will be ready to +give the Bill his personal support, but he would be wanting in candour +if he did not frankly state to your Majesty the serious apprehensions +which he should entertain as to the result. Such an unreserved +expression of his opinions is the only and very inadequate return +which he can make to your Majesty for the gracious confidence with +which your Majesty has honoured him, and for which he feels most +deeply grateful. + +The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's most dutiful Servant +and Subject, + +DERBY. + + [Footnote 33: The Queen had sent to Lord Derby a copy of her + Memorandum, _ante_, May, 1856, a letter from Lord Palmerston to + herself on the same subject, and the sketch of a Bill drawn + up by the Lord Chancellor to give effect to her wishes. On the + 25th of June 1857, the title of "Prince Consort" was conferred + on Prince Albert by Royal Letters Patent. "I should have + preferred," wrote the Queen, "its being done by Act of + Parliament, and so it may still be at some future period; but + it was thought better upon the whole to do it _now_ in this + simple way."] + + + + +[Pageheading: RETIREMENT OF LORD HARDINGE] + + +_Viscount Hardinge to Queen Victoria._ + +15 GREAT STANHOPE STREET, _10th July 1856_. + +Field-Marshal Viscount Hardinge,[34] with his most humble duty to your +Majesty, is conscious that his power of serving your Majesty in the +high position of General Commanding-in-Chief has ceased in consequence +of the state of his health, which leaves him no other course to pursue +than that of placing in your Majesty's hands the resignation of his +office, the duties of which his sudden and severe illness has rendered +him incapable of performing. + +Lord Hardinge cannot take this step without thanking your Majesty for +the great consideration and support which he has at all times received +at a period of no ordinary difficulty, and which have impressed him +with such sentiments of gratitude as can only cease with his life. + +All of which is most humbly submitted to your Majesty by your +Majesty's dutiful and devoted Servant, + +HARDINGE. + + [Footnote 34: A great review of the troops lately returned + from the Crimea was held in most unfavourable weather at + Aldershot, on the 8th of July, King Leopold among others being + present; Lord Hardinge, who had brought with him the Report of + the Military Commission which had been sitting at Chelsea, + was struck by paralysis during an Audience with the Queen; the + next day Lord Panmure wrote: "His leg is entirely useless, and + his right arm visibly affected. I spoke to him for a moment as + he got into his carriage, and his head is quite clear, but his + public career is closed; and knowing his high mind as I do, I + would not be surprised to learn that he made a communication + to that effect to the Queen very shortly."] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _10th July 1856_. + +The Queen has received the enclosed letter from Lord Hardinge, +conveying his resignation, for which she was prepared. She asks Lord +Palmerston to enable her, by the assistance of his advice, soon to +appoint a successor to the important office of Commander-in-Chief. +She has again considered the question, and is confirmed in her opinion +that the Duke of Cambridge stands almost without a competitor. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Hardinge._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _11th July 1856_. + +The Queen received yesterday evening Field-Marshal Lord Hardinge's +letter resigning his office of Commander-in-Chief. She cannot +sufficiently express how deeply grieved she is to feel that from Lord +Hardinge's state of health she must accept his resignation. The loss +of his services will be immense to the Queen, the country, and the +Army--and she trusts that he is well assured of her high sense of the +very valuable services he has long rendered. She hopes, however, +that she may still reckon on his advice and assistance on matters of +importance, though he will no longer command her noble Army. + +She cannot conclude without expressing the Prince's and her fervent +wishes that he may rapidly recover, and his valuable life be long +preserved to all his friends, amongst whom we shall ever consider +ourselves. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE COMMANDERSHIP-IN-CHIEF] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _12th July 1856_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +to state that he has consulted with his colleagues as to the advice +to be tendered to your Majesty in regard to the appointment of a +successor to Lord Hardinge as General Commanding-in-Chief; and upon +a full consideration of the subject, the Cabinet are of opinion that +your Majesty's choice could not fall upon any General Officer better +suited to that important position than His Royal Highness the Duke +of Cambridge, and Lord Panmure will have the honour of taking your +Majesty's pleasure upon the matter officially. + +It seems quite clear that there is no General Officer senior to His +Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge to whom it would in all respects +be desirable to intrust the duties of the command of the Army, and +there is no General Officer below him in seniority who has claim +sufficiently strong to justify his being preferred to His Royal +Highness.... + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _13th July 1856_. + +The Queen wishes to ask, before she sanctions this draft, whether the +Cabinet have fully considered the consequences of this declaration +to the Persians, which may be war;[35] and if so, whether they are +prepared to go to war with Persia, and have provided the means of +carrying it on? The draft itself the Queen approves. + + [Footnote 35: The Shah, availing himself of the departure of + the British Minister from Teheran, laid siege to Herat, in + direct violation of a treaty of 1853.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _21st July 1856_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--... We had a delightful little _sejour_ at +Aldershot--much favoured by fine weather. The first day, Wednesday, +the wind was too high for _me_ to ride, but the second (Thursday) +we had one of the prettiest and _most_ interesting field days I ever +remember. I rode about everywhere and enjoyed it so much. On Thursday +and Friday morning we visited the Camp. The new Troops from the +Crimea which we saw were the 34th, 41st, and 49th, particularly fine +Regiments; the 93rd Highlanders, the 2nd Rifle Battalion, and three +Companies of splendid Sappers and Miners, all very fine; and the Scots +Greys and Enniskillen Dragoons. The Prussians[36] were _emerveilles_ +at the looks of our Troops on returning from the Crimea! We came here +on the 18th, and have really _hot_ weather. + +George has been appointed Commander-in-Chief. There was really _no +one_ who could have been put over him; though in some respects it may +be a weakness for the Crown, it is a great strength for the Army.... + +I fear I must end here for to-day. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 36: The Prince and Princess of Prussia were on a + visit to the Queen and Prince.] + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _24th July 1856_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and will +give directions for the Council at Osborne at one o'clock on Monday, +according to your Majesty's desire; and he would beg to submit +for your Majesty's gracious consideration that the General +Commanding-in-Chief has usually been a Privy Councillor, and that His +Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge might, if your Majesty thought +fit, be sworn in on Monday. + +Viscount Palmerston will communicate with Dr. Goodford, but he finds +that he was misled by the Headmaster and one of the Governors of +Harrow at the Speech Day; he understood from them that an additional +week's holiday would at his request be given to the boys at this +vacation in commemoration of the Peace. He has now received a letter +from the Governors to say that the school had an additional week on +the occasion of the Peace at Easter, and that an additional week will +be given, not now, but at Christmas, in commemoration of the laying +the first stone of the new Chapel. If, therefore, the Eton boys had an +additional week at Easter in honour of the Peace, as the Harrow boys +had, there will be no reason for any addition to the Eton holidays +now.... + + + + +[Pageheading: SOUTH AFRICA] + + +_Mr Labouchere to Queen Victoria._ + +_26th July 1856._ + +With Mr Labouchere's humble duty to Her Majesty. Mr Labouchere begs to +submit the following observations in reply to Her Majesty's enquiries +respecting the Free States in the vicinity of the British Colonies in +South Africa. + +There are two independent States there:-- + +(1.) The Transvaal Republic, founded by Boers who left the Colony for +the most part from ten to fifteen years ago. The territory on which +they are established never was British. The Government of the day, +thinking it useless and impolitic to pursue them there, entered into +a capitulation with them and recognised their independent existence. +They inhabit the plains north of the Vaal or Yellow River. + +(2.) The Orange River Free State. This occupies the territory between +the Vaal River to the north and the Orange River to the south. This +territory, like the former, was occupied originally by emigrant Boers, +and was beyond the boundaries of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope. +But Sir Harry Smith, in 1849, after a severe military struggle with +the Boers, thought proper without authority from home to annex it to +British Dominion.[37] This annexation was ratified by Lord Grey, +and the country remained for three or four years under British rule. +Afterwards it was resolved to abandon it, during the administration +of the Duke of Newcastle, as a result of the general revision of our +affairs which took place at the conclusion of the Kaffir War. The +Orange River Territory was recognised as a separate Republic in 1854. + +It is certainly true that the existence of these Free States may +complicate our relations with the Kaffirs, and possibly be a source +of danger to the security of British dominion in South Africa. But the +latter danger seems very remote. They possess _no_ portion of the +sea coast, and are altogether a pastoral people, and are engaged in a +constant struggle with the barbarous tribes in their neighbourhood. + +To retain and protect these territories would have involved an immense +expenditure, and been attended with great difficulties. Besides, the +same question would have speedily recurred, as these emigrant Boers +would have soon gone further into the interior, and again have +asserted their independence. Our present relations with both these +States are very amicable. When Governor Sir George Grey went to the +Cape all these questions had been finally disposed of.[38] + +There seems to be good reason to hope that the apprehensions of a +Kaffir War will not be realised. The Colony is very prosperous, and +is beginning to export wool in large quantities. The new legislature +appears to be disposed to act harmoniously with the Governor, and to +be actuated by a spirit of loyalty and attachment to this country. +What they most want is a supply of European settlers, which it is to +be hoped that the soldiers of the German and Swiss Legions will give +them. + + [Footnote 37: See _ante_, vol. ii., Introductory Note to Chapter + XVII, and 25th October, 1848, note 45.] + + [Footnote 38: Sir George Grey had been sent out by the Duke + of Newcastle in 1854. He had previously been Governor of South + Australia and New Zealand successively. He returned to New + Zealand as Governor in 1861, and was Premier of the Colony, + 1877-1884. He died in 1898, and was buried in St Paul's + Cathedral.] + + + + +[Pageheading: FOREIGN ORDERS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _30th July 1856_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I am much grieved to have to retract the +permission which in my letter of yesterday I said I would give to Lord +Westmorland.[39] When I said so, I had _not_ received the opinion of +the Ministers, which I have since done, and this is, I am sorry to +say, conclusive _against_ it. I quite overlooked _one_ very important +case of very late date, viz. the Plenipotentiary at Paris--on whom the +Emperor pressed very hard to confer his order in commemoration of the +Peace; but it was refused, and the Emperor was a good _deal hurt_. If +_now_ Lord Westmorland received the permission, the Emperor might with +_right_ complain. I am much grieved, dearest Uncle, at all this, but +it was quite unavoidable, and I was at the time much distressed at +your giving the order to Lord Westmorland as I foresaw nothing but +difficulties. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 39: King Leopold had proposed to bestow a decoration + on Lord Westmorland.] + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _1st August 1856_. + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--... When your excellent Ministers will consider +things coolly, which is not to be expected in this hot weather, I am +sure they will come to other conclusions. The rule is a _very wise +one_, and has been kept up even at the time of those great congresses +of Paris, Vienna, and ditto Paris in 1815. But in cases of particular +affection and feeling _not_ connected with politics, there have been +during the reigns of George IV. and William IV. exceptions. The Duke +of Devonshire was sent to the Coronation, I think, of the Emperor +Nicholas, because one knew the Emperor liked him. And he has worn ever +since that diamond star of the St Andrew of the largest dimensions. + +Our Napoleon is too wise not to understand that a treaty has a direct +political character. And, during the next fifty years of your glorious +reign, there will be most probably a great many more treaties and +congresses. You may get all sorts of things during that time, but you +cannot either by the power of heaven or of earth get a new uncle, who +has kept his word twenty-five years; rather an undertaking considering +circumstances.... I remain, my dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +ON BOARD THE _Victoria and Albert_, +_14th August 1856_. + +DEAREST UNCLE,--You will be surprised to get a letter so soon again +from me, and still more on _so_ trivial a subject, but I come as a +petitioner for a supply of the cakes or _Oblaten_ which you kindly +always send me, but which have come to a dead _stop_, having been too +rapidly consumed; _all_ the children having taken to eat them. As I +am not a very good breakfast eater, they are often the _only_ things +I _can_ take at that time, and consequently I miss them much. May I +therefore beg them to be sent? + +We are still here; profiting by the _bad_ sea, to visit many beautiful +_points de vue_ in this really beautiful country. We saw yesterday one +of the loveliest places possible--_Endsleigh_--the Duke of Bedford's, +about twenty miles from here. + +The weather is so bad, and it blows so hard, that we shall go back +to Southampton to-morrow by railroad--a beautiful line which we have +never seen. I must close in haste. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +We went to Saltram, Lord Morley's, this afternoon. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD GRANVILLE'S MISSION] + +[Pageheading: THE CZAR ALEXANDER] + +[Pageheading: CORONATION OF THE CZAR] + + +_Earl Granville to Queen Victoria._[40] + +MOSCOW, _30th August 1856_. + +Lord Granville presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs, +according to your Majesty's desire, to submit to your Majesty the +impressions which he has received during the short time of his stay in +this country. + +Lord Granville's conversation with the Emperor of Russia, and what he +has heard from various reliable sources, have led him to the following +conclusions respecting His Imperial Majesty. + +He is handsome, but thinner and graver than when he was in England. +When speaking with energy to Lord Granville his manner seemed to be +rather an imitation of some one else than his own, and he did not look +Lord Granville in the face. His usual manner is singularly gentle and +pleasing. He does not give the idea of having much strength either of +intellect or of character, but looks intelligent and amiable. +Although the education of a Caesarwitch must be subject to pernicious +influences, the present Emperor has had advantages which those in his +position have not usually had. The Emperor Nicholas came to the throne +without having had the confidences of his predecessor. He initiated +his son into everything that was going on, while others who knew the +good-nature of the Grand Duke Alexander's character, told him that +which they did not tell his father. He was supposed to have different +tastes from the late Emperor, but, since the death of the latter, he +has liked the late Emperor's favourite residence which he himself had +formerly disliked, he has taken to all the military pursuits of +his father, and is said to have shown undignified haste in issuing +regulations about, and in appearing in, new uniforms. He is liked by +those who surround him, but is blamed for not having those habits of +punctuality and of quick decision in business which characterised the +late Emperor. + +There is still much talk of stimulants to be applied by His Imperial +Majesty to commerce and to the development of the resources of the +country.... There are persons, however, here well qualified to judge, +who doubt whether much more will be performed than has formerly +been done, after brilliant promises at the beginning of a reign. His +Imperial Majesty is not supposed to have that power of will which will +enable him to deal with the mass of corruption which pervades every +class in this country. The Empress,[41] a woman of sense and ability, +is believed to have great influence with her husband when he is with +her, but he is generally guided by the person who speaks last to +him before he acts--and His Imperial Majesty has not the talent of +surrounding himself with able men. His Ministers certainly do not +appear to be men of that remarkable intellect as have been usually +supposed to be employed by the Court of St Petersburg. Count Orloff +is stated to have but little influence, and to have lost his +former activity. Prince Gortschakoff is clever in society, of easy +conversation and some smartness in repartee. He is vain, a great +talker, and indiscreet. It is difficult to keep him to the point. He +flies about from one thing to another, and he is so loose in his talk, +that the repetition of isolated phrases might lead to impressions of +his meaning, which would not be correct.... + +The Serf Question is admitted by all to be of a very difficult +character, and will become more so as the wealth of the country +increases. Indeed when that state of things occurs, it is more than +likely that popular movements will take place, and it is frightful to +consider the immediate results of a revolution in a country organised +as this is at present. No country in Europe will furnish so fair a +chance of success to Socialism. The reins of Government were held so +tight during the last reign, that even the relaxation which now exists +is not altogether without danger. + +The preparations for the Coronation are on an immense scale. The +present estimate of the expenses is L1,000,000; the last Coronation +cost half that sum; the Coronation of Alexander, L150,000; while that +of the Emperor Paul did not exceed L50,000. The military household of +the present Emperor consists of one hundred and twenty generals--that +of Nicholas, at the beginning of his reign, consisted of twenty. + +Your Majesty is spoken of by the Emperor and by the Society here with +the greatest respect. Lord and Lady Granville have met with nothing +but remarkable civility from all classes. + +Lord Granville has had great pleasure in seeing His Royal Highness +Prince Frederick William of Prussia in such good health and spirits. +His only anxiety was an interval of fourteen days during which His +Royal Highness did not hear from England. That anxiety has been +relieved by a letter received to-day. Lord Granville ventures to +request your Majesty to present his respectful remembrances to the +Princess Royal with his congratulations at Her Royal Highness's +complete recovery. Lord Granville begs to advise Her Royal Highness, +when residing abroad, not to engage a Russian maid. Lady Wodehouse +found hers eating the contents of a pot on her dressing-table--it +happened to be castor oil pomatum for the hair. + +Lord Granville has been requested to convey to your Majesty and to +His Royal Highness Prince Albert the Prince of Nassau's expressions of +devotion and respect. The atmosphere in which His Highness at present +resides does not appear to have had much influence on His Highness's +opinions. + + [Footnote 40: Lord Granville was appointed head of a special + mission, with the temporary rank of Ambassador, to attend the + Coronation of the Czar Alexander.] + + [Footnote 41: Marie Alexandrovna, formerly the Princess Marie + of Hesse, daughter of the Grand Duke Louis II.] + + + + +[Pageheading: CHURCH APPOINTMENTS] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +ST LEONARDS, _6th September 1856_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +to submit for your Majesty's gracious approval that Dr Tait, Dean +of Carlisle, should be appointed Bishop of London with a clear +explanation to him that the Diocese will probably be divided into +two--one of London and one of Westminster. + +That the Bishop of Ripon[42] should be appointed Bishop of Durham, +with a like explanation that the Diocese of Durham may possibly be +divided into two--one for Durham and one for Northumberland. + +That the Dean of Hereford[43] should be appointed Bishop of Ripon; and +that Dr Trench[44] be appointed Dean of Westminster with the condition +that he is not to receive any fees or emoluments arising out of +appointments of Knights of the Bath. + +Dr Trench is a man of the world and of literature, and would in +those respects be well suited to be Dean of Westminster, and if his +tendencies are, as some persons suppose, rather towards High Church +opinions, his position as Dean would not afford him any particular +means of making those opinions prevail; while his appointment would +show that the patronage of the Crown was not flowing exclusively in +one direction. + +Viscount Palmerston will, on another occasion, submit to your Majesty +the names of persons for the Deaneries of Hereford and Carlisle.[45] + + [Footnote 42: Charles Thomas Longley (1774-1868) became Bishop + of Durham 1856, Archbishop of York 1860, and Archbishop of + Canterbury 1862.] + + [Footnote 43: Richard Dawes, who became Dean in 1850, and + restored the Cathedral. He did not become Bishop of Ripon; + Robert Bickersteth, a Canon of Salisbury, being eventually + appointed. See _post_, 24th November, 1856, note 60.] + + [Footnote 44: Richard Chenevix Trench (1807-1886), Archbishop + of Dublin from 1864-1884.] + + [Footnote 45: Francis Close (1797-1882), Rector of Cheltenham, + succeeded Dr Tait as Dean of Carlisle.] + + + + +_The Duke of Cambridge to Queen Victoria._ + +ST JAMES'S PALACE, _17th September 1856._ + +MY DEAR COUSIN,--This morning the reply from Baden reached me, and I +hasten to inform you at once of the purport of it, embodied in a +very excellent letter written by my sister Mary, who _declines_ the +proposal made to her on the part of the King of Sardinia, for some +very excellent and weighty reasons.[46] + +I must confess that I fully agree with her in the view she has +taken, and, I can say with truth, that I think her decision is a very +judicious and very correct one, and I am not at all sorry she has +come to it. As I know that Clarendon was very anxious to have an early +reply, I have in the first instance sent Mary's letter on to him, and +have requested him, after perusing it, to send it on to you, and I +hope you will not think that I have been wanting in respect to you in +so doing. With many thanks to you for your great kindness in having +left the decision of this weighty matter entirely in our hands, I beg +to remain, my dear Cousin, your most dutiful Cousin, + +GEORGE. + + [Footnote 46: The King had, in January 1855, lost his consort, + Queen Marie Adelaide, daughter of the Archduke Renier of + Austria. Lord Clarendon wrote to Baron Marochetti:--... + + "The Queen's first care was for the happiness of Princess + Mary, and it was the wish of Her Majesty and of Her Majesty's + Government that the decision should be left to the unbiassed + judgment of Her Royal Highness. + + "Princess Mary, having maturely weighed the matter in all its + different bearings, has come to the conclusion that it is + her duty as regards both the King of Sardinia and herself to + decline the offer, which you were empowered to make on the + part of His Majesty. + + "Princess Mary fully appreciates the many excellent and + noble qualities of the King. She does not doubt that in him + individually she would be happy, and she thinks that the + alliance would be popular in England; but Her Royal Highness + feels that as the Protestant Queen of Sardinia she must be in + a false position, and that a wife can never find herself thus + placed without injury to her husband. + + "Princess Mary is deeply attached to her religion, which is + the first consideration in this world, and in the free and + undisturbed exercise of that religion, however much it might + be sanctioned by the King, and supported by His Majesty's + Government, she feels that she would be the object of + constant suspicion, that her motives would be liable to + misconstruction, and that the King would be exposed to grave + embarrassments, which time would only serve to increase. + + "I am not surprised at this decision, which, from my knowledge + of Princess Mary's profound religious feeling, I rather led + you to anticipate; but I am bound to say that with reference + to her religion, and with reference to that alone, Her + Royal Highness has, in my opinion, decided with wisdom and + foresight. + + "I am convinced, however, that in renouncing upon + conscientious grounds the brilliant position which has been + offered to her, of which she fully appreciated the advantages, + Princess Mary can only have added to the respect which the + King already feels for the noble and elevated character of Her + Royal Highness."] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE KING OF PORTUGAL] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BALMORAL, _19th September 1856._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I cannot have your kind and confidential letter of +the 15th answered, and therefore write to-day to thank you for it. You +may rely on our divulging nothing. We are, however, both very anxious +that dear Pedro should be preferred.[47] He is out and out _the_ +most distinguished young Prince there is, and besides that, good, +excellent, and steady according to one's heart's desire, and as one +could wish for an _only and beloved daughter_. For Portugal, too, an +_amiable_, well-educated Queen would be an immense blessing, for there +_never_ has been one. I am sure you would be more likely to secure +Charlotte's happiness if you gave her to Pedro than to one of those +innumerable Archdukes, or to Prince George of Saxony. Pedro should, +however, be written to, if you were favourably inclined towards him. + +I must end now, hoping soon to hear from you again. Pedro is _just_ +nineteen; he can therefore well wait till he has completed his +twentieth year. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 47: Both the Queen and King Leopold were desirous + of arranging a marriage between King Pedro and the Princess + Charlotte, which, however, did not take place. See _post_, + 10th October, 1856, 16th June, 1857, and 3rd May, 1859.] + + + + +[Pageheading: RUSSIAN PROCRASTINATION] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Empress of the French._ + +[_Draft._][48] + +_Septembre 1856._ + +Je regrette autant que V.M.I. les divergences existantes entre les +vues de nos deux Gouvernements au sujet du Traite de Paris.[49] [Il +est impossible pour nous cependant de ceder aux Russes les demandes +qu'ils mettent en avant, seulement parcequ'elles sont soutenues par la +France. Le fait est que] Ma maniere d'envisager la situation actuelle +est celle-ci: les Russes ne cessent de suivre la meme politique des le +commencement de la complication Orientale jusqu'a present. Ils cedent +ou la force majeure les y contraint, mais tachent de se reserver par +des chicanes ou subterfuges les moyens de reprendre a un temps plus +opportun leurs attaques sur l'independance et l'integrite de cette +pauvre Turquie. [Nous au contraire sommes determines.] La France +et l'Angleterre au contraire ont manifeste leur determination de la +sauver et de l'assurer contre ces attaques. C'etait la la cause de la +guerre; c'etait la le but de la paix; mon Gouvernement n'oserait le +sacrifier vis-a-vis de mon peuple par complaisance envers l'Empereur +de Russie. Un coup d'oeil sur la Carte, par exemple, demontre qu'en +detruisant Ismail, Kilia, etc., etc. [(acte auquel nous ne venons qu'a +present d'apprendre que la France avait donne son assentiment a +notre insu)] la Russie a prive l'aile droite de la nouvelle ligne +de frontiere de toute defense; tandis qu'en substituant le nouveau +Bolgrad a celui connu au Congres elle pousserait un point strategique +au centre, couperait la partie cedee de la Bessarabie du reste +de l'Empire Ottoman, et se mettrait a meme de devenir de nouveau +maitresse de la rive gauche du Danube, quand elle le voudra. Comme +dans ce cas [nous] nos deux pays sont tenus par Traite a reprendre les +armes, il me parait de notre devoir a prevenir de tels dangers. Ces +dangers seront ecartes a l'instant que la France s'unira a nous pour +tenir un langage ferme a la Russie, qui tache de nous desunir et il ne +faut pas qu'elle y reussisse. + +Je vous exprime la toute ma pensee, sachant que l'Empereur attend une +franchise entiere de son amie, convaincue aussi, que si son opinion +differe de la mienne, c'est du au moins d'importance qu'il attache +peut-etre aux points en dispute avec la Russie, et a un sentiment +de generosite envers un ennemi vaincu, auquel il me serait doux de +m'abandonner avec lui, si je pouvais le faire de maniere a concilier +les interets de la Turquie et de l'Europe. + + [Footnote 48: This is the original draft, which appears to + have been modified later by the omission of the sentences in + brackets.] + + [Footnote 49: The Treaty had involved the restitution of + the fortress and district of Kars to Turkey. The Russians, + however, delayed the stipulated evacuation in an unwarrantable + manner. Ismail also was included within the portion of + Bessarabia to be ceded to Turkey, but, instead of surrendering + it intact, the Russians destroyed its fortifications; they + also laid claim to Serpent's Island at the mouth of the + Danube, which was within the ceded portion, and of Bolgrad, + the future ownership of which was, owing to the inaccuracies + of maps, in dispute. The English Government sent a fleet to + the Black Sea to enforce the obligations of the Treaty, while + the French Government seemed to make unnecessary concessions + to Russia.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ALTERATIONS SUGGESTED] + + +_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._ + +TAYMOUTH, _21st September 1856_. + +Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and humbly +ventures to express his opinion that the Empress might think the tone +of your Majesty's letter rather too severe. It is by no means severe, +but perfectly just and true as regards the conduct of Russia and +France, and on that very account it might wound the _amour-propre_ of +the Emperor. + +Lord Clarendon ventures to suggest the omission of the second sentence +beginning by "_il est impossible_," and of the parenthesis at the +bottom of the second page.[50] In the concluding sentence it might +perhaps be better to say "_la France et l'Angleterre_" instead of +"_nous_," which would possibly be taken as an announcement of separate +action. Your Majesty might perhaps think it right to add after the +last words "_tels dangers_"--"_ces dangers seront ecartes a l'instant +que la France s'unira a nous pour tenir un langage ferme a la +Russie qui tache de nous desunir et il ne faut pas a s qu'elle y +reussisse_."[51] + + [Footnote 50: _I.e._ the passage from "acte auquel" to "notre + insu."] + + [Footnote 51: The Prince wrote in reply to this letter: "The + draft of letter to the Empress of the French has been altered + in every particular as you suggest, and I will send you a + corrected copy of it by to-morrow." See _post_, 10th November, + 1856, note 54.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Duke of Cambridge._ + +BALMORAL, _22nd September 1856_. + +MY DEAR GEORGE,--I waited to thank you for your letter of the 17th +till I had received Mary's from Lord Clarendon, which I did yesterday +morning, and which I now return to you. It is admirably written, and +does dear Mary the greatest credit; she puts it on the _right_ ground, +viz. that of the _Protestant feeling_ which should _always_ actuate +our family, and to this we _now must_ keep. It _effectually_ closes, +however, the door to _all Catholic_ proposals--whether from Kings or +Princes, which makes matters easier. + +I must say, however, that I think it very wrong of _certain_ ladies to +have spoken of Mary's feelings and wishes on the subject, which has no +doubt encouraged the idea when they had no reason for doing so. + +I am very glad that the decision has been so entirely dear Mary's own, +and that _she is_ convinced of my anxious wish for her happiness and +welfare--which I have as much at heart as if she were my own sister. + +It is very necessary, however, that _not_ a word should be breathed of +this whole affair, and I trust that you will caution your mother and +sisters and their relations to be very silent on the subject, as it +would be otherwise very offensive to the King. + +With Albert's love, ever your very affectionate Cousin, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF LORD HARDINGE] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscountess Hardinge._ + +BALMORAL, _26th September 1856_. + +MY DEAR LADY HARDINGE,--Where can I find words to express to you +our _deep heartfelt_ sorrow at the sad and totally unexpected news +conveyed to us by telegraph yesterday.[52] + +My first thought was for you, dear Lady Hardinge, whose whole +existence was so completely bound up in _his_, that this blow must be +awful indeed. We feel _truly_ and sincerely what we, and the country, +have lost in your dear, high-minded, noble husband, whose _only_ +thought was _his duty_. A more loyal, devoted, fearless public servant +the Crown never possessed. His loss to _me_ is one of those which in +our times is quite _irreparable_. Added to all this we have ever +had _such_ a true affection and personal friendship for dear Lord +Hardinge, and know how warmly these feelings were requited. _All_ +who had the pleasure of knowing him must ever remember his benevolent +smile and kind eye. + +But I speak of ourselves and of what we have lost, when I _ought_ only +to express _our_ sympathy with _you_, in your present overwhelming +loss, but I could not restrain my pen, and the expression of our +feelings may perhaps be soothing to your bleeding heart. + +Most truly also do we sympathise with your children. + +Pray do not think of answering this yourself, but let us hear through +your son or daughter how you are. Ever, dear Lady Hardinge, with the +sincerest regard and truest sympathy, yours affectionately, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 52: Lord Hardinge, who had only temporarily rallied + from the stroke he had received at Aldershot, died on the + 24th.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE ARCHDUKE MAXIMILIAN] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _10th October 1856_. + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--Since your kind letter of the 2nd I have not had +any communications from you. I can well understand that it grieves you +to leave the Highlands. It is not a great proof of the happiness of +human kind, that all love to be elsewhere than at the place where +their real residence is, notwithstanding all songs of home sweet home, +etc. I plead quite guilty to this, though I used to be much attached +to my old home at Coburg and to Claremont. That the weather should +have been unfavourable is a great pity; here we have had a most +beautiful and mild weather till the 8th, when a severe thunderstorm +put an end to it. + +Poor Lord Hardinge! I believe after all, though all these people +pretend _not_ to mind it, that the Press killed him. I once told Lady +Maryborough and the late Duchess of Wellington that it was fortunate +the Duke cared so little for the Press. "Care little," they said; +"why, nothing annoys and irritates him more." I find it natural; doing +one's best, working with all one's nerves, and to be abused for it, is +not pleasant. + +To explain the real state of dear Charlotte's affair I enclose the +only copy of my letter which exists, and pray you kindly to send it me +back. My object is and was that Charlotte should decide as _she_ +likes it, and uninfluenced by what I might prefer. _I_ should _prefer_ +Pedro, that I confess, but the Archduke[53] has made a favourable +impression on Charlotte; I saw that long before any question of +engagement had taken place. The Archduke is out at sea, and nothing +can well be heard before the 25th of this month. If the thing takes +place the Emperor ought to put him at the head of Venice; he is well +calculated for it. + +I am going on the 15th to Ardenne for a week. I have been since that +revolution of 1848 kept away from it almost entirely, compared +to former days. And now, with my best love to Albert, I must end, +remaining ever, my dearest Victoria, your truly devoted and only +Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 53: The Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph of + Austria, afterwards Emperor of Mexico.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BALMORAL, _13th October 1856_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I am truly thankful for your kind letter and the +very confidential enclosure which I return, and which has interested +us both very much, and is truly kind and paternal. I _still hope_ by +your letter that Charlotte has not finally made up her mind--as we +both feel so strongly convinced of the immense superiority of Pedro +over any other young Prince even _dans les relations journalistes_, +besides which the position is so infinitely preferable. The Austrian +society is _medisante_ and profligate and worthless--and the Italian +possessions very shaky. Pedro is full of resource--fond of music, fond +of drawing, of languages, of natural history, and literature, in all +of which Charlotte would suit him, and would be a _real_ benefit to +the country. If Charlotte asked _me_, I should not hesitate a moment, +as I would give any of my own daughters to him were he not a Catholic; +and if Charlotte consulted her friend Vicky I know what _her_ answer +would be as she is so very fond of Pedro. + +_14th._--I could not finish last night, and so continue to-day. I +shall be most anxious to hear from you about Charlotte, when a _final_ +decision has been taken. + +Since the 6th we have the _most beautiful weather_--with the country +in the _most_ brilliant beauty--but _not_ the bracing weather which +did one so much good; yesterday and to-day it is _quite_ warm and +relaxing. Albert has continued to have wonderful sport; not only has +he killed seven more stags since I wrote, but the finest, largest +stags in the whole neighbourhood--or indeed killed in almost any +forest!... + +Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: MILITARY EFFICIENCY] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord Panmure._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _9th November 1856_. + +The Queen has received Lord Panmure's two boxes of the 4th. She is +glad to hear that the Military and the Defence Committees of the +Cabinet are to be reassembled. The absence of all plans for our +defences is a great evil, and hardly credible. There should exist a +well-considered general scheme for each place supported by a detailed +argument; this when approved by the Government, should be sanctioned +and signed by the Sovereign, and not deviated from except upon +resubmission and full explanation of the causes which render such +deviation necessary; no special work should be undertaken which does +not realise part of this general scheme. The Queen trusts that Lord +Panmure will succeed in effecting this. + +It is very much to be regretted that so few of the soldiers of +the German Legion should have accepted the liberal terms of the +Government. Those should, however, be made to sail soon. + +The returns of the different Departments for the last quarter show a +lamentable deficiency in small arms. Fifty-two thousand three hundred +and twenty-two for the whole of the United Kingdom is a sadly small +reserve to have in store; we should never be short of 500,000. The +Queen was struck also with the little work done at Enfield. It appears +that during the whole quarter this new and extensive establishment has +completed only three muskets! + +With regard to some of the barracks, the tenders have not even yet +been accepted, although the year is nearly drawing to a close. +The Queen hopes soon to receive the returns for the Fortification +Department, which is fully two months in arrear.... + +With respect to the list for the Bath, the Queen is somewhat startled +by the large number. Before sanctioning it, she thinks it right to ask +for an explanation of the services of the officers, and the reasons +for which they are selected for the honour. She returns the list for +that purpose to Lord Panmure, who will perhaps cause the statement +to be attached to each name. This, of course, does not apply to the +foreigners. Amongst the Sardinians, however, the Queen observes the +absence of the names of the Military Commissioners attached first to +Lord Raglan and afterwards to General Simpson. The first was a Count +Revel, who has frequently applied for the honour, and the Queen thinks +ought to have it. + + + + +[Pageheading: FRANCE AND RUSSIA] + + +_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._ + +FOREIGN OFFICE, _10th November 1856_. + +Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty, and humbly begs to transmit +a letter from the Empress which was left here this afternoon by M. de +Persigny, who also left a despatch from Count Walewski, of which Lord +Clarendon begs to transmit a copy.[54] It is a most unsatisfactory +result of all the tripotage that has been going on, as it is an +invitation _pur et simple_ to reassemble the conference with Prussia, +and to abide by the decision of the majority. + +Lord Clarendon is to see M. de Persigny to-morrow morning. + + [Footnote 54: Count Walewski had written to Count Persigny: + "The communications which I have received give us cause to + fear that Her Majesty's Government may persist in declining + the proposal to reassemble the Conference.... We only know + of five Powers which have had an opportunity to express an + opinion on the point at issue.... It appears that Sardinia has + not yet formed her decision. We cannot therefore foresee in + what sense the majority will pronounce, and it is evident to + us that the reunion will realise the object desired, that of + bringing on a decision which cannot be questioned by any one, + seeing that it will have been obtained by the concurrence of + the Representatives of all the Powers."] + + + + +[Pageheading: NEUCHATEL] + + +_The Empress of the French to Queen Victoria._ + +COMPIEGNE, _le 7 Novembre 1856_. + +MADAME ET TRES CHERE S[OE]UR,--Je viens apres plus de deux mois +m'excuser pres de votre Majeste d'une faute bien involontaire; par +quelques mots que Persigny m'a dit j'ai cru comprendre que votre +Majeste s'etonnait que je ne lui eusse pas ecrit en reponse a sa +lettre. La seule crainte d'ennuyer votre Majeste m'a empeche de le +faire, je croyais d'ailleurs que vous n'aviez pas besoin d'assurances +sur la bonne foi et surtout sur la bonne volonte de l'Empereur. + +J'espere que grace a Dieu tous les petits differens qui ont surgi dans +ces derniers temps s'aplaniront, car c'est l'interet des deux pays, et +le v[oe]u le plus cher que nous puissions former.[55] + +L'Empereur a ete bien peine d'apprendre les fausses suppositions +auxquelles out donne lieu un desaccord momentaire; il n'aurait jamais +suppose que le desir de maintenir un engagement pris peut-etre meme +trop a la hate, mais dont un honnete homme ne peut se departir ait pu +faire croire que l'alliance avec votre Majeste ne lui etait pas tout +aussi chere et tout aussi precieuse qu'auparavant; il est heureux de +penser que la reunion de la conference sera un moyen de tout arranger, +puisque l'opinion de la Sardaigne n'etait pas encore connue; elle +creera par sa voix une majorite, et le Gouvernement francais ne +faisant rien pour influencer l'opinion du Piemont, le cabinet de votre +Majeste peut sans concession accepter cette combinaison. Je ne saurais +assez dire combien pour ma part je suis tourmentee, car je voudrais +partout et en tout voir nos deux pays marcher d'accord et surtout +quand ils ont le meme but. Nous sommes a Compiegne depuis trois +semaines, l'Empereur chasse souvent, ce qui l'amuse beaucoup et lui +fait beaucoup de bien... + +L'Empereur me charge de le mettre aux pieds de votre Majeste. Je la +prie en meme temps de ne point nous oublier aupres du Prince Albert, +et vous, Madame, croyez au tendre attachement que [je] vous ai voue et +avec lequel je suis, Madame et tres chere S[oe]ur, de votre Majeste la +toute devouee S[oe]ur, + +EUGENIE. + + [Footnote 55: Besides the complications arising out of the + procrastination of Russia, in carrying out the Treaty of + Paris, an international difficulty had lately arisen + in Switzerland. A rising, professedly in defence of the + hereditary interests of the King of Prussia, took place in + the Canton of Neuchatel, but was suppressed, and some of the + insurgents taken prisoners by the Republican Government. + The King of Prussia virtually expressed his approval of the + movement by claiming the liberation of the prisoners, and + his action was, to some extent, countenanced by the French + Emperor. The matter was finally adjusted in 1857.] + + + + +[Pageheading: M. DE PERSIGNY] + + +_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._ + +FOREIGN OFFICE, _11th November 1856_. + +Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and humbly +begs to transmit the letters which arrived yesterday together with a +copy of Count Walewski's despatch. + +Lord Clarendon begs to return his thanks to your Majesty for allowing +him to see the Empress's letter.... The letter does not seem to require +an answer at present. + +Lord Clarendon had a conversation of two hours this morning with M. de +Persigny, who fought all his battles o'er again, but did not say +much beyond what Lord Cowley had reported. He is quite sure that the +Emperor is as staunch as ever to the Alliance, and that he believes +all his own personal interests as well as those of France are bound up +with England. He said, too, that the Empress was not the least taken +in by the flatteries of Russia, which she estimates at their _juste +valeur_. + +M. de Persigny seems to have performed an act of painful duty and +rather of true devotion, by giving the Empress some advice about her +own conduct and the fate she was preparing for herself if she was not +more properly mindful of her position and the obligations it entails. +Lord Clarendon has seldom heard anything more eloquent or more +touching than the language of M. de Persigny in describing what he +said to the Empress, who appears to have taken it in the best part, +and to have begun acting upon the advice the next day. M. de Persigny +has no doubt that Count Walewski will soon be removed from his present +office, and will be _promoted to St. Petersburg_, but Lord Clarendon +will wait to believe this until it is a _fait accompli_, as it is more +likely than not that when M. de Persigny is no longer on the spot to +urge the Emperor, Count Walewski will resume his influence. + +Count Walewski's despatch made a very unfavourable impression upon +the Cabinet, who were of opinion that upon such an invitation and such +slender assurances respecting the course that Sardinia might take, +we ought not to give up our solid and often repeated objections to +reassembling the Congress--at all events it was considered that we +ought to have a positive answer from Turin before we gave a final +answer.... + + + + +[Pageheading: SIR ALEXANDER COCKBURN] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _13th November 1856_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +to state that Sir Alexander Cockburn[56] accepts the office of +Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, but expresses a strong wish not +altogether to be shut out from Parliamentary functions. His health, +which has frequently interfered with his attendance in the House of +Commons, makes him feel uncertain as to the future, and he is not +desirous of being immediately placed in the House of Lords, but he +would be glad to be allowed to look forward to such a favour from +your Majesty at some future time if he should find his health stand +sufficiently good to give him a fair prospect of being useful in the +House of Lords. He says that with the Baronetcy of an uncle he will +succeed to an estate of L5,000 a year, independent of what he has +realised by his own professional exertions; and that consequently +there would be a provision for a Peerage. Viscount Palmerston begs to +submit for your Majesty's gracious approval that such a prospect +might be held out to Sir Alexander Cockburn. The Chancellor and +Lord Lansdowne and Lord Granville concur with Viscount Palmerston in +thinking that much public advantage would arise from the presence of +both Sir Alexander Cockburn, and of the Master of the Rolls,[57] in +the House of Lords, and there are numerous precedents for the Chief +Justice of the Common Pleas, and for the Master of the Rolls being +Peers of Parliament.[58] Their judicial duties would no doubt prevent +them from sitting in the morning on appeal cases, but their presence +in the evening in debates in which the opinions and learning of men +holding high positions in the legal profession would be required, +could not fail to be of great public advantage. Of course any +expectation to be held out to Sir Alexander Cockburn would for the +present be a confidential and private communication to himself.... + + [Footnote 56: Sir Alexander Cockburn's parliamentary success + dated from his speech in the Don Pacifico debate; see _ante_, + vol. ii., p. 252, note 23. He was made Solicitor-General shortly + after, and then Attorney-General, being reappointed to + the latter office in the end of 1852. He had defended both + McNaghten and Pate for attacks on the Queen's person. The + uncle whom he soon afterwards succeeded as baronet was now + Dean of York.] + + [Footnote 57: Sir John Romilly, created a peer in 1866.] + + [Footnote 58: _E.g._, Lord Eldon in the former office; Lord + Langdale in the latter.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PRINCE CHARLES OF LEININGEN] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _21st November 1856_. + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--On Vicky's sixteenth birthday I cannot write on +black-edged paper, it looks too gloomy, and I begin by wishing you joy +on this day, with the sincere hope that it will also _dans l'avenir_ +prove to you one of satisfaction and happiness. I must now turn to +your kind and affectionate letter of the 19th. I was sure that your +warm heart would feel deeply the loss we have sustained.[59] You must, +however, remember that you were ever a most affectionate sister, and +that Charles was fully aware and most grateful for these your kind and +sisterly sentiments. The real blow was last year; if that could +have been mitigated, life might have been preserved under tolerable +circumstances. As things, however, proceeded, if the present attack +could have been warded off, Charles's existence would have been one +of the most awful suffering, particularly for one whose mental +disposition was quick and lively. Your sentiments on this occasion do +you honour; it is by feelings like those you express that evidently +_der Anknuepfungspunkt_ with a future life must be looked for, and +that alone with such sentiments we can show ourselves fit for such an +existence. + +For your precious health we must now claim that you will not permit +your imagination to dwell too much on the very melancholy picture of +the last moments of one whom you loved, however natural it may be, and +however difficult it is to dismiss such ideas. + +Feo feels all this in a most beautiful and truly pious way. It is +strange that November should be so full of sad anniversaries. I can +well understand what Vicky must have suffered, as it could not be +expected that Fritz Wilhelm could quite understand her grief.... + +Now I must leave you, remaining ever, my beloved Victoria, your truly +devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + +My best love to Albert. + + [Footnote 59: The Queen's half-brother, Prince Charles of + Leiningen, had died on the 13th.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _24th November 1856_. + +The Queen approves the recommendation of Mr Bickersteth[60] for the +vacant Bishopric of Ripon, but she cannot disguise from herself that +however excellent a man Mr Bickersteth may be, his appointment will be +looked upon as a strong party one, as he is one of the leaders of the +Low Church Party; but perhaps Lord Palmerston may be able in the case +of possible future appointments to remove any impression of the Church +patronage running unduly towards party extremes. + + [Footnote 60: Mr Bickersteth (a nephew of Lord Langdale, a + former Master of the Rolls) was then Rector of St Giles'. Lord + Palmerston had written that he thought him well qualified + for a diocese "full of manufacturers, clothier-workmen, + Methodists, and Dissenters."] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S GRIEF] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th November 1856_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I was again prevented from writing to you yesterday +as I intended, by multitudinous letters, etc. I therefore come +only to-day with my warmest thanks for your most kind, feeling, and +sympathising letter of the 23rd, which I _felt deeply_. + +Poor dear Charles, I loved him _tenderly_ and _dearly_, and feel every +day _more_ how impossible it is that the great blank caused by his +loss should _ever_ be filled up, and how _impossible it is to realise_ +the dreadful thought that I shall never see his dear, dear face again +in this world! All the accounts of his peaceful death, of his fine +and touching funeral, seem to me to be the descriptions of _another +person's_ death and burial--not poor dear Charles's. + +Don't fear for my health, it is particularly good--and _grief_ never +seems to affect it; little worries and annoyances fret and irritate +me, but _not great_ or sad events. And I _derive_ benefit and _relief_ +both in my body and soul in _dwelling_ on the sad object which is +_the_ one which fills my heart! The having to think and talk of other +and indifferent things (I mean _not_ business so much) is very trying +to my nerves, and does me harm. + +Vicky is well again, and the young couple seem really very fond of +each other. We have from living [together] for twelve days--as we did +entirely alone with him and Vicky in our own apartments--got to know +him much more intimately, and to be much more _a notre aise_ with him +than we could be in the London season, and he is now quite _l'enfant +de la maison!_ He is excellent and very sensible. I hope that you may +be equally pleased and satisfied with _your_ future son-in-law. + +I must now conclude in great haste; excellent Stockmar is particularly +well and brisk. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _8th December 1856_. + +Lord Palmerston's explanation of Lord Panmure's object in proposing +the appointment of a Director-General of Education of the Army in +the Civil Department of its Government has but confirmed the Queen's +apprehensions as to the effect of that step, if sanctioned. The Queen +has for some time been expecting the proposal of a well-digested and +considered plan for the education of the officers of the Army, and +knows that the Duke of Cambridge has had such a one elaborated. +Surely, in the absence of any fixed and approved system of education, +it would be most imprudent to establish an Office for the discharge of +certain important functions which are not yet defined. The Queen must +therefore ask that the system of education to be in future adopted +should first be submitted to her, and afterwards only the plan for the +machinery which is to carry this out, the fitness of which can only be +properly judged of with reference to the object in view. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +OSBORNE, _12th December 1856_. + +The Queen returns the enclosed letters. Sir H. Bulwer's is a clever +composition, showing his wit and powers of writing. + +The Queen has never, however, seen anything from him producing the +impression that great and important affairs would be safe in his +hands. + +The mission to Washington will be difficult to fill.[61] Is it +necessary to be in a hurry about it? Lord Elgin is sure to perform the +duties very well, but is his former position as Governor-General of +Canada not too high for him to go to Washington as Minister?... + + [Footnote 61: A complaint had been made by the Government of + the United States of the unlawful enlistment in that country + of recruits for the English army, and Mr Crampton, the + British Minister at Washington, had been dismissed. Diplomatic + relations were resumed after a suspension of some months; and + Lord Napier was appointed British Minister in March 1857.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE MAHARAJAH DHULEEP SINGH] + + +_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._ + +OSBORNE, _15th December 1856._ + +The Queen has seen the Memorandum which the Maharajah Dhuleep Singh +has sent to the East India Company; she thinks all he asks very fair +and reasonable, and she trusts that the East India Company will be +able to comply with them. As we are in complete possession since 1849 +of the Maharajah's enormous and splendid Kingdom, the Queen thinks we +ought to do _everything_ (which does not interfere with the safety of +her Indian dominions) to render the position of this interesting and +peculiarly good and amiable Prince as agreeable as possible, and not +to let him have the feeling that he is _a prisoner_. + +His being a Christian and completely European (or rather more English) +in his habits and feelings, renders this much more necessary, and at +the same time more easy. + +The Queen has a very strong feeling that everything should be done to +show respect and kindness towards these poor fallen Indian Princes, +whose Kingdoms we have taken from them, and who are naturally very +sensitive to attention and kindness. + +Amongst all these, however, the Maharajah stands to a certain degree +alone, from his civilisation, and likewise from his having lost his +kingdom when he was a child entirely by the faults and misdeeds of +others.[62] + + [Footnote 62: In reply, Mr Vernon Smith stated that he had + brought all the Queen's wishes before the Company.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MILITARY EDUCATION] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _18th December 1856._ + +In answer to Lord Palmerston's explanation with regard to Colonel +Lefroy's[63] appointment, the Queen has to say, that if he is to be +made Inspector of Regimental Schools, she has no objection; but she +must protest against his being made _Director_ of Education for the +Army generally. We want a Director-General of Education very much, but +he ought to be immediately under the Commander-in-Chief, if possible +a General Officer of weight, assisted by a Board of Officers of the +different Arms. + +Education ought to be made one of the essential requisites of an +officer, and the reports on his proficiency ought to go direct through +the proper superior from the bottom to the top, particularly if +selection by merit is to receive a greater application for the future. +If for his military proficiency and moral discipline, an officer is to +be responsible to his Military chief, but for his mental acquirements +to a Civil department, the unity of the system will be broken and the +Army ruined; and this _must_ be the case if the superintendence of the +education is separated from the Military command. + +The subject of Military Education has, as Lord Palmerston says, often +been discussed in Parliament, which expects that some sufficient +arrangement shall be made for it. But the mere creation of a place +for an officer, however meritorious, to find him an equivalent for one +which has to be reduced, can hardly be so called, and may even defeat +the object itself. This subject is a most important one, and ought to +be thoroughly examined before acting. The Queen understands that the +Duke of Cambridge has transmitted to Lord Panmure a complete scheme, +which must be now before him. If Lord Palmerston, Lord Panmure, +the Duke of Cambridge, and the Prince were to meet to consider this +scheme, and the whole question in connection with it, the Queen would +feel every confidence that a satisfactory decision would be arrived +at. + + [Footnote 63: John Henry Lefroy, who now became + Inspector-General of Army Schools, was an artillery officer of + considerable scientific attainments. Many years later he was + K.C.M.G. and Governor of Tasmania.] + + + + +[Pageheading: BESSARABIA] + + +_The Emperor of the French to Queen Victoria._ + +[_Undated._] + +MADAME ET TRES CHERE S[OE]UR,--Le Prince Frederic Guillaume m'a remis +la lettre que votre Majeste a bien voulu lui donner pour moi. Les +expressions si amicales employees par votre Majeste m'ont vivement +touche et quoique je fusse persuade que la diversite d'opinion de nos +deux Gouvernements ne pouvait en rien alterer vos sentiments a mon +egard, j'ai ete heureux d'en recevoir la douce confirmation. Le Prince +de Prusse nous a beaucoup plu et je ne doute pas qu'il ne fasse le +bonheur de la Princesse Royale, car il me semble avoir toutes les +qualites de son age et de son rang. Nous avons tache de lui rendre +le sejour de Paris aussi agreable que possible, mais je crois que ses +pensees etaient toujours a Osborne ou a Windsor. + +Il me tarde bien que toutes les discussions relatives au Traite de +Paix aient un terme, car les partis en France en profitent pour tenter +d'affaiblir l'intimite de l'alliance.[64] Je ne doute pas neanmoins +que le bon sens populaire en fasse promptement justice de toutes les +faussetes qu'on a repandues. + +Votre Majeste, je l'espere, ne doutera jamais de mon desir de marcher +d'accord avec son Gouvernement et du regret que j'eprouve quand +momentairement cet accord n'existe pas. + +En la priant de presenter mes hommages a S.A.R. la Duchesse de Kent +et mes tendres amities au Prince, je lui renouvelle l'assurance de +la sincere amitie et de l'entier devouement avec lesquels je suis, de +votre Majeste, le bon Frere et Ami, + +NAPOLEON. + + [Footnote 64: A settlement with Russia of the disputed + Bessarabian frontier was at length decided upon, on lines + suggested by the Emperor to the British Government.] + + + + +_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._ + +THE GROVE, _22nd December 1856._ + +Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and humbly +begs to transmit a letter from Lord Cowley, which contains the report +of a curious conversation with the Emperor, and which might make +a despatch not very unlike Sir H. Seymour's when he reported the +partitioning views of the Emperor Nicholas.[65] + +It is curious that in both cases the bribe to England should be Egypt. +The Emperor of the French said nothing about the share of the spoils +that France would look for, but His Majesty means Morocco, and Marshal +Vaillant[66] talked to Lord Clarendon of Morocco as necessary to +France, just as the Americans declare that the United States are not +safe without Cuba.... + + [Footnote 65: See _ante_, 9th May, 1854, note 30. The Queen + does not appear to have preserved a copy of Lord Cowley's + letter.] + + [Footnote 66: Minister of War.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DISPUTE ADJUSTED] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Emperor of the French._ + +CHATEAU DE WINDSOR, _le 31 Decembre 1856._ + +SIRE ET CHER FRERE,--Je saisis avec empressement l'occasion de la +nouvelle annee pour remercier votre Majeste de son aimable lettre, en +vous priant d'agreer mes bons v[oe]ux autant pour le bonheur de V.M. +que pour celui de l'Imperatrice et de votre fils. + +La nouvelle annee commence encore avec le bruit des preparatifs +de guerre, mais j'espere qu'on restera aux preparatifs et apres le +rapprochement qui a eu lieu entre vous, Sire, et la Prusse, j'ai toute +confiance qu'il vous sera possible d'assurer une solution pacifique +de cette question Suisse,[67] malheureusement envenimee par +l'amour-propre froisse de tous cotes. + +Je suis bien heureuse que nos difficultes survenues a l'execution du +Traite de Paris soient maintenant entierement aplanies et que ce que +V.M. signalait dans votre lettre comme une esperance soit a present +une realite. Rien ne viendra desormais, je l'espere, troubler notre +bonne entente qui donne une garantie si importante au bien-etre de +l'Europe. Nous avons ete bien contents d'apprendre que notre futur +gendre vous ait tant plu; il nous a ecrit plein de reconnaissance de +l'aimable accueil que vous lui avez donne et plein d'admiration de +tout ce qu'il a vu a Paris. + +Ma mere se remet peu a peu de la terrible secousse qu'elle a eprouvee, +et me charge ainsi que le Prince de leurs felicitations pour le jour +de l'an. + +J'embrasse l'Imperatrice et me dis pour toujours, Sire et cher Frere, +de V.M.I., la bien affectionnee S[oe]ur, et fidele Amie, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 67: See _ante_, 7th November, 1856, note 55.] + + + + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +TO CHAPTER XXVI + + +The closing months of 1856 had witnessed the beginning of a dispute +with China, a party of Chinese having boarded the lorcha _Arrow_, a +vessel registered under a recent ordinance of Hong Kong, arrested the +crew as pirates, and torn down the British flag. The Captain's right +to fly the flag was questionable, for the term of registry, even if +valid in the first instance, which was disputed, had expired (though +the circumstance was unknown to the Chinese authorities), and the +ship's earlier history under the Chinese flag had been an evil one. +But Sir John Bowring, British Plenipotentiary at Hong Kong, took +punitive measures to enforce treaty obligations; Admiral Seymour +destroyed the forts on the river, and occupied the island and fort of +Dutch Folly. In retaliation, the Chinese Governor Yeh put a price on +Bowring's head, and his assassination, and that of other residents, by +poison, was attempted. The British Government's action, however, was +stigmatised as highhanded, and a resolution censuring them was carried +in the Commons, being moved by Mr Cobden and supported by a coalition +of Conservatives, Peelites, and the Peace Party,--Lord John Russell +also opposing the Government. In consequence of this vote, Parliament +was dissolved, and at the ensuing election the Peace Party was +scattered to the winds; Bright, Milner Gibson, and Cobden all losing +their seats. Lord Palmerston obtained a triumphant majority in the +new House of Commons, of which Mr J. E. Denison was elected Speaker in +succession to Mr Shaw-Lefevre, now created Viscount Eversley. At +the end of the year an ultimatum was sent to Governor Yeh, requiring +observance of the Treaty of Nankin, Canton was bombarded, and +subsequently occupied by the English and French troops. + +Hostilities with Persia were terminated by a treaty signed at Paris; +the Shah engaging to abstain from interference in Afghanistan, and to +recognise the independence of Herat. + +A century had passed since the victory of Clive at Plassey, but the +Afghan disasters and the more recent war with Russia had caused doubts +to arise as to British stability in India, where the native forces +were very large in comparison with the European. Other causes, among +which may be mentioned the legalising of the remarriage of Hindoo +widows, and a supposed intention to coerce the natives into +Christianity, were operating to foment dissatisfaction, while recent +acts of insubordination and symptoms of mutiny had been inadequately +repressed; but the immediate visible provocation to mutiny among the +Bengal troops was the use of cartridges said to be treated with +a preparation of the fat of pigs and cows, the use of which was +abhorrent, on religious grounds, both to Hindoos and Mohammedans. The +Governor-General assured the Sepoys by proclamation that no offence to +their religion or injury to their caste was intended; but on the +10th of May the native portion of the garrison at Meerut broke out +in revolt. The Mutineers proceeded to Delhi, and were joined by the +native troops there; they established as Emperor the octogenarian +King, a man of unscrupulous character, who had been living under +British protection. + +Great cruelties were practised on the European population of all ages +and both sexes, at Lucknow, Allahabad, and especially Cawnpore; by +the end of June, the Sepoys had mutinied at twenty-two stations--the +districts chiefly affected being Bengal, the North-West Provinces, +and Oudh. To cope with this state of things, a large body of British +soldiers on their way to China were diverted by Lord Elgin to India, +and a force of 40,000 men was despatched from England round the Cape; +while Sir Colin Campbell was sent out as Commander-in-Chief. Meanwhile +reinforcements had been drawn from the Punjab, which had remained +loyal. Lucknow was for a long time besieged by the rebels, and +Sir Henry Lawrence, its gallant defender, killed. The garrison was +reinforced on the 25th of September by General Havelock; but the +non-combatants could not be extricated from their perilous position +till November, when the Garrison was relieved by Sir Colin Campbell. +Delhi was taken in the course of September, but a considerable period +elapsed before the rebellion was finally suppressed. Summary vengeance +was inflicted on the Sepoy rebels, which gave rise to some criticism +of our troops for inhumanity; but Lord Canning, the Governor-General, +was no less severely blamed for his clemency; and the general verdict +was in favour of the measures adopted by the military and civilian +officers, whose zeal and capacity suppressed the Mutiny. + +Before the Dissolution of Parliament, Mr Gladstone and Mr Disraeli had +joined in an attack on the budget of Sir George Lewis, and the +Peelite ex-Chancellor of the Exchequer seemed for the moment disposed +definitely to return to the Conservative party. To the Divorce Bill, +the chief legislative result of the second Session, Mr Gladstone gave +a persistent and unyielding opposition: but it passed the Commons by +large majorities; a Bill for the removal of Jewish disabilities was +much debated, but not carried. In August, another visit, this time of +a private character, was paid by the Emperor and Empress of the +French to the Queen at Osborne. In the middle of November a series of +commercial disasters of great magnitude took place. The Government, +as in 1847, authorised the infringement for a time of the Bank Charter +Act, and a third session was held to pass an Act of Indemnity. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +1857 + + +_Queen Victoria to Mr Labouchere._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _8th January 1857_. + +The despatches from Sir George Grey[1] which the Queen returns are +most interesting. The two chief objects to accomplish appear to be the +bringing the Kaffirs in British Kaffraria within the pale of the law, +so that they may know the blessings of it--and the re-absorption, if +possible, of the Orange River Free State. To both these objects the +efforts of the Government should be steadily directed. + + [Footnote 1: See _ante_, 26th July, 1856. The task of dealing with + the Hottentots and Kaffirs, and coming to an understanding + with the recalcitrant Boers, was a difficult one.] + + + + +[Pageheading: HOME AND FOREIGN POLICY] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +BROADLANDS, _13th January 1857_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and he +and Lady Palmerston will have the honour of waiting upon your Majesty +as soon as he is able to move. He is, however, at present on crutches, +and can hardly expect to be in marching order for some few days to +come. With regard to the matters that are likely to be discussed when +Parliament meets, Viscount Palmerston would beg to submit that the one +which has for some months past occupied the attention of all Europe, +namely, the execution of the Treaty of Paris, has been settled in +a manner satisfactory to all parties; and this is not only a great +relief to the Government, but is also a security for the continuance +of the Anglo-French Alliance, which would have been greatly endangered +by the discussions and explanations that might otherwise have been +forced on. + +The various questions of difference between your Majesty's Government, +and that of the United States, have also been settled, and the +diplomatic relations between the two countries are about to be +replaced upon their usual footing. This result will have given great +satisfaction to the commercial and manufacturing interests. + +Some discussion will take place as to the Expedition to the coast of +Persia, and some persons will, of course, find fault with the whole +policy pursued on that matter; but people in general will understand +that Herat is an advanced post of attack against British India, +and that whatever belongs nominally to Persia must be considered as +belonging practically to Russia, whenever Russia may want to use it +for her own purposes. + +The outbreak of hostilities at Canton[2] was the result of the +decision of your Majesty's officers on the spot, and not the +consequence of orders from home. The first responsibility must +therefore rest with the local authorities, but Viscount Palmerston +cannot doubt that the Government will be deemed to have acted right +in advising your Majesty to approve the proceedings, and to direct +measures for obtaining from the Chinese Government concessions which +are indispensable for the maintenance of friendly relations between +China and the Governments of Europe. + +Of domestic questions, that which will probably be the most agitated +will be a large and immediate diminution of the Income Tax; but +any such diminution would disturb the financial arrangements of the +country, and it is to be hoped that Parliament will adopt the scheme +which will be proposed by Sir G. C. Lewis, by which the Income Tax +would be made equal in each of the next three years, the amount now +fixed by Law for 1857 being diminished, but the amount now fixed by +Law for 1858 and 1859 being increased.... + +Viscount Palmerston hears from persons likely to know, that the +Conservative Party are not more united than they were last Session. +That Mr Disraeli and the great bulk of his nominal followers are far +from being on good terms together, and that there is no immediate +junction to be expected between Mr Disraeli and Mr Gladstone.[3] + +Mr Cobden has given it to be understood that he wishes at the next +General Election to retire from the West Riding of Yorkshire. The real +fact being that the line he took about the late war has made him so +unpopular with his constituents that he would probably not be returned +again.[4] + +Viscount Palmerston has heard privately and confidentially that Lord +John Russell wrote some little time ago to the Duke of Bedford to say +that it had been intimated to him that an offer would be made to him +if he were disposed to accept it, to go to the House of Lords and to +become there the Leader of the Government. In case your Majesty may +have heard this report, Viscount Palmerston thinks it right to say +that no such communication to Lord John Russell was ever authorised +by him, nor has been, so far as he is aware, ever made, and in truth +Viscount Palmerston must candidly say that in the present state +of public opinion about the course which Lord John has on several +occasions pursued, he is not inclined to think that his accession to +the Government would give the Government any additional strength. + + [Footnote 2: See _ante_, Introductory Note, to Chapter XXVI. + The difficulty with China had arisen out of her refusal to + throw open the city of Canton to European trade in conformity + with the Treaty of Nankin, _ante_, vol. i. 23rd November, + 1842. Sir John Bowring, Chief Superintendent of Trade (and, + in effect, British Plenipotentiary) at Hong-Kong, had + resented this, and the feeling thus engendered had come to + a crisis on the occasion of the seizure of the crew of the + _Arrow_.] + + [Footnote 3: The probability of this combination was now + being perpetually mooted, and, in fact, the two ex-Chancellors + combined in attacking the Budget.] + + [Footnote 4: He stood instead for Huddersfleld, and was + defeated by an untried politician; one Liberal (the present + Lord Ripon) and one Conservative were returned unopposed in + the West Riding.] + + + + +[Pageheading: CHURCH APPOINTMENTS] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _25th February 1857_. + +The Queen would wish to know before she approves of the appointment +of Mr Alford, of Quebec Chapel, to the head Deanery of Canterbury, +whether he is a very Low Churchman, as Lord Palmerston will remember +that he agreed in her observation after the appointment of several of +the Bishops, that it would be advisable to choose those who were +of moderate opinions--not leaning too much to either side. Extreme +opinions lead to mischief in the end, and produce much discord in the +Church, which it would be advisable to avoid.[5] + +With respect to the Garter, which the Duke of Norfolk has declined, +she approves of its being offered to the Duke of Portland.[6] She +thinks that the one now vacant by the death of poor Lord Ellesmere[7] +might most properly be bestowed on Lord Granville--he is Lord +President and Leader of the House of Lords, and acquitted himself +admirably in his difficult mission as Ambassador to the Emperor of +Russia's Coronation. + +Should Lord Palmerston agree in this view he might at once mention it +to Lord Granville. + + [Footnote 5: The Deanery was offered to and accepted by Mr + Alford.] + + [Footnote 6: William John Cavendish Bentinck-Scott, fifth Duke + (1800-1879). He did not accept the honour, which was conferred + on the Marquis of Westminster.] + + [Footnote 7: Lord Francis Egerton had inherited a vast + property from the third and last Duke of Bridgewater (the + projector of English inland navigation), and was created + Earl of Ellesmere in 1846. The Garter was accepted by Lord + Granville.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DEBATE ON CHINESE AFFAIRS] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _28th February 1857_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +has seen Mr Hayter[8] this morning, and finds from him that the +disposition of the House of Commons is improving, and that many of the +supporters of the Government who had at first thought of voting +with Mr Cobden[9] are changing their minds. It has been suggested to +Viscount Palmerston that it would be useful to have a meeting of the +Party in Downing Street on Monday, and that many wavering members only +want to have something said to them which they could quote as a reason +for changing their intended course; and Viscount Palmerston has given +directions for summoning such a meeting. + +Lord Derby has had meetings of his followers, and has told them that +unless they will support him in a body he will cease to be their +leader, as he will not be the head of a divided Party. Viscount +Palmerston can scarcely bring himself to believe that the House of +Commons will be so fickle as suddenly and without reason to turn round +upon the Government, and after having given them last Session and +this Session large majorities on important questions, put them in a +minority on what Mr Disraeli last night in a few words said on the +motion for adjournment described as a Vote of Censure. With regard, +however, to the question put by your Majesty as to what would be the +course pursued by the Government in the event of a defeat, Viscount +Palmerston could hardly answer it without deliberation with his +colleagues. His own firm belief is that the present Government has +the confidence of the country in a greater degree than any other +Government that could now be formed would have, and that consequently +upon a Dissolution of Parliament, a House of Commons would be returned +more favourable to the Government than the present. Whether the state +of business as connected with votes of supply and the Mutiny Act would +admit of a Dissolution, supposing such a measure to be sanctioned +by your Majesty, would remain to be enquired into; but Viscount +Palmerston believes that there would be no insurmountable difficulty +on that score. He will have the honour of waiting upon your Majesty at +a little before three to-morrow. + + [Footnote 8: Mr (afterwards Sir) William Hayter, Liberal Whip, + the father of Lord Haversham.] + + [Footnote 9: See _ante_, Introductory Note, to Chapter XXVI. Mr + Cobden's motion of censure affirmed that the papers laid on the + table of the House did not justify the violent measures resorted + to by the Government at Canton in the affair of the _Arrow_. He + was supported by Lord John Russell, Mr Roebuck, Mr Gladstone, + and Mr Disraeli, the latter emphatically challenging the Premier + to appeal to the country.] + + + + +_The Prince Albert to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _3rd March 1857_. + +MY DEAR LORD PALMERSTON,--The Queen has this moment received +your letter giving so unfavourable an account of the prospects +of to-night's division. She is sorry that her health imperatively +requires her going into the country for a few days, and having put off +her going to Windsor on account of the Debate which was expected +to close yesterday, she cannot now do so again to-day. She feels, +however, the inconvenience of her absence should the division turn out +as ill as is now anticipated. The Queen could not possibly come to a +decision on so important a point as a Dissolution without a personal +discussion and conference with you, and therefore hopes that you might +be able to go down to-morrow perhaps for dinner and to stay over the +night. + +The Queen feels herself physically quite unable to go through the +anxiety of a Ministerial Crisis and the fruitless attempt to form +a new Government out of the heterogeneous elements out of which +the present Opposition is composed, should the Government feel it +necessary to offer their resignation, and would on that account +_prefer any other alternative_.... Ever, etc., + +ALBERT. + + + + +[Pageheading: DEFEAT OF THE GOVERNMENT] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._[10] + +HOUSE OF COMMONS, _5th March 1857._ + +(_Quarter to Eight._) + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +to state that his communication to the House of an intention to give +the constituencies of the country an opportunity of judging between +the present Government and any other administration which might be +formed, has been on the whole well received, and, with the exception +of Mr Gladstone, most of the persons who spoke intimated a willingness +to allow without interruption the completion of such business as may +be necessary before the Dissolution. Mr Disraeli said that he and +those who act with him would give all fair assistance consistent with +their opinions, but hoped nothing would be proposed to which they +could reasonably object. Mr Gladstone, with great vehemence, repelled +the charge of combination, evidently meaning to answer attacks made +out of the House.... + +The result of what passed seems to be that no serious difficulty will +be thrown in the way of an early Dissolution. + + [Footnote 10: Mr Cobden's motion was carried by 263 to 247, + and Lord Palmerston promptly accepted Mr Disraeli's challenge + to dissolve Parliament.] + + + + +_Earl Granville to Queen Victoria._ + +[_Undated._ ? _16th March 1857._] + +Lord Granville presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs to +submit that Lord Derby made a speech of two hours, in which he glanced +at the present state of affairs.[11] He made a personal attack on Lord +Palmerston, and described his colleagues as cyphers and appendages. +The rest of his speech was of a singularly apologetic and defensive +character. He was quite successful in clearing himself from an +understanding--not from political conversations with Mr Gladstone. + +Lord Granville, in his reply, was thought very discourteous by Lord +Malmesbury and Lord Hardwicke, who closed the conversation. + + [Footnote 11: Lord Derby's resolutions in the Lords, which + were to the same effect as Mr Cobden's motion, were rejected + by 146 to 110. On the 16th of March Lord Derby took the + opportunity of announcing the views of his chief supporters in + reference to the General Election.] + + + + +[Pageheading: RETIREMENT OF THE SPEAKER] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._[12] + +PICCADILLY, _18th March 1857_. + +... Viscount Palmerston begs to state that the Speaker has chosen the +title of Eversley, the name of a small place near his residence[13] +in Hampshire, all the large towns in the county having already been +adopted as titles for Peers. The ordinary course would be that your +Majesty should make him a Baron, and that is the course which was +followed in the cases of Mr Abbot made Lord Colchester, and Mr +Abercromby made Lord Dunfermline; but in the case of Mr Manners Sutton +a different course was pursued, and he was made Viscount Canterbury. +The present Speaker is very anxious that his services, which, in fact, +have been more meritorious and useful than those of Mr Manners Sutton, +should not appear to be considered by your Majesty as less deserving +of your Majesty's Royal favour, and as the present Speaker may justly +be said to have been the best who ever filled the chair, Viscount +Palmerston would beg to submit for your Majesty's gracious approval +that he may be created Viscount Eversley. It will be well at the same +time if your Majesty should sanction this arrangement that a Record +should be entered at the Home Office stating that this act of grace +and favour of your Majesty being founded on the peculiar circumstances +of the case, is not to [be] deemed a precedent for the cases of future +Speakers. + +Lord Canterbury was also made a Grand Cross of the Civil Order of the +Bath; it will be for your Majesty to consider whether it might not be +gracious to follow in all respects on the present occasion the course +which was pursued in the case of Mr Manners Sutton. + + [Footnote 12: On the 9th, Mr Speaker Shaw-Lefevre had + announced in the House of Commons his intended retirement from + the Chair, which he had occupied since 1839, when his election + had been made a trial of strength between parties. He was + voted an annuity of L4,000 a year, and created Viscount + Eversley, receiving also the G.C.B.] + + [Footnote 13: Heckfield Place, near Winchfield.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE GENERAL ELECTION] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _24th March 1857_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--... The Opposition have played their game most +foolishly, and the result is that _all_ the old Tories say they +will certainly _not_ support them; they very truly say Lord +Derby's party--that is those who want to get into office _coute que +coute_--whether the country suffers for it or not, wanted to get in +under _false colours_, and that they won't support or abide--which +they are _quite_ right in. There is reason to hope that a better class +of men will be returned, and returned to support the Government, not a +particular cry of this or that.... Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R.[14] + + [Footnote 14: In his address to the electors of Tiverton, + the Premier declared that "an insolent barbarian, wielding + authority at Canton, had violated the British flag, broken + the engagements of treaties, offered rewards for the heads + of British subjects in that part of China, and planned their + destruction by murder, assassination, and poison." The courage + and good temper displayed by Lord Palmerston, and the energy + with which he had carried the country through the Crimean + struggle, had won him widespread popularity, and the Peace + party were generally routed, the prominent members all losing + their seats. The Peelite ranks were also thinned, but Lord + John Russell, contrary to general expectation, held his + seat in the City. There were one hundred and eighty-nine new + members returned, and the Ministry found themselves in command + of a handsome majority.] + + + + +_Earl Granville to Queen Victoria._ + +[_Undated._ ? _19th May 1857._] + +Lord Granville presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs to +submit that the Lord Chancellor made the best statement he has yet +done, introducing his Divorce Bill.[15]... Lord Lyndhurst made a most +able speech in favour of the Bill, but wished it to go further, +and give permission to a woman to sue for a divorce if she was +"maliciously deserted" by her husband.... The Bishop of Oxford +pretended that he was not going to speak at all, in order to secure +his following instead of preceding the Bishop of London; but upon +a division being called he was obliged to speak, and did so with +considerable force and eloquence, but betraying the greatest possible +preparation. The Bishop of London, after showing that the Bishop +of Oxford's speech was a repetition of Mr Keble's speech, made an +excellent answer. The Debate was finished by the Duke of Argyll. + + For the Bill, 47. Against it, 18. + + [Footnote 15: Before this date a divorce could only be + obtained in England by Act of Parliament, after sentence in + the ecclesiastical Court, and (in the case of a husband's + application) a verdict in _crim. con._ against the adulterer. + The present English law was established by the Bill of 1857, + the chief amendment made in Committee being the provision + exempting the clergy from the obligation to marry divorced + persons. Bishop Wilberforce opposed the Bill strenuously, + while Archbishop Sumner and Bishop Tait of London supported + it. Sir Richard Bethell, the Attorney-General, piloted the + measure most skilfully through the Commons, in the teeth of + the eloquent and persistent opposition of Mr Gladstone, who, + to quote a letter from Lord Palmerston to the Queen, opposed + the second reading "in a speech of two hours and a half, + fluent, eloquent, brilliant, full of theological learning + and scriptural research, but fallacious in argument, and with + parts inconsistent with each other."] + + + +[Pageheading: THE FRENCH _ENTENTE_] + +[Pageheading: THE EMPEROR'S VISIT] + + +_The Earl of Clarendon to the Prince Albert._ + +_20th May 1857._ + +SIR,--I have the honour to inform your Royal Highness that I have had +a very long and interesting conversation with M. de Persigny to-day. +He told me of the different _Utopias_ which the Emperor had in his +head, of His Majesty's conviction that England, France, and Russia +ought between them to _regler les affaires de l'Europe_, of the +_peu de cas_ which he made of Austria or any other Power, and of the +various little complaints which His Majesty thought he had against Her +Majesty's Government, and which had been magnified into importance by +the malevolence or the stupidity of the persons who had more or less +the ear of the Emperor.[16] + +M. de Persigny told me also that in a conversation with the Emperor at +which he had taken care that Count Walewski should be present, he had +solemnly warned the Emperor of the danger he would incur if he swerved +the least from the path of his true interest which was the English +Alliance, that all the Sovereigns who were flattering and cajoling him +for their own purposes looked down upon him as an adventurer, and no +more believed in the stability of his throne, or the duration of +his dynasty, than they did in any other events of which extreme +improbability was the character; whereas the English, who never +condescended to flatter or cajole anybody, but who looked to the +interests of England, were attached to the French Alliance and to the +Sovereign of France because peaceful relations with that country were +of the utmost importance to England. France was the only country in +Europe that could do England harm, and on the other hand England was +the only country that could injure France--the late war with Russia +had not the slightest effect upon France except costing her money, but +a war with England would set every party in France into activity each +with its own peculiar objects, but all of them against the existing +order of things--_l'ordre social serait bouleverse_ and the Empire +might perish in the convulsion. + +The result of this and other conversations appears to be an earnest +desire of the Emperor to come to England on a private visit to +the Queen, if possible at Osborne, and at any time that might be +convenient to Her Majesty. M. de Persigny describes him as being +intent upon this project, and as attaching the utmost importance to +it in order to _eclairer_ his own ideas, to guide his policy, and to +prevent by personal communication with the Queen, your Royal Highness, +and Her Majesty's Government the dissidences and _mesintelligences_ +which the Emperor thinks will arise from the want of such +communications. + +I fear that such a visit would not be very agreeable to Her Majesty, +but in the Emperor's present frame of mind, and his evident alarm lest +it should be thought that the Alliance has been in any way _ebranlee_, +I cannot entertain a doubt that much good might be done, or, at all +events, that much mischief might be averted by the Emperor being +allowed to pay his respects to Her Majesty in the manner he proposes. + +I have discussed the matter after the Cabinet this evening with Lord +Palmerston, who takes entirely the same view of the matter as I have +taken the liberty of expressing to your Royal Highness. I have the +honour to be, with the greatest respect, Sir, your Royal Highness's +most faithful and devoted Servant, + +CLARENDON. + + [Footnote 16: A difference had arisen as to the future of the + Principalities--France, Sardinia, and Russia favouring their + union, while England, Austria, and Turkey held that a single + state, so formed, might become too Russian in its sympathies.] + + + + +_The Prince Albert to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +OSBORNE, _21st May 1857_. + +MY DEAR LORD CLARENDON,--I have shown your letter to the Queen, who +wishes me to say in answer to it that she will, of course, be ready to +do what may appear best for the public interest. We shall, therefore, +be ready to receive the Emperor, with or without the Empress, here at +Osborne in the quiet way which he proposes. The present moment would, +however, hardly do, Drawing-rooms and parties being announced in +London, Parliament sitting, and the Season going on and the Queen +having only a few days from the Grand Duke's visit to her return +to Town. The latter half of July, the time at which the Queen would +naturally be here and the best yachting season, might appear to the +Emperor the most eligible, as being the least _force_. + +Till then a cottage which is rebuilding will, we hope, be ready to +accommodate some of the suite, whom we could otherwise not properly +house. + +I have no doubt that good will arise from a renewed intercourse +with the Emperor; the only thing one may perhaps be afraid of is the +possibility of his wishing to gain us over to his views with regard to +a redistribution of Europe, and may be disappointed at our not being +able to assent to his plans and aspirations. + +ALBERT.[17] + + [Footnote 17: See _post_, 4th August, 1857, note 30.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _16th June 1857_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--The christening of little Beatrice[18] is just +over--and was very brilliant and nice. We had the luncheon in the fine +ball-room, which looked very handsome. The Archduke Maximilian (who is +here since Sunday evening) led me to the chapel, and at the luncheon I +sat between him and Fritz. I cannot say how much we like the Archduke; +he is charming, so clever, natural, kind and amiable, so _English_ in +his feelings and likings, and so anxious for the best understanding +between Austria and England. With the exception of his mouth and chin, +he is good-looking; and I think one does not the least care for that, +as he is so very kind and clever and pleasant. I wish you really joy, +dearest Uncle, at having got _such_ a husband for dear Charlotte, as +I am sure he will make her happy, and is quite worthy of her. He may, +and will do a great deal for Italy.[19]... + +I must conclude for to-day, hoping soon to hear from you again. Ever +your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 18: Princess Beatrice (now Princess Henry of + Battenberg) was born on the 14th of April.] + + [Footnote 19: The tragic end of a union which promised so + brightly came in 1867, when the Archduke Maximilian, having + accepted the Imperial crown of Mexico, offered to him by the + Provisional Government, was shot by order of President Juarez. + The Empress Charlotte had come to Europe a year earlier + to seek help for her husband from the French Emperor. In + consequence of the shock caused by the failure of her mission, + her health entirely gave way.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE INDIAN MUTINY] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _26th June 1857_. + +... Viscount Palmerston is sorry to have received the accompanying +account of the extension of the Mutiny among the native troops in +India, but he has no fear of its results.[20] The bulk of the European +force is stationed on the North-West Frontier, and is, therefore, +within comparatively easy reach of Delhi, and about six thousand +European troops will have returned to Bombay from Persia. It will, +however, seem to be advisable to send off at once the force amounting +to nearly eight thousand men, now under orders for embarkation for +India; and when the despatches arrive, which will be about the middle +of next week, it will be seen whether any further reinforcements will +be required. + +The extent of the Mutiny appears to indicate some deeper cause than +that which was ascribed to the first insubordination. That cause may +be, as some allege, the apprehension of the Hindoo priests that their +religion is in danger by the progress of civilisation in India, or it +may be some hostile foreign agency. + + [Footnote 20: Alarming accounts of disturbances in India had + been received for some weeks past, but Lord Palmerston + failed to grasp the gravity of the situation. Even after + the intelligence reached England of the mutiny of the native + regiments at Meerut, on the 10th of May, and of the horrible + massacres of women and children, the Ministry did not fully + realise the peril threatening our Indian possessions.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE VICTORIA CROSS] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord Panmure._ + +[_Undated,_ ? _June 1857._] + +The Queen thinks that the persons decorated with the Victoria Cross +might very properly be allowed to bear some distinctive mark after +their name.[21] The warrant instituting the decoration does not style +it "an Order," but merely "a Naval and Military Decoration" and +a distinction; nor is it properly speaking an order, being not +_constituted_. V.C. would not do. K.G. means a _Knight_ of the Garter, +C.B. a _Companion_ of the Bath, M.P. a _Member_ of Parliament, M.D. a +_Doctor_ of Medicine, etc., etc., in all cases designating a +person. No one could be called a Victoria Cross. V.C. moreover means +Vice-Chancellor at present. D.V.C. (decorated with the Victoria Cross) +or B.V.C. (Bearer of the Victoria Cross) might do. The Queen thinks +the last the best. + + [Footnote 21: The Victoria Cross had just been instituted by + Royal Warrant, and the Queen had, with her own hand, decorated + those who had won the distinction, in Hyde Park, on the 26th + of June.] + + + + +[Pageheading: REINFORCEMENTS FOR INDIA] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord Panmure._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _29th June 1857_. + +The Queen has to acknowledge the receipt of Lord Panmure's letter of +yesterday. She had long been of opinion that reinforcements waiting +to go to India ought not to be delayed. The moment is certainly a very +critical one, and the additional reinforcements now proposed will be +much wanted. The Queen entirely agrees with Lord Panmure that it will +be good policy to oblige the East India Company to keep permanently a +larger portion of the Royal Army in India than heretofore. The Empire +has nearly doubled itself within the last twenty years, and the +Queen's troops have been kept at the old establishment. They are the +body on whom the maintenance of that Empire depends, and the Company +ought not to sacrifice the highest interests to love of patronage. +The Queen hopes that the new reinforcements will be sent out in their +Brigade organisation, and not as detached regiments; good Commanding +Officers knowing their troops will be of the highest importance next +to the troops themselves. + +The Queen must ask that the troops by whom we shall be diminished at +home by the transfer of so many regiments to the Company should be +forthwith replaced by an increase of the establishment up to the +number voted by Parliament, and for which the estimates have been +taken, else we denude ourselves altogether to a degree dangerous to +our own safety at home, and incapable of meeting a sudden emergency, +which, as the present example shows, may come upon us at any moment. +If we had not reduced in such a hurry this spring, we should now have +all the men wanted! + +The Queen wishes Lord Panmure to communicate this letter to Lord +Palmerston. The accounts in to-day's papers from India are most +distressing. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord Panmure._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _3rd July 1857_. + +The Queen has received Lord Panmure's letter of yesterday. She has +sanctioned the going of four Regiments to the East Indies. With regard +to the reduction of the garrison of Malta to four Regiments, she hopes +the Government will well consider whether this will not reduce this +valuable and exposed spot to a state of insecurity. + +The Queen is sorry to find Lord Panmure still objecting to a proper +Brigade system, without which no army in the world can be efficient. +We want General Officers, and cannot train them unless we employ them +on military duty, not on clerks' duty in district or colony, but in +the command of troops. The detachment of Regiments is no reason for +having no system, and the country will not pay for General Officers +whose employment is not part of a system; our Army is then deprived +of its efficiency by the refusal to adopt a system on the part of the +Government. + + + + +[Pageheading: DELHI] + +[Pageheading: GRAVE ANXIETY] + + +_Viscount Canning to Queen Victoria._ + +CALCUTTA, _4th July 1857_. + +Lord Canning presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and although +unable to give to your Majesty the complete details of the capture +of Delhi, and of the defeat of the rebels in that city,[22] as he has +long desired to do, he can at least announce to your Majesty that the +city is in the possession of the British troops, under Major-General +Sir Henry Barnard; and that nothing remains in the hands of the +insurgents except the Palace or Fort, in which they have all taken +refuge. This was the state of things on the 13th and 14th of June, +the latest day of which any certain accounts have been received from +Delhi; but nothing was likely to interfere with the completion of the +capture within forty-eight hours. + +This event has been long and anxiously awaited, and the time which has +elapsed has cost England and India very dear. Many precious lives have +been lost, and much heartrending suffering has been endured, for which +there can be no compensation. The reputation of England's power, too, +has had a rude shake; and nothing but a long-continued manifestation +of her might before the eyes of the whole Indian Empire, evinced by +the presence of such an English force as shall make the thought of +oppositon hopeless, will re-establish confidence in her strength. + +Lord Canning much fears that there are parts of India where, until +this is done, a complete return to peace and order will not be +effected. Wherever the little band of English soldiers--little +when compared with the stretch of country over which they have to +operate--which Lord Canning has at his disposal has shown itself, the +effect has been instantaneous. + +Except at Delhi, there has scarcely been an attempt at resistance to +an European soldier, and the march of the smallest detachments has +preserved order right and left of the roads. The same has been the +case in large cities, such as Benares, Patna, and others; all going to +prove that little more than the presence of English troops is needed +to ensure peace. On the other hand, where such troops are known not to +be within reach, anarchy and violence, when once let loose, continue +unrestrained; and, until further additions are made to the English +regiments in the disturbed districts, this state of things will not +only continue, but extend itself. The fall of Delhi will act to +some degree as a check; but where rapine and outrage have raged +uncontrolled, even for a few hours, it is to be feared that nothing +but the actual presence of force will bring the country into order. + +Lord Canning rejoices to say that to-day the first Regiment of your +Majesty's Forces destined for China has entered the Hooghly. Lord +Canning did not scruple, knowing how much was at stake, earnestly to +press Lord Elgin to allow those forces to be turned aside to India +before proceeding to the support of your Majesty's Plenipotentiary +in China;[23] and to this, so far as regards the first two Regiments, +Lord Elgin readily assented. From what Lord Canning has ventured to +state above, your Majesty will easily understand the satisfaction with +which each new arrival of an English transport in Calcutta is regarded +by him. + +As yet no military operations south of Delhi have been undertaken. +Next week, however, a column composed of your Majesty's 64th and +78th (Highland) Regiments will reach Cawnpore[24] and Lucknow, in the +neighbourhood of which it is probable that an opportunity will offer +of striking a decisive blow at the band of rebels which, after that +in Delhi, is the strongest and most compact. But Lord Canning greatly +doubts whether they will await the onset. Unfortunately, they may run +away from the English troops, and yet prove very formidable to any who +are weaker than themselves--whether Indians or unarmed Europeans. + +Your Majesty is aware that in the critical condition of affairs which +now exists, Lord Canning has felt himself compelled to adopt the +measure of placing the King of Oudh in confinement in Fort William, +in consequence of the use made of his name by those who have been busy +tampering with the Sepoys; and of the intrigues which there is good +reason to believe that the Minister of the King, who is also in the +Fort, has carried on in his master's name.[25] The King has been, and +will continue to be, treated with every mark of respect and indulgence +which is compatible with his position, so long as it may be necessary +that he should be retained in the Fort. + +Lord Canning earnestly hopes that your Majesty and the Prince are in +the enjoyment of good health, and prays your Majesty to be graciously +pleased to accept the expression of his sincere devotion and dutiful +attachment. + + [Footnote 22: After the outbreak at Meerut in May, the + fugitive Sepoys fled to Delhi, and endeavoured to capture the + magazine, which, however, was exploded by British soldiers. + Delhi was not captured until September (see _post_, 25th + September, 1857). On the 11th of July, the Government received + intelligence of the spread of the Mutiny throughout Bengal, + and the resulting diminution of the Indian Army.] + + [Footnote 23: For Sir George Grey's action at Cape Town, in + reference to the troops destined for China, see his Memoir, in + the _Dictionary of National Biography_.] + + [Footnote 24: On the 4th of June, two native regiments had + mutinied at Cawnpore, and the English residents, under General + Sir Hugh Wheeler, were besieged. After many deaths and much + privation, the garrison were induced by the perfidy of Nana + Sahib, who had caused the Cawnpore rising, to surrender, on + condition of their lives being spared. On the 27th of June, + not suspecting their impending fate, the enfeebled garrison, + or what was left of it, gave themselves up. The men were + killed, the women and children being first enslaved and + afterwards massacred. On the 16th of July, General Havelock + defeated Nana Sahib at Cawnpore, the city was occupied by + the English, and a sanguinary, but well-merited, retribution + exacted.] + + [Footnote 25: The ex-King had been living under the protection + of the Indian Government. The arrest took place early in June + at his residence at Garden Beach.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DEBATE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS] + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _27th July 1857_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +to state that Mr Disraeli this afternoon, in a speech of three hours, +made his Motion on the state of India. His Motion was ostensibly for +two papers, one of which does not exist, at least in the possession of +the Government, and the other of which ought not to be made public, +as it relates to the arrangements for defending India against external +attack. He represented the disturbances in India as a national revolt, +and not as a mere military mutiny; and he enumerated various causes +which in his opinion accounted, for and justified this general revolt. +Some of these causes were various measures of improved civilisation +which from time to time during the last ten years the Indian +Government had been urged by Parliament to take. Mr Vernon Smith +followed, and in a very able speech answered in great detail Mr +Disraeli's allegations. Sir Erskine Perry,[26] who evidently had +furnished Mr Disraeli with much of his mistaken assertions, supported +his views. Mr Campbell, Member for Weymouth, who had been many years +in India, showed the fallacy of Mr Disraeli's arguments, and the +groundlessness of many of his assertions. Mr Whiteside supported +the Motion. Lord John Russell, who had after Mr Disraeli's speech +communicated with the Government, expressed his disapprobation of +Mr Disraeli's speech, and moved as an Amendment an Address to your +Majesty expressing the assurance of the support of the House for +measures to suppress the present disturbances, and their co-operation +with your Majesty in measures for the permanent establishment of +tranquillity and contentment in India.[27] Mr Mangles, the Chairman +of the Directors, replied at much length, and very conclusively to Mr +Disraeli's speech. Mr Liddell, with much simplicity, asked the Speaker +to tell him how he should vote, but approved entirely of Lord John +Russell's address. Mr Ayrton moved an adjournment of the Debate, which +was negatived by 203 to 79. Mr Hadfield then shortly stated in his +provincial dialect that "we can never keep our 'old upon Hindia by +the Force of Harms." Mr Disraeli then made an animated reply to the +speeches against him, but in a manner almost too animated for the +occasion. Mr Thomas Baring set Mr Disraeli right, but in rather strong +terms, about some proceedings of the Committee on Indian Affairs +in 1853, with regard to which Mr Disraeli's memory had proved +untrustworthy. Viscount Palmerston shortly made some observations on +the Motion and the speech which had introduced it; and the Motion was +then negatived without a division, and the Address was unanimously +carried. + + [Footnote 26: Chief Justice of Bombay 1847-1852, and M.P. for + Devonport 1854-1859.] + + [Footnote 27: "One of those dry constitutional platitudes," + said Mr Disraeli in reply, "which in a moment of difficulty + the noble lord pulls out of the dusty pigeon-holes of his + mind, and shakes in the perplexed face of the baffled House + of Commons." Mr Disraeli was admittedly much annoyed by the + statesmanlike intervention of Lord John.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MARRIAGE OF PRINCESS CHARLOTTE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _27th July 1857_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--At _this_ very _moment_ the marriage[28] is going +on--the _Knot_ is being tied which binds your lovely sweet child to a +thoroughly worthy husband--and I am sure you will be much moved. May +every blessing attend her! I wish _I_ could be present--but my dearest +_Half_ being there makes me feel as I were there myself. I try to +picture to myself how _all_ will be. I could not give you a greater +proof of my love for you all, and my anxiety to give you and dearest +Charlotte pleasure, than in urging my dearest Albert to go over--for I +encouraged and _urged_ him to go though you cannot think _combien +cela me coute_ or how completely _deroutee_ I am and _feel_ when he +is away, or how I count the hours till he returns. _All_ the numerous +children are as _nothing_ to me when _he is away_; it seems as if the +whole life of the house and home were gone, when he is away! + +We do all we can to _feter_ in our very _quiet_ way this dear day. +We are all out of mourning; the younger children are to have a +half-holiday, Alice is to _dine_ for the first time in the evening +with us; we shall drink _the Archduke and Archduchess's_ healths; and +I have ordered _wine_ for our servants, and _grog_ for our sailors to +do the same. + +Vicky (who is painting in the Alcove near me) wishes me to say +everything to you and the _dear young couple_, and pray tell dear +Charlotte _all_ that we have been doing.... + +Here we are in anxious (and I fear many people in very _cruel_) +suspense, for news from India. They _ought_ to have arrived the day +before yesterday. + +On Thursday, then, we are to have Prince Napoleon, and on the +following Thursday the Emperor and Empress; and after them for _one_ +night, the Queen of Holland,[29] whose activity is astounding--and she +sees everything and everybody and goes everywhere; she is certainly +clever and amiable.... + +Now, with our children's affectionate love, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +Pray offer my kind regards to _all_ your visitors, even to those whom +I do _not_ know. I only hope my dearest husband will tell me _all_ +about everything. Vicky is constantly talking and thinking of +Charlotte. + + [Footnote 28: Of the Princess Charlotte to the Archduke + Ferdinand Maximilian at Brussels.] + + [Footnote 29: Sophia Frederica, born 1818, daughter of King + William I. of Wuertemberg.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE MILITIA] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _2nd August 1857_. + +The Queen has to thank Lord Palmerston for his letter of the 27th +July. + +The embodying of the Militia will be a most necessary measure, as +well for the defence of our own country, and for keeping up on the +Continent of Europe the knowledge that we are not in a defenceless +state, as for the purpose of obtaining a sufficient number of +volunteers for the Army. + +The Queen hopes, therefore, that the Militia to be embodied will be +on a proper and sufficient scale. She must say, that the last accounts +from India show so formidable a state of things that the military +measures hitherto taken by the Home Government, on whom the salvation +of India must mainly depend, appear to the Queen as by no means +adequate to the emergency. We have nearly gone to the full extent of +our available means, just as we did in the Crimean War, and may be +able to obtain successes; but we have not laid in a store of troops, +nor formed Reserves which could carry us over a long struggle, or meet +unforeseen new calls. Herein we are always most shortsighted, and have +finally to suffer either in power and reputation, or to pay enormous +sums for small advantages in the end--generally both. + +The Queen hopes that the Cabinet will look the question boldly in the +face; nothing could be better than the Resolutions passed in the House +of Commons, insuring to the Government every possible support in the +adoption of vigorous measures. It is generally the Government, and not +the House of Commons, who hang back. The Queen wishes Lord Palmerston +to communicate this letter to his Colleagues. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE NAVY] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _4th August 1857_. + +The defenceless state of our shores, now that the Army has been +reduced to eighteen effective Battalions, and the evident inclinations +of the Continental Powers, chiefly France and Russia, to dictate to us +with regard to the Oriental Question, makes the Queen naturally turn +her attention to the state of our naval preparations and force. + +To render it possible to salute the Emperor[30] when he comes here, +the old _St Vincent_ has been brought out of the harbour, but has been +manned chiefly by the men of the _Excellent_ gunnery ship; and we +have been warned by the Admiralty not to visit the _Excellent_ in +consequence. This does not show a very brilliant condition! But what +is still more worthy of consideration is, that our new fleet, which +had been completed at the end of the Russian War, was _a steam_ fleet; +when it was broken up at the Peace the dockyard expenses were also +cut down, and men discharged at the very moment when totally new and +extensive arrangements became necessary to repair and keep in a state +of efficiency the valuable steam machinery, and to house our gunboat +flotilla on shore. To render any of these steamships fit for sea, +now that they are dismantled, with our _small_ means as to basins and +docks, must necessarily cost much time. + +The Queen wishes accordingly to have a report sent to her as to the +force of screw-ships of the Line and of other classes which can be got +ready at the different dockyards, and the time required to get them to +sea for actual service; and also the time required to launch and get +ready the gunboats. She does not wish for a mere general answer from +the Lords of the Admiralty, but for detailed reports from the Admirals +commanding at the different ports, and particularly the Captains in +command of the Steam Reserve. She would only add that she wishes no +unnecessary time to be lost in the preparation of these reports. She +requests Lord Palmerston to have these, her wishes, carried out. + + [Footnote 30: The Emperor and Empress of the French arrived + at Osborne on the 6th of August on a visit to the Queen + and Prince, lasting for four days, during which time much + discussion took place between the Prince and Emperor on + affairs in Eastern Europe.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF SIR HENRY LAWRENCE] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _22nd August 1857_. + +The Queen is afraid from the telegram of this morning that affairs in +India have not yet taken a favourable turn. Delhi seems still to hold +out, and the death of Sir H. Lawrence[31] is a great loss. The Queen +must repeat to Lord Palmerston that the measures hitherto taken by the +Government are not commensurate with the magnitude of the crisis. + +We have given nearly all we have in reinforcements, and if new efforts +should become necessary, by the joining of the Madras and Bombay +Armies in the Revolt, for instance, it will take months to prepare +Reserves which ought now to be ready. Ten Battalions of Militia to +be called out is quite inadequate; forty, at least, ought to be the +number, for these also exist only on paper. The augmentation of the +Cavalry and the Guards has not yet been ordered. + +Financial difficulties don't exist; the 14,000 men sent to India are +taken over by the Indian Government, and their expense saved to +us; and this appears hardly the moment to make savings on the Army +estimates. + + [Footnote 31: On the previous day, the Queen and Prince had + returned from a visit to Cherbourg, and found very disquieting + news from India. Sir Henry Lawrence was the Military + Administrator and Chief Commissioner of Oudh; on the 30th of + May, the 71st N.I. mutinied at Lucknow, but Sir Henry drove + them from their position and fortified the Residency. Some + weeks later, on sallying out to reconnoitre, the English were + driven back and besieged in the Residency; Sir Henry dying + from the effects of a wound caused by a shell.] + + + + +[Pageheading: RECRUITING] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _22nd August 1857_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty.... +Viscount Palmerston has had the honour of receiving your Majesty's +communication of this morning. It is, no doubt, true that the +telegraphic account received yesterday evening does not show, that at +the dates mentioned from India, any improvement had taken place in the +state of affairs, and the loss of Sir Henry Lawrence and of General +Barnard,[32] but especially of the former, is deeply to be lamented. + +With regard, however, to the measures now taking to raise a force to +supply the place of the troops sent to India, and to enlist recruits +to fill up vacancies in the Regiments in India, Viscount Palmerston +would beg to submit that the steps now taking seem to be well +calculated for their purpose. The recruiting for the Army has gone on +more rapidly than could have been expected at this particular time of +year, and in a fortnight or three weeks from this time will proceed +still more rapidly; the ten thousand Militia to be immediately +embodied will be as much as could probably be got together at the +present moment without much local inconvenience; but if that number +should be found insufficient, it would be easy afterwards to embody +more. But, if the recruiting should go on successfully, that number +of Militiamen in addition to the Regulars may be found sufficient. +Viscount Palmerston begs to assure your Majesty that there is no wish +to make savings on the amount voted for Army Services, but, on the +other hand, it would be very inconvenient and embarrassing to exceed +that amount without some urgent and adequate necessity.... + + [Footnote 32: He died of cholera at Delhi, on the 5th of + July.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _22nd August 1857_. + +In answer to Lord Palmerston's observations on our Military +preparations, the Queen must reply that, although Lord Palmerston +disclaims, on the part of the Government, the intention of making a +saving on the Army estimates out of the fearful exigencies caused by +the Indian Revolt, the facts still remain. The Government have sent +fourteen Battalions out of the country and transferred them to the +East India Company, and they mean to replace them only by ten new +ones, whose organisation has been ordered; but even in these, they +mean for the present to save four Companies out of every twelve. The +Queen, the House of Lords, the House of Commons, and the Press, all +call out for vigorous exertion, and the Government alone take an +apologetic line, anxious to do as little as possible, to wait for +further news, to reduce as low as possible even what they do grant, +and reason as if we had at most _only_ to replace what was sent out; +whilst if new demands should come upon us, the Reserves which ought +now to be decided upon and organised, are only then to be discussed. +The Queen can the less reconcile herself to the system, of "letting +out a little sail at a time," as Lord Palmerston called it the other +day, as she feels convinced that, if vigour and determination to +get what will be eventually wanted is shown by the Cabinet, it will +pervade the whole Government machinery and attain its object; but that +if, on the other hand, people don't see what the Government really +require, and find them satisfied with a little at a time, even that +little will not be got, as the subordinates naturally take the tone +from their superiors. Ten Militia Regiments would not even represent +the 10,000 men whom Parliament has voted the supplies for. A Battalion +will probably not reach 600 for a time, and from these we hope to draw +volunteers again! + +The Queen hopes the Cabinet will yet look the whole question in the +face, and decide while there is time what they must know will become +necessary, and what must in the hurry at the end be done less well +and at, probably, double the cost. The Queen can speak by very recent +experience, having seen exactly the same course followed in the late +War. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _23rd August 1857_. + +The Queen approves of Lord Fife[33] and Lord R. Grosvenor being +made Peers, and of an offer being made to Mr Macaulay, although she +believes he will decline the honour.... + + [Footnote 33: James, fifth Viscount Macduff and Earl of Fife + in the peerage of Ireland, was, on the 1st of October, created + a Baron of the United Kingdom; he was the father of the + present Duke of Fife. Lord Robert Grosvenor became Lord + Ebury, and Mr Macaulay Lord Macaulay of Rothley Temple (his + birthplace), in the county of Leicester.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE ARMY RESERVES] + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _25th August 1857_. + +The Queen has received Lord Palmerston's letter of yesterday, and must +say that she is deeply grieved at her want of success in impressing +upon him the importance of meeting the present dangers by agreeing on, +and maturing a general plan by which to replace _in kind_ the troops +sent out of the country, and for which the money _has_ been voted by +Parliament.[34] To the formation of the full number of Battalions, and +their full strength in Companies, Lord Palmerston objects that the men +will not be found to fill them, and therefore it is left undone; to +the calling-out of more Militia, he objects that they ought not to be +used as Recruiting Depots, and if many were called out the speed with +which the recruiting for the Army went on, would oblige them to be +disbanded again. The War Office pride themselves upon having got 1,000 +men since the recruiting began; this is equal to 1,000 a month or +12,000 a year, the ordinary wear and tear of the Army!! Where will the +Reserves for India be to be found? It does not suffice merely to get +_recruits_, as Lord Palmerston says; they will not become _soldiers_ +for six months when got, and in the meantime a sufficient number of +Militia Regiments ought to be drilled, and made efficient to relieve +the Line Regiments already sent, or yet to be sent, for these also are +at present necessarily good for nothing. + +The Queen must say that the Government incur a fearful responsibility +towards their country by their apparent indifference. God grant that +no unforeseen European complication fall upon this country--but we are +really tempting Providence. + +The Queen hopes Lord Palmerston has communicated to the Cabinet her +views on the subject. + + [Footnote 34: After referring to the necessity for supplying + by fresh drafts the gaps created in the regiments in India, + Lord Palmerston had written:-- + + "If the Militia officers were to find that they were + considered merely as drill sergeants for the Line, they would + grow careless and indifferent, and many whom it is desirable + to keep in the Service would leave it. + + "With regard to the number of Militiamen to be embodied, the + question seems to be, What is the number which will be wanted + for the whole period to the 31st of March, because it would be + undesirable to call out and embody now Militia Regiments which + would become unnecessary during the winter by the progress of + recruiting, and which, from there being no funds applicable to + their maintenance, it would become necessary to disembody. The + men would be now taken from industrial employment at a time + when labour is wanted, and would be turned adrift in the + winter when there is less demand for labour. + + "With respect to recruiting for the Army, every practicable + means has been adopted to hasten its success. Recruiting + parties have been scattered over the whole of the United + Kingdom, and the permanent staff of the disembodied Militia + have been furnished with Beating Warrants enabling them to + enlist recruits for the Line; and the recruiting has been + hitherto very successful. The only thing to be done is to + raise men as fast as possible, and to post them as they are + raised to the Regiments and Battalions for which they engage. + The standard, moreover, has been lowered...."] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD LANSDOWNE] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _31st August 1857_. + +... Viscount Palmerston would beg to submit for your Majesty's +consideration whether he might be authorised by your Majesty to offer +to Lord Lansdowne promotion to the title of Duke. Your Majesty may +possibly not have in the course of your Majesty's reign, long as it is +to be hoped that reign will be, any subject whose private and public +character will during so long a course of years as those which have +been the period of Lord Lansdowne's career, have more entitled him +to the esteem and respect of his fellow-countrymen, and to the +approbation of his Sovereign. + +Lord Lansdowne has now for several years given your Majesty's +Government the great and valuable support of his advice in council, +his assistance in debate, and the weight of his character in the +country, without any office. His health and strength, Viscount +Palmerston cannot disguise from himself, have not been this year such +as they had been; and if your Majesty should contemplate marking at +any time your Majesty's sense of Lord Lansdowne's public services, +there could not be a better moment for doing so than the present; and +Viscount Palmerston has reason to believe that such an act of grace +would be very gratifying to the Liberal Party, and would be deemed +well bestowed even by those who are of opposite politics.[35] + +Mr Macaulay accepts the Peerage with much gratitude to your Majesty. + + [Footnote 35: Lord Lansdowne declined the honour.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE INDIAN MUTINY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BALMORAL CASTLE, _2nd September 1857_. + +DEAREST UNCLE,--... We are in sad anxiety about India, which engrosses +all our attention.[36] Troops cannot be raised fast or largely enough. +And the horrors committed on the poor ladies--women and children--are +unknown in these ages, and make one's blood run cold. Altogether, the +whole is so much more distressing than the Crimea--where there was +_glory_ and honourable warfare, and where the poor women and children +were safe. Then the distance and the difficulty of communication is +such an additional suffering to us all. I know you will feel much for +us all. There is not a family hardly who is not in sorrow and anxiety +about their children, and in all ranks--India being _the_ place where +every one was anxious to place a son! + +We hear from _our_ people (not Fritz) from Berlin, that the King is in +a very unsatisfactory state. _What_ have you heard?... + +Now, with Albert's love, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 36: At Balmoral the Queen learned in greater detail + of the atrocities which had been committed upon the garrison + at Cawnpore.] + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +BROCKET, _10th September 1857_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty and begs +to submit that an impression is beginning to prevail that it would be +a proper thing that a day should be set apart for National Prayer and +Humiliation with reference to the present calamitous state of affairs +in India, upon the same principle on which a similar step was taken +during the Crimean War; and if your Majesty should approve, Viscount +Palmerston would communicate on the subject with the Archbishop of +Canterbury.... It is usual on such occasions that the Archbishop of +Canterbury should attend,[37] but in consideration of the distance his +attendance might well be dispensed with on the present occasion. + + [Footnote 37: _I.e._ at the meeting of the Council which was + to be summoned.] + + + + +[Pageheading: A DAY OF INTERCESSION] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BALMORAL, _11th September 1857_. + +Lord Palmerston knows what the Queen's feelings are with regard to +Fast-days, which she thinks do not produce the desired effect--from +the manner in which they are appointed, and the selections made for +the Service--but she will not oppose the natural feeling which any +one must partake in, of a desire to pray for our fellow-countrymen and +women who are exposed to such imminent danger, and therefore sanctions +his consulting the Archbishop on the subject. She would, however, +suggest its being more appropriately called a day of prayer +and intercession for our suffering countrymen, than of fast and +humiliation, and of its being on a _Sunday_, and not on a week-day: +on the last Fast-day, the Queen heard it generally remarked, that it +produced more harm than good, and that, if it were on a Sunday, it +would be much more generally observed. However, she will sanction +whatever is proper, but thinks it ought to be as soon as possible[38] +(in a fortnight or three weeks) if it is to be done at all. + +She will hold a Council whenever it is wished.[39] + + [Footnote 38: It was kept on the 7th of October (a + Wednesday).] + + [Footnote 39: Shortly after the date of this letter came the + intelligence from India that Delhi had not fallen, and that + the Lucknow garrison was not yet relieved. This news, coupled + with the tidings of fresh outbreaks, and the details of the + horrors of Cawnpore, generated deep feelings of resentment in + the country.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +BALMORAL CASTLE, _23rd September 1857_. + +The Queen hopes that the arrival of troops and ships with Lord Elgin +will be of material assistance, but still it does not alter the state +of affairs described by the Queen in her letter, which she wrote to +Lord Palmerston, and which she is glad to see Lord Clarendon agrees +in. Though we might have perhaps wished the Maharajah[40] to express +his feelings on the subject of the late atrocities in India, it was +hardly to be expected that he (naturally of a negative, though gentle +and very amiable disposition) should pronounce an opinion on so +painful a subject, attached as he is to his country, and naturally +_still_ possessing, with all his amiability and goodness, an _Eastern +nature_; he can also hardly, a deposed Indian Sovereign, _not very_ +fond of the British rule as represented by the East India Company, +and, above all, impatient of Sir John Login's[41] tutorship, be +expected to _like_ to hear his country-people called _fiends_ and +_monsters_, and to see them brought in hundreds, if not thousands, to +be executed. + +His best course is to say nothing, she must think. + +It is a great mercy he, poor boy, is not there. + + [Footnote 40: Lord Clarendon had written that he was "sorry to + learn that the Maharajah (Dhuleep Singh) had shown little or + no regret for the atrocities which have been committed, or + sympathy with the sufferers."] + + [Footnote 41: Sir John Spencer Login, formerly surgeon at the + British Residency, Lucknow, guardian of the Maharajah Dhuleep + Singh, 1849-1858.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LETTER FROM LORD CANNING] + +[Pageheading: SIR COLIN CAMPBELL] + +[Pageheading: INDIA] + +[Pageheading: THE POLICY OF CLEMENCY] + + +_Viscount Canning to Queen Victoria._ + +CALCUTTA, _25th September 1857_. + +Lord Canning presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and asks leave +again to address your Majesty, although the desire which he has felt +that his next letter should announce to your Majesty the fall of +Delhi, and the first steps towards a restoration of your Majesty's +Authority throughout the revolted Districts, cannot as yet be +accomplished. But although it is not in Lord Canning's power to report +any very marked success over the Rebels, he can confidently assure +your Majesty that a change in the aspect of affairs is gradually +taking place, which gives hope that the contest is drawing to a close, +and the day of punishment at hand.... + +Another ground for good hopes is the appearance of things at Lucknow. +News just received from Sir James Outram announces that he has joined +General Havelock's force at Cawnpore, and that the Troops crossed the +Ganges into Oudh on the 19th, with hardly any opposition. The European +force now advancing on Lucknow is about [....][42] strong, well +provided with Artillery. The beleaguered Garrison was in good spirits +on the 16th of September, and had provisions enough to last to the +end of the month. They had lately inflicted severe losses on their +assailants, and some of the latter had dispersed. The influential +proprietors and chiefs of the country had begun to show symptoms of +siding with us. + +This is a very different state of things from that which existed when +General Havelock's force retired across the Ganges in July; and Lord +Canning prays and believes that your Majesty will be spared the +pain and horror of hearing that the atrocities of Cawnpore have been +re-enacted upon the brave and enduring garrison of Lucknow. Every +English soldier who could be made to reach Cawnpore has been pushed +on to General Outram, even to the denuding of some points of danger +in the intervening country, and General Outram's instructions are to +consider the rescue of the garrison as the one paramount object to +which everything else is to give way. The garrison (which, after all, +is nothing more than the House of the Resident, with defences hastily +thrown up) contains about three hundred and fifty European men, four +hundred and fifty women and children, and one hundred and twenty sick, +besides three hundred natives, hitherto faithful. The city, and even +the province, may be abandoned and recovered again, but these lives +must be saved now or never; and to escape the sorrow and humiliation +of such barbarities as have already been endured elsewhere is worth +any sacrifice. It is in consideration of the state of things at +these two most critical points, Delhi and Lucknow, that Lord Canning +ventures to ask your Majesty to look hopefully to the events of the +next few weeks; notwithstanding that he is unable to announce any +signal success.... + +Sir Colin Campbell has been in a state of delight ever since his +favourite 93rd landed five days ago.[43] He went to see them on board +their transport before they disembarked, and when Lord Canning asked +how he found them, replied that the only thing amiss was that they had +become too fat on the voyage, and could not button their coats. But, +indeed, all the troops of the China force have been landed in the +highest possible condition of health and vigour. The 23rd, from its +large proportion of young soldiers, is perhaps the one most likely +to suffer from the climate and the hardships of the Service--for, +although no care or cost will be spared to keep them in health and +comfort, Lord Canning fears that hardships there must be, seeing how +vast an extent of usually productive country will be barren for a +time, and that the districts from which some of our most valuable +supplies, especially the supply of carriage animals, are drawn, +have been stripped bare, or are still in revolt. As it is, the +Commander-in-Chief has most wisely reduced the amount of tent +accommodation for officers and men far below the ordinary luxurious +Indian allowance. + +The presence of the ships of the Royal Navy has been of the greatest +service. At least eleven thousand seamen and marines have been +contributed by them for duty on shore, and the broadsides of the +_Sanspareil_, _Shannon_, and _Pearl_, as they lie along the esplanade, +have had a very reassuring effect upon the inhabitants of Calcutta, +who, until lately, have insisted pertinaciously that their lives and +property were in hourly danger.[44] + +No line-of-battle ship has been seen in the Hooghly since Admiral +Watson sailed up to Chandernagore just a hundred years ago;[45] and +certainly nothing in his fleet was equal to the _Sanspareil_. The +natives stare at her, and call her "the four-storied boat." + +For the future, if Delhi should fall and Lucknow be secured, the work +of pacification will go forward steadily. Many points will have to be +watched, and there may be occasional resistance; but nothing like +an organised contest against authority is probable. The greatest +difficulties will be in the civil work of re-settlement. The recent +death of Mr Colvin,[46] the Lieutenant-Governor of the North-Western +Provinces, has removed an officer whose experience would there have +been most valuable. He has died, fairly exhausted; and is the fourth +officer of high trust whose life has given way in the last four +months. + +One of the greatest difficulties which lie ahead--and Lord Canning +grieves to say so to your Majesty--will be the violent rancour of a +very large proportion of the English community against every +native Indian of every class. There is a rabid and indiscriminate +vindictiveness abroad, even amongst many who ought to set a better +example, which it is impossible to contemplate without something like +a feeling of shame for one's fellow-countrymen. Not one man in +ten seems to think that the hanging and shooting of forty or fifty +thousand mutineers, besides other Rebels, can be otherwise than +practicable and right; nor does it occur to those who talk and write +most upon the matter that for the Sovereign of England to hold and +govern India without employing, and, to a great degree, trusting +natives, both in civil and military service, is simply impossible. It +is no exaggeration to say that a vast number of the European community +would hear with pleasure and approval that every Hindoo and Mohammedan +had been proscribed, and that none would be admitted to serve the +Government except in a menial office. That which they desire is to see +a broad line of separation, and of declared distrust drawn between us +Englishmen and every subject of your Majesty who is not a Christian, +and who has a dark skin; and there are some who entirely refuse +to believe in the fidelity or goodwill of any native towards any +European; although many instances of the kindness and generosity +of both Hindoos and Mohammedans have come upon record during these +troubles. + +To those whose hearts have been torn by the foul barbarities inflicted +upon those dear to them any degree of bitterness against the natives +may be excused. No man will dare to judge them for it. But the cry is +raised loudest by those who have been sitting quietly in their homes +from the beginning and have suffered little from the convulsions +around them unless it be in pocket. It is to be feared that this +feeling of exasperation will be a great impediment in the way of +restoring tranquillity and good order, even after signal retribution +shall have been deliberately measured out to all chief offenders.[47] + +Lord Canning is ashamed of having trespassed upon your Majesty's +indulgence at such length. He will only add that he has taken the +liberty of sending to your Majesty by this mail a map which has just +been finished, showing the distribution of the Army throughout India +at the time of the outbreak of the Mutiny. It also shows the Regiments +of the Bengal Army which have mutinied, and those which have been +disarmed, the number of European troops arrived in Calcutta up to the +19th of September, and whence they came; with some few other points of +information. + +There may be some slight inaccuracies, as the first copies of the map +have only just been struck off, and have not been corrected; but Lord +Canning believes that it will be interesting to your Majesty at the +present moment. + +Lord Canning begs to be allowed to express his earnest wishes for the +health of your Majesty, and of His Royal Highness Prince Albert, +and to offer to your Majesty the humble assurance of his sincere and +dutiful devotion. + + [Footnote 42: Word omitted in the original.] + + [Footnote 43: At the battle of the Alma, Sir Colin Campbell, + in command of the 2nd or Highland Brigade of the 1st Division, + had, with his Highlanders in line, routed the last compact + column of the Russians. On the 11th of July 1857, he was + appointed Commander-in-Chief in India, and started literally + at one day's notice, reaching Calcutta on the 14th of August.] + + [Footnote 44: The services of the Naval Brigade, at the relief + of Lucknow, were warmly recognised by Sir Colin Campbell, and + especially the gallantry of Captain Peel of the _Shannon_.] + + [Footnote 45: In retribution for the atrocity of the Black + Hole of Calcutta, Watson, under instructions from Clive, + reduced Chandernagore on the 23rd of March 1757; the battle of + Plassey was fought on the 23rd of June.] + + [Footnote 46: John Russell Colvin, formerly Private Secretary + to Lord Auckland, had been Lieutenant-Governor since 1853.] + + + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +BALMORAL, _28th September 1857_. + +The Queen is much surprised at Lord Clarendon's observing that "from +what he hears the Maharajah was either from nature or early education +cruel."[48] He must have changed very suddenly if this be true, for +if there was a thing for which he was remarkable, it was his extreme +gentleness and kindness of disposition. We have known him for three +years (our two boys intimately), and he always shuddered at hurting +anything, and was peculiarly gentle and kind towards children and +animals, and if anything rather timid; so that all who knew him said +he never could have had a chance in his own country. His valet, who +is a very respectable Englishman, and has been with him ever since +his twelfth year, says that he never knew a kinder or more amiable +disposition. The Queen fears that people who do not know him well have +been led away by their present very natural feelings of hatred and +distrust of all Indians to slander him. What he might turn out, if +left in the hands of unscrupulous Indians in his own country, of +course no one can foresee. + + [Footnote 48: See _ante_, 23rd September, 1857, note 40.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _17th October 1857_. + +The Queen has received yesterday evening the box with the Dockyard +Returns. It will take her some time to peruse and study them; she +wishes, however, to remark upon two points, and to have them pointed +out also to Sir Charles Wood,[49] viz. first, that they are dated some +as early as the 27th August, and none later than the 10th September, +and that she received them, only on the _17th October_; and then +that there is not one original Return amongst them, but they are all +copies! When the Queen asks for Returns, to which she attaches great +importance, she expects at least to see them in original. + + [Footnote 49: First Lord of the Admiralty.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCESS ROYAL] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _25th October 1857_. + +The Queen returns these letters. It would be well if Lord Clarendon +would tell Lord Bloomfield not to _entertain_ the _possibility_ of +such a question as the Princess Royal's marriage taking place at +Berlin.[50] The Queen _never_ could consent to it, both for public +and private reasons, and the assumption of its being _too much_ for a +Prince Royal of Prussia to _come_ over to marry _the Princess Royal +of Great Britain_ IN England is too _absurd_, to say the least. The +Queen must say that there never was even the _shadow_ of a _doubt_ on +_Prince Frederick William's_ part as to _where_ the marriage should +take place, and she suspects this to be the mere gossip of the +Berliners. Whatever may be the usual practice of Prussian Princes, it +is not _every_ day that one marries the eldest daughter of the Queen +of England. The question therefore must be considered as settled and +closed.... + + [Footnote 50: The marriage took place at the Chapel Royal, St + James's.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF THE DUCHESS DE NEMOURS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th November 1857_. + +The Queen thanks Lord Clarendon much for his kind and sympathising +letter, and is much gratified at Count Persigny's kind note. He _is_ +a good, honest, warm-hearted man, for whom we have sincere esteem. +The news from India was a great relief and a _ray_ of sunshine in our +great affliction.[51] The Queen had the happiness of informing poor +Sir George Couper of the relief of Lucknow, in which for four months +his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren were shut up. The loss of +two such distinguished officers as Generals Nicholson and Neill, and +alas! of many inferior ones, is, however, very sad. + +We visited the house of mourning yesterday, and _no words can_ +describe the scene of woe.[52] There was the venerable Queen with +the motherless children, admirable in her deep grief, and her pious +resignation to the Will of God! yet even now the support, the comfort +of all, thinking but of others and ready to devote her last remaining +strength and her declining years to her children and grandchildren. +There was the broken-hearted, almost distracted widower--_her +son_--and lastly, there was in one room the lifeless, but oh! even in +its ghostliness, most beautiful form of his young, lovely, and angelic +wife, lying in her bed with her splendid hair covering her shoulders, +and a heavenly expression of peace; and in the next room, the dear +little pink infant sleeping in its cradle. + +The Queen leaves to Lord Clarendon's kind heart to imagine what this +spectacle of woe must be, and how _deeply_ afflicted and impressed _we +must be_--who have only so lately had a child born to us and have been +so fortunate! The Prince has been _completely_ upset by this; and she +was besides like a dear sister to us. God's will be done! But it +seems _too_ dreadful almost to believe it--too hard to bear. The dear +Duchess's death must have been caused by some affection of the heart, +for she was perfectly well, having her hair combed, suddenly exclaimed +to the Nurse, "Oh! mon Dieu, Madame"--her head fell on one side--and +before the Duke could run upstairs her hand was cold! The Queen +had visited her on Saturday--looking well--and _yesterday_ saw her +lifeless form in the very same spot! + +If Lord Clarendon could give a slight hint to the _Times_ to say a few +words of sympathy on the awful and unparalleled misfortune of these +poor exiles, she is sure it would be very soothing to their bleeding +hearts.... The sad event at Claremont took place just five days later +than the death of poor Princess Charlotte under very similar +circumstances forty years ago; and the poor Duchess was the niece of +Princess Charlotte's husband. + + [Footnote 51: Havelock, in consequence of the strength of the + rebels in Oudh, had been unable to march to the assistance of + Lucknow immediately after the relief of Cawnpore. He joined + hands with Outram on the 10th of September, and reinforced the + Lucknow garrison on the 25th.] + + [Footnote 52: In a pathetic letter, just received, the Duc de + Nemours (second son of Louis Philippe) had announced the death + of his wife, Queen Victoria's beloved cousin and friend. She + was only thirty-five years of age, and had been married at + eighteen. She had seemed to make a good recovery after the + birth of a child on the 28th of October, but died quite + suddenly on the 10th of November, while at her toilette.] + + + + +[Pageheading: CRISIS IN THE CITY] + +[Pageheading: SUSPENSION OF BANK CHARTER ACT] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _12th November 1857_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +to state that the condition of financial affairs became worse to-day +than it was yesterday.[53] The Governor of the bank represented that +almost all private firms have ceased to discount bills, and that the +Reserve Fund of the Bank of England, out of which discounts are made +and liabilities satisfied, had been reduced last night to L1,400,000, +and that if that fund should become exhausted the bank would have +to suspend its operations. Under these circumstances it appeared to +Viscount Palmerston, and to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, that a +case had arisen for doing the same thing which was done under somewhat +similar circumstances in 1847--that is to say, that a letter should +be written by the first Lord of the Treasury and the Chancellor of the +Exchequer to the Governor of the Bank of England, saying that if under +the pressure of the emergency the bank should deem it necessary to +issue more notes than the amount to which they are at present confined +by law, the Government would apply to Parliament to grant them an +indemnity. + +This Measure, in 1847, had the effect of stopping the then existing +panic, and the necessity for making such an issue did not arise; on +the present occasion this announcement will, no doubt, have a salutary +effect in allaying the present panic, but as the bank had to discount +to-day bills to the amount of L2,000,000, which they could not have +done out of a fund of L1,400,000, unless deposits and payments in, +to a considerable amount, had been made, the probability is that +the issue thus authorised will actually be made. The Governor and +Deputy-Governor of the bank represented that the communication, +in order to be effectual and to save from ruin firms which were in +imminent danger, ought to be made forthwith, so that they might be +enabled to announce it on the Stock Exchange before the closing of +business at four o'clock. Viscount Palmerston and Sir George Lewis +therefore signed at once, and gave to the Governor of the bank the +letter of which the accompanying paper is a copy, the pressure of the +matter not allowing time to take your Majesty's pleasure beforehand. + +The state of things now is more urgent than that which existed in +1847, when the similar step was taken; at that time the Reserve Fund +was about L1,900,000, last night it was only L1,400,000; at that time +the bullion in the bank was above L8,000,000, it is now somewhat +less than L8,000,000; at that time things were mending, they are now +getting worse. + +But however necessary this Measure has been considered, and however +useful it may be expected to be, it inevitably entails one very +inconvenient consequence. The Government have authorised the bank to +break the law, and whether the law shall actually be broken or not, +it would be highly unconstitutional for the Government not to take +the earliest opportunity of submitting the matter to the knowledge of +Parliament. This course was pursued in 1847. The letter from Lord John +Russell and Sir Charles Wood to the Governor of the bank was dated on +the 25th October, Parliament then stood prorogued in the usual way +to the 11th November, but a council was held on the 31st October, at +which your Majesty summoned Parliament to meet for the despatch of +business on the 18th November; and on that day the session was opened +in the usual way by a Speech from the Throne. It would be impossible +under present circumstances to put off till the beginning of February +a communication to Parliament of the step taken to-day. + +Viscount Palmerston therefore would beg to submit for your Majesty's +approval that a Council might be held at Windsor on Monday next, and +that Parliament might then be summoned to meet in fourteen days. This +would bring Parliament together in the first days of December, and +after sitting ten days, or a fortnight, if necessary, it might be +adjourned till the first week in February.[54] + +Viscount Palmerston submits an explanatory Memorandum which he has +just received for your Majesty's information from the Chancellor of +the Exchequer.... + + [Footnote 53: The financial crisis had originated in numerous + stoppages of banks in the United States, where premature + schemes of railway extension had involved countless investors + in ruin; in consequence, the pressure on firms and financial + houses became even more acute than in 1847; see _ante_, vol. + ii., 14th October, 1847. The bank rate now rose to 10 per cent. + as against 9 per cent. in that year, and the bank reserve of + bullion was alarmingly depleted.] + + [Footnote 54: Parliament accordingly met on the 3rd of + December, and the Session was opened by the Queen in person. + The Act of Indemnity was passed without serious opposition, + and a select committee re-appointed to enquire into the + operation of the Bank Charter Act.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ARMY ESTABLISHMENT] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord Panmure._ + +OSBORNE, _18th December 1857_. + +The Queen has had some correspondence with Lord Panmure upon the +Establishment of the Army for the next financial year.[55] She wishes +now to lay down the principle which she thinks ought to guide our +decision, and asks Lord Palmerston to consider it with his colleagues +in Cabinet. Last year we reduced our Army suddenly to a low peace +establishment to meet the demand for reduction of taxation raised in +the House of Commons. With this peace establishment we had to meet the +extraordinary demands of India, we have sent almost every available +regiment, battalion, and battery, and are forced to contemplate the +certainty of a large increase of our force in India as a permanent +necessity. What the Queen requires is, that a well-considered and +digested estimate should be made of the additional regiments, etc., +etc., so required, and that after deducting this number from our +establishment of 1857-1858, that for the next year should be brought +up again to the same condition as if the Indian demand, which is +foreign to our ordinary consideration, had not arisen. If this be done +it will still leave us militarily weaker than we were at the beginning +of the year, for the larger English Army maintained in India will +require proportionally more reliefs and larger depots. + +As the Indian finances pay for the troops employed in India, the Force +at home and in the colonies will, when raised to its old strength, +not cost a shilling more than the peace establishment of 1857 settled +under a pressure of financial reduction. + +Anything less than this will not leave this country in a safe +condition. The Queen does not ask only for the same number of men as +in 1857-1858, but particularly for Regiments of Cavalry, Battalions +of Infantry and Batteries of Artillery, which alone would enable us in +case of a war to effect the increase to a war establishment. + +The Queen encloses her answer to Lord Panmure's last letter. + + [Footnote 55: On the 14th of December, the Queen had pressed + the immediate formation of two new Cavalry Regiments.] + + + + +[Pageheading: GOVERNMENT OF INDIA] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _24th December 1857_. + +The Queen only now returns to Lord Palmerston the Memorandum +containing the Heads of an arrangement for the future Government of +India, which the Committee of Cabinet have agreed to recommend. She +will have an opportunity of seeing Lord Palmerston before the Cabinet +meet again, and to hear a little more in detail the reasons which +influenced the Committee in their several decisions. She wishes only +to recommend two points to Lord Palmerston's consideration: 1st, the +mode of communication between the Queen and the new Government which +it is intended to establish. As long as the Government was that of the +Company, the Sovereign was generally left quite ignorant of decisions +and despatches; now that the Government is to be that of the +Sovereign, and the direction will, she presumes, be given in her name, +a direct official responsibility to her will have to be established. +She doubts whether any one but a Secretary of State could speak in +the Queen's name, like the Foreign Secretary to Foreign Courts, the +Colonial Secretary to the Governors of the Colonies, and the Home +Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland and the Lieutenants of +the Counties of Great Britain, the Judges, Convocations, Mayors, etc., +etc. On the other hand, would the position of a Secretary of State +be compatible with his being President of a Council? The Treasury +and Admiralty act as "My Lords," but they only administer special +departments, and do not direct the policy of a country in the Queen's +name. The mixture of supreme direction, and also of the conduct of the +administration of the department to be directed, has in practice +been found as inconvenient in the War Department as it is wrong in +principle. + +The other point is the importance of having only _one_ Army, whether +native, local, or general, with one discipline and one command, +that of the Commander-in-Chief. This is quite compatible with first +appointments to the native Army, being vested as a point of patronage +in the members of the Council, but it ought to be distinctly +recognised in order to do away with those miserable jealousies between +the different military services, which have done more harm to us in +India than, perhaps, any other circumstance. + +Perhaps Lord Palmerston would circulate this letter amongst the +members of the Committee who agreed upon the proposed scheme? + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF HAVELOCK] + + +_Viscount Canning to Queen Victoria._ + +GOVERNMENT HOUSE, CALCUTTA, _24th December 1857_. + +Lord Canning presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +permission to express to your Majesty at the earliest opportunity the +respectful gratitude with which he has received your Majesty's most +gracious letter of the 9th of November. + +However certain Lord Canning might have been as to the sentiments with +which your Majesty would view the spirit of bitter and unreasoning +vengeance against your Majesty's Indian subjects with which too many +minds are imbued in England as well as in this country, it has been +an indescribable pleasure to him to read what your Majesty has +condescended to write to him upon this painful topic. Your Majesty's +gracious kindness in the reference made by your Majesty to what is +said by the newspapers is also deeply felt by Lord Canning. He can +truly and conscientiously assure your Majesty of his indifference to +all such attacks--an indifference so complete indeed as to surprise +himself. + +Lord Canning fears that the satisfaction which your Majesty will have +experienced very shortly after the date of your Majesty's letter, upon +receiving the news of Sir Henry Havelock's entry into Lucknow, will +have been painfully checked by the long and apparently blank interval +which followed, and during which your Majesty's anxieties for the +ultimate safety of the garrison, largely increased by many precious +lives, must have become more intense than ever. Happily, this suspense +is over; and the real rescue effected by a glorious combination of +skill and intrepidity on the part of Sir Colin Campbell and his troops +must have been truly gratifying to your Majesty.[56] The defence of +Lucknow and the relief of the defenders are two exploits which, +each in their kind, will stand out brightly in the history of these +terrible times. + +... Lord Canning has not failed to transmit your Majesty's gracious +message to Sir Colin Campbell, and has taken the liberty to add your +Majesty's words respecting his favourite 93rd, which will not be +less grateful to the brave old soldier than the expression of your +Majesty's consideration for himself. + +Your Majesty has lost two most valuable officers in Sir Henry Havelock +and Brigadier-General Neill. They were very different, however. The +first was quite of the old school--severe and precise with his men, +and very cautious in his movements and plans--but in action bold +as well as skilful. The second very open and impetuous, but full of +resources; and to his soldiers as kind and thoughtful of their comfort +as if they had been his children. + +With earnest wishes for the health and happiness of your Majesty and +the Prince, Lord Canning begs permission to lay at your Majesty's feet +the assurance of his most dutiful and devoted attachment. + + [Footnote 56: Sir Colin Campbell had relieved Lucknow on + the 17th of November, but Sir Henry Havelock (as he had now + become) died from illness and exhaustion. General Neill had + been killed on the occasion of the reinforcement in September, + _ante_, 12th November, 1857.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ARMY ORGANISATION] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord Panmure._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _29th December 1857_. + +The Queen has received Lord Panmure's letter and Memorandum of the +24th. She must say that she still adheres to her views as formerly +expressed. Lord Panmure admits that the two plans don't differ +materially in expense. It becomes, then, a mere question of +organisation and of policy. As to the first, all military authorities +of all countries and times agree upon the point that numerous _cadres_ +with fewer men give the readiest means of increasing an army on short +notice, the main point to be attended to in a constitutional and +democratic country like England. As to the second, a system of +organisation will always be easier defended than mere numbers +arbitrarily fixed, and Parliament ought to have the possibility of +voting more or voting fewer men, according to their views of the +exigencies of the country, or the pressure of finance at different +times, and to be able to do so without deranging the organisation. + +The Queen hopes Lord Panmure will look at our position, as if the +Indian demands had not arisen, and he will find that to come to +Parliament with the Cavalry borne on the estimates reduced by three +regiments (as will be the case even after two shall have returned from +India, and the two new ones shall have been formed), will certainly +not prove _too little_ anxiety on the part of the Government to cut +down our military establishments. + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +TO CHAPTER XXVII + + +On the 25th of January of the new year (1858) Prince Frederick William +of Prussia (afterwards the Emperor Frederick) was married, with +brilliant ceremonial, to the Princess Royal, at the Chapel Royal, St +James's, an event marked by general national rejoicings; another event +in the private life of the Queen, but one of a melancholy character, +was the death of the Duchess of Orleans at the age of forty-four. + +A determined attempt was made by Orsini, Pierri, and others, members +of the Carbonari Society, to assassinate the Emperor and Empress of +the French by throwing grenades filled with detonating powder under +their carriage. The Emperor was only slightly hurt, but several +bystanders were killed, and very many more wounded. The plot had been +conceived, and the grenades manufactured in England, and a violently +hostile feeling was engendered in France against this country, owing +to the prescriptive right of asylum enjoyed by foreign refugees. The +French _militaires_ were particularly vehement in their language, +and Lord Palmerston so far bowed to the demands of the French Foreign +Minister as to introduce a Bill to make the offence of conspiracy +to murder, a felony instead of, as it had previously been, a +misdemeanour. The Conservative Party supported the introduction of the +Bill, but, on the second reading, joined with eighty-four Liberals +and four Peelites in supporting an Amendment by Mr Milner Gibson, +postponing the reform of the Criminal Law till the peremptory demands +of Count Walewski had been formally answered. The Ministry was +defeated and resigned, and Lord Derby and Mr Disraeli returned to +Office. Orsini and Pierri were executed in Paris, but the state trial +in London of a Dr Bernard, a resident of Bayswater, for complicity, +ended, mainly owing to the menacing attitude of France over the +whole question, in an acquittal. The Italian nationality of the chief +conspirators endangered, but only temporarily, the important _entente_ +between France and Sardinia. + +Before the resignation of the Ministry, the thanks of both Houses of +Parliament were voted to the civil and military officers of India for +their exertions in suppressing the Mutiny; the Opposition endeavoured +to obtain the omission of the name of Lord Canning from the address, +till his conduct of affairs had been discussed. The difficulties in +India were not at an end, for Sir Colin Campbell had been unable to +hold Lucknow, and had transferred the rescued garrison to Cawnpore, +which he re-occupied. It was not till the end of March that Lucknow +was captured by the Commander-in-Chief, who was raised to the peerage +as Lord Clyde, after the taking of Jhansi and of Gwalior in Central +India, by Sir Hugh Rose, had virtually terminated the revolt. + +In anticipation of the capture of Lucknow, the Governor-General had +prepared a proclamation for promulgation in Oudh, announcing that, +except in the case of certain loyal Rajahs, proprietary rights in the +soil of the province would be confiscated. One copy of the draft was +sent home, and another shown to Sir James Outram, Chief Commissioner +of Oudh, and, in consequence of the latter's protest against its +severity, as making confiscation the rule and not the exception, an +exemption was inserted in favour of such landowners as should actively +co-operate in restoring order. On receiving the draft in its unaltered +form, Lord Ellenborough, the new President of the Board of Control, +forwarded a despatch to Lord Canning, strongly condemning his action, +and, on the publication of this despatch, the Ministry narrowly +escaped Parliamentary censure. Lord Ellenborough himself resigned, +and was succeeded by Lord Stanley. Attempts had been made by both Lord +Palmerston and Lord Derby to pass measures for the better government +of India. After two Bills had been introduced and withdrawn, the +procedure by resolution was resorted to, and a measure was ultimately +passed transferring the Government of India to the Crown. + +The China War terminated on the 26th of June, by the treaty of +Tien-tsin, which renewed the treaty of 1842, and further opened up +China to British commerce. A dispute with Japan led to a treaty +signed at Yeddo by Lord Elgin and the representatives of the Tycoon, +enlarging British diplomatic and trade privileges in that country. + +The Budget of Mr Disraeli imposed for the first time a penny stamp on +bankers' cheques; a compromise was arrived at on the Oaths question, +the words "on the true faith of a Christian" having hitherto prevented +Jews from sitting in Parliament. They were now enabled to take the +oath with the omission of these words, and Baron Rothschild took his +seat for the City of London accordingly. + +Among the other events of importance in the year were the satisfactory +termination of a dispute with the Neapolitan Government arising out +of the seizure of the _Cagliari_; a modified union, under a central +Commission, of Moldavia and Wallachia; the despatch of Mr Gladstone +by the Conservative Government as High Commissioner to the Ionian +Islands; and the selection of Ottawa, formerly known as Bytown, for +the capital of the Dominion of Canada. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +1858 + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th January 1858_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Accept my warmest thanks for your kind and +affectionate letter of the 8th. I hope and trust to hear that your +cold has left you, and that on Monday I shall have the immense +happiness of embracing you. + +It is a time of immense bustle and agitation; I _feel_ it is terrible +to give up one's poor child, and _feel_ very nervous for the coming +time, and for the departure. But I am glad to see Vicky is quite well +again and _unberufen_ has got over her cold and is very well. But +she has had ever since January '57 a succession of emotions and +leave-takings--most trying to any one, but particularly to so young +a girl with such _very_ powerful feelings. She is so much improved +in self-control and is so clever (I may say wonderfully so), and so +sensible that we can talk to her of anything--and therefore shall miss +her sadly. But we try _not_ to dwell on or to think of _that_, as I +am sure it is much better _not_ to do so and not get ourselves _emus_ +beforehand, or she will break down as well as we, and that never would +do. + +To-day arrive (on a visit _here_) _her_ Court--which is a very good +thing, so that she will get acquainted with them.... + +The affection for her, and the loyalty shown by the country at large +on this occasion is _most_ truly gratifying--and for so young a child +really _very, very_ pleasing to our feelings. The Nation look upon +her, as Cobden said, as "_England's_ daughter," and as if they married +a child of their own, which is _very_ satisfactory, and shows, in +spite of a few newspaper follies and absurdities, how really _sound_ +and _monarchical_ everything is in this country. Now, with Albert's +love, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCESS ROYAL] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th February 1858_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Accept my warmest thanks for your very kind and +affectionate letter of the 4th, with such kind accounts of our dear +child, who was so thankful for your kindness and affection, and of +whose immense and universal success and admirable behaviour--natural +yet dignified--we have the most charming accounts. I send you a letter +from Augusta[1] (Mecklenburg), which will give you an idea of the +impression produced, begging you to let me have it back soon. She is +quite well and _not_ tired. But the separation was _awful_, and the +poor child was _quite_ broken-hearted, particularly at parting from +her dearest beloved papa, whom she _idolises_. _How_ we miss her, I +can't say, and never having been separated from her since thirteen +years above a fortnight, I am in a constant fidget and impatience to +know everything about _every_thing. It is a _great, great_ trial for +a _Mother_ who has watched over her child with such anxiety day after +day, to see her far away--dependent on herself! But I have great +confidence in her good sense, clever head, kind and good heart, in +Fritz's excellent character and devotion to her, and in faithful E. +Stockmar, who possesses her _entire_ confidence. + +The blank she has left behind is _very great_ indeed.... + +To-morrow is the eighteenth anniversary of my blessed marriage, which +has brought such universal blessings on this country and Europe! For +_what_ has not my beloved and perfect Albert done? Raised monarchy to +the _highest_ pinnacle of _respect_, and rendered it _popular_ beyond +what it _ever_ was in this country! + +The Bill proposed by the Government to improve the law respecting +conspiracy and assassination will pass, and Lord Derby has been most +useful about it.[2] But people are very indignant here at the conduct +of the French officers, and at the offensive insinuations against this +country.[3].... + +Hoping to hear that you are quite well, and begging to thank Leopold +very much for his very kind letter, believe me, your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 1: Elder daughter of Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, + and now Grand Duchess-Dowager of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.] + + [Footnote 2: Lord Derby and his party, however, changed their + attitude in the next few days, and succeeded in putting the + Government in a minority.] + + [Footnote 3: On the 14th of January, the assassination of the + French Emperor, which had been planned in England by Felice + Orsini and other refugees, was attempted. On the arrival + of the Imperial carriage at the Opera House in the Rue + Lepelletier, explosive hand-grenades were thrown at it, and + though the Emperor and Empress were unhurt, ten people were + either killed outright or died of their wounds, and over one + hundred and fifty were injured. Notwithstanding the scene of + carnage, their Majesties maintained their composure and sat + through the performance of the Opera. In the addresses of + congratulation to the Emperor on his escape (published, some + of them inadvertently, in the official _Moniteur_), officers + commanding French regiments used language of the most + insulting character to England, and Count Walewski, the French + Foreign Minister, in a despatch, recommended the British + Government to take steps to prevent the right of asylum being + abused.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DEFEAT OF THE GOVERNMENT] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _19th February 1858_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and is +sorry to have to inform your Majesty that the Government were beat +this evening on Mr Milner Gibson's[4] Amendment by a majority of +19,[5] the numbers being for his Amendment, 234, and against it 215. + +Mr Milner Gibson began the Debate by moving his Amendment in a speech +of considerable ability, but abounding in misrepresentation, which +nevertheless produced a marked effect upon the House. Mr Baines +followed, but only argued the Bill without replying to Mr Gibson's +speech. This was remarked upon by Mr Walpole, who followed him, and +who said that though he approved of the Bill he could not vote for +reading it a second time until Count Walewski's despatch had been +answered. Mr MacMahon supported the Amendment, as did Mr Byng. Sir +George Grey, who followed Mr Walpole, defended the Bill and the course +pursued by the Government in not having answered Count Walewski's +despatch until after the House of Commons should have affirmed the +Bill by a Second Reading. Mr Spooner remained steady to his purpose, +and would vote against the Amendment, though in doing so he should +differ from his friends. Lord Harry Vane opposed the Amendment, as +interfering with the passing of the Bill, and Mr Bentinck took the +same line, and replied to some of the arguments of Mr Milner Gibson. +Mr Henley said he should vote for the Amendment. The Lord Advocate +made a good speech against it. Mr Gladstone spoke with his +usual talent in favour of the Amendment, and was answered by the +Attorney-General in a speech which would have convinced men who had +not taken a previous determination. He was followed by Mr Disraeli, +who seemed confident of success, and he was replied to by Viscount +Palmerston, and the House then divided. + +It seems that Lord Derby had caught at an opportunity of putting the +Government in a minority. He saw that there were ninety-nine Members +who were chiefly of the Liberal Party, who had voted against the Bill +when it was first proposed, and who were determined to oppose it in +all its stages. He calculated that if his own followers were to join +those ninety-nine, the Government might be run hard, or perhaps be +beaten, and he desired all his friends[6] to support Mr Milner Gibson; +on the other hand, many of the supporters of the Government, relying +upon the majority of 200, by which the leave to bring the Bill in had +been carried, and upon the majority of 145 of last night, had gone out +of town for a few days, not anticipating any danger to the Government +from Mr Gibson's Motion, and thus an adverse division was obtained. +Moreover, Count Walewski's despatch, the tone and tenor of which had +been much misrepresented, had produced a very unfavourable effect on +the mind of members in general, and there was a prevailing feeling +very difficult to overcome, that the proposed Bill was somehow or +other a concession to the demand of a Foreign Government. The Cabinet +will have to consider at its meeting at three o'clock to-morrow what +course the Government will have to pursue. + + [Footnote 4: Mr Milner Gibson had found a seat at + Ashton-under-Lyne.] + + [Footnote 5: The Conspiracy Bill aimed at making conspiracy + to murder a felony, instead of, as it had previously been, a + misdemeanour, and leave had been given by a large majority to + introduce it; but when Count Walewski's despatch to Count de + Persigny came to be published, the feeling gained ground that + the Government had shown undue subservience in meeting the + representations of the French Ambassador. The despatch had + not actually been answered, although verbal communications had + taken place. The opposition to the Bill was concerted by Lord + John Russell and Sir James Graham; see Parker's _Sir James + Graham_, vol. ii. p. 236, and the observation of the Prince, + _post_, 21st February, 1858. The purport of the Amendment was + to postpone any reform in the criminal law till the French + despatch had been replied to.] + + [Footnote 6: See Ashley's _Life of Lord Palmerston_, vol. ii. + p. 146.] + + + + +[Pageheading: RESIGNATION OF THE GOVERNMENT] + +[Pageheading: LORD DERBY SUMMONED] + +[Pageheading: OFFER TO LORD DERBY] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _21st February 1858_. + +Lord Palmerston came at five o'clock from the Cabinet, and tendered +his resignation in his own name, and that of his Colleagues. The +Cabinet had well considered their position and found that, as the vote +passed by the House, although the result of an accidental combination +of parties, was virtually a vote of censure upon their conduct, they +could not with honour or with any advantage to the public service +carry on the Government. + +The combination was the whole of the Conservative Party (Lord Derby's +followers), Lord John Russell, the Peelites, with Mr Gladstone and +the whole of the Radicals; but the Liberal Party generally is just now +very angry with Lord Palmerston personally, chiefly on account of his +apparent submission to French dictation, and the late appointment of +Lord Clanricarde as Privy Seal, who is looked upon as a reprobate.[7] +Lord Clanricarde's presence in the House of Commons during the Debate, +and in a conspicuous place, enraged many supporters of Lord Palmerston +to that degree that they voted at once with the Opposition. + + [Footnote 7: Since his triumph at the polls in 1857, Lord + Palmerston had been somewhat arbitrary in his demeanour, and + had defied public opinion by taking Lord Clanricarde into the + Government, after some unpleasant disclosures in the Irish + Courts. While walking home on the 18th, after obtaining an + immense majority on the India Bill, he was told by Sir Joseph + Bethell that he ought, like the Roman Consuls in a triumph, + to have some one to remind him that he was, as a minister, not + immortal. Next day he was defeated.] + +The Queen wrote to Lord Derby the letter here following;[8] he came a +little after six o'clock. He stated that nobody was more surprised +in his life than he had been at the result of the Debate, after the +Government had only a few days before had a majority of more than 100 +on the introduction of their Bill. He did not know how it came about, +but thought it was the work of Lord John Russell and Sir James Graham +in the interest of the Radicals; Mr Gladstone's junction must have +been accidental. As to his own people, they had, owing to his +own personal exertions, as the Queen was aware, though many very +unwillingly, supported the Bill; but the amendment of Mr Milner Gibson +was so skilfully worded, that it was difficult for them not to vote +for it; he had to admit this when they came to him to ask what they +should do, merely warning them to save the Measure itself, which the +Amendment did. He then blamed the Government very much for leaving +Count Walewski's despatch unanswered before coming before Parliament, +which he could hardly understand. + + [Footnote 8: Summoning him to advise her.] + +On the Queen telling him that the Government had resigned, and that +she commissioned him to form a new Administration, he begged that +this offer might not be made to him without further consideration, and +would state clearly his own position. After what had happened in 1851 +and 1855, if the Queen made the offer he _must_ accept it, for if he +refused, the Conservative Party would be broken up for ever. Yet +he would find a majority of two to one against him in the House of +Commons, would have difficulty in well filling the important offices, +found the external and internal relations of the country in a +most delicate and complicated position, war in India and in China, +difficulties with France, the Indian Bill introduced and a Reform +Bill promised; nothing but the forbearance and support of some of his +opponents would make it possible for him to carry on any Government. +The person who was asked first by the Sovereign had always a great +disadvantage; perhaps other combinations were possible, which, if +found not to answer, would make him more readily accepted by the +country. The position of Lord Palmerston was a most curious one, +the House of Commons had been returned chiefly for the purpose of +supporting him _personally_, and he had obtained a working majority +of 100 (unheard of since the Reform Bill), yet his supporters had no +principles in common and they generally suspected him; the question of +the Reform Bill had made him and Lord John run a race for popularity +which might lead to disastrous consequences. Lord Derby did not at all +know what support he would be able to obtain in Parliament. + +The Queen agreed to deferring her offer, and to take further time for +consideration on the understanding that if she made it it would at +once be accepted. Lord Derby expressed, however, his fear that the +resignation of the Palmerston Cabinet might only be for the purpose of +going through a crisis in order to come back again with new strength, +for there existed different kinds of resignations, some for this +purpose, others really for abandoning office. + +A conversation which I had with Lord Clarendon after dinner, convinced +me that the Cabinet had sent in their resignations from the real +conviction of the impossibility to go on with honour and success; all +offers of the friends of the Government to pass a vote of confidence, +etc., etc., had been rejected. Lord Derby was the only man who could +form a Government; Mr Gladstone would probably join him. The whole +move had been planned, and most dexterously, by Sir James Graham. + +ALBERT. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _21st February 1858_. + +The Queen has reconsidered the question of the formation of a new +Government as she had settled with Lord Derby yesterday, and now +writes to him to tell him that further reflection has only confirmed +her in her former resolution to offer the task to Lord Derby. The +resignation of the present Government is the result of a conscientious +conviction on their part, that, damaged by the censure passed upon +them in the House of Commons, they cannot with honour to themselves, +or usefulness to the country, carry on public affairs, and Lord +Derby is at the head of the only Party which affords the materials +of forming a new Government, is sufficiently organised to secure a +certain support, and which the country would accept as an alternative +for that hitherto in power. Before actually offering any specific +office to anybody, Lord Derby would perhaps have another interview +with the Queen; but it would be right that he should have satisfied +himself a little as to his chances of strengthening his hands before +she sees him. With regard to the position of the India Bill, the Queen +must also have a further conversation with him. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD DERBY'S VIEW] + + +_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._ + +ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _21st February 1858_. + +Lord Derby, with his humble duty, begs your Majesty to accept his +grateful acknowledgment of the signal mark of your Majesty's favour, +with which he has this morning been honoured. Encouraged by your +Majesty's gracious confidence, he does not hesitate to submit himself +to your Majesty's pleasure, and will address himself at once to the +difficult task which your Majesty has been pleased to entrust to him. +He fears that he can hardly hope, in the formation of a Government, +for much extrinsic aid; as almost all the men of eminence in either +House of Parliament are more or less associated with other parties, +whose co-operation it would be impossible to obtain. Lord Derby will +not, however, hesitate to make the attempt in any quarters, in which +he may think he has any chance of success. With regard to the filling +up of particular offices, Lord Derby would humbly beg your Majesty to +bear in mind that, although among his own personal friends there will +be every desire to make individual convenience subservient to the +public interest, yet among those who are not now politically connected +with him, there may be some, whose co-operation or refusal might +be greatly influenced by the office which it was proposed that they +should hold; and, in such cases, Lord Derby must venture to bespeak +your Majesty's indulgence should he make a definite offer, subject, of +course, to your Majesty's ultimate approval. + +As soon as Lord Derby has made any progress in his proposed +arrangements, he will avail himself of your Majesty's gracious +permission to solicit another Audience. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _21st February 1858_. + +The Queen has just received Lord Derby's letter, and would wish under +all circumstances to see him at six this evening, in order to hear +what progress he has made in his plans. The two offices the Queen is +most anxious should not be prejudged in any way, before the Queen has +seen Lord Derby again, are the Foreign and the War Departments. + + + + +[Pageheading: MR GLADSTONE AND LORD GREY] + + +_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._ + +ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _21st February 1858_. + +Lord Derby, with his humble duty, submits to your Majesty the two +letters which he has this evening received from Lord Grey and Mr +Gladstone.[9] The reasons contained in the latter do not appear to +Lord Derby to be very conclusive; but he fears the result must be that +he cannot look, in the attempt to form a Cabinet, to much extraneous +assistance. With deep regret Lord Derby is compelled to add that he +finds he cannot rely with certainty on the support of his son as a +member of his proposed Cabinet.[10] Still, having undertaken the task +he has in obedience to your Majesty's commands, Lord Derby will not +relax in his efforts to frame such a Government as may be honoured +with your Majesty's gracious approval, and prove itself equal to the +emergency which calls it together. + +While in the very act of putting up this letter, Lord Derby has +received one, which he also presumes to enclose to your Majesty, +from Lord St Leonards, alleging his advanced age as a reason for not +accepting the Great Seal which he formerly held. This reply has been +wholly unexpected; and it is yet possible that Lord St Leonards may be +induced, at least temporarily, to withdraw his resignation. Should it, +however, prove otherwise, and Lord Derby should succeed in making his +other arrangements, he would humbly ask your Majesty's permission to +endeavour to persuade Mr Pemberton Leigh to accept that high office, +of course accompanied by the honour of the Peerage, which he is aware +has been already on more than one occasion offered to him. Lord Derby +begs to add that he has not had the slightest communication with +Mr Pemberton Leigh on the subject, nor has the least idea as to his +feelings upon it. + + [Footnote 9: Lord Grey wrote--"I am much obliged to you for + the manner in which you have asked my assistance in performing + the task confided to you by Her Majesty. + + "I am not insensible to the danger of the present crisis, or + to the duty it imposes on public men, of giving any aid + in their power towards forming an Administration which may + command respect. I am also aware that the settlement of the + important political questions, on which we have differed, + has removed many of the obstacles which would formerly have + rendered my acting with you impracticable. Upon the other + hand, upon carefully considering the present state of affairs + and the materials at your disposal (especially in the House + of Commons) for forming an Administration, and that all the + political friends with whom I have been connected, would + probably be opposed to it, I do not think it would be either + useful to you or honourable to myself that I should singly + join your Government." + + Mr Gladstone wrote--"I am very sensible of the importance of + the vote taken on Friday, and I should deeply lament to see + the House of Commons trampled on in consequence of that vote. + The honour of the House is materially involved in giving it + full effect. It would therefore be my first wish to aid, if + possible, in such a task; and remembering the years when + we were colleagues, I may be permitted to say that there is + nothing in the fact of your being the Head of a Ministry, + which would avail to deter me from forming part of it. + + "Among the first questions I have had to put to myself in + consequence of the offer, which you have conveyed to me in + such friendly and flattering terms, has been the question, + whether it would be in my power by accepting it, either alone, + or in concert with others, to render you material service. + + "After the long years, during which we have been separated, + there would be various matters of public interest requiring to + be noticed between us; but the question I have mentioned is a + needful preliminary. + + "Upon the best consideration which the moment allows, I think + it plain that alone, as I must be, I could not render you + service worth your having. + + "The dissolution of last year excluded from Parliament men + with whom I had sympathies, and it in some degree affected the + position of those political friends with whom I have now for + many years been united, through evil and (much more rarely) + good report. + + "Those who lament the rupture of old traditions may well + desire the reconstruction of a Party; but the reconstitution + of a Party can only be effected, if at all, by the return of + the old influences to their places, and not by the junction of + one isolated person. + + "The difficulty is now enhanced in my case by the fact that in + your party, reduced as it is at the present moment in numbers, + there is a small but active and not unimportant section, who + avowedly regard me as the representative of the most dangerous + ideas. I should thus, unfortunately, be to you a source of + weakness in the heart of your own adherents, while I should + bring you no Party or group of friends to make up for their + defection or discontent. + + "For the reasons which I have thus stated or glanced at, my + reply to your letter must be in the negative. + + "I must, however, add that a Government formed by you at this + time will in my opinion have strong claims upon me, and upon + any one situated as I am, for favourable presumptions, and + in the absence of conscientious difference on important + questions, for support. + + "I have had an opportunity of seeing Lord Aberdeen and Sidney + Herbert, and they fully concur in the sentiment I have just + expressed."] + + [Footnote 10: See _ante_, 31st October, 1855, note 87.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE CHANCELLORSHIP] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _22nd February 1858_. + +The Queen acknowledges Lord Derby's letter of yesterday, and returns +him these three letters. She much regrets that he cannot reckon on the +support and assistance in the Government, which he is about to form, +of such able men. The Queen authorises Lord Derby to offer the office +of Lord Chancellor with a Peerage to Mr Pemberton Leigh; but she fears +from what passed on previous occasions that he is not likely to accept +it.[11] + + [Footnote 11: He declined the office, and the Great Seal was + offered to and accepted by Sir Frederick Thesiger, who was + created Lord Chelmsford.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _22nd February 1858_. + +The Queen has had a long conversation with the Duke of Newcastle, +which however ended, as Lord Derby will have expected from what the +Duke must have told him, in his declaring his conviction that he could +be of no use to the new Government by joining it, or in persuading his +friends to change their minds as to joining. The Duke was evidently +much pleased by the offer, but from all he said of his position, the +Queen could gather that it was in vain to press him further. + + + +[Pageheading: THE NEW CABINET] + + +_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._ + +ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _25th February 1858_. + +Lord Derby presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and fears that +after your Majesty's most gracious acceptance of the propositions +which he has made, he may appear to your Majesty very vacillating, in +having at the last moment to submit to your Majesty another change.... +But he finds that Lord John Manners, though he consented to take the +Colonial Department, would infinitely prefer resuming his seat at the +Board of Works; and on the urgent representation of his Colleagues +that the Government would be strengthened by such a step, Lord Stanley +has consented to accept office; and the arrangement which he would now +venture humbly to submit to your Majesty would be the appointment of +Lord Stanley to the Colonial Secretaryship, and Lord John Manners to +the Board of Works.... + +The Ministry as it The Ministry as formed +stood on the 1st of by the Earl of Derby + January 1858. in February 1858. + + +VISCOUNT PALMERSTON _First Lord of the_ EARL OF DERBY. + _Treasury_ + +MARQUIS OF LANSDOWNE (_Without Office_). + +LORD CRANWORTH _Lord Chancellor_ LORD CHELMSFORD. + +EARL GRANVILLE _President of the_ MARQUIS OF SALISBURY. + _Council_ + +MARQUIS OF CLANRICARDE _Lord Privy Seal_ EARL OF HARDWICKE. + + +Sir GEORGE GREY _Home Secretary_ Mr WALPOLE. + +EARL OF CLARENDON _Foreign Secretary_ EARL OF MALMESBURY. + +MR LABOUCHERE _Colonial Secretary_ LORD STANLEY + (afterwards LORD (afterwards EARL + TAUNTON) OF DERBY). + +LORD PANMURE _War Secretary_ GENERAL PEEL. + (afterwards EARL + OF DALHOUSIE) + +Sir G. C. LEWIS _Chancellor of the_ Mr DISRAELI + _Exchequer_ (afterwards EARL + OF BEACONSFIELD) + +Sir CHARLES WOOD _First Lord of the_ Sir JOHN PAKINGTON + (afterwards VISCOUNT _Admiralty_ (afterwards LORD + HALIFAX) HAMPTON). + +Mr VERNON SMITH _President of the_ EARL OF ELLENBOROUGH. + (afterwards LORD _Board of Control_ + LYVEDEN) + +LORD STANLEY OF _President of the_ Mr HENLEY. + ALDERLEY _Board of Trade_ + +Mr M. T. BAINES _Chancellor of the_ (_Not in the Cabinet._) + _Duchy of Lancaster_ + +DUKE OF ARGYLL _Postmaster-General_ (_Not in the Cabinet._) + +(_Not in the Cabinet_) _First Commissioner_ LORD JOHN MANNERS + _of Works and_ (afterwards + _Public Buildings_ DUKE OF RUTLAND). + + + + +[Pageheading: THE ORSINI PLOT] + +[Pageheading: THE EMPEROR AND THE CARBONARI] + + +_The Earl of Malmesbury to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _7th March 1858_. + +The Earl of Malmesbury presents his humble duty to the Queen, and has +the honour to thank your Majesty for the interesting letter[12] sent +to him by your Majesty, and which he returns to your Majesty by +this messenger. Lord Malmesbury hopes and believes that much of the +excitement that prevailed on the _other_ side the water is subsiding. +All his letters from _private_ sources, and the account of Colonel +Claremont, agree on this point. In this country, if our differences +with France are settled, it is probable that the popular jealousy of +foreign interference will be killed; but at least for some time it +will show foreign Courts how dangerous it is _even to criticise_ our +_domestic_ Institutions. Lord Malmesbury has carefully abstained from +giving Lord Cowley or M. de Persigny the slightest hope that we could +alter the law, but has confined himself to saying that the law was +itself as much on its trial as the prisoners Bernard and Truelove.[13] +If, therefore, the law should prove to be a phantom of justice, or +anomalous in its action, whatever measures your Majesty's Government +may hereafter take to reform it, it will be received by France as an +unexpected boon and a proof of good faith and amity. + +In attending to the idea referred to by your Majesty that the Emperor +took the oath of the Assassins' Society, Lord Malmesbury can almost +assure your Majesty that such is not the case.[14] Lord Malmesbury +first made His Majesty's acquaintance in Italy when they were both +very young men (twenty years of age). They were _both_ under the +influence of those romantic feelings which the former history and +the present degradation of Italy may naturally inspire even at a more +advanced time of life--and the Prince Louis Napoleon, to the knowledge +of Lord Malmesbury, certainly engaged himself in the conspiracies of +the time--but it was with the higher class of the Carbonari, men like +General Sercognani and General Pepe. The Prince used to talk to Lord +Malmesbury upon these men and their ideas and plans with all the +openness that exists between two youths, and Lord Malmesbury has many +times heard him condemn with disgust the societies of villains which +hung on the flank of the conspirators, and which deterred many of the +best families and ablest gentlemen in Romagna from joining them. Lord +Malmesbury believes the report therefore to be a fable, and at some +future period will, if it should interest your Majesty, relate to +your Majesty some details respecting the Emperor's share in the +conspiracies of 1828-1829.... + + [Footnote 12: This was a letter from the Prince de Chimay to + the King of the Belgians in reference to the Orsini plot.] + + [Footnote 13: Before Lord Palmerston's Government had retired, + Simon Bernard, a resident of Bayswater, was committed + for trial for complicity in the Orsini _attentat_. He was + committed for conspiracy only, but, at the instance of the + new Government, the charge was altered to one of feloniously + slaying one of the persons killed by the explosion. As this + constructive murder was actually committed on French soil, + Bernard's trial had, under the existing law, to be held before + a Special Commission, over which Lord Campbell presided. The + evidence overwhelmingly established the prisoner's guilt, + but, carried away by the eloquent, if irrelevant, speech of Mr + Edwin James for the defence, the jury acquitted him. Truelove + was charged with criminal libel, for openly approving, in + a published pamphlet, Orsini's attempt, and regretting + its failure. The Government threw up the prosecution, + pusillanimously in the judgment of Lord Campbell, who records + that he carefuly studied, with a view to his own hearing + of the case, the proceedings against Lord George Gordon for + libelling Marie Antoinette, against Vint for libelling the + Emperor Paul, and against Peltier for libelling Napoleon I.] + + [Footnote 14: The Queen had written:--"There are people + who pretend that the Emperor, who was once a member of the + Carbonari Club of Italy, and who is supposed to be condemned + to death by the rules of that Secret Society for having + violated his oath to them, has offered them to pardon Orsini, + if they would release him from his oath, but that the Society + refused the offer. The fact that all the attempts have been + made by Italians, Orsini's letter, and the almost mad state of + fear in which the Emperor seems to be now, would give colour + to that story." Orsini had written two letters to the Emperor, + one read aloud at his trial by his counsel, Jules Favre, the + other while lying under sentence of death. He entreated the + Emperor to secure Italian independence.] + + + + +_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._ + +HOUSE OF COMMONS, _12th March 1858_. +(_Friday._) + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer with his humble duty to your Majesty. + +The Opposition benches very full; the temper not kind. + +The French announcement,[15] which was quite unexpected, elicited +cheers, but only from the Ministerial side, which, he confesses, for a +moment almost daunted him. + +Then came a question about the _Cagliari_ affair,[16] on which the +Government had agreed to take a temperate course, in deference to +their predecessors--but it was not successful. The ill-humour of the +House, diverted for a moment by the French news, vented itself on this +head. + +What struck the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the course of the +evening most was the absence of all those symptoms of "fair trial," +etc., which have abounded of late in journals and in Society. + +Lord John said something; Mr Gladstone said something; but it was not +encouraging. + +Nevertheless, in 1852 "fair trial" observations abounded, and the +result was not satisfactory; now it may be the reverse. + +The House is wild and capricious at this moment. + +Your Majesty once deigned to say that your Majesty wished in these +remarks to have the temper of the House placed before your Majesty, +and to find what your Majesty could not meet in newspapers. This +is the Chancellor of the Exchequer's excuse for these rough notes, +written on the field of battle, which he humbly offers to your +Majesty. + + [Footnote 15: Parliament reassembled on the 12th of March, + and Mr Disraeli then stated that the "painful misconceptions" + which had for some time existed between England and France + had been "terminated in a spirit entirely friendly and + honourable."] + + [Footnote 16: Two English engineers, Watt and Park, had been + on the Sardinian steamer _Cagliari_ when she was seized by the + Neapolitan Government, and her crew, including the engineers, + imprisoned at Naples. At the instance of the Conservative + Government, who acted more vigorously than their predecessors + had done, the engineers were released, and L3,000 paid to them + as compensation.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE NAVY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +OSBORNE, _15th March 1858_. + +The Queen sends to Lord Derby a Memorandum on the state of preparation +of our Navy in case of a war, the importance of attending to which +she has again strongly felt when the late vote of the House of Commons +endangered the continuance of the good understanding with France. +The whole tone of the Debate on the first night of the reassembly of +Parliament has shown again that there exists a great disposition +to boast and provoke foreign Powers without any sincere desire to +investigate our means of making good our words, and providing for +those means which are missing. + +The Queen wishes Lord Derby to read this Memorandum to the Cabinet, +and to take the subject of which it treats into their anxious +consideration. + +The two appendices, stating facts, the one with regard to the manning +of the Navy by volunteers with the aid of bounties, the other with +regard to impressment, have become unfortunately more lengthy than the +Queen had wished, but the facts appeared to her so important that she +did not like to have any left out. + + + + +_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._ + +HOUSE OF COMMONS, _22nd March 1858_. +(_Monday, half-past eight o'clock._) + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer with his humble duty to your Majesty. + +This evening was a great contrast to Friday. House very full on both +sides.... + +Mr B. Osborne commenced the general attack, of which he had given +notice; but, after five years' silence, his weapons were not as bright +as of yore. He was answered by the Government, and the House, which +was very full, became much excited. The Ministerial benches were in +high spirit. + +The Debate that ensued, most interesting and sustained. + +Mr Horsman, with considerable effect, expressed the opinions of that +portion of the Liberal Party, which does not wish to disturb the +Government. + +Lord John Russell vindicated the Reform Bill of 1832 from the attacks +of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and with great dignity and +earnestness. + +He was followed by Mr Drummond on the same subject in a telling +epigram. Then Lord Palmerston, in reply to the charges of Mr Horsman, +mild and graceful, with a sarcastic touch. The general impression of +the House was very favourable to the Ministry; all seemed changed; the +Debate had cleared the political atmosphere, and, compared with our +previous state, we felt as if the eclipse was over. + + + + +[Pageheading: RESIGNATION OF PERSIGNY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _23rd March 1858_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--You will, I trust, forgive my letter being short, +but we have only just returned from Aldershot, where we went this +morning, and really have been quite baked by a sun which was hardly +hotter in August, and without a breath of wind.... + +Good Marie[17] has not answered me, will you remind her? I _did_ tell +her I hoped for her child's[18] sake she would give up the nursing, as +we Princesses had other duties to perform. I hope she was not shocked, +but I felt I only did what was right in telling her so. + +I grieve to say we lose poor Persigny, which is a real loss--but he +would resign. Walewski behaved ill to him. The Emperor has, however, +named a successor which is _really_ a compliment to the Army and the +Alliance--and besides a distinguished and independent man, viz. the +Duc de Malakhoff.[19] This is very gratifying. + +In all this business, Pelissier has, I hear, behaved extremely well. I +must now conclude. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 17: Marie Henriette, Duchess of Brabant, afterwards + Queen of the Belgians; died 1902.] + + [Footnote 18: Princess Louise of Belgium was born on the 4th + of February.] + + [Footnote 19: Formerly General Pelissier; see _ante_, 14th + September, 1855, note 80.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE HOUSE OF COMMONS] + + +_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._ + +HOUSE OF COMMONS, _23rd March 1858_. +(_Tuesday._) + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer with his humble duty to your Majesty. + +The discussion on the Passport Question, this evening, was not without +animation; the new Under-Secretary, Mr Fitzgerald,[20] makes way with +the House. He is very acute and quick in his points, but does not +speak loud enough. His tone is conversational, which is the best +for the House of Commons, and the most difficult; but then the +conversation should be heard. The general effect of the discussion was +favourable to the French Government. + +In a thin House afterwards, the Wife's Sister Bill was brought +in after a division. Your Majesty's Government had decided among +themselves to permit the introduction, but a too zealous member of the +Opposition forced an inopportune division. + + [Footnote 20: William Robert Seymour Vesey Fitzgerald, M.P. + for Horsham 1852-1865. He was Governor of Bombay 1867-1872.] + + + + +_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._ + +HOUSE OF COMMONS, _25th March 1858_. +(_Thursday._) + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer with his humble duty to your Majesty. + +The Lease of the Lord-Lieutenancy was certainly renewed to-night--and +for some years. The majority was very great against change at present, +and the future, which would justify it, it was agreed, should be the +very decided opinion of the Irish members. It was left in short to +Ireland. + +The Debate was not very animated, but had two features--a most +admirable speech by Lord Naas,[21] quite the model of an official +statement, clear, calm, courteous, persuasive, and full of knowledge; +it received the praises of both sides. + +The other incident noticeable was Mr Roebuck's reply, which was one of +the most apt, terse, and telling I well remember, and not bitter. + + [Footnote 21: Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant, + afterwards (as Earl of Mayo) Viceroy of India, assassinated in + the Andaman Islands, 1872.] + + + + +[Pageheading: CAPTURE OF LUCKNOW] + + +_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._ + +HOUSE OF COMMONS, _13th April._ +(_Tuesday night._) + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer with his humble duty to your Majesty. + +The night tranquil and interesting--Lord Bury, with much intelligence, +introduced the subject of the Straits Settlements;[22] the speech of +Sir J. Elphinstone,[23] master of the subject, and full of striking +details, produced a great effect. His vindication of the convict +population of Singapore, as the moral element of that strange society, +might have been considered as the richest humour, had it not been for +its unmistakable simplicity. + +His inquiry of the Governor's lady, who never hired any servant but +a convict, whether she employed in her nursery "Thieves or +Murderers?"--and the answer, "Always murderers," was very +effective.... + +The Secretary of State having sent down to the Chancellor of the +Exchequer the telegram of the fall of Lucknow,[24] the Chancellor of +the Exchequer read it to the House, having previously in private shown +it to Lord Palmerston and others of the late Government. + +After this a spirited Debate on the conduct of Members of Parliament +corruptly exercising their influence, in which the view recommended +by the Government, through Mr Secretary Walpole, was adopted by the +House. + + [Footnote 22: These detached provinces were at this time under + the control of the Governor-General of India; but in 1867 they + were formed into a Crown Colony.] + + [Footnote 23: Sir J. D. H. Elphinstone, Conservative member + for Portsmouth, afterwards a Lord of the Treasury.] + + [Footnote 24: Sir Colin Campbell had at length obtained entire + possession of the city, which had been in the hands of the + rebels for nine months.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _2nd April 1858_. + +MY DEAR UNCLE,--I am sure you will kindly be interested in knowing +that the Examination and Confirmation of Bertie have gone off +extremely well.[25] Everything was conducted as at Vicky's, and I +thought _much_ of you, and wished we could have had the happiness of +having you there. I enclose a Programme. The examination before +the Archbishop and ourselves by the Dean on Wednesday was long and +difficult, but Bertie answered extremely well, and his whole manner +and _Gemuethsstimmung_ yesterday, and again to-day, at the Sacrament +to which we took him, was gentle, good, and proper.... Now, good-bye, +dear Uncle. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 25: See the Prince Consort's letter to Stockmar, + _Life of the Prince Consort_, vol. iv. p. 205.] + + + + +[Pageheading: NAVAL PREPARATIONS] + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir John Pakington._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th April 1858_. + +The Queen has received Sir John Pakington's letter of the 10th, +and thanks him for the transmission of the printed copy of his +confidential Memorandum. + +The object of the paper which the Queen sent from Osborne to Lord +Derby was to lead by a thorough investigation to an exact knowledge +of the state of our Naval preparations in the event of a war, with +the view to the discovery and suggestion of such remedies as our +deficiencies imperatively demand. This investigation and thorough +consideration the Queen expects from her Board of Admiralty, chosen +with great care, and composed of the most competent Naval Authorities. +She does not wish for the opinion of this or that person, given +without any responsibility attaching to it, nor for mere returns +prepared in the Office for the First Lord, but for the collective +opinion of Sir John Pakington and his Board with the responsibility +attaching to such an opinion given to the Sovereign upon a subject +upon which the safety of the Empire depends. The Queen has full +confidence in the honour of the gentlemen composing the Board, +that they will respect the _confidential_ character of the Queen's +communication, and pay due regard to the importance of the subject +referred to them. + + + + +[Pageheading: PROCEDURE BY RESOLUTION] + + +_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._ + +HOUSE OF COMMONS, _12th April 1858_. +(_Monday night._) + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer with his humble duty to your Majesty. + +House reassembled--full. Chancellor of Exchequer much embarrassed with +impending statement, on the part of your Majesty's servants, that they +intended to propose Resolutions on the Government of India, instead of +at once proceeding with their Bill.[26] + +Received, five minutes before he took his seat, confidential +information, that Lord John Russell, wishing to defeat the prospects +of Lord Palmerston, and himself to occupy a great mediatory position, +intended, himself, to propose the mezzotermine of resolutions! + +Chancellor of Exchequer felt it was impossible, after having himself +introduced a Bill, to interfere with the Resolutions of an independent +member, and one so weighty and distinguished: therefore, confined his +announcement to the Budget on Monday week, and consequent postponement +of India Bill. + +Soon after, Lord John rose, and opened the case, in a spirit most calm +and conciliatory to the House, and to your Majesty's Government. + +The Chancellor of Exchequer responded, but with delicacy, not wishing +rudely to deprive Lord John of his position in the matter; deeming it +arrogant--but the real opposition, extremely annoyed at all that was +occurring, wishing, at the same time, to deprive Lord John of the +mediatory position, and to embarrass your Majesty's Government +with the task and responsibility of preparing and introducing the +resolutions, _insisted_ upon Government undertaking the task. As the +Chancellor of Exchequer read the sketch of the Resolutions in his box, +this was amusing; he undertook the responsibility, thus urged, and +almost menaced; Lord John, though greatly mortified at not bringing +in the Resolutions himself, for it is since known they were prepared, +entirely and justly acquits Chancellor of Exchequer of any arrogance +and intrusion, and the affair concludes in a manner dignified and more +than promising. It is now generally supposed that after the various +Resolutions have been discussed, and passed, the Bill of your +Majesty's servants, modified and reconstructed, will pass into a law. + +The Chancellor of Exchequer will have a copy of the Resolutions, +though at present in a crude form, made and forwarded to your Majesty, +that they may be considered by your Majesty and His Royal Highness. +Chancellor of Exchequer will mention this to Lord Derby, through whom +they ought to reach your Majesty. + +After this unexpected and interesting scene, because it showed, in its +progress, a marked discordance between Lord John and Lord Palmerston, +not concealed by the latter chief, and strongly evinced by some of his +principal followers, for example, Sir C. Wood, Mr Hall, Mr Bouverie, +the House went into Committee on the Navy Estimates which Sir J. +Pakington introduced in a speech, lucid, spirited, and comprehensive. +The feeling of the House as to the maintenance of the Navy was good. + + [Footnote 26: Lord Palmerston had obtained leave, by a large + majority, to introduce an India Bill, vesting the Government + of India in a Council nominated by the Crown. On his accession + to office, Mr Disraeli proposed that the Council should be + half nominative and half elective, and in particular that + London, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, and Belfast should + each be entitled to elect one member. These proposals were + widely condemned, and especially by Mr Bright.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Malmesbury._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _1st May 1858_. + +The Queen has received a draft to Lord Cowley on the Danish +Question,[27] which she cannot sanction as submitted to her. The +question is a most important one, and a false step on our part may +produce a war between France and Germany. The Queen would wish Lord +Malmesbury to call here in the course of to-morrow, when the Prince +could discuss the matter with him more fully. + + [Footnote 27: The dispute as to the Duchies of Schleswig and + Holstein. The German Diet had refused to ratify the Danish + proposal that Commissioners should be appointed by Germany and + Denmark to negotiate an arrangement of their differences. + Lord Malmesbury had written that the Governments (including + England) which had hitherto abstained from interference, + should now take measures to guard against any interference + with the integrity of the Danish Monarchy. The Queen and + Prince considered that the attitude of the British Government + was unnecessarily pro-Danish.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE OUDH PROCLAMATION] + + +_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._ + +HOUSE OF COMMONS, _7th May 1858_. + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer with his humble duty to your Majesty. + +At half-past four o'clock, before the Chancellor of the Exchequer +could reach the House, the Secretary of the Board of Control had +already presented the Proclamation of Lord Canning, and the despatch +thereon of Lord Ellenborough, without the omission of the Oudh +passages.[28] + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer has employed every means to recall the +papers, and make the necessary omissions, and more than once thought +he had succeeded, but unhappily the despatch had been read by Mr +Bright, and a considerable number of members, and, had papers once +in the possession of the House by the presentation of a Minister +been surreptitiously recalled and garbled, the matter would have been +brought before the House, and the production of the complete documents +would have been ordered. + +In this difficult and distressing position the Chancellor of the +Exchequer, after consultation with his colleagues in the House of +Commons, thought it best, and, indeed, inevitable, to submit to +circumstances, the occurrence of which he deeply regrets, and humbly +places before your Majesty. + + [Footnote 28: See _ante_, Introductory Note to Chapter XXVII. + The draft proclamation (differing from the ultimate form in + which it was issued), with a covering despatch, were sent + home to the Board of Control by Lord Canning, who at the same + time wrote an unofficial letter to Mr Vernon Smith, then + President of the Board, stating that he had not been able to + find time before the mail left to explain his reasons for + adopting what appeared a somewhat merciless scheme of + confiscation. Lord Ellenborough thereupon wrote a despatch, + dated the 19th of April, reprobating the Governor-General for + abandoning the accustomed policy of generous conquerors, and + for inflicting on the mass of the population what they would + feel as the severest of punishments. This despatch was made + public in England, as will be seen from the dates, before it + could possibly have reached Lord Canning.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th May 1858_. + +The Queen has received Lord Derby's letter of last night, and was +glad to see that he entirely concurs with her in the advantage and +necessity of appointing a Commission to consider the question of the +organisation of the future Army of India.[29] She only hopes that no +time will be lost by the reference to the different bodies whom Lord +Derby wishes previously to consult, and she trusts that he will not +let himself be overruled by Lord Ellenborough, who may very likely +consider the opinion and result of the labours of a Committee as +entirely valueless as compared with his own opinions. + +The Queen has not the same confidence in them, and is, therefore, +doubly anxious to be advised by a body of the most competent persons +after most careful enquiry. + + [Footnote 29: The Queen had written that she thought the + Commission should be composed of officers of the Home and the + Indian Armies, some politicians, the Commander-in-Chief, the + President of the Board of Control, with the Secretary-for-War + as President.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th May 1858_. + +The Queen has received Lord Derby's letter of yesterday. She is +very sorry for the further complication likely to arise out of the +communication to the House of Commons of the despatch in full, +which is most unfortunate, not less so than the communication of it +previously to Mr Bright and his friends. The Queen is anxious not to +add to Lord Derby's difficulties, but she must not leave unnoticed the +fact that the despatch in question ought never to have been written +without having been submitted to the Queen. She hopes Lord Derby will +take care that Lord Ellenborough will not repeat this, which must +place her in a most embarrassing position. + + + + +[Pageheading: ELLENBOROUGH'S RESIGNATION] + + +_The Earl of Ellenborough to Queen Victoria._ + +EATON SQUARE, _10th May 1858_. + +Lord Ellenborough presents his most humble duty to your Majesty, and +regarding the present difficult position of your Majesty's Government +as mainly occasioned by the presentation to Parliament of the letter +to the Governor-General with reference to the Proclamation in Oudh, +for which step he considers himself to be solely responsible, he deems +it to be his duty to lay his resignation at your Majesty's feet. + +Lord Ellenborough had no other object than that of making it +unmistakably evident to the Governor as well as to the governed in +India that your Majesty was resolved to temper Justice with Clemency, +and would not sanction any measure which did not seem to conduce to +the establishment of permanent peace.[30] + + [Footnote 30: On the same day Lord Shaftesbury in the + Lords and Mr Cardwell in the Commons gave notice of Motions + censuring the Government for Lord Ellenborough's despatch. The + debates commenced on the 14th.] + + + + +[Pageheading: A CRISIS] + +[Pageheading: ELLENBOROUGH'S STATEMENT] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _11th May 1858_. + +Lord Derby had an Audience at twelve o'clock. He said he had received +a copy of Lord Ellenborough's letter, and had told him that should +the Queen consult him (Lord Derby) he should advise her to accept the +resignation, Lord Ellenborough had behaved in the handsomest +manner, and expressed his belief that he had brought bad luck to the +Government, for this was now the second difficulty into which they had +got by his instrumentality, the first having been the Election Clause +in the India Bill. Lord Derby hoped that this resignation would stop +the vote of censure in the House of Commons, as the House could not +hold responsible and punish the Cabinet for that with which they had +had no concern. If the House persisted, it was clear that the motives +were factious, and he hoped the Queen would allow him to threaten a +Dissolution of Parliament, which he was certain would stop it. The +Queen refused to give that permission; she said he might leave it +quite undecided whether the Queen would grant a Dissolution or not, +and take the benefit of the doubt in talking to others on the subject; +but she must be left quite free to act as she thought the good of the +country might require at the time when the Government should have been +beat; there had been a Dissolution within the year, and if a Reform +Bill was passed there must be another immediately upon it; in the +meantime most violent pledges would be taken as to Reform if a general +election were to take place now. Lord Derby concurred in all this, and +said he advised the threat particularly in order to render the reality +unnecessary; when she persisted in her refusal, however, on the +ground that she could not threaten what she was not prepared to do, he +appeared very much disappointed and mortified. + +We then discussed the state of the question itself, and urged the +necessity of something being done to do away with the injurious +impression which the publication of the despatch must produce in +India, as the resignation of Lord Ellenborough left this quite +untouched, and Parliament might with justice demand this. He agreed, +after much difficulty, to send a telegraphic despatch, which might +overtake and mitigate the other. On my remark that the public were +under the impression that there had been collusion, and that Mr Bright +had seen the despatch before he asked his question for its production, +he denied this stoutly, but let us understand that Mr Bright had +known of the existence of such a despatch, and had wished to put his +question before, but had been asked to defer it until Lord Canning's +Proclamation should have appeared in the newspapers! (This is nearly +as bad!!) The Queen could not have pledged herself to dissolve +Parliament in order to support such tricks! + +ALBERT. + +It was arranged that Lord Derby should accept Lord Ellenborough's +resignation in the Queen's name. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Ellenborough._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _11th May 1858_. + +The Queen has to acknowledge Lord Ellenborough's letter, which she did +not wish to do before she had seen Lord Derby. + +The latter has just left the Queen, and will communicate to Lord +Ellenborough the Queen's acceptance of his resignation, which he has +thought it right to tender to her from a sense of public duty. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD DERBY'S DESPATCH] + + +_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._ + +ST JAMES'S SQUARE [_11th May_]. +(9 P.M., _Tuesday_.) + +Lord Derby, with his humble duty, submits to your Majesty the +expression of his hope that the discussion, or rather conversation, +which has taken place in the House of Lords this evening, may have +been not only advantageous to the Government, but beneficial in its +results to the public service.... + +After the discussion, Lord Ellenborough made his statement; and it is +only doing bare justice to him to say that he made it in a manner +and spirit which was most highly honourable to himself, and was fully +appreciated by the House. + +Public sympathy was entirely with him, especially when he vindicated +the policy which he had asserted, but took upon himself the whole +and sole responsibility of having authorised the publication of the +despatch--which he vindicated--and announced his own resignation +rather than embarrass his colleagues. Lord Grey shortly entered +his protest against bringing into discussion the policy of the +Proclamation and of the consequent despatch, into which Lord +Ellenborough had certainly entered too largely, opposing, very +broadly, the principle of confiscation against that of clemency. Lord +Derby followed Lord Grey, and after an interruption on a point of +form, vindicated the policy advocated in Lord Ellenborough's despatch, +at the same time that he expressed not only his hope, but his belief, +that in practice the Governor-General would be found (and more +especially judging from the alterations inserted in the last +Proclamation of which an unofficial copy has been received) acting +on the principles laid down in Lord Ellenborough's despatch. In the +tribute which he felt it his duty to pay to the personal, as well as +political, character of Lord Ellenborough, the House concurred with +entire unanimity and all did honour to the spirit which induced him +to sacrifice his own position to the public service; and to atone, and +more than atone, for an act of indiscretion by the frank avowal that +he alone was responsible for it. Lord Derby thinks that the step which +has been taken may, even probably, prevent the Motions intended to +be made on Friday; and if made, will, almost certainly, result in a +majority for the Government. + +Lord Derby believes that he may possibly be in time to telegraph +to Malta early to-morrow, to Lord Canning. In that case he will +do himself the honour of submitting to your Majesty a copy of the +message[31] sent, though he fears it will be impossible to do +so before its despatch. He proposes in substance to say that the +publication has been disapproved--that Lord Ellenborough has resigned +in consequence--but that your Majesty's Government adhere in principle +to the policy laid down in the despatch of 19th April, and entertain +an earnest hope that the Governor-General, judging from the +modifications introduced into the amended Proclamation, has, in fact, +the intention of acting in the same spirit; but that your Majesty's +Government are still of opinion that confiscation of private property +ought to be made the exception, and not the rule, and to be enforced +only against those who may stand out after a certain day, or who may +be proved to have been guilty of more than ordinary crimes. + +Lord Derby hopes that your Majesty will excuse a very hasty sketch of +a very large subject. + + [Footnote 31: _The Earl of Derby to Lord Lyons._ + + _12th May 1858._ + + Send on the following message to Lord Canning by the Indian + mail. + + The publication of the Secret Despatch of 19th April has + been disapproved. Lord Ellenborough has resigned office. His + successor has not been appointed. Nevertheless the policy + indicated in the above despatch is approved by Her Majesty's + Government. Confiscation of property of private individuals + (Talookdars and others) ought to be the exception and not the + rule. It ought to be held out as a penalty on those who do not + come in by a given day. From your amended Proclamation it + is hoped that such is your intention. Let it be clearly + understood that it is so. You were quite right in issuing no + Proclamation till after a signal success. That once obtained, + the more generous the terms, the better. A broad distinction + must be drawn between the Talookdars of Oudh and the Sepoys + who have been in our service. Confidence is felt in your + judgment. You will not err if you lean to the side of + humanity, especially as to nations of Oudh. + + No private letters have been received from you since the + change of Government.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +_14th May 1858._ + +The Queen returns the extracts Lord Derby has sent to her. Lord +Ellenborough's despatch,[32] now before her for the first time, is +very good and just in principle. But the Queen would be much surprised +if it did not entirely coincide with the views of Lord Canning, at +least as far as he has hitherto expressed any in his letters. So are +also the sentiments written by Sir J. Lawrence; they contain almost +the very expressions frequently used by Lord Canning. + +Sir J. Login,[33] who holds the same opinion, and has great Indian +experience, does not find any fault with the Proclamation, however +seemingly it may sound at variance with these opinions, and this on +account of the peculiar position of affairs in Oudh. It is a great +pity that Lord Ellenborough, with his knowledge, experience, activity, +and cleverness, should be so entirely unable to submit to general +rules of conduct. The Queen has been for some time much alarmed at his +writing letters of his own to all the most important Indian Chiefs +and Kings explaining his policy. All this renders the position of a +Governor-General almost untenable, and that of the Government at home +very hazardous. + + [Footnote 32: This was a later despatch of Lord + Ellenborough's, also in reference to the pacification of Oudh, + and not shown to the Cabinet before it was sent.] + + [Footnote 33: See _ante_, 23rd September, 1857, note 41.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD ABERDEEN CONSULTED] + +[Pageheading: PREROGATIVE OF DISSOLUTION] + +[Pageheading: STATE OF PARTIES] + + +_Memorandum by Sir Charles Phipps._ + +[_Undated._ ? _15th May 1858._] + +Upon being admitted to Lord Aberdeen, I informed him that the Queen +and Prince were anxious to hear his opinion upon the present most +unfortunate state of affairs, but that, knowing how easily every event +was perverted in such times as the present, Her Majesty and His +Royal Highness had thought that it might have been subject to +misapprehension had he been known to have been at Buckingham Palace, +and that I had been therefore directed to call upon him, with a view +of obtaining his opinion and advice upon certain important points. + +The first was the question of a Dissolution of Parliament in the +event of the Government being defeated upon the question which was at +present pending. I told him that I was permitted to communicate to him +in the strictest confidence, that in a late Audience which Lord Derby +had with the Queen, he had asked her permission to be allowed to +announce that, in the event of an adverse majority, he had Her +Majesty's sanction to a Dissolution of Parliament. + +That the Queen had declined to give such sanction, or even such a +pledge, and equally guarded herself against being supposed to have +made up her mind to refuse her sanction to a Dissolution, had told +Lord Derby that she could not then make any prospective decision +upon the subject. I told him that in point of fact Her Majesty was +disinclined to grant to Lord Derby her authority for a Dissolution, +but that the Queen had at once refused to grant to Lord Derby her +sanction for making the announcement he wished, as she considered that +it would be a very unconstitutional threat for him to hold over the +head of the Parliament, with her authority, by way of biassing their +decision. + +Lord Aberdeen interrupted me by saying that the Queen had done quite +right--that he never heard of such a request being made, or authority +for such an announcement being sought--and he could not at all +understand Lord Derby making such an application. He knew that the +Government had threatened a Dissolution, that he thought that they had +a perfect right to do so, but that they would have been quite wrong in +joining the Queen's name with it. + +He said that he had never entertained the slightest doubt that if +the Minister advised the Queen to dissolve, she would, as a matter +of course, do so. The Minister who advised the Dissolution took upon +himself the heavy responsibility of doing so, but that the Sovereign +was bound to suppose that the person whom she had appointed as a +Minister was a gentleman and an honest man, and that he would not +advise Her Majesty to take such a step unless he thought that it +was for the good of the country. There was no doubt of the power and +prerogative of the Sovereign to refuse a Dissolution--it was one +of the very few acts which the Queen of England could do without +responsible advice at the moment; but even in this case whoever +was sent for to succeed, must, with his appointment, assume +the responsibility of this act, and be prepared to defend it in +Parliament. + +He could not remember a single instance in which the undoubted power +of the Sovereign had been exercised upon this point, and the advice of +the Minister to dissolve Parliament had been rejected--for it was +to be remembered that Lord Derby would be still at this time her +Minister--and that the result of such refusal would be that the Queen +would take upon herself the act of dismissing Lord Derby from office, +instead of his resigning from being unable longer to carry on the +Government. + +The Queen had during her reign, and throughout the numerous changes +of Government, maintained an unassailable position of constitutional +impartiality, and he had no hesitation in saying that he thought it +would be more right, and certainly more safe, for her to follow the +usual course, than to take this dangerous time for exercising an +unusual and, he believed he might say, an unprecedented, course, +though the power to exercise the authority was undoubted. + +He said that he did not conceive that any reasons of expediency as +to public business, or the possible effects of frequent general +elections, would be sufficient grounds for refusing a Dissolution (and +reasons would have to be given by the new Minister in Parliament), +and, as he conceived, the only possible ground that could be +maintained as foundation for such an exercise of authority would be +the fearful danger to the existence of our power in India, which +might arise from the intemperate discussion upon every hustings of +the proceedings of the Government with respect to that country--as the +question proposed to the country would certainly be considered to be +severity or mercy to the people of India. + +Upon the second point, as to a successor to Lord Derby in the event +of his resignation, he said that the Queen would, he thought, have no +alternative but to send for Lord Palmerston. The only other person who +could be suggested would be Lord John Russell, and he was neither +the mover of the Resolutions which displaced the Government, nor the +ostensible head of the Opposition, which the late meeting at Cambridge +House pointed out Lord Palmerston to be. That he was not very fond of +Lord Palmerston, though he had forgiven him all, and he had had _much_ +to forgive; and that in the last few days it had appeared that he had +less following than Lord John; but the Queen could not act upon such +daily changing circumstances, and it was evident that Lord Palmerston +was the ostensible man for the Queen to send for. + +Lord Aberdeen seemed very low upon the state of public affairs. He +said that the extreme Liberals were the only Party that appeared to +gain strength. Not only was the Whig Party divided within itself, +hated by the Radicals, and having a very doubtful support from the +independent Liberals, but even the little band called the Peelites had +entirely crumbled to pieces. In the House of Lords, whilst the Duke of +Newcastle voted with the Opposition, he (Lord Aberdeen) had purposely +abstained from voting, whilst, in the House of Commons, Cardwell moved +the Resolution, and Mr Sidney Herbert would, he believed, vote for it; +Gladstone would speak on the other side, and Sir J. Graham would also +vote with the Government. + +He concluded by saying that if the majority against the Government +was a very large one, he thought that Lord Derby ought not to ask to +dissolve; but that he knew that the members of the Government had said +that the present Parliament was elected upon a momentary Palmerstonian +cry, and was quite an exceptional case, and that they would not +consent to be driven from office upon its verdict. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN AND DISSOLUTION] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _16th May 1858_. + +We saw Lord Derby after church. He brought interesting letters from +Lord Canning to Lord Ellenborough, of which copies follow here. It +is evident that Lord Canning thinks that he is taking a most merciful +course, and expects pacification from his "Proclamation," attributing +the slow coming in of the chiefs to the Proclamation not being yet +sufficiently known. + +Lord Ellenborough's, and indeed the Government's, hearts, must have +had curious sensations in reading Lord Canning's frank declaration, +that he did not mean to resign on hearing of the formation of the Tory +Government unless told to do so, and he had no fears that he would +be treated in a way implying want of confidence to make him resign, +feeling safe as to that in Lord Ellenborough's hands! + +Lord Derby spoke much of the Debate, which he expects to go on for +another week. He expects to be beaten by from 15 to 35 votes under +present circumstances, but thinks still that he could be saved if it +were known that the Queen had not refused a Dissolution, which was +stoutly maintained by Lord Palmerston's friends. He begged again to +be empowered to contradict the assertion. The Queen maintained that it +would be quite unconstitutional to threaten Parliament, and to use +her name for that purpose. Lord Derby quite agreed, and disclaimed any +such intention, but said there were modes of letting the fact be known +without any risk. We agreed that we could not enter into such details. +The Queen allowed him (Lord Derby) to know that a Dissolution would +not be refused to him, and trusted that her honour would be safe in +his hands as to the use he made of that knowledge. He seemed greatly +relieved, and stated that had he had to resign, he would have +withdrawn from public business, and the Conservative Party would have +been entirely, and he feared for ever, broken up. On a Dissolution he +felt certain of a large gain, as the country was in fact tired of the +"Whig Family Clique"; the Radicals, like Mr Milner Gibson, Bright, +etc., would willingly support a Conservative Government. + +ALBERT. + + + + +[Pageheading: COLLAPSE OF THE ATTACK] + + +_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._[34] + +HOUSE OF COMMONS, _21st May 1858_. + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer with his humble duty to your Majesty. + +The fullest House; it is said 620 Members present; it was supposed we +should have divided at three o'clock in the morning; Mr Gladstone +was to have spoken for the Government at half-past ten--very great +excitement--when there occurred a scene perhaps unprecedented in +Parliament. + +One after another, perhaps twenty Members, on the Opposition benches, +rising and entreating Mr Cardwell to withdraw his Resolution. After +some time, silence on the Government benches, Mr Cardwell went to +Lord John Russell, then to Lord Palmerston, then to Lord John Russell +again, then returned to Lord Palmerston, and retired with him. + +What are called the interpellations continued, when suddenly Lord +Palmerston reappeared; embarrassed, with a faint smile; addressed the +House; and after various preluding, announced the withdrawal of the +Motion of Censure. + +A various Debate followed; the Chancellor of the Exchequer +endeavouring, as far as regards Lord Canning, to fulfil your Majesty's +wishes. It is impossible to estimate the importance of this unforeseen +event to your Majesty's servants. It has strengthened them more +than the most decided division in their favour, for it has revealed +complete anarchy in the ranks of their opponents. With prudence and +vigilance all must now go right. + +The speech of Sir James Graham last night produced a very great +effect. No report gives a fair idea of it. The great country +gentleman, the broad views, the fine classical allusions, the happiest +all omitted, the massy style, contrasted remarkably with Sir Richard +Bethell. + + [Footnote 34: Lord Shaftesbury's Motion in the Lords had been + lost by a majority of nine. In the Commons, Mr Cardwell was + replied to in a brilliant speech by Sir Hugh Cairns, the + Solicitor-General. The speeches of Sir James Graham, Mr + Bright, and others, showed that the Opposition was disunited, + and when it was understood that Mr Gladstone would support the + Ministry, the Liberal attack collapsed. Mr Disraeli, deprived + of the satisfaction of making an effective reply, subsequently + compared the discomfiture of his opponents to an earthquake + in Calabria or Peru. "There was," he said, in the course of + a speech at Slough, "a rumbling murmur, a groan, a shriek, a + sound of distant thunder. No one knew whether it came from the + top or bottom of the House. There was a rent, a fissure in + the ground, and then a village disappeared, then a tall tower + toppled down, and the whole of the Opposition benches became + one great dissolving view of anarchy."] + + + + +[Pageheading: CAUSES OF THE COLLAPSE] + +[Pageheading: OFFER TO MR GLADSTONE] + + +_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._ + +ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _23rd May 1858_. +(_Sunday night._) + +Lord Derby, with his humble duty, gratefully acknowledges your +Majesty's gracious letter just received, and the telegraphic message +with which he was honoured in answer to his on Friday night. Your +Majesty can hardly be expected to estimate, at a distance from the +immediate scene of action, the effect of the event of that evening. +It was the utter explosion of a well-constructed mine, under the feet, +not of the assailed, but of the assailants; and the effect has been +the greater from the immense attendance in London of Members of the +House of Commons. No effort had been spared. Lord Castlerosse, only +just married, had been sent for from Italy--but Lord Derby hopes that +he had not been induced to come--for nothing. It is said that of +the 654 Members of whom the House is composed, 626 were actually +in London. The Government could rely on 304 to 308, and the whole +question turned on the absence, or the conversion, of a small number +of "Liberal" Members. The result is to be attributed to two causes; +first, and principally, to the fear of a Dissolution, and to the +growing conviction that in case of necessity your Majesty would +sanction such a course, which had been strenuously denied by Lord +Palmerston--and in which Lord Derby hopes that your Majesty will have +seen that your Majesty's name has never, for a moment, been brought in +question; and secondly, to the effect produced by the correspondence +between the Governor-General and Sir James Outram.[35] And here +Lord Derby may perhaps be allowed the opportunity of removing a +misconception from your Majesty's mind, as to any secret intelligence +or underhand intrigue between Lord Ellenborough and Sir James Outram, +to the detriment of Lord Canning. Lord Derby is in the position +to know that if there is one person in the world to whom Lord +Ellenborough has an utter aversion, and with whom he has no personal +or private correspondence, it is Sir James Outram. Anything therefore +in common in their opinions must be the result of circumstances wholly +irrespective of private concert. Lord Derby has written fully to Lord +Canning, privately, by the mail which will go out on Tuesday; and +while he has not concealed from him the opinion of your Majesty's +servants that the Proclamation, of which so much has been said, +conveyed too sweeping an Edict of Confiscation against the landowners, +great and small, of Oudh, he has not hesitated to express also his +conviction that Lord Canning's real intentions, in execution, would +not be found widely to differ from the views of your Majesty's +servants. He has expressed to Lord Canning his regret at the premature +_publication_ of the Draft Proclamation, at the same time that he has +pointed out the injustice done both to your Majesty's Government +and to the Governor-General by the (Lord Derby will hardly call +it fraudulent) suppression of the private letters addressed to the +President of the Board of Control, and deprecating judgment on the +text of the Proclamation, until explanation should be received. Lord +Derby cannot but be of opinion that this suppression, of which Lord +Palmerston was fully cognisant, was an act which no political or party +interests were sufficient to justify. + +The state of the Government, during the late crisis, was such as +to render it impossible to make any arrangement for filling up Lord +Ellenborough's place at the Board of Control. Application has since +been made to Mr Gladstone,[36] with the offer of that post, or of that +of the Colonial Department, which Lord Stanley would give up for the +convenience of your Majesty's Government, though unwillingly, for +India. Mr Gladstone demurred, on the ground of not wishing to leave +his friends; but when pressed to name whom he would wish to bring with +him, he could name none. Finally, he has written to ask advice as to +his course of Sir James Graham, who has returned to Netherby, and +of Lord Aberdeen; and by them he will probably be guided. Should he +finally refuse, Lord Stanley _must_ take India; and the Colonies must +be offered in the first instance to Sir E. B. Lytton, who probably +will refuse, as he wants a Peerage, and is doubtful of his +re-election; and failing him, to Sir William Heathcote, the Member for +the University of Oxford, who, without official experience, has great +Parliamentary knowledge and influence, and, if he will accept, is +quite equal to the duties of the office. Lord Derby trusts that your +Majesty will forgive this long intrusion on your Majesty's patience. +He has preferred the risk of it, to leaving your Majesty uninformed as +to anything which was going on, or contemplated.... + +If Lord Dalhousie should be in a state to converse upon public +affairs, there is no one with whom Lord Derby could confer more +confidentially than with him; nor of whose judgment, though he regrets +to differ with him as to the annexation of Oudh, he has a higher +opinion. He will endeavour to ascertain what is his present state +of health, which he fears is very unsatisfactory, and will see and +converse with him, if possible. + + [Footnote 35: Especially Outram's remonstrance against what he + considered the excessive severity of the Proclamation.] + + [Footnote 36: See Mr Disraeli's curious letter printed in + Morley's _Gladstone_, vol. i. p. 587, asking Mr Gladstone + whether the time had not come when he might deign to be + magnanimous. Sir E. B. Lytton accepted the office.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _4th June 1858_. + +The Queen has to thank Lord Derby for his satisfactory letter received +yesterday. She has heard from Mr Disraeli to-day relative to the +answer given by him to the question asked yesterday in the House of +Commons as to what the Government meant to do.[37] He says that he +hears there are rumours of other Motions on the subject. These the +Queen hopes there will be no difficulty in defeating. + +The Duke of Cambridge seems rather uneasy altogether, but the Queen, +though equally anxious about it, owns she cannot contemplate +the possibility of any _real_ attempt to divest the Crown of its +prerogative in this instance. The Army will not, she feels sure, stand +it for a moment, and the Queen feels sure, that if properly defined +and explained, the House of Commons will not acquiesce in any such +disloyal proceeding. + +The Queen does not understand Lord John Russell's voting with the +majority, for she never understood him to express any such opinion. + + [Footnote 37: A question was asked whether it was the + intention of the Government to take any step in consequence + of a resolution of the House in favour of placing the + whole administration and control of the Army under the sole + authority of a single Minister. Mr. Disraeli replied that + "considering the great importance of the subject,... the + comparatively small number of Members in the House when + the division took pace, and the bare majority by which the + decision was arrived at, Her Majesty's Government do not feel + that it is their duty to recommend any measure in consequence + of that resolution."] + + + + +[Pageheading: GOVERNMENT OF INDIA] + + +_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._ + +HOUSE OF COMMONS, _24th June 1858_. + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer with his humble duty to your Majesty. + +The India Bill was read a second time without a division.[38] Lord +Stanley made a clear and vigorous exposition of its spirit and +provisions; Mr Bright delivered a powerful oration on the condition +of India--its past government and future prospects; the rest of the +discussion weak and desultory. + +No serious opposition apprehended in Committee, which the Chancellor +of the Exchequer has fixed for this day (Friday)[39] and almost hopes +that he may conclude the Committee on Monday. He proposes to proceed +with no other business until it is concluded. + +When the Bill has passed, the temper of the House, and its sanitary +state,[40] will assist him in passing the remaining estimates with +rapidity; and he contemplates an early conclusion of the Session. + +It will be a great thing to have carried the India Bill, which Mr +Thomas Baring, to-night, spoke of in terms of eulogy, and as a +great improvement on the project of the late Government. It is, the +Chancellor of the Exchequer really thinks, a wise and well-digested +measure, ripe with the experience of the last five months of +discussion; but it is only the antechamber of an imperial palace; and +your Majesty would do well to deign to consider the steps which are +now necessary to influence the opinions and affect the imagination of +the Indian populations. The name of your Majesty ought to be impressed +upon their native life. Royal Proclamations, Courts of Appeal, in +their own land, and other institutions, forms, and ceremonies, will +tend to this great result. + + [Footnote 38: This was the third Bill of the Session, and was + founded on the Resolutions, _ante_, 12th April, 1858, note 26. + The Government of India was transferred from the dual + jurisdiction of the Company and the Board of Control, to the + Secretary of State for India in Council, the members of the + Council (after the provisions for representing vested interests + should have lapsed) to be appointed by the Secretary of State. + A certain term of residence in India was to be a necessary + qualification, and the members were to be rendered incapable + of sitting in Parliament, and with a tenure of office as + assured as that of judges under the Act of Settlement.] + + [Footnote 39: The letter is ante-dated. The 24th of June was a + Thursday.] + + [Footnote 40: In consequence of the polluted condition of + the Thames, the Government carried a measure enabling the + Metropolitan Board of Works, at a cost of L3,000,000, to + purify "that noble river, the present state of which is little + creditable to a great country, and seriously prejudicial + to the health and comfort of the inhabitants of the + Metropolis."--Extract from the Queen's Speech, at the close of + the Session.] + + + + +[Pageheading: INDIAN CIVIL SERVICE] + +[Pageheading: THE SOVEREIGN'S PREROGATIVES] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +OSBORNE, _8th July 1858_. + +The Queen in reading in the papers yesterday, on her way here from the +camp, the Debate in the House of Commons of the previous night, was +shocked to find that in several important points her Government have +surrendered the prerogatives of the Crown. She will only refer to the +clauses concerning the Indian Civil Service and the right of peace and +war. + +With respect to the first, the regulations under which servants of +the Crown are to be admitted or examined have always been an undoubted +right and duty of the Executive; by the clause introduced by Lord +Stanley the system of "Competitive Examination" has been confirmed by +Act of Parliament. That system may be right or wrong; it has since +its introduction been carried on under the Orders in Council; now +the Crown and Government are to be deprived of any authority in the +matter, and the whole examinations, selection, and appointments, +etc., etc., are to be vested in the Civil Commissioners under a +Parliamentary title. + +As to the right of the Crown to declare war and make peace, it +requires not a word of remark; yet Lord Stanley agrees to Mr +Gladstone's proposal to make over this prerogative with regard to +Indian questions to Parliament under the auspices of the Queen's +Government; she is thus placed in a position of less authority than +the President of the American Republic.[41] + +When a Bill has been introduced into Parliament, after having received +the Sovereign's approval, she has the right to expect that her +Ministers will not subsequently introduce important alterations +without previously obtaining her sanction. In the first of the two +instances referred to by the Queen, Lord Stanley introduced the +alteration himself; in the second he agreed to it even without asking +for a moment's delay; and the Opposition party, which attempted to +guard the Queen's prerogative, was overborne by the Government Leader +of the House. + +The Queen must remind Lord Derby that it is to him as the head of the +Government that she looks for the protection of those prerogatives +which form an integral part of the Constitution. + + [Footnote 41: An important amendment made at the instance + of Mr Gladstone provided that, except for repelling actual + invasion or upon urgent necessity, the Queen's Indian forces + should not be employed in operations outside India, without + Parliamentary sanction.] + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _16th July 1858_. + +MY TRULY BELOVED VICTORIA,--Nothing can be _kinder_ or more +_affectionate_ than your dear letter of the 13th, and it would +have done _your warm heart_ good to have _seen how much I have been +delighted and moved by it_. I can only say that I love you both more +tenderly than I could love my own children. When your plans will be +nearer maturity, you will have the great kindness to let me know +what will be your Royal pleasure, to enable me _de m'y conformer bien +exactement_. + +The feeling which occasions some grumbling at the Cherbourg visit[42] +is in fact a good feeling, but it is not over-wise. Two things are to +be done--(1) To make every reasonable exertion to remain on personal +good terms with the Emperor--which can be done. One party in England +says it is with the French nation that you are to be on loving terms; +this _cannot_ be, as the French dislike the English as a nation, +though they may be kind to you also personally. (2) The next is, +instead of a good deal of unnecessary abuse, to have the Navy so +organised that it can and must be superior to the French. All beyond +these two points is sheer nonsense. + +After talking of Chambord,[43] to my utter horror he is here, and +asked yesterday to see me to-day. It is not fair to do so, as the +legitimists affect to this hour to consider [us] here as rebels. +I could not refuse to see him, as, though distantly, still he is a +relation; but I mean to do as they did in Holland, to receive him, but +to limit to his visit and my visit our whole intercourse. If he should +speak to me of going to England, I certainly mean to tell him _que +je considerais une visite comme tout a fait intempestive_.... Your +devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 42: On the 4th of August, the Queen and Prince, + accompanied by the Prince of Wales, visited the Emperor and + Empress at Cherbourg.] + + [Footnote 43: See _ante_, 16th January, 1854, and note 5.] + + + + +[Pageheading: BRITISH COLUMBIA] + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir E. Bulwer Lytton._ + +OSBORNE, _24th July 1858_. + +The Queen has received Sir E. Bulwer Lytton's letter.[44] If the name +of New Caledonia is objected to as being already borne by another +colony or island claimed by the French, it may be better to give the +new colony west of the Rocky Mountains another name. New Hanover, +New Cornwall, and New Georgia appear from the maps to be the names of +sub-divisions of that country, but do not appear on all maps. The only +name which is given to the whole territory in every map the Queen has +consulted is "Columbia," but as there exists also a Columbia in South +America, and the citizens of the United States call their country +also Columbia, at least in poetry, "British Columbia" might be, in the +Queen's opinion, the best name. + + [Footnote 44: Stating that objections were being made in + France to the name of New Caledonia being given to the + proposed colony between the Pacific and the Rocky Mountains.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ARMY COMMISSIONS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +OSBORNE, _29th July 1858_. + +The Queen has been placed in a most unpleasant dilemma by the last +vote in the House of Commons;[45] she feels all the force of Lord +Derby's objections to risking another defeat on the same question and +converting the struggle into one against the Royal Prerogative; yet, +on the other hand, she can hardly sit still, and from mere want of +courage become a party to the most serious inroad which has yet +been made upon it. It is the introduction of the principle into +our legislation that the Sovereign is no longer the source of all +appointments under the Crown, but that these appointments are the +property of individuals under a Parliamentary title, which the Queen +feels bound to resist. Lord John Russell's Motion and Sir James +Graham's speech only went to the Civil appointments; but after their +Motion had been carried on a division, Lord Stanley gave way to Sir +De Lacy Evans also with regard to a _portion of the Army!_ If this +principle is recognised and sanctioned by the entire legislature, its +future extension can no longer be resisted on constitutional grounds, +and Lord John in fact reminded Lord Stanley that the latter had +stated that he only refrained from making the application general from +thinking it _premature_, himself being of opinion that it ought to +be carried further, and yet its extension to the Army reduces the +Sovereign to a mere signing machine, as, to carry the case to its +extreme consequence, _Law_ would _compel_ her to sign the Commission +for the officers, and they might have the right to sue at law for the +recovery of their property vested in them by Act of Parliament (viz., +their Commissions) if the Crown doubted for any reason the fitness of +an appointment!! Have these consequences been considered and brought +distinctly before Parliament? It strikes the Queen that all the +Commons want is a Parliamentary security against the abolition of the +Competitive System of Examinations by the Executive. Can this not +be obtained by means less subversive of the whole character of our +Constitution? The Queen cannot believe that Lord Derby could not find +means to come to some agreement with the Opposition, and she trusts he +will leave nothing undone to effect this. + + [Footnote 45: The Lords Amendments on the subject of + competitive examination were rejected by a majority of + thirteen in the Commons, and, in the circumstances, Lord Derby + had advised abiding by the decision and not risking another + defeat.] + + + + +[Pageheading: NAVAL ESTIMATES] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +OSBORNE, _2nd August 1858_. + +The Queen feels it her duty to address a few lines to Lord Derby on +the subject of the reports made to Sir John Pakington on the subject +of the French Naval preparations, to which she has already verbally +adverted when she saw Lord Derby last. These reports reveal a state +of things of the greatest moment to this country. It will be the first +time in her history that she will find herself in an absolute minority +of ships on the sea! and this inferiority will be much greater +in reality than even apparent, as our fleet will have to defend +possessions and commerce all over the world, and has even in Europe +a strategical line to hold extending from Malta to Heligoland, whilst +France keeps her fleet together and occupies the centre of that line +in Europe. + +The Queen thinks it irreconcilable with the duty which the Government +owes to the country to be aware of this state of things without +straining every nerve to remedy it. With regard to men in whom we +are also totally deficient in case of an emergency, a Commission of +Enquiry is sitting to devise a remedy; but with regard to our ships +and dockyards we require action, and immediate action. The plan +proposed by the Surveyor of the Navy appears to the Queen excessively +moderate and judicious, and she trusts that the Cabinet will not +hesitate to empower its execution, bearing in mind that L200,000 +spent now will probably do more work during the six or nine months +for working before us, than L2,000,000 would if voted in next year's +estimate, letting our arrears in the dockyards, already admitted to +be very great, accumulate in the interval. Time is most precious under +these circumstances! + +It is true that this sum of money would be in excess of the estimates +of last Session, but the Queen feels sure that on the faith of the +reports made by the Admiralty, the Government would find no difficulty +in convincing Parliament that they have been good stewards of +the public money, in taking courageously the responsibility upon +themselves to spend judiciously what is necessary, and that the +country will be deeply grateful for the honesty with which they will +have served her. + +The Queen wishes Lord Derby to communicate this letter to the Cabinet. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +BABELSBERG, _15th August 1858_. + +The Queen has asked Lord Malmesbury to explain in detail to Lord Derby +her objections to the draft of Proclamation for India. The Queen +would be glad if Lord Derby would write it himself in his excellent +language, bearing in mind that it is a female Sovereign who speaks +to more than 100,000,000 of Eastern people on assuming the direct +Government over them after a bloody civil war, giving them pledges +which her future reign is to redeem, and explaining the principles of +her Government. Such a document should breathe feelings of generosity, +benevolence, and religious feeling, pointing out the privileges which +the Indians will receive in being placed on an equality with the +subjects of the British Crown, and the prosperity following in the +train of civilisation.[46] + + [Footnote 46: The draft Proclamation was accordingly altered + so as to be in strict harmony with the Queen's wishes. See + _post_, 2nd December, 1858, and note 52.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PROCLAMATION FOR INDIA] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord Stanley._ + +OSBORNE, _4th September 1858_. + +The Queen sends to Lord Stanley a Memorandum embodying her wishes with +respect to the transaction of business between herself and the new +Secretary of State. He will find that she has omitted any reference +to Military appointments, as Lord Stanley seemed anxious to defer a +settlement on this point; she expects, however, that in all cases in +which her pleasure was taken by the Commander-in-Chief, even during +the administration of the East India Company and Board of Control, the +same practice will be continued unaltered. + +The Queen has received Lord Stanley's letter of yesterday. He has +given her no answer with respect to Sir James Melvill.[47] + +Whenever the Proclamation is finally printed, the Queen would wish +to have a copy sent her. A letter she has received from Lady Canning +speaks of Lord Canning's supposed Amnesty in Oudh as a fabrication; +she has sent the letter to Lord Derby. + + [Footnote 47: The Queen had asked how it was that Sir J. + Melvill's name was not included among those submitted to + her for appointments in connection with the new military + organisation in India. Sir James had been Financial Secretary, + and afterwards Chief Secretary, for the East India Company. He + now became the Government Director of Indian railways, and a + Member of the Council of India.] + + + + +_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._ + +OSBORNE, _4th September 1858_. + +The Queen wishes the practice of the Office[48] with reference to +submissions to her to be as nearly as possible assimilated to that of +the Foreign Office. + +All despatches, when received and perused by the Secretary of State, +to be sent to the Queen. They may be merely forwarded in boxes from +the Office without being accompanied by any letter from the Secretary +of State, unless he should think an explanation necessary. No draft of +instructions or orders to be sent out without having been previously +submitted to the Queen. The label on the boxes of the Office +containing such drafts to be marked "For Approval." + +In cases of Civil appointments the Secretary of State will himself +take the Queen's pleasure before communicating with the gentlemen to +be appointed. + +Copies or a _precis_ of the Minutes of the Council to be regularly +transmitted to the Queen. + +The Secretary of State to obtain the Queen's sanction to important +measures previously to his bringing them before the Council for +discussion. + + [Footnote 48: The India Office.] + + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD PALMERSTON] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +OSBORNE, _4th September 1858_. + +The most remarkable feature of the last Session of Parliament has been +the extraordinary unpopularity of Lord Palmerston, for which nothing +can account; the only direct reproach which is made to him, is to have +appointed Lord Clanricarde Privy Seal, and to have been overbearing in +his manner. Yet a House of Commons, having been elected solely for the +object, and on the ground of supporting Lord Palmerston personally +(an instance in our Parliamentary history without parallel), holds him +suddenly in such abhorrence, that not satisfied with having upset his +Government, which had been successful in all its policy, and thrown +him out, it will hardly listen to him when he speaks. He is frequently +received with hooting, and throughout the last Session it sufficed +that [he] took up any cause for the whole House voting against +it, even if contrary to the principles which they had themselves +advocated, merely to have the satisfaction of putting him into a +minority. How can this be accounted for? The man who was without +rhyme or reason stamped the only _English_ statesman, the champion of +liberty, the man of the people, etc., etc., now, without his having +changed in any one respect, having still the same virtues and the same +faults that he always had, young and vigorous in his seventy-fifth +year, and having succeeded in his policy, is now considered the head +of a clique, the man of intrigue, past his work, etc., etc.--in fact +hated! and this throughout the country. I cannot explain the enigma +except by supposing that people had before joined in a cry which they +thought was popular without themselves believing what they said and +wrote, and that they now do the same; that the Radicals used his name +to destroy other statesmen and politicians, and are destroying him now +in his turn; that they hoped to govern through him, and that they +see a better chance now of doing it through a weak and incapable Tory +Government which has entered into a secret bargain for their support. +Still the phenomenon remains most curious.[49] + +[Footnote 49: Charles Greville, in his Journal (16th June 1858), noted +the same circumstance, and drew the inference that Palmerston's public +career was drawing to a close.] + +Lord Palmerston himself remains, outwardly at least, quite cheerful, +and seems to care very little about his reverses; he speaks on all +subjects, bids for the Liberal support as before, even at the expense +of his better conviction (as he used to do), and keeps as much as +possible before the public; he made an official tour in Ireland, and +is gone to visit the Emperor Napoleon at Paris; his Chinese policy +upon which the general Dissolution had taken place in 1857 has just +been crowned by the most complete success by the advantageous treaty +signed at Pekin by Lord Elgin; and yet even for this the public will +not allow him any credit. Lady Palmerston, on the contrary, is said to +be very unhappy and very much hurt. + +ALBERT. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE IONIAN ISLANDS] + + +_Sir E. Bulwer Lytton to Queen Victoria._ + +COLONIAL OFFICE, _1st November 1858_. + +Sir E. B. Lytton, with his humble duty to the Queen, submits to your +Majesty's pleasure the appointment of the Right Honourable W. E. +Gladstone, as special High Commissioner to the Ionian Islands. + +Differences of long standing between the Executive and Legislative +branches of the Ionian Constitution, aggravated by recent dissensions +between the Senate and Municipal Magistrature, render it very +expedient to obtain the opinion of a statesman of eminence, formed +upon the spot, as to any improvements in the workings and results +of the Constitution which it might be in the power of the protecting +Sovereign to effect. And Sir Edward thinks it fortunate for the public +service that a person so distinguished and able as Mr Gladstone should +be induced to undertake this mission. + +Sir Edward ventures to add that, should Her Majesty be graciously +pleased to approve this appointment, it is extremely desirable that +Mr Gladstone should depart at the earliest possible day, and that Sir +Edward may be enabled to make the requisite announcement to the Lord +High Commissioner by the first mail. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD STANLEY AND MR DISRAELI] + +[Pageheading: SUGGESTED RESIGNATION] + + +_Mr Disraeli to the Prince Albert._ + +GROSVENOR GATE, _18th November 1858_. +(_Wednesday night._) + +SIR,--After the Committee of the Cabinet on the Reform Bill, which +sat this morning for five hours, Lord Stanley expressed a wish to have +some private conversation with me. + +Although I would willingly have deferred the interview till a moment +when I was less exhausted, I did not think it wise, with a person of +his temperament, to baulk an occasion, and therefore assented at once. + +I give your Royal Highness faithfully, but feebly, and not completely, +the results of our conversation. + +1. With respect to the relations between his office and Her Majesty, +he said he was conscious that they had been conducted with great +deficiency of form, and, in many respects, in an unsatisfactory +manner; but he attributed all this to the inexperience and "sheer +ignorance" of a Department which had not been accustomed to direct +communication with the Crown. Some portion of this, he said, he had +already remedied, and he wished to remedy all, though he experienced +difficulties, on some of which he consulted me. + +He accepted, without reserve, and cordially, my position, that he must +act always as the Minister of the Queen, and not of the Council, but +he said I took an exaggerated view of his relations with that body; +that he thoroughly knew their respective places, and should be +vigilant that they did [? not] overstep their limits; that he had +never been, of which he reminded me, an admirer of the East India +Company, and had no intention of reviving their system; that the +incident of submitting the legal case to the Council, etc., had +originated in a demand on the part of the Commander-in-Chief, which +involved, if complied with, a grant of money, and that, under these +circumstances, an appeal to the Council was inevitable. + +2. He agreed with me, that, on all military matters, he would +habitually communicate with the Commander-in-Chief, and take His Royal +Highness's advice on all such points; and that copies of all military +papers, as I understood Lord Stanley, should be furnished to His Royal +Highness. + +3. Having arrived at this point, I laid before him the views +respecting _military unity_, which formed the subject matter of +recent conversations. Lord Stanley assented to the principles which +I attempted to enforce; and in reply to my reminding him that the +old military system of India had entirely broken down, he said +he contemplated terminating the independent authority of the +Commander-in-Chief at the inferior Presidencies, and of +establishing the absolute and complete authority of Her Majesty's +Commander-in-Chief in India. He did not seem to see his way to any +further step at present, and I did not think it judicious on this +occasion to press the subject further. + +Throughout this interview, Lord Stanley's manner was candid, very +conciliatory, and, for him, even soft. He was pleased to say that it +was a source of great satisfaction to him that your Royal Highness had +deigned to confer confidentially with me on the subject, and make me, +as it were, a "Mediator" on matters which, he assured me with great +emphasis, had occasioned him an amount of anxiety almost intolerable. + +He had recurred, in the course of this interview, to a suggestion +which he had thrown out on Tuesday, viz. that the difficulties of the +position might be removed, or greatly mitigated, by his retirement +from the office, and accepting, if his continuance in the Government +was desirable, another post. I therefore thought it best at once to +point out to him that such a course of proceeding would only aggravate +all the inconveniences and annoyances at present existing; that his +retirement would be the signal for exaggerated rumours and factious +machinations, and would have the most baneful effect on the discussion +in Parliament generally of all those military topics with which we +were threatened; that, far from being satisfactory to Her Majesty and +your Royal Highness, I was convinced that the Queen and yourself would +hear of such an intention with regret. + +Lord Stanley ultimately adopted entirely this view of his position, +and he parted from me with an earnest expression of his hope that the +painful misconceptions which had prevailed might at once, or at least +in due course, entirely disappear. + +This, Sir, is a very imperfect report of an important interview, but, +as I collected from Lord Stanley, that nothing was really settled in +his conference on Tuesday with Lord Derby and the Lord Chancellor, I +have thought it my duty, without loss of time, to forward it to your +Royal Highness, and have the honour to remain, ever, Sir, your most +obedient and sincerely obliged Servant, + +B. DISRAELI. + + + + +_The Prince Albert to Mr Disraeli._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _18th November 1858_. + +MY DEAR MR DISRAELI,--I am very much obliged to you for your long +letter after a Cabinet meeting of five hours, and subsequent interview +with Lord Stanley, whom I am much pleased to hear you found so anxious +to remedy the present state of things. I am glad that you made it +clear to him that the Queen had never connected in her mind the +objections which she felt bound to take with anything personal, +which could be removed by Lord Stanley's relinquishing the Indian +Secretaryship. The difficulty would still remain to be solved, only +under additional complication and disadvantage. Lord Derby told me +to-day that he was drawing up a Memorandum which, when seen by the +Chancellor and Lord Stanley, was to be submitted to the Queen. Ever +yours truly, + +ALBERT.[50] + + [Footnote 50: On the same day Lord Stanley wrote a lengthy + letter to the Queen justifying the course he had taken.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE INDIA OFFICE] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord Stanley_. + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _20th November 1858._ + +The Queen has received Lord Stanley's letter entering into the subject +of the difficulties which have arisen in the conduct of the new Indian +Department. She had from the first foreseen that it would not be +an easy matter to bring the establishments of the old Company's +Government to fall into the practice and usages of the Constitutional +Monarchy, and was therefore most anxious that distinct rules should +be laid down before the installation of the new Government, which +unfortunately was not done, but she trusts will now be devised and +adopted. + +The Queen most readily gives Lord Stanley credit for every intention +to remove the obstacles in the way of the solution of these +difficulties as far as he was able, but she cannot but fear that the +particular form in which the opinion of the Law Officers has been +asked, and the fact [that] the eighteen members of the Council (all +naturally wedded to a system under which they were trained) were made +parties to the discussion between herself and her Secretary of State +on these difficulties--must increase instead of diminishing them. + +The account given by Mr Temple, together with the last printed letters +and Memoranda from the Punjab, give us serious cause of apprehension +for the future, and show that the _British_ Army is the only safeguard +at present. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD CANNING'S PROCLAMATION] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Canning._[51] + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _2nd December 1858_. + +The Queen acknowledges the receipt of Lord Canning's letter of the +19th October, which she received on the 29th November, which has given +her great pleasure. + +It is a source of great satisfaction and pride to her to feel herself +in direct communication with that enormous Empire which is so bright a +jewel of her Crown, and which she would wish to see happy, contented, +and peaceful. May the publication of her Proclamation be the beginning +of a new era, and may it draw a veil over the sad and bloody past! + +The Queen rejoices to hear that her Viceroy approves this passage +about Religion.[52] She strongly insisted on it. She trusts also that +the certainty of the Amnesty remaining open till the 1st January may +not be productive of serious evil. + +The Queen must express our admiration of Lord Canning's own +Proclamation, the wording of which is beautiful. The telegram received +to-day brings continued good news, and announces her proclamation +having been read, and having produced a good effect. + +The Queen hopes to hear from Lord Canning, whenever he can spare time +to write. She misses hearing from Lady Canning, not having heard from +her since the 30th August; but the Queen fears that she is herself +to blame, as she has not written to Lady Canning for a long time; she +intends doing so by the next mail.... + +Both the Prince and herself hope that Lord Canning's health is now +perfectly good, as well as dear Lady Canning's. We ask him to remember +us to her, and also to Lord Clyde. + +The Queen concludes with every wish for Lord Canning's success and +prosperity, and with the assurance of her undiminished and entire +confidence. + + [Footnote 51: The Queen's Proclamation to her Indian subjects + had been received by Lord Canning on the 17th of October, when + he also learned that the title of Viceroy was in future to + dignify the Governor-General's office.] + + [Footnote 52: "Firmly relying ourselves on the truth of + Christianity, and acknowledging with gratitude the solace of + religion, we disclaim alike the right and desire to impose + our convictions on any of our subjects." The Proclamation + proceeded to state that all the Queen's Indian subjects should + be impartially protected by the law, and live unmolested in + the observance of their several religions.] + + + + +[Pageheading: FRANCE AND ITALY] + + +_The Earl of Malmesbury to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _10th December 1858_. + +The Earl of Malmesbury presents his humble duty to the Queen, and +has already anticipated your Majesty's wishes respecting the Emperor +Napoleon.[53] Lord Malmesbury has written to Lord Cowley a private +letter, desiring him to show it to His Majesty. It is in the same +sense as your Majesty's, and states that if he is anxious to improve +the lot of the worst governed country, namely the Papal States, he +should, instead of sulking with Austria, make an attempt with his +Catholic brother to ameliorate the Papal Government. It is not for +Protestant England to take the initiative, as her object would be +misunderstood and attributed to sectarian motives; but England could +give her moral support, and even her material aid _eventually_, if +it were required to establish an improved Administration of the +Roman States. Austria would gain by having a quiet frontier. The +correspondence which took place in 1856 and 1857 between Lord +Clarendon and Mr Lyons shows that this is the only effective way of +ameliorating the condition of Italy without a war. + +Lord Malmesbury thinks he can assure your Majesty that none is +at present contemplated by the Emperor Napoleon (who has just +contradicted the report officially), and Count Buol is of the same +opinion. The latter is constantly hurting the vanity of the French +Government by his irritable despatches, and neither party makes the +slightest effort to command their temper; but it appears impossible +that Napoleon can make a _casus belli_ against Austria. Besides this, +your Majesty may be assured that no warlike preparations are making in +France, such as must precede such a plan as an Italian war. + +Lord Malmesbury entirely agrees with your Majesty that it is desirable +that His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales should visit and remain +at Rome incognito. It is also indispensable that when there His Royal +Highness should receive no foreigner or stranger _alone_, so that +no reports of pretended conversations with such persons could be +circulated without immediate refutation by Colonel Bruce. Lord +Malmesbury will instruct Mr Odo Russell to inform His Holiness of your +Majesty's intentions in respect of the Prince. + + [Footnote 53: Viz. that the Emperor's mind should be diverted + from his project of originating a war in Italy. On the + previous day Lord Malmesbury had written to the Queen: "Lord + Clarendon may have told your Majesty that the Emperor Napoleon + was so ignorant of the locality of Villafranca that he looked + for it on the map in the Adriatic, and was confounded when + Lord Clarendon showed His Majesty that it was the Port of Nice + and ten miles from his frontier!"] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _17th December 1858_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I wrote in such a hurry on Wednesday that I wish to +make amends by writing again to-day, and entering more properly into +what _you_ wrote about in your kind letter.... + +I really _hope_ that there is no _real_ desire for war in the +Emperor's mind; we have also explained to him strongly how _entirely_ +he would _alienate_ us from him if there was any _attempt_ to _disturb +standing and binding treaties_. The Empress-Dowager of Russia[54] is +very ill, they say, with bronchitis and fever. + +I did not tell you, that when we went on the 2nd to Claremont I was +_not_ pleased with the Queen's appearance. She had had a slight cold, +and I thought her very _feeble_. They keep her rooms so fearfully +[hot] that it must really be _very_ weakening for her and predispose +her to cold. I am ever, your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 54: The Empress Alexandra Feodorovna (formerly the + Princess Louise Charlotte of Prussia, sister to King Frederick + William IV.), widow of the Emperor Nicholas.] + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +TO CHAPTER XXVIII + + +Parliamentary Reform was the question of the hour at the outset of the +year 1859, and the Derby Government, though with difficulty able to +maintain itself in power, took the courageous step of introducing +a Reform Bill, the chief feature of which was the introduction of +a franchise based on personal property. Mr Walpole and Mr Henley +thereupon withdrew from the Ministry, and Lord John Russell, +from below the gangway, proposed an Amendment, protesting against +interference with the established freehold franchise, and calling for +a larger extension of the suffrage in towns. Lord Palmerston and the +Liberal Opposition supported the Amendment, while Mr Gladstone, who +was opposed to most of the provisions of the Bill, supported it in +preference to the Amendment, pleading, at the same time, for the +retention of the small boroughs. The Ministry were defeated, and +Parliament thereupon dissolved, but not until the civil functionaries +and all ranks of the native and European army had received its thanks +for the final suppression of the Indian Mutiny. The Ministry gained +twenty-five seats at the polls, but were still in a minority, and as +soon as it was known that Lord John Russell and Lord Palmerston were +reconciled, the end was in sight. A hostile Amendment to the +Address was carried by a majority of thirteen, but on Lord Derby's +resignation, the Queen was placed in a dilemma by the competing claims +of Lord Palmerston and Lord John Russell, who had each been Prime +Minister and leader of the Liberal Party. Unwilling to be compelled to +decide between them, she called upon Lord Granville to form a +Ministry representative of all sections of the Liberal Party; but the +difficulties proved insuperable, and Lord Palmerston eventually formed +a Ministry in which the Whigs, the Peelites, and the Manchester +School were all represented, though Mr Cobden declined to join the +Government. Mr Gladstone, who had returned from the mission he had +undertaken for the Derby Cabinet, and voted with them in the critical +division, became Chancellor of the Exchequer, and kept his seat for +Oxford University by a majority of nearly two hundred. + +The continent of Europe was the scene of a contest between Austria on +the one hand, who was struggling to maintain her position in Italy, +and France with Sardinia on the other. Sardinia, under the guidance of +Cavour, had joined the alliance of England and France against Russia; +and in July 1858 an interview at Plombieres, under rather mysterious +circumstances, between Cavour and Louis Napoleon, led to effective +confederacy; a marriage, arranged or suggested at the same time, +between Princess Clothilde of Sardinia and a cousin of the Emperor, +brought the two illustrious houses still closer together. In the +spring of 1859, Sardinia prepared to take up arms to resist Austrian +predominance, and the assistance of the guerilla leader, Garibaldi, +was obtained. Count Cavour, in reply to interrogatories from the +British Government, stated officially his grievances against Austria, +while Lord Malmesbury despatched Lord Cowley on a special mission to +Vienna to mediate between Austria and France. In April, however, +after a curt summons to the Sardinians to disarm had been disregarded, +Austria invaded Piedmont, and Victor Emmanuel placed himself at the +head of his army. The first engagement took place, with unfavourable +results to the Austrians, at Montebello, followed by French victories +at Palestro and Magenta. A revolution had meanwhile taken place in +Florence. The Grand Duke had fled, and a Commissioner to administer +the affairs of the Grand Duchy had been appointed by the King +of Sardinia with the assent of the Tuscans, who now joined the +Franco-Sardinian alliance, while risings also took place in Parma and +Modena. The Austrians were again defeated at Malegnano, and, on the +8th of June, the French Emperor and King Victor Emmanuel entered Milan +amid great enthusiasm. The bloody action of Solferino was fought +on the 24th of June, but on the 11th of July a treaty of peace was, +somewhat unexpectedly, concluded between the French and Austrian +Emperors at Villafranca, under which an Italian Confederation was to +be erected, Lombardy substantially ceded to Sardinia, the Grand Duke +of Tuscany and the Duke of Modena reinstated, and Venetia, though +included in the Confederation, to remain subject to the Imperial Crown +of Austria; these preliminaries were subsequently converted into +a definite treaty at Zurich. Meanwhile, the newly constituted +representative Assemblies in Tuscany, Romagna, and the Duchies, +unanimously pronounced for incorporation in the kingdom of Victor +Emmanuel. + +At home, on the 14th of October, the Queen opened the Glasgow +waterworks at the outflow of Loch Katrine, the construction of which +had necessitated engineering operations at that time considered +stupendous; a few days later an appalling shipping calamity occurred, +in the wreck of the _Royal Charter_ near Anglesey, and the loss of 459 +lives. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +1859 + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _7th January 1859_. + +The Queen returns Mr Gladstone's letters, and gladly accepts his +patriotic offer.[1] He will have difficulty in solving a delicate +question, affecting national feeling, against time, but his offer +comes most opportunely. + + [Footnote 1: See _ante_, 1st November, 1858. Mr Gladstone + had been sent to enquire into the causes of the + dissatisfaction of the inhabitants of the Ionian Islands + with their High Commissioner, Sir John Young. He now + offered to act himself for a limited time as High + Commissioner, should it be decided to recall Sir John. + He was succeeded in February by Sir Henry Storks.] + + + + +[Pageheading: NATIONAL DEFENCES] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _13th January 1859_. + +As the Cabinet are now meeting, and will probably come to a decision +about the estimates for the year, the Queen thinks it her duty to +urge upon them in the strongest manner her conviction that, under the +present aspect of political affairs in Europe, there will be no safety +to the honour, power, and peace of this country except in Naval and +Military strength. The extraordinary exertions which France is making +in her Naval Department oblige us to exercise the utmost vigour to +keep up a superiority at sea, upon which our very existence may be +said to depend, and which would be already lost at any moment that +France were to be joined by any other country possessing a Navy.[2] +The war in India has drained us of every available Battalion. We +possess at this moment only fourteen old Battalions of the Line within +the three kingdoms, and twelve Second Battalions newly raised, whilst +our Mediterranean possessions are under-garrisoned, and Alderney has +not as yet any garrison at all. Under these circumstances the +Queen has heard it rumoured that the Government intend to propose a +reduction on the estimates of 9,000 men for this year. She trusts that +such an idea, if ever entertained, will upon reflection be given up +as inconsistent with the duty which the Government owe to the country. +Even if it were said that these 9,000 men have only existed on paper, +and have not yet been raised, such an act at this moment would be +indefensible; for it would require a proof that circumstances have +arisen which make it desirable to ask for fewer troops than were +considered requisite when the last estimates were passed, which really +cannot be said to be the case! To be able to raise at any time an +additional 9,000 men (in political danger) without having to go to +Parliament for a supplementary vote and spreading alarm thereby, must +be of the utmost value to the Government, and if not wanted, the vote +will entail no additional expense. + +England will not be listened to in Europe, and be powerless for the +preservation of the general peace, which must be her first object +under the present circumstances, if she is known to be despicably +weak in her military resources, and no statesman will, the Queen +apprehends, maintain that if a European war were to break out she +could hope to remain long out of it. For peace and for war, therefore, +an available Army is a necessity to her. + +The Queen wishes Lord Derby to communicate this letter to the Cabinet. + + [Footnote 2: The French Emperor had signalised the opening of + a new year by an ominous speech. To M. Huebner, the Austrian + Ambassador at Paris, who had attended, with the other foreign + representatives, to offer the usual congratulations on the 1st + of January, he observed: "I regret that the relations between + our two Governments are not more satisfactory; but I beg + you to assure the Emperor that they in no respect alter my + feelings of friendship to himself."] + + + +[Pageheading: THE POPE] + +[Pageheading: THE POPE AND LORD PALMERSTON] + + +_Mr Odo Russell[3] to Mr Corbett._[4] + +(_Submitted to Queen Victoria_.) + + +ROME, _14th January 1859_. + +SIR,--I had the honour of being received by the Pope at a private +audience this morning at the Vatican. No one else was present. + +His Holiness, whose manner towards me was most kind and benevolent, +said: "You are appointed to succeed a very good man,[5] for whom I +felt great affection, and I regret that he has left Rome. You may be +as good as he was, and we shall become friends, but I do not know you +yet, and Mr Lyons I had known for many years; he is going to America, +I hear, and he will find the Americans far more difficult to deal with +than with us. + +"I am much gratified to hear that the Prince of Wales is likely to +visit Rome, and Her Majesty, I feel sure, has done well to allow him +to prosecute his studies here. It will be an honour to me to receive +him at the Vatican, and I beg that you will confer with Cardinal +Antonelli[6] as to the best means of making the Prince's visit here +useful and pleasant. We are anxious that all his wishes should be +attended to, that he may preserve a pleasant recollection of Rome +in the future. Alas! so many erroneous impressions exist about this +country that I hope you will not judge of us too rashly. We are +advised to make reforms, and it is not understood that those very +reforms, which would consist in giving this country a Government of +laymen, would make it cease to exist. It is called 'States of the +Church' (_Etats de l' Eglise_), and that is what it must remain. It +is true I have lately appointed a layman to a post formerly held by an +ecclesiastic, and I may do so again occasionally; but, however small +we may be, we cannot yield to outer pressure, and this country must +be administered by men of the Church. For my part, I shall fulfil my +duties according to my conscience, and should Governments and events +turn against me they cannot make me yield. I shall go with the +faithful to the Catacombs, as did the Christians of the early +centuries, and there await the will of the Supreme Being, for I dread +no human Power upon earth and fear nothing but God." + +"But, Holy Father," I said, "you speak as if some great danger +threatened Rome--is there any [real?] cause for apprehension?" + +"Have you not heard," His Holiness answered, "that great excitement +prevails throughout Italy?--the state of Lombardy is deplorable; evil +spirits are at work even in my dominions, and the late speech of +the King of Sardinia is calculated to inflame the minds of all +the revolutionary men of Italy. It is true he says he will observe +existing Treaties, but that will scarcely counter-balance the effect +produced by other portions of his speech. News has also reached me of +an extensive amnesty granted by the King of Naples--he did not yield +to outer pressure, and he was right--but now, on the occasion of the +marriage of his son, an act of clemency on his part is well advised." + +"Is it true," I said, "that political prisoners are included in that +Amnesty?" + +"Yes," His Holiness answered; "I saw the name of Settembrini, and +I think also of that other man in whom your Government took so much +interest--his name begins with a 'P' if I remember rightly----" + +"Poerio," I suggested. + +"That is the name," the Pope continued; "and I fancy that all the +other political prisoners will be released; they are to be sent to +Cadiz at the expense of the King, they are to be clothed and receive +some money, I believe, and after that arrangements have been made +with the Minister of the United States to have them conveyed to that +country; they are to be exiled for life. I hope this event may +have the effect of making your Government and that of France renew +diplomatic relations with Naples; I always regretted that rupture, but +the King was right not to yield to outer pressure. + +"It is lucky," the Pope ended with a smile, "that Lord Palmerston +is not in office; he was too fond of interfering in the concerns of +foreign countries, and the present crisis would just have suited +him. _Addio, caro_," the Pope then said, and dismissed me with his +blessing. + +I then, according to usage, called on Cardinal Antonelli, and +recounted to him what had passed. He confirmed all the Pope had +said, but denied that there was any very serious cause for immediate +apprehension of any general disturbance of the peace of Italy. I have, +etc., + +ODO RUSSELL. + + [Footnote 3: Secretary of Legation at Florence, resident in + Rome, afterwards Lord Ampthill.] + + [Footnote 4: Secretary of Legation at Florence, afterwards + successively Minister at Rio Janeiro and Stockholm.] + + [Footnote 5: Richard Bickerton Pemell Lyons, who had just been + transferred from Rome to Washington. He had recently succeeded + his father, the Admiral, in the Barony of Lyons, and was + himself subsequently promoted to an Earldom.] + + [Footnote 6: Secretary of Foreign Affairs for the Papal + States.] + + + + +_The Earl of Malmesbury to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _18th January 1859_. + +The Earl of Malmesbury presents his humble duty to the Queen, and +has the honour to inform your Majesty that he has seen the French +Ambassador to-day, who came of his own accord to say that we need be +in no apprehension, of a war _at present_, as the public opinion in +France, especially in the large towns, had been so strongly pronounced +against a war that it was impossible. Lord Malmesbury is also glad to +inform your Majesty that the Cabinet has agreed to-day to make a great +addition to the effective force of your Majesty's Navy. + +Your Majesty's commands are obeyed respecting the telegram to Berlin. + + + + +_The Earl of Malmesbury to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, 25th _January 1859_. + +The Earl of Malmesbury presents his humble duty to the Queen, and +regrets to say that he shares your Majesty's apprehensions. The +Emperor is extremely irritated at our not concurring in his views on +Italy, and Lord Malmesbury believes that nothing will restrain him but +the public opinion expressed against them, in France.[7] Austria +has, against all our advice and common prudence, made a false move by +sending troops into the Papal States _against_ the wish of _the Pope_, +and is now obliged to recall them. The speech of your Majesty is to +be discussed in Cabinet to-day. Lord Derby intended to introduce a +paragraph stating that your Majesty's Alliance with France remained +"unimpaired," but it now appears to us that such a statement might +provoke a question "_why_" it should be made a special one. Lord +Malmesbury entirely agrees with your Majesty as to an allusion to +Treaties. + + [Footnote 7: Yet the Emperor had just written to Queen + Victoria on 20th January: "Le corps legislatif va bientot + s'ouvrir, presque en meme temps que le parlement; je tacherai + d'exprimer dans mon discours tout le desir que j'ai de vivre + toujours en bonne et sincere intelligence avec votre Majeste + et son gouvernement." Early in February the pamphlet _Napoleon + et l'Italie_, nominally written by M. de la Gueronniere, but + inspired by the Emperor, foreshadowed the war in Italy, and + attempted to justify it.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD CANNING] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord Stanley._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _25th January 1859_. + +The Queen thinks that the time is come when the bestowal of some +honour or reward on Lord Canning ought no longer to be delayed. He has +now nearly arrived at the end of his tremendous task of quelling the +Rebellion, and has triumphed over all his many difficulties. If any +man deserves an acknowledgment of his services at the hands of the +Crown, it is surely he, and the Queen would be sorry that the grace +of it should be taken away from her by questions being asked in +Parliament when it is assembled again, which will now be the case very +soon. + +A step in the Peerage and the G.C.B. appear to the Queen an +appropriate reward. Perhaps a pension should be awarded to him? Lord +Elphinstone also ought not to be left unrewarded, and a step in the +Peerage with the G.C.B. does not appear too high an honour for him, +for he also has greatly contributed to the saving to the Indian +Empire.[8] + + [Footnote 8: Lord Canning was made an Earl and Lord + Elphinstone (who had been Governor of Bombay during the + Mutiny) a Peer of the United Kingdom, and both received the + G.C.B.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S FIRST GRANDCHILD] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _2nd February 1859_. + +MY DEAREST, KINDEST UNCLE,--Accept my warmest thanks for your most +kind letter of the 28th. I know how pleased you would be at the +safety of our dear Vicky, and at the birth of our first grandson![9] +Everything goes on so beautifully, Vicky recovering as fast and well +as I did, and the dear little boy improving so much and thriving in +every way.... The joy and interest taken _here_ is as great almost as +in Prussia, which is _very_ gratifying. + +I _think_ that _the Speech_ will do good, but it has not been easy +to frame it, as the feeling _against_ the _Emperor here_ is _very +strong_. I think _yet_ that if _Austria_ is _strong_ and _well +prepared,_ and _Germany strong_ and _well inclined_ towards _us_ (as +_Prussia certainly_ is), France will _not_ be so eager to attempt +what I _firmly_ believe would _end_ in the _Emperor's_ downfall! Old +Malakhoff _himself_ said to the Duchess of Wellington that if the +French had the _slightest defeat ce serait fini avec la Dynastie!_ A +pretty speech for an Ambassador, but a _very true one!_ + +Pray say everything most kind to your dear children and believe me +ever, your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +We are just arrived here, and go back to Windsor to-morrow +_afternoon_. + + [Footnote 9: Frederick William Victor Albert, now German + Emperor, born on the 27th of January.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Malmesbury._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _3rd February 1859_. + +The Queen has this moment received Lord Malmesbury's letter. As she +has not yet written (only telegraphed) to announce to the Emperor the +birth of our grandson (we being in the habit since we know the Emperor +and Empress personally to communicate to one another _reciprocally +family events_), the Queen has an opportunity or a pretext for writing +to the Emperor, and is therefore prepared to do so _to-morrow_. But +as the terms to be used are of the most _vital_ importance, she would +wish Lord Malmesbury to consult forthwith with Lord Derby, and to let +her have "the matter" to be put into the letter _before_ the Queen +_leaves town_, which we do at half-past four this afternoon. + + + + +[Pageheading: LETTER TO THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON] + + +_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._ + +ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _3rd February 1859_. +(_Thursday_,1 P.M.) + +Lord Derby, with his humble duty, and in obedience to your Majesty's +commands, received within this half hour through Lord Malmesbury, +submits the accompanying very hastily drawn sketch of the language +which, in his humble opinion, your Majesty might hold in a private and +confidential letter to the Emperor of the French. Lord Derby is not +sure that it is what your Majesty desired that he should submit; +but he trusts that your Majesty will be pleased to receive it as an +attempt to obey your Majesty's commands, and will excuse its many +imperfections on account of the extreme haste in which it has +unavoidably been written. + +"I cannot refrain from taking this opportunity of expressing +confidentially to your Imperial Majesty my deep anxiety for the +preservation of the peace of Europe, nor can I conceal from myself how +essentially that great object must depend upon the course which your +Imperial Majesty may be advised to take. Your Majesty has now the +opportunity, either by listening to the dictates of humanity and +justice, and by demonstrating unmistakably your intention to adhere +strictly to the faithful observance of Treaties, of calming the +apprehensions of Europe, and restoring her confidence in your +Majesty's pacific policy; or, by permitting yourself to be influenced +by the ambitious or interested designs of others, of involving Europe +in a war, the extent and termination of which can hardly be foreseen, +and which, whatever glory it may add to the arms of France, cannot +but interfere materially with her internal prosperity and financial +credit. I am sure that your Majesty will not doubt the sincerity of +the friendship which alone induces me to write thus unreservedly to +your Majesty, and if anything could add to the sorrow with which I +should view the renewal of war in Europe, it would be to see your +Majesty entering upon a course with which it would be impossible for +England to associate herself."[10] + + [Footnote 10: The Queen accordingly wrote a letter, which + is printed in the _Life of the Prince Consort_, assuring the + Emperor that rarely had any man had such an opportunity as was + now his for exercising a personal influence for the peace + of Europe, and that, by faithful observance of Treaty + obligations, he might calm international anxieties.] + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _4th February 1859_. + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--... Heaven knows what dance our Emperor +_Napoleon Troisieme de nom_ will lead us. In a few days he will have +to make his speech. I fear he is determined on that Italian War. The +discussions in Parliament may influence him; I fear party spirit in +lieu of a good and right sense of what is the interest of Europe. It +was praiseworthy that you said in your Speech that _treaties_ must be +respected, else indeed we return to the old _Faustrecht_ we have been +striving to get rid of. It is curious that your speech has made the +funds fall again: I presume they hoped at Paris that you would have +been able to say that you congratulated Parliament on the prospect +of peace being preserved. For us poor people who find ourselves _aux +premieres loges_, these uncertainties are most unsatisfactory. Your +devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE INDIAN ARMY] + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN AND LORD STANLEY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE. _5th February 1859_. + +With regard to a decision which will have to be taken when the report +of the Indian Army Commission shall have been received, the Queen +thinks it incumbent upon her not to leave Lord Derby in ignorance of +her firm determination not to sanction, under any form, the creation +of a British Army, distinct from that known at present as the Army of +the Crown. + +She would consider it dangerous to the maintenance of India, to the +dependence of the Indian Empire on the mother country, and to her +Throne in these realms. + +Such an Army would be freed from the proper control of the +constitutional monarchy. It would be removed from the direct command +of the Crown, and entirely independent of Parliament. It would throw +an unconstitutional amount of power and patronage into the hands of +the Indian Council and Government; it would be raised and maintained +in antagonism to the Regular Army of the Crown; and professional +jealousy, and personal and private interests, would needs drive it +into a position of permanent hostility towards that Army. + +This hostility has been already strongly marked in the proceedings of +the Commission itself. + +Its detrimental effects would not be confined to India alone, but +would form a most dangerous obstacle to the maintenance of the +government of the Regular Army by the Queen. Already, during +the Crimean War, most of the blows levelled at the Army and the +prerogative of the Crown were directed by Indian officers, of whom, +in future, a vast number would be at home, without employment or +recognised position, in compact organisation, and moved by a unity of +feeling. + +There may be points of detail, admitting differences of opinion as to +the relative advantages of a purely local or general Military Force +for India; but these are mere trifles, which sink into insignificance +in the Queen's estimation, when she has to consider the duty which she +owes to her Crown and her Country. + +The Queen hopes Lord Derby will not consider that she intends, by this +letter, unduly to influence his free consideration and decision as +to the advice he may think it his duty to offer, but merely to guard +against his being taken by surprise, and to prevent, if possible, an +unseemly public difference between herself and Lord Stanley. She is +impelled to the apprehension that such may arise from the manner in +which, since the first transfer of the Indian Government to the Crown, +every act of Lord Stanley has uniformly tended to place the Queen in a +position which would render her helpless and powerless in resisting a +scheme which certain persons, imbued with the old Indian traditions, +would appear to wish to force upon the Crown. + +The Queen does not expect an answer to this letter from Lord Derby, +and asks him to treat it as strictly confidential. + +The Queen sees that Lord Stanley means to make a statement on Monday +on the Indian Finances. She trusts that there will be nothing said in +that statement to prejudge the Army Question. + + + + +_Decipher from Lord Cowley._ + +PARIS, _6th February 1859_. +(1 A.M. _Received_ 4 A.M.) + +A great change for the better. The Queen's letter has produced an +excellent effect, as also the Debates in Parliament.[11] The Emperor +has expressed himself ready to subscribe to every word of Lord Derby's +speech. + + [Footnote 11: Parliament was opened by the Queen in person on + the 3rd; the ensuing debates, and especially the speeches of + the Liberal leaders, showed that, however much the English + nation, as a whole, might sympathise with Italian aspirations + for the expulsion of the Austrians from Lombardy, they would + regard unfavourably a war commenced in defiance of Treaty + obligations.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE INDIAN ARMY] + + +_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._ + +ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _6th February 1859_. + +Lord Derby, with his humble duty, submits to your Majesty his +respectful acknowledgment of the explicitness with which the letter he +had the honour of receiving last night conveys to him the intimation +of your Majesty's views upon the important subject of the Indian Army. +He cannot, however, disguise from your Majesty the deep pain which +that communication has occasioned him; first, that your Majesty should +think that Lord Stanley has so far mistaken his duty as systematically +to place your Majesty in a false position; and next because unless +Lord Derby misconceives the purport of your Majesty's letter, he fears +that it may leave him no alternative but that of humbly entreating to +be relieved from a responsibility which nothing should have induced +him to undertake but a sense of duty to your Majesty, and the +conviction that he might rely with confidence upon your Majesty's +continued support. It would ill become Lord Derby to attempt to +argue a question on which your Majesty has expressed so strong a +determination; he has studiously avoided taking any step which might +prejudge a question so important as the organisation of your Majesty's +Forces in India. He has awaited the report of the Commission appointed +to enquire into the subject, and though aware of the wide difference +of opinion which prevailed, has desired impartially to weigh and +examine the arguments adduced on both sides, and he has in the +meantime refused to give his sanction to a proposition, earnestly +pressed upon the Government by Lord Canning, for immediately raising +additional regiments for Indian Service. But the announcement of +your Majesty's determination (if he rightly understands it), under no +circumstances to continue an European Army in India, under terms of +service different from those of the Line, paid out of Indian Revenues, +and officered by men educated for that especial service, and looking +to India for their whole career, places Lord Derby in a position of no +little embarrassment; for notwithstanding the gracious intimation that +your Majesty does not desire unduly to influence his judgment as to +the advice which he may tender, it amounts to a distinct warning +that if tendered in a particular direction it has no chance of being +accepted by your Majesty. Nor, with that knowledge on his part not +shared by his colleagues, can he freely discuss with them the course +which they may consider it their duty to pursue. + +Lord Derby humbly trusts, therefore, that your Majesty will be +graciously pleased, so far as the members of the Government are +concerned, to absolve him from the obligation of secrecy, and to allow +him to place before them a state of things which may lead to the most +serious results, so far as their power of serving your Majesty is +concerned. + +Lord Derby will give Lord Stanley a caution not to say anything in +his statement of Indian Finance which may prejudge the question of a +single or separate armies; but he hardly thinks the caution necessary, +as European troops, whether in one Service or in two, will equally be +chargeable to the revenues of India, which will only be affected by +the proportion which the whole of the European may bear to the whole +of the native forces. + +Lord Derby hopes that he may be permitted to offer his humble +congratulations to your Majesty on the very favourable reports +received from Paris by telegraph, and upon the highly satisfactory +effects produced by your Majesty's private letter to the Emperor. + +The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's most dutiful Servant +and Subject, + +DERBY. + + + + +[Pageheading: INDIVISIBILITY OF ARMY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _7th February 1859_. + +The Queen is very sorry to learn from Lord Derby's letter, received +last evening, that her communication to him on the Indian Army +question had caused him deep pain. She had long hesitated whether +she should write it, from a fear that its purport and motive might +possibly be misunderstood; but feeling that there ought to exist +nothing but the most unreserved and entire confidence between herself +and her Prime Minister, she thought it incumbent upon her to let Lord +Derby see exactly what was passing in her mind. + +If, notwithstanding the Queen's expressed hope that Lord Derby might +not consider the communication as intended unduly to influence his +free consideration of the important subject, he should feel that +its possession, without being at liberty to communicate it to his +colleagues, does so in effect, she would ask him to return it to her, +and to consider it as not having been written. If he should think, +however, that a communication of the Queen's views to the Cabinet is +due to them, she is quite prepared to make one. In that case it would +naturally have to be differently worded, would omit every reference to +Lord Stanley, and might go more into detail. + +The Queen cannot close this letter without correcting some +misapprehensions into which Lord Derby seems to have fallen. It was +not the Queen's intention to impute any motives of systematic action +to Lord Stanley; she referred simply to facts and steps, known as well +to Lord Derby as to herself, which "uniformly tended" to place her in +a powerless position with regard to the Army question. + +The Queen protested against "the _creation_ of a British Army distinct +(in its existence and constitutional position) from that of the +Crown," and not against the "_continuance_ of an European Army, under +terms of service different from the Line, paid out of Indian Revenues, +and officered by men educated for that special service, and looking to +India for their whole career." In fact, she does not understand what +meaning Lord Derby attaches to the words "terms of service." Every +force kept in India, however constituted, would be paid out of Indian +Revenues. _This_ would therefore not form the distinction, and Lord +Derby cannot intend to convey that on these revenues one set of +Englishmen can have a greater claim than another; nor does she see +why English officers, commanding English soldiers and charged with +the maintenance of _their_ discipline and efficiency, should for +that object require to be specially and differently educated, and be +restricted to look to India for their whole career. Officers attached +to native troops are in a different position. + + + + +[Pageheading: MISAPPREHENSION REMOVED] + + +_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._ + +ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _7th February 1859_. + +Lord Derby, with his humble duty, submits to your Majesty his grateful +acknowledgments for your Majesty's most gracious note received this +evening, the contents, and still more the tenor of which have relieved +him from the painful apprehension that he might be called upon to +choose between a strong sense of public duty, and, on the other side, +his deep devotion to your Majesty's service, and his gratitude for the +favourable consideration which his imperfect attempts to discharge +his public duty had always received at your Majesty's hand. The +explanation, with which he has now been honoured, of your Majesty's +views has entirely dispelled those apprehensions, and he feels that +he has only to thank your Majesty for the gracious explanation, with +which he has been honoured, of your Majesty's motives in addressing to +him the letter which certainly caused him "deep pain."...[12] + + [Footnote 12: Lord Derby then proceeded to deal at some length + with the status of the troops in India, concluding with the + opinion that the local forces in India should never exceed + those sent from home as part of the Regular Army, subject to + the ordinary routine of service.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _8th February 1859_. + +The Queen has received Lord Derby's letter of yesterday, and is +pleased to find that he now appreciates the motives which dictated her +first letter. It needs no assurance on her side that she never doubted +those which actuate Lord Derby. The Queen will, in compliance with +his request, defer any further notice of the subject until the +Commissioners shall have made their report; it would not be fair, +however, to Lord Derby, not to add that she fears from his explanation +that he has not now correctly estimated the nature of the Queen's +objection, which is not to a variety of forces, terms of service, +local or general employment, etc., etc., etc., established in one +Army, but to the principle of _two_ British Armies. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE EMPEROR'S SPEECH] + + +_Queen Victoria to General Peel._[13] + +_13th February 1859_. + +The Queen relies with confidence that when the question of the Indian +Army comes before the Cabinet, General Peel will stoutly defend the +interests of the Crown and the British Army. On the opinion which he +will give and maintain much of their decision must depend, and unless +he speaks out boldly the Indian Secretary will have it all his own +way. + + [Footnote 13: General Jonathan Peel, brother of Sir Robert + Peel (the Premier), and Secretary of State for War.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _15th February 1859_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--We came here to _settle_ yesterday--and also here +Spring seems _wonderfully forward!_ It can't last--and frost is _sure_ +to _follow_ and cut off everything. At Windsor and Frogmore everything +is budding--willow I see is green--rose-leaves _out_, and birds +singing like in May! + +Accept my warmest thanks for your kind letter of the 11th. I _still_ +hope that matters _will cool_ down--the Emperor _personally_ expressed +regret to Huebner for his words, disclaiming the construction put upon +them, and saying that _no one could dispute_ the right of Austria to +her Italian possessions.[14] He has not written to me lately, but I +wrote him ten days ago a long friendly letter, speaking out _plainly_ +our fears for the future, and urging him to aid us in averting the +calamity of _War_.... + +Our Parliament is as quiet as possible as _yet_, but it will soon have +more cause for _action_ and excitement.... + +Bertie's interview with the Pope went off extremely well. He was +extremely kind and gracious, and Colonel Bruce was present; it would +never have done to have let Bertie go alone, as they might hereafter +have pretended, God knows! what Bertie had said.... With Albert's +love, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 14: See _ante_, 13th January, 1859, note 2.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE EMPEROR OF AUSTRIA] + + +_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _21st February 1859_. + +Lord Derby, with his humble duty, and in obedience to the commands +which he had the honour of receiving from your Majesty last night, +submits the following suggestions, as embodying the substance of what, +in his humble judgment your Majesty might address with advantage in a +private letter to the Emperor of Austria. + +Your Majesty might say, that deeply penetrated with the conviction +of the duty imposed upon your Majesty of acting on the principles +enunciated in the speech from the Throne, of exercising whatever +influence your Majesty could employ for the preservation of +the general peace, your Majesty had looked with anxiety to the +circumstances which threatened its continued existence. That your +Majesty was unable to see in those circumstances, any which were +beyond the reach of diplomatic skill, if there were only a mutual +desire, on the part of the Chief Powers concerned, to give fair play +to its exercise. That the only source of substantial danger was the +present state of Italy; and that even in that there would be little +danger of interruption to the general tranquillity, were it not for +the antagonism excited by interests and engagements, real or supposed, +of France and Austria. + +That your Majesty believed that the supposed divergence of these +interests and engagements might be capable of reconciliation if +entered into with mutual frankness, and with a mutual disposition to +avoid the calamities of war; but that, as it appeared to your Majesty, +neither party would be willing to invite the other to a friendly +discussion of the points of difference between them. + +That in this state of affairs your Majesty, as a mutual friend of both +Sovereigns, and having no individual interests to serve, entertained +the hope that by the spontaneous offer of good offices, your Majesty +might be the means of establishing certain bases, on which the Powers +mainly interested might subsequently enter into amicable negotiations +with regard to the questions chiefly in dispute, or threatening +serious results. + +Of these, the most pressing are those which relate to the Italian +Peninsula. + +That your Majesty, anxiously revolving in your mind the question how +your Majesty's influence could best be brought to bear, had come to +the conclusion that your Majesty's Ambassador at Paris, having +the fullest knowledge of the views entertained by that Court, and +possessing your Majesty's entire confidence, might usefully be +intrusted with a highly confidential, but wholly unofficial mission, +for the purpose of ascertaining whether there were any possibility +consistently with the views of the two Courts of offering such +suggestions as might be mutually acceptable as the basis of future +arrangements; and, if such should happily be found to be the case, of +offering them simultaneously to the two parties, as the suggestions of +a mutual friend. + +That your Majesty trusted His R.I.A.[15] Majesty would look upon this +communication in the truly friendly light in which it was intended, +and that Lord Cowley, in his unofficial and confidential character, +might be permitted fully to develop the views which your Majesty +entertained, and to meet with the most favourable consideration of his +suggestions from His R.I.A. Majesty. + +Lord Derby, before submitting the above to your Majesty, has thought +it right to communicate it to Lord Malmesbury and Lord Cowley, and he +is enabled to say that it meets with their entire concurrence.[16] +He will be highly gratified if he is permitted to know that it is +honoured by your Majesty's gracious approval. All which is humbly +submitted by your Majesty's most dutiful Servant and Subject, + +DERBY. + + [Footnote 15: Royal and Imperial Apostolic.] + + [Footnote 16: The Queen acted on this advice, and wrote a + letter on the 22nd to the Emperor of Austria, on the lines of + Lord Derby's suggestions. The material parts of it are printed + in the _Life of the Prince Consort_, vol. iv. chap. 92.] + + + + +[Pageheading: CHURCH RATES] + + +_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._ + +HOUSE OF COMMONS, _21st February 1859_. +(_Monday._) + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer, with his humble duty to your Majesty, +informs your Majesty that the Government measure on Church Rates was +introduced to-night, in a very full House, and was received with so +much favour that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has every belief that +it will pass. This is very unexpected, and the satisfactory settlement +of this long agitated and agitating question will be a great relief +to public life, and tend to restore and augment the good-humour of the +country.[17] + +It is generally rumoured that, on Friday next, Lord Palmerston is to +move a vote of censure upon your Majesty's Government with respect to +their Foreign Policy. The Chancellor of the Exchequer scarcely credits +this, and would rather suppose that the formal censure will take the +shape of a rattling critique, preceding some Motion for papers. + + + [Footnote 17: Since the Braintree case in 1853, no rate could + legally be levied except by the majority of the rate-payers. + The present Bill was designed to exempt Dissenters from + payment, excluding them at the same time from voting on the + subject in the vestry meeting. Sir John Trelawney, the leader + of the Abolitionist party in the House, however, procured + the rejection of the proposed measure, and a solution was not + arrived at till 1868.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD COWLEY'S MISSION] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _1st March 1859_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Many thanks for your kind letter of the 25th. +Matters remain much in the same state. Lord Cowley arrived on Sunday +at Vienna, but we know nothing positive yet. I much fear the obstinacy +of Austria. + +It will indeed be a blessing if _we_ could do something not only to +avert the war for the present, but to prevent the _causes_ of it, for +the future. Nothing but improvement in the Italian Governments _can_ +bring about a _better state_ of things. What is _really_ the matter +with the King of Naples[18]? + +We found the poor Queen really very tolerably well at Claremont on +Saturday. She is decidedly better than when we saw her at the end +of November. Poor Joinville is suffering from an accident to his bad +knee. + +Here our Reform Bill has been brought in yesterday.[19] It is +moderate, and ... [Lord John] has therefore allied himself with Mr +Bright and Mr Roebuck against it! He has _no_ other followers. The +Debate on Foreign Affairs on Friday was extremely moderate, and can +only have done good.[20] + +It is rumoured that you are going to Berlin to the Christening, but +I doubt it! Oh! dearest Uncle, it _almost breaks_ my heart _not_ to +witness our _first grandchild_ christened! I don't think I _ever_ felt +so bitterly disappointed _about anything_ as about this! And then it +is an _occasion_ so gratifying to both _Nations_, which brings them +_so much_ together, that it is _most_ peculiarly mortifying! It is a +_stupid law_ in Prussia, I must say, to be so particular about having +the child christened so soon. However, it is now no use lamenting; +please God! we shall be more fortunate another time! With Albert's +affectionate love, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +Affectionate love to your children. When does Philip go to Italy? + + [Footnote 18: Ferdinand II., known as Bomba, died on the 22nd + of May in the same year.] + + [Footnote 19: See _ante_, Introductory Note to Chapter XXVIII.] + + [Footnote 20: In this debate Lord Palmerston urged the + Ministry to mediate between Austria and France, in order + to obtain their simultaneous withdrawal from Rome, and Mr + Disraeli announced the confidential mission of Lord Cowley as + "one of peace and conciliation."] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE EMPEROR'S REPLY] + + +_The Emperor of Austria to Queen Victoria._ + +VIENNE, _le 8 Mars 1859_. + +MADAME ET CHERE S[OE]UR,--J'ai recu des mains de Lord Cowley la lettre +que votre Majeste a bien voulu lui confier et dont le contenu m'a +offert un nouvel et precieux temoignage de l'amitie et de la confiance +qu'elle m'a vouees, ainsi que des vues elevees qui dirigent sa +politique. Lord Cowley a ete aupres de moi le digne interprete des +sentimens de votre Majeste, et je me plais a lui rendre la justice, +qu'il s'est acquitte avec le zele eclaire, dont il a deja fourni tant +de preuves, de la mission confidentielle dont il etait charge. + +J'ai hautement apprecie les motifs qui vous ont inspire la pensee +de m'envoyer un organe de confiance pour echanger nos idees sur les +dangers de la situation. Je m'associe a tous les desirs, que forme +votre Majeste pour le maintien de la paix, et ce n'est pas sur moi que +pesera la responsabilite de ceux, qui evoquent des dangers de guerre +sans pouvoir articuler une seule cause de guerre. + +Lord Cowley connait les points de vue auxquels j'envisage les +questions qui forment l'objet ou le pretexte des divergences d'opinion +qui subsistent entre nous et la France; il sait aussi que nous +sommes disposes a contribuer a leur solution dans l'esprit le plus +conciliant, en tant qu'on n'exige pas de nous des sacrifices que ne +saurait porter aucune Puissance qui se respecte. Je forme des +v[oe]ux pour que votre Majeste puisse tirer parti des elemens que Lui +apportera son Ambassadeur, dans l'interet du maintien de la paix que +nous avons egalement a c[oe]ur. + +Mais quelles que soient les chances et les epreuves que l'avenir nous +reserve, j'aime a me livrer a l'espoir que rien ne portera atteinte +aux rapports d'amitie et d'union que je suis heureux de cultiver avec +votre Majeste, et que Ses sympathies seront acquises a la cause que je +soutiens et qui est celle de tous les Etats independans. + +C'est dans ces sentimens que je renouvelle a votre Majeste l'assurance +de l'amitie sincere et de l'inalterable attachement avec lesquels +je suis, Madame et chere S[oe]ur, de votre Majeste, le bon et devoue +frere et ami, + +FRANCOIS JOSEPH. + + + + +[Pageheading: A PROPOSED CONFERENCE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Malmesbury._ + +_20th March 1859._ + +The Queen has received Lord Malmesbury's letter[21] written before +the Cabinet yesterday. The Memorandum of Lord Cowley and the telegrams +from Vienna give better hopes of the idea of Congress or Conference +leading to a good result. Everything will now depend upon the Emperor +Napoleon's acceptance of the conditions on which Austria is willing +to agree to a Conference. The Queen would like to have a copy of Lord +Cowley's memorandum.[22] + + [Footnote 21: Lord Cowley had returned from his mission to + Vienna, and was now again at Paris. The complexion of affairs + had been changed by a suggestion on the part of Russia (which + may or may not have been ultimately prompted from Paris) for + a Conference between England, France, Austria, Prussia and + Russia, to settle the Italian Question. Cavour pressed for the + admission of Piedmont to the Conference.] + + [Footnote 22: Lord Malmesbury's letter to Lord Cowley, written + immediately after the Cabinet, enjoined him to impress upon + the Emperor that England would only address herself to the + four points--evacuation of the Roman States by foreign troops, + reform, security for Sardinia, and a substitute for the + treaties of 1847 between Austria and the Duchies.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Malmesbury._ + +OSBORNE, _22nd March 1859_. + +The Queen thanks Lord Malmesbury for his communication of yesterday, +which she received this morning. She quite approves the steps taken +by the Government,[23] and concurs in Lord Malmesbury's views. If the +understanding about a Conference first of the five Powers, and then +of the Italian States with them, _could be_ so far come to that France +and Austria agree with us upon the conditions on which it is to take +place, we need not wait for Russia's proposing it. She is evidently +playing, as she always does, a double game, and from Sir John +Crampton's[24] letter it appears that she never meant to propose a +Congress, but merely to _accept_ one, for ulterior objects. + + [Footnote 23: An attempt to obtain the disarmament of Austria + and Sardinia, and a proposal to obtain the co-operation of + France, in guaranteeing to defend Sardinia against invasion + by Austria for five years, unless Sardinia left her own + territory. On the 23rd, Lord Malmesbury wrote that all the + great Powers, except Austria, had agreed to a Congress upon + the conditions laid down by the British Government.] + + [Footnote 24: English Ambassador at St Petersburg, formerly + Minister at Washington; see _ante_, 12th December, 1856, + note 61. He had succeeded to the baronetcy in 1858.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Malmesbury._ + +OSBORNE, _27th March 1859_. + +The Queen trusts that Lord Malmesbury will act with the utmost +circumspection in answering the many telegrams crossing each other +from all directions respecting the proposed Congress. An understanding +with Austria on every point ought, if possible, to precede our giving +our opinion to France or Russia. If they can _once_ get the Powers +to agree upon a point upon which Austria disagrees, they have won the +game, and the Emperor can proceed to his war, having a declaration of +Europe against Austria as his basis. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Malmesbury._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _12th April 1859_. + +The Queen has marked a passage in this draft, which she thinks it +would be advisable to modify--so as not to _put_ upon _record_ (should +the Austrians refuse to give way on this point) that we consider their +conduct as "_reckless_." Should they persist, they would certainly not +meet with as much sympathy as they would do if they yielded, and +such a course on their part would be very much to be regretted, as +we consider every sacrifice small, in comparison to the blessings +of preserving peace; but still Austria would have a perfect right to +stand out--and we originally supported her in this demand. + +If something which _expressed_ the _above_ sentiments and opinions +could therefore be substituted for the present passage, the Queen +thinks it would be very desirable _for the future_, both as regards +Austria and England. + + + + +[Pageheading: ENGLAND AND AUSTRIA] + + +_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _21st April 1859_. + +Lord Derby, with his humble duty, submits to your Majesty that it +has appeared to him, in consultation with his colleagues, with the +exception of Lord Hardwicke and Sir John Pakington, who are out of +Town, that the only step which can properly be taken at present is to +protest strongly against the course which Austria is now taking, and +to warn her that whatever may be the results to herself, she deprives +herself of all claim to the support or countenance of England.[25] +Your Majesty will see by another telegram, received a few minutes ago +from Lord Cowley, that Huebner!! advises that England should threaten +to come to the aid of Sardinia, if the contemplated invasion should +take place! Your Majesty's servants are not, however, prepared to take +so strong a step, which would commit them to measures to which they +might be unable at the moment to give due effect; and which, if +Austria were to disregard the measure, would involve them in War as +the Allies of France. They have therefore limited themselves to +a protest, the terms of which will require to be very carefully +considered before it is embodied in a despatch. Lord Malmesbury will +submit to your Majesty by this messenger the terms of his telegram.... +To appeal at once to arms, when no question, except this of form, +remained unsettled as to the meeting of Congress, and the subjects +to be then discussed, had been unanimously agreed to, appears to Lord +Derby to indicate a reckless determination to go to war which it will +be very difficult to justify in the eyes of Europe. + +_For the moment_ these events rather diminish than increase the +probability of a rupture with France, while they will task her means +to the uttermost, and not improbably overthrow her personal dynasty! + + [Footnote 25: On the 19th, Count Buol despatched an emissary, + Baron Kellersberg, to Turin, with a summons to Sardinia to + disarm, under the threat of immediate hostilities if she + declined. Sardinia indignantly refused, whereupon the Austrian + troops crossed the Ticino.] + + + + +[Pageheading: WAR IMMINENT] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th April 1859_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I hardly know _what_ to say, so confused and +bewildered are we by the reports which come in three or four times a +day! I have _no hope_ of peace _left_. Though it is _originally_ the +wicked folly of Russia and France that have brought about this fearful +crisis, it is the madness and blindness of Austria which have brought +on the war _now!_[26] It has put _them_ in the wrong, and entirely +changed the feeling here, which was all that one could desire, into +the most _vehement_ sympathy for _Sardinia_, though we hope now again +to be able to _throw_ the blame of the war on France, who _now_ won't +hear of mediation, while Austria is again inclined to do so! + +It is a melancholy, sad Easter; but what grieves me the most (indeed, +distracts me)--for I have had nothing but disappointments in that +quarter since November--is that in all probability Vicky will be +unable to come in May! It quite _distracts me_. You also must be very +anxious about dear Charlotte; I hope she will not remain at Trieste, +but go to Vienna. Her being in Italy is really _not_ safe.... Now with +kind loves to your children, ever your affectionate and devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 26: Referring to an understanding reported to have + been arrived at between France and Russia, the suspicion + of which created great indignation in England. Prince + Gortschakoff and the French Emperor, in answer to enquiries, + gave conflicting explanations.] + + + + +_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._ + +ROEHAMPTON, _27th April 1859_. + +... Lord Derby has thought it necessary, in consequence of the +attitude assumed by Russia, notwithstanding her assurances that there +is nothing hostile to England in her secret treaty with France, to +call upon Sir J. Pakington to say what addition could be made to +the Channel Fleet within a period of two or three months, without +weakening that in the Mediterranean. He has the honour of enclosing +the answer, which he has just received by messenger. Lord Derby +proposes to go up to Town to confer with Sir J. Pakington on this +important subject to-morrow, and Lord Malmesbury has summoned a +Cabinet for Friday to consider the general state of affairs. + +France having absolutely refused the proffered mediation of England, +and Austria having only accepted it under the condition of the +disarmament of Sardinia, every effort to preserve the peace has been +exhausted; and it only remains for this country to watch the course +of events, to protect her own interests, and to look out for any +opportunity which may offer to mediate between the contending parties. +This policy, announced by Lord Derby in the City on Monday,[27] was +received with unanimous approval. It will require a great deal to +induce the country to be drawn into a war under any circumstances, and +Lord Derby's anxious efforts will not be wanting to avoid it as long +as possible. + + [Footnote 27: He had there described Austria's action as + hasty, precipitate, and (because involving warfare) criminal, + but the Government would still (he added) strive to avert war, + by urging Austria, under the Treaty of Paris, to invoke the + mediation of the Powers. The Derby Government, however, were + supposed to be giving encouragement to Austria. See Lord + Derby's letter of the 2nd of June, _post_.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD DERBY'S POLICY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _29th April 1859_. + +The Queen has read the last telegrams with much pain, as they show +that there is no chance left of stopping war. Indeed she thinks, +considering the progress of revolution in the Duchies, and the daily +increase of military strength of France and financial exhaustion of +Austria, that it would not be morally defensible to try to restrain +Austria from defending herself while she still can. + +Count Buol's proposal to continue negotiations during the fight +sounds strange, but ought not to be altogether put aside. The King of +Sardinia's assumption of the Government of Tuscany[28] and military +occupation of Massa-Carrara form gross infractions of the Treaties of +1815 and international law, and can hardly be left without a protest +from us. + +Has Lord Derby heard that a Russian Fleet is expected soon to appear +in the Black Sea? The Queen has just heard it from Berlin, where it is +supposed to be certain, and it would explain Lord Cowley's report +of (the Queen believes) Prince Napoleon's[29] account of the Russian +engagements, which are admitted to contemplate a junction of +the French and Russian Fleets to defend the Treaty closing the +Dardanelles. + + [Footnote 28: See _ante_, Introductory Note to Chapter XXVIII. + The Duchy of Modena and the Grand Duchy of Tuscany were in + revolution, and the Duchy of Parma soon followed their example.] + + [Footnote 29: See _post_, 1st May, 1859, note 30.] + + + + +[Pageheading: FRANCE AND RUSSIA] + + +_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._ + +ROEHAMPTON, _1st May 1859_. +(_Sunday night_, 12 P.M.) + +... Lord Derby entirely concurs in your Majesty's opinion that no +credit is to be attached to the denials of the French or Russian +Governments in regard to the engagements subsisting between them.[30] +It is very easy to convey denials in terms which are literally true, +but practically and in spirit false; and Lord Derby has no doubt but +that France is well assured that in any case she may rely upon the +tacit assistance, if not the active co-operation, of Russia; and that +both Powers are using their utmost endeavours to excite troubles +in the East, as well as in Italy, as the result of which France may +gratify her cherished designs of ambition in the latter, while Russia +carries on her projects of aggrandisement in the former. This is a +lamentable state of affairs; but it is Lord Derby's duty to assure +your Majesty that no Government which could be formed in this country +could hope to carry public opinion with it in taking an active part, +as matters now stand, in opposition to France and Russia, if in truth +they are acting in concert, as Lord Derby believes that they are. All +that can be done is to maintain the principle of strict neutrality +in regard to the affairs of Italy, and probably of Montenegro also, +though there is not sufficient evidence of facts in that case to +justify a positive conclusion. But in the meantime everything shows +more conclusively the absolute necessity for the increase of your +Majesty's Naval Force,[31] which was determined at the Council +yesterday, and respecting which it will be necessary, on the very +first day of the meeting of the new Parliament, to call for an +explicit expression of opinion. + +Your Majesty enquires as to a supposed pledge given by the Emperor of +the French as to a denial of any Treaty with Sardinia. So far as +Lord Derby can recollect at this moment, there never was more than an +assurance that so long as Austria remained within her own limits, he +would not interfere; and that he would not support Sardinia, unless +she were herself invaded in any _unjustifiable_ attack on Austria; +and there was also a denial in the _Moniteur_, to which your Majesty +probably refers, of there having been any engagement entered into _as +a condition of the marriage_.[32] These are just the denials to +which Lord Derby has already adverted, which appear at first sight +satisfactory, but which may be afterwards explained away, so as to +escape the charge of absolute falsehood. + +Lord Derby trusts that your Majesty will have understood, and excused, +his absence from the Council on Saturday, in consequence of the +misunderstanding as to the time appointed. + + [Footnote 30: Lord Cowley, in a letter of the 29th of April + to Lord Malmesbury, described an interview with the Emperor of + the French, when the latter denied in terms the existence of + a signed Treaty between France and Russia. But, as Lord Cowley + added, there might be moral engagements which might easily + lead to a more specific alliance.] + + [Footnote 31: The Emperor had interrogated Lord Cowley as to + this.] + + [Footnote 32: In July 1858, the joint action of France and + Sardinia had been concerted at the confidential interview + at Plombieres, between the Emperor and Cavour, the former + undertaking to assist Sardinia, under certain contingencies, + against Austria. On the same occasion the marriage was + suggested of the Princess Clothilde of Sardinia to the Prince + Napoleon Joseph Paul, son of Prince Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte. + An interesting account of the events of this time, and of the + character and aims of Cavour, will be found in De la Gorce's + _Histoire du Second Empire_; see especially vol. ii. book 14.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE POSITION OF FRANCE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Malmesbury._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _3rd May 1859_. + +The Queen has carefully read the enclosed draft. She thinks that, +without saying anything offensive to France,[33] this important +document would not place matters before that Power in the world in +accordance with the facts, and would lead to erroneous inferences +if it left out altogether, as it does, any reference to the +responsibility which France has had in bringing about the present +state of affairs.... Austria and Sardinia are spoken of as the +offenders, and blamed, not without sufficient ground, for the parts +which they have respectively acted, and France is treated as if +standing on a line with us in fostering civilisation, liberty, and +peace. The inference would be that _we_ forsake her in her noble +course, and deserve again the name of "_perfide Albion_." + +The Queen would ask Lord Malmesbury to consider this. For the sake of +showing how she thinks the omissions dangerous to our position might +be supplied, she has added some pencil remarks. + + [Footnote 33: _I.e._, if the despatch were to abstain from + reprobating the French policy.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE GENERAL ELECTION] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _3rd May 1859_. + +DEAREST UNCLE,--Many thanks for you dear, kind letter of the 30th. God +knows we _are_ in a sad mess. The rashness of the Austrians is indeed +a _great_ misfortune, for it has placed them in the wrong. Still there +is _one_ universal feeling of _anger_ at the conduct of France, and +of _great suspicion_. The Treaty with Russia is _denied_, but I am +perfectly certain that there _are engagements_.... + +Here the Elections are not as satisfactory as could be wished, but the +Government still think they will have a clear gain of 25 to 30 seats, +which will make a difference of 50 or 60 votes on a Division. It +gives unfortunately no majority; still, it must be remembered that the +Opposition are very much divided, and not at all a compact body, which +the supporters of the Government are.[34] + +Lord John has been holding moderate and prudent language on Foreign +Affairs, whereas Lord Palmerston has made bad and mischievous +speeches, but _not_ at all in accordance with the feelings of +the country. The country wishes for strict neutrality, but strong +defences, and we are making our Navy as strong as we can. + +You ask me if Louis Oporto[35] is grown? He is, and his figure much +improved. He is a good, kind, amiable boy whom one must like. He has +sailed this morning with the Bridegroom, and on the 16th or 17th we +may expect them back with the dear young Bride. + +I venture to send you a letter I received some days ago from dear +Vicky, and the religious tone of which I think will please you. May I +beg you to return it me, as her letters are very valuable to me?... + +We are well fagged and worked and worried; we return to Town to-morrow +afternoon. + +With kindest love to your children, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 34: After their defeat on the 1st of April on the + proposed Reform Bill, the Ministry had dissolved Parliament, + and had gained in the elections twenty-five seats--not enough + to counterbalance the Palmerstonian triumph of 1857. If, + therefore, the various sections of the Liberal Party + could unite, the displacement of the Derby Government was + inevitable. Such a combination was, in fact, arranged at a + meeting at Willis's Rooms organised by Lord Palmerston, Lord + John Russell, Mr Bright and Mr Sidney Herbert.] + + [Footnote 35: Brother and successor of King Pedro V. of + Portugal, and father of King Carlos. The King had married in + May 1858 the Duchess Stephanie (born 1837), daughter of Prince + Antoine of Hohenzollern.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th May 1859_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I write to-day instead of to-morrow to profit by +the return of your messenger. Many, many thanks for your dear letter +of the 6th. What _are_ the Austrians about? They would _not_ wait when +they ought to have done so, and _now_ that they should have long +ago made a rush and an attack with their overwhelming force, they +do _nothing!_ nothing since the 30th! leaving the French to become +stronger and more _fit_ for the struggle every day!! It is indeed +distracting, and most difficult to understand them or do anything for +them. The Emperor leaves Paris for Genoa to-morrow. It is _not_ true +that the Empress was so warlike; Lord Cowley says, on the contrary, +she is very unhappy about it, and that the Emperor himself is low and +altered. Old Vaillant goes with him as General-Major.... Ever your +devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: POLICY OF THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON] + + +_The Earl of Malmesbury to Queen Victoria._ + +_15th May 1859._ + +The Earl of Malmesbury presents his humble duty to the Queen, and has +the honour to inform your Majesty that Count de Persigny[36] called on +him yesterday. He passed an hour in attempting to prove what it seems +he really believes himself--that the Emperor had no plan or even +intention to make war in Italy; that His Imperial Majesty was drawn +into it step by step by M. de Cavour, who finally menaced to publish +his most confidential correspondence, etc.; that his army was totally +unprepared, and is now in a very imperfect state, and that he himself +was overcome with surprise and fear when he learnt in the middle of +last month that the Austrians had 120,000 men on the Ticino.[37] The +Emperor, however, now believes that he will easily gain a _couple_ +of victories, and that when he has _rejete les Autrichiens dans leur +taniere_ (by which he means their great fortresses), he will return +to govern at Paris, and leave a Marshal to carry on the sieges and the +war. M. de Persigny's letters of appointment are not yet signed, and +must go to Italy to be so. He stated that a week ago he was named +Minister of Foreign Affairs, and that Fould,[38] Walewski, and others +were to be dismissed, but that two days before the Emperor's departure +Madame Walewska[39] and the Empress had on their knees obtained a +reprieve, and that M. de Persigny was ordered to come here _sans +raisonner_... + + [Footnote 36: Who had been re-appointed to London, where + Marshal Pelissier, Duc de Malakhoff, had replaced him in 1858. + See _ante_, 23rd March, 1858. Both Malakhoff and Walewski were + out of sympathy with the Emperor's present policy.] + + [Footnote 37: Sir James Hudson, in a letter written at + Turin on the 28th of February, and shown to Queen Victoria, + described an interview with Cavour, who, in answer to the + direct question, "Do you mean to attack Austria?" replied + that the Italian question was becoming so complex that it was + impossible to say what might happen. Sir J. Hudson added that + he had learned confidentially that the understanding on the + same subject between Cavour and the Emperor Napoleon was + complete, and that it had been expressed thus: "Non seulement + nous prendrons la premiere occasion de faire la guerre a + l'Autriche, mais nous chercherons un pretexte."] + + [Footnote 38: Achille Fould, a Jewish banker, was a + colleague of Walewski, though not a loyal one, in the French + Government.] + + [Footnote 39: Madame Walewska was a Florentine by birth, + descended on her mother's side from the princely family of + Poniatowski.] + + + +[Pageheader: ATTITUDE OF RUSSIA] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Malmesbury._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _20th May 1859_. + +The Queen was much surprised to receive the enclosed telegram. An +alliance with Russia to _localise_ and _arrest_ the war by joint +interference, which is here proposed to Russia, is a policy to which +the Queen has not given her sanction, and which would require very +mature deliberation before it could ever be entertained. The Queen +is much afraid of these telegraphic short messages on principles of +policy, and would beg Lord Malmesbury to be most cautious as they +may lead us into difficulties without the possibility of previous +consideration. How can we propose to join Russia, whom we know to +be pledged to France? The Queen hopes Lord Malmesbury will stop the +communication of this message, to Prince Gortschakoff.[40] + + [Footnote 40: A telegram had been received from St Petersburg, + saying that Prince Gortschakoff entirely coincided with + Lord Malmesbury's views as to localising the war; and Lord + Malmesbury had proposed to send a telegraphic reply containing + the words: "We are anxious to unite with Russia, not only in + localising the war, but in arresting it."] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +OSBORNE, _22nd May 1859_. + +In answer to Lord Derby's letter of yesterday referring to the +importance of concerting with Russia the best modes of preventing the +extension of the war, the Queen wishes merely to observe: That Russia +has acknowledged her desire to see the Austrians defeated, and her +indifference to the maintenance of the Treaties of 1815; France +wages war to drive the Austrians out of Italy, wresting from them +the Italian provinces secured to them by those treaties; and that the +Queen has declared from the Throne her adhesion to these treaties +to which Parliament unanimously responded. France and Russia may +therefore have an interest, and indeed _must_ have one, in not being +disturbed in any way in the prosecution of their Italian scheme. +England can have no such interest. If France prove successful, the +territorial arrangements of Europe, in which England has found safety, +and which she helped to establish in order to obtain safety against +France after a war of twenty years' duration, will be subverted, +and she herself may some day (perhaps _soon_) have her own safety +imperilled. The Saxon provinces of Prussia will be in much greater +danger when France shall have destroyed Austria in Italy and ruined +her at home, than while the latter remains a powerful member of the +German Confederation. What the Queen is naturally anxious to guard +against is our being drawn by degrees into playing the game of those +who have produced the present disturbance, and whose ulterior views +are very naturally and very wisely by them concealed from us. The +Queen is glad to hear that the telegram in question was not sent, +having been alarmed by its being marked as having been despatched "at +noon" on the 20th. The Queen wishes Lord Derby to show this letter to +Lord Malmesbury. + + + + +[Pageheader: ILLNESS OF DUCHESS OF KENT] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _25th May 1859_. + +DEAREST UNCLE,--Thousand thanks for your dear kind letter and good +wishes for my old birthday, and for your other dear letter of the +21st. Albert, who writes to you, will tell you how dreadfully our +_great, great_ happiness to have dearest Vicky, flourishing and so +well and gay with us, was on Monday and a good deal too yesterday, +clouded over and spoilt by the _dreadful_ anxiety we were in about +dearest Mamma. Thank God! to-day I feel another being--for we know she +is "in a satisfactory state," and improving in every respect, but I am +thoroughly shaken and upset by this _awful_ shock; for it came on +_so suddenly_--that it came like a thunderbolt upon us, and I think I +_never_ suffered as I did those four dreadful hours till we heard she +was better! I hardly myself _knew how_ I loved her, or how _my whole_ +existence seems bound up with her--till I saw looming in the distance +the fearful possibility of _what_ I will _not_ mention. She was +actually packing up to start for here! _How_ I missed her yesterday +I cannot say, or how gloomy my poor birthday on first getting up +appeared I _cannot_ say. However, that is passed--and please God we +shall see her, with care, restored to her usual health ere long. I +trust, dearest Uncle, you are quite well now--and that affairs will +not prevent you from coming to see us next month? + +Dear Vicky is now a most dear, charming companion--and so _embellie!_ + +I must end, having so much to write. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +I shall write again to-morrow or next day how dear Mamma is. + + + + +[Pageheader: THE QUEEN'S SPEECH] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _1st June 1859_. + +The Queen takes objection to the wording of the two paragraphs[41] +about the war and our armaments. As it stands, it conveys the +impression of a determination on the Queen's part of maintaining a +neutrality--_a tout prix_--whatever circumstances may arise, which +would do harm abroad, and be inconvenient at home.[42] What the +Queen may express is her wish to remain neutral, and her hope that +circumstances will allow her to do so. The paragraph about the +Navy[43] as it stands makes our position still more humble, as it +contains a public apology for arming, and yet betrays fear of our +being attacked by France. + +The Queen suggests two amended forms for these passages, in which she +has taken pains to preserve Lord Derby's words as far as is possible, +with an avoidance of the objections before stated. + +"Those endeavours have unhappily failed, and war has been declared +between France and Sardinia on one side, and Austria on the other. +I continue to receive at the same time assurances of friendship from +both contending parties. It being my anxious desire to preserve to +my people the blessing of uninterrupted peace, I trust in God's +assistance to enable me to maintain a strict and impartial +neutrality." + +"Considering, however, the present state of Europe, and the +complications which a war, carried on by some of its great Powers, may +produce, I have deemed it necessary, for the security of my dominions +and the honour of my Crown, to increase my Naval Forces to an amount +exceeding that which has been sanctioned by Parliament." + + [Footnote 41: In the Speech to be delivered by the Queen at + the opening of Parliament on the 7th of June.] + + [Footnote 42: The passage originally ran: "Receiving + assurances of friendship from both the contending parties, I + intend to maintain a strict and impartial neutrality, and + I hope, with God's assistance, to preserve to my people the + blessing of continued peace."] + + [Footnote 43: The passage originally ran: "I have, however, + deemed it necessary, in the present state of Europe, with no + object of aggression, but for the security of my dominions, + and for the honour of my Crown, to increase my Naval Forces + to an amount exceeding that which has been sanctioned by + Parliament."] + + + + +[Pageheader: THE QUESTION OF NEUTRALITY] + +[Pageheader: THE NAVY] + +[Pageheading: LORD DERBY'S CRITICISMS] + + +_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _2nd June 1859_. + +Lord Derby, with his humble duty, submits to your Majesty that he has +most anxiously, and with every desire to meet your Majesty's wishes, +reflected upon the effect of the alterations suggested by your +Majesty in the proposed Speech from the Throne. He has considered +the consequences involved so serious that he has thought it right +to confer upon the subject with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, as +Leader of the House of Commons; and it is a duty which he owes to your +Majesty not to withhold the expression of their clear and unhesitating +conviction. Lord Derby trusts that your Majesty will forgive the +frankness with which, in the accompanying observations, he feels it +necessary to submit to your Majesty the grounds for the view which +they are compelled to take. + +The first paragraph to which your Majesty takes exception is that +which intimates your Majesty's "intention" to maintain a strict and +impartial neutrality, and "hope" to be enabled to preserve peace. Your +Majesty apprehends that this may be interpreted into a determination +to preserve neutrality _a tout prix_; but Lord Derby would venture to +observe that such an inference is negatived by the subsequent words, +which only imply a "hope" of preserving peace. With the cessation +of that hope, neutrality would necessarily terminate. But as matters +stand at present, Lord Derby is warranted in assuring your Majesty +that if there is one subject on which more than another the mind of +the country is unanimous, it is that of an entire abstinence from +participation in the struggle now going on in Italy. He collects this +from the language of politicians of almost every class, from all the +public papers, from Addresses and Memorials which he receives every +day--some urging, and some congratulating him upon the adoption of a +perfectly neutral policy. The sympathies of the country are neither +with France nor with Austria, but were it not for the intervention of +France, they would be general in favour of Italy. The charge now +made against your Majesty's servants, by the opposition Press, as the +_Morning Post_ and _Daily News_, is that their neutrality covers +such wishes and designs in favour of Austria; and any word in your +Majesty's Speech which should imply a doubt of the continuance of +strict impartiality, would, undoubtedly, provoke a hostile Amendment, +which might very possibly be carried in the Sardinian sense, and +which, if so carried, would place your Majesty in the painful position +of having to select an Administration, pledged against the interests +of Austria and of Germany. Lord Derby says nothing of the personal +results to your Majesty's present servants, because, in such cases, +personal considerations ought not to be allowed to prevail; and it is +in the interest of the country only, and even of the very cause which +your Majesty desires to uphold, that he earnestly trusts that your +Majesty will not require any alteration in this part of the Speech. +There is, at this moment, in the country, a great jealousy and +suspicion of France, and of her ulterior designs--as indicated by +the demand of means of defence, the formation of Volunteer Corps, +etc.--but it is neutralised, partly by sympathy for Italy, partly by +suspicions, industriously circulated, of the pro-Austrian tendencies +of the present Government. It is very important that the language of +the Speech should be so decided as to negative this impression, and +Lord Derby cannot but feel that if neutrality be spoken of not as a +thing decided upon, but which, it is hoped, may be maintained, such +language will be taken to intimate the expectation of the Government +that it may, at no distant time, be departed from. In Lord Derby's +humble opinion Peace should be spoken of as subject to doubt, because, +out of the present struggle, complications may arise which may +necessarily involve us in war; but neutrality, as between the present +belligerents, should be a matter open to no doubt or question. If +there be no attempt made to run counter to public opinion, and Austria +should sustain serious reverses, the jealousy of France will increase, +and the feeling of the country will support your Majesty in a war, +should such arise, against her aggression; but if the slightest +pretext be afforded for doubting the _bona fide_ character of British +neutrality, or the firm determination to maintain it, an anti-German +feeling will be excited, which will be fatal to the Administration, +and seriously embarrassing to your Majesty. + +The same observations apply, with hardly less force, to part of the +Amendment suggested by your Majesty to the paragraph regarding the +Navy. With submission to your Majesty, Lord Derby can hardly look upon +it as humiliating to a great country, in announcing a large increase +of its Naval Force, to disclaim any object of aggression. These words, +however, might, if your Majesty were so pleased, be omitted, though +Lord Derby cannot go so far as to say that in his humble judgment the +omission would be an improvement; but he trusts that your Majesty will +be satisfied with a general reference to the "state of Europe" without +speaking of the "complications which a war carried on by some of the +Great Powers may produce." These words would infallibly lead to a +demand for explanation, and for a statement of the nature of the +"complications" which the Government foresaw as likely to lead to war. +In humbly tendering to your Majesty his most earnest advice that +your Majesty will not insist on the proposed Amendments in his +Draft Speech, he believes that he may assure your Majesty that he +is expressing the unanimous opinion of his Colleagues. Of their +sentiments your Majesty may judge by the fact that in the original +draft he had spoken of your Majesty's "intention" to preserve peace +"as long as it might be possible"; but by universal concurrence these +latter words were struck out, and the "hope" was, instead of them, +substituted for the "intention." Should your Majesty, however, be +pleased so to order, Lord Derby will immediately submit the question +to the consideration of his Colleagues, in order that your Majesty may +be put, in the most authentic form, in possession of their views. +He assures your Majesty that nothing can be more repugnant to his +feelings than to appear to offer objections to any suggestions +emanating from your Majesty; and he has only been induced to do so +upon the present occasion by the deep conviction which he entertains +of the danger attending the course proposed, and the serious +embarrassments which it would cause your Majesty. He regrets more +especially having been compelled to take this step at a moment when +your Majesty's thoughts are very differently engaged, and when it may +be doubly irksome to have matters of public business pressed upon your +Majesty's consideration. + +The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's most dutiful Servant +and Subject, + +DERBY. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _3rd June 1859_. + +The Queen has received Lord Derby's answer to her observations on the +proposed Speech. There is in fact no difference of opinion between her +and Lord Derby; the latter only keeps in view the effect which certain +words will have in Parliament and upon the country, whilst she looks +to the effect they will produce upon the European conflict. If +the Queen were not obliged to speak, both positions might be well +reconciled; but if what she is going to declare from the Throne is +to allay suspicions purposely raised by the Opposition against the +Government that they intended to take part at some moment or other in +the war, and is to give absolute security to the country against this +contingency, this will be the very thing France would wish to bring +about in order to ensure to her the fullest liberty in prosecuting her +schemes for disturbing and altering the territorial state of Europe. +How is this impression to be avoided? Lord Derby thinks that the +expression of "hope" to be able to preserve peace to this country is +a sufficient indication that this country reserves to herself still +a certain liberty of action; but the Queen would have interpreted +it rather as the expression of a hope, that we may not be attacked, +particularly when followed by the sentence in which all intention of +aggression is disclaimed, and that our armaments are merely meant for +defence. The sense would then appear as this: "As the belligerents +separately assure me of their friendship, I am determined to maintain +a strict neutrality between them, and hope they may not change their +minds, and attack me; I arm, but merely to defend myself if attacked." +This would abdicate on the part of this country her position as one +of the arbiters of Europe, declare her indifference to treaties or the +balance of power (which are, in fact, of the greatest value to her), +and would preclude her from any action to preserve them. The Queen +fully enters into the Parliamentary difficulty, and would deprecate +nothing more than to expose the Government to a defeat on an Amendment +which would lead to the formation of a new Government on the principle +of neutrality _a tout prix_ imposed by Parliament on the Crown. + +It will be for Lord Derby and his colleagues to consider how far they +may be able to avoid this danger without exposing themselves to that +pointed out by the Queen. She puts herself entirely in his hands, and +had suggested the verbal amendments merely with a view to indicate the +nature of the difficulty which had struck her. Whatever decision Lord +Derby may on further reflection come to, the Queen is prepared to +accept.[44] + + [Footnote 44: Ultimately the Cabinet recommended the + modification of the declaration of neutrality by the insertion + of the words "between them"; so as to run: "I intend to + maintain _between them_ a strict and impartial neutrality," + etc.; and in the second paragraph proposed to omit the words + "with no object of aggression, but"--and adopting the form + of the Queen's paragraph, but omitting the words referring + to possible complications, to leave it thus: "Considering, + however, the present state of Europe, I have deemed it + necessary for the security of my Dominions," etc.] + + + + +[Pageheading: NEGOTIATIONS WITH RUSSIA] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Malmesbury._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _5th June 1859_. + +The Queen has read Lord Cowley's letter with regret. Nothing could +be more dangerous and unwise than at this moment to enter into +negotiations with Russia on the best manner of disposing of the +Emperor of Austria's dominions. The Queen cannot understand how Lord +Cowley can propose anything so indefensible in a moral point of view. + + + + +[Pageheading: DEBATE ON THE ADDRESS] + + +_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._ + +HOUSE OF COMMONS [? _7th June 1859_.] +(_Tuesday, quarter-past eight o'clock._) + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer with his humble duty to your Majesty. + +Lord Hartington[45] spoke like a gentleman; was badly seconded. + +Chancellor of Exchequer rose immediately at six o'clock, and is just +down. The House very full, and very enthusiastic. + +The Chancellor of Exchequer presumes to say he thinks he satisfied his +friends.[46] + + [Footnote 45: Lord Hartington, afterwards eighth Duke of + Devonshire, moved an Amendment to the Address, expressing a + want of confidence in the Ministry.] + + [Footnote 46: He flung his taunts right and left at the now + united Opposition, and was especially bitter against Sir + James Graham. Referring to the Liberal meeting on the 6th, + Mr Disraeli reminded the House that Willis's Rooms had, as + Almack's, formerly been maintained by fashionable patronesses. + "The distinguished assemblies that met within those walls + were controlled by a due admixture of dowagers and youthful + beauties--young reputations and worn celebrities--and it was + the object of all social ambition to enter there. Now Willis's + Rooms are under the direction of patrons, and there are two of + these patrons below the gangway" (indicating Lord John Russell + and Mr Sidney Herbert). In regard to its Foreign Policy, he + said the Government should not be condemned without direct + documentary evidence. Lord Malmesbury has since deplored + Mr Disraeli's neglect to produce the Blue Book with the + correspondence relating to the affairs of Italy and Austria, + and stated that, had he laid it on the table, the debate would + have ended differently (_Memoirs of an Ex-Minister_, vol. ii. + p. 188).] + + + + +_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._ + +ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _10th June 1859_. + +Lord Derby, with his humble duty, submits to your Majesty that the +tone of the Government Agents in the House of Commons is less sanguine +to-day than it was yesterday with regard to the issue of the Debate +to-night. There are no actual changes announced of votes, but the tone +of the Opposition is more confident; and when an opinion begins to +prevail that the Government are likely to be in a minority, it often +realises itself by the effect which it produces on waverers and +lukewarm supporters. The Division will certainly take place to-night; +and, without absolutely anticipating failure, Lord Derby cannot +conceal from your Majesty that he considers the situation very +critical. Mr Gladstone expressed privately his opinion last night +that, even if successful on the present occasion, the Government could +not possibly go on, which does not look like an intention, on the +part of the Liberal Party, of considering the present division as +decisive.[47]... + + [Footnote 47: The rest of the letter relates to the + distribution of honours to the outgoing Ministers.] + + +_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._ + +HOUSE OF COMMONS, _11th June 1859_. +(_Saturday morning, half-past two o'clock._) + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer with his humble duty to your Majesty: + +For the Amendment 323 +For the Address 310 + --- + Majority against your Majesty's servants 13 + --- + + + + +[Pageheading: THE MINISTRY DEFEATED] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _11th June 1859_. + +The Queen was very much grieved to receive Mr Disraeli's report of the +division of yesterday, although she was fully prepared for this event. + +She did not answer Lord Derby's letter of yesterday in order not to +anticipate it. Now that the fate of the Government is decided, she +is prepared to grant those favours and acknowledgments of service for +which Lord Derby asked in his letter. The Queen _could_ not reconcile +it with her own feelings, however, were she to omit this opportunity, +when Lord Derby for the second time resigns the post of her Prime +Minister, of giving to him personally a public mark of her approbation +of his services. The Queen therefore asks him to accept the Garter +from her hands. + +As the Queen holds a Drawing-room to-day, and receives the City +Address after it, Lord Derby will be aware how little time she has +this morning (being naturally anxious to have some conversation with +him with as little delay as possible); she would ask him to come here +either at half-past eleven or half-past twelve o'clock. + + + + +_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._ + +ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _11th June 1859_. + +Lord Derby, with his humble duty, submits to your Majesty the +expression of his deep gratitude for your Majesty's most gracious note +this moment received, and for the terms in which your Majesty has been +pleased to speak of his very imperfect services. He gratefully accepts +the honour which your Majesty has been pleased to confer upon him as a +mark of your Majesty's personal favour. As a Minister, he could never +have advised your Majesty to bestow it upon him, and he could not have +accepted it on the recommendation of any Government to which he was +politically opposed; but as a spontaneous act of your Majesty, it +acquires in his eyes a value which nothing else could have given to +it. Lord Derby is this moment going down to the Cabinet, as a matter +of form, and will obey your Majesty's commands as soon as possible +after half-past eleven, when he will have an opportunity of expressing +in person his deep sense of your Majesty's goodness, and his entire +devotedness, in whatever situation he may be placed, to your Majesty's +service. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD GRANVILLE SUMMONED] + + +_Memorandum by Earl Granville._ + +[_Undated. 11th June 1859._] + +I waited at four o'clock this afternoon[48] upon the Queen by Her +Majesty's gracious commands. The Queen was pleased to remark upon the +importance of the present crisis. Her Majesty informed me that Lord +Derby had resigned, and that she had sent for me to desire that I +should attempt to form another Administration, which Her Majesty +wished should be strong and comprehensive. I respectfully assured the +Queen that Her Majesty's commands came upon me by surprise; that at +any time I felt my own insufficiency for such a post, and that at this +time there were special difficulties; that I believed the only two +persons who could form a strong Liberal Government were either Lord +Palmerston or Lord John Russell; and that, although it had sometimes +happened that two statesmen of equal pretensions preferred having a +nominal chief to serving under one another, I did not believe that +this was the case now. I said that I had reason to believe that Lords +Palmerston and John Russell were ready to co-operate with one another, +while I doubted whether either would consent to serve under a younger +man of such small pretensions as myself. + +The Queen in reply informed me that her first thoughts had been turned +to Lord Palmerston and Lord John Russell, that they had both served +her long and faithfully, and that Her Majesty felt it to be an +invidious task to select one of the two. Her Majesty was also of +opinion that as different sections of the Liberal Party were more or +less represented by each, it might be more easy for the Party to act +together under a third person. Her Majesty added that she had selected +me as the Leader of the Liberal Party in the House of Lords, and a +person in whom both Lord Palmerston and Lord John Russell had been in +the habit of placing confidence, and she expressed her confident +hope that their attachment to herself would induce them to yield that +assistance without which it would be difficult to form a strong and +comprehensive Government. + +I proceeded to state some of the most salient difficulties of the +task, and asked Her Majesty's permission to ascertain by negotiation +what it would be possible to do. + +Her Majesty informed me that Her Majesty's experience of former +changes of administration had taught her that the construction of an +administration had failed when the person entrusted with the task had +acted merely as a negotiator, and that the success of other attempts +had been owing to the acceptance of the charge by the person for whom +she had sent. Her Majesty laid Her Majesty's commands upon me to make +the attempt, and I had the honour of conveying two letters from Her +Majesty to Lord Palmerston and Lord John Russell, stating that Her +Majesty relied upon their assistance. + + [Footnote 48: The 11th of June.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE RIVAL LEADERS] + + +_Queen Victoria to_ {_Viscount Palmerston._ + {_Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _11th June 1859_. + +The Queen gives these lines to Lord Granville, whom she has entrusted +with the task of forming an administration on the resignation of Lord +Derby. She has selected him as the Leader of the Liberal Party in the +House of Lords. She feels that it is of the greatest importance that +both Lord Palmerston and Lord John Russell should lend their services +to the Crown and country in the present anxious circumstances, and +thought at the same time that they might do so most agreeably to their +own feelings by acting under a third person. They having both served +the Queen long and faithfully as her First Minister, she must not +conceal from Lord Palmerston (John Russell) that it is a great relief +to her feelings not to have to make the choice of one of them, and +she trusts that they will feel no difficulty to co-operate with one in +whom they have both been in the habit of placing confidence. From +the long experience the Queen has had of Lord Palmerston's (John +Russell's) loyal attachment to her and the service of the Crown, she +feels confident she may rely on Lord Palmerston's (John Russell's) +hearty assistance.[49] + + [Footnote 49: In reply, Lord Palmerston (in a letter printed + in Ashley's _Life of Lord Palmerston_, vol. ii. p. 155) + accepted his responsibility for uniting with others to + overthrow the Derby Ministry, and undertook to serve under + either Lord John Russell or Lord Granville, but stipulated + that any Government he joined must be an efficient and + representative one.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD GRANVILLE UNSUCCESSFUL] + + +_Earl Granville to Queen Victoria._ + +BRUTON STREET, _12th June 1859_. +(2 A.M.) + +Lord Granville presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +to submit that he saw Lord Palmerston immediately after he had left +Buckingham Palace. Lord Granville stated what had passed there, +omitting any reference to your Majesty's objection to the effect +likely to be produced on the Continent by Lord Palmerston's name, if +he had the direction of the Foreign Affairs. Nothing could be more +frank and cordial than Lord Palmerston's manner. He agreed to lead the +House of Commons; he said that he had certainly anticipated that your +Majesty would have sent for either Lord John or himself, but having +taken a part in the defeat of the present Government, he felt bound to +put aside any personal objects, and co-operate with me; and that there +was no person whom he should prefer or even like as much as myself. He +added that his co-operation must depend upon my being able to form a +strong Government. Lord Granville then saw Lord John Russell, and +had a very long conversation with him. Lord John had no objection +to serving under Lord Granville, but thought that he could not give +effect to his political views unless he was either Prime Minister +or Leader of the House of Commons, and he doubted whether he had +confidence in any one but Lord Palmerston for the Foreign Office. Lord +Granville again saw Lord Palmerston, who informed him that if he had +been sent for, he should have objected to go to the House of Lords, +and that he could not now give up the lead of the House of Commons +(which Lord Granville had already proposed to him to retain) to Lord +John. This answer rendered it unnecessary for Lord Granville to allude +to the objections to his holding the Foreign Office. Lord Granville +has seen Lord Clarendon, who acted up to the full spirit of your +Majesty's letter, but deprecates strongly the attempt to form a +Government without Lord John Russell. Sir George Grey is of the same +opinion. Sir George Lewis, Mr Herbert, and Mr Gladstone think every +effort should be made to secure Lord John, but that it would not be +impossible to form a Government without him. Mr Milner Gibson, with +whom Lord Granville had a more reserved conversation, considered it a +_sine qua non_ condition of support from the Liberal Party below the +gangway, that Lord John should be a member of the Government. Lord +Granville thinks that in his third interview with Lord Palmerston he +observed more dissatisfaction at not being sent for by your Majesty. +Lord Palmerston suggested that Lord John's absence from the Government +would make it more difficult for a Leader of the House, who was not +Prime Minister, to hold his position. + +Lord Granville has written to Lord John asking for a final answer +before he informs your Majesty, whether he is able to attempt the task +which your Majesty has with so much kindness and indulgence laid upon +him.[50] + + [Footnote 50: This letter, and Lord John's reply declining to + occupy only the third office in the State, and expressing + his anxiety for adequate security in the handling of Foreign + Affairs and Reform, are printed in Walpole's _Life of Lord + John Russell_, vol. ii. chap. xxvii. + + Lord Granville then wrote to Lord John: "I am glad that + I wrote to you yesterday evening, as your answer gave me + information which I had not gathered from your conversation + in the morning. I came away from Chesham Place with the + impression that union between you and Palmerston with or + without me was impossible. Your letter afforded a good + opportunity of arrangement. As soon as I found by it that I + was an obstacle instead of a facility towards the formation of + a strong Government. I went to the Queen to ask her to + excuse me from the task which she had so unexpectedly and so + graciously imposed upon me. In answer to a question, I stated + to Her Majesty that it was disagreeable to me to advise as to + which of you and Palmerston she should send for, but that I + was ready to do so if it was her wish. + + "The Queen did not press me. It is a great relief to have + finished this business. I have asked Palmerston to do whatever + would strengthen the Government, and assist him the most as + regards myself."] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD PALMERSTON PREMIER] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _12th June 1859_. + +The Queen writes to inform Lord Derby that after a fruitless attempt +on the part of Lord Granville to form a Government comprising Lord +Palmerston and Lord John Russell, she has now charged Lord Palmerston +with the task, which she trusts may prove more successful.... + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +94 PICCADILLY, _12th June 1859_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +begs to report that he has been to Pembroke Lodge, and has had a +satisfactory conversation with Lord John Russell, who has agreed to +be a Member of the Government without any suggestion that Viscount +Palmerston should leave the House of Commons; but Viscount Palmerston +is sorry to say that Lord John Russell laid claim to the Foreign +Office in a manner which rendered it impossible for Viscount +Palmerston to decline to submit his name to your Majesty for that +post when the List of the new Government shall be made out for your +Majesty's consideration and approval.... + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +_13th June 1859._ + +Lord Clarendon has just left the Queen. She had a long and full +conversation with him. Nothing could be more friendly than his +language, and he expressed himself ready to do anything for the +Queen's service. But he positively declines entering the Cabinet or +taking any _other office_. He says, as _Foreign_ Secretary, he should +be ready to join the Government should there be a vacancy; but that +he has never directed his attention much to general politics, and his +taking any other office, after having held the Foreign Seals during +a long and important time, would be of no use to the Government, and +would only injure himself. The Queen told him that he might have any +office almost (naming several of those which Lord Palmerston discussed +with her), but she could not urge nor press him to do what _he felt_ +would injure him, and indeed she found him quite determined in his +purpose. + +His absence from the Cabinet the Queen sincerely deplores, and she +knows that Lord Palmerston will feel it a serious loss. + + + + +[Pageheading: AN INDISCREET DISCLOSURE] + + +_Queen Victoria to Earl Granville._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _13th June 1859_. + +The Queen is much shocked to find her whole conversation with Lord +Granville yesterday and the day before detailed in this morning's +leading article of the _Times_.[51] What passes between her and a +Minister in her own room in confidential intercourse ought to be +sacred, and it will be evident to Lord Granville that if it were not +so, the Queen would be precluded from treating her Ministers with that +unreserved confidence which can alone render a thorough understanding +possible; moreover, any Minister could state what he pleased, against +which the Queen would have no protection, as she could not well insert +contradictions or explanations in the newspapers herself. + + [Footnote 51: A circumstantial account of the Queen's + conversation with Lord Granville had appeared in the _Times_, + and Lord Derby drew attention to the matter in the House of + Lords. Lord Granville in reply expressed his regret in not + having used more complete reserve, and frankly attributed the + disclosures to his non-observance of adequate discretion.] + + + + +_Earl Granville to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _13th June 1859_. + +Lord Granville presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and feels +deeply your Majesty's reproof. + +Lord Granville was extremely annoyed this morning at seeing the +article in the _Times_ of to-day, repeating with some accuracy, but +in a vulgar, inflated manner, the account which Lord Granville gave +yesterday afternoon to many of his political friends, and which he +believed your Majesty had authorised him to do. Lord Granville in that +account laid much stress on the reasons which your Majesty gave for +sending for Lord Granville, as he found that attempts had been made to +attribute every sort of motive which might render the Court unpopular. + +Besides the gross impropriety of the appearance of reporting your +Majesty's conversation, Lord Granville regrets the indirect attack +upon Lord John Russell. + +Lord Granville begs respectfully to express to your Majesty his +vexation at the annoyance, which he has thus been the cause of +inflicting on your Majesty, particularly at a moment when your Majesty +had just given him an additional proof of the indulgent kindness and +confidence which your Majesty has been pleased to place in him. + + + + +[Pageheading: MR COBDEN] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +94 PICCADILLY, _1st July 1859_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has +been unable till within the last few minutes to make any Report about +Mr Cobden, from whom he had received no communication till about +an hour ago, when Mr Cobden came to him.[52] The result of a long +conversation between them has been that Mr Cobden, against the advice +of all his friends and of his constituents, has decided to decline +taking office. He grounds his decision upon feelings personal +to himself. He thinks that after having so often and so strongly +disapproved of the Foreign Policy of Viscount Palmerston as tending +too much to involve this country in war, it would be inconsistent for +him to join the present Cabinet, and he also said that, at his time of +life and with his general habits, he does not consider himself fit for +administrative office. + +Viscount Palmerston used every [means] in his power to induce him +to change his decision, and showed that, with respect to present and +future action, there is no apparent difference between his views and +those of Mr Cobden, since both would desire that this country should +remain neutral in the war now raging in Italy. All his arguments, +however, were useless, and though Mr Cobden discussed the matter in +the most friendly and good-humoured manner, and promised to give out +of office all support to the Government, and said that he thought he +could do so more effectually out of office than in office, he could +not be persuaded to make any change in the answer which he came to +give. + +Viscount Palmerston will consider what arrangement he may have to +propose to your Majesty in consequence of Mr Cobden's answer. + + [Footnote 52: Mr Cobden had been visiting the United States. + On landing at Liverpool he learned that he had been elected + at Rochdale, and at the same time he received an offer of the + Board of Trade.] + +THE MINISTRY AS FORMED BY VISCOUNT PALMERSTON. +_in the month of June_ 1859. + +_First Lord of the Treasury_ VISCOUNT PALMERSTON. +_Lord Chancellor_ LORD CAMPBELL. +_President of the Council_ EARL GRANVILLE. +_Lord Privy Seal_ DUKE OF ARGYLL. +_Home Secretary_ SIR G. C. LEWIS. +_Foreign Secretary_ LORD JOHN (afterwards EARL) + RUSSELL. +_Colonial Secretary_ DUKE OF NEWCASTLE. +_Secretary for War_ Mr SIDNEY HERBERT (afterwards + LORD HERBERT OF LEA). +_Secretary for India_ Sir CHARLES WOOD (afterwards + VISCOUNT HALIFAX). +_Chancellor of the Exchequer_ Mr GLADSTONE.[53] +_First Lord of the Admiralty_ DUKE OF SOMERSET. +_President of the Board of Trade_ Mr MILNER GIBSON (appointed + in July). +_Postmaster-General_ EARL OF ELGIN. +_Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster_ Sir GEORGE GREY. +_Chief Secretary for Ireland_ Mr (afterwards VISCOUNT) CARDWELL. + + [Footnote 53: Lord Aberdeen wrote, in a letter printed in + Parker's _Sir James Graham_, vol. ii. p. 388, that the wish + of Lord Palmerston, expressed in a speech at Tiverton, "to + see the Germans turned out of Italy by the war, has secured + Gladstone ... notwithstanding the three articles of the + _Quarterly_ and the thousand imprecations of late years."] + + + + +[Pageheading: MR BRIGHT] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +94 PICCADILLY, _2nd July 1859_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty.... + +Viscount Palmerston has heard from several persons that Mr Bright +would be highly flattered by being made a Privy Councillor; would +your Majesty object to his being so made if it should turn out that he +wishes it? There have been instances of persons made Privy Councillors +without office, and if Mr Bright could be led by such an honour to +turn his thoughts and feelings into better channels such a change +could not fail to be advantageous to your Majesty's service.... + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _2nd July 1859_. + +The Queen has received Lord Palmerston's letter of to-day. She is +sorry not to be able to give her assent to his proposal with regard +to Mr Bright.[54] Privy Councillors have sometimes exceptionally been +made without office, yet this has been as rewards, even in such cases, +for services rendered to the State. It would be impossible to allege +any service Mr Bright has rendered, and if the honour were looked upon +as a reward for his systematic attacks upon the institutions of the +country, a very erroneous impression might be produced as to the +feeling which the Queen or her Government entertain towards these +institutions. It is moreover very problematical whether such an +honour conferred upon Mr Bright would, as suggested, wean him from his +present line of policy, whilst, if he continued in it, he would only +have obtained additional weight in the country by his propounding his +views as one of the Queen's Privy Councillors. + + [Footnote 54: In 1859, Lord Palmerston, in offering Mr Cobden + a seat in the Cabinet, rejected the idea of accepting Mr + Bright as a colleague, on the ground that his public speeches + made it impossible. Mr Bright, later in life, was a welcome + guest at Windsor, and the Queen became warmly attached to him + as one of her Ministers.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PACIFICATION OF INDIA] + + +_Earl Canning to Queen Victoria._ + +CALCUTTA, _4th July 1859_. + +Lord Canning presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +permission to offer to your Majesty his respectful thanks for your +Majesty's most gracious letter of the 18th of May. + +Lord Canning ventures to believe that he is well able to figure to +himself the feelings with which your Majesty will have welcomed the +termination of the Mutiny and Rebellion in India, and of the chief +miseries which these have brought in their train. He hopes that your +Majesty will not have thought that there has been remissness in not +marking this happy event by an earlier public acknowledgment and +thanksgiving in India, as has already been done in England.[55] The +truth is, that although this termination has long been steadily and +surely approaching, it is but just now that it can be said to be +complete in the eyes of those who are near to the scene of action. It +is only within the last three weeks that the exertions of our Troops +on the Oudh and Nepaulese frontier, and in some other parts, have been +remitted, and almost every Gazette has recounted engagements with the +rebels, which, although they have invariably had the same issue, would +scarcely have consisted with a declaration that peace and tranquillity +were restored. Now, however, military operations have fairly ceased, +and the rains and the climate, which would make a continuance of those +operations much to be regretted, will do their work amongst the rebels +who are still in arms in the Nepaul jungles more terribly than any +human avengers. + +Lord Canning has used every exertion and device to bring these +wretched men to submission; but many--it is difficult to say how many, +but certainly some few thousands--still hold out. With some of them +the reason no doubt is that they belong to the most guilty Regiments, +and to those which murdered their officers; but this cannot apply +to all; and it is to be feared that the prevailing cause is the bad +influence of their leaders--the Nana, Bala Rao, and the Begum;[56] or +rather the Begum's infamous advisers. It is certain that all of these, +believing their own position to be desperate, have spared no pains +to persuade their followers that the Government is seeking to entrap +them, and that, if they submit, their lives will be taken.... + + [Footnote 55: There had been a Public Thanksgiving in England + on the 1st of May.] + + [Footnote 56: Bala Rao was a brother of Nana Sahib, chief + instigator of the Sepoy Mutiny. See _ante_, 4th July, 1857, + note 24.] + + + + +[Pageheading: A MILITARY ENQUIRY] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _5th July 1859_. + +The Queen is much shocked to see that the Government last night moved +for a Committee of the House of Commons to enquire into the Military +Departments, without having previously communicated with the Queen +on the subject. She is the more surprised at this, as Lord Palmerston +told her, when she saw him on the formation of the present Government, +and she expressed her anxiety on the subject, that there would be no +more trouble about it, and he thought it would drop. The Queen +expects that the names of those who it is proposed should compose the +Committee, and the wording of it, will be submitted to her. + + + + +[Pageheading: CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _5th July 1859_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +to state that the re-appointment of the Committee on the Organisation +of the Military Departments was unavoidable. That Committee had +been affirmed by the House of Commons and consented to by the late +Government, and had begun its sittings; but when a Dissolution of +Parliament was announced, it suspended its further sittings, with the +understanding that it should be revived in the new Parliament; and to +have departed from that understanding would have been impossible. That +which Viscount Palmerston intended to convey in what he said to your +Majesty on the subject was, that the evidence given by Lord Panmure +might be deemed as having fully set aside the objection urged against +the present organisation by persons unacquainted with the bearing upon +it of the fundamental principles of the Constitution, namely, that the +Crown acts in regard to Military matters without having any official +adviser responsible for its acts. Such a condition of things, if it +could exist, would be at variance with the fundamental principles +of the British Constitution, and would be fraught with danger to the +Crown, because then the Sovereign would be held personally answerable +for administrative acts, and would be brought personally in conflict +in possible cases with public opinion, a most dangerous condition for +a Sovereign to be placed in. + +The maxim of the British Constitution is that the Sovereign can do +no wrong, but that does not mean that no wrong can be done by Royal +authority; it means that if wrong be done, the public servant who +advised the act, and not the Sovereign, must be held answerable for +the wrongdoing. + +But the Ministers of the Crown for the time being are the persons who +are constitutionally held answerable for all administrative acts in +the last resort, and that was the pith and substance of the evidence +given by Lord Panmure. Those persons who want to make great changes +in the existing arrangements were much vexed and disappointed by that +evidence, and the attempt made yesterday to put off the Committee till +next year on the ground that the evidence now to be taken would be +one-sided only, and would tend to create erroneous impressions, was +founded upon those feelings of disappointment. + +Viscount Palmerston submits names of the persons whom Mr Sidney +Herbert proposes to appoint on the Committee, and they seem to be well +chosen. + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +PEMBROKE LODGE, _10th July 1859_. +(7 P.M.) + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He has +just received from Lord Palmerston, who is here, the paper, a copy of +which is enclosed.[57] + +Lord John Russell has to add that Lord Palmerston and he are humbly of +opinion that your Majesty should give to the Emperor of the French +the moral support which is asked. It is clearly understood that if the +Emperor of Austria declines to accept the propositions, Great Britain +will still maintain her neutral position. + +But it is probable that her moral support will put an end to the +war, and your Majesty's advisers cannot venture to make themselves +responsible for its continuance by refusing to counsel your Majesty to +accept the proposal of France. + + [Footnote 57: At the seat of war, a series of decisive French + victories had culminated in the battle of Solferino, on + Midsummer Day (see _ante_, Introductory Note to Chapter XXVIII). + But the French Emperor was beginning to think these successes + too dearly purchased, at the expense of so many French lives, + and, actuated either by this, or some similar motive, he + attempted, on the 6th of July, to negotiate through the British + Government with Austria. The attempt was a failure, but an + armistice was signed on the 8th, and again the Emperor sought + the moral support of England. The paper which Lord John + Russell submitted was a rough memorandum of M. de Persigny's, + proposing as a basis of negotiation the cession of Lombardy to + Piedmont, the independence of Venetia, and the erection of an + Italian Confederation.] + + + + +[Pageheading: FRANCE AND AUSTRIA] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +PAVILION, ALDERSHOT, _10th July 1859_. + +The Queen has just received Lord John Russell's letter with the +enclosure which she returns, and hastens to say in reply, that +she does not consider the Emperor of the French or his Ambassador +justified in asking the support of England to proposals he means to +make to his antagonist to-morrow. He made war on Austria in order to +wrest her two Italian kingdoms from her, which were assured to her by +the treaties of 1815, to which England is a party; England declared +her neutrality in the war. The Emperor succeeded in driving the +Austrians out of one of these kingdoms after several bloody battles. +He means to drive her out of the second by diplomacy, and neutral +England is to join him with her moral support in this endeavour. + +The Queen having declared her neutrality, to which her Parliament and +people have given their unanimous assent, feels bound to adhere to it. +She conceives Lord John Russell and Lord Palmerston ought not to ask +her to give her "moral support" to one of the belligerents. As for +herself, she sees no distinction between moral and general support; +the moral support of England _is_ her support, and she ought to be +prepared to follow it up. + +The Queen wishes this letter to be communicated to the Cabinet.[58] + + [Footnote 58: The Queen not having been informed whether this + instruction had been complied with, a correspondence took + place on the subject between the Prince and Lord Granville. + See the _Life of Lord Granville_, vol. i. chap. xiii.] + + + + +[Pageheading: END OF THE WAR] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _12th July 1859_. + +The Queen has to acknowledge the receipt of Lord John Russell's letter +reporting to her the result of the deliberations of the Cabinet, which +has very much relieved her mind. Lord John does not say whether +her letter was read to the Cabinet, but from his former letter she +concludes it was. She is most anxious that there should exist no +misapprehension on their part as to the Queen's views. Our position +must be consistent and precisely defined. A negotiation to stop the +effusion of blood, and to attain "a peace which would be for the +interests of all belligerents," is a very vague term. Who is to +judge of those interests? Is M. de Persigny or the Emperor Napoleon's +opinion to be the guide, as they just now proposed to us? Austria must +be considered the exponent of her own interests. Prussia has explained +to us the interests of Germany in the maintenance of the line of the +fortresses on the Mincio, and was answered; her views were entirely +erroneous, and her apprehensions exaggerated. It will require the +greatest caution on our part not to lose our neutral position, nor +to be made the advocate of one side. Are the wishes of the Lombards, +Tuscans, etc., really ascertainable, while their countries are +occupied by French and Sardinian armies? The Queen encloses an extract +of a letter from the first Napoleon to his son, Prince Eugene,[59] +showing how the expression of a wish for annexation has already of old +been used as a means for conquest. + + [Footnote 59: Eugene de Beauharnais, Duke of Leuchtenberg, son + of the Empress Josephine by her first marriage, and adopted + son of Napoleon I.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ASCENDANCY OF FRANCE] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _13th July 1859_. + +The Queen has received the news of a concluded peace,[60] which Lord +John Russell has sent to her yesterday, with as much surprise as it +must have caused Lord John. It was a joyous intelligence, as far +as the stopping of the further effusion of innocent blood and the +security against further diplomatic complications is concerned, but +it gives cause for serious reflection. The Emperor Napoleon, by +his military successes, and great apparent moderation or prudence +immediately after them, has created for himself a most formidable +position of strength in Europe. It is remarkable that he has acted +towards Austria now just as he did towards Russia after the fall of +Sebastopol; and if it was our lot then to be left alone to act the +part of the extortioner whilst he acted that of the generous victor, +the Queen is doubly glad that we should not now have fallen into the +trap, to ask Austria (as friends and neutrals) concessions which he +was ready to waive. He will now probably omit no occasion to cajole +Austria as he has done to Russia, and turn her spirit of revenge upon +Prussia and Germany--the Emperor's probable next victims. Should he +thus have rendered himself the master of the entire Continent, the +time may come for us either to obey or to fight him with terrible odds +against us. This has been the Queen's view from the beginning of this +complication, and events have hitherto wonderfully supported them. How +Italy is to prosper under the Pope's presidency, whose misgovernment +of his own small portion of it was the ostensible cause of the war, +the Queen is at a loss to conceive. But the Emperor will be able to +do just as he pleases, being in military command of the country, and +having Sardinia, the Pope, and Austria as his debtors. + +The Queen would like this letter to be communicated to the Cabinet. + + [Footnote 60: The armistice had arranged that the Emperors + should meet at Villafranca, where peace was concluded. See + _ante_, Introductory Note to Chapter XXVIII. The Italian + Confederation was to be under the presidency of the Pope.] + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +FOREIGN OFFICE, _13th July 1859_. + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he will +read your Majesty's letter to the Cabinet to-morrow. + +The Emperor Napoleon is left no doubt in a position of great power. +That position has been made for him by allowing him to be the only +champion of the cause of the people of Italy. + +But that is no reason why we should seek a quarrel with France, and +there is some reason to doubt whether the speeches made in the House +of Lords, while they display our weakness and our alarm, are really +patriotic in their purpose and tendency. + +To be well armed, and to be just to all our neighbours, appears to +Lord John Russell to be the most simple, the most safe, and the most +honest policy. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _14th July 1859_. + +The Queen acknowledges the receipt of Lord John Russell's +communications of yesterday. She entirely agrees with him "that we +have no reason to seek a quarrel with France," and that "the most +simple and most safe and most honest" line of conduct for us will be +"to be well armed, and to be just to all our neighbours." + +She trusts that as the poor Duchess of Parma[61] appears to be +overlooked in the Italian Peace merely because nobody thinks it his +business to befriend her, we shall in the above spirit ask for justice +and consideration for her. + +The Queen concurs with Lord John that it will now be useless to +communicate to France the advice given to the Porte. + + [Footnote 61: Louise Marie de Bourbon, daughter of the Duc de + Berri, and widow of Charles III., Duke of Parma. She was at + this time Regent for her son Robert, a minor (born 1848), the + present Duke.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE VIEWS OF THE POPE] + +[Pageheading: THE POPE ON ENGLISH LIBERALISM] + +[Pageheading: THE TEMPORAL POWER] + + +_Mr Odo Russell to Lord John Russell._ +(_Submitted to the Queen._) + +ROME, _17th July 1859_. + +MY LORD,--Some days since a letter from the "Pontifical Antechamber," +directed to "Signor Odoni Russell, Agente Officioso di Sua Maesta +Britannica," informed me that His Holiness the Pope desired to see me. + +In consequence I proceeded to the Vatican, and was ushered into the +presence of His Holiness by Monsignore Talbot, the "Cameriere" in +waiting, who immediately withdrew, and I remained alone with the Pope. + +His Holiness welcomed me with his usual benevolence and good humour. +He seemed very gay, and spoke with more than customary frankness, so +much so indeed that I have felt some hesitation as to the propriety of +submitting what passed between us to your Lordship. But after mature +reflection, I think it best you should be in possession of an accurate +and conscientious account of the sentiments of His Holiness in the +present important juncture of affairs. + +"Caro mio Russell," the Pope said, "you have been so long at Naples +that I was already thinking of sending after you to bring you back; we +do not like you to leave us, and the more so as I have heard you were +attached to the Mission of Mr Elliot,[62] who is a son of Lord Minto; +and if he entertains the same political views as his father, he is a +dangerous man to the peace of Italy. Now I knew Lord Minto here, and +although he may be a very good man, I do not think him a man of any +capacity, and his doctrines were calculated to bring on the ruin of +Italy." + +I replied, "I cannot agree with your Holiness, for I consider Lord +Minto to be a very clever man, whose honest, sound, and liberal views, +had they been listened to, might have prevented the crisis which is +now convulsing Italy." + +The Pope said, "Well, of course you belong to his party, but, _Poveri +noi!_ what is to become of us with your uncle and Lord Palmerston at +the head of affairs in England? They have always sympathised with the +turbulent spirits of Italy, and their accession to power will greatly +increase the hopes of the Piedmontese Party. Indeed, I well know what +the English Government want: they want to see the Pope deprived of his +temporal power." + +I replied, "Again I regret to find your Holiness so entirely mistaken +with respect to the policy of England. We derive great happiness from +our free institutions, and we would be glad to see our neighbours in +Europe as happy and as prosperous as we are, but we have no wish to +interfere with the internal concerns of other nations, or to give +advice without being asked for it; least of all as a Protestant +Power would _we_ think of interfering one way or the other with the +Government of your Holiness." + +The Pope said, "I do not doubt the good intentions of England, but +unfortunately you do not understand this country, and your example +is dangerous to the Italian minds, your speeches in Parliament excite +them, and you fancy because constitutional liberties and institutions +suit you, that they must suit all the world. Now the Italians are a +dissatisfied, interfering, turbulent and intriguing race; they can +never learn to govern themselves, it is impossible; only see how they +follow Sardinia in all she tells them to do, simply because they love +intrigue and revolution, whilst in reality they do not know what they +want; a hot-headed people like the Italians require a firm and just +government to guide and take care of them, and Italy might have +continued tranquil and contented, had not the ambition of Sardinia led +her to revolutionise the whole country. The Grand Duke of Tuscany, +for instance, is an excellent and just man, and nevertheless, at the +instigation of Piedmont, he was turned out of the country, and for no +earthly purpose. I suppose you have read Monsieur About's book about +Rome[63]? well, all he says is untrue, pure calumny, and it would be +easy for me to have it all refuted; but he is really not worthy of +such an honour. His book, I see, has been translated into English, +and I have no doubt it will be much read and believed in England. Such +books and our refugees mislead your countrymen, and I often wonder at +the language your statesmen hold about us in the Houses of Parliament. +I always read their speeches. Lord Palmerston, Lord John Russell, +and Mr Gladstone do not know us; but when I think how kindly and +hospitably Lord Granville was received at Rome last winter, and then +read the extraordinary speech he made last February about us, I think +the gout he suffered from here must have gone to his head when he +reached England, and I wonder how Her Majesty the Queen could send +for him to form a Government! Then again, Mr Gladstone, who allowed +himself to be deceived about the Neapolitan prisoners--he does not +know us and Italy--and Mr Cobden,--I knew him in 1847--he is always in +favour of peace, and he must be very fond of animals, for when he came +here from Spain he wanted me to write to that country and put a stop +to bull-fights--a very good man, but I do not know his views about +Italy. And Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, do you think he will be +employed again? he seemed so anxious to get a place. Mr Disraeli was +my friend; I regret him. But tell me, _caro mio Russell_, if you are a +prophet, how all this war and fuss is to end?" + +I replied, "Your Holiness has better claims to being a prophet than +I have, and I sincerely hope all this may end well for Italy; but +as regards the present and the past, I must again say that I deeply +regret to see your Holiness misconceive the honest views and sincere +sympathies of the statesmen you have named, for the welfare of Italy; +they would like to see Italy independent, prosperous, progressing and +contented, and able to take care of herself without foreign troops. +Your Holiness has done me the honour to speak freely and openly with +me; permit me to do the same, and ask your Holiness what England must +think when she sees the temporal power of your Holiness imposed +upon three millions of people by the constant presence of French +and Austrian bayonets, and when, after ten years of occupation, +the Austrians withdraw suddenly, there is at once an insurrection +throughout the country; and if the French were to leave Rome it is +generally acknowledged that a revolution would compel your Holiness to +seek refuge in some foreign country. At the same time, when the troops +of your Holiness are employed as at Perugia,[64] the Government is +too weak to control them; they pillage and murder, and, instead +of investigating their conduct, the excesses committed by them are +publicly rewarded." + +The Pope smiled, paused, took a pinch of snuff, and then said +good-humouredly: "Although I am not a prophet, I know one thing; this +war will be followed by an European Congress, and a Congress about +Italian Affairs is even worse for us than war. There will be changes +in Italy, but mark my words, whatever these changes are, the Pope will +ever be the Pope, whether he dwells in the Vatican or lives concealed +in the Catacombs. + +"Lastly, I will give you some advice. Prepare and take care of +yourselves in England, for I am quite certain the French Emperor +intends sooner or later to attack you." + +The Pope then beckoned to me to approach, and making the sign of the +Cross, he gave me his blessing in Latin, then with both his hands, +he took one of mine, pressed it, and said with great warmth, "Be our +friend in the hour of need." I have the honour to be, etc., etc., + +ODO RUSSELL. + + [Footnote 62: Mr (afterwards Sir) Henry Elliot, P.C., G.C.B., + was Plenipotentiary to Naples. He was subsequently Ambassador + at Vienna, and died in 1907.] + + [Footnote 63: Edmond About, a French journalist (1828-1885), + had published _La Question Romaine,_ an attack on the Papacy. + See De la Gorce, _Histoire du Second Empire_, vol. ii. p. + 365.] + + [Footnote 64: An insurrection against the Pope at Perugia bad + been put down with great cruelty on the 20th of June.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DISAPPOINTMENT OF CAVOUR] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _18th July 1859_. + +The Queen returns these interesting letters to Lord John.[65] + +The whole aspect of affairs gives cause for serious reflection and +great anxiety for the future. + +The conduct of France as regards Italy shows how little the Emperor +Napoleon cared for, or thought of, its independence when he undertook +this war, which (though in the last instance begun by Austria) _he_ +brought on, for purposes of his own. + +The manifesto of the Emperor of Austria shows how unfortunate for her +own interests the policy of Prussia has been.[66] She had made herself +answerable for the issue of the war by restraining the minor states, +and stands now humiliated and isolated. Her position in Germany is at +present very painful, and may be for the future very dangerous. + +The Queen feels strongly that we are not without considerable +responsibility in having from the first urged her to take no part in +the war, which certainly had great influence on her actions--and she +will very naturally look to us not to desert her when the evil hour +for her may come.[67] + + [Footnote 65: These were letters from Lord Cowley and Sir + James Hudson in reference to the Peace of Villafranca. The + former announced, as a result of his conversation with the + Empress and other persons, that among the causes which induced + the French Emperor to consent to peace were his horror at + any further sacrifice of life and time, disgust at what he + considered Italian apathy for the cause which the French + were upholding, and distrust of the intentions of the King + of Sardinia and Count Cavour. Sir James Hudson described the + unanimous feeling at Turin that the Nationalist cause had been + betrayed. Cavour, he wrote, could obtain no further response + to his remonstrances with Napoleon than "Il fait bien chaud: + il fait bien chaud." Moreover, Napoleon knew (continued Sir + James) "that Mazzini had dogged his footsteps to Milan, for, + the day before yesterday, sixty-six Orsini bombshells were + discovered there by the chief of the Sardinian police, who + arrested the man (a known follower of Mazzini) who had them. + The story is that he brought them from England for the purpose + of using them against the Austrians!!" Count Cavour, who + resigned in disgust and was succeeded by Rattazzi, remained + out of office till the following January.] + + [Footnote 66: He stated that he believed he could obtain + better terms direct from the French Emperor than those to + which England, Russia, and Prussia were likely to give their + moral support as a basis of mediation.] + + [Footnote 67: Lord Cowley wrote to Lord John Russell on the + 20th of July:-- + + "... The two Emperors met in the most cordial manner, shaking + hands as if no difference had existed between them. As soon as + they were alone, the Emperor of Austria took the initiative, + and stated at once that he was ready to cede to the Emperor + of the French, for the sake of the restoration of peace, the + territory which the latter had conquered, but that he could + not do more, giving the reasons which I have mentioned to + your Lordship in former despatches. The Emperor of the French + replied that his own position in France, and the public + declarations which he had made, rendered something in addition + necessary: that the war had been undertaken for the freedom of + Italy, and that he could not justify to France a peace + which did not ensure this object. The Emperor Francis + Joseph rejoined that he had no objection to offer to the + Confederation which formed part of the Emperor Napoleon's + programme, and that he was ready to enter it with Venetia, and + when the Emperor Napoleon remarked that such a result would be + a derision, if the whole power and influence of Austria were + to be brought to bear upon the Confederation, the Emperor + Francis Joseph exclaimed against any such interpretation being + given to his words, his idea being that Venetia should be + placed on the same footing, in the Italian Confederation, as + Luxemburg holds in the Germanic Confederation.... + + "In the course of conversation between the two Imperial + Sovereigns, the Emperor of Austria remarked to the Emperor of + the French with many expressions of goodwill, and of a desire + to see the dynasty of the latter firmly established on + the throne of France, that His Majesty took an odd way to + accomplish his end. 'Believe me,' said the Emperor Francis + Joseph, 'dynasties are not established by having recourse to + such bad company as you have chosen; revolutionists overturn, + but do not construct.' The Emperor Napoleon appears to have + taken the remark in very good part, and even to have excused + himself to a certain degree, observing that it was a further + reason that the Emperor Francis Joseph should aid him in + putting an end to the war, and to the revolutionary spirit to + which the war had given rise. + + "The Emperors having separated in the same cordial manner in + which they had met, the Emperor of the French himself drew up + the preliminaries and sent them in the evening to Verona + by his cousin, the Prince Napoleon. Being introduced to the + Emperor of Austria, who received His Imperial Highness + very courteously, His Majesty said, after reading the + preliminaries, that he must beg the Prince to excuse him for + a short time, as he had others to consult before signing them. + He then went into an adjoining room where, according to Prince + Napoleon's account, a loud and angry discussion ensued, in + which the Prince distinguished the Emperor's voice broken by + tears, as if His Majesty had been obliged to have recourse to + persuasion, to silence the opposition made to the conditions, + and it was not until some time had elapsed that His Majesty + returned and signed the paper containing them, or rather + I infer that he retained the paper signed by the Emperor + Napoleon, and returned one of similar purport signed by + himself; for among all the curious circumstances connected + with this transaction, not the least curious is the fact that + there does not exist any document recording the preliminaries + with the double signature of both Emperors."] + + + + +[Pageheading: INDIAN AFFAIRS] + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Charles Wood._ + +OSBORNE, _23rd July 1859_. + +The Queen's attention has been attracted by No. 86 (Foreign +Department) of the printed abstracts of letters received from India, +relating to the affairs of Bussahir.[68] She would ask Sir C. Wood +to consider, with his Council, whether means could not be found for +making acts of confiscation, sequestration, spoliation, transfer of +Government, or whatever they may be called, dependent upon some formal +and judicial proceeding which should secure the Queen from acts being +done in her name--which might not be entirely justifiable morally, as +well as legally--which should relieve the Government agents from +the fearful responsibility of being sole advisers on steps implying +judicial condemnation without trial on their mere personal opinion, +and from which they derive themselves additional personal advancement +in power, position, possibly emolument, etc., etc., and lastly, which +would give the people of India security that the Government only acts +after impartial judicial investigation and the sifting of evidence. + +The Queen would wish a report to be made to her upon this important +subject. + + [Footnote 68: Bussahir was a State in the upper course of the + Sutlej. In January, the Punjab, including the Sutlej States, + had been made a distinct presidency, but Bussahir was not + finally included until 1862.] + + + + +[Pageheading: NON-INTERVENTION] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._[69] + +OSBORNE, _21st August 1859_. + +The Queen sends the enclosed draft to Lord John Russell; she is very +sorry that she cannot give her approval to it. There are many points +in it to which she cannot but feel the gravest objections. It is +unnecessary, however, for her to go into these details, as it is +against the principle of England volunteering at this moment the +intrusion of a scheme of her own for the redistribution of the +territories and Governments of Northern Italy, that she must above all +protest. Moreover, a step of such importance, reversing the principle +of non-intervention, which the Queen's Government has hitherto +publicly declared and upheld, should, in the Queen's opinion, not be +brought before her without having received the fullest deliberation +and concurrence of the assembled Cabinet. + + [Footnote 69: A month earlier, on his return from the war, the + Emperor had tried to enlist British support in his scheme for + a European congress. But the Cabinet decided (24th July), + with the Queen's full concurrence, that no answer should + be returned to this proposal, till a Treaty, embodying the + preliminaries of Villafranca, should have been signed.] + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +PEMBROKE LODGE, _23rd August 1859_. + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he begs +to explain that with respect to reversing the principle of +non-intervention, he has never proposed any such course. If +intervention were to mean giving friendly advice, or even offering +mediation, your Majesty's Government from January to May would have +pursued a course of intervention, for they were all that time advising +Austria, France, Sardinia, and Germany. + +If by friendly and judicious advice we can prevent a bloody and +causeless war in Italy we are bound to give such advice. + +If we refrain from doing so, we may ultimately be obliged to have +recourse to intervention; that is to say, we may have to interfere +against the ruthless tyranny of Austria, or the unchained ambition +of France. It is with a view to prevent the necessity of intervention +that Lord John Russell advises friendly representations. + + + + +[Pageheading: NON-INTERVENTION] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +ALDERSHOT, _23rd August 1859_. + +... With regard to Lord John's letter of to-day, the Queen wishes +merely to say that from the outbreak of the war our negotiations have +ceased, and that the war is not over till the peace is concluded. Our +interference before that period may be prompted by a desire to prevent +a future war; but our first duty is not to interfere with the closing +of the present. The desire to guard Italy against "the ruthless +tyranny of Austria, and the unchained ambition of France" may produce +a state of things in Italy, forcing both to make common cause against +her, and backed by the rest of Europe to isolate England, and making +her responsible for the issue. It will be little satisfaction then to +reflect upon the fact that our interference has been merely _advice_. + + + + +[Pageheading: FOREIGN POLICY] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +94 PICCADILLY, _23rd August 1859_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +begs to state that Lord John Russell has shown him your Majesty's +communication, in which your Majesty objects to a proposed despatch +to Lord Cowley, on the ground that it would be a departure from the +principle of non-intervention which has been publicly proclaimed +as the rule for Great Britain in the late events between France and +Austria. But Viscount Palmerston would beg humbly to submit to your +Majesty that the intervention which all parties agreed that this +country ought to abstain from, was active interference by force of +arms in the war then going on, but that neither of the great political +parties meant or asserted that this country should not interfere by +its advice and opinions in regard to the matters to which the war +related. Viscount Palmerston can assert that neither he nor any of +those who were acting with him out of office ever contemplated giving +such a meaning to the doctrine of non-intervention; and that such a +meaning never was attached to it by the Conservative Leaders while +they were in office, is proved from one end of their Blue Book to the +other.[70] The whole course of the Derby Government, in regard to +the matters on which the war turned, was one uninterrupted series of +interventions by advice, by opinions, and by censure now addressed to +one party and now to another. Whatever may be thought of the judgment +which was shown by them, or of the bias by which they were guided, the +principle on which they acted was undoubtedly right and proper. + +England is one of the greatest powers of the world, no event or series +of events bearing on the balance of power, or on probabilities of +peace or war can be matters of indifference to her, and her right to +have and to express opinions on matters thus bearing on her interests +is unquestionable; and she is equally entitled to give upon such +matters any advice which she may think useful, or to suggest any +arrangements which she may deem conducive to the general good. + +It is no doubt true that the Conservative Party, since they have +ceased to be responsible for the conduct of affairs, have held a +different doctrine, and in their anxiety lest the influence of England +should be exerted for the benefit of Italy, and to the disadvantage of +Austria, have contended that any participation by Great Britain in the +negotiations for the settlement of Italy would be a departure from the +principle of non-intervention; but their own practice while in office +refutes their newly adopted doctrine in opposition; and if that +doctrine were to be admitted, Great Britain would, by her own act, +reduce herself to the rank of a third-class European State. + + [Footnote 70: This was the Blue Book, the production of which + would, according to Lord Malmesbury, have saved the Derby + Ministry.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ITALIAN POLICY] + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN AND LORD JOHN RUSSELL] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _24th August 1859_. + +The Queen is really placed in a position of much difficulty, giving +her deep pain. She has been obliged to object to so many drafts sent +to her from the Foreign Office on the Italian Question, and yet, no +sooner is one withdrawn or altered, than others are submitted exactly +of the same purport or tendency, if even couched in new words. The +Queen has so often expressed her views that she is almost reluctant +to reiterate them. She wishes, however, Lord John to re-peruse the two +drafts enclosed, which just came to her. If they have any meaning or +object, it must be to show to France that it would be to her interest +to break in the Treaty of Zurich the leading conditions to which +she pledged herself to Austria at Villafranca. Those preliminaries +contained but three provisions affecting Austria: (1) That Austria +was to cede Lombardy; (2) That an Italian Confederation should be +encouraged, of which Venetia was to form part; (3) That the Dukes of +Tuscany and Modena were to return to their Duchies. The two latter +clauses must be considered as compensations for the losses inflicted +in the first. Both the latter are now to be recommended by England, a +neutral in the war, to be broken. + +Now, either it is expected that our advice will not be listened to, in +which case it would not be useful and hardly dignified to give it, +or it is expected that France will follow it. If, on finding herself +cheated, Austria were to feel herself obliged to take up arms again, +we should be directly answerable for this fresh war. What would then +be our alternative? Either to leave France in the lurch, to re-fight +her own battle, which would entail lasting danger and disgrace on this +country, or to join her in the fresh war against Austria--a misfortune +from which the Queen feels herself equally bound to protect her +country. + +As this is a question of principle on which she clearly understood her +Cabinet to have been unanimous, she must ask her correspondence to be +circulated amongst its members, with a view to ascertain whether they +also would be parties to its reversal, and in order to prevent the +necessity of these frequent discussions, which, as the Queen has +already said, are very painful to her. + + + + +[Pageheading: MEDIATION OF LORD GRANVILLE] + + +_Earl Granville to the Prince Albert._ + +LONDON, _29th August 1859_. + +SIR,--In the middle of last week I received at Aldenham a letter from +Mr Sidney Herbert,[71] in which he told me that he had just received +a visit from Lord Palmerston, much perturbed and annoyed, saying that +the Queen had objected to all Lord John's despatches, and appeared to +think that it was objectionable for England to give any advice on the +subject of Italian affairs. Mr Herbert gave some good advice to Lord +Palmerston, but, from the tone of his letter, I gather that he +thought the objections made at Osborne unreasonable. I answered that +I entirely concurred with him in the interest of everybody, that no +feelings of irritation should exist between the Sovereign and her +leading Ministers; that it was possible that the Queen, forgetting +how very sensitive Lord John was to criticism, had pulled him up more +sharply than he liked, but that I was convinced the objections made +were not exactly those mentioned by Lord Palmerston. I heard nothing +more till I received on Saturday evening a telegram, summoning me to a +Cabinet this day. I came to Town immediately, and saw Lord Palmerston +yesterday. I enquired the reason of the sudden summons for a Cabinet. +He told me that there had been a discussion between the Queen and Lord +John; that the Queen had objected to his (Lord John's) proposal that +the despatch of 25th July should be now communicated to the French +Government. Lord John had informed him of the fact, and had requested +him to communicate with the Queen on the subject. Lord Palmerston +then read to me a well-written memorandum on the abstract question of +giving advice, which he had sent to Her Majesty. He told me that he +had been to Osborne; that the Queen had expressed a wish through Sir +Charles Wood that he should not discuss the whole matter with her; +that he had had a satisfactory conversation with your Royal Highness, +of which he gave me an abstract, which, however, contained his own +arguments at greater length than your Royal Highness's. He said that +Lord John had made a mistake with respect to the end of the despatch, +in which Lord Cowley is desired to withhold it till after the Peace of +Zurich was concluded. Lord John gave a different interpretation to it +from what appeared to be the case, as described by a previous letter +of Lord John, in which he had said that the sentence was added at +the suggestion of the Cabinet, and with his entire approval. Lord +Palmerston states that the Queen did not feel herself authorised +to sanction a departure from what had been decided by the Cabinet, +without the concurrence of the Cabinet, and that she thought it +desirable, if the Cabinet met, that they should agree on the future +policy as regards Italy. Lord John also wished for a Cabinet. + +I replied that there seemed to be a double question: first, a +difference between the Queen and Lord John Russell and himself; and +second, the whole question of our Italian Policy. On the first point +I could not but remember the apprehension generally felt at the +formation of his first Government; that the feeling between the +Sovereign and himself might not be such as to give strength to the +Government; that the result, however, was most satisfactory. I was not +aware of either the Queen or himself having given way on any one +point of principle, but the best understanding was kept up in the most +honourable way to both, and that, at the end of his Ministry, I knew +that the Queen had expressed to several persons how much she regretted +to lose his services. That I most sincerely hoped that there was +no chance of misunderstanding now arising; that would be most +disadvantageous to the Sovereign, to the public service, to the +Government, and, above all, to himself. He interrupted me by assuring +me that there was not the slightest chance of this. He repeated to +me flattering things said by the Queen at the close of his last +Administration, and told me that it was impossible for the Queen to +have been more kind and civil than at his visit last week at Osborne. +I continued that in Italian matters I believed the Cabinet was agreed. +Our language to Italian Governments ought to show sympathy with Italy, +and let them know that we were anxious that they should be left free +to act and decide for themselves; that it should inform them in the +clearest manner that in no case were they to obtain active assistance +from us, and it ought to avoid giving any advice as to their conduct, +which might make us responsible for the evil or danger which might +accrue from following such advice. That our language to France and +Austria ought to press upon them in every _judicious_ manner the +expediency of doing that which was likely to secure the permanent +happiness of Italy, and to persuade them to abstain from forcing upon +the Italians, persons and forms of Government to which they objected; +nothing like a menace or a promise to be used.... + +I then saw Sidney Herbert, who told me that Charles Wood's report +had entirely changed the aspect of things; that it was clear that the +Queen had come to the assistance of the Cabinet, instead of opposing +them; that reason had been entirely on her side, and that Johnny had +reduced the question now to the single point, which was not of much +importance, whether the 25th July despatch should now be communicated +or not. He told me that Lord John was in a state of great irritation, +and ready to kick over the traces. I dined at Lord Palmerston's, and +met Sir Charles Wood and Mr Gladstone. I had some guarded conversation +with the latter, who seemed very reasonable. Sir Charles Wood gave me +all the information which I required. It appears to me that the +really important point is that the whole Cabinet should know the real +question between the Queen and her Ministers, and that, if Lord John +can find plausible reasons for changing the date of the communication +of the despatch, it may be better for the Queen to consent to this. +Some of us will take care to have a decided opinion about the future +course of our policy. + +I presume Sir George Grey will be at the Cabinet, and will be able to +report to your Royal Highness what has passed. If he is not there, I +will write again. I have the honour to be, Sir, with great respect, +your Royal Highness's obedient, humble, and faithful Servant, + +GRANVILLE. + + [Footnote 71: See Lord Fitzmaurice's _Life of Lord Granville_, + vol. i. chap. xiii.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S POSITION] + + +_Earl Granville to the Prince Albert._ + +PRIVY COUNCIL OFFICE, _29th August 1859_. + +SIR,--The Cabinet was very satisfactory. Lord John looked ill, and +evidently ashamed of much of his case. Many of the Cabinet +thought that the despatch of 25th July had not only been sent but +communicated. Others attached a different meaning to the closing +paragraph than what it appears to bear. Lord John produced a most +objectionable draft of despatch in lieu of that of the 25th. It was +universally condemned, and Lord Palmerston was empowered to tell the +Queen that the Cabinet now thought that the despatch of the 25th might +be communicated. + +Lords Palmerston and John Russell asked for further powers during the +Recess, and recommended that we should give an opinion in favour of +annexation of duchies to Sardinia. This was decidedly objected to, and +we all professed our readiness to meet again if necessary.[72] + +The Cabinet thoroughly understood what had passed between the Queen +and her two Ministers, although we could not get Lord John to show us +all we required. + +Gladstone took me aside after it was over to say that I must have +thought him stupid yesterday evening, that now he knew the facts he +thought Her Majesty had been put to most unnecessary annoyance. The +Chancellor said something of the same sort. I never saw the Cabinet +more united. + +The Duke of Argyll, Lord Elgin, and Mr Cardwell were absent. I am, +Sir, with great respect, your obedient, humble, and faithful Servant, + +GRANVILLE. + + [Footnote 72: "Pam. asked for fuller powers to act during the + recess, which was met by a general assurance of readiness + to come up by night trains." Lord Granville to the Duke of + Argyll. See the _Life of Lord Granville_, vol. i. p. 358.] + + + + +[Pageheading: SARDINIA AND CENTRAL ITALY] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +Balmoral, _5th September 1859_. + +Lord John Russell will not be surprised if the despatches of Lord +Cowley and drafts by Lord John in answer to them, which the Queen +returns to him, have given her much pain. Here we have the very +interference with advice to which the Queen had objected when +officially brought before her for her sanction, to which the Cabinet +objected, and which Lord John Russell agreed to withdraw, carried +on by direct communication of the Prime Minister through the French +Ambassador with the Emperor; and we have the very effect produced +which the Queen dreaded, viz. the French Minister insinuating that +we called upon his master to do that which he would consider so +dishonourable that he would rather resign than be a party to it! What +is the use of the Queen's open and, she fears, sometimes wearisome +correspondence, with her Ministers, what the use of long deliberations +of the Cabinet, if the very policy can be carried out by indirect +means which is set aside officially, and what protection has the Queen +against this practice? Lord John Russell's distinction also between +his own official and private opinion or advice given to a Foreign +Minister is a most dangerous, and, the Queen thinks, untenable theory, +open to the same objections, for what he states will have the weight +of the official character of the Foreign Secretary, whether stated +as his private or his public opinion. His advice to the Marquis +d'Azeglio[73] is moreover quite open to the inference drawn by Count +Walewski, that it is an encouragement to _Sardinia_, to Military +intervention in and occupation of the Duchies, and Lord John Russell's +answer hardly meets this point if left as it stands at present; +for "the _name_ of the King of Sardinia,... _the chief of a +well-disciplined army_," will have little influence unless he is +prepared to use that army. + +The Queen must ask Lord John to instruct Lord Cowley to state to Count +Walewski that no opinions expressed on Foreign Policy are those of +"Her Majesty's Government" but those which are given in the official +and regular way, and that Her Majesty's Government never thought of +advising the French Government to break the solemn engagements into +which the Emperor Napoleon entered towards the Emperor of Austria at +Villafranca. + +The Queen asks Lord John to communicate this letter to Lord +Palmerston. + + [Footnote 73: Massimo d'Azeglio, Sardinian Commissioner in the + Romagna. He had been Prime Minister of Sardinia from 1849 till + 1852, when Cavour, who had been in his ministry, succeeded + him.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ENGLAND INVOLVED] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BALMORAL, _6th September 1859_. + +The Queen returns Lord Palmerston's letter, together with the other +papers sent to her, to Lord John. She is glad to find that he thinks +that no answer ought to be given to Count Persigny, but she thinks +it important that it should be _stated to him that no answer can +be given_. Unfortunately, here has been again the Prime Minister +declaring that he _quite agrees_ with the French Ambassador, but that +the proposal should come officially from France to be placed before +the Cabinet. The inference must be that the Cabinet and the Queen +will, as a matter of course, agree also, when it is so submitted. Now +what is it that Lord Palmerston has approved? A plan for an alliance +of England with France for the purpose of _overruling_ Austria, if the +Duchies in which she is the heir, and to which the Archdukes were to +return in accordance with the stipulations of Villafranca, were given +to Sardinia and Austria should object. It is hoped indeed that this +will not immediately lead to war with her, but France is to expect +that she will not be left to fight single-handed for an object +declared to be more English than French! Thus we are dragged step by +step into the position of a party in the Italian strife. The Queen +thinks it incumbent upon her not to leave Lord John Russell in +ignorance of the fact that _she_ could not approve such a policy +reversing our whole position since the commencement of the War. + +The Queen must leave it to Lord John to consider how far it would be +fair to his colleagues in the Cabinet to leave them unacquainted with +the various private steps lately taken, which must seriously affect +their free consideration of the important question upon which they +have hitherto pledged themselves to a distinct principle. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BALMORAL, _6th September 1859_. + +The Queen returns to Lord Palmerston his correspondence with M. de +Persigny. Lord John Russell will have sent him her letter to him on +this subject. She has nothing to add, but to repeat her conviction +of the great danger and inconvenience arising out of such private +communications, and the apprehension she must naturally feel that +the attempt to convince the Emperor Napoleon that it would be for his +interest to break his word to the Emperor of Austria should reflect +upon the honour of the Queen's Government. She must insist upon this +being distinctly guarded against. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S CRITICISMS] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +ABERGELDIE, _7th September 1859_. + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he +cannot refrain from making some remarks on your Majesty's letter of +yesterday. + +Lord Palmerston appears to have answered M. de Persigny by saying +that he personally agreed with him, but that the proposition he had +sketched must come from the French Government; that it must come from +them officially, and it would then have to be maturely considered by +the Cabinet. + +Lord John Russell sees nothing to object to in this language. It might +be embarrassing to Lord Palmerston if such a proposition were to +come from France, and were to be rejected by the Cabinet. But Lord +Palmerston could easily explain the matter to M. de Persigny. Lord +Palmerston does not appear to have committed your Majesty, or Lord +John Russell, or the Cabinet in any way. + +On the other hand, your Majesty cannot mean that the Cabinet is to +be precluded from maturely considering any proposition which may come +officially from France. + +Lord John Russell feels, on his own part, that he must offer to your +Majesty such advice as he thinks best adapted to secure the interests +and dignity of your Majesty and the country. He will be held by +Parliament responsible for that advice. It will be always in your +Majesty's power to reject it altogether. + +Lord John Russell is of opinion that there never was a time when it +was less expedient to fetter this country by prospective engagements. +But it does not follow that the policy pursued last autumn and winter, +and which ended in a war in Italy, would be the best course in any +future contingency. Should another war arise it will be very difficult +for Great Britain to remain neutral. For this reason it is desirable +to prevent such a war, if possible. It was difficult last winter, and +may be still more difficult this winter. For the present there is no +better course than to keep this country free from engagements. After +the peace of Zurich is made, or not made, we shall see our way better. + +Lord John Russell has never concealed his opinions from his +colleagues. He even warned them that France might make such a +proposition as M. de Persigny now contemplates. + +The enclosed letter from Lord Palmerston and Mr Fane's[74] despatch +will show the feelings which exist between Austria and Prussia. The +Emperor Napoleon does not appear to have satisfied Prince Metternich. +His object evidently is to gain time. + + [Footnote 74: Julian Henry Fane, son of the eleventh Earl of + Westmorland, and Secretary of Embassy at Vienna.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BALMORAL, _7th September 1859_. + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter. She can ask for +nothing better than "that we should be kept from any engagements," and +she never could have intended to convey the impression that she wished +to "see the Cabinet precluded from taking into consideration any +proposal France might make." What she objects to is binding beforehand +the Government by expressions of opinion of its leading members to the +French Government, and thus _bringing about_ those French proposals +which it will be most embarrassing to the Cabinet either to reject +or adopt. It is absolutely necessary, therefore, that the French +Government should be told that the opinions given were private +opinions not binding the Government. Lord John has not yet sent to the +Queen drafts in conformity with her wishes expressed in her letter of +the day before yesterday. + + + + +[Pageheading: LETTERS TO FOREIGN SOVEREIGNS] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +BROADLANDS, _9th September 1859_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has +had the honour to receive your Majesty's communication of the 6th of +this month; and although he had the honour of addressing your Majesty +yesterday afternoon, he deems it his duty to submit some observations +upon this communication. + +Your Majesty states that Viscount Palmerston in his letter to Count +Persigny endeavoured to persuade the Emperor of the French to break +his word to the Emperor of Austria, but Viscount Palmerston must beg +very respectfully but entirely to deny that accusation....[75] + +Your Majesty is pleased to observe upon the danger and inconvenience +of private communications with Foreign Ministers, and to add that +your Majesty must insist upon this being distinctly guarded against. +Viscount [Palmerston] would be very desirous of knowing the precise +meaning of those last words. If your Majesty means that what is to be +guarded against is any attempt to induce a Foreign Sovereign to break +his word, Viscount Palmerston cordially subscribes to that opinion, +and maintains that he has not done so in the past, and declares that +he has no intention of doing so in the future. But if your +Majesty's meaning is that Viscount Palmerston is to be debarred +from communicating with Foreign Ministers except for the purpose +of informing them officially of formal decisions of the British +Government, Viscount Palmerston would beg humbly and respectfully to +represent to your Majesty that such a curtailment of the proper and +constitutional functions of the office which he holds would render +it impossible for him to serve your Majesty consistently with his own +honour or with advantage to the public interest. + + [Footnote 75: Lord Palmerston then gives a very long and + detailed account of his position.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S OPINION] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BALMORAL, _11th September 1859_. + +Lord Palmerston has written (on the 8th) a long letter to the Queen, +which, besides giving his private opinion on the politics of Italy, +which were not disputed, purports to show that when a principle +of policy had been adopted by the Cabinet and sanctioned by the +Sovereign, the Foreign Secretary ought not to be impeded in carrying +out the details, either by objections raised to them by the Sovereign, +or by making them dependent on the meetings of Cabinets, difficult to +obtain at this time of year. Now the question raised by the Queen +was _just the reverse_. The principle adopted by the Cabinet and +sanctioned by the Queen was: not to interfere by active advice with +the peace to be made at Zurich; the Foreign Secretary had submitted a +draft which had appeared to the Queen to be in contradiction to this +principle, which, upon the Sovereign's objection, he withdrew; the +Cabinet was summoned and rejected a similar draft submitted to them, +and the Queen then complained that the very same advice should have +been given by the Prime Minister in an indirect way to which the +Sovereign and Cabinet could not agree openly. Lord Palmerston's letter +was not communicated to the Queen until it had been alluded to in a +public despatch, and Count Walewski had insinuated to our Ambassador +that, rather than be a party to a line of conduct, which he would look +upon as dishonourable for his master, he would resign office. What the +Queen has asked for is: an intimation to the French Government that +private communications like that of Lord Palmerston to M. de Persigny +must not be looked upon as the official expression of the opinion of +Her Majesty's Government, and that we disclaim ever having intended +to induce the Emperor to break his engagements made at Villafranca, +whatever they may have been. The Queen does not conceive that Lord +Palmerston can object to this course, nor does he attempt to do so in +his letter. + +_P.S._--Since writing the above the Queen has received Lord +Palmerston's letter of the 9th. As she has just written at length, +she does not conceive that it would be necessary to make any further +observations in reply, except to a distinct question put by him in +the latter part of his letter, viz. what the Queen wishes to have +"distinctly guarded against." + +It is the danger and inconvenience of private communications with +Foreign Ministers, without a distinct understanding that they are +strictly private, and not to be treated as conveying the opinions of +Her Majesty's Government, where the sanction of the Crown and adhesion +of the Cabinet have not been obtained. Lord John Russell has now +expressed this in a paragraph in one of his drafts to Lord Cowley, +which he will send to Lord Palmerston. + +As a proof of the necessity of such caution, the Queen, has only to +refer to the public use made of Lord Palmerston's private letter +to Count Persigny, and the use made to our prejudice by the Emperor +Napoleon at the time of the armistice at Villafranca of a private +communication with Count Persigny, which was represented to imply +assent to certain conditions of peace by England, with a desire of +pressing them on Austria, when no opinion had been expressed by the +Government to justify such an inference. + + + + +[Pageheading: ST JUAN] + + +_The Duke of Newcastle to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _26th September 1859_. + +The Duke of Newcastle presents his humble duty to your Majesty. + +Your Majesty will receive from Sir George Lewis full information +of the serious intelligence which has been received to-day from +Washington and Vancouver Island respecting the Military occupation +by United States troops of the island of St Juan,[76] and of the view +taken of it by your Majesty's Government. + +The Duke of Newcastle begs leave to receive your Majesty's +instructions upon the acceptance of an offer made by Lord Clarendon +whilst on a visit at Clumber last week. Lord Clarendon received not +long ago a private letter from the President of the United States. He +proposes that in answering this letter he should express his concern +at these untoward events, and particularly at their occurrence at a +time when, if not speedily settled, they would prevent the fulfilment +of a project which he had reason to think had been in contemplation--a +visit to Washington by the Prince of Wales on his return from Canada. + +Lord Clarendon expresses his belief that nothing would so much gratify +Mr Buchanan as a visit from His Royal Highness to the United States +during his Presidency.... + +Lord Palmerston and Lord John Russell see no objection to such a +letter from Lord Clarendon, which, whilst it would carry weight as +coming from one occupying so high a position in this country, would +bear no official character; but as the name of the Prince of Wales +would be used, however hypothetically, such a letter would not be +written by Lord Clarendon or accepted by the Government without your +Majesty's sanction. + +The Duke of Newcastle therefore requests to be favoured with your +Majesty's commands that he may communicate them to Lord Clarendon. + + [Footnote 76: A dispute had arisen out of the Oregon affair + (see _ante_, vol. ii., Introductory Notes to Chapters XIV, + and XV), concerning the rival claims of this country and + the United States to the small island of St Juan, situated + between Vancouver Island and the State of Washington, which + is adjacent to the Canadian frontier.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._[77] + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _1st December 1859_. + +The Queen returns Lord Cowley's interesting letter. She trusts that +it will be made quite clear to the Emperor that he has no chance +of getting us to join him in the war with Austria, which he may be +tempted or driven to renew. This alternative constantly recurs to his +mind.... + + [Footnote 77: On the 10th of November the Treaty of Zurich, + embodying the terms arranged at Villafranca, had been + signed, and a Congress was determined upon, to settle Italian + affairs.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ENGLAND AND FRANCE] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +FOREIGN OFFICE, _1st December 1859_. + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he +has written to Lord Cowley, according to your Majesty's gracious +permission. The question of supporting the Emperor of the French, if +Austria should attempt force to impose a government in Italy against +the popular will, must be judged of according to the circumstances, +should they arise. Lord John Russell is certainly not prepared to say +that a case may not arise when the interests of Great Britain might +require that she should give material support to the Emperor of the +French. But he considers such a case as very improbable, and that +the fear of such an alliance will prevent Austria from disturbing the +peace of Europe. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _2nd December 1859_. + +The Queen was extremely sorry to find from Lord John Russell's letter +of yesterday that he contemplates the possibility of our joining +France in a fresh Italian war or demonstration of war against Austria, +which the Queen had put entirely out of the question. If the Emperor +of the French were allowed to believe in such a possibility, he would +have it in his power to bring it about, or obtain a just cause +of complaint against us, if we abandoned him. It would be just as +dangerous and unfair towards the Emperor to mislead him in this +respect as it would be for the Queen to conceal from Lord John that +under no pretence will she depart from her position of neutrality +in the Italian quarrel, and inflict upon her country and Europe the +calamity of war on that account. + + + + +[Pageheading: SIR JAMES HUDSON] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _6th December 1859_. + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter recommending Sir +James Hudson[78] as the Second Representative at the Congress of +Paris. The Queen must decline sanctioning this selection. Lord John +Russell has in his last letters avowed his conviction that England +cannot again remain neutral in an Italian war, and his opinion that +she ought to support France and Sardinia by arms if Austria were to +attempt to recover her supremacy by force. Lord Cowley wrote on the +29th ult. that Prince Metternich declared that Austria kept her Army +ready because she could not permit either the military occupation +of the Duchies by Sardinia or their annexation to that kingdom. Lord +Palmerston sent to the Queen yesterday evening the copy of a letter he +wrote to Count Persigny urging the Emperor Napoleon by every argument +he can find to consent to this annexation, even to the length of +assuring him that such a state would always be obliged to lean on +France. + +The Queen cannot help drawing her conclusions from these facts, and +feels more than ever the great responsibility resting on her, to +preserve to her people the blessings of peace. She wishes this letter +to be communicated to Lord Palmerston and to the Cabinet. + +The Queen approves of Lord Cowley as her First Representative at the +Congress. + + [Footnote 78: Sir James Hudson, Minister at Turin, had been + a sympathiser in the policy of Cavour, to an extent almost + incompatible with his position as a British representative.] + + + + +[Pageheading: CENTRAL ITALY] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _7th December 1859_. + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter of yesterday. +Although to avoid a long written discussion, she has not in her last +letter stated any reason for her objecting to Sir James Hudson as +Plenipotentiary at the Congress, she has no objection to state to Lord +John that it is simply her want of confidence in him, being the result +of her having watched his conduct at his post at Turin during these +last years. The Queen's representative at Paris ought to be a person +in whom she can have entire confidence, that _English_ interests alone +will sway his conduct. From Lord John Russell's letter it appears +that many of his colleagues in Cabinet saw equal objections to the +appointment. + +The Queen repeats her wish that her letter of yesterday may be +communicated to the Cabinet. + +Lord Cowley's letter, which she returns, is not calculated to +diminish the Queen's alarm as to the direction in which we are being +systematically driven, viz. _War_ to support the Emperor Napoleon, +who almost claims such support already as his right! He has already +shifted his ground further, and asks for it in case Austria should +oppose "the armed interference of Sardinia in the affairs of Central +Italy." Now Sardinia can have no more right to such interference than +Austria; yet the Emperor says "he is quite determined to renew the +war in case Austria resists." It is under these circumstances that the +advice of the Prime Minister of England to the Emperor, to withdraw +the only impediment which restrains the action of Sardinia, becomes a +matter of such grave moment. + +The Queen is determined to hold to her neutrality in the Italian +intrigues, revolutions, and wars. It is true, Lord John says, "it +becomes a great power like Great Britain to preserve the peace of +Europe, by throwing her great weight into the scale which has justice +on its side." But where justice lies, admits of every variety of +opinion. + +The Party placed in absolute power by a revolution and a foreign +invasion is not necessarily the exponent of the real wishes of a +people, and Lord Cowley reports Mr Layard "hot from Italy to confirm +him in the opinion he has always held, that the annexation of Tuscany +to Sardinia is not practicable." This, however, Lord Palmerston urges, +and if it be agreed to by the Emperor and attempted by Sardinia, +Lord John would probably wish England to fight for it as the cause of +justice. + +Has Lord John ever contemplated the probability of Austria not being +abandoned a second time by Germany, when attacked by France? The +Emperor is sure to have calculated upon this, and has not played his +game badly, if he can get the Alliance of England to sanction and +foster his attack upon the Rhine, which would inevitably follow. +The Queen believes this to be a cherished object of France, and the +success certain if we become her dupes. The Queen can hardly for a +moment bring herself to think of the consequences. + +She would wish this letter also to be shown to the Cabinet. + + + + +[Pageheading: MEETING OF THE CABINET] + + +_Earl Granville to the Prince Albert._ + +LONDON, _8th December 1859_. + +SIR,--Lord John stated in what appeared to me a very fair way what +had taken place between himself and Lord Palmerston in their +communications with Her Majesty, and read Her Majesty's letters. At +the end of his statement the Chancellor asked what was the question to +be decided by the Cabinet. Lord John answered that he wished to know +whether he was to inform Her Majesty that the Cabinet were of opinion +that they were still respectfully of opinion that Sir James Hudson was +the fittest person to be named Second Plenipotentiary, or whether he +should acquiesce in Her Majesty's commands, reserving his own opinion +as to the fitness of Sir James. The Chancellor answered: "Undoubtedly +the second course will be the best." I then stated my reasons, or +rather repeated them, for objecting to Sir James Hudson. Mr Gladstone +made a hesitating remark. Sir G. Lewis and the Duke of Argyll, Sir +Charles Wood, and Sir George Grey--the latter very strongly--supported +the second course proposed by Lord John. Lord Palmerston spoke with +some temper and dogmatically as to who were right and who were wrong, +but advised Lord John to take the second course. The appointment of +Lord Wodehouse[79] was proposed. Some of us do not think it a very +good one, but there are no sufficient grounds for our opposing it. +I am not sure that Gladstone would not go any lengths in supporting +Lords Palmerston and John Russell on the Italian Question, although +he is more cautious than they are. The feeling of the rest of the +Cabinet, as far as I can judge, is perfectly sound about war, and on +our taking an English and not a purely Sardinian attitude; but they +are all inclined to sympathise with the national feeling in Italy, and +averse to the restoration of the Dukes by force or by intrigue. + +Lord John was sore and nervous, but talked of his letter to the Queen, +and Lord Palmerston's to Persigny, as "unlucky." Lord Palmerston seems +convinced that he is perfectly in the right, and everybody else in the +wrong, and would, I am sure, take advantage of any step, taken without +sufficient consideration by the Queen, to make a stand for his own +policy.... + +I have the honour to be, Sir, with great respect, your Royal +Highness's obedient and faithful Servant, + +GRANVILLE. + + [Footnote 79: Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, + and afterwards, as Earl of Kimberley, a member of successive + Liberal Cabinets.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DIVORCE CASES] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Lord Chancellor_ (_Lord Campbell_). + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th December 1859_. + +The Queen wishes to ask the Lord Chancellor whether no steps can be +taken to prevent the present publicity of the proceedings before the +new Divorce Court. These cases, which must necessarily increase when +the new law becomes more and more known, fill now almost daily a large +portion of the newspapers, and are of so scandalous a character that +it makes it almost impossible for a paper to be trusted in the hands +of a young lady or boy. None of the worst French novels from which +careful parents would try to protect their children can be as bad +as what is daily brought and laid upon the breakfast-table of every +educated family in England, and its effect must be most pernicious to +the public morals of the country.[80] + + [Footnote 80: Lord Campbell replied that having attempted in + the last session to introduce a measure to give effect to the + Queen's wish, and having been defeated, he was helpless to + prevent the evil.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Emperor of the French._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _le 31 Decembre 1859_. + +SIRE ET MON CHER FRERE,--Je viens comme de coutume offrir a votre +Majeste nos felicitations bien sinceres a l'occasion de la +nouvelle annee. Puisse-t-elle ne vous apporter que du bonheur et du +contentement! L'annee qui vient de s'ecouler a ete orageuse et penible +et a fait souffrir bien des c[oe]rs. Je prie Dieu que celle dans +laquelle nous entrons nous permette de voir s'accomplir l'[oe]uvre de +la pacification, avec tous ses bienfaits pour le repos et le progres +du monde. Il y aura encore a reconcilier bien des opinions divergentes +et des interets apparemment opposes; mais avec l'aide du Ciel et une +ferme resolution de ne vouloir que le bien de ceux dont nous avons a +regler le sort, il ne faut pas en desesperer. + +Nous avons eu le plaisir de posseder pendant quelques semaines notre +chere fille et son mari, qu'il nous a ete bien doux de revoir au sein +de notre famille. Notre fils aine passe ses vacances avec nous, mais +retournera prochainement a Oxford pour reprendre ses etudes. + +Lady Ely vient de nous dire qu'elle a trouve votre Majeste ainsi que +l'Imperatrice et le petit Prince dans la meilleure sante ce qui nous a +fait bien du plaisir d'entendre. + +Le Prince me charge d'offrir ses hommages les plus affectueux a votre +Majeste, et, en vous renouvelant les expressions de ma sincere amitie, +je me dis, Sire et cher Frere, de V.M.I, la bonne et affectionnee +S[oe]ur et Amie, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +TO CHAPTER XXIX + + +At the end of 1859, Mr Cobden had offered his services to the +Government to negotiate a commercial treaty with France, and had been +warmly encouraged in the scheme by Mr Gladstone. In January 1860, he +was officially appointed a Plenipotentiary, with Lord Cowley, for +this purpose, and on the 23rd of that month the treaty was signed. It +included mutual remissions and reductions of import duties, and was +contingent on obtaining the assent of the British Parliament, but +neither party was fettered by any engagement not to extend similar +concessions to other countries. In February, on the introduction of +the Budget, the treaty was brought before the House of Commons, and +ratified by a great majority; at the same time Mr Gladstone abolished +a large number of import duties, but increased the income-tax for +incomes over L150, from ninepence to tenpence in the pound. His +proposal to repeal the paper duties was rejected by the Peers, the +majority in its favour in the Commons having sunk to nine. A Commons +Committee was appointed to deal with this conflict between the Houses, +and resolutions defining the powers of the Peers in money bills were +passed by the Lower House, Lord Palmerston clearly showing himself in +sympathy with the Lords. Mr Gladstone expressed a desire to resign, +in consequence of his difference with his colleagues, while Lord Derby +and Lord Malmesbury intimated privately that they would support Lord +Palmerston in office against any Radical secession. A Reform Bill of +Lord John Russell, reducing the Borough Franchise to L6, and making a +moderate redistribution of seats, was received with indifference, and +eventually dropped. + +Italian affairs mainly absorbed the attention of the country. The +intended international congress was abandoned, owing to the attitude +adopted by the French Emperor towards the Pope, but the former now +obtained the annexation of Savoy and Nice, not, as had been arranged +in 1858 as a reward for assisting to set Italy free "from the Alps to +the Adriatic"--an ideal which had not been realised--but as a price +for assisting Piedmont to incorporate the Central Italian Provinces. +The annexation was strongly resented, and suspicions of French designs +were aroused to such an extent as to give a substantial impetus to the +Volunteer movement in this country. By the summer, 130,000 Volunteers +had been enrolled, and, at a review in Hyde Park, 21,000 men +marched past the Queen, while in August, in consequence of the +same apprehensions, it was decided by a large vote to carry out the +recommendations of the National Defence Commission. + +The Swiss made an ineffectual protest against the annexation of that +part of Savoy which had been neutralised by the treaty of Vienna, +while, on the other hand, the Emperor Napoleon maintained that the +people of Savoy and Nice had the same right to transfer their country +to France, as Tuscany and the Aemilia (under which name the Duchies +of Parma and Modena and the Romagna were now united) had to place +themselves under the King of Sardinia. This they decided in March, +by universal suffrage, to do; a few days later the treaty for the +annexation of Savoy and Nice was signed, and in April it was ratified +in the Piedmontese Parliament, Garibaldi, the deputy for Nice, his +native town, voting against it. In the same month, a _plebiscite_, +taken in the provinces affected, showed an immense majority in favour +of annexation. Garibaldi himself was soon afterwards engaged in +rendering assistance to the Sicilians in their insurrection against +the despotic King Francis II. Assuming the title of "Dictator of +Sicily, in the name of Victor Emmanuel," Garibaldi attacked and +occupied Palermo, and having established his ascendency in the island, +invaded the Neapolitan territory on the mainland. The Sardinian +Government, for diplomatic reasons, disavowed the expedition, but gave +a retrospective assent to it later in the year. + +The French Emperor's policy in Syria added to the distrust with which +he was regarded. The Maronites, a Christian tribe, had been attacked +and massacred by the Druses, and the Emperor had proposed to send +troops to restore order. This step was eventually taken, after a +European conference had been held; but the Emperor's proposal was +so severely criticised that he wrote a long letter to the French +Ambassador in London, reviewing and justifying his policy in Italy and +elsewhere, since the Peace of Villafranca. + +Garibaldi had ignored the instructions of Victor Emmanuel to abstain +from further operations against Naples, until the two Sicilies had +voted for absorption into United Italy; King Francis fled to Gaeta, +and Garibaldi entered the capital. At the same time, Cavour, in spite +of a French protest, determined upon the invasion of the Papal States, +and acted so promptly that in three weeks all effective opposition to +the Italian cause in that territory was put down, and Umbria and the +Marches were conquered. In October, the Piedmontese Parliament voted +for the annexation of such of the southern Italian provinces as should +declare themselves in favour of it; the Two Sicilies having accepted +the offer by overwhelming majorities, the King and Garibaldi joined +hands at Teano, and finally defeated the Bourbon army, afterwards +entering Naples. The Marches and Umbria also declared for +incorporation in the new Kingdom. + +In July, the Prince of Wales, accompanied by the Duke of Newcastle, +left England for a tour in Canada, where he was welcomed with +unbounded enthusiasm; he afterwards proceeded to the United States, +visiting New York, Chicago, and other great cities, being received +by President Buchanan at Washington. The Prince returned home in the +course of November. + +The Abolitionist troubles, which for some time had been acute in the +States, came to a crisis in the last days of the year, South Carolina +adopting autonomous ordinances, declaring her own independence and +sovereignty as a State, and her secession from the Union. + +The refusal of the Chinese Government to ratify the Treaty of +Tien-tsin, and an unwarranted attack on certain British ships, led to +a revival of hostilities. A desire being expressed by the Chinese to +resume negotiations, some of the British representatives despatched +for that purpose were treacherously captured, and treated with great +cruelty. The allied troops of England and France thereupon, marched +to Pekin, when reparation was made, and retribution, exacted for the +outrages. A Convention was eventually signed on the 24th of October. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +1860 + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _6th January 1860_. + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I have to thank you for a _most affectionate_ +and gracious letter of the 3rd.... + +I will speak to my pianist about Wagner's _Lohengrin_; he plays with +great taste and feeling, and I purchased a fine Parisian piano to +enable him to go on satisfactorily. + +Now I must speak a little of passing events. Louis Napoleon wished +for a Congress because it would have placed a new authority between +himself and the Italians, whom he fears evidently concerning their +fondness of assassinating people. The pamphlet, "The Pope and the +Congress," remains _incomprehensible_[1]; it will do him much harm, +and will deprive him of the confidence of the Catholics who have +been in France his most devoted supporters. Now the Congress is then +postponed, but what is to be done with Italy? One notion is, that +there would be some arrangement by which Piedmont would receive more, +Savoy would go to France, and England would receive Sardinia. I am +sure that England would by no means wish to have Sardinia. It will +give me great pleasure to hear what Lord Cowley has reported on these +subjects. I understand that Louis Napoleon is now much occupied with +Germany, and studies its resources. This is somewhat alarming, as he +had followed, it seems, the same course about Italy. _Gare la bombe_, +the Prussians may say. One cannot understand why Louis Napoleon is +using so many odd subterfuges when plain acting would from the month +of September have settled everything. I must say that I found Walewski +at that time very sensible and conservative. His retiring will +give the impression that things are now to be carried on in a less +conservative way, and people will be much alarmed. I know Thouvenel, +and liked him, but that was in the poor King's time. In England his +nomination will not give much pleasure, I should imagine, as he was in +the situation to oppose English notions in the Orient.... Your devoted +Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 1: This famous pamphlet, issued (like that of + February 1859, _ante_, 25th January, 1859, note 7) under + the nominal authorship of M. de la Gueronniere, expounded + the Emperor'sview that the Pope should be deprived of his + temporal dominions, Rome excepted. Its publication brought + about the resignation of Count Walewski (who was succeeded + by M. de Thouvenel) and the abandonment of the proposed + Congress.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _11th January 1860_. + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter, written after the +Cabinet yesterday evening. She was much relieved by finding a proposal +to call upon France and Austria not to interfere in Italy substituted +for the former one implying war on our part for the defence of the +Provisional Governments of Central Italy. The Queen must consider this +new proposal, however, as partial and incomplete as long as Sardinia +is not asked as well to abstain from interference. Austria has +reversionary rights in Tuscany and Modena, Sardinia has no rights +at all, if a desire for acquisition is not to be considered as one. +Austria will probably say she has no intention of interfering as long +as Sardinia does not, but she cannot allow Sardinia to possess herself +of her inheritance under her very eyes. It is also incorrect to place +France and Austria entirely in the same line; Austria being an Italian +power in virtue of Venetia, and France having nothing whatever to do +in Italy. + + + + +[Pageheading: WHIG TRADITIONS] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +PEMBROKE LODGE, _11th January 1860_. + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he has +just had the honour to receive your Majesty's letter of this date. + +Lord John Russell has sent to Lord Palmerston the proposal he humbly +submits to your Majesty. + +He will therefore only venture to say that the doctrines of the +Revolution of 1688, doctrines which were supported by Mr Fox, Mr Pitt, +the Duke of Wellington, Lord Castlereagh, Mr Canning, and Lord Grey, +can hardly be abandoned in these days by your Majesty's present +advisers. According to those doctrines, all power held by Sovereigns +may be forfeited by misconduct, and each nation is the judge of its +own internal government.[2] + +Lord John Russell can hardly be expected to abjure those opinions, or +to act in opposition to them. + + [Footnote 2: In a despatch of the 27th of October, Lord John + took the same ground in the case of Naples. After quoting with + approval the view taken by Vattel of the lawfulness of the + assistance given by the United Provinces to the Prince of + Orange, and his conclusion that it is justifiable to assist + patriots revolting against an oppressor for "good reasons," he + stated that the question was whether the people of Naples and + of the Roman States took up arms against their Government + for good reasons; and of this matter, he added, the people + themselves were the best judges.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _11th January 1860_. + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's note of this day, in which +she is not able to find any answer to her letter, or even an allusion +to what she had written, viz. that Austria and France being asked to +abstain from interference, such an arrangement would be partial and +incomplete unless Sardinia was pledged also to non-interference. The +Queen cannot make out what the doctrines of the Revolution of 1688 can +have to do with this, or how it would necessitate Lord John to abjure +them. + + + + +[Pageheading: AFFAIRS OF ITALY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _17th January 1860_. + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,--Your dear letter of the 13th reached me on +Saturday, and I at once forwarded your letter to good and faithful +Clark, who was for _two_ months unable to attend us from a severe +attack of illness, but who is, I am happy to say, much better, indeed +his own good self again, and who is now _here_.[3] This good account +you give us of your precious health makes us truly happy. It is such a +blessing. + +Affairs are in a sad and complicated state, and though we modify +matters as much as we _can_, we can't entirely keep our Ministers +(_the two_) from doing _something_. You will hear no doubt of the last +proposal soon, viz. that France and Austria should _both_ agree _not_ +to interfere in Italy--France withdrawing her troops from Rome, and +Sardinia to be asked not to send any troops into the Duchies until +there has been a _final vote_ expressive of their wishes. We could +_not prevent_ this _proposal_, which I doubt being accepted--as the +rest of the Cabinet thought it could _not_ be opposed, and entailed +_no_ material _support_. This country _never_ would consent to be +entangled in a _war_ for this Italian quarrel.... + +We have a large party again to-day for the _Play_ which we have +to-morrow. We had a very successful one last week. The Persignys come +to-day. + +Now I must end. With Albert's love, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 3: The Queen, later in the year, lent Bagshot Park + temporarily to Sir James Clark.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ANNEXATION OF SAVOY] + +[Pageheading: VICTOR EMMANUEL] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _21st January 1860_. + +The Queen returns the enclosed important letter from Lord Cowley, +and Lord John Russell's answers--documents which she trusts will +be communicated to the Cabinet. The Emperor shows unwillingness to +evacuate Rome and Lombardy, disinclination to admit of the annexation +of the Duchies to Sardinia, a feeling that he could not do so without +appearing dishonourable in the eyes of Austria, and a determination +to rob Sardinia of Savoy in order to repay the French Nation for the +rupture with the Pope, and the abandonment of a protective tariff by +the reconquest of at least a portion of the "_frontieres naturelles de +la France_."[4] Lord Cowley's letter proves clearly that it is (as the +Queen all along felt and often said) most dangerous for us to offer +to bind ourselves to a common action with the Emperor with regard to +Italy, whilst he has entered into a variety of engagements with the +different parties engaged in the dispute, of which we know nothing, +and has objects in view which we can only guess at, and which have not +the good of Italy in view, but his own aggrandisement to the serious +detriment of Europe. + +With regard to Lord John Russell's answer, the Queen will only say +that our proposal having been made by us after serious reflection and +the anxious discussion of the Cabinet and the Queen, no deviation from +it ought to take place without affording them ample opportunity to +consider the bearings and probable results of such alteration. + + [Footnote 4: The cession by King Victor Emmanuel of Savoy + (the cradle of his race) and of Nice to France was the + consideration offered at Plombieres for obtaining French + support to the movement for freeing Italy "from the Alps to + the Adriatic"; that result not having been achieved, a like + price was now offered for French assistance in effecting the + annexation of the Central Italian provinces.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _22nd January 1860_. + +The Queen has received Lord Palmerston's note and enclosures. She +rather expects to be advised by her Ministers as to the course to +be adopted in matters which may lead to angry debate in the House +of Lords, than to give personal directions on a case so incompletely +placed before her; Lord Willoughby's letter does not even name the +persons in question nor the grounds upon which he assumes "they +would not be received at Court."[5] The Queen does not know how far +admission or non-admission trenches upon the privileges of the House; +from the submitted printed regulation, however, she would gather that +the Lord High Chamberlain has full power to admit or exclude. If +Lord Palmerston were to see Lord Granville as Leader, and the Lord +Chancellor as Speaker, of the House of Lords together with Lord +Willoughby, they might so far discuss the question as to enable +Lord Palmerston to submit a decision for the Queen's consideration +to-morrow. + + [Footnote 5: Lord Willoughby's question had reference to a + Peeress, who, he thought, would not be received at Court. + The difference between a State Opening of Parliament and + a Drawing-room was pointed out in Lord Palmerston's reply. + Though it would be "unpleasant to the Peeresses to find + themselves sitting next to a person with whom they do not + associate," the Premier advised no interference with the lady + in question, if she persisted in attending.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _31st January 1860_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Accept my warmest thanks for your kind letter of +the 27th, received on Saturday--by which I am delighted to see what +sport you have had. I have _such_ an aversion for hunting that I am +_quite_ pleased to hear of the destruction of the _fifty-one_ foxes. I +suppose it was not cold enough for _wolves_. + +I think Parliament has had a wholesome effect upon certain people; +and that they are _altogether frightened_. There has been a strong +despatch written relative to Savoy--and altogether I think matters are +taking a better turn. The feeling of _all_ parties and this _whole_ +country is--to _let Italy settle its own affairs_--and _England to +keep quite out of it_.... + +We shall see the good Aumales to-night, who are staying with the Van +de Weyers at _New Lodge_,[6] which is _un vrai bijou_: you _must_ +see it when you come here again, for it is one of the nicest and most +charming houses I know. + +I must now end. With Albert's affectionate love, ever your devoted +Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 6: On the borders of Windsor Forest.] + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _3rd February 1860_. + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--... New Lodge must be exceedingly pretty, and, +God willing, I ought once to get sight of it. By all one can hear, the +Italians certainly will attack the Austrians, if they are not told to +leave it alone; Victor Emmanuel speaks openly of it, just as he did +last year, when one also thought it was a mere bravado. Things look +in most directions very gloomy; my neighbour is creating dangers for +himself by the constitutional Government he gives to Italy. The +French say, "Sommes-nous moins que les Italiens pour avoir un peu de +liberte?" This may become more dangerous as things move on, not that +I should regret it; we can never have any security as long as France +remains without a constitutional Government. We have had slight +beginnings of cold, but not much of it, but the glass was fearfully +low. My ball of the 1st was rather pretty, and people were in great +dancing mood. Princess Orloff, a Troubetzkoi, is a very pleasing young +woman. There is also a pretty Princess Metchersky. We had some new +English families _inconceivably ugly_; it is quite a calamity, +they look as if they had been selected on purpose. Having still the +happiness of being one of your Privy Council, I mean to propose some +measure to obviate such a sad state of affairs. We have all of a +sudden snow.... Your truly devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +[Pageheading: INDIAN HONOURS] + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Charles Wood._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _9th February 1860_. + +The Queen has attentively read Lord Canning's letter and enclosure. +She quite agrees in his proposal as to the nature of the Order of +Chivalry to be instituted, and the details which he recommends with +regard to it. She also thinks that titles should be confined to those +now known and borne in India, and to be given sparingly; but would +object to the illimited power of the Governor-General and Viceroy +in this respect. The highest dignities and titles ought to proceed +directly from the Crown at the Viceroy's recommendation. The Queen +concurs in the view that honours cannot well be made hereditary +amongst Hindoos and Mussulmans, but where Princes (as we may hope +will be the case sometimes hereafter) have become Christians, the +hereditary nature of honours should not be withheld.[7] ... + + [Footnote 7: Lord Canning had written that he thought it would + be best to adhere to the precise titles already in use in + India, and that they should be at the direct disposal of the + Queen's Representative, without reference to the Crown. He did + not recommend that titles should be hereditary (except in + very special cases), in a country where primogeniture was + not established. As to the proposed Order of Knighthood, Lord + Canning thought that the institution of such an Order would + be both expedient and opportune. He recommended that it should + include both British-born and Native subjects.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN AND HER MINISTERS] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _10th February 1860_. + +The Queen sends a letter to Lord Palmerston which she has received +yesterday evening from Lord John Russell.[8] She is induced to do +so from a feeling that it is to Lord Palmerston, as head of the +Government, that she has to look, when she may have reason to take +exception to the tone of communications she may receive from members +of his Cabinet. Lord Palmerston will not fail to perceive that the +enclosed is not the kind of communication which the Foreign Secretary +ought to make, when asked by his Sovereign to explain the views of the +Cabinet upon a question so important and momentous as the annexation +of Savoy to France, and the steps which they propose to take with +regard to it. She need not remind Lord Palmerston that in her letter +communicated to the Cabinet she had given no opinion whatever upon +Italian liberation from a foreign yoke, nor need she protest against +a covert insinuation, such as is contained in Lord John's letter, that +she is no well-wisher of mankind and indifferent to its freedom and +happiness. But she must refer to the constitutional position of her +Ministers towards herself. They are responsible for the advice they +gave her, but they are bound fully, respectfully, and openly to place +before her the grounds and reasons upon which their advice may be +founded, to enable her to judge whether she can give her assent to +that advice or not. The Government must come to a standstill if +the Minister meets a demand for explanation with an answer like the +following: "I was asked by the Cabinet to give an answer, but as I do +not agree with you, I think it useless to explain my views." + +The Queen must demand that respect which is due from a Minister to his +Sovereign. As the Queen must consider the enclosed letter as deficient +in it, she thinks Lord John Russell might probably wish to reconsider +it, and asks Lord Palmerston to return it to him with that view. + +That Lord Palmerston may be acquainted with the course the +correspondence has taken, the Queen encloses the two preceding +letters. + + [Footnote 8: The letter ran:--"Lord John Russell unfortunately + does not partake your Majesty's opinions in regard to Italy, + and he is unwilling to obtrude on your Majesty unnecessary + statements of his views.... Whatever may be the consequence, + the liberation of the Italian people from a foreign yoke + is, in the eyes of Lord Palmerston and Lord John Russell, an + increase of freedom and happiness at which as well-wishers to + mankind they cannot but rejoice."] + + + + +[Pageheading: MR GLADSTONE'S BUDGET] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +94 PICCADILLY, _10th February 1860_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +begs to state that Mr Gladstone made this afternoon his financial +statement.[9] His speech lasted three hours, from five to eight, and +was admirable, detailed, clear, comprehensive and eloquent; and he did +not appear to be fatigued by the effort.[10] The statement was well +received by the House, and though parts of the arrangement may, and no +doubt will, be disputed and attacked as the various measures of which +the arrangement is composed, pass through the House, there seems to +be a fair probability that the Government will not sustain any serious +defeat upon any part of the arrangement. The scheme is too extensive +and complicated to admit of an abstract of it being given to your +Majesty in this Report; but no doubt a condensed summary of it will be +given in the newspapers of to-morrow. + + [Footnote 9: The Budget of 1860 was contemporaneous with + the commercial treaty with France negotiated by Mr Cobden, + reducing _inter alia_ the import duties on French wine and + brandy, and English coal, flax, and pig-iron. Mr Gladstone + abolished the duties on a large number of imports, and + proposed to repeal that on paper (regarded not only as a means + for the diffusion of knowledge, but a commodity in various + industries).] + + [Footnote 10: This was all the more remarkable, as the Budget + had been postponed owing to his illness.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _11th February 1860_. + +The Queen acknowledges the receipt of Lord Palmerston's two letters +of yesterday evening. She willingly accepts Lord John Russell's +expressions of regret, and certainly was led to read that one passage +which Lord Palmerston explains in the sense which he supposed. + +The Queen has received the draft to Lord Cowley, and has written her +observations upon it to Lord John, who will communicate them to him. +She thinks that the omissions which she has pointed out can be very +well supplied consistently with that international courtesy which Lord +Palmerston truly says ought to be observed.[11] + + [Footnote 11: In this despatch, Lord John wrote that + the Government could not believe that a country in the + circumstances of France could be endangered by the existence, + "on the other side of the Alps, of a State of 11,000,000 of + people lately joined by a cement not yet dry, threatened, on + the side of Lombardy, by Austria, and not very certain of its + own independence."] + + + + +_Earl Granville to the Prince Albert._ + +BRIGHTON, _11th February 1860_. + +SIR,--Lord John produced before the Cabinet his draft of despatch +in answer to M. Thouvenel. He read, without allusion to the previous +correspondence, the Queen's Memorandum on his draft. + +Lord Palmerston supported Lord John, who was fidgety and nervous. We +all criticised the draft. We thought it too much or too little. We +recommended that he should either write shortly, saying that he +did not acquiesce in M. Thouvenel's arguments, but as the French +Government did not consider the question as now in existence, and +promised that it should not be revised without the consent of Savoy, +and consultation with the Great Powers, if the Government would +reserve what they had to say on a question of such immense European +importance--or going into the subject he should state the whole +argument and objections of the Government to the scheme. + +We thought the historical reminiscences offensive to France, while the +language of the despatch was not sufficiently firm to satisfy what was +expected from the Government. We warned him that in this case public +opinion would be at least as critical as the Queen. + +Lord John gave us to understand that he would alter his draft, but +I do not feel any security that it will be done in a satisfactory +manner. + +I am, Sir, with the greatest respect, your Royal Highness's obedient, +humble, and faithful servant, + +GRANVILLE. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD COWLEY AND THE EMPEROR] + + +_Earl Cowley to Lord John Russell._ +(_Submitted to the Queen._) + +PARIS, _7th March 1860_. + +MY DEAR LORD JOHN,--I send a messenger this evening, in order that you +may not hear from any one else of the passage of arms which took place +between the Emperor and myself yesterday evening. You will find the +account of it in the enclosed despatch. The more I reflect on it, the +less I think that I could pass over the Emperor's conduct and language +without notice. His tone and manner were really offensive, and if +I had let them pass unheeded might have been repeated on another +occasion. I must say that nothing could have been more friendly than +His Majesty's bearing after I had spoken to him. He was profuse in +his excuses, and the Empress told me later in the evening that he was +_desole_--"qu'il s'etait laisse entrainer par un mouvement d'humeur," +etc. I, of course, said that I should think no more about it. + +One good thing has been gained by it, that the Emperor has declared +that he does not mean to act in defiance of the opinion of the Great +Powers.... + +I wish that I had not this disagreeable history to trouble you with, +but do not attach greater importance to it than it merits. I look upon +it as at an end. + +COWLEY. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD COWLEY AND THE EMPEROR] + +[Pageheading: LORD COWLEY'S REMONSTRANCE] + +[Pageheading: THE EMPEROR'S _AMENDE_] + + +[_Enclosure._] + +_Earl Cowley to Lord John Russell._ +(_Submitted to the Queen._) + +PARIS, _7th March 1860_. + +MY LORD,--It is with extreme regret that I call your Lordship's +attention to the following occurrence. + +There was a concert last night at the Tuileries, to which the Chiefs +of the Diplomatic Body were invited. On these occasions seats are +assigned to the Ambassadors according to their accidental rank, and +I was placed between the Nuntio and the Russian Ambassador. It is +customary for the Emperor, during the interval between the two +parts of the concert, to say a few words to each of the Ambassadors +individually, and it is obvious that what His Majesty says to one may +easily be overheard by that one's immediate neighbours. + +Yesterday evening the Emperor, after saying a few words of no +importance to the Nuntio, addressed himself to me in a manner and +tone very unusual with him, animadverting upon the hostile sentiments +evinced towards him in the English Parliament and Press.[12] "Wishing +to avoid a discussion, I merely observed that I regretted that matters +should be in such a state, but that His Majesty must be aware that +there was quite as great irritation on this side the water. The +Emperor enquired sharply whether this was to be wondered at, +considering the terms and imputations applied to himself, and to the +French nation, in England? They were only defending themselves against +unfair attacks, His Majesty said. It was really too bad, he continued; +he had done all in his power to maintain a good understanding with +England, but the conduct of England rendered it impossible. What had +England to do with Savoy? And why was she not to be satisfied with the +declaration that His Majesty had made to me, that he had no intention +to annex Savoy to France without having previously obtained the +consent of the Great Powers. + +"Pardon me, Sire," I said, "for interrupting your Majesty, but it +is just what you did not say. Had you permitted me to convey that +assurance to Her Majesty's Government, I will answer for it that all +those interpellations in Parliament would long since have ceased, and +that Her Majesty's Government and the country would at all events have +awaited the decision at which the Great Powers might have arrived." + +"But I told you," continued the Emperor, "that I would consult the +Great Powers." + +"Yes, Sire," I replied, "but your Majesty did not add that you would +abide by their decision." + +This conversation had taken place, not only within the hearing of the +Russian Ambassador, but the Emperor's remarks were addressed almost +as much to my colleague as to myself. Turning then entirely towards +General Kisseleff, the Emperor continued: "The conduct of England is +inexplicable. I have done all in my power to keep on the best terms +with her; but I am at my wits' end _(je n'en puis plus)._ What," His +Majesty exclaimed again, "has England to do with Savoy? What would +have been the consequence if, when she took possession of the Island +of Perim[13] for the safety of her Eastern dominions, I had raised the +same objections that she has now raised to the annexation of Savoy, +which I want as much for the safety of France?" + +His Majesty continued to speak for a few seconds in the same strain, +and I felt my position to be most awkward. With the remembrance of +His Majesty's intemperate words to M. de Huebner on New Year's Day, +1859,[14] in my mind, I did not like to leave unnoticed observations +of the tendency I have mentioned. At the same time I had to bear in +mind that I was not present on an official occasion, but that I was +the Emperor's guest, and that it would not be right to continue a +discussion in the presence of others. These thoughts passed rapidly +through my mind, and I determined to be guided by a night's reflection +in taking any further step in this matter. What that reflection might +have produced I cannot say, but circumstances led to more immediate +explanations. + +As the Emperor moved on, the circle in which we were standing was +not strictly kept, and after a few minutes I found myself standing a +little in front, in the open space round which the circle was formed. +The Emperor again accosted me, and was beginning in the same strain, +when I ventured to interrupt His Majesty and to tell him that I +considered myself justified in calling his attention to the unusual +course he had adopted, in indulging, in presence of the Russian +Ambassador, in his animadversions on the conduct of England. That His +Majesty, if he had, or thought he had, any cause for remonstrance or +blame with regard to England, should address himself to me, was not +only natural, but would be a course which I should always beg him to +take, because free discussion was the best remedy for pent-up feeling. +I should answer as best I could, and endeavour to convince His Majesty +when I thought him wrong. Or if His Majesty considered it right to +complain of the conduct of England to the Russian Ambassador, I had no +desire to interfere, provided it was not done in my presence; but what +I could not approve, or consider compatible with my own dignity, +or that of the Government which I represented, was that complaints +respecting England should be addressed to me in the hearing of the +Russian Ambassador, and to the Russian Ambassador in my hearing. + +Leaving then this official tone, I added that, considering the long +and intimate relations which His Majesty had been graciously pleased +to permit should exist between himself and me, and knowing, as he did, +the personal attachment which I bore him, and the anxiety which I had +ever manifested to smooth difficulties and prevent misunderstandings +between the two Governments, in doing which I had perhaps exposed +myself to the suspicion of being more French than I ought to be, I had +not expected to have been addressed, as I had been, in the presence +of the Russian Ambassador, or to have heard words addressed to that +Ambassador complaining of the sentiments of the English nation. + +The Emperor frequently interrupted me, expressing his great regret at +what had occurred. He could assure me, His Majesty said, that he +had spoken without any bad intention--that he had just read what had +occurred in Parliament the night before, and that he had been greatly +hurt at the strictures passed upon his conduct; I must recollect +further that he had not spoken of the Government, but of those who +attacked him. Again, His Majesty begged me to think no more of the +matter, repeating the assurance that he had spoken without intention. + +In the course of this second conversation the Emperor again asked, +but in a very different tone, why England had taken up the question of +Savoy which so little regarded her. Had it been Prussia or one of the +Continental Powers, His Majesty could have understood it, but not a +word of remonstrance had proceeded from any one of them. I replied +that I did not think the Emperor could rely on that silence as +indicating approbation, but at all events, I said, the position of Her +Majesty's Government was very different from that of the other powers. +How was it possible, I asked, for Her Majesty's Government to remain +silent in presence of the interpellations respecting Savoy which were, +night after night, put to them? And if His Majesty enquired why these +interpellations were put, I would answer him that, if my judgment was +correct, it was not so much on account of the actual plan of annexing +Savoy, as on account of the circumstances connected with the whole +transaction. They were, in fact, interpellations of mistrust. And how, +I asked, could it be otherwise? What could the English people think +on its transpiring that in spite of His Majesty's declarations, +both before and during the war, that in going to war he meditated +no special advantages for France, overtures had positively been made +months before, to Sardinia, for the eventual cession of Savoy; why had +not His Majesty told us fairly, in commencing this war, that if, by +the results of the war, the territory of Sardinia should be greatly +augmented, he might be obliged, in deference to public opinion in +France, to ask for some territorial advantage? Such a declaration, +although it might have rendered the British Government still more +anxious to prevent the war, would have hindered all the manifestation +of public opinion which is now taking place. + +The Emperor seemed to feel the weight of these observations, and +he ended the conversation by saying, that if this question of Savoy +should go further, he had pledged himself to consult the Great +Powers, and that he need hardly add that if their opinion should be +unfavourable to his wishes, it would have great weight with him. +"It is not likely," said His Majesty, "that I should act against the +advice of Europe." + +I end, my Lord, as I commenced, in regretting this occurrence. I +could have wished that the Emperor had not spoken to me a second time +yesterday, and that I had had a little time for reflection. I feel +that I spoke to His Majesty under considerable emotion, caused by the +tone and manner which he had adopted; but I am certain that not a word +escaped me which was not respectful to himself. To have passed the +matter over, would, in my judgment, have been a fault, but on the +whole I should have preferred conveying impressions to His Majesty +through M. Thouvenel. I earnestly trust, however, that Her Majesty's +Government will view my conduct in a favourable light. + +It is but justice to my Russian colleague to state that nothing could +have been in better taste than his remarks in answer to the Emperor's +observations to him. I have told General Kisseleff this morning that +having had an opportunity to do so, I had expressed to the Emperor +the opinion that it would have been better had His Majesty avoided +irritating topics concerning England in the presence of another +foreign representative. It is not my intention to open my lips on the +subject to any one else. + +COWLEY. + + [Footnote 12: The annexation of Savoy had been debated in the + House of Commons, and Mr Bright had expressed his readiness + that Savoy should rather perish than that England should + interfere in a matter in which she had no concern. He was + sharply censured by Lord John Manners.] + + [Footnote 13: Perim had been permanently taken possession of + by Great Britain, in 1857.] + + [Footnote 14: See _ante_, p. 310, note 2.] + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _9th March 1860_. + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has +the honour to submit a despatch which he received in a private letter +from Lord Cowley. + +The strange scene related in it will remind your Majesty of some +scenes already famous in the history of Napoleon I. and Napoleon III. + +Lord John Russell requests your Majesty's permission to write a secret +despatch in answer, entirely approving the conduct and language of +Lord Cowley. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S APPROVAL] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _10th March 1860_. + +The Queen, in returning Lord Cowley's private letter and secret +despatch, agrees with Lord John Russell, that he has deserved praise +for his mode of answering the Emperor's Napoleonic address.[15] ... + + [Footnote 15: The ratification by the House of Commons of the + Commercial Treaty, and Mr Gladstone's message to the Emperor, + enclosing a copy of his Budget speech, gave the Emperor an + opportunity of making amends to Lord Cowley for his hasty + language.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Charles Wood._ + +OSBORNE, _12th March 1860_. + +The Queen is sorry to find that Lord Canning does not approve of any +of the modes suggested by Sir Charles Wood, for giving the Chiefs +security of title and possession. The object appears to the Queen so +important as a means of protection against the temptation of our own +representatives to seize upon the possessions of these Chiefs at any +convenient opportunity--and as a means of giving confidence to those +Chiefs that the Queen's Government is not actuated by rapacity--that +she must hope Lord Canning will indicate some mode, appearing less +objectionable to him, for attaining the same object. The Queen would +be glad to have a copy of Lord Canning's letter. + + + + +[Pageheading: SWISS CLAIMS] + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _25th March 1860_. + +The Queen has just seen the Swiss Note, and has returned it to the +Foreign Office.[16] With reference to Lord John Russell's letter of +this morning, she has only to express her anxiety that her Government +should not look upon this question as one of an _optional_ character +to take up or not. We have no choice, and the consideration whether +what we are doing may be pleasing or displeasing to France cannot be +entertained for a moment, although the Queen is grieved to find from +Lord Cowley's last letter that he considers the question from that +point of view. We are parties to a treaty of guarantee together with +other Powers, and have as such a clear and solemn _duty_ to perform. +We should therefore openly and avowedly call upon our partners in +this treaty and guarantee to consider the note addressed by the Swiss +Confederation to us. + +The proper course would be to summon the Ministers of the Contracting +Powers to the Foreign Office (not excluding the French Ambassador), +and to go with them into the matter. This would take it out of the +hands of the Emperor and M. de Thouvenel, and make (the Queen is +certain of it) a deep impression upon them. + +The Queen wishes this letter to be shown to Lord Palmerston and Lord +John's other colleagues. + + [Footnote 16: The Swiss Government claimed that the districts + of Chablais and Faucigny (being parts of Savoy which had + been handed over to Sardinia by the Treaty of Vienna under a + guarantee for their neutrality) should be given to Switzerland + for the protection of their frontier. The French Emperor + maintained that it was sufficient for him to guarantee the + neutrality of those districts. Speaking on the night of the + 26th, Lord John Russell said: "The powers of Europe, if they + wish to maintain peace, must respect each other's limits, and, + above all, restore and not disturb that commercial confidence + which is the result of peace, which tends to peace, and which + ultimately forms the happiness of nations."] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _2nd April 1860_. + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter and Memorandum.[17] +In whatever Lord John might say in the House of Commons, care should +be taken not to give the French a handle to make the other Powers +believe that there exists an understanding between them and us. It +is by making each of them believe in their turn that the others have +agreed with France that the Emperor paralyses their action. If he will +promise distinctly to give up the neutral territory to Switzerland, +that would be an understanding which we might well avow, but the Queen +fears Count Persigny with all his anxiety to smooth matters (as he +says) will not be able to give this assurance, and consequently if +Lord John sent the Commons home with a declaration that matters would +be _satisfactorily_ settled, and the Emperor intends to keep the +neutral territory after all, it would unnecessarily make them dupes +once more, as the Government have from time to time given assurances +based on French promises, which were belied by subsequent acts. + +Is the Memorandum for the Queen to keep? + +The Conference should be here, and on _no_ account at Paris. + + [Footnote 17: Describing a conversation between Lord + Palmerston and Persigny, the former suggesting that a + statement should be made by Lord John in the House, in + reference to the securities to be given for the neutrality + and independence of Switzerland, such as would pacify the + Emperor.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF PRINCE HOHENLOHE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _25th April 1860_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I write to you on this paper to-day, as it is our +good Alice's birthday--her seventeenth! She is a good, dear, amiable +child, and in very good looks just now. Her future is still undecided, +she is quite free, and _all_ we wish is a good, kind husband--_no_ +brilliant position (which there is not to be got), but a quiet, +comfortable position. + +Bertie returned last night delighted with his tour,[18] and with our +beloved old Coburg, in _spite of snow_. I will tell him to give you an +account of it. He made a very favourable impression there. He gives a +good account of dear Stockmar too. + +Many, many thanks for your dear kind letter of the 20th, with the +enclosure from dear Charlotte, whose happy, contented disposition is a +great blessing. + +I was sure you would grieve for poor, dear, honest Ernest +Hohenlohe[19]; Feodore feels it dreadfully, and writes beautifully +about it. Thank God! she has every comfort in her second son, Hermann, +who--by an arrangement made last year with the eldest and poor +Ernest--has the entire management of everything; Charles has a certain +income and Weikersheim[20]; while Hermann has Langenburg and the +management of everything else; he naturally leaves the Austrian +Service. + +We are too delighted to hear that you are, D.V., ready to come by the +2nd of June; it will be so great a pleasure, and to dear Mamma +too, who is _unberufen_ wonderfully well. She is here again since +yesterday, and will stay till the 2nd. Clem was quite astonished at +her looks. The poor Queen will be seventy-eight to-morrow. She is very +tolerably well. + +How well do I remember that speech of Oscar's in the carriage. It +certainly took us _all_ in.... + +I fear I must end for to-day. With Albert's affectionate love, ever +your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +Bertie was much pleased with little Louise.[21] + + [Footnote 18: The Prince of Wales had been spending a week at + Coburg and Gotha, which he had not previously seen.] + + [Footnote 19: Prince Ernest died on the 12th of April, and was + succeeded by his second son Hermann.] + + [Footnote 20: A small town in Wuertemberg, and part of the + estate of the Princes of Hohenlohe-Langenburg.] + + [Footnote 21: Elder child of the Duke of Brabant (now King + Leopold II.).] + + + + +[Pageheading: ENGLAND AND NAPLES] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +[_Undated._ ? _26th April 1860._] + +The Queen has just received Lord John Russell's letter. She must say +that she would consider it the _deepest_ degradation to this country +if she was compelled to appear at the Emperor's Congress summoned to +Paris, in order to register and put her seal to the acts of spoliation +of the Emperor! + +Lord Cowley was very strong on the effect which our yielding that +point would have on his position at the French Court. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _30th April 1860_. + +The Queen thinks that the main argument is omitted in the draft, viz. +that the attempts, such as Sardinia is suspected to contemplate, are +morally bad and reprehensible in themselves, besides being politically +inexpedient. The Queen would be sorry to see a despatch go forth on +this subject, arguing on the ground of expediency alone. She trusts +Lord John Russell will find it easy to introduce a passage which would +place it on record, that we do attach importance to public justice +and morality. When amended, the Queen would like to have a copy of the +draft. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DOCTRINES OF 1688] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +HOUSE OF COMMONS, _30th April 1860_. + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He is +sorry he cannot agree that there would be any moral wrong in assisting +to overthrow the Government of the King of the Two Sicilies. The +best writers on International Law consider it a merit to overthrow +a tyrannical government, and there have been few governments so +tyrannical as that of Naples. Of course the King of Sardinia has no +right to assist the people of the Two Sicilies unless he was asked by +them to do so, as the Prince of Orange was asked by the best men in +England to overthrow the tyranny of James II.--an attempt which has +received the applause of all our great public writers, and is the +origin of our present form of government.[22] + + [Footnote 22: See _ante_, 11th January, 1860.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _30th April 1860_. + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter, and trusts he will +see, upon further reflection, that the case before us is not one in +which the Revolution of 1688, and the advent of William III. called +to the Throne, can be appealed to as a parallel. The draft warns the +Government of Sardinia "_not to seek for new acquisitions_," as +the new "_Provinces_ annexed have hardly as yet been thoroughly +amalgamated." Now, no public writer nor the International Law will +call it morally right, that one state should abet revolution in +another, not with the disinterested object of defending a suffering +people against tyranny, but in order to extinguish that State and make +it "an acquisition" of its own. If William III. had made England a +Province of Holland, he would not have received the applause Lord John +quotes. The Queen trusts that in appreciation of this distinction, +he will introduce some amendment in the sense indicated in her former +letter. + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +HOUSE OF COMMONS, _30th April 1860_. + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he +confesses he cannot see anything morally wrong in giving aid to an +insurrection in the kingdoms of Naples and Sicily. But he admits that +to do so for the sake of making new acquisitions would be criminal, +and that he is not justified in imputing this motive to the King of +Sardinia. Count Cavour would probably at once disclaim it. + +He therefore proposes to alter these words. The despatch went this +evening by the usual messenger; but, if your Majesty approves of the +alteration, it can be made to-morrow morning by telegraph to Turin. + + + + +[Pageheading: INDIAN HONOURS] + + +_Sir Charles Wood to Queen Victoria._ + +INDIA OFFICE, _3rd May 1860_. + +Sir Charles Wood, with his humble duty, begs to submit for your +Majesty's consideration, whether the letters of thanks to those Civil +Servants who have not been thought deserving of the honour of C.B. +should run in your Majesty's name, or in that of the Government. + +Your Majesty desired that thanks for service should be in your +Majesty's name, but there will be nearly two hundred of these letters +to different officers, and Sir Charles Wood doubted whether it would +be right to use your Majesty's name so profusely. He is inclined to +think that it would be better to use your Majesty's name only when +addressing higher officers. Sir Charles Wood encloses drafts of +letters in both ways. + +Sir Charles Wood also encloses an address on the occasion of the +Thanksgiving in India, delivered by a Hindoo. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Charles Wood._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _4th May 1860_. + +The Queen returns these papers. She wishes the thanks to Civil +Servants to be given in all cases, where to be given by the Home +Government, in her own name. The Bath or Knighthood comes directly +from the Sovereign, and so should the thanks; the Civil Servants are +the Queen's servants, and not the servants of the Government. The +Hindoo address is very striking and gratifying as a symptom.[23] +Presuming that Sir Charles does not want the copy back again, the +Queen has kept it. + + [Footnote 23: The copy of this address does not seem to have + been preserved.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _8th May 1860_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--... Really it is too bad! _No_ country, no human +being would ever dream of _disturbing_ or _attacking_ France; every +one would be glad to see her prosperous; but _she_ must needs disturb +every quarter of the Globe and try to make mischief and set every +one by the ears; and, of course, it will end some day in a _regular +crusade_ against _the universal disturber_ of _the world!_ It is +really monstrous! + +Dear Mamma returned to Frogmore on Friday, and Alfred left us on +Thursday, sailed from Portsmouth on Saturday, but had to stop at +Plymouth for some derangement in the machinery till to-day. He was +very low at going, though very happy to return to his ship. Now, with +Albert's affectionate love, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: VISIT TO ALDERSHOT] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _15th May 1860_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Many, many thanks for your very kind letter +received on Saturday. We returned yesterday evening from Aldershot, +where we spent two very pleasant days with very warm weather. Sunday +was a beautiful day and we rode over to Farnham, the Bishop of +Winchester's Palace, and it was quite beautiful, the country is +so green and sweet--and enjoyable. The warm rain of last week has +produced a burst of Spring which is quite beautiful. Yesterday +morning it rained when we first went out, but it cleared and became a +beautiful day, and we had a pretty field day. Your old Regiment +looked extremely well. In the afternoon we saw some very interesting +rifle-shooting. The whole Army practises this now most unremittingly, +and we saw three different companies of the Guards fire at 300 yards, +and so on to 900 yards, and _hit_ the target! They fired in _volleys_. +It is very satisfactory, as this precision would be very _telling_ in +action. I think you would be interested by it. + +I _hope_ you have forgiven my hurried note of Saturday--but I was _so_ +anxious at the time. We go to Osborne on the 19th, I am happy to say, +till the 31st. + +Affairs continue to be very threatening, and keep everybody in +suspense.... Ever, dearest Uncle, your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _22nd May 1860_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I write to you from here, where it is wonderfully +beautiful and unusually _hot_ for May--it is _quite_ like July, but +the _late_ Spring has brought out everything together in the most +wonderful manner. The foliage of many trees is hardly out yet, but +there are all the fruit-trees in fullest blossom--the lilacs and +peonies out--the thorns only beginning and every wild flower +in profusion--the grass splendidly green, and a fragrance about +everything which is too delicious; and the birds singing _most_ +beautifully. The nightingales were last night singing all round the +house.... + +Affairs are in a most bewildered state. Lord Palmerston is _very stout +and right_ about our neighbour. I am glad to be able to _refute +most positively_ the report of our _ships_ having _prevented_ the +Neapolitans from firing; the _case_ is _quite_ clear, and the French +and Neapolitan Governments themselves have spread this falsehood. + +The House of Lords have thrown the Bill for the Abolition of the +paper Duties[24] _out_ by a very large majority, which is a _very good +thing_. It will save us a large amount of revenue. + +I must end for to-day. Hoping that these lines will find you quite +well, ever your devoted _Daughter_ (I _wrote_ by mistake _but_ will +leave, as it _only_ expresses what _my feelings_ are) and Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +We have quite a small party on the 1st, with some choral singing. + + [Footnote 24: This part of Mr Gladstone's financial scheme had + lost a good deal of its early popularity: it had only passed + the third reading in the Commons by the small majority of + nine, and the Premier had already told the Queen that the + Peers would perform a public service by rejecting it. The + majority against it in the House of Lords was 89.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE HOUSE OF LORDS AND MONEY BILLS] + +[Pageheading: COMMITTEE OF THE COMMONS] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +94 PICCADILLY, _22nd May 1860_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +to state that the Cabinet met to-day at half-past twelve to consider +what (if anything) should be done in consequence of the vote of the +House of Lords last night. Lord John Russell, Mr Gladstone, and Mr +Milner Gibson were desirous of finding some means of visiting their +displeasure upon the House of Lords, but it was shown to them that +the only measures which could be adopted were far too violent for the +occasion, and that the House of Commons itself is powerless in the +matter. When the Lords do anything inconsistent with the asserted +privileges of the House of Commons, as, for instance, inserting a +taxing Clause in a Bill sent up to them, or making an alteration in +a Money Bill sent up to them, the House of Commons is necessarily +invited to do something afterwards in the matter, by assenting to what +has been done by the Lords; and the Commons then assert their claimed +rights by throwing out the Bill thus, improperly, as the Commons say, +meddled with by the Lords; but when the Lords throw out a Bill there +is nothing for the Commons to do, as the Bill has vanished, and the +Commons are therefore furnished with no opportunity of asserting the +right which they may claim. But, moreover, the Commons have always +contended that the Lords cannot originate or alter a Money Bill, but +it has never been contended that the Lords may not reject a Money +Bill, though there are few instances of their having done so. These +arguments at length prevailed, and by four o'clock it was agreed that +Viscount Palmerston should give notice that he would on Thursday move +that a Committee be appointed to examine the Journals of the House +of Lords to ascertain the fate of the Bill thus lost like Sir John +Franklin, and that on Friday he should move the appointment of a +Committee to search for precedent applicable to the case. This course +it was thought, while binding the Government to no particular course, +would in some degree satisfy those who think some step necessary. The +measures mentioned, though it is fair to say not actually proposed, +were that Parliament should be prorogued, and reassembled either in +the Autumn or Winter, that then the same Bill should be brought +in, and be sent up to the Lords, and that if that Bill were again +rejected, Parliament should be dissolved. It was objected to all this, +that the case did not warrant such a course; that whether the Lords +have or have not overstepped their proper functions, the opinion of +the great majority of the public is that the Lords have done a right +and useful thing (in confirmation of which it may be stated that the +people in the gallery of the House of Lords are said to have joined +in the cheers which broke out when the numbers of the division were +announced). + +Viscount Palmerston, at the meeting of the House, gave notice +accordingly that he should on Thursday move for a Committee to search +the Lords' Journals--a usual form of motion; and that he should on +Friday move to appoint a Committee to search for precedents in order +to ascertain facts; but he added that he did not take this course with +any view of hostility towards the House of Lords. An attempt was made +by Mr Whalley and Mr Digby Seymour to set up a complaint that this was +not the sort of proceeding which the gravity of the occasion required, +but this endeavour was put down by an unmistakable manifestation of a +contrary opinion by the rest of the House.... + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Duke of Somerset._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _29th June 1860_. + +Before sanctioning the proposed change in the Naval Uniform,[25] the +Queen wishes to know what the State occasions are on which the full +dress is to be worn. The officers generally wear an undress without +epaulettes, which in consequence are of little inconvenience to +them. She has always understood the Service to cling very much to its +present uniform, and she would be sorry to shock their feelings. + + [Footnote 25: The principal change proposed was that full + dress should cease to be obligatory at Courts-Martial.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MR GLADSTONE SUGGESTS RESIGNATION] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +HOUSE OF COMMONS, _2nd July 1860_. +(8.30 P.M.) + +Viscount Palmerston has had the honour of receiving your Majesty's +letter of this afternoon. Nothing of much importance as to Foreign +Affairs was done at the Cabinet to-day.... The material question for +discussion was the course to be pursued about the Tax Bill Report. +Lord John Russell had altered his opinion since Saturday, and had +yesterday sent Viscount Palmerston a Draft of Resolution which he +wished to be circulated to the members of the Cabinet before their +meeting at twelve to-day.... + +After a long discussion, the draft, of which the enclosed is a copy, +was agreed to by all except Mr Gladstone. This draft is a combination +of parts of Lord John's, parts of Sir James Graham's, and parts of +Viscount Palmerston's. No mention of course was made in Cabinet of Sir +James Graham having made any suggestion. + +When all the other members had left the room Mr Gladstone requested +Viscount Palmerston to submit to your Majesty that he could no longer +continue to carry on the business of his Department.[26] His opinion +strongly was that action and not a Resolution was required, that +one of three courses ought to be pursued: either that the Paper Duty +Repeal Bill should again be sent up to the Lords; or that a Bill +should be sent up for suspending the Paper Duties for a year; or that +a Bill should be sent up reducing those duties gradually year by year; +or fourthly that with the Repeal of the Paper Duties should be coupled +the imposition of Spirit Duties. Viscount Palmerston said he really +could not undertake the communication which Mr Gladstone wished to +be submitted to your Majesty, and earnestly entreated Mr Gladstone to +reconsider the matter; he urged in detail all the reasons which ought +to dissuade such a step, and he thought that he had produced some +impression on Mr Gladstone. It was agreed between them that Viscount +Palmerston, instead of giving notice this afternoon of a Motion +to-morrow, and laying the Resolution on the table this evening, should +give notice this afternoon of a Motion for Thursday, and promise to +lay the Resolution on the table to-morrow. This gives Mr Gladstone +more time to think, and more room to turn round in. Mr Milner Gibson +has no intention of going out, and has so told Mr Gladstone, strongly +advising him to stay in; and Viscount Palmerston's impression is +that Mr Gladstone, having failed to become master of the Cabinet by a +threat of resignation, will in the end yield to the almost unanimous +decision of his colleagues. The only person who supported Mr +Gladstone's views, except Mr Milner Gibson, was the Duke of +Argyll, who, however, like Mr Gibson, had no intention whatever of +accompanying Mr Gladstone in resignation.[27]... + + [Footnote 26: This is said to have been an incident of + frequent occurrence during the second administration of Lord + Palmerston.] + + [Footnote 27: The Queen wrote to King Leopold: "As I told + you in my little note of Sunday, Lord John became _quite_ + reasonable, and is very moderate about this affair; on the + other hand Mr Gladstone has threatened to resign--and it is + still uncertain if he will not persist in his intention. He is + terribly excited."] + + + + +[Pageheading: PRIVILEGE RESOLUTIONS] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _6th July 1860_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +begs to state that the House of Commons this night passed the three +Privilege Resolutions after two divisions.[28]... + +The Debate which did not begin till half-past eight, after questions +on the adjournment to Monday, was commenced by Mr Digby Seymour, +Member for Southampton, who went into an elaborate discussion of the +precedents mentioned in the appendix to the Report of the Committee, +arguing against the right of the Lords. He attacked Viscount +Palmerston's speech, and highly praised that of Mr Gladstone, who, +he said, if he lost his place in the Cabinet in consequence of that +speech would be rewarded by a Throne in the affections of the Nation. +Mr Horsman then made a very able, eloquent, and remarkable speech, +well worth reading.... + +Mr Bright made an indignation speech in reply. He went over the same +ground as the former speaker about the precedents, was astonished and +shocked at Mr Horsman's speech, was displeased with the Resolutions, +and with Viscount Palmerston's speech, was in admiration unbounded of +Mr Gladstone, but all the time was so hoarse that his efforts to make +himself heard gave to his utterance an appearance of passion even +greater than that which he actually felt. After his speech the House +began skirmishing as to the question of finishing the Debate or +adjourning it, but the Resolutions were at last agreed to. + + [Footnote 28: The Resolutions, which the Committee + recommended, and the House of Commons adopted, declared _inter + alia_ that the Commons had in their own hands the power "so to + impose and remit taxes, and frame bills of supply, that their + rights as to the matter, manner, measure, and time might be + maintained inviolate."] + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _13th July 1860_. + +MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--... Bertie has then set out on his interesting +journey,[29] which though not without fatigue will be full of +information and satisfaction for his young mind. I am glad to hear +that dear Albert went with him,[30] he can have no equal to his good +and distinguished father for kindness, and a wise guidance of his +young life.... + + [Footnote 29: In consequence of the loyal and patriotic + assistance rendered by Canada during the Crimean War, and the + expressed desire of the Canadians to be visited by the Queen + in person and to welcome one of her sons as Governor-General, + it was decided that the Prince of Wales should make a tour + there. During the course of the visit, which was made in + company with the Duke of Newcastle, the Prince opened the + magnificent bridge over the St Lawrence; he subsequently + availed himself of President Buchanan's invitation already + referred to (_ante_, p. 373), and was received with the + greatest enthusiasm at Washington. The Prince returned to + England in November.] + + [Footnote 30: Referring to a previous letter, in which the + Queen had informed the King of the Belgians that Prince Albert + had accompanied the Prince of Wales as far as Plymouth.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _31st July 1860_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--... I venture now to confide a _secret_ to +you--the details of which you shall hear verbally from us when we +have the happiness of seeing you in October. It is that _our_ surmises +respecting Louis of Hesse[31] have turned out to be true, and that +we have _reason_ to _hope_ that this _affair_ will be in due time +realised. The feelings are very reciprocal on both sides, though +nothing definitive will be settled till the young people meet again, +probably later this Autumn (_but not in Germany_). Please do not say +anything about it to any one. Your very great kindness and affection +for our children has induced me to mention this to _you_, who moreover +_saw the first dawning of these prospects_. + +Dear Mamma starts to-day for Edinburgh--sleeping to-night at York. +With Albert's affectionate love, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 31: Prince Louis of Hesse, afterwards Grand Duke + Louis IV.] + + + + +[Pageheading: TRANQUILLITY OF INDIA] + + +_Queen Victoria to Earl Canning._ + +OSBORNE, _2nd August 1860_. + +The Queen thanks Lord Canning very much for a most interesting letter +of the 30th of May, giving a most comprehensive and gratifying account +of his progress through her Indian dominions, and of his reception +of the different Princes and Chiefs. Such reception and such kind +considerate treatment of them is, as Lord Canning knows, entirely +in unison with the Queen's _own_ feelings, and both the Prince and +herself have been peculiarly gratified at reading this account, and +feel sure of the good effect it must have on these Princes, and on +India in general. + +We have just seen Lord Clyde looking wonderfully well; he speaks in +high terms of Lord Canning, and enthusiastically of dear Lady Canning. +Alas! another most valuable public servant and friend of ours, Lord +Elphinstone,[32] only returned to die! Lord Canning will grieve much +no doubt to hear this. + +Both he and Lady Canning will have heard with interest of the birth +of our second grandchild and first grand-daughter.[33] Nothing can go +better than the Princess Royal does. Of the Prince of Wales's arrival +in Canada we could not yet hear, but shall do so in a few days. + +This country and Europe continue to be in a state of alarms, or rather +more profound distrust in, the conduct and purposes of our neighbour. +Fortunately the feeling of Germany is so unanimous upon this subject, +and the Emperor's attempt to produce disaffection or division there +has so signally failed and produced so diametrically a contrary +effect, and Belgium has shown such an enthusiastic spirit of loyalty +only equal to the public spirit which this country has shown in the +Volunteer movement, that it is to be hoped these sinister designs are +checked for a time at least. + +With the Prince's kind remembrance to Lord Canning, the Queen +concludes, hoping this letter will find him in good health, and Lady +Canning safely returned from her expedition. + + [Footnote 32: See _ante_, 25th January, 1859, note 8.] + + [Footnote 33: The Princess Charlotte of Prussia, now + Hereditary Princess of Saxe-Meiningen, was born on the 24th of + July.] + + + + +[Pageheading: VISIT TO SCOTLAND] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +HOLYROOD, _7th August 1860_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I have _many_ excuses for sending a few hurried +lines from here, instead of my usual letter, but I was much hurried +yesterday; the separation from baby quite upset me, as she too cried +very much--but she is consoled again. + +Many thanks for your dear letter of the 3rd, which I shall duly answer +on Friday. + +We came down here by _night_ train, arriving at eight. We paid dear +Mamma a visit at her really charming residence at Cramond,[34] quite +near the sea, with beautiful trees, and very cheerful. + +And this afternoon she was present the whole time at the splendid +Volunteer Review, which lasted from half-past three till near six, +in the open carriage with me, and enjoyed it so much; and I was so +_happy_ to have _her_ with me on this memorable occasion, having +had _you_ with me on the previous occasion.[35] And it was +magnificent--finer decidedly than in London--there were more (1,400 +more), and then the scenery here is so splendid! That fine mountain +of Arthur's Seat, crowded with thousands and thousands to the very +top--and the Scotch are very noisy and demonstrative in their loyalty. +Lord Breadalbane, at the head of his Highlanders, was the picture of +a Highland chieftain. The dust was quite fearful! At nine we leave for +Balmoral. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 34: The Duchess of Kent was spending the summer at + Cramond House, near Edinburgh.] + + [Footnote 35: The Review in Hyde Park, which took place on the + 23rd of June.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE HIGHLANDS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BALMORAL, _10th September 1860._ + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,--I have no letter from you, but trust you are quite +well. Here we have had a week of very fine weather, but since Saturday +it has been extremely cold. We made a most delightful incognito +expedition on Tuesday last, 4th, returning on Wednesday, 5th. We drove +off from here quite early at eight, for twenty-one miles up to the +_Geldie_, a small river--_rode_ from here on ponies across the hills +to Glen Fishie, a beautiful spot, where the old Duchess of Bedford +used to live in a sort of encampment of wooden huts--on to Loch Inch, +a beautiful but not wild lake (another twenty miles), crossed the +Spey in a ferry, and posted in very rough vehicles to Grantown, again +twenty miles, coming in there at nine. We passed close by Kinrara +where you used to be, but, unfortunately, not by the house. _No_ one +knew us--anywhere or at the little inn. We went under the names of +Lord and Lady Churchill, and Lady Churchill and General Grey who went +with us, under the names of Miss Spencer and Dr Grey! Two maids +_only_ went with us (whom we had sent round with our things), and +_no_ servants but our two excellent Highlanders, viz. Albert's +first stalker or head keeper, and _my own Highland servant_ and +factotum--_both_ excellent, intelligent, devoted people. _Only_ when +we had _left_ was it found out. We posted to Tomantoul, a wretched +village--fourteen miles, _in four hours!!_ with a pair of wretched +tired horses--over a big hilly road. At Tomantoul we again took our +ponies and rode by Avon Side and Glen Avon, also very fine; back to +Loch Bulig--eight miles from here--whence we returned home in our +carriage. It was a _most delightful_ and enjoyable, as well as +_beautiful_, expedition. I have been besides on many other ones for +the day. + +In Italy I fear the state of affairs is very distressing--but really +the miserable, weak, and foolish conduct of the King of Naples[36] and +the squabbles of the whole family takes away all one's sympathy! We +leave here alas! on Saturday, stop till Monday evening at Edinburgh to +see Mamma, and go on that night straight to Osborne, where we expect +to arrive on Tuesday for breakfast. With Albert's affectionate love, +ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 36: King Francis had just fled from Naples to Gaeta, + and Garibaldi shortly afterwards arrived in Naples.] + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +BROADLANDS, _18th September 1860._ + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and will +have the honour of waiting upon your Majesty at Osborne to-morrow. +Your Majesty must naturally feel regret at shortening so much your +Majesty's agreeable holiday in the Highlands, though the happiness of +meeting the Princess Royal must amply make amends for it; but the +fact is that of all the gifts which good fairies were in the habit +of bestowing on their favourites, that which would have been the most +desirable would have been the power which the Irishman ascribed to a +bird, of being in two places at one and the same time. + + + + +[Pageheading: AUSTRIAN PROPOSAL] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +OSBORNE, _20th September 1860._ + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +submits the accompanying letters which he has received from Lord John +Russell, together with Lord John's letter to him; and he certainly +agrees with Lord John in thinking that a meeting at present between +your Majesty and the Emperor of Austria, though in many +respects likely to be useful, would on the whole be so liable +to misconstruction, and would prove such a fertile source of +misrepresentation, that it would be better to avoid it. Such a meeting +would undoubtedly be useful to the Emperor of Austria, by reason of +the good advice which he would receive from your Majesty, and from His +Royal Highness the Prince Consort; but your Majesty will probably +be able to find some other way of conveying to the Emperor counsel +calculated to save him from some of the dangers by which he appears to +be beset. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +_21st September 1860._ + +The Queen received these letters from Lord Palmerston, who likewise +communicated to her Lord John Russell's letter, respecting the hint +thrown out by Count Rechberg[37] of a meeting with the Emperor of +Austria. The Queen agrees with Lord Palmerston, that while such an +interview might for many reasons have been desirable, under present +circumstances it might lead to much talk and to many rumours which +might do harm, or at any rate give rise to useless conjectures. It +would therefore be better to "nip this project in the bud" as Lord +John suggests, but care should be taken to do this in such a manner as +not to let it appear that there was any disinclination on the Queen's +part to meet the Emperor of Austria. + + [Footnote 37: In a letter to Mr Julian Fane, Count Rechberg, + the Austrian Foreign Minister, had said that he had desired to + bring about an interview between the Queen and the Emperor of + Austria, but that there would have been difficulties in the + way. Lord John Russell was of opinion that the idea should + be nipped in the bud, and in this Lord Palmerston fully + concurred.] + + + + +[Pageheading: APPEAL FROM KING OF NAPLES] + + +_The King of Naples to Queen Victoria._ + +GAETA, _le 6 Octobre 1860._ + +MADAME MA S[OE]UR,--Le memorandum qu'a la date d'aujourd'hui mon +Gouvernement adresse a celui de votre Majeste, les protestations que +dans ces derniers temps je lui ai fait parvenir donneront a votre +Majeste une idee claire des conflits par lesquels j'ai passe, et de la +situation ou je me trouve. + +A la sagacite de votre Majeste ne peut echapper la transcendance des +evenements qui se passent dans le Royaume des Deux Siciles, et dans +les Etats Pontificaux. J'etais, et je suis seul a lutter contre +toutes les forces de la revolution Europeenne. Cette revolution s'est +presentee avec un pouvoir que jamais on ne lui avait connu, armes, +parcs d'artillerie, munitions, vaisseaux, rien ne lui a manque, pas +meme les ports d'une puissance pour se recruter, et son drapeau pour +la couvrir. + +Ces evenements etablissent un nouveau droit public, fonde sur la +destruction des anciens traites et des principes reconnus du droit +des gens. La cause que je defends seul a Naples n'est pas seulement ma +propre cause; elle est la cause de tous les Souverains et de tous les +Etats independants. + +La question qui se debat dans le Royaume des Deux Siciles, est une +question de vie ou de mort pour d'autres Etats d'Europe. + +C'est a ce titre, et non par un interet personnel que j'ose m'adresser +a la haute raison de votre Majeste, a Sa prevoyance et a Sa justice. + +La grande position qu'occupe votre Majeste dans le monde, Sa sagesse, +les relations amicales qui ont toujours existe entre nos deux +familles, et la bienveillance particuliere dont votre Majeste a daigne +toujours m'honorer, me font esperer, que votre Majeste verra dans cet +appel que je fais avec confiance a Sa politique et a Sa justice, +une nouvelle preuve du respect que j'ai eu toujours pour Elle, de +l'affection sincere, et des sentiments de haute consideration avec +lesquels j'ai l'honneur d'etre, Madame ma S[oe]ur, de votre Majeste, +le bon Frere, + +FRANCOIS. + + + + +[Pageheading: TOUR OF PRINCE ALFRED] + +[Pageheading: SARDINIA AND NAPLES] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _2nd November 1860._ + +MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--... Bertie's visit seems to have gone off most +splendidly; its effects will be useful. The enemies of England always +flatter themselves that mischief may come from that part of the world. +To see, therefore, friendly feelings arise, instead of war, will +disappoint them much. Alfred's appearance at the Cape[38] has also +been a most wise measure. South Africa has a great future to expect, +it is a pity it is so far and I too old to go there; the plants alone +are already a great temptation. I should like very much to hear what +came to your knowledge of the Warsaw meeting.[39] Prince Gortschakoff +tried hard to make it believe that it would bring _Russia nearer to +France_. If this was to be the result of the meeting it would be a +very sad one indeed.... + +The way in which the English Press misunderstands all these things is +quite lamentable. The meeting of the Sovereigns had this time a better +object than the oppression of the liberties of Nations; that this +should not be seen by people who would be the first sufferers of +the supremacy of a certain power is very lamentable, but they see +everything only according to the colour of _their_ spectacles. _Le +Flibustive_ movement at Naples is very shameful, but that poor King +has been so calumniated that Garibaldi is the rage of the present +moment; Colonel Walker[40] has been shot, and Garibaldi, who comes out +of that self-same school, is divinised. But it is time I should end. +With my best love to dear Albert, I remain ever, my beloved Victoria, +your devoted old Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 38: Prince Alfred, who, some time before, had been + appointed to the _Euryalus_, in the course of the summer + visited South Africa. After making a tour through Kaffraria, + Natal, and the Orange Free State, he returned to Cape Town, + where, in September, he laid the foundation stone of the + breakwater in Table Bay. In a letter written by the Prince + Consort a few weeks earlier to Baron Stockmar, he remarks upon + the noteworthy coincidence that almost in the same week in + which the elder brother would open the great bridge across the + St Lawrence, the younger would lay the foundation stone of the + breakwater for the Cape Town Harbour. "What a cheering picture + is here," he wrote, "of the progress and expansion of the + British race, and of the useful co-operation of the Royal + Family in the civilisation which England has developed and + advanced" (_Life of the Prince Consort_, vol. v. p. 88).] + + [Footnote 39: The Emperors of Russia and Austria, and the + Prince Regent of Prussia met at Warsaw on 20th October, and + held a conference which extended over several days.] + + [Footnote 40: Walker, in the course of one of the Nicaraguan + revolutions, had seized the supreme power, and had been + recognised as President by the U.S. Government; he was + afterwards expelled, and, on venturing to return, was + arrested, and shot on the 25th of September 1860.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _3rd November 1860._ + +The Queen returns the enclosed draft,[41] which she is afraid is not +likely to produce the beneficial results which Lord John seems to +anticipate. + +The expression of our hope, that Rome and Venetia, from their Italian +nationality, will soon share in the freedom and good government of +the rest of Italy, can only be understood as a declaration on our part +that we wish to see them share the annexation to Sardinia, after that +of the Two Sicilies shall have been completed. + +The declaration at the end after the quotations of the former +protests, vague as it is, viz. "That if other Powers interfere England +would do as she pleases," means either nothing at all (for England +is free to do as she pleases) or it means a threat of war, either +an empty threat, or one intended to be followed up when the occasion +arises. The first would hardly be dignified for a great Power like +England, and as to the second, the Queen for one is not prepared to +decide to go to war to ensure the success of the Italian Revolution. + +But is such a declaration at the present moment called for by anything +that has happened? Another despatch has accepted as satisfactory the +French explanation about the order given to the fleet before Gaeta, +and Austria has renewed her assurances that she will not interfere; +the only Power likely to continue to interfere and to produce +war--Sardinia--is held to have an exceptional right to it, as an +"Italian" Power. + +The Queen thinks this important despatch should not be laid before +her again without its having received the deliberate consideration +and assent of the whole Cabinet, and in case Lord John should bring it +before them the Queen would wish him to communicate this letter also +to them, as embodying her views on the subject. + + [Footnote 41: This draft despatch, prepared in order to be + sent to all the Powers, expressed approval of the Italian + Revolution. It concluded: "Her Majesty's Government deem + it right to declare that if any other Power should attempt + forcible interference, Her Majesty's Government will hold + themselves free to act in such a manner as the rights of + nations, the independence of Italy, and the interests of + Europe may seem to them to require."] + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +PEMBROKE LODGE, _3rd November 1860._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty.... + +With regard to the position of Great Britain, Lord John Russell +is bound to advise that it shall not suffer by the change of +circumstances. + +From 1815 to 1859 Austria ruled Italy. If Italians had reason to +complain, England had nothing to fear from the use of Austrian +influence against British interests. + +But if France were to sway the united Navies of Genoa and Naples, and +Great Britain to look on from fear or apathy, or excessive love of +peace, she might soon have to defend her possessions of Malta, Corfu, +and Gibraltar. + +Austria would hardly attempt any new aggression on Italy, unless she +were assisted by France. + +Italy as one Power would derive strength from the declaration of Great +Britain, as a disinterested friend. + +A letter of Lord Cowley will show your Majesty the suspicions and +doubts which exist as to French policy in Italy.[42] All these +projects will be scattered to the winds by the word of the British +Government. + + [Footnote 42: Lord Cowley wrote that he had heard through + Count Metternich that the Emperor of the French would never + consent to the annexation of Naples to Piedmont, that he + wished the Pope to retain Umbria and the Marches, and that the + Romagna should be an independent State.] + + + + +[Pageheading: REPLY TO KING OF NAPLES] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of Naples._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _3rd November 1860._ + +SIR, MY BROTHER,--The letter I have received from your Majesty, dated +from Gaeta on the 6th of October, is altogether devoted to political +considerations. + +These considerations have for a long time occupied the thoughts of +my confidential advisers, and I have directed them to convey to my +Ministers abroad such instructions as occasion appeared to me to +require. + +I will therefore confine this letter to those topics which are not the +immediate subjects of political controversy. + +Upon your Majesty's accession to the Throne I lost no time in assuring +your Majesty of my sincere wishes for the prosperity of your reign, +and the permanence of your dynasty. + +At the same time I was fully aware of the difficulties of the period +at which your Majesty succeeded to the Crown. That these difficulties +should not have been surmounted, and that they should now threaten to +overwhelm the Monarchy, of which your Majesty is the heir, is to me a +source of deep concern. + +It only remains that I should ask your Majesty to express to the +Queen my sincere sympathy in her misfortunes. I avail myself of this +opportunity to renew to your Majesty the assurance of the invariable +friendship and high consideration with which I am, Sir, my Brother, +your Majesty's good Sister, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: RETURN OF PRINCE ALFRED] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _13th November 1860_. + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,--... Here we have the happiness of having our dear +Alfred back since the 9th, who gives _very_ interesting accounts of +his expedition, and has brought back _many_ most interesting trophies, +splendid horns of _all_ those wonderful animals, photographs, etc. He +_is_ grown, though very _short_ for his age, but I think less so than +his brother at the same age. Major Cowell[43] gives an _excellent_ +report of him in _every way_, which, as you will readily believe, +makes us _very_ happy. He is really such a dear, gifted, handsome +child, that it makes one doubly anxious he should have as few failings +as mortal men can have. Our poor Bertie is still on the Atlantic, +detained by very contrary winds, which those large vessels with only +an auxiliary screw and only eight days' coal cannot make any way +against. Two powerful steamers have now gone out to look for him and +bring him in.... + +With Albert's affectionate love, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 43: Major (afterwards Sir John) Cowell was appointed + as Tutor to Prince Alfred in 1856. He was then a Lieutenant + of Engineers, and had been Adjutant to Sir Harry Jones at + Bomarsund and before Sebastopol.] + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _22nd November 1860_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +to submit that, as it appears from a despatch from Lord Cowley +that the commercial negotiations at Paris have been brought to a +conclusion, and that Mr Cobden has left Paris, the time has come +for your Majesty to consider what substantial mark of your Majesty's +approval your Majesty would be pleased to confer upon Mr Cobden. +Mr Cobden has now for about twelve months been laboriously employed +without salary or emolument in negotiating the complicated details of +commercial arrangements between England and France, which cannot +fail to tend to the material advantage of both countries, but more +especially to the increased development of the industry and commerce +of your Majesty's subjects. It would be an ungracious proceeding to +leave the services of Mr Cobden with no other acknowledgment than +the praises contained in a Foreign Office despatch, and Viscount +Palmerston therefore with the concurrence of Lord John Russell would +beg to submit for the gracious approval of your Majesty that Mr Cobden +might be offered his choice of being created a Knight Grand Cross +of the Civil Order of the Bath, or of being made a Member of your +Majesty's Privy Council. + +(_Note, in Queen's hand._--Was agreed to offer him either to be made a +P.C., or a Baronet.)[44] + + [Footnote 44: Mr Cobden declined both the Honours.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE EMPRESS OF AUSTRIA] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _22nd November 1860_. + +MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--I have to thank you for a most kind letter +of the 20th. I hope you will see the young and very nice Empress of +Austria,[45] perhaps you made a little excursion to Plymouth. I had, +and have still, some cold, and therefore I was apprehensive of waiting +at the station on the 20th in the evening; I sent Marie and Philip +to receive the Empress. Yesterday before daybreak I went myself to +Antwerp. I first paid the Empress a visit, and then I took her to your +beautiful ship. She was much struck with it, and it was _very kind_ +of you, and indeed, for an invalid, invaluable. It will show, +besides, that even beyond Garibaldi, and that amiable, disinterested +_Annex_ander, you can feel some interest. I saw the Empress already +dressed for her departure, but I think there is something very +peculiar about her, which is very pleasing. Poor soul, to see her go +away under, I fear, not very safe circumstances, as she coughs a great +deal, quite grieves one; though it certainly increased my stupid cold, +still I should have been sorry not to have assisted at her going to +sea. It was a beautiful day, but this night it has begun to blow from +the West-south-west, which I fear will create a sea to the Westward. + +That you had your sons about you must have been a great satisfaction +to you. Bertie got well through his truly tremendous tour. I think +that the effect on the Americans will last for some time. That the +poor Duke of Newcastle got home without accident is surprising. Affy +has something most winning, and is a dear little rogue. Eugenie's +expedition[46] is most astonishing. She also coughs much, and I never +heard Scotland recommended for Winter excursions. I believe that the +death of her sister affected her a good deal. She seems to have been a +good deal _choquee_ that she had been dancing in Africa when that poor +sister was dying. Next to this, there seems a difference of opinion +with her master on the subject of the Pope. You will recollect that +at the time of his elections the clergy rendered him undoubted good +service; I even doubt that he would have been elected without their +aid. Now he puts the axe to the root of the whole Catholic Church +by destroying the Pope, and he does this _without the slightest +provocation_, and for the benefit of the revolution _et des +revolutionnaires_.... + +I remain ever, my beloved Victoria, your devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 45: The Empress Elizabeth was on her way to Madeira, + in a ship placed at her disposal by the Queen.] + + [Footnote 46: The Empress of the French was making a tour in + England and Scotland for the benefit of her health; she + had sustained a bereavement by the death of her sister, the + Duchess of Alba.] + + + + +[Pageheading: BETROTHAL OF PRINCESS ALICE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _1st December 1860_. + +DEAREST UNCLE,--I hasten to announce to you that yesterday our dear +young couple here were engaged, and that we _are all_ very happy.[47] +Louis was spoken to yesterday on our return from Aldershot by +Albert,--who told him he would have an opportunity of speaking to +Alice--and this opportunity he took last night after dinner when +he was standing alone with her at the fire, and every one else was +occupied in talking. They whispered it to me, and then, after we left +the drawing-room, we sent for good Louis--and the young people met and +confirmed in a very touching manner _what_ they had merely been able +to whisper to one another before. He was very much overcome. He is +a dear, good, amiable, high-principled young man--who I am sure will +make our dearest Alice _very_ happy, and she will, I am sure, be a +most devoted loving wife to him. She is _very, very_ happy, and it is +a pleasure to see their young, happy faces beaming with love for +one another. Alice is so extremely reasonable and quiet. She wishes +everything kind and affectionate to be said to you, and _hopes_ for +your _blessing!_ I am very, very happy, so are we both, but I am still +a good deal agitated and flurried by the whole event. + +On Tuesday the Empress arrives, but only to luncheon. I must end now +in haste. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +Pray tell it to good Philip, and also to Leopold and Marie. + + [Footnote 47: See _ante_, 31st July, 1860, and note 31.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE SEE OF WORCESTER] + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _1st December 1860_. + +The Queen has received Lord Palmerston's second letter respecting the +Bishopric of Worcester,[48] just as she was going to answer the first. +While not objecting to the nomination of Mr Bayley,[49] she wanted to +point out the importance of, at a future vacancy, not to confine the +selection to respectable parish priests, but to bear in mind that the +Bench of Bishops should not be left devoid of some University men of +acknowledged standing and theological learning; it would be seriously +weakened if, in controversies on points of doctrine agitating the +Church, no value were attached to the opinions at least of some +of those who are to govern her. Lord Palmerston may now have an +opportunity of selecting a stronger man of Liberal views from +Cambridge. + + [Footnote 48: Bishop Henry Pepys had died in November, and was + succeeded in the following January by Canon Henry Philpott of + Norwich, Master of St Catharine's College, Cambridge.] + + [Footnote 49: Probably the Rev. Emilius Bayley, Rector of St + George's, Bloomsbury; now the Rev. Sir Emilius Laurie.] + + + + +[Pageheading: EPISCOPAL APPOINTMENTS] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _2nd December 1860_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +very sincerely congratulates your Majesty upon the arrangement of +a marriage which bids so fair to secure for Her Royal Highness the +Princess Alice that happiness to which her amiable and estimable +qualities so justly entitle her. + +With respect to bishops, Viscount Palmerston would beg to submit that +the bishops are in the Church what generals of districts are in the +Army: their chief duties consist in watching over the clergy of their +diocese, seeing that they perform properly their parochial duties, and +preserving harmony between the clergy and the laity, and softening +the asperities between the Established Church and the Dissenters. For +these purposes it is desirable that a bishop should have practical +knowledge of parochial functions, and should not be of an overbearing +and intolerant temperament. His diocesan duties are enough to occupy +all his time, and the less he engages in theological disputes the +better. Much mischief has been done by theological bishops, and if the +Bench were filled with men like the Bishops of Oxford and Exeter there +would be no religious peace in the land. Nor have men chosen merely +for their learning succeeded better; Thirlwall, Bishop of St David's, +and Blomfield, the late Bishop of London, were chosen on account of +their learning; the former is acknowledged to be inefficient, the +latter greatly mismanaged his diocese. The theological learning of +the Bishop of Exeter[50] has caused much mischief to the Established +Church. Viscount Palmerston would also beg to submit that the +intolerant maxims of the High Church bishops have exasperated the +Dissenters who form a large portion of the nation, and have given +offence to many good Churchmen. The Bishop of Exeter, the late Bishop +of Carlisle,[51] and the late Bishop of Rochester,[52] the two latter +individuals kind-hearted and good-natured men, refused to consecrate +burial grounds unless a wall of separation divided the portion +allotted to Churchmen from the portion allotted to Dissenters--a +demand which gave offence to both communities. Viscount Palmerston +would beg to submit that several of the bishops whom he has had the +honour of recommending to your Majesty had distinguished themselves by +their classical and academical attainments, and he may mention in this +respect the names of Baring, Longley, Tait, Wigram, and Waldegrave. +Viscount Palmerston can assure your Majesty that although his +selection of bishops has been much found fault with by the High +Church, Puseyite, and semi-Catholic Party, they have given great +satisfaction to the nation at large, and Viscount Palmerston has +received communications to that effect, verbal and written, from +persons of all classes, and political parties in all parts of the +country. The people of this country are essentially Protestant, they +feel the deepest aversion to Catholicism, and they see that the High +Church, Tractarian, and Puseyite doctrines lead men to the Church of +Rome. The disgraceful scenes last year at St George's in the East[53] +were only an exaggerated outburst of a very general and deeply-rooted +feeling. Viscount Palmerston believes that the clergy of the +Established Church were never more exemplary in the performance of +their duties, more respected by the Laity and, generally speaking, on +better terms with the Nonconformist body than at the present time. + + [Footnote 50: Henry Phillpotts, who was Bishop from 1830 to + 1869.] + + [Footnote 51: The Hon. Henry Montagu Villiers, who was + transferred to Durham.] + + [Footnote 52: George Murray, who had died in the previous + February.] + + [Footnote 53: For a considerable period, during 1859, + discreditable scenes of brawling took place at this Church as + a protest against the High Church practices of the Rector, the + Rev. Bryan King.] + + + + +[Pageheading: AFFAIRS OF NAPLES] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _4th December 1860_. + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,--I have to thank you for another dear letter of +the 29th. I trust that you have received both mine now. We expect the +Empress at half-past one, and I will certainly give her your message. +She is very amiable, and one must like her. There seems to be no +doubt that there were many scenes, partly about the Pope, and also on +account of her sister's funeral; she was so angry with Fould about it +that she insisted on his dismissal.[54] Then the Priests are said to +try and work upon her, and say that her son will die if the Emperor +continues _dans cette voie_ against the Pope. + +We saw Mr Elliot[55] from Naples yesterday, who has always been very +fair. He says that _if_, when the King came to the Throne, he had +_only_ insisted on the laws of the country being properly carried +out, _no_ reforms or change in the Constitution would have been +necessary--but from the want of energy, and also no strength of +intellect and great indecision of character of the poor King, as well +as an unfortunate _Pietaet_ for the memory of his father, nothing right +was done; bad counsellors surrounded him, the Queen Mother had a bad +influence, and finally everything was given up as lost--when it might +yet have been prevented. They dislike extremely being annexed, but +prefer it to having back the former state of things. + +We have since ten or twelve days almost incessant rain, so that we +shall soon be on an island. This is the more distressing as we can't +go to Osborne at present--there being a sort of epidemic fever which +the doctors declare is in the air and that it would be running too +great a risk if we went. But we have perpetual sunshine in the house +when we look at our dear young lovers, who are _so_ happy, so devoted +to each other, that it does one good to see it; he is so modest and +unassuming that we feel as if he was one of our own children; and he +is _so_ good and amiable, has such an open honest character, such +a warm heart, such high principles, and is withal so merry and +_aufgeweckt_ that I feel we have _gained_ a son and shall _not_ lose a +daughter--for we shall be able to have them a good deal with us, Louis +not having any duties to detain him much at home at present. I can't +say what happiness and comfort it is to me. I feel my dear child +will first of all have a peaceful, quiet, happy home, without +difficulties--and secondly, that she will not be entirely cut off from +us and monopolised as our poor Vicky is. + +I add a few lines since we have seen the Empress. She came at +half-past one, and stayed till a little after three. She looked very +pretty, but very sad--and in speaking of her health and of her return +from Algiers began to cry. She seems to be much better, however, for +her journey; before she could neither eat nor sleep, nor would she +take notice of anything. She never mentioned the Emperor but once when +she offered his compliments, and there was not the slightest allusion +to politics. It is altogether very strange. She remains another week +in England, and then goes back as she came. I gave her your message, +and she enquired after you. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 54: See _ante_, 15th May, 1859, note 38.] + + [Footnote 55: See _ante_, 17th July, 1859, note 62.] + + + + +[Pageheading: VISIT OF THE EMPRESS EUGENIE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +_Windsor Castle, 11th December 1860_. + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,--I have to thank you for two _most_ kind letters +of the 4th and 7th. Your kind interest in our dear child's +happiness--your approval of this marriage of our dear Alice, which, +I cannot deny, has been for _long_ an ardent wish of mine, and just +therefore I feared _so_ much it _never_ would come to pass, gives +us the greatest pleasure. _Now_--that _all_ has been so _happily_ +settled, and that I find the young man so very charming--my joy, and +my _deep_ gratitude to God are very great! He is so loveable, so +very _young_, and like one of our own children--not the _least in +the way_--but a dear, pleasant, _bright_ companion, full of fun and +spirits, and I am _sure_ will be a _great_ comfort to us, besides +being an excellent husband to our dear, good Alice, who, though +radiant with joy and much in love (which well she may be), is as quiet +and sensible as possible. + +The Empress is still here, and enjoys her liberty of _all_ things. We +went to town for the Smithfield Cattle Show yesterday, and visited her +at Claridge's Hotel. She very civilly wanted us to avoid the trouble, +but we felt that it would not be civil if we did not, and that +hereafter even the French might say that she had not been treated with +due respect. She looked very pretty, and was in very good spirits, but +again carefully avoided any allusion to her husband and to politics, +though she talked a great deal about all she was seeing!... + +I must now wish you good-bye. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +TO CHAPTER XXX + + +Early in 1861--a year destined to close in sorrow and +desolation--Queen Victoria experienced a heavy grief in the death of +her mother, the Duchess of Kent, at the age of seventy-four. + +In January, fresh overtures were made to Lord Palmerston by the +Conservative leaders, with a view of supporting him in office against +the dissentients in his Ministry, especially Lord John Russell and Mr +Gladstone, whose views on the questions of Reform and National Defence +respectively were opposed to those of the Premier. Lord Palmerston was +indifferent to the support of Mr Gladstone; but a unity of view on +the Italian policy of the Government held the three Liberal statesmen +together. + +The attack on the Paper Duties was repeated by Mr Gladstone, who, on +this occasion, combined all his fiscal proposals in a single Bill. The +measure, after strong opposition, passed the Commons by a majority of +fifteen, and the Peers subsequently accepted the Budget, which took a +penny off the income tax, while maintaining the existing tea and sugar +Duties. In July, Lord John Russell, who had entered Parliament in +1813, before he came of age and had been leader of the House of +Commons at the time of the Queen's accession, was transferred to the +House of Lords. In August, the Queen and the Prince Consort, with the +Prince of Wales and Prince Alfred, paid a third visit to Ireland. + +The affairs of Italy still continued to attract public attention. +At the end of 1860, the French fleet had been despatched to Gaeta +to protect the interests of King Francis; this protection, given +in violation of the principle of non-intervention, was withdrawn in +January, and the garrison surrendered to the Piedmontese Admiral. On +the 18th of February, the new Parliament of Italy met at Turin, the +debates emphasising the vital necessity of including both Rome and +Venetia in a united nation; Victor Emmanuel was declared King of +Italy, a title promptly recognised by Great Britain; but in June, to +the profound grief of the Italian nation, Cavour, its Prime Minister, +and the mainspring of the Piedmontese policy, died while still in the +prime of life. + +King Frederick William of Prussia had died in January, and was +succeeded by his brother, William I., Prince of Prussia, who was +crowned with Queen Augusta, at Koenigsberg, on the 18th of October, +Lord Clarendon attending as British representative. In the following +month, King Pedro of Portugal, son and successor of Donna Maria, and +his brother Ferdinand, died of typhoid fever; another brother, Prince +John, succumbed to the same malady before the close of the year. + +Events of great importance took place in North America, where the +secession of South Carolina was followed by that of other Southern +States. The delegates of the latter assembled in February at +Montgomery, Alabama, and nominated Jefferson Davis as their President, +Abraham Lincoln having been previously elected as the new President +of the United States. The first shot had been fired, on the 9th of +January, in Charleston Harbour, where a Secessionist battery opened +its guns on a vessel sent by the Federal Government to reinforce Fort +Sumter. In April, the Confederate troops attacked the Fort, which +was compelled to surrender, whereupon President Lincoln issued a +proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteers; President Davis replied +by issuing (in default of an official fleet) letters of marque to +privately owned vessels, and Lincoln declared the Southern ports in +a state of blockade. In May, Lord John Russell announced that the +British Government would recognise the South as a belligerent power, +and a proclamation of neutrality was issued. At Bull Run, on the +21st of July, the Federals were defeated, and fled in confusion to +Washington. Hostilities continued during the year, and Great Britain +was nearly involved in war, by the seizure, on the 8th of November, by +the captain of a Federal vessel, the _San Jacinto_, of Messrs Slidell +and Mason, the envoys accredited by the Confederate States to Great +Britain and France. This high-handed action was taken while the envoys +in question were passengers to Europe, by the British mail steamer +_Trent_, between Havana and St Thomas, and the public mind of Great +Britain was greatly excited in consequence; but eventually the envoys +were transferred to a British ship-of-war, and arrived in Great +Britain, not, however, until in view of a threatened aggression on +British North America, troops had been despatched from England to +strengthen the Canadian garrisons on the frontier. The despatch +of Lord Russell to the American Government, which led to a pacific +result, had been revised by Prince Albert, in the direction of leaving +open to that Government an honourable retreat from the aggressive +attitude they had taken up; the Prince's action in this respect, the +beneficial effect of which it would be difficult to exaggerate, +was destined to be the last of a long series of political services +rendered to this country. + +It had become apparent in the autumn that Prince Albert's normal +health was impaired, and in November he began to suffer from +persistent insomnia; towards the end of the month the fever originated +which was to prove fatal to him. He suffered at first from rheumatic +pains and constant weakness, until, early in December, what was +thought to be influenza developed, and the Prince was confined to +his room. By the 11th his condition, though not hopeless, had become +grave, and the serious nature of the illness was made public; and, +although on the 12th the Queen could write hopefully to King Leopold, +the malady continued to increase. On the evening of the 13th, a rally +took place, and encouraging reports were brought hourly to the Queen +through the night; but congestion of the lungs supervened on the +following day, in the closing hours of which, to the inexpressible +grief both of the Queen and her subjects, the Prince passed peacefully +away. The letters of the Queen to King Leopold and Lord Canning +express, in language to which nothing can be added, the intensity of +her grief, and, no less, the noble and unselfish courage with which +she resolved to devote her life to her children and country. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +1861 + + + +[Pageheading: CONSERVATIVE OVERTURES] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +BROADLANDS, _1st January 1861_. + +VISCOUNT PALMERSTON presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +to be allowed to wish your Majesty and His Royal Highness the Prince +Consort many prosperous returns of New Year's Day, with increasing +happiness to your Majesty and the Royal Family, and progressive +advantage to the Nation who have the good fortune to have your Majesty +for their Sovereign; and to adopt the language of Pope, he would say, + + "May day improve on day, and year on year, + Without a pain, a trouble, or a fear." + +This Autumn and Winter, however, have been productive of events in +three of the four quarters of the Globe, which future years are not +likely to repeat. The capture of Pekin in Asia by British and French +troops; the Union in Europe of nearly the whole of Italy into one +Monarchy; and the approaching and virtually accomplished Dissolution +in America of the great Northern Confederation, are events full +of importance for the future, as well as being remarkable in time +present. + +Viscount Palmerston submits two letters which your Majesty may feel an +interest in seeing. With regard to that from Lord John Russell stating +a half-formed wish to go to the House of Lords, Viscount Palmerston +does not expect that the desire will be repeated when the Session +begins, although Lord John said last year that he felt attendance in +the House of Commons in addition to the labour of his office, more +than he could well get through. He would be a loss to Viscount +Palmerston in the House of Commons, especially after the removal of Mr +Sidney Herbert to the House of Lords;[1] and speaking confidentially +to your Majesty with regard to the future, Viscount Palmerston would +think himself doing better service by recommending the House of Lords +for Mr Gladstone, than for Lord John Russell. + +Mr Herbert will take the title of Lord Herbert of Lea, the title of +Herbert being that borne by his elder brother during the life of the +late Lord Pembroke. + +The other letter from Lord Malmesbury relates to a communication +which he made to Viscount Palmerston last year from Lord Derby and Mr +Disraeli at the beginning of the Session, to the effect that, if +the Government were then to break up from internal dissensions, the +Conservative Party would support during the then ensuing Session any +administration which Viscount Palmerston might be able provisionally +to make, to carry through the business of the Session.[2] Viscount +Palmerston is not aware of any circumstances which can have led to the +expectation that the present administration is likely to be broken up +by internal divisions in the course of this next Session. There are +no questions ahead so likely to produce discord as the Reform Bill of +last year, and the differences between the two Houses about the Paper +Duties, about which it was very difficult to prevent Lord John and Mr +Gladstone from flying off, or the Fortification Question, upon which +Mr Gladstone announced to his colleagues, nearly a dozen times, that +he was firmly resolved to resign. Viscount Palmerston has asked Lord +Malmesbury to come over to him to Broadlands at any time before the +21st or 22nd of this month, which is the probable time at which the +Cabinet will have to meet in London. + +Viscount Palmerston finds he has not got Lord John Russell's letter +at hand, but the only thing of any interest in it was the intimation +which Viscount Palmerston quoted. + + [Footnote 1: Mr Herbert had been latterly in bad health, and + resigned office in the summer. He died on the 2nd of August.] + + [Footnote 2: In his memoirs, Lord Malmesbury describes an + interview with Lord and Lady Palmerston on the 1st of June + 1860, apparently the one at which this communication was made. + "It is evident," he writes, "he [Lord Palmerston] does not + wish to lose Lord John, though he would be very glad if + Gladstone resigned."] + + + + +_The Emperor of the French to Queen Victoria._ + +PARIS, _le 31 Decembre 1860_. + +MADAME ET TRES CHERE S[OE]UR,--Je ne veux pas laisser cette annee +s'ecouler sans venir porter a votre Majeste l'expression de mes +souhaits pour son bonheur et celui du Prince et de sa famille. +J'espere que l'annee qui va commencer sera heureuse pour nos deux +nations, et qu'elle verra encore nos liens se resserrer. L'Europe est +bien agitee, mais tant que l'Angleterre et la France s'entendent, le +mal pourra se localiser. + +Je felicite votre Majeste du succes que nos deux armees ont obtenu +en Chine; laissons toujours nos etendards unis; car Dieu semble les +proteger. + +J'ai bien envie l'Imperatrice qui a pu vous faire une visite et revoir +votre charmante famille: elle en a ete bien heureuse. + +Je saisis avec empressement cette occasion de renouveler a votre +Majeste les sentiments de haute estime et de sincere amitie avec +lesquels je suis, de votre Majeste le bon Frere, + +NAPOLEON. + + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF KING OF PRUSSIA] + + +_The Princess Royal to Queen Victoria and the Prince Albert._ + +POTSDAM, _2nd January 1861_. + +BELOVED PARENTS,--At last I can find a moment for myself to sit down +and collect my thoughts and to write to you an account of these two +last dreadful days! My head is in such a state, I do not know where +I am hardly--whether I am in a dream or awake, what is yesterday and +what to-day! What we have so long expected is come at last! All the +confusion, bustle, excitement, noise, etc., is all swallowed up in +that one thought for me--I have seen death for the first time! It has +made an impression upon me that I shall never, never forget as long +as I live--and I feel so ill, so confused and upset by all that I have +gone through in the last forty-eight hours, that you must forgive +me if I write incoherently and unclearly. But to go back to Monday +evening (it seems to me a year now). At a quarter to eight in the +evening of Monday the 31st, I took dear darling Affie to the railway +station, and took leave of him with a heavy heart. You know I love +that dear boy distractedly, and that nothing could have given me more +pleasure than his dear, long-wished-for visit. At nine o'clock Fritz +and I went to tea at the Prince Regent's; we four were alone together. +The Princess was rather low and unwell, the Prince low-spirited, and +I thinking of nothing but Affie and of how dear he is. While we were +sitting at tea we received bad news from Sans Souci,[3] but nothing +to make us particularly uneasy. Fritz and I went home and to bed, not +being in a humour to sit up till twelve. + +About half-past one we heard a knock at the door and my wardrobe maid +brought in a telegram saying the King was given up, and a note from +the Prince Regent saying he was going up immediately. We got up in the +greatest hurry and dressed--I hardly know how; I put on just what +I found, and had not time to do my hair or anything. After we had +hurried on our clothes we went downstairs and out--for there was no +time to get a carriage or a footman or anything--it was a splendid +night, but twelve degrees of cold (Reaumur). I thought I was in a +dream finding myself alone in the street with Fritz at two o'clock +at night. We went to the Prince Regent's, and then with them in their +carriages to the railway station--we four all alone in the train. We +arrived at Sans Souci and went directly into the room where the King +lay--the stillness of death was in the room--only the light of the +fire and of a dim lamp. We approached the bed and stood there at the +foot of it, not daring to look at one another or to say a word. The +Queen was sitting in an armchair at the head of the bed, her arm +underneath the King's head, and her head on the same pillow on which +he lay; with her other hand she continually wiped the perspiration +from his forehead. You might have heard a pin drop; no sound was heard +but the crackling of the fire and the _death-rattle_, that dreadful +sound which goes to one's heart, and which tells plainly that life is +ebbing. This rattling in the throat lasted about an hour longer, and +then the King lay motionless. The doctors bent their heads low to hear +whether he still breathed--and we stood, not even daring to sit down, +watching the death-struggle; every now and then the King breathed very +fast and loud, but never unclosed his eyes; he was very red in the +face, and the cold perspiration pouring from his forehead. I never +spent such an awful time! And to see the poor Queen sitting there +quite rent my heart--three, four, five, six, seven struck, and we were +still standing there--one member of the family came in after the other +and remained motionless in the room, sobs only breaking the silence. +Oh! it is dreadful to see a person die! All the thoughts and feelings +that crowded on my mind in those hours I cannot describe, more than in +my whole past lifetime. The light of the morning dawned, and the lamps +were taken away--oh, how sad for the first morning in the year! We +all went into the next room, for I assure you, anxiety, watching, +standing, and crying had worn us out. The Princess fell asleep on a +chair, I on a sofa, and the rest walked up and down the room asking +one another, How long will it last? Towards the middle of the day, +Marianne and I went into the room alone, as we wished to stay there; +we came up and kissed the Queen's hand and knelt down and kissed the +King's; it was quite warm still. We stood about and waited till five +o'clock and then had some dinner, and I felt so sick and faint and +unwell, that Fritz sent me here to bed. At one o'clock this morning I +got up and dressed, and heard that the King had not many minutes more +to live, but by the time I had got the carriage I heard all was over. +I drove to Sans Souci and saw the King and Queen. May God bless and +preserve them, and may theirs be a long and happy and blessed reign. +Then I went into the room where the King lay, and I could hardly bring +myself to go away again. There was so much of comfort in looking +at that quiet, peaceful form, at rest at last after all he had +suffered--gone home at last from this world of suffering--so peaceful +and quiet he looked, like a sleeping child. Every moment I expected to +see him move or breathe--his mouth and eyes closed, and such a sweet +and happy expression--both his hands were on the coverlid. I kissed +them both for the last time; they were quite cold then. Fritz and I +stood looking at him for some time. I could hardly bring myself +to believe that this was really death, that which I had so often +shuddered at and felt afraid of; there was nothing there dreadful or +appalling, only a heavenly calm and peace. I felt it did me so much +good, and was such a comfort. "Death, where is thy sting? Grave, +where is thy victory?" He was a just and good man, and had a heart +overflowing with love and kindness, and he has gone to his rest after +a long trial which he bore with so much patience. I am not afraid of +death now, and when I feel inclined to be so, I shall think of that +solemn and comforting sight, and that death is only a change for the +better. We went home and to bed and this morning went there at ten. +I sat some time with the poor Queen, who is so calm and resigned and +touching in her grief. She does not cry, but she looks heartbroken. +She said to me: "I am not longer of any use in this world. I have no +longer any vocation, any duties to perform. I only lived for him." +Then she was so kind to me, kinder than she has ever been yet, and +said I was like her own child and a comfort to her. I saw the corpse +again this morning; he is unaltered, only changed in colour, and the +hands are stiffened. + +The funeral will be on Saturday; the King will lie in state till then. +His wish was to be buried in Friedenskirche before the altar--and his +heart at Charlottenburg in the Mausoleum. Of course all will be done +that he wishes. His servants are in a dreadful state. They adored him, +and nursed him day and night for three years with the most devoted +attachment. The King and Queen stay at Sans Souci till after the +funeral, and Fritz and I here at Potsdam.... Ever your most dutiful +and devoted Daughter, + +VICTORIA. + +_P.S._--The funeral will only take place on Monday, and the body will +be embalmed to-morrow. To-morrow evening there will be prayers at the +bedside, and the day after the lying in state. + + [Footnote 3: The palace at Potsdam, built by Frederick the + Great, the usual residence of the King of Prussia.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LETTER TO THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Emperor of the French._ + +OSBORNE, _le 3 Janvier 1861_. + +SIRE ET CHER FRERE,--Les bons v[oe]ux que votre Majeste veut bien +m'exprimer a l'occasion de la nouvelle annee me sont bien chers, et +je vous prie d'en accepter mes remerciments sinceres, ainsi que +l'expression des v[oe]ux que je forme pour le bonheur de votre +Majeste, de l'Imperatrice et de votre cher enfant; le Prince se joint +a moi dans ces sentiments. + +Votre Majeste a bien raison si elle regarde avec quelque inquietude +l'etat agite de l'Europe, mais je partage aussi avec elle le ferme +espoir, que le mal peut etre beaucoup amoindri, tant que la France et +l'Angleterre s'entendent, et j'y ajouterai, tant que cette entente a +pour but desinteresse de preserver au monde la paix et a chaque +nation ses droits et ses possessions, et d'adoucir des animosites, qui +menacent de produire les plus graves calamites, des guerres civiles +et des luttes de races. La benediction de Dieu ne manquera pas a +l'accomplissement d'une tache aussi grande et sacree. + +Je me rejouis avec votre Majeste des glorieux succes que nos armees +alliees viennent d'obtenir en Chine, et de la belle paix que ces +succes ont amenee. Elle sera feconde, je l'espere, en bienfaits pour +nos deux pays aussi bien que pour ce peuple bizarre que nous avons +force a entrer en relations avec le reste du monde. + +Il nous a fait bien du plaisir de voir l'Imperatrice et d'entendre +depuis que son voyage en Angleterre lui a fait tant de bien. + +Agreez l'assurance de la parfaite amitie avec laquelle je suis, Sire +et mon Frere, de votre Majeste Imperiale, la bonne S[oe]ur, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: ITALIAN AFFAIRS] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +BROADLANDS, _10th January 1861_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has +many apologies to make for not having sooner answered your Majesty's +previous communications. He is glad to be able to say that Lady +Jocelyn's youngest boy, whose illness has been the cause of very great +anxiety, is now in the course of gradual, but favourable recovery. + +Viscount Palmerston returns to your Majesty the letter of the Emperor +of the French, and your Majesty's excellent answer; it is to be hoped +that he will profit by the sound advice which that answer contains. + +Upon the subject of Italy your Majesty reminds Viscount Palmerston +that he stated last summer that it would be better for the interests +of England that Southern Italy should be a separate Monarchy, rather +than that it should form part of an united Italy. Viscount Palmerston +still retains that opinion; because a separate kingdom of the Two +Sicilies would be more likely, in the event of war between England and +France, to side, at least by its neutrality, with the strongest Naval +Power, and it is to be hoped that such Power would be England. But +then it would be necessary that the Two Sicilies as an independent and +separate State should be well governed, and should have an enlightened +Sovereign. This unfortunately has become hopeless and impossible under +the Bourbon Dynasty, and no Englishman could wish to see a Murat or a +Prince Napoleon on the Throne of Naples.[4] The course of events +since last summer seems to have finally decided the fate of Sicily and +Naples, and there can be no doubt that for the interest of the people +of Italy, and with a view to the general balance of Power in Europe, +a united Italy is the best arrangement. The Italian Kingdom will never +side with France from partiality to France, and the stronger that +kingdom becomes the better able it will be to resist political +coercion from France. The chief hold that France will have upon the +policy of the Kingdom of Italy consists in the retention of Venetia by +Austria. + +Viscount Palmerston has heard no more from Lord John Russell about his +wish eventually to go to the House of Lords, and it is probable that +this wish often before expressed will, as upon former occasions, be +allowed to sleep undisturbed.... + + [Footnote 4: Prince Napoleon Murat, a son of Joachim Murat, + King of Naples, 1808-1815, had returned to France from the + United States in 1848; an attempt was now being made to form a + Murat party in Southern Italy.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _19th January 1861_. + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter enclosing his +correspondence with Lord Clarendon.[5] She has kept the latter in +order to show it to Lord Palmerston this evening, not knowing whether +he has seen it already. She must say that Lord Clarendon's arguments +are very conclusive. Has it ever occurred to Lord John Russell that, +if Lord Clarendon were to go to Berlin carrying the highest compliment +the Queen has to bestow, viz. the Order of the Garter to the new King +of Prussia, and from thence to Vienna empty-handed to the Emperor of +Austria for the purpose of giving good advice, the Emperor might look +upon it as an offensive public proceeding towards him? + + [Footnote 5: Lord Clarendon was appointed to represent the + Queen at the Coronation of the King of Prussia.] + + + + +[Pageheading: CONSERVATIVE OVERTURES] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _27th January 1861_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty.... + +Viscount Palmerston saw Lord Malmesbury on Friday before the Cabinet. +They both came up in the same train though not in the same carriage, +and Lord Malmesbury came to Viscount Palmerston's in Piccadilly at +three o'clock. + +He said that he was charged by Lord Derby and Mr Disraeli with a +message similar to that which he had conveyed last year, namely, that +if Mr Gladstone were to propose a democratic Budget making a great +transfer of burthens from indirect to direct Taxation, and if, the +Cabinet refusing its concurrence, Mr Gladstone were to retire, the +Conservative Party would give the Government substantial support +except in the case of the Government wishing to take an active part +in war against Austria. That this did not of course mean an abstinence +from usual attacks and criticisms in debate, but that no step would +in such case be taken to produce a change of Government. In fact, said +Lord Malmesbury, neither the Conservative leaders nor the Party wish +at present to come into office, and have no intention of taking any +step to turn the present Government out. Mr Bright had indeed +proposed to Mr Disraeli to join together with the Radical Party, the +Conservatives, for the purpose of turning out the present Government; +and especially to get rid of Viscount Palmerston and Lord John +Russell. Mr Bright said he would in that case give the Conservative +Government a two years' existence, and by the end of that time the +country, it might be hoped, would be prepared for a good and real +Reform Bill, and then a proper Government might be formed. + +This proposal, which it must be owned was not very tempting, Lord +Malmesbury said had been declined. He also said that Count Persigny, +on returning from one of his trips to Paris, had brought a +similar proposal from Mr Cobden for a co-operation of Radicals and +Conservatives to overthrow the present Government; but that also had +been declined. Viscount Palmerston requested Lord Malmesbury to +convey his thanks to Lord Derby and Mr Disraeli for the handsome +communication which they had thus made to him, and to assure them that +he fully appreciated the honourable and patriotic motives by which it +had been prompted.... + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _29th January 1861_. + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,--I write to you on a sad anniversary--already +_seventeen_ years ago, that it pleased God to take dearest Papa away +from us all! He, who _ought_ to have lived for twenty years longer at +least!... + +We hear from Berlin that the poor King is much _angegriffen_, and very +irritable, but that my letter announcing to him that I would give him +the Garter had given him _so_ much pleasure that he had been seen to +smile for the _first_ time since the 2nd of January. + +I think you will be gratified by the little extract from a letter +from our dear friend the Queen, about Vicky, which I venture to send +you--as well as by the following extract from Vicky's own letter to +me, written on her wedding day, in which she says:--"Every time our +dear wedding day returns I feel so happy and thankful--and live every +moment of that blessed and never-to-be-forgotten day over again in +thought. I love to dwell on every minute of that day; not a hope has +been disappointed, not an expectation that has not been realised, and +much more--that few can say--and I _am_ thankful as I ought to be." + +These two extracts are very gratifying to our hearts. + +I must now wish you good-bye. With Albert's affectionate love, ever +your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PROVOSTSHIP OF ETON] + +[Pageheading: DR GOODFORD] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Sir Charles Phipps._ + +94 PICCADILLY, _10th February 1861_. + +MY DEAR PHIPPS,--In the box which I sent to the Queen on Friday +morning, giving a short account of the Debate on Thursday, I placed +a separate paper submitting for her approval that Dr Goodford, +Headmaster of Eton, might be recommended to the Fellows to be elected +to the office of Provost now vacant; and I mentioned that the matter +was rather pressing. I have had no answer as yet, and the election is +fixed for to-morrow. + +The election is on the same footing as that of a bishop who is +nominally elected by the Chapter of the Diocese, but who is named for +being so elected by the Crown. The Crown recommends the person to be +named Provost, and the Fellows as a matter of course elect him. But +the election must be made within a stated period--I believe fifteen +days after the vacancy has happened; and if the Crown does not within +that period recommend, the Fellows proceed to make their own choice. + +The election is fixed for to-morrow, and it would not, I think, be +desirable to let the Royal prerogative drop on this occasion. The +persons who have been named as candidates are Dr Goodford, Headmaster, +and with regard to him it is to be said that the office has generally +been given to the Headmaster, and that, as far as the Provost has any +function connected with improvements in the arrangement of the school, +there is an advantage in his having been conversant with the details +of the existing system. Dr Goodford is qualified for the office by his +degree. + +The next candidate is Mr Coleridge, once a master in the school, but +he is not qualified by a sufficient degree, and there was a prejudice +against him on account of his Puseyite tendencies. + +The third is Dr Chapman, late Bishop of Colombo, qualified by his +degree, but having no peculiar claims or other recommendations for the +office. + +The fourth is Mr Birch, formerly tutor to the Prince of Wales, +scarcely of sufficient calibre for the office, and not qualified by a +sufficient degree. + +Between Dr Goodford and Dr Chapman I think the preference should be +given to Dr Goodford, and the more especially because Dr Chapman is +supposed to entertain theological opinions similar to those of Mr +Coleridge, his brother-in-law. + +If the Queen should approve of Dr Goodford being recommended, +perhaps she would have the goodness to sign the document sent in the +accompanying box, and if it is returned by the earliest opportunity it +is just possible that I may be able to send it to Windsor in time for +the election to-morrow.[6] Yours sincerely, + +PALMERSTON. + + [Footnote 6: Dr Goodford was elected, and remained Provost + till his death in 1884.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +_10th February 1861._ + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter enclosing the draft +of one to General Garibaldi, which she now returns. She had much +doubt about its being altogether safe for the Government to get into +correspondence, however unofficial, with the General, and thinks +that it would be better for Lord John _not_ to write to him. Lord +Palmerston, who was here this afternoon on other business, has +undertaken to explain the reasons in detail to Lord John--in which he +fully concurs. + + + + +[Pageheading: GARIBALDI] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _11th February 1861_. + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he +earnestly entreats your Majesty to consider whether any step ought to +be omitted by which the peace of Europe may be preserved. + +General Garibaldi is generally esteemed by Italians; even Count Ludolf +speaks of him in the highest terms of praise. General Garibaldi +has lost his country, and is full of resentment at Count Cavour for +selling it. He respects and admires England for her disinterested +conduct. + +But it is evident the French Emperor is again exciting the Hungarian +party. The Garibaldian legion is told to hold itself in readiness, and +the _Pays_ and _Patrie_ are instructed to praise the Legion. They are +being assembled in Genoa and Piedmont. + +There is little chance of Garibaldi's refusing to take part in this +expedition, and if he does proceed to the Dalmatian or Istrian coast, +his name will have an immense effect. + +It does not seem reasonable to throw away any chance of saving the +Austrian Empire and the peace of Europe. + +Lord John Russell will wait till Monday next to learn definitively +your Majesty's pleasure. + +The proposed letter appears to him to give some hope of preventing +great misfortunes. In this belief it is Lord John Russell's duty to +endeavour to prevent the frightful war which is impending. + +Kossuth is fabricating paper to the extent of from 140 to 300,000,000 +of florins to furnish the sinews of insurrection. In the month of +March Hungary will be in a blaze. But if Italy, Germany, and France +keep away, the fire may burn out of itself. + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +_11th February 1861._ + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and in +returning Lord John's letter begs to submit, that as Lord John is so +anxious to send it, and seems so strongly of opinion that it is +an effort which might be successful in dissuading Garibaldi from +attempting to create disturbances in the Austrian territory by going +thither with a band of adventurers, it may be best to let the letter +go, though it might perhaps be improved by pointing more directly +to the nature of the expedition which it advises Garibaldi not to +undertake. + +There may be inconveniences which may arise from the letter, but they +might be dealt with; on the other hand, if Garibaldi undertakes his +expedition, it would be a matter of regret if it could be thought +or said that a step which might have prevented the mischief had been +omitted. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _12th February 1861_. + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's reiterated request for her +sanction to his writing to General Garibaldi. She still entertains +the same objections to the step, as implying a recognition of the +General's position as a European Power as enabling him to allow the +impression to prevail, that he is in communication with the British +Government and acts under its inspiration, as possibly leading to a +prolonged and embarrassing correspondence, and as implying for the +future that when the disapprobation of the Government is not expressed +(as in the present instance), it gives its consent to his aggressive +schemes. The Queen will not prevent, however, Lord John from taking +a step which he considers gives a chance of averting a great European +calamity. Should Lord John therefore adhere to his opinion, she asks +him to let her see the letter again, upon the precise wording of which +so much depends. + + + + +[Pageheading: A HAPPY ANNIVERSARY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _12th February 1861_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Many, many thanks for your dear letter of the 8th. +Here we have cold again since the day before yesterday, and last night +seven degrees of frost. On Sunday we celebrated, with feelings of +_deep gratitude_ and love, the _twenty-first_ anniversary of our +blessed marriage, a day which had brought us, and I may say the +_world_ at _large_, such incalculable blessings! _Very_ few can say +with me that their husband at the end of twenty-one years is _not_ +only full of the friendship, kindness, and affection which a truly +happy marriage brings with it, but the same tender love of the _very +first days of our marriage!_ + +We missed dear Mamma and _three_ of our children,[7] but had _six_ +dear ones round us--and assembled in the evening those of our +Household _still_ remaining who were _with us then!_... + +In Parliament things go on quietly enough, and every one _hopes_ for a +short session.... + +Hoping that these lines will find you well, believe me ever, your +devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 7: The Duchess of Kent was at Frogmore; the Princess + Royal, now Crown Princess of Prussia, was at Potsdam; the + Prince of Wales had just entered upon his first term at + Cambridge; and Prince Alfred had joined his ship, the + _Euryalus_, at Plymouth.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL AND GARIBALDI] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _13th February 1861_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +begs to state that the Cabinet at its meeting this afternoon were +of opinion that Lord John Russell's proposed letter to Garibaldi, as +altered by Lord John, might do good, and could scarcely be attended +with any material inconvenience, and that therefore it might go.[8] + + [Footnote 8: It accordingly was sent in the following form:-- + + GENERAL,--You did me the honour, some time ago, to write me a + letter, thanking me for a speech I made in Parliament. + + I was not insensible to the value of that compliment. My + present purpose however is not compliment. + + I wish you seriously to reconsider your declaration that you + propose to begin a war in the Spring. + + It seems to me that no individual, however distinguished, has + a right to determine for his country the momentous question of + peace or war with a foreign State. + + Italy, represented by a free Parliament, is about to assemble + and declare her own sentiments and wishes. + + It is surely for the King and the Parliament together to + decide on questions which may involve all Europe in bloodshed. + + I cannot believe that you will be the man to give the signal + of dissension in Italy. I remain, General, your obedient + Servant, + + JOHN RUSSELL. + + + + + The reply received was as follows:-- + + + CAPRERA, _4th March 1861_. + + NOBLE LORD,--Italy owes you much gratitude. You, however, + judge me somewhat harshly; giving credence to rumours which + attribute to me projects that are not known to any one. + + I hope to make war again for my country. But I desire that + you, deserving as you are of my esteem and attachment, should + believe that I will not undertake anything which may injure or + be in contradiction with the rights of the King and Parliament + of Italy. + + I do not love war, Minister, but, in the present condition of + my country, it appears most difficult to constitute her in a + normal manner, without war. + + I am sure that Italy is able to make her war of liberation + even this year. The person who directs does not feel the same + certainty, and I leave it to you to weigh his motives. I, if + I am not called upon by events, shall continue in my retreat, + and I will, in every way, endeavour to gain your good-will, + and that of the generous nation to whom my country owes so + much, etc., etc., etc. I am your devoted Servant, + + G. GARIBALDI.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _22nd February 1861_. + +The Queen is very glad to see that the Government is seriously taking +up the question of iron-sided ships, and looks forward to the result +of Lord Palmerston's conference with the Duke of Somerset. The +number wanted appears large, but the Queen must add that she does not +consider one ship a sufficient preponderance over the French Navy for +this country. Twenty-seven to twenty-six would give that number. + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF DUCHESS OF KENT] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +FROGMORE, _16th March 1861_. + +MY DEARLY BELOVED UNCLE,--On this, the most dreadful day of my +life, does your poor broken-hearted child write one line of love and +devotion. _She_ is gone![9] That _precious, dearly beloved tender_ +Mother--whom I never was parted from but for a few months--without +whom _I_ can't _imagine life_--has been taken from us! It is _too_ +dreadful! But she is at peace--at rest--her fearful sufferings at +an end! It was quite painless--though there was very _distressing_, +heartrending breathing to witness. I held her dear, dear hand in mine +to the very last, which I am truly thankful for! But the watching that +precious life going out was fearful! Alas! she never knew me! But she +was spared the pang of parting! How this will _grieve_ and _distress +you!_ _You_ who are now doubly precious to us. Good Alice was with us +all through, and _deeply_ afflicted, and wishes to say everything kind +to you. Bertie and Lenchen are now here--all much grieved, and have +seen her _sleeping_ peacefully and eternally! Dearest Albert is +dreadfully overcome--and well he may, for _she_ adored him! I feel +so truly _verwaist_. God bless and protect you. Ever your devoted and +truly unhappy Niece and Child, + +VICTORIA R. + +_P.S._--The devotion of dearest Mamma's ladies and maids is not to be +described. Their love and their devotion were _too touching_. There we +all were round her--the poor, good, old Clark, who is so devoted to us +all. Ever again, your devoted Child, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 9: The Duchess of Kent died on the 16th of March. + She had had a surgical operation in the arm, on account of an + abscess, a short time before, but till the 15th the medical + reports had been encouraging. On that day the Queen went to + Frogmore, and was with her mother at the time of her death.] + + + + +[Pageheading: BEREAVEMENT] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th March 1861_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Your sad little letter of the 21st reached me on +Saturday. On Sunday I took leave of those dearly beloved remains--a +dreadful moment; I had never been near a coffin before, but dreadful +and heartrending as it was, it was so beautifully arranged that it +would have pleased _her_, and most probably _she_ looked down and +blessed _us_--as we poor sorrowing mortals knelt around, overwhelmed +with grief! It was covered with wreaths, and the carpet strewed +with sweet, white flowers. _I_ and our daughters did _not_ go +_yesterday_--it would have been _far_ too much for _me_--and Albert +when he returned, with tearful eyes told me it was well I did not +go--so affecting had been the sight--so _universal_ the sympathy. + +Poor little Arthur went too. I and my girls prayed at home together, +and dwelt on her happiness and peace. + +But oh! dearest Uncle--the loss--the truth of it--which _I cannot, do +not_ realise even when I go (as I do _daily_) to Frogmore--the _blank_ +becomes _daily_ worse! + +The constant intercourse of _forty-one_, years cannot cease without +the _total want_ of _power_ of _real enjoyment_ of _anything_. A sort +of cloud which hangs over you, and seems to _oppress_ everything--and +a positive _weakness_ in the powers of reflection and mental exertion. +The doctors _tell_ me I _must not_ attempt to _force_ this. Long +conversation, loud talking, the talking of many people together, I +_can't_ bear yet. It must come _very_ gradually.... + +I try to be, and very often am, quite _resigned_--but dearest Uncle, +this is a life sorrow. On _all_ festive or mournful occasions, on +_all_ family events, _her love_ and _sympathy_ will be so _fearfully +wanting_. Then again, except Albert (who I very often don't see but +very little in the day), I have _no human_ being except our children, +and that is not the same _Verhaeltniss_, to _open_ myself to; and +besides, a _woman_ requires _woman's_ society and sympathy sometimes, +as men do _men's_. All this, beloved Uncle, will show you that, +without _dwelling_ constantly upon it, or _moping_ or becoming +_morbid_, though the _blank_ and the _loss to me_, in my isolated +position especially, is _such_ a _dreadful_, and such an _irreparable +one_, the worst _trials_ are _yet_ to come. My poor birthday, I +can hardly think of it! Strange it is how often _little trifles_, +insignificant in themselves, upset one more even than greater +things.... + +But the general sympathy for _me_, and approval of the manner in +which I have shown my grief, as well as the affection and respect for +dearest Mamma's memory in the country, is _quite wonderful and most +touching_. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: RENEWED GRIEF] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _30th March 1861_. + +MY DEARLY BELOVED UNCLE,--It is a comfort for me to write to you, and +I think you may like to hear from your poor motherless child. It is +_to-day_ a _fortnight_ already, and it seems but yesterday--_all_ is +before me, and at the same time _all, all_ seems _quite impossible_. +The blank--the desolation--the fearful and awful _Sehnsucht und +Wehmuth_ come back with redoubled force, and the _weeping_, which day +after day is my welcome friend, is my greatest relief. + +We have an immense deal to do--and everything is in the greatest +_order_; but to _open her_ drawers and presses, and to look at all her +dear jewels and trinkets in order to identify everything, and relieve +her really excellent servants from all responsibility and anxiety, is +like a sacrilege, and I feel as if my heart was being torn asunder! So +many recollections of my childhood are brought back to me, and these +dumb souvenirs which she wore and used, and which so painfully survive +_what_ we so _dearly_ and _passionately_ loved, touch chords in one's +heart and soul, which are _most_ painful and yet pleasing too. We have +found many most interesting and valuable letters--the existence of +which I was not aware of--and which, I _think_, must have come back +with poor Papa's letters, viz. letters from _my_ poor father asking +for dearest Mamma's hand--and sending a letter from you, encouraging +him to ask her. And many others--very precious letters--from dear +Grandmamma; Albert has also found at Clarence House, where he went +to-day, many of dear Grandpapa's.[10] ... + +Frogmore we mean to keep just as dear Mamma left it--and keep it +cheerful and pretty as it still is. I go there constantly; I feel so +accustomed to go down the hill, and _so_ attracted to it, for I fancy +_she_ must be there. + +Was poor dear Grandpapa's death-bed such a sad one? You speak of its +distressing impressions.[11] ... + +She watches _over us now_, you may be sure! Ever your devoted, +sorrowing Child and Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +Albert is so kind, and does all with such tenderness and feeling. +Vicky goes on Tuesday, and we on Wednesday, to Osborne, where I think +the air and quiet will do me good. + + [Footnote 10: Duke Francis Frederick of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, + and Duchess Augusta Caroline Sophia, the parents of the + Duchess of Kent and King Leopold.] + + [Footnote 11: In a recent letter King Leopold had said that he + was not quite sixteen years old when his father died (1806), + and the elder son, Ernest, being alarmingly ill at Koenigsberg, + he was himself called upon to be the support of his mother. + "The recollections of that death-bed," he adds, "are fresh in + my memory, as if it had been yesterday. I thank God that your + recollections of that terrible moment are so peaceful, + and that you may preserve an impression ... without any + distressing addition."] + + + + +[Pageheading: FATHERLY ADVICE] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _1st April 1861_. + +MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--Your dear letter of the 30th _moved me very +much_. I can see everything, and it makes me shed tears of the +sincerest sorrow. + +The bereavement, the impossibility, they are what one feels most +deeply and painfully, that nothing will bring back the beloved object, +that there is a rupture with everything earthly that nothing can +remedy. Your good, dear Mamma was without ostentation, sincerely +religious, a great blessing, and the only solid support we can find. +Happy those whose faith cannot be shaken; they can bear the hardships +of earthly life with fortitude. + +True it is that if we compare the sorrows of our earthly life with the +hope of an eternal existence, though painfully felt, still they shrink +as it were in appreciation. + +You feel so _truly_, so _affectionately_, that even in that you must +gratify the dear being we lost. When I think of poor Aunt Julia,[12] +she was so alone that I cannot help to pity her even in all the +objects she valued and left behind; the affectionate care which is +shown to everything connected with your dear Mamma could not have +existed, and still she was a noble character, and with a warm, +generous heart. In all your dear Mamma's letters there will everywhere +be found traces of the affection which united us. From early childhood +we were close allies; she recollected everything so well of that +period which now, since the departure of the two sisters, is totally +unknown to every one but me, which, you can imagine, is a most +melancholy sensation. Time flies so fast that all dear recollections +soon get isolated. Your stay at Osborne will do you good, though +Spring, when fine, affects one very much, to think that the one that +was beloved does not share in these pleasant sensations. You must try, +however, not to shake your precious health too much. Your dear Mamma, +who watched your looks so affectionately, would not approve of it.... +Your devoted old Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 12: Sister of King Leopold, and widow of the Grand + Duke Constantine, who had lived in retirement at Geneva for + many years, and died at Elfenau on the 15th of August 1860.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _9th April 1861_. + +MY DEARLY BELOVED UNCLE,--Your dear, _sad_ letter of the 5th found a +warm response in my poor heart, and I thank you with all my heart +for it. I am _now most_ anxiously waiting for an answer to my letter +asking you to come to us _now_. You would, I think, find it soothing, +and it would painfully interest you to look over her letters and +papers, which make me _live_ in times I heard her talk of when I was +a child. It is touching to find how she treasured up every little +flower, every bit of hair. I found some of dear Princess Charlotte's, +and touching relics of my poor Father, in a little writing-desk of his +I had never seen, with his last letters to her, and her notes _after_ +his death written in a little book, expressing such longing to be +reunited to him! _Now_ she _is!_ And what a comfort it is to think +_how many very dear ones_ are gone on before her whom she will find! +All these notes show how very, very much she and my beloved Father +_loved_ each other. _Such_ love and affection! I hardly knew it was +_to that extent_. Then her love for _me_--it is _too_ touching! I have +found little books with the accounts of my babyhood, and they show +_such_ unbounded tenderness! Oh! I am so wretched to think _how_, _for +a time_, _two people most_ wickedly estranged us!... To miss a mother's +friendship--not to be able to have her to confide in--when a girl +_most_ needs it, was fearful! I _dare not_ think of it--it drives me +_wild_ now! But thank God! that is all passed _long, long_ ago, and +she had forgotten it, and only thought of the last very happy years. + +And all that was brought by my good angel, dearest Albert, whom _she_ +adored, and in whom she had such unbounded confidence.... + +On Sunday our dear little Beatrice was four years old. It upset me +much, for she was the idol of that beloved Grandmamma, and the child +so fond of her. She continually speaks of her--how she "is in Heaven," +but hopes she will return! She is a most darling, engaging child.... +Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DANISH QUESTION] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _27th May 1861_. + +The Queen returns the proposed draft of answer to the observations of +the Russian Government on Lord John Russell's proposals with regard to +the Danish Question. She has to observe that this reverses the whole +position taken by us hitherto. Prince Gortschakoff is quite right in +reminding us that the engagements taken in 1852[13] did not contain +a formal guarantee (_obliging_ to take up arms for the defence of +the object guaranteed) in deference to the opinion of the British +Government which, on general principles, has always objected to such +engagements. These principles are as important now as ever, and yet +Lord John proposes "to renew the _guarantee_ of the integrity of the +Danish Monarchy contained in the Treaty of 8th May 1852," thereby +giving those engagements the force of a guarantee, which was on +principle objected to by us at the time. Both Russia and France in +their answers object to such a guarantee now, even with regard to +Schleswig alone, as involving the guaranteeing powers in future grave +difficulties, and Lord John proposes to extend it to Holstein, a part +of Germany and not of Denmark, by way of obviating the difficulty. The +Queen cannot give her sanction to this proposal. + + [Footnote 13: A Treaty was signed by the European Powers on + the 8th of May 1852, by which the succession of the line of + Sonderburg-Gluecksburg to the Danish throne was settled, and + the integrity of the kingdom guaranteed. See _ante_, vol. ii., + 4th January, 1852.] + + + + +[Pageheading: WAR IN AMERICA] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +FOREIGN OFFICE, _30th May 1861_. + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he has the +honour to submit letters from the Emperor and Empress of Austria of a +private nature. The Cabinet decided yesterday that the ports of +your Majesty's Dominions ought to be closed to the ships of war and +privateers of the Belligerents in America.[14] A letter for that +object has been sent to the Law Officers of the Crown, and will be, +when put into proper form, submitted for your Majesty's approbation. + + [Footnote 14: See _ante_, Introductory Note to Chapter XXX.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _30th May 1861_. + +The Queen returns these papers. She thinks it of great importance that +we should be strong in Canada, and thinks an increase in Artillery as +important as the sending of two more battalions, as that Arm cannot +be supplied at all by the Colony. The Naval forces would, however, +require strengthening even more. It is less likely that the remnant +of the United States could send expeditions by land to the North +while quarrelling with the South, than that they should commit acts of +violence at sea. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _5th June 1861_. + +The Queen has perused the accompanying draft to Sir James Hudson. She +is of opinion that so important a step as proposals on our part for +the solution of the Roman Question, with which we are not directly +concerned, and for the solution of which we are for many obvious +reasons perhaps the Power possessing the least favourable position, is +a subject of such great importance, that it should not be undertaken +without the most mature consideration. Has this draft been brought +before the Cabinet? The Queen wishes to have their united advice +before giving her decision. Her opinion at present is against our +volunteering a scheme which will render us responsible for the result +of grave complications, from which we have hitherto stood happily +quite clear. The Queen wishes these lines to be communicated to the +Cabinet.[15] + + [Footnote 15: Lord John Russell had written that the + withdrawal of the French troops from Rome would probably be + followed by tumults and bloodshed; and as both the Roman party + and Garibaldi hated the Government of the Pope, and wished to + put an end to his temporal power, he suggested that the + Pope should be allowed to retain his sovereignty during + his lifetime, in a restricted territory and with restricted + powers; that Italian troops should occupy the towns and + villages outside a limit of five miles from Rome; and that the + King of Italy and the Emperor of the French should agree not + to recognise the temporal power of any future Pope.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF CAVOUR] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +PEMBROKE LODGE, _6th June 1861_. + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; the +despatch relating to Rome had been sent, seeming to Lord John Russell +quite unobjectionable. But your Majesty will see that it was instantly +suspended, and that Count Cavour is dying.[16] The despatch was solely +intended to save the poor old Pope from insult, and Rome from tumult, +but beyond this it is of no consequence, and the death of Cavour may +give a new complexion to the affairs of Italy. + +Nothing will be done on the despatch at present. + + [Footnote 16: Count Cavour died at Turin on the 6th of June. + It is curious to note that the words of the Emperor Napoleon, + on hearing of the death of Cavour, appear to have been "Le + cocher est tombe du siege; il faut voir maintenant si les + chevaux iront s'emporter, ou rentrer a l'ecurie."] + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _18th June 1861_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty.... + +Viscount Palmerston submits a note from Garter King at Arms, by which +your Majesty will see that there are now three Garters vacant; +and Viscount Palmerston would beg to suggest for your Majesty's +consideration that those Garters might appropriately be conferred upon +Lord Canning for his great services in India, upon Lord John Russell +for his long political services under your Majesty, and upon the +Duke of Somerset, senior Duke after the Duke of Norfolk, and the able +administrator of an important branch of your Majesty's service.[17] + +Viscount Palmerston is not aware whether by the regulations of the +Order the Garter could be sent out to Lord Canning in India. If that +were possible, it might have the double advantage of strengthening his +hands during the remainder of his stay, by affording so public a mark +of your Majesty's approval; and moreover of making sure that Lord +Canning should receive this mark of your Majesty's royal favour, while +the Government is in the hands of an administration similar to that +at whose recommendation he was sent out, which perhaps might be more +agreeable to his feelings than running the chance, always possible, +though Viscount Palmerston hopes it may not be probable, that +political combinations might, before his return in May or June 1862, +have produced administrative changes. + + [Footnote 17: The Duke was First Lord of the Admiralty. All + the three Peers mentioned received the Garter early in 1862.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF LORD CAMPBELL] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +_24th June 1861._ + +The Queen approves of Sir R. Bethell[18] as Lord Campbell's successor. +Lord Palmerston is aware of the Queen's objections to the appointment; +they will have weighed with him as much as with her. If therefore he +finally makes this recommendation, the Queen must assume that under +all the circumstances he considers it the best solution of the +difficulty, and that his Colleagues take the same view. + + [Footnote 18: Lord Campbell died at the age of eighty-two; his + successor was created Lord Westbury.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DUCHESS OF SUTHERLAND] + + +_The Duchess of Sutherland to Queen Victoria._ + +STAFFORD HOUSE, _26th June 1861_. + +MADAM,--I shall never forget your Majesty and the Prince's +kindness.[19] + +I am anxious to tell your Majesty as strongly as _it was_, what _his_ +feeling was of my service to your Majesty; he approved and delighted +in it; dear as it was to me--it could not have been if this had not +been so, nor those occasional absences, if he had not had devoted +children when I was away; still, when the great parting comes one +grudges every hour, and the yearning is terrible. + +Even in his last illness he showed an anxious feeling, as if he feared +I might resign, saying that I knew what an interest it had been to +him, how he had liked hearing of the Queen and her family. He spoke +very late in life of your Majesty's constant kindness. This feeling +and early associations made him take a great interest in the Princess +Royal's marriage, which did not leave him. If it ever crossed your +Majesty--if your Majesty should ever feel that I might have been +devoted, if I had had but one service, pray believe that he took the +greatest pleasure and pride in that other great service; and that +therefore he really felt it best it should be so. + +Since I have written this I have received your Majesty's most kind +letter--and the precious gift of the photograph so wonderfully like, +and rendering exactly that most kind and loving countenance. I shall +like much sending one to your Majesty of my dearest husband. + +I repeat to myself the precious word that I am dear to your Majesty +again and again; and that my love to your Majesty was returned. How +often I shall think of this in my altered life, in my solitude of +heart! The admiration I have ever felt for the Prince has been one +of the great pleasures of my life; that he should be your Majesty's +husband, a constant thankfulness. I feel I owe him much, and that +great approbation and admiration are not barren feelings. I have the +honour to remain, Madam, your Majesty's devoted Subject, + +HARRIET SUTHERLAND. + +I fear I have written worse than usual--I can hardly see to do +so--weak eyes and tears. + + [Footnote 19: The Duke of Sutherland had died in the preceding + February.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MR LAYARD] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _8th July 1861_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +to state that Lord Elcho[20] this afternoon moved a Resolution that +the new Foreign Office should not be built in the Palladian style. Mr +Charles Buxton seconded the Motion. Mr Cowper[21] opposed it, stating +reasons for preferring the Italian style to the Gothic. Mr Layard was +for neither, but seemed to wish that somebody would invent a new style +of architecture. Mr Tite,[22] the architect, was strongly for the +Italian style; Lord John Manners, swayed by erroneous views in +religion and taste, was enthusiastic for Gothic;[23] Mr Dudley +Fortescue confided in a low voice to a limited range of hearers some +weak arguments in favour of Gothic; Mr Osborne seemed to be against +everything that anybody had ever proposed, and wanted to put off the +building till some plan better suited to his own taste should have +been invented. Viscount Palmerston answered the objections made to the +Italian plan, and Lord Elcho's Motion was negatived by 188 to 75. The +House then went into Committee of Supply, and the first estimate being +that for the Foreign Office, some of the Gothic party who had not been +able to deliver their speeches on Lord Elcho's Motion, let them off on +this estimate.... + + [Footnote 20: Now Earl of Wemyss.] + + [Footnote 21: Mr William Cowper, at this time First + Commissioner of Works.] + + [Footnote 22: Mr (afterwards Sir) William Tite, was now Member + for Bath; he had been the architect entrusted with the task of + rebuilding the Royal Exchange.] + + [Footnote 23: Mr Gilbert Scott had made his first designs for + the new Foreign Office in the Gothic style; his appointment as + architect for the building was made by the Derby Government, + but the scheme which they favoured, for a Gothic building, + was opposed by Lord Palmerston, and Scott adopted the Italian + style in deference to his views.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _24th July 1861_. + +The Queen is sorry that she cannot alter her determination about Mr +Layard.[24] She fully recognises the importance of the Parliamentary +exigencies; but the Queen cannot sacrifice to them the higher +interests of the country. Neither Mr Layard nor Mr Osborne ought to +be proposed as representatives of the Foreign Office in the House +of Commons, and therefore of the Crown to foreign countries. If Lord +Palmerston can bring Mr Layard into office in some other place, to get +his assistance in the House of Commons, she will not object. + + [Footnote 24: In the course of July, Lord John Russell, who + had entered Parliament for the first time in 1813, was raised + to the Peerage as Earl Russell and Viscount Amberley. To + supply the loss to the Government of two such powerful + debaters as Lord Russell and Lord Herbert, Lord Palmerston had + suggested Mr Layard as Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, + mentioning also the claims of Mr Bernal Osborne.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MR LAYARD] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +94 PICCADILLY, _24th July 1861_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +regrets very much to find that he has not succeeded in removing your +Majesty's objections to Mr Layard as Under-Secretary of State for the +Foreign Department; but he still hopes that he may be able to do so. +If he rightly understands your Majesty's last communication on this +subject, he is led to infer that your Majesty's main objection is +founded on a dislike that Mr Layard should be the representative and +organ of the Foreign Policy of the Crown in the House of Commons. + +With regard to his being a subordinate officer in the Foreign Office, +your Majesty's sanction to that was obtained in 1851-52, when Mr +Layard was Under-Secretary to Lord Granville. His tenure of office +at that time was short; not from any fault of his, but because the +Government of that day was overthrown by Viscount Palmerston's Motion +in the House of Commons in February 1852 about the Militia; and Lord +Granville speaks highly of Mr Layard's performance of his official +duties at that time. There is no reason, but the reverse, for thinking +him less competent now than then; and an Under-Secretary of State is +only the instrument and mouthpiece of his principal to say what he is +told, and to write what he is bid. + +With regard to Mr Layard's position in the House of Commons, he would +in no respect be the representative of the Foreign Policy of the +country; that function will belong to Viscount Palmerston, now that +the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs will be removed to the +House of Lords, and it will be Viscount Palmerston's duty and care +to see that nobody infringes upon that function. Mr Layard would be +useful to answer unimportant questions as to matters of fact, but all +questions involving the Foreign Policy of the country will be answered +by Viscount Palmerston as head of the Government, as was done when +Lord Clarendon was Foreign Secretary and in the House of Lords. But +there are not unfrequently great debates on Foreign Affairs in the +House of Commons, and there are many members, some of them not perhaps +of great weight, who join in attacks on such matters. It is of great +importance to your Majesty's Government to have a sufficient number +of speakers on such occasions. Lord John Russell and Lord Herbert +were ready and powerful. Mr Gladstone is almost the only one on the +Treasury Bench who follows up foreign questions close enough to take +an active part; it would be of great advantage to Viscount Palmerston +to have as assistant on such occasions a man like Mr Layard, knowing +the details of matters discussed, able to make a good speech in reply +to Mr Fitzgerald, or Mr Baillie Cochrane,[25] or Mr Hennessy,[26] or +Sir G. Bowyer,[27] and who would shape his course in strict conformity +with the line which might be chalked out for him by Viscount +Palmerston. Your Majesty need therefore be under no apprehension that +Mr Layard or anybody else, who might in the House of Commons hold the +office of Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, would appear +to the world as the organ or representative of the Foreign Policy of +your Majesty's Government. With respect to giving Mr Layard any other +office of the same kind, there is none other in which he could be +placed without putting into the Foreign Office somebody far less fit +for it, and putting Mr Layard into some office for which he is far +less fit. His fitness is for the Foreign Department, and to use the +illustration, which was a favourite one of the late Mr Drummond, +it would be putting the wrong man into the wrong hole. Viscount +Palmerston has, as charged with the conduct of the business of the +Government in the House of Commons, sustained a severe loss by the +removal of two most able and useful colleagues, Lord Herbert and +Lord John Russell, and he earnestly hopes that your Majesty will be +graciously pleased to assist him in his endeavours, not indeed to +supply their place, but in some degree to lessen the detriment which +their removal has occasioned. + + [Footnote 25: Afterwards Lord Lamington.] + + [Footnote 26: Mr (afterwards Sir) John Pope Hennessy, M.P. for + King's County.] + + [Footnote 27: M.P. for Dundalk.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MR LAYARD] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _25th July 1861_. + +The Prince has reported to the Queen all that Lord Palmerston said +to him on the subject of Mr Layard; this has not had the effect of +altering her opinion as to the disqualifications of that gentleman +for the particular office for which Lord Palmerston proposes him. This +appointment would, in the Queen's opinion, be a serious evil. If Lord +Palmerston on sincere self-examination should consider that without it +the difficulty of carrying on his Government was such as to endanger +the continuance of its success, the Queen will, of course, have to +admit an evil for the country in order to avert a greater. She still +trusts, however, that knowing the nature of the Queen's objections, he +will not place her in this dilemma. + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +94 PICCADILLY, _26th July 1861_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +to be allowed to make his grateful and respectful acknowledgments +for your Majesty's gracious and condescending acquiescence in his +recommendation of Mr Layard for the appointment of Under-Secretary +of State for the Foreign Department. It is always a source of most +sincere pain to Viscount Palmerston to find himself differing, on any +point, in opinion with your Majesty, a respect for whose soundness +of judgment, and clearness of understanding, must always lead him to +distrust the value of his own conclusions when they differ from those +to which your Majesty has arrived. But the question about Mr Layard +turned mainly upon considerations connected with the conduct of public +business of your Majesty's Government in the House of Commons. + +Viscount Palmerston sits in that House four days in every week during +the Session of Parliament, from half-past four in the afternoon to any +hour however late after midnight at which the House may adjourn. It +is his duty carefully to watch the proceedings of the House, and to +observe and measure the fluctuating bearings of Party and of sectional +associations on the present position of the Government, and on its +chances for the future; and he is thus led to form conclusions as to +persons and parties which may not equally strike, or with equal force, +those who from without and from higher regions may see general results +without being eye- and ear-witnesses of the many small and successive +details out of which those results are built up. + +It was thus that Viscount Palmerston was led to a strong conviction +that the proposed appointment of Mr Layard would be a great advantage +to your Majesty's Government as regards the conduct of business in +the House of Commons, and the position of your Majesty's Government +in that House; and he is satisfied that he will be able to prevent +Mr Layard in any subsidiary part which he may have to take in any +discussion on foreign questions, from departing from the line +which may be traced out for him by Lord John Russell and Viscount +Palmerston.... + + + + +[Pageheading: THE KING OF SWEDEN] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _13th August 1861_. + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,--Since Saturday we have great heat. _Our_ King of +Sweden[28] arrived yesterday evening. We went out in the yacht to meet +him, and did so; but his ship going slow, the _dress_ of the _hohen +Herrn only_ arrived at a quarter to nine, and we only sat down to +dinner at a quarter past nine! The King and Prince Oscar[29] are +very French, and very Italian! I think that there is a dream of a +Scandinavian Kingdom floating before them. The King is a fine-looking +man.... He is not at all difficult to get on with, and is very civil. +Oscar is very amiable and mild, and very proud of his three little +boys. They leave again quite early to-morrow. + +Our _dear_ children leave us, alas! on Friday quite early, for +Antwerp.[30] It will again be a painful trial! Their stay has been +very pleasant and _gemuethlich_, and we have seen more of and known +dear Fritz more thoroughly than we ever did before, and really he is +_very_ excellent, and would, I am convinced, make an excellent King. +The little children are _very great_ darlings, and we shall miss them +sadly. + +On the 16th we go to poor, dear Frogmore, and on the 17th we shall +visit that dear grave! Last year she was still so well, and so full +of life; but it was a _very_ sad birthday, two days after the loss of +that dear beloved sister, whom she has joined so soon! Oh! the agony +of _Wehmuth_, the bitterness of the blank, do _not_ get better with +time! Beloved Mamma, how hourly she is in my mind! + +The King of Prussia will have great pleasure in visiting you at +Wiesbaden; he will arrive at Ostend on the 16th.... + +Good-bye, and God bless you, dearest Uncle. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 28: Charles XV., who succeeded to the throne in + 1859.] + + [Footnote 29: Brother and heir to Charles XV., whom he + succeeded, as Oscar II., in 1872; died 1907.] + + [Footnote 30: The Crown Prince and Princess of Prussia, + accompanied by their two children, were on a visit to the + Queen.] + + + + +[Pageheading: SWEDISH POLITICS] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _14th August 1861_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +hastens to answer the enquiry contained in your Majesty's note, which +was delivered to him at Southampton. He must, in the first place, +explain that much of what was said to him by the King of Sweden and by +Prince Oscar was not clearly understood by him. They would both +speak English--which they spoke with difficulty and in an indistinct +utterance of voice--and he did not like to break the conversation into +French, because to have done so would have looked like a condemnation +of their English, of any imperfection of which they did not seem to be +at all conscious. + +The King was very guarded in all he said about France; the Prince +spoke with more freedom and with less caution. The result of what +Viscount Palmerston gathered from their conversation, and perhaps for +this purpose they may be put together, because they probably both feel +and think nearly alike, though the Prince lets his thoughts out more +than the King, may be summed up as follows. + +They were much pleased and flattered by the kind and friendly +reception given them by the French Emperor, and both he and they seem +to have had present to their minds that the existing Royal Family of +Sweden is descended from General Bernadotte--a General in the Army of +the First Napoleon. They think the French Emperor sincerely desirous +of maintaining his alliance with England, believing it to be for his +interest to do so. But they consider the French Nation essentially +aggressive, and they think that the Emperor is obliged to humour +that national feeling, and to follow, as far as the difference of +circumstances will allow, the policy of his Uncle. They consider the +principle of nationalities to be the deciding principle of the day, +and accordingly Venetia ought to belong to Italy, Poland ought to +be severed from Russia, and Finland ought to be restored to Sweden. +Holstein should be purely German with its own Duke, Schleswig should +be united to Denmark, and when the proper time comes, Denmark, so +constituted, ought to form one Monarchy with Sweden and Norway. But +they see that there are great if not insuperable obstacles to all +these arrangements, and they do not admit that the Emperor of the +French talked to them about these things, or about the map of Europe +revised for 1860. They lamented the dangerous state of the Austrian +Empire by reason of its financial embarrassments, and its differences +between Vienna and Hungary. They admitted the difficulty of +re-establishing a Polish State, seeing that Russia, Prussia, and +Austria are all interested in preventing it; but they thought that +Russia might make herself amends to the Eastward for giving up part of +her Polish possessions. + +They said the Swedes would be more adverse than the Danes to a Union +of Denmark with Sweden. They said the Finns are writhing under the +Russian yoke, and emigrate in considerable numbers to Sweden. They +think Russia paralysed for ten years to come by her war against +England and France, by her internal changes, and her money +embarrassments. When the Prince asked Viscount Palmerston to sit down, +it was for the purpose of urging in the strongest and most earnest +manner that some British ships of war, or even one single gunboat, if +more could not be spared, should every year visit the Baltic, and make +a cruise in that sea. He said that the British Flag was never seen +there, although Great Britain has great interests, commercial and +political, in that sea. That especially for Sweden it would be a great +support if a British man-of-war were every year to show itself in +Swedish waters. He said that our Navy know little or nothing of the +Baltic, and when a war comes, as happened in the late war with Russia, +our ships are obliged, as it were, to feel their way about in the +dark; that the Russians send ships of war into British ports--why +should not England send ships of war into Russian ports? That we +survey seas at the other side of the Globe, why should we not survey +a sea so near to us as the Baltic; that as far as Sweden is concerned, +British ships would be most cordially received. I said that this +should receive due consideration; and in answer to a question he said +the best time for a Baltic cruise would be from the middle of June to +the latter end of August. + +They both thought the Emperor of the French extremely popular in +France--but, of course, they only saw outward demonstrations. They +are very anxious for the maintenance of the Anglo-French Alliance; +and they think the Emperor obliged to keep a large Army and to build a +strong Navy in order to please and satisfy the French Nation. Such +is the summary of the impression made upon Viscount Palmerston by the +answers and observations drawn out by him in his conversations with +the King and the Prince; most of these things were said as above +reported, some few of the above statements are perhaps inferences and +conclusions drawn from indirect answers and remarks. + + + + +[Pageheading: SWEDEN AND DENMARK] + +[Pageheading: FRANCE AND SWEDEN] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _18th August 1861_. + +The Queen is very much obliged to Lord Palmerston for his detailed +account of his conversation with the King of Sweden, and sends +both Memorandums back to him in accordance with his wishes, in the +expectation of having them returned to her after they shall have been +copied. + +The King may have been embarrassed by the presence of the Crown +Prince of Prussia here at Osborne, and have on that account postponed +speaking openly to Lord Palmerston. His desire to acquire Denmark and +Finland is not unnatural, and would not be very dangerous; but +the important part of the matter is, that the Emperor Napoleon has +evidently tried to bribe him for his schemes by such expectations. +After having established a large kingdom, dependent upon him and +possessing a fleet, in the South of Europe on his right flank, he +evidently tries to establish by the same means a similar power on his +left flank in the North. If then the Revolution of Poland and Hungary +takes Germany also in the rear, he will be exactly in the all-powerful +position which his Uncle held, and at which he himself aims, with that +one difference: that, unlike his Uncle, who had to fight England all +the time (who defended desperately her interests in Europe), he tries +to effect his purposes in alliance with England, and uses for this end +our own _free_ Press and in our own free country! + +The Polish and Hungarian Revolutions (perhaps the Russian) and the +assistance which may be (nobly?) given to them by Sweden, can easily +be made as popular in this country as the Italian has, and efforts +to produce this result are fully visible already. The position and +prospects of the Ally, when the Emperor shall have the whole Continent +at his feet, and the command of the Mediterranean and the Baltic, +will not be a very pleasant one. Moreover, the Ally will probably have +irritated him and the French Nation all the time by abusing them, and +by showing that, although we may have approved of her policy, we did +not intend that France should reap any benefits from it. All this is +probably not thought of by our journalists, but requires the serious +attention of our statesmen. + +Lord Palmerston will perhaps show this letter to Lord Russell when he +sends him the copies of the Memoranda, which he will probably do. + + + + +[Pageheading: FROGMORE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _20th August 1861_. + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,--Before I thank you for your dear letter of the +14th, or at least before I answer it, I wish to tell you _how soothed_ +I was by that visit to that _lovely_ peaceful _Mausoleum at Frogmore_. + +We parted from our dear children and grandchildren with heavy hearts +at seven on the morning of the 16th, for their visit, excepting the +_blank_ which clouds over everything, has been most peaceful and +satisfactory, and we have learnt to know and most highly +appreciate the great _excellence_ of dear Fritz's character; noble, +high-principled, so anxious to do what is right, and to improve +in every way, and so sweet-tempered and affectionate--so, beyond +everything, devoted to Vicky. + +I thought much of poor, dear Aunt Julia on the 15th; _that loss_ was +the _signal_ for my irreparable one! + +We went that afternoon (16th) to Frogmore, where we slept. The first +evening was terribly trying, and I must say quite overpowered me for a +short time; _all_ looked _like life_, and yet _she_ was not there! But +I got calmer; the very fact of being surrounded by all she liked, and +of seeing the dear pretty house inhabited again, was a satisfaction, +and the next morning was beautiful, and we went after breakfast +with wreaths up to the Mausoleum, and into the vault which is _a +plain-pied_, and so pretty--so airy--_so_ grand and simple, that, +affecting as it is, there was no anguish or bitterness of grief, +but calm repose! We placed the wreaths upon the splendid granite +sarcophagus, and at its feet, and _felt_ that _only_ the _earthly +robe_ we loved so much was there. The pure, tender, loving spirit +_which loved us_ so tenderly, is above us--loving us, praying for us, +and _free_ from _all_ suffering and woe--_yes_, that _is_ a _comfort_, +and that _first birthday_ in _another_ world must have been a _far_ +brighter one than _any_ in this poor world below! I only grieve _now_ +that we should be going so far away from Frogmore, as I long to go +there; only Alice and dear Augusta Bruce[31](who feels as a daughter +of hers) went with us. The morning was so beautiful, and the garden +_so_ lovely!... + +The news from Austria are very sad, and make one very anxious. The +King of Sweden is full of wild notions put into his head by the +Emperor Napoleon, for whom he has the greatest admiration!... + +It is high time I should end my long letter. With Albert's +affectionate love, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 31: Lady Augusta Bruce, who bad been living with the + Duchess of Kent at the time of her death, was appointed by the + Queen to be her resident Bedchamber Woman.] + + + + +[Pageheading: VISIT TO IRELAND] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +VICE-REGAL LODGE, PHOENIX PARK, _26th August 1861_. + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,--_Not_ to miss your messenger I write a few hurried +lines to thank you for your two dear letters of the 16th and the 22nd, +the last of which I received yesterday morning here.... Would to God +that affairs in Hungary took a favourable turn--_mais j'en ai bien +peur_. We had a very good passage on Wednesday night, since which it +has blown very hard. We left Osborne on Wednesday morning (21st) at +quarter to nine, and anchored in Kingstown Bay at half-past eleven +that night. The next day (22nd) we landed at eleven and came here, +and it rained the whole day. On Saturday we all went over to the camp, +where there was a field-day. It is a fine _emplacement_ with beautiful +turf. We had two cooling showers. Bertie marched past with his +company, and did not look at all so very small. + +Yesterday was again a very bad day. I have felt weak and very nervous, +and so low at times; I think _so_ much of dearest mamma, and miss her +love and interest and solicitude _dreadfully_; I feel as if we were no +longer cared for, and miss writing to her and telling her everything, +dreadfully. At the Review they played one of her marches, which +entirely upset me. + +Good Lord Carlisle[32] is most kind and amiable, and so much beloved. +We start for Killarney at half-past twelve. This is the _dearest of +days_, and one which fills my heart with love, gratitude, and emotion. +God bless and protect for ever my beloved Albert--the purest and best +of human beings! We miss our four little ones and baby sadly, but have +our four eldest (except poor Vicky) with us. + +Now good-bye, dearest Uncle. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 32: Lord Carlisle was Viceroy in both the + administrations of Lord Palmerston; as Lord Morpeth he had + been Chief Secretary in the Melbourne Government.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Earl Canning._ + +BALMORAL, _9th September 1861_. + +The Queen has not heard of Lord Canning for some time, but is happy to +hear indirectly that he is well, and that everything is going on well +under his admirable administration. + +It is most gratifying to the Queen to see how peaceful her Indian +Dominions are, and considering the very alarming state of affairs +during the years 1857, '58, and even '59, it must be a source of +unbounded satisfaction and pride to Lord Canning to witness this state +of prosperity at the end of his Government. + +As Lord Canning will now soon return to England, the Queen is anxious +to offer him the Rangership of the Park at Blackheath, with the house +which dear Lord Aberdeen had for some years, hoping that he might find +it acceptable and agreeable from its vicinity to London.[33] + + [Footnote 33: Lord Aberdeen had died on the 14th of December + 1860.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE ORLEANS PRINCES] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _17th October 1861_. + +MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--Receive my sincerest thanks for your dear letter +of the 14th, which arrived very exactly. I am so happy to see all the +good which your stay in the Highlands has done you, and I am sure it +will be _lasting_, though Windsor must have the effect of reviving +strongly some feelings.... When one looks back on those times, one +must say that they were full of difficulties, and one ought to feel +very grateful that such a happy present has grown out of them. I +regret much Paris and Robert[34] having joined the Federal Army, +mixing in a civil war!! The object is to show courage, to be able to +say: "_Ils se sont beaucoup distingues_." They have a chance of being +shot for Abraham Lincoln and the most rank Radicalism. I don't think +that step will please in France, where Radicalism is at discount +fortunately. The poor Queen is very unhappy about it, but now nothing +can be done, only one may wish to see them well out of it. Poor Queen! +constantly new events painful to her assail her. I had rather a kind +letter from the Emperor Napoleon about the state of Mexico. I fear he +will find his wishes to see there a stable Government not much liked +in England, though his plans are _not_ for any advantage France is to +derive from it. To-morrow we go to Liege to be in readiness for the +following day. The King William III.[35] will arrive for dinner, stay +the night, and go very early on Sunday. He will be extremely well +received here, his _procede_ being duly appreciated. To be very +civilly received in a country which one was heir to, is rather _un +peu penible_, and one feels a little awkward.... Your devoted and only +Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 34: The Comte de Paris and the Duc de Chartres, sons + of the Duc d'Orleans, eldest son of King Louis Philippe.] + + [Footnote 35: The King of Holland.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE COURT OF HANOVER] + + +_The Duchess of Manchester[36] to Queen Victoria._ + +HANOVER [_Undated. October 1861_]. + +MADAM,--Though your Majesty has only very lately seen the Princess +Royal, I cannot refrain from addressing your Majesty, as I am sure +your Majesty will be pleased to hear how well Her Royal Highness was +looking during the Man[oe]uvres on the Rhine, and how much she seems +to be beloved, not only by all those who know her, but also by those +who have only seen and heard of her. The English could not help +feeling proud of the way the Princess Royal was spoken of, and the +high esteem she is held in. For one so young it is a most flattering +position, and certainly as the Princess's charm of manner and her kind +unaffected words had in that short time won her the hearts of all the +officers and strangers present, one was not astonished at the praise +the Prussians themselves bestow on Her Royal Highness. The Royal +Family is so large, and their opinions politically and socially +sometimes so different, that it must have been very difficult indeed +at first for the Princess Royal, and people therefore cannot praise +enough the high principles, great discretion, sound judgment, and +cleverness Her Royal Highness has invariably displayed. + +Your Majesty would have been amused to hear General Wrangel[37] tell +at the top of his voice how delighted the soldiers were to see the +Princess on horseback, and the interest she showed for them. What +pleased them specially was to see Her Royal Highness ride without a +veil--such an odd thing in soldiers to remark. The King of Prussia +is looking very well, but the Queen I thought very much altered. Her +Majesty looks very pale and tired, and has such a painful drawn look +about the mouth. How the Queen will be able to go through all the +fatigues of the Coronation I do not know, as Her Majesty already +complained of being tired, and knocked up by the man[oe]vres and +dinners, and had to go to Mentz for a few days to rest herself. +Their Majesties' kindness was very great, and the Duke told me of the +extreme hospitality with which they were entertained. Every one, +high and low, were rivalling each other in civility and friendliness +towards the strangers, especially the English, and one really felt +quite ashamed of those wanton attacks the _Times_ always makes on +Prussia, and which are read and copied into all the Prussian papers. +The last night all the officers dined together. General Forey put +himself into the President's place and insisted, to the exclusion of +Lord Clyde, who was by far the senior officer, and who was expected +to do it, on proposing the health of the King, the Royal Family, the +Army, and Nation. Not content with doing it in French, he drew out of +his pocket a document written for him in German, for he did not know +the language, and read it with the most extraordinary pronunciation. +The English officers all admired the way the Germans kept their +countenance notwithstanding the absurdity of the exhibition. + +On the 21st they have had great doings here at Hanover. I hear that to +the astonishment of everybody the Queen appeared at the _Enthuellung_, +where all other people were _en grande tenue_, in a little small round +hat with a lilac feather. Her Maids of Honour--she has only one now +besides that English Miss Stewart--were ordered to wear hats to keep +Her Majesty in countenance. I wonder if your Majesty has read the +speech the King has addressed to his people on the occasion of the +_Enthuellung_ and the Crown Prince's birthday. It cannot fail to excite +the greatest pity that such things, however well meant, should be +written. Has your Majesty also heard of the pamphlet that has been +published here called _Das Welfe_--that name Welfe is quite an _idee +fixe_ of the King now, and he brings it in on every occasion, and +this pamphlet is written throwing the whole idea into ridicule, and +beginning with the last years of the late King's reign. The Crown +Prince[38] is very much liked, but, unfortunately, his new tutor will +probably also leave very shortly--he has no authority over him, the +Prince still regretting M. de Issendorf. Besides, he is not allowed +to exercise his judgment in the smallest way--the King going on the +principle that a King only can educate a King. The reason the +other tutor left, or was dismissed, was partly on account of his +remonstrating against the religious instructions, which were carried +so far that the Prince had hardly any time left to learn other +things. Besides the Prince, who dislikes the clergyman, had drawn a +caricature, to which the man very much gives himself, and the King +thought M. de Issendorf had known of it, which turned out not to be +the case.... I have the honour to remain, your Majesty's most obedient +and devoted Servant and Subject, + +LOUISE MANCHESTER. + + [Footnote 36: Louise Frederica Augusta, wife of the seventh + Duke of Manchester, and Mistress of the Robes. She was + daughter of the Count von Alten of Hanover, and is now Dowager + Duchess of Devonshire.] + + [Footnote 37: The Queen had met General von Wrangel at + Babelsberg in August 1858. "He is seventy-six," she wrote, + "and a great character." He had commanded a division in the + Danish war of 1848, and it had fallen to him in the same year, + as Commandant of the troops, to dissolve the Berlin Assembly + by force.] + + [Footnote 38: Prince Ernest Augustus, born 1845; the present + Duke of Cumberland.] + + + + +[Pageheading: CORONATION OF KING OF PRUSSIA] + +[Pageheading: A BRILLIANT CEREMONY] + +[Pageheading: DISTINGUISHED GUESTS] + + +_The Crown Princess of Prussia to Queen Victoria._ + +KOENISBERG, _19th October 1861_. + +MY BELOVED MAMMA,--Last night I could not write to you as I would have +wished, because I felt so knocked up that I went to bed. I have got +such a very bad cold on my chest, with a cough that leaves me no rest, +and of course cannot take care of myself, and am obliged to stand and +sit in every sort of draught with a low gown and without a cloak, so +it is no wonder to have caught cold. I have not had a cough since +I don't know when. I should like to be able to describe yesterday's +ceremony to you, but I cannot find words to tell you how fine and how +touching it was; it really was a magnificent sight! The King looked so +very handsome and so noble with the crown on; it seemed to suit him so +exactly. The Queen, too, looked beautiful, and did all she had to do +with perfect grace, and looked so _vornehm_; I assure you the whole +must have made a great impression on everybody present, and all those +to whom I have talked on the subject quite share my feeling. The +moment when the King put the crown on the Queen's head was very +touching, I think there was hardly a dry eye in the church. The +_Schlosshof_ was the finest, I thought--five bands playing "God save +the Queen," banners waving in all directions, cheers so loud that they +quite drowned the sound of the music, and the procession moving slowly +on, the sky without a cloud; and all the uniforms, and the ladies' +diamonds glittering in the bright sunlight. I shall never forget it +all, it was so very fine! Dearest Fritz's birthday being chosen for +the day made me very happy; he was in a great state of emotion and +excitement, as you can imagine, as we all were. Mr Thomas[39] was in +the chapel. I hope he will have been able to take down some useful +memoranda. The Grand Duke of Weimar,[40] the King and ourselves, have +ordered drawings of him. + +The _coup d'[oe]il_ was really beautiful; the chapel is in itself +lovely, with a great deal of gold about it, and all hung with red +velvet and gold--the carpet, altar, thrones and canopies the same. The +Knights of the Black Eagle with red velvet cloaks, the Queen's four +young ladies all alike in white and gold, the two Palastdamen in +crimson velvet and gold, and the Oberhofmeisterin in gold and white +brocade with green velvet, Marianne and Addy in red and gold and red +and silver; I, in gold with ermine and white satin, my ladies, one +in blue velvet, the other in red velvet, and Countess Schulenberg, +together with the two other Oberhofmeisterin of the other Princesses, +in violet velvet and gold. All these colours together looked very +beautiful, and the sun shone, or rather poured in at the high windows, +and gave quite magic tinges. + +The music was very fine, the chorales were sung so loud and strong +that it really quite moved one. The King was immensely cheered, +wherever he appeared--also the Queen, and even I. + +There were illuminations last night, but I did not go to see them, +as I was too tired and felt so unwell. There are five degrees of cold +(Reaumur), and one is exposed to draughts every minute. + +Sixteen hundred people dined in the Schloss last night! The King and +Queen were most kind to me yesterday; the King gave me a charming +little locket for his hair, and only think--what will sound most +extraordinary, absurd, and incredible to your ears--made me Second +_Chef_ of the 2nd Regiment of Hussars! I laughed so much, because +really I thought it was a joke--it seemed so strange for ladies; but +the Regiments like particularly having ladies for their _Chefs!_ The +Queen and the Queen Dowager have Regiments, but I believe I am the +first Princess on whom such an honour is conferred. + +The Archduke addressed the King yesterday, in the name of all the +foreign Princes present, in a very pretty speech. + +It is such a pleasure to see good Philip here, and the two Portuguese +cousins. Juan[41] is very nice, but he does not talk much; he has a +very fine, tall figure, and is nice-looking. I should think he must +be like his father. Prince Hohenzollern [42] is become Royal Highness, +and the title is to descend to his eldest son. Half Europe is here, +and one sees the funniest combinations in the world. It is like +a happy family shut up in a cage! The Italian Ambassador sat near +Cardinal Geisel, and the French one opposite the Archduke. The +Grand Duke Nicolas is here--he is so nice--also the Crown Prince +of Wuertemberg,[43] Crown Prince of Saxony,[44] Prince Luitpold of +Bavaria,[45] Prince Charles of Hesse[46] (who nearly dies of fright +and shyness amongst so many people), and Heinrich; Prince Elimar of +Oldenburg,[47] Prince Frederic of the Netherlands,[48] and the +Grand Duke and Duchess of Weimar, who wish to be most particularly +remembered to you and Papa. + +The King and Queen are most kind to Lord Clarendon, and make a marked +difference between their marked cordiality to him and the stiff +etiquette with which the other Ambassadors are received. + +I think he is pleased with what he sees. The King has given the Queen +the Order of the Black Eagle in diamonds. I write all these details, +as you wish them, at the risk of their not interesting you, besides +my being, as you know, a very bad hand at descriptions. I shall make a +point of your having newspapers. + +I am unable to appear at the _cour_ this morning, as my cough is too +violent: I hope to be able to be at the concert this evening, but I +own it seems very doubtful. The state dinner looked very well; we were +waited on by our _Kammerherren_ and pages--the King being waited on +by the _Oberhofchargen_--and our ladies stood behind our chairs. After +the first two dishes are round, the King asks to drink, and that is +the signal for the ladies and gentlemen to leave the room and go to +dinner, while the Pages of Honour continue to serve the whole dinner +really wonderfully well, poor boys, considering it is no easy task. + +To-morrow we leave Koenigsberg for Dantzic--we have not had one day's +bad weather here, nothing but sunshine and a bright blue sky. I was so +glad that Heaven smiled upon us yesterday, it would have been so sad +if it had poured; it looked a little threatening early in the morning +and a few drops fell, but it cleared completely before nine o'clock. + +Fritz would thank you for your dear letters himself, but he is at the +University, where they have elected him _Rector Magnificus_, and where +he has to make a speech. We have all got our servants and carriages +and horses here _every_ day--300 footmen in livery, together with +other servants in livery, make 400. All the standards and colours of +the whole Army are here, and all the Colonels. Altogether, you cannot +imagine what a crush and what a scramble there is on every occasion; +there was a man crushed to death in the crowd the other day, which +is quite dreadful. I must say good-bye now, and send this scrawl by +a messenger, whom Lord Clarendon means to expedite. Ever your most +dutiful and affectionate Daughter, + +VICTORIA. + + [Footnote 39: George Housman Thomas, artist (1824-1868). The + picture he produced on this occasion was entitled, _Homage of + the Princess Royal at the Coronation of the King of Prussia_.] + + [Footnote 40: Charles Alexander, 1818-1901, grandfather of the + present Grand Duke.] + + [Footnote 41: Prince John, brother of King Pedro, was making a + tour with his elder brother, Louis, the Duc d'Oporto.] + + [Footnote 42: Prince Charles Anthony of Hohenzollern was the + father of the young Queen Stephanie of Portugal, who had died + in 1859.] + + [Footnote 43: Prince Charles Frederick, 1823-1891.] + + [Footnote 44: Prince Albert, who became King in 1873.] + + [Footnote 45: Brother of King Maximilian II.] + + [Footnote 46: Son of the Elector Frederick William I.] + + [Footnote 47: Brother of the reigning Grand Duke.] + + [Footnote 48: Uncle of the King of Holland.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PRINCESS ROYAL] + + +_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._ + +KOENIGSBERG, _19th October 1861_. + +Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and humbly +hopes that your Majesty will not be displeased at his not having +written sooner, but every moment has been occupied by _fetes_ and +ceremonies here, and the visits to Royal Personages, who are in great +numbers, and Lord Clarendon also wished to delay sending off the +messenger until the Coronation was over. + +That most interesting and imposing ceremony took place yesterday, and +with the most complete and unalloyed success; everything was conducted +with the most perfect order; the service not too long, the vocal music +enchanting, but _the_ great feature of the ceremony was the manner in +which the Princess Royal did homage to the King. Lord Clarendon is at +a loss for words to describe to your Majesty the exquisite grace and +the intense emotion with which Her Royal Highness gave effect to her +feelings on the occasion. Many an older as well as younger man than +Lord Clarendon, who had not his interest in the Princess Royal, were +quite as unable as himself to repress their emotion at that which was +so touching, because so unaffected and sincere.... + +If His Majesty had the mind, the judgment, and the foresight of the +Princess Royal, there would be nothing to fear, and the example +and influence of Prussia would soon be marvellously developed. Lord +Clarendon has had the honour to hold a very long conversation with +Her Royal Highness, and has been more than ever astonished at the +_statesmanlike_ and comprehensive views which she takes of the policy +of Prussia, both internal and foreign, and of the _duties_ of a +Constitutional King. + +Lord Clarendon is not at all astonished, but very much pleased, to +find how appreciated and beloved Her Royal Highness is by all classes. +Every member of the Royal Family has spoken of her to Lord Clarendon +in terms of admiration, and through various channels he has had +opportunities of learning how strong the feeling of educated and +enlightened people is towards Her Royal Highness. All persons say +most truly that any one who saw Her Royal Highness yesterday can never +forget her. + +Lord Clarendon is sorry to say that the Princess Royal has a feverish +cold to-day--nothing at all serious--and as Her Royal Highness stayed +in bed this afternoon, did not attend the great concert at the Palace +this evening, and, as Lord Clarendon hopes, will not go to Dantzic +to-morrow, Her Royal Highness will probably be quite fit for the many +fatiguing duties she will have to perform next week.... + + + + +[Pageheading: THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON'S AIMS] + +[Pageheading: AUSTRIA AND PRUSSIA] + + +_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._ + +BERLIN, _20th October 1861_. + +Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and humbly +begs to say that yesterday he had the honour of being sent for by the +Queen, with whom he had a long and interesting conversation.... + +The Queen expressed her deep regret at the tone of the English +newspapers, but admitted that the German Press repaid the English +insults with large interest. Her Majesty said, however, that she +and the King, and all sensible men with whom their Majesties hold +communication, were determined to disregard the attacks, and by every +possible means to draw nearer to England. + +Lord Clarendon took the opportunity of warning the Queen respecting +the Emperor and his _idee fixe_, that his dynasty could only be +secured by the territorial aggrandisement of France. Lord Clarendon +expressed his conviction that if the King had resembled M. de Cavour, +some strong proposals would already have been made to them, but that +the Emperor's plans had been foiled by the honourable character of the +King. There ought, nevertheless, to be no delusion here, but on the +contrary, a careful avoidance of the traps which cajolery and flattery +were setting for Prussia, because at any moment the Emperor might +think it necessary for his own purposes in France to seize upon the +left bank of the Rhine, and that all classes in France, no matter +to what party belonging, would be delighted at his so doing, and his +popularity and power in France would be enormously increased by it. +The Queen agreed, but was under the notion, which Lord Clarendon +was able effectually to dispel, that the dilapidated state of French +finances would prevent the Emperor from undertaking a war upon a large +scale. + +Lord Clarendon thinks that he strengthened the Queen's opinion +respecting "eventualities" and the necessity of making preparations +and evoking a national spirit against foreign aggression, such as that +recently manifested in England, and which had done so much in favour +of peace as far as we ourselves were concerned. Her Majesty, however, +said that Prussian policy towards Germany opened so large a chapter +that she wished to reserve the discussion of it for our next +conversation. + +Lord Clarendon fears that Count Bernstorff is disposed to think that +Austria's difficulty is Prussia's opportunity, and to be exigent as +to the concessions upon which a better understanding between the two +countries must be based. Lord Clarendon was confidentially informed +yesterday that a Cabinet had just been held for the first time since +Count Bernstorff became a member of it, and that with respect to +internal affairs he had greatly alarmed and annoyed some of his +colleagues by his retrograde opinions. Lord Clarendon had the honour +of dining with the Crown Prince and Princess last night. The dinner +was perfect, and everything conducted in the most admirable manner; +there was afterwards a ball at "The Queen's" which was really a +splendid fete. The festivities and the visitings are so uninterrupted +that everybody is unwell and tired. The Duc de Magenta's grand fete +takes place on the 29th. The Austrian Minister gives a ball to-morrow +(_Sunday_), which day has unfortunately been fixed by the King, to the +annoyance of all the English; but Lord Clarendon has determined that +the Embassy shall attend, otherwise the King might consider that we +wished to give him a public lesson upon the observance of the Sabbath. +Lord Clarendon trusts that your Majesty will approve the decision. +Lord Granville's visit appears to be highly appreciated by the Court. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BALMORAL, _21st October 1861_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--You will excuse a long letter as this is our last +day, alas! Many, many thanks for your dear letters of the 17th and +18th, which I received yesterday. I am glad to see that my account of +our mountain expedition amused you, and that you remember all so well. +If it could amuse you later, I would send you my _Reisebeschreibung_ +to read. I will have it copied and send it you later. We have had a +most beautiful week, which we have thoroughly enjoyed--I going out +every day about twelve or half-past, taking luncheon with us, carried +in a basket on the back of a Highlander, and served by an _invaluable_ +Highland servant I have, who is _my factotum here_, and takes the most +wonderful care of me, combining the offices of groom, footman, page, +and _maid_, I might almost say, as he is so handy about cloaks and +shawls, etc. He always leads my pony, and always attends me out of +doors, and _such_ a good, handy, _faithful_, attached servant I have +nowhere; it is quite a sorrow for me to leave him behind. Now, with +Albert's affectionate love, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE _TIMES_ AND PRUSSIA] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _25th October 1861_. + +The Queen has long seen with deep regret the persevering efforts +made by the _Times_, which leads the rest of our Press, in attacking, +vilifying, and abusing everything German, and particularly everything +Prussian. That journal had since years shown the same bias, but it is +since the Macdonald affair of last year,[49] that it has assumed +that tone of virulence, which could not fail to produce the deepest +indignation amongst the people of Germany, and by degrees estrange the +feelings of the people of this country from Germany. Lord Palmerston, +probably not reading any German newspaper, nor having any personal +intercourse with that country, can hardly be aware to what extent the +mischief has already gone, though he will agree with the Queen that +national hatred between these two peoples is a real political calamity +for both. The Queen had often intended to write to Lord Palmerston +on the subject, and to ask him whether he would not be acting in the +spirit of public duty if he endeavoured, as far at least as might +be in his power, to point out to the managers of the _Times_ (which +derives some of its power from the belief abroad that it represents +more or less the feelings of the Government) how great the injury is +which it inflicts upon the best interests of this country. She has, +however, refrained from doing so, trusting in the chance of a change +in tone, and feeling that Lord Palmerston might not like to enter into +discussion with the Editors of the _Times_.... + +The Queen believes that Lord Palmerston is the only person who could +exercise any influence over Mr Delane, and even if this should not +be much, it will be important that that gentleman should know the +mischief his writings are doing, and that the Government sincerely +deplore it. + + [Footnote 49: At Bonn, in September 1860, Captain Macdonald, a + railway passenger, had been ejected from his seat in the + train by the railway authorities, and committed to prison. + The incident became the subject of considerable diplomatic + correspondence, as well as of some fierce attacks on Prussia + in the _Times_.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE ENGLISH PRESS] + + +_Mr Delane to Viscount Palmerston._[50] + +16 SERJEANT'S INN, _28th October 1861_. + +MY DEAR LORD,--I shall be very glad to give the Prussians a respite +from that most cruel of all inflictions--good advice. + +Indeed, I would not have intruded anything so unwelcome during the +splendid solemnities of the Coronation had not the King uttered those +surprising anachronisms upon Divine Right. + +Pray observe, too, in extenuation of my offence that I sent a faithful +chronicler to Koenigsberg, who has described all the splendours in a +proper and reverent spirit, and done what man can do to render such +ceremonies intelligible, and the recital of them not too wearisome to +those who believe in Divine Right as little as your Lordship's very +faithful Servant, + +JOHN T. DELANE. + + [Footnote 50: Enclosed in the following letter.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE _TIMES_] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _30th October 1861_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +to state that when he received a few days ago from Lord Russell the +Memorandum which your Majesty intended for him, and which he returned +to Lord Russell, he wrote to Mr Delane in accordance with your +Majesty's wishes, and he has this morning received the accompanying +answer. + +Viscount Palmerston would, however, beg to submit that an erroneous +notion prevails on the Continent as to English newspapers. + +The newspapers on the Continent are all more or less under a certain +degree of control, and the most prominent among them are the organs of +political parties, or of leading public men; and it is not unnatural +that Governments and Parties on the Continent should think that +English newspapers are published under similar conditions. + +But in this country all thriving newspapers are commercial +undertakings, and are conducted on commercial principles, and none +others are able long to maintain an existence. Attempts have often +been made to establish newspapers to be directed by political men, +and to be guided by the same considerations by which those men would +govern their own conduct, but such papers have seldom succeeded. +The Peelite Party tried some years ago such an experiment with the +_Morning Chronicle_, but after spending a very large sum of money +on the undertaking they were obliged to give it up. The _Times_ is +carried on as a large commercial enterprise, though, of course, with +certain political tendencies and bias, but mainly with a view to +profit upon the large capital employed. + +The actual price at which each copy of the newspaper is sold barely +pays the expense of paper, printing, and establishment; it is indeed +said that the price does not repay those expenses. The profit of +the newspaper arises from the price paid for advertisements, and +the greater the number of advertisements the greater the profit. But +advertisements are sent by preference to the newspaper which has the +greatest circulation; and that paper gets the widest circulation which +is the most amusing, the most interesting, and the most instructive. +A dull paper is soon left off. The proprietors and managers of the +_Times_ therefore go to great expense in sending correspondents to all +parts of the world where interesting events are taking place, and they +employ a great many able and clever men to write articles upon all +subjects which from time to time engage public attention; and as +mankind take more pleasure in reading criticism and fault-finding than +praise, because it is soothing to individual vanity and conceit to +fancy that the reader has become wiser than those about whom he reads, +so the _Times_, in order to maintain its circulation, criticises +freely everybody and everything; and especially events and persons, +and Governments abroad, because such strictures are less likely to +make enemies at home than violent attacks upon parties and persons in +this country. Foreign Governments and Parties ought therefore to look +upon English newspapers in the true point of view, and not to be too +sensitive as to attacks which those papers may contain. + + + + +[Pageheading: DEMOCRACY IN PRUSSIA] + + +_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._ + +BERLIN, _5th November 1861_. + +Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and humbly +begs to say that as he leaves Berlin to-morrow, the Princess Royal has +most kindly just given him an Audience of leave, although Her Royal +Highness was still suffering considerable pain in her ear, and was +quite unfit for any exertion. Her Royal Highness's countenance bears +traces of the severe illness of the last few days, but Lord Clarendon +trusts that the worst is now over, and that care alone is necessary +for her complete recovery. Her Royal Highness is still so weak that +she was obliged to desist from writing, which she attempted this +morning, and Lord Clarendon took the liberty of earnestly recommending +that the journey to Breslau, upon which Her Royal Highness appeared to +be bent, should be given up. Lord Clarendon intends to repeat the same +advice to the Queen, whom he is to see this evening, as there are to +be four days of rejoicings at Breslau, for the fatigue of which the +Crown Princess must be utterly unfit. + +Her Royal Highness is much alarmed at the state of things here, and +Lord Clarendon thinks with great reason, for the King has quite made +up his mind as to the course that he will pursue. He sees democracy +and revolution in every symptom of opposition to his will. His +Ministers are mere clerks, who are quite content to register the +King's decrees, and there is no person from whom His Majesty seeks +advice, or indeed who is capable or would have the moral courage to +give it. The King will always religiously keep his word, and will +never overturn the institutions he has sworn to maintain, but they +are so distasteful to him, and so much at variance with his habit of +thought and settled opinions as to the rights of the Crown, that His +Majesty will never, if he can avoid it, accept the consequences +of representative Government, or allow it to be a reality. This is +generally known, and among the middle classes is producing an uneasy +and resentful feeling, but as far as Lord Clarendon is able to judge, +there is no fear of revolution--the Army is too strong, and the +recollection of 1848 is too fresh to allow of acts of violence. + +Lord Clarendon had the honour of an Audience of the King on Sunday. +His Majesty was most friendly and kind, but evidently unwell and +irritable. Lord Clarendon therefore thought that it would be neither +prudent nor useful to say the many things that the Queen had wished +that the King should hear from Lord Clarendon. He touched upon the +subject of Constitutional Government, and His Majesty said: "I have +sworn to maintain our Institutions, and I declare to you, and I wish +you to inform your Government, that I will maintain them." + +Lord Clarendon proposes to remain Friday at Brussels, and hopes to +have the honour of seeing the King. + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF KING OF PORTUGAL] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th November 1861_. + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,--I hardly know _how_ to _write_, for my head reels +and swims, and my heart is very sore![51] _What_ an awful misfortune +this is! How the hand of death seems bent on pursuing that poor, +dear family! once so prosperous. Poor Ferdinand so proud of his +children--of his five sons--now the eldest and _most_ distinguished, +the head of the family, _gone_, and also another of fifteen, and the +youngest _still_ ill! The two others at sea, and will land to-morrow +in utter ignorance of everything, and poor, dear, good Louis (whom I +thought dreadfully low when we saw him and Jean for an hour on Friday) +King! It is an almost incredible event! a terrible calamity for +Portugal, and a _real_ European loss! Dear Pedro was so good, so +clever, so distinguished! He was so attached to my beloved Albert, and +the characters and tastes suited so well, and he had such confidence +in Albert! _All, all gone!_ _He_ is happy now, united again to dear +Stephanie,[52] whose loss he never recovered.... Ever your devoted +Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 51: King Pedro of Portugal died of typhoid fever on + the 11th of November; his brother Ferdinand had died on the + 6th; and Prince John, Duke of Beja, succumbed in the following + December.] + + [Footnote 52: The young Queen Stephanie of Portugal had died + in 1859.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE AFFAIR OF THE _TRENT_] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _13th November 1861_. + +... Viscount Palmerston met yesterday at dinner at Baron Brunnow's +the Grand Duke Constantine and the Grand Duchess, and they were +overflowing with thankfulness for the kind and gracious reception they +had met with at Windsor Castle. + +There was reason to suspect that an American federal steamer of war of +eight guns, which had lately arrived at Falmouth, and from thence at +Southampton, was intended to intercept the Mail Packet coming home +with the West Indian Mail, in order to take out of her Messrs Mason +and Slidell, the two Envoys from the Southern Confederacy, supposed to +be coming in her.[53] + +Viscount Palmerston had on Monday a meeting at the Treasury of the +Chancellor, Doctor Lushington, the three Law Officers,[54] the Duke +of Somerset, Sir George Grey, and Mr Hammond.[55] The result of their +deliberation was that, according to the Law of Nations, as laid down +by Lord Stowell, and practised and enforced by England in the war +with France, the Northern Union being a belligerent is entitled by its +ships of war to stop and search any neutral Merchantmen, and the West +India Packet is such; to search her if there is reasonable suspicion +that she is carrying enemy's despatches, and if such are found on +board to take her to a port of the belligerent, and there to proceed +against her for condemnation. Such being ruled to be the law, the only +thing that could be done was to order the _Phaeton_ frigate to drop +down to Yarmouth Roads from Portsmouth, and to watch the American +steamer, and to see that she did not exercise this belligerent right +within the three-mile limit of British jurisdiction, and this was +done. But Viscount Palmerston sent yesterday for Mr Adams to ask him +about this matter, and to represent to him how unwise it would be to +create irritation in this country merely for the sake of preventing +the landing of Mr Slidell, whose presence here would have no more +effect on the policy of your Majesty with regard to America than the +presence of the three other Southern Deputies who have been here for +many months. Mr Adams assured Viscount Palmerston that the American +steamer had orders not to meddle with any vessel under any foreign +flag; that it came to intercept the _Nashville_, the Confederate ship +in which it was thought the Southern Envoys might be coming; and not +having met with her was going back to the American coast to watch some +Merchantmen supposed to be taking arms to the Southern ports. + +Viscount Palmerston heard from a source likely to be well informed +that at the interview between the Emperor and the King of Prussia +at Compiegne, the Emperor, among other things, said to the King that +there were three systems of alliance between which France and Prussia +might choose: an alliance of France with England, an alliance of +Prussia with England, an alliance of France with Prussia. The first +the Emperor said now to a certain degree exists, but is precarious and +not likely to last long, because England is too exacting; the second +would not be useful to Prussia, but might be dangerous, inasmuch as it +would look like hostility to France, and England would not be likely +to back Prussia effectually if a rupture took place between Prussia +and France. The last was the system best for Prussia, and was +calculated to promote her interests; at all events, the Emperor hoped +that if at any time there should be a rupture between France and +England, Prussia would remain neutral. The King of Prussia said he was +not come to discuss matters of that kind with the Emperor, but only +to pay him a visit of compliment. Your Majesty will be able to compare +this statement with the accounts your Majesty may have received of +what passed at that visit.... + +The Chancellor[56] told the Cabinet as he was going away that he would +soon have to shut up the Court of Chancery in consequence of having +disposed of all the suits before it; and that in future the progress +of a Chancery suit will be the emblem of rapidity, and not as formerly +synonymous with endless delay. + + [Footnote 53: See _ante_, Introductory Note to Chapter XXX.] + + [Footnote 54: Sir William Atherton, Attorney-General, Sir + Roundell Palmer, Solicitor-General, and Dr Phillimore, Counsel + to the Admiralty.] + + [Footnote 55: Permanent Under-Secretary of State for Foreign + Affairs, afterwards Lord Hammond.] + + [Footnote 56: Lord Westbury.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th November 1861_. + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,--... Albert is a little rheumatic, which is a +plague--but it is very difficult not to have something or other of +this kind in this season, with these rapid changes of temperature; +_unberufen, unberufen_, he is much better this winter than he was the +preceding years.[57] ... + + [Footnote 57: The Prince had been unwell, even before the + receipt of the distressing news from Portugal, and began to + suffer from a somewhat continuous insomnia. On the 22nd of + November, he drove to Sandhurst to inspect the new buildings + in progress there. The day was very wet, and, though he + returned in the middle of the day to Windsor, the exertion + proved too severe for him; on the 24th he complained of + rheumatic pains, and of prolonged sleeplessness.] + + + + +[Pageheading: REDRESS DEMANDED] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _29th November 1861_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +to state that the Cabinet at its meeting this afternoon resumed the +consideration of the forcible capture of the Southern Envoys from on +board the _Trent_ steamer upon which the law officers had yesterday +given the opinion contained in the accompanying report. The law +officers and Doctor Phillimore, Counsel to the Admiralty, were in +attendance. The result was that it appeared to the Cabinet that a +gross outrage and violation of international law has been committed, +and that your Majesty should be advised to demand reparation and +redress. The Cabinet is to meet again to-morrow at two, by which time +Lord Russell will have prepared an instruction to Lord Lyons for the +consideration of the Cabinet, and for submission afterwards to your +Majesty. The general outline and tenor which appeared to meet the +opinions of the Cabinet would be, that the Washington Government +should be told that what has been done is a violation of international +law, and of the rights of Great Britain, and that your Majesty's +Government trust that the act will be disavowed and the prisoners set +free and restored to British Protection; and that Lord Lyons should +be instructed that if this demand is refused he should retire from the +United States. + +It is stated by Mrs and Miss Slidell, who are now in London, that the +Northern officer who came on board the _Trent_ said that they +were acting on their own responsibility without instructions from +Washington; that very possibly their act might be disavowed and the +prisoners set free on their arrival at Washington. But it was known +that the _San Jacinto_, though come from the African station, had +arrived from thence several weeks before, and had been at St Thomas, +and had there received communications from New York; and it is also +said that General Scott, who has recently arrived in France, has +said to Americans in Paris that he has come not on an excursion of +pleasure, but on diplomatic business; that the seizure of these envoys +was discussed in Cabinet at Washington, he being present, and was +deliberately determined upon and ordered; that the Washington Cabinet +fully foresaw it might lead to war with England; and that he was +commissioned to propose to France in that case to join the Northern +States in war against England, and to offer France in that case the +restoration of the French Province of Canada. + +General Scott will probably find himself much mistaken as to the +success of his overtures; for the French Government is more disposed +towards the South than the North, and is probably thinking more about +Cotton than about Canada.... + + + + +[Pageheading: AN ULTIMATUM] + + +_Earl Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +FOREIGN OFFICE, _29th November 1861_. + +Lord Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; Mr Gladstone +has undertaken to explain to your Majesty what has taken place at the +Cabinet to-day. + +Lord Russell proposes to frame a draft for to-morrow's Cabinet of a +despatch to Lord Lyons, directing him to ask for the release of Messrs +Mason and Slidell and their two companions, and an apology. In case +these requirements should be refused, Lord Lyons should ask for his +passports. + +The Lord Chancellor and the law officers of the Crown are clear upon +the law of the case. + +Lord Russell will be glad to have your Majesty's opinion on the draft +which will go to your Majesty about four o'clock to-morrow, without +loss of time, as the packet goes to-morrow evening.[58] + + [Footnote 58: The draft of the despatch to Lord Lyons reached + Windsor on the evening of the 30th, and, in spite of his weak + and suffering state, the Prince prepared the draft of the + Queen's letter early the following morning. The letter has + been printed in _facsimile_ by Sir Theodore Martin, who + adds that it has a special value as "representing the last + political Memorandum written by the Prince, while it was at + the same time inferior to none of them, as will presently be + seen, in the importance of its results. It shows, like most of + his Memorandums, by the corrections in the Queen's hand, how + the minds of both were continually brought to bear upon the + subjects with which they dealt."] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PRINCE'S LAST LETTER] + + +_Queen Victoria to Earl Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _1st December 1861_. + +_Note in the Queen's handwriting._ + +[This draft was the last the beloved Prince ever wrote; he was very +unwell at the time, and when he brought it in to the Queen, he said: +"I could hardly hold my pen." + +VICTORIA R.] + +The Queen returns these important drafts, which upon the whole she +approves, but she cannot help feeling that the main draft, that for +communication to the American Government, is somewhat meagre. She +should have liked to have seen the expression of a hope that the +American captain did not act under instructions, or, if he did, that +he misapprehended them--that the United States Government must be +fully aware that the British Government could not allow its flag to be +insulted, and the security of her mail communications to be placed to +jeopardy, and Her Majesty's Government are unwilling to believe that +the United States Government intended wantonly to put an insult upon +this country, and to add to their many distressing complications by +forcing a question of dispute upon us, and that we are therefore glad +to believe that upon a full consideration of the circumstances, and +of the undoubted breach of international law committed, they would +spontaneously offer such redress as alone could satisfy this country, +viz. the restoration of the unfortunate passengers and a suitable +apology. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _4th December 1861_. + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I have many excuses to make for not writing +yesterday, but I had a good deal to do, as my poor dear Albert's +rheumatism has turned out to be a regular influenza, which has pulled +and lowered him very much. Since Monday he has been confined to his +room. It affects his appetite and sleep, which is very disagreeable, +and you know he is always _so_ depressed when anything is the matter +with him. However, he is decidedly better to-day, and I hope in two or +three days he will be quite himself again. It is extremely vexatious, +as he was so particularly well till he caught these colds, which came +upon worries of various kinds.... Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: ILLNESS OF THE PRINCE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _6th December 1861_. + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,--I am thankful to report decidedly better of my +beloved Albert. He has had much more sleep, and has taken much more +nourishment since yesterday evening. Altogether, this nasty, feverish +sort of influenza and deranged stomach is _on_ the mend, but it will +be slow and tedious, and though there has _not_ been one alarming +symptom, there has been such restlessness, such sleeplessness, and +such (till to-day) _total_ refusal of all food, that it made one +_very, very_ anxious, and I can't describe the _anxiety_ I have gone +through! I feel to-day a good deal shaken, for for four nights I got +only two or three hours' sleep. We have, however, every reason to hope +the recovery, though it may be _somewhat_ tedious, will not be _very_ +slow. You shall hear again to-morrow. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: HOPE NOT ABANDONED] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _9th December 1861_. + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,--I enclose you Clark's report, which I think you +may like to hear. Our beloved invalid goes on well--but it _must_ be +tedious, and I need not tell you _what_ a trial it is to me. Every +day, however, is bringing us nearer the end of this tiresome illness, +which is much what I had at Ramsgate, only that I was much worse, and +not at first well attended to. You shall hear daily. + +You will, I know, feel for me! The night was excellent; the first good +one he had. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +The Americans _may_ possibly get out of it. + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _11th December 1861_. + +MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--_How I do feel for you from the bottom of my +heart_; that you should have this totally unexpected tribulation of +having dear Albert unwell, when not long ago we rejoiced that he was +bearing this time of the year so well. Now we must be very patient, +as an indisposition of this description at this time of the year is +generally mending slowly. The great object must be to arrange all the +little details exactly as the patient may wish them; that everything +of that description may move very smoothly is highly beneficial. +Patients are very different in their likings; to the great horror +of angelic Louise, the moment I am ill I become almost invisible, +disliking to see anybody. Other people are fond of company, and wish +to be surrounded. The medical advisors are, thank God! excellent, and +Clark knows Albert so well. Albert will wish you not to interrupt your +usual airings; you want air, and to be deprived of it would do you +harm. The temperature here at least has been extremely mild--this +ought to be favourable. I trust that every day will now show +some small improvement, and it will be very kind of you to let me +frequently know how dear Albert is going on. Believe me ever, my +beloved Victoria, your devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _11th December 1861_. + +DEAREST UNCLE,--I can report another good night, and _no_ loss of +strength, and continued satisfactory symptoms. But more we dare _not_ +expect for some days; _not_ losing ground is a _gain, now_, of _every_ +day. + +It is very sad and trying for me, but I am well, and I think really +_very_ courageous; for it is the first time that _I_ ever witnessed +anything of this kind though _I_ suffered from the same at Ramsgate, +and was much worse. The trial in every way is so very trying, for I +have lost my guide, my support, my all, _for a time_--as we can't +ask or tell him anything. Many thanks for your kind letter received +yesterday. We have been and are reading Von Ense's book[59] to Albert; +but it is _not_ worth much. He likes very much being read to as +it soothes him. W. Scott is also read to him. You shall hear again +to-morrow, dearest Uncle, and, please God! each day will be more +cheering. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 59: The _Memoirs_ of Varnhagen von Ense (1785-1858), + who served for some years in the Austrian and the Russian + Armies, and was later in the Prussian Diplomatic Service.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th December 1861_. + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,--I can again report favourably of our _most_ +precious invalid. He maintains his ground well--had another very good +night--takes plenty of nourishment, and shows surprising strength. +I am constantly in and out of his room, but since the _first four +dreadful_ nights, _last_ week, _before_ they had declared it to be +_gastric fever_--I do not sit up with him at night as I could be of +no use; and there is nothing to cause alarm. I go out twice a day +for about an hour. It is a very trying time, for a fever with its +despondency, weakness, and occasional and _invariable_ wandering, is +most painful to witness--but we have _never_ had _one unfavourable_ +symptom; to-morrow, reckoning from the 22nd, when dear Albert first +fell ill--after going on a wet day to look at some buildings--having +likewise been unusually depressed with worries of different kinds--is +the _end_ of the _third week_; we _may_ hope for improvement _after_ +that, but the Doctors say they should _not_ be _at all disappointed +if_ this did _not_ take place till the _end_ of the _fourth week_. I +cannot sufficiently praise the skill, attention, and devotion of +Dr Jenner,[60] who is the _first fever_ Doctor in Europe, one may +say--and good old Clark is here every day; good Brown is also _most_ +useful.... We have got Dr Watson[61] (who succeeded Dr Chambers[62]) +and Sir H. Holland[63] has also been here. But I have kept clear of +these two. Albert sleeps a good deal in the day. He is moved every day +into the next room on a sofa which is made up as a bed. He has only +_kept_ his bed entirely since Monday. Many, many thanks for your dear, +kind letter of the 11th. I knew how _you_ would _feel_ for and think +of me. I am very wonderfully supported, and, excepting on three +occasions, have borne up very well. I am sure Clark will tell you so. +Ever your most devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 60: Dr (afterwards Sir) William Jenner, K.C.B. + (1815-1898), was at this time Physician-Extraordinary to the + Queen.] + + [Footnote 61: Afterwards Sir Thomas Watson (1792-1882), + F.R.S.] + + [Footnote 62: Dr. William Frederick Chambers (1786-1855) was + well known as a consulting physician.] + + [Footnote 63: Sir Henry Holland (1788-1873) was + Physician-in-Ordinary to the Queen and the Prince Consort.] + + + + +_General Grey to Sir Charles Wood._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _13th December 1861_. + +MY DEAR WOOD,--The Queen desires me to acknowledge the receipt of +your letter, and to say that she quite approves of the purport of your +despatch to the Governor-General, understanding it to be, not that +there is to be any reduction of the Artillery force which it had been +determined to leave permanent in India as the proper establishment +for that country, but simply that some batteries which it had been +resolved to bring home, at all events, are to return somewhat sooner +than had been intended, etc., etc., etc., + +GREY. + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF THE PRINCE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _20th December 1861_. + +MY _OWN_ DEAREST, KINDEST _FATHER_,--For as such have I _ever_ loved +you! The poor fatherless baby of eight months is now the utterly +broken-hearted and crushed widow of forty-two! My _life_ as a _happy_ +one is _ended!_ the world is gone for _me!_ If I _must live_ on (and I +will do nothing to make me worse than I am), it is henceforth for our +poor fatherless children--for my unhappy country, which has lost _all_ +in losing him--and in _only_ doing what I know and _feel_ he would +wish, for he _is_ near me--his spirit will guide and inspire me! But +oh! to be cut off in the prime of life--to see our pure, happy, quiet, +domestic life, which _alone_ enabled me to bear my _much_ disliked +position, CUT OFF at forty-two--when I _had_ hoped with such +instinctive certainty that God never _would_ part us, and would let +us grow old together (though _he_ always talked of the shortness of +life)--is _too awful_, too cruel! And yet it _must_ be for _his_ good, +his happiness! His purity was too great, his aspiration _too high_ for +this poor, _miserable_ world! His great soul is _now only_ enjoying +_that_ for which it _was_ worthy! And I will _not_ envy him--only pray +that _mine_ may be perfected by it and fit to be with him eternally, +for which blessed moment I earnestly long. Dearest, dearest Uncle, +_how_ kind of you to come! It will be an unspeakable _comfort_, and +you _can do_ much to tell people to do what they ought to do. As for +my _own good, personal_ servants--poor Phipps in particular--nothing +can be more devoted, heartbroken as they are, and anxious only to live +as _he_ wished! + +Good Alice has been and is wonderful.[64] + +The 26th will suit me perfectly. Ever your devoted, wretched Child, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 64: By a singular coincidence, the Princess was to + pass away on the anniversary of the Prince's death. She died + on the 14th of December 1878.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF LADY CANNING] + + +_Sir Charles Wood to Queen Victoria._ + +_22nd December 1861._ + +Sir Charles Wood, with his humble duty, begs to enclose to your +Majesty two letters from India, one giving an account of Lord +Canning's investing the Indian Chiefs with the Star of India; and the +other an account of poor Lady Canning's illness and death, which, even +at this sad moment, may not be without interest for your Majesty. + +Sir Charles Wood hopes that he may be forgiven if, when having to +address your Majesty, he ventures to lay before your Majesty the +expression of his heartfelt sympathy in the sorrow under which your +Majesty is now suffering, and his deep sense of the irreparable +calamity which has befallen your Majesty and the country. + +Though it cannot be any consolation, it must be gratifying to your +Majesty to learn the deep and universal feeling of regret and sorrow +which prevails amongst all classes of your Majesty's subjects, and +in none so strongly as in those who have had the most opportunity of +appreciating the inestimable value of those services, of which by this +awful dispensation of Providence the country has been deprived. + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF LADY CANNING] + + +_Earl Canning to Queen Victoria._ + +BARRACKPORE, _22nd November 1861_.[65] + +Lord Canning presents his humble duty to your Majesty. Your Majesty +will have heard by the last mail of the heavy blow which has fallen +upon Lord Canning. The kindness of your Majesty to Lady Canning has +been so invariable and so great that he feels it to be right that +your Majesty should receive a sure account of her last illness with as +little delay as possible. + +The funeral is over. It took place quite privately at sunrise on the +19th. There is no burial-place for the Governor-General or his family, +and the cemeteries at Calcutta are odious in many ways: Lord Canning +has therefore set a portion of the garden at Barrackpore (fifteen +miles from Calcutta) apart for the purpose. It is a beautiful +spot--looking upon that reach of the grand river which she was so +fond of drawing--shaded from the glare of the sun by high trees--and +amongst the bright shrubs and flowers in which she had so much +pleasure. + +Your Majesty will be glad, but not surprised, to know of the deep +respect which has been paid to her memory, not only by the familiar +members of the household and intimate friends, who refused to let any +hired hands perform the last offices, but by the Civil and Military +bodies, and by the community at large. The coffin was conveyed to +Barrackpore by the Artillery, and was borne through the Garden by +English soldiers. + +Lord Canning feels sure that your Majesty will not consider these +details as an intrusion. He feels sure of your Majesty's kind +sympathy. She loved your Majesty dearly, and Lord Canning is certain +that he is doing what would have been her wish in thus venturing to +write to your Majesty. In the last connected conversation which he had +with her, just before the illness became really threatening, she said +that she must write again to the Queen, "for I don't want her to think +that it was out of laziness that I was not at Allahabad." The fact is, +that she had always intended to be present at the Investiture, and had +made all her arrangements to go from Darjeeling to Allahabad for the +purpose; but Lord Canning, hearing of the bad state of the roads, +owing to the heavy and unseasonable rains, and knowing how fatiguing +an additional journey of nearly 900 miles would be, had entreated her +to abandon the intention, and to stay longer in the Hills, and then go +straight to Calcutta. Whether all might have gone differently if the +first plan had been held to, God alone knows. His will has been done. + + [Footnote 65: Received on the 22nd of December, or + thereabouts.] + + + + +[Pageheading: A NOBLE RESOLVE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _24th December 1861_. + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,--Though, please God! I am to see you so soon, I must +write these few lines to prepare you for the trying, sad existence you +will find it with your poor forlorn, desolate child--who drags on +a weary, pleasureless existence! I am also anxious to repeat _one_ +thing, and _that one_ is _my firm_ resolve, my _irrevocable decision_, +viz. that _his_ wishes--_his_ plans--about everything, _his_ views +about _every_ thing are to be _my law!_ And _no human power_ will make +me swerve from _what he_ decided and wished--and I look to _you_ to +_support_ and _help_ me in this. I apply this particularly as regards +our children--Bertie, etc.--for whose future he had traced everything +_so_ carefully. I am _also determined_ that _no one_ person, may _he_ +be ever so good, ever so devoted among my servants--is to lead or +guide or dictate _to me_. I know _how he_ would disapprove it. And I +live _on_ with him, for him; in fact _I_ am only _outwardly_ separated +from him, and _only_ for _a time_. + +_No one_ can tell you more of my feelings, and can put you more in +possession of many touching facts than our excellent Dr Jenner, who +has been and is my great comfort, and whom I would _entreat_ you to +_see and hear_ before you see _any one else_. Pray do this, for _I +fear much_ others trying to see you first and say things and wish for +things which I _should not_ consent to. + +Though miserably weak and utterly shattered, my spirit rises when I +think _any_ wish or plan of his is to be touched or changed, or I +am to be _made to do_ anything. I know you will help me in my utter +darkness. It is but for a short time, and _then_ I go--_never, never_ +to part! Oh! that blessed, blessed thought! He seems so _near_ to +_me_, so _quite my own_ now, my precious darling! God bless and +preserve you. Ever your wretched but devoted Child, + +VICTORIA R. + +What a Xmas! I won't think of it. + + + + +[Pageheading: BUSINESS STILL TRANSACTED] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +PICCADILLY, _30th December 1861_. + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has +read with deep emotion your Majesty's letter of the 26th, every +word of which went straight to the heart. Viscount Palmerston would, +however, humbly express a hope that the intensity of your Majesty's +grief may not lead your Majesty to neglect your health, the +preservation of which is so important for the welfare of your +Majesty's children, and for that of your Majesty's devotedly attached +and affectionate subjects; and which is so essentially necessary +to enable your Majesty to perform those duties which it will be the +object of your Majesty's life to fulfil. + +Lord Granville has communicated to Viscount Palmerston your Majesty's +wish that Mr Dilke[66] should be made a Baronet, and that Mr +Bowring[67] should be made a Companion of the Bath, and both of these +things will be done accordingly. But there are three other persons +whose names Viscount Palmerston has for some time wished to submit to +your Majesty for the dignity of Baronet, and if your Majesty should +be graciously pleased to approve of them, the list would stand as +follows: + +Mr Dilke. + +Mr William Brown,[68] of Liverpool, a very wealthy and + distinguished merchant, who lately made a magnificent + present of a public library to his fellow-citizens. + +Mr Thomas Davies Lloyd, a rich and highly respectable + gentleman of the county of Carnarvon. + +Mr Rich, to whom the Government is under great obligation, + for having of his own accord and without any condition + vacated last year his seat for Richmond in Yorkshire, + and having thus enabled the Government to obtain the + valuable services of Mr Roundell Palmer as your Majesty's + Solicitor-General. + +Viscount Palmerston has put into this box some private letters which +Lord Russell thinks your Majesty might perhaps like to look at. + + [Footnote 66: Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke was on the Executive + Committee of the Exhibition of 1851, and on the Royal + Commission for the Exhibition of 1862. He died in 1869.] + + [Footnote 67: Mr Edgar Bowring's Companionship was conferred + on him for services in connection with the earlier Exhibition. + He was afterwards M.P. for Exeter, 1868-1874.] + + [Footnote 68: Mr Brown became a baronet in 1863.] + + + +[Pageheading: COMFORT AND HOPE] + + +_Queen Victoria to Earl Canning._ + +OSBORNE, _10th January 1862_. + +Lord Canning little thought when he wrote his kind and touching letter +of the 22nd November, that it would only reach the Queen when _she_ +was _smitten_ and _bowed_ down to the earth by an event similar to +the one which he describes--and, strange to say, by a disease greatly +analogous to the one which took from him _all_ that he loved best. In +the case of her adored, precious, perfect, and great husband, her dear +lord and master, to whom this Nation owed more than it ever can truly +know, however, the fever went on most favourably till the day previous +to the awful calamity, and then it was congestion of the lungs and +want of strength of circulation (the beloved Prince had always a weak +and feeble pulse), which at the critical moment, indeed only two hours +before God took him, caused this awful result. To lose one's partner +in life is, as Lord Canning knows, like losing _half_ of one's _body_ +and _soul_, torn forcibly away--and dear Lady Canning was such a dear, +worthy, devoted wife! But to the Queen--to a poor helpless woman--it +is not that only--it is the stay, support and comfort which is lost! +To the Queen it is like _death_ in life! Great and small--_nothing_ +was done without his loving advice and help--and she feels _alone_ +in the wide world, with many helpless children (except the Princess +Royal) to look to her--and the whole nation to look to her--_now_ when +she can barely struggle with her wretched existence! Her misery--her +utter despair--she _cannot_ describe! Her _only_ support--the _only_ +ray of comfort she gets for _a moment_, is in the _firm conviction_ +and certainty of his nearness, his undying love, and of their eternal +reunion! Only she prays always, and pines for the latter with an +anxiety she cannot describe. Like dear Lady Canning, the Queen's +darling is to rest in a garden--at Frogmore, in a Mausoleum the Queen +is going to build for him and herself. + +Though ill, the Queen was able to tell her precious angel of Lord +Canning's bereavement, and he was deeply grieved, recurring to it +several times, and saying, "What a loss! She was such a distinguished +person!" + +May God comfort and support Lord Canning, and may he think in his +sorrow of his widowed and broken-hearted Sovereign--bowed to the earth +with the greatest of human sufferings and misfortunes! She lived but +_for_ her husband! + +The sympathy of the many thousands of her subjects, but above all +their sorrow and their admiration for him, are soothing to her +bleeding, pierced heart! + +The Queen's precious husband, though wandering occasionally, was +conscious till nearly the last, and knew her and kissed her an hour +before his pure spirit fled to its worthy and fit eternal Home! + + + + +INDEX + +_(The page references in italics refer to Introductory Notes or +footnotes.)_ + + +Abd-el-Kader, i, _43_, _57_; ii. _31_, 146 + +Abercorn, Marchioness of, i. 310 + +Abercrombie, Dr, physician, i. 448 + +Abercromby, James, _see_ Dunfermline, Lord + +Abercromby, Sir Ralph, iii. 111 + +Aberdeen, Earl of, Foreign Secretary, i. 22, 309; + political power and views, i. _29_, _30_; + Palmerston's opinion of, i. 375; + Emperor Nicholas, ii. _1_; + Queen's appreciation of, ii. 17, 87, 105; iii. 101, 102, 190; + Corn Laws, ii. 49; + takes leave of the Queen, ii. 85; + ii. 103, 248, 263, 291, 293, 294; + failure to form a Government, ii. 296, 298, 299; + ii. _356,_ 393; + forms a Government, ii. 413-429; + Lord Derby's attack on, ii. _418_; + Queen Victoria's approval of, ii. 430; + Eastern Question, ii. _432_, 437-444, 449-451, 452, _455_-472; + India Bill, ii. 447; + as to giving up office, ii. 458; + on Lord Palmerston's resignation, ii. 467, 468; + Crimea, iii. _1_, 44; + anomalous position of Prince Consort, iii. 3, 4; + Orleans family, iii. 7; + declaration of war with Russia, iii. 12, _13_, _19_; + unsatisfactory speech, iii, 34; + Lord John Russell's possible resignation, iii. 57-60; + Queen's confidence in, iii. 66; + Knight of the Garter, iii. 67, 68; + Lord John Russell's resignation, iii. 71, 72; + Government's resignation on result of Roebuck's motion, iii. 77-80; + Lord John Russell, iii. _88_; + Government of 1855, iii. 97-104; + iii. 190; + on Oudh Proclamation, iii. 286; + and W. E. Gladstone, iii. _349_; + death, iii. _453_ + +About, Edmond, French writer, iii. 357 + +Accession, Queen Victoria's reminiscences of, i. 75 + +Achmet Bey, i. 57 + +Adams, Mr, iii. 467 + +Adelaide, Madame, King Louis Philippe's sister, + death, ii. 143-147; + will, ii. 148 + +Adelaide, Queen (wife of William IV.), parentage and marriage, +i. 23, 24; + character, i. 24; + interests in life, i. 24; + letter on Queen's accession, i. 77; + on Queen's coronation, i. 120; + Protestant Church at Valetta, i. 138; + letters, i. 371, 399, 437; + visits a convent, i. 437; + letter, i. 464; + death, ii. 230 + +Adelaide, Princess, of Hohenlohe, question of marriage, +ii. _356_, 408, 409 + +Adelaide, Queen Marie, of Sardinia, death, iii. _206_ + +Adolphus, John, _History of England_, i. 453 + +Adrianople, Treaty of, i. 229 + +Adriatic, reported demonstration in, ii. 193 + +Aemilia, The, iii. _380_ + +Afghanistan, Dost Mahommed dethroned, i. _142_; + surrender, i. _209_; + insurrection, i. _254_; + disasters retrieved, proclamation, i. _370_; + troubles, i. 373, 382; + Fall of Cabul, i. 385; + successful issue, i. 441; + medals, i. 444; + operations against Afghans, ii. 218 + +Africa, South, The Transvaal and Orange Free States, ii. _142_; +iii. 200 + +Agriculture, motion on distress of, ii. 285-_286_; + protection, ii. 384; _see_ Corn Laws + +Airey, Sir Richard, Quartermaster-General, iii. _175_ + +Ak Mussid, iii. 45 + +Akbar Khan (son of Dost Mahommed), i. _254_, _370_, 442 + +Aland Islands, iii. 36 + +Alava, Miguel Ricardo di, Spanish General, i. 59 + +Alba, Duke of, ii. _435_ + +---- Duchess of, death, iii. _415_ + +Albemarle, sixth Earl of, Master of the Horse, i. 76, 81, 121, 219 + +Albert, Archduke, ii. 219 + +---- Edward, _see_ Wales, Prince of + +---- Prince, _see_ Consort, Prince + +Albertine branch of House of Saxe-Coburg, history of, i. 2 + +Aldershot, review of Crimean troops, iii. _198_ + +Alexander, Grand Duke (afterwards Czar Alexander II.), +iii. _112_, 172; + crowned at Moscow, iii. _158_; + his character, iii. 204 + +Alexandria, i. 179 + +Alford, Dean of Canterbury, iii. 227 + +Alfred, Prince, birth, ii. _21_; + iii. 399; + visit to the Cape, iii. 410, 413; + visit to Ireland, iii. _420_; + joins the _Euryalus_, iii. _433_ + +Algiers, i. _43_ + +Ali, Mehemet, Pasha of Egypt, i. _141_, 179, _182_, 190; + ultimatum, i. _209_, 232-240; + resigns claim to Syria, i. _252_ + +Alibaud, i. 407 + +Alice, Princess, birth and christening, i. 480, 501; iii. 240; + birthday, iii. 396; + engagement to Prince Louis of Hesse, iii. 405, 415, 416-419; + Prince Consort's death, iii. 474 + +Allahabad, mutiny, iii. _224_ + +Allen, Mr, librarian, Holland House, i. 359 + +Allt-na-Giuthasach, Shiel of, Queen's visits to, ii. 322, 392 + +Alma, victory of, iii. _1_, _43,_ 49, _252_ + +Amritsar, ii. 74 + +Anarchists, ii. 3 + +Anglesey, Marquess of, i. 388; ii. 86 + +Annual Summary of Events, 1821-1835, i. _27_; + 1836, i. _43_; + 1837, i. _56_; + 1838, i. _102_; + 1839, i. _141_; + 1840, i. _209_; + 1841, i. _253_; + 1842, i. _370_; + 1843, i. _450_; + 1844, ii. _1_; + 1845, ii. _30_; + 1846, ii. _71_; + 1847, ii. _115_; + 1848, ii. _141_; + 1849, ii. _208_; + 1850, ii. _231_; + 1851, ii. _283_; + 1852, ii. _356_; + 1853, ii. _431_; + 1854, iii. _1_; + 1855, iii. _63_; + 1856, iii. _158_; + 1857, iii. _223_; + 1858, iii. _261_; + 1859, iii. _307_; + 1860, iii. _379_; + 1861, iii. _420_ + +Anson, George, i. 199; + Private Secretary to Prince Albert, i. _201_, 206; + interviews with Baron Stockmar, i. 224, 330, 331; + interviews with Lord Melbourne, i. 224, 256, 268, 269, 296, + 297, 303, 304, 311; + interviews with Sir Robert Peel, i. 271, 273, 284, 312; + memoranda by, i. 295, 298, 322, 337, 338, 368; + illness, i. 490; + ii. 36, 46, 67 + +---- Sir George, i. 201 + +Antonelli, Cardinal, iii. 311 + +Antwerp, Queen's visit to, ii. _45_; + ii. 68 + +Apponyi, Count, Austrian Ambassador, i. 237 + +Apprenticeship in Jamaica, i. _102_ + +Aquila, Comte d', ii. _32_ + +Arbuthnot, Colonel, i. 314, 398 + +Ardenne, ii. 16 + +Argyll, eighth Duke of, Lord Privy Seal, ii. 420; + Government of 1855, iii. 97; + Privy Seal, iii. 104; + Divorce Bill, iii. 231; + Lord Privy Seal, iii. 348; + Abolition of Paper Duty, iii. 403 + +Argyll, Duchess of, ii. 376 + +"Aristocratic," meaning of, i. 107 + +Army (_see_ Militia), estimates i. 99; + civil government of, i. 147; + bravery of troops, ii. 74; + victory, ii. 77; + Peninsular medals, ii. 109-113; + officers' commissions, ii. 185; + in India, ii. 212; + Prince Consort, ii. 365; + military appointments, ii. 393; + national defences, ii. 396-398; + Queen on augmentation of, iii. 12; + embarkation for the Crimea, iii. 14; + reserve to be sent out, iii. 36; + Bomarsund, iii. _36_; + battle of the Alma, iii. 44; + Indian contingents, iii. 46; + Balaklava, iii. 50; + Sebastopol, iii. 50, _63_; + Inkerman, iii. _53_; + Foreign Enlistment Bill, iii. _58_; + fall of Sebastopol, iii. _64_; + privations of the Army, iii. 68-70; + New Board, iii. 71; + laxity of discipline, iii. 153; + land transport, iii. 157; + retrenchments, iii. 188; + peace establishment, iii. 191; + review of Crimean troops at Aldershot, iii. _198_, 199, 200; + military education, iii. 218, 220; + Indian Mutiny, iii. _224_, 234, 236; + Militia embodied, iii. 241; + Queen's view on need of increasing, iii. 245, 257; + vote of thanks to, iii. _261_; + question of control, iii. 293; + indivisibility of, iii. 319; + Committee on Military Departments, iii. 351 + +Arnold, Dr, ii. 273 + +_Arrow_, Chinese dispute, iii. _223_, _228_ + +Arthur, Prince (afterwards Duke of Connaught), christening, +ii. 231; iii. 121; + birthday, iii. 189; + iii. 436 + +Ascot, Queen's visit to the races, ii. 13 + +Ashburton, Baron, i. 368, 462 + +Ashley, Lord, afterwards Earl of Shaftesbury, i. 165; + Labour Bill, i. _370_; + Factory Labour Bill, ii. 1; + Duchy of Lancaster, iii. 116; + Oudh Proclamation, iii. _282_, _290_ + +Asis, Don Francisco de, ii. _72_, 99 + +Aston, Mr (Diplomatic Service), i. 329, 432, 495 + +Athens, revolution at, i. 494; ii. _231_ + +Atherton, Sir William, Attorney-General, iii. _467_ + +Athole, Duchess of, ii. 376 + +Attock, fort of, captured, ii. 218 + +Attwood, Thomas, Birmingham Political Union, i. 69, 425 + +Auchterarder, Church case, i. _448_ + +Auckland, Baron (afterwards Earl of), Governor-General of India, +i. _142_; + policy in Afghanistan, i. _209_, 266, 373, 383; + ii. 10, 86 + +Audley, Baron, i. 124 + +Augusta, of Cambridge, Princess, afterwards Grand Duchess-Dowager +of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, i. 434, 437, 440; ii. 256; iii. 264 + +---- Princess, of Saxony, i. 92 + +---- Princess, daughter of George III., i. 228; death, i. 230 + +Augustus, Prince, of Saxe-Coburg, _see_ Saxe-Coburg + +Augustus, Prince Ernest, afterwards Duke of Cumberland, iii. _456_ + +Aulaire, Ste., Ambassador, i. 321, 334, 508 + +Aumale, Duc d', i. 95, 493, 502; ii. 153, 167; + gallantry, ii. 192-_193_, 267, 337; + visit to New Lodge, iii. 386 + +Australasian colonies, self-government of, iii. _64_ + +Australia, emigration to, i. _102_; + wine from, ii. 41 + +Austria, Empress Elizabeth of, iii. 414 + +---- Emperor of (Francis Joseph), ii. 318; + attempted assassination of, ii. _440_; + King Leopold's opinion of, ii. 447, 448; + Queen's letter to, iii. 322, 323; + reply, iii. 324, 325; + proposed meeting with the Queen, iii. 408, 409 + +---- and the Porte, i. 191; + abdication of Emperor, ii. _141_; + Pope declares war against, ii. _141_; + ascendency in Lombardy, ii. 174; + and Italy, ii. 174; + war with the Piedmontese, ii. _178_, _182_, 186, 190, 193; + and England, ii. 183, 186, 190, 191, 198, 380; + declines mediation, ii. 193; + ascendency in N. Italy, ii. _208_; + ii. 229, 275; + and Prussia, ii. 276; ii. 379, 402; + and Eastern Question, ii. 440-444, 451, _452_; + alliance with Prussia, iii. _1_; + and Russia, iii. 13, 25; + proposed alliance with England, iii. _49_, 50, 51, 66; + men required, iii. 115; + negotiations broken off, iii. 118; + and the Four Points, iii. 120, 161, 165; + and France, iii. 168, 306; + and Italy, iii. _307_; + war with Sardinia and defeat, iii. _308_; + and the Papal States, iii. 313; + proposed congress, iii. _325_-334; + troops cross the Ticino, iii. _327_; + French victories, iii. _352_; + conclusion and terms of peace, iii. _354_, _359_, _360_; + Italy, iii. 382 + +Ayrton, Mr, iii. 239 + +Azeglio, Count, Premier of Sardinia, ii. 386; iii. 368 + + + +Baden, crisis at, ii. 220 + +---- Princess Mary of, i. 470 + +Bagot, Sir Charles, Governor-General of Canada, i. 323, 334 + +Baines, Matthew Talbot, Chancellor of Duchy of Lancaster, +iii. _116_, 149; + Conspiracy Bill, iii. 265, 272 + +Bala Rao, Indian Mutiny, iii. _351_ + +Balaklava, successes at, iii. _2_, 50; + hurricane and loss of life at, iii. 56; + iii. 189 + +Ballard, Lieutenant, siege of Silistria, iii. _36_ + +Ballot, the, i. _56_; ii. 335 + +Balmoral Castle, Queen's description of, ii. 194, 323; + Queen's first occupation of, iii. _141_ + +Baltic, English, expedition to the, iii. 16, 115 + +Bandeira, Sa da, i. _55_ + +Bands, on Sundays, iii. 194 + +Bank Charter Act, ii. _1_; + infringement of, ii. _115_; + suspension of, iii. _224_ + +Barbes, Armand, i. _179_ + +Barclay & Perkins' brewery, attack on General Haynau, ii. _269_ + +Barham, Lady (afterwards Countess of Gainsborough), i. 124, 318; +ii. 274 + +Baring, F. (afterwards Lord Northbrook), Chancellor of the +Exchequer, i. 264, 281, 308, 314; ii. 60, 84, 287, 312, 347; + capture of Lagos, ii. 365, 366; + Board of Works, ii. 421; iii. 79; + Government of 1855, iii. 91 + +---- Thomas, ii. 368; + Indian Mutiny debate, iii. 239; + India Bill, iii. 294 + +Barkly, Sir H., Governor of Victoria, iii. 190 + +Barnard, General, death at Delhi, iii. 243 + +Barrackpore, funeral of Lady Canning, iii. 475 + +Barrot, Odilon, i. 248; ii. 149 + +Barrow, Sir John, i. 432 + +Barry, Sir Charles, knighted, ii. 363 + +Bastide, M., ii. 187 + +Baudrand, General Comte, i. 83 + +Bayley, Rev. Emilius, iii. 416 + +Bean, attempt on the Queen's life, i. _370_, 407 + +Beas, River, ii. 74 + +Beatrice, Princess (afterwards Princess Henry of Battenberg), +birth and christening, iii. 234 + +Beauclerk, Lord Amelius, i. 108 + +Beaufort, Duke of, i. 334 + +Beauharnais, Eugene de, Duke of Leuchtenberg, iii. 354 + +Beauvale, Lord (afterwards second Viscount Melbourne), i. 191; + i. 232, 418, 490, 512; ii. 165, 436 + +Beche, Sir Henry T. de la, geologist, i. 315 + +Bedford, seventh Duke of, i. 296, 509; ii. 130, 132, 195, 257; + opinion of Lord Palmerston, ii. 260, 261; + ii. 403; iii. 89; + Queen's appreciation of Endsleigh, iii. 203 + +Begum, the ex-Queen of Oudh, iii. 351 + +Belgians, King of, _see_ Leopold + +---- Queen of, _see_ Louise + +Belgium, dispute with Holland, i. _43_, _102_, 119, _142_, 145, 146; + independence of, i. 118; + King Leopold's views on, i. 152, 153; + and England, i. 134, 151; ii. 68; + and Germany, i. 379; + and Emperor of Russia, ii. 15; + abortive insurrection, ii. _172_; + neutrality of, iii. 171 + +Belsham, William, _History of Great Britain_, i. 467 + +Bengal Mutiny, iii. _224_ + +Bentinck, Lord George, attack on Sir R. Peel, ii. 79, 80; + ii. 87; + sudden death, ii. _208_ + +---- Major-General Sir Henry, K.C.B., wounded at Inkerman, +iii. _52_; + interview with the Queen, iii. 56, 60 + +Beresford, Lord John George de la Poer, Archbishop of Armagh, +ii. _224_ + +---- Major, iii. 78 + +---- Viscount, i. 420; ii. 393 + +Berkeley, Admiral, M.P., Gloucester, iii. 78 + +Bernadotte, Marshal, iii. 448 + +Bernard, Dr, trial of, iii. _261_, _274_ + +Bessarabia, cession of, iii. _152_, _158_, _208_ + +Bessborough, Earl of, _see_ Duncannon + +Bethell, Sir Richard (afterwards Lord Westbury), Attorney-General, +Divorce Bill, iii. _232_; + India Bill, iii. _267_; + Lord Chancellor, iii. 442 + +Beust, Baron, Minister in Saxony, iii. 151, _151_, 171 + +Beverloo Camp, i. 41 + +Beyens, Baron, Secretary of Legation at Madrid, ii. 436 + +Beyrout, bombardment of, i. 238; iii. _10_ + +Bickersteth, Robert, afterwards Bishop of Ripon, iii. _206_, 217 + +Bilbao, battle at, i. 67 + +Birch, Mr, formerly tutor to Prince of Wales, iii. 431 + +Birmingham, Chartist riots, i. 179; + political condition, i. 506 + +Births, registration of, i. _43_ + +Bishops, seats in House of Lords, i. _56_; + and Dr Hampden, ii. 139; + appointments of, iii. 416, 417 + +Black Sea, Russia's Fleet, iii. 120; + neutralisation of, iii. _152_, _158_; + England sends fleet to, iii. _208_ + +Blagden, Mr, i. 14 + +Blanc, Louis, _organisation du travail_, ii. 168 + +Bloemfontein, ii. _200_ + +Blomfield, C. J., _see_ London, Bishop of + +Bloomfield, Baron, ii. 256; + Minister at Berlin, ii. 285; iii. 161, 253 + +Boers, defeat of, ii. _142_, _200_ + +Bois-le-Comte, Mons., French Minister at Madrid, i. 96 + +Bolgrad, iii. _208_ + +Bomarsund, capture of, iii. _36_ + +Bonaparte, _see_ Napoleon + +Bordeaux, Duc de (afterwards Comte de Chambord), i. 495, 498, 499, +506, 508; + visit to London, i. 509, 510; ii. 3, 177; + rumoured visit to England, iii. 7; + and the King of the Belgians, iii. 296 + +Borthwick, Peter, ii. _34_ + +Bourquency, Mons. de, iii. 151 + +Bouverie, Mr, iii. 131 + +Bowring, Edgar, C.B., iii. 477 + +---- Sir John, British Plenipotentiary, Hong-Kong, iii. _223_, _227_ + +Bowyer, Sir George, M.P., iii. 445 + +Brabant, Duchess Marie Henriette de (afterwards Queen of the +Belgians), iii. 276 + +---- Dukes of, _see_ Leopold + +Bracebridge, Mr and Mrs, iii. 62 + +Braganza, Duchess of, i. 51, 178 + +Breadalbane, Marquess of, i 429; + Lord Chamberlain, ii. 425; + review at Edinburgh, iii. 407 + +---- Marchioness of, Lady of the Bedchamber, i. 143 + +Brescia, ii. 269 + +Bresson, Count, ii. 98, 99, 107 [107 correct] + +---- M., aids King Louis Philippe's escape, ii. 157 + +Bribery at elections, i. 90 + +Bridgewater, eighth Earl of, treatises, i. _349_ + +Bright, John, on war with Russia, iii. _20_; + appeal for ending the war, iii. _63_; + loses his seat, iii. _223_; + India Bill, iii. _280_; + Oudh Proclamation, iii. 281, _290_; + Reform Bill, iii. 324; + proposed honour, iii. 349; + England and Savoy, iii. _394_; + privilege resolutions, iii. 404; + and Palmerston, iii. 429 + +Brighton, i. 140 + +British Columbia, name given, iii. 296 + +Broadfoot, Major, political agent, India, death, ii. 76 + +Broadstairs, Queen's visit to, i. 19 + +Brock, Mrs, Queen's nurse, i. 14 + +Brocket Hall, Lord Melbourne's house, i. 150; + Queen's visit to, i. 296 + +Broglie, Duc de, ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs, i. 149; ii. _37_ + +Brougham, Lord, i. _56_; + on Canadian difficulties, i. _102_, 128; + advice against dissolution, i. 293; + right of audience, i. 344; + as a protectionist, ii. 81 + +Brown, Sir George, wounded at Inkerman, iii. _53_, 129 + +---- Sir William, Baronet, iii. _477_ + +Bruce, Commodore, ii. 366 + +---- Colonel, iii. 306 + +---- Lady Augusta, ii. 434; iii. 451 + +Brunnow, M. de, Russian Minister, i. 190, 232; ii. 250, 286, 408, +442, 456; iii. 176, 189, 466 + +Brunswick, House of, history of, i. 1, 6 + +Brussels, Russian Minister to, ii. 17 + +Brydon, Dr, i. _254_ + +Buccleuch, Duke of, i. 509; ii. 49, 63-65 + +---- Duchess of, Mistress of the Robes, i. 310 + +Buchanan, Mr, afterwards Sir Andrew, Secretary of Legation at +St Petersburg, ii. 221 + +---- Mr (afterwards President), American Minister to Great Britain, +iii. 105, 182; + receives the Prince of Wales, iii. _380_, _405_ + +Buckingham, second Duke of, i. 278; + Lord Privy Seal, i. 309; + i. 386; ii. 33 + +---- Palace, proposed alterations, ii. 33 + +Buckland, Dr, Irish Commissioner, ii. 48 + +Buenos Ayres, blockade by British Fleet, ii. _133_ + +Bull Run, battle of, iii. _421_ + +Buller, Charles, i. _142_, 425 + +Bulwer, Sir Henry (afterwards Lord Dalling), Minister at Madrid, +i. 235, 238, 334; + ii. 97, 119; 133, 136; + recall, and Queen's opinion of, ii. 175, 179; + at Rome, ii. _365_; + declines governorship of Victoria, iii. 190, _191_ + +---- Lytton, Sir Edward (afterwards Lord Lytton), i. 350; iii. 79; + motion of censure on Lord John Russell, iii. 131, 132, 292, 296, 301 + +Bunsen, Chevalier, ii. 139, 182; + recall of, iii. 31 + +Buol, Count, Austrian Prime Minister, ii. 380, 440; iii. 11, 66, +_121_, _131, _176, 306, _328_, 329 + +"Bureaucratic," Palmerston's definition of, i. 107 + +Burghersh, Francis Lord (afterwards Earl of Westmorland), +A.D.C. to Lord Raglan, iii. 50 + +Burgoyne, Sir John, ii. _141_ + +Burnes, Captain (afterwards Sir Alexander), mission to Cabul, +i. _142_; + murdered, i. _254_ + +Burnet, Bishop, History of his own Time, i. 435 + +Burney, Miss (Madame D'Arblay), diary, i. 406, 467 + +Bury, Lord, Straits Settlements, iii. 277 + +Bushey Park, residence of the Duke and Duchess of Clarence, i. 33 + +Bushire, capture of, iii. _159_ + +Bussahir, iii. 360 + +Butler, Captain, siege of Silistria, iii. _36_ + +Buxted, residence of Lord Liverpool, Queen visits, i. 50 + +Buxton, Charles, iii. 443 + +Bygrave, Captain, i. 442 + +Byng, Sir John, _see_ Strafford, Earl of + +---- George, i. 60, 467 + +Byron, Lady, i. 310 + +---- seventh Lord, i. 307 + + + +Cabrals, the, ii. 134, 135 + +Cabul, i. _254_, _370_, 383; + fall of, i. 385, 442; ii. 218 + +Cadiz, Duke of, ii. 89 + +Cadogan, Honoria, Countess, died September 12, 1845, i. 62 + +_Cagliari_, seizure of the, iii. _262_, _274_ + +Cairns, Sir Hugh, Solicitor-General, Oudh Proclamation debate, +iii. _290_ + +Camarilla, i. 58 + +Cambridge, first Duke of, i. 4; + political views, i. 5, 6; + Regent of Hanover, i. 7; + marriage, i. 99, 207, 208, 245; + daughter's marriage, i. 434, 437, 440, 475, 476; + death, ii. _247_, 256 + +Cambridge, Prince George of (afterwards second Duke of Cambridge), +i. 212; + Ireland, ii. 226; + Earldom of Tipperary, ii. 245-247; + Ireland, ii. 303; + Ranger of the Parks, ii. 393; + in Paris, iii. 14; + interview with Napoleon, iii. 24-26; + writes from Constantinople, iii. 27, 28; + illness and return from the Crimea, iii. 70; + iii. 78; + council of war, iii. _160_, 167; + Commander-in-Chief, iii. 199, 200; + proposed marriage of Princess Mary, iii. 206, 209; + Army control, iii. 293 + +Cambridge, Duchess of, i. 11, 31, 99, 494 + +---- Queen's visit to, i. 496, 501, 503 + +Campbell, Mr, M.P. for Weymouth, iii. 239 + +---- Sir Colin (afterwards Lord Clyde), Queen's high opinion of, +iii. 152, 155; + Commander-in-Chief, Indian Mutiny, relief of Lucknow, +iii. _224_, 250, 259, 278; + Peerage, iii. _262_; + iii. 405, 455 + +---- Lord, Bernard trial, iii. _274_; + Lord Chancellor, iii. 348; + reports of divorce cases, iii. 378 + +Canada, friction in, i. _56_, 98, 100, _102_, 103; + Lord Durham, Governor-General, i. 104, 128, 133, 135-137; + resignation, i. 137; + union of, i. _209_; + dispute with United States, i. _254_; ii. _30_; + resignation of Lord Metcalfe, ii. 47; + Government of, ii. 94; + Clergy Revenues Bill, ii. _431_; + Nova Scotia, iii. 189; + Colonial Governorships, iii. 190; + Ottawa selected as capital, iii. _262_; + British Columbia, iii. 296; + United States claim to St Juan, iii. 373; + Prince of Wales's visit to, iii. _380_, 404; + proposed increase in Army and Navy for, iii. 440 + +Candahar, i. 407 + +Canning, Right Hon. G., speech on Queen's education, i. 10, 229 + +---- Viscount (afterwards Earl), ii. 346; + Post Office, ii. 421; + not in the Cabinet, ii. 427; + Government of 1855, iii. 98; + Post Office, iii. 104; + Governor-General of India, iii. 128, _159_, 178; + arrival in India, iii. 179; + Indian Mutiny, iii. _224_, 236-238; + his clemency, iii. 249-252; + Oudh Proclamation, iii. _262_, 281-285, 289, 291; + Viceroy, iii. _304_; + Earldom, iii. _313_; + Indian Army Question, iii. 318; + termination of Mutiny, iii. 350; + Indian titles, iii. 387; + Queen's pleasure at progress in India, iii. 405; + K.G., iii. 441; + Queen's high opinion of, iii. 453; + death of his wife, iii. 475; + touching letter from the Queen, iii. 477, 478 + +---- Viscountess, i. 310, 397; iii. 405; + death, iii. 474; + Queen's appreciation of, iii. 477, 478 + +---- Sir Stratford, _see_ Stratford de Redcliffe + +Canrobert, Marshal, Commander of French army, iii. _1_, _64_; + resignation, iii. _126_ + +Canterbury, Archbishop of (William Howley), report as to Queen's +education, i. 17, 55; + announces to the Queen William IV.'s death, i. 74, 75; + attends Queen's first council, i. 77; + convocation address, i. 299; + (John Bird Sumner), Bishopric of Capetown, ii. 448; + on Sunday bands, iii. _194_; + (C. T. Longley), iii. _206_; + national prayer and humiliation iii. 247 + +---- Viscount, iii. 230 + +Canton, England's occupation of, iii. _223_, 226 + +Capetown, Bishopric of, ii. 448 + +Caradoc, Sir John Hobart, _see_ Howden, Lord + +Carbonari Society, iii. _261_ + +Cardigan, Earl of, i. 263, 264, 386, 394; iii. 67; + censure on, iii. _175_ + +Cardwell, Mr (afterwards Viscount), ii. 368; + Secretary at War, ii. 421; + President of Board of Trade, ii. 468; + Oudh Proclamation, iii. 282; + vote of censure withdrawn, iii. 290; + Chief Secretary for Ireland, iii. 349 + +Carlisle, sixth Earl of, i. 419 + +---- seventh Earl (sometime Lord Morpeth), Chief Secretary for +Ireland, i. 62, 281, 308; ii. 79, 95; + Chief Commissioner of Woods and Forests, ii. 168, 324, 427, 428; + iii. 452 + +Carlists, i. 50, 67; ii. 3 + +Carlos, Don, i. _44_, _57_, 488; + abdication, ii. _31_ + +Carlton House, residence of George IV., Queen's visit to, i. 11 + +Carmarthen Riots, i. 484 + +Carolina, South, iii. _381_ + +Cartwright, Sir T., i. 409 + +Cashmere, ii. 74 + +Castlerosse, Lord, iii. 291 + +Cathcart, Earl, Governor-General of Canada, ii. _47_ + +Cathcart, General Sir George, Kaffir War, ii. _283_; + death at Inkerman, iii. 52; iii. 134 + +Cavaignac, General, French Minister for War, ii. _184_, 190, +_191_, 207, 387 + +Cavour, Count, Sardinian Premier, iii. _63_, _66_, _156_, 161, 170, +_307_, 333; + resignation, iii. _359_; + Papal States, iii. 380; + death, iii. _420_, 441 + +Cawdor, Earl, i. 484 + +Cawnpore, Mutiny, iii. _224_, 238; + massacre of the garrison, iii. _247_, _248_, _261_ + +Cecile, Admiral, ii. 213 + +Chalmers, Dr, i. _448_, _450_ + +Chambers, Dr William Frederick, consulting physician, iii. 473 + +Chambord, Comte de, _see_ Bordeaux, Duc de + +Chandos, Lord (afterwards Duke), Secretary to the Treasury, ii. 423 + +Chantrey, Sir Francis, sculptor, i. 313, 333, 337 + +Chapman, Dr, iii. 431 + +Chapoo, captured by Sir Hugh Gough, i. 441 + +Charier, Mdlle., ii. 3 + +Charlemont, Viscount, i. 344 + +Charles of Hesse, Prince, iii. 458 + +---- X., of France, character and death, i. 52 + +---- Archduke, i. 431 + +---- Albert, King of Sardinia, ii. _141_, 175; + Piedmontese war, ii. _178_, _182_, 183, 186, 187, 190, _191_, + 197, 198; + defeat at Custozza, ii. _191_; + at Novara, ii. _248_; + abdication in favour of his son, ii. _248_ + +Charleston, surrender of, iii. _421_ + +Charlotte, Princess (daughter of George IV.), i. 8; + character, ii. 39, 40; + bust, i. 203 + +---- Princess of Prussia (afterwards Hereditary Princess of +Saxe-Meiningen), birth of, iii. _406_ + +Charlotte, Princess of Belgium, ii. 185; + illness, ii. _255_, 271; + beauty of, ii. 367; + proposed marriage of, iii. 207, 211; + marriage of, iii. 240, _241_ + +Chartists, i. 83; + riots, i. 179; ii. 134; + demonstration, ii. 168; + fiasco, ii. 169 + +Chartres, Duc de, i. 266, 414; iii. 453 + +Chateaubriand, Vicomte de, i. _508_ + +Chatsworth, Queen's visit to, i. 509 + +Chelmsford, Lord, Lord Chancellor, iii. 272 + +Chelsea pensioners, arming of, i. 486 + +Cherbourg, Queen's visit to Napoleon, iii. 295 + +Chester, Dean of, _see_ Davys + +Childers, Col., _Life of Right Hon. H.C.E. Childers_, ii. _77_ + +Chillianwalla, ii. _208_ + +Chimay, Prince de, iii. _274_ + +China, opium trade dispute, i. _142_, _209_, 219, _254_, 260, 265; + operations in, i. 261, 337, _370_, 441; + war of 1857, iii. _223_, 226, _231_; + Treaty of Tien-tsin, iii. _262_, 301; + refusal to ratify treaty, march to Pekin, iii. _381_ + +Chiswick, ii. 17 + +Chobham camp, review at, ii. 449, 450 + +Cholera, epidemic of, ii. _228_ + +Christian, Prince, of Gluecksburg, afterwards King Christian IX. of +Denmark, ii. _358_ + +---- Princess, _see_ Helena, Princess + +Christina, Queen, Regent of Spain, i. 59, 62, 95; + abdication, i. 244, 346, 349, 351; + marriage question, ii. 4, _31_, 96, 97, 99, 100, 183 + +Christino cause, i. _44_, 67 + +Church of England, Queen's early knowledge of, i. 16; + her relations to, i. 51, 72, 79; + Parker Society, i. 259; + reform, i. 282; + difficulties at Oxford, i. 373, 374; + Low Church bigotry, ii. 37; ii. _115_; + preferments, ii. 121; + Ritualists and Romanists, ii. _273_, 273, 377; + riots at Stockport, ii. 391; + in the Colonies, ii. 448 + +---- of Scotland crisis, i. 447, 448, _450_ + +---- rates, i. _56_, 66; iii. 323 + +Churchill, Lady, iii. 407 + +Chusan, i. _209_, 265 + +Chuttur Singh, surrender of, ii. 217 + +Cintra, Convention of, iii. _175_ + +Cistercian _Trappists_, Queen Adelaide's visit to, i. 437 + +Civil Service, competitive examinations for, iii. 9, 11 + +Clanricarde, Marquess of, i. 188; ii. 427; + Privy Seal, iii. 266 + +---- Marchioness of, i. 350 + +Clanwilliam, Earl of, ii. 422 + +Claremont, residence of King Leopold, Queen's reminiscences of, +i. 10, 18, 19; + regret at leaving, ii. 5, _21_; + residence of King Louis Philippe, ii. 160-162 + +---- Col., Orsini trial, iii. 273 + +Clarence, Duke of, _see_ William IV. + +Clarendon, third Earl of, Chief Justice-in-Eyre, death, i. 143 + +---- fourth Earl of, i. 97; + Ambassador at Madrid, i. 281; + Lord Privy Seal, i. 308; ii. 60, 83, 86, 131, 132, 169, 195, 223, + 224, 236, 244; + opinion on Lord Palmerston's removal, ii. 260, 263; + refusal of Foreign Office, ii. 346, _348_; + ii. 420, 423; + Foreign Secretary, ii. _431_; + Eastern Question, ii. 439-444, _452_-471; + Duke of Cambridge in Paris, iii. 14; + Russian loan, iii. _35_; + Crimea, iii. _43_; + Austrian alliance, iii. 48, _51_; + the "Four Points," iii. 65; + Government of 1855, iii. 82, 83, 86, 88, 89, 90, 92, 94, 96, _96_, + 97, 98, _99_; + Foreign Affairs, iii. 104; + Emperor's proposal to take command at the Crimea, iii. _110_, 111; + Naples despatch, iii. 143-144; + Austrian ultimatum, iii. 152, 153, 165; + arranging terms of settlement, iii. 168-185; + conversation with French Emperor, iii. 175; + Treaty of Peace signed, iii. 183; + Queen's appreciation of his services, iii. 184, 185; + honours, iii. 186; + iii. 190; + interview with Persigny, iii. 232; + and Italy, iii. 305; + declines joining the new Cabinet, iii. 346; + St Juan dispute, iii. 373; + coronation of King of Prussia, iii. 428, _429_; + reception at the coronation of King and Queen of Prussia, iii. 458-460; + interview with the French Empress, iii. 460; + King of Prussia's views, iii. 465 + +Clarendon's _History of the Rebellion_, i. 38, 52; + _Private Memoirs_, i. 435 + +Claridge's Hotel, Empress of the French stays at, iii. 419 + +Clark, Dr (afterwards Sir James), Physician to the Queen, i. 61, 130, 202; + Bagshot Park, iii. 384; + Prince Consort's illness, iii. 471, 473 + +Clementine, Princess, of Orleans, i. 431 + +Cleveland, Duke of, i. 386 + +Clive, Lord, Life by Sir J. Malcolm, i. 55 + +Close, Francis, Dean of Carlisle, iii. _206_ + +Clyde, Lord, _see_ Campbell, Sir Colin + +Cobden, Richard, i. 300; + Corn Laws, i. 415, 465; ii. 60; + Peel's tribute to, ii. 83; + the Whigs, ii. 84, 85, 87; + Poor Law Commission, ii. 130, 131, 132; + ii. 155, 216; + question of marriage between Prince Frederick William of Prussia +and the Princess Royal, iii. 182; + on China War, iii. _223_; + loss of seat, iii. 226; + iii. 263; + refuses to join Government, iii. _307_, 348, _350_; + and the Pope, iii. 357; + Plenipotentiary for commercial treaty, iii. _379_; + declines honours, iii. 413, _414_ + +Coblentz, iii. 146 + +Coburg (_see_ Saxe-Coburg), House of, history of, i. 3; + influence on the Queen's politics, i. 4; + abuse of, i. 53 + +---- Queen's visit to, ii. _45_ + +Cochrane, Mr Baillie (afterwards Lord Lamington), iii. 445 + +Cockburn, Sir George, Admiral of the Fleet, i. 432 + +---- Mr (afterwards Sir Alexander), Don Pacifico debate, ii. _252_; + Chief Justice of Common Pleas, iii. 215 + +Codrington, Major-General Sir William, wounded at Inkerman, iii. _53_; + commands the English army in the Crimea, iii. _64_, 134, 155, _155_ + + +Colborne, Sir John (afterwards Lord Seaton), i. _57_; + High Commissioner, Canada, i. _102_; + Field-Marshal, i. 129, _130_ + +Colchester, Lord, iii. 230 + +Coldstream Guards wounded from Crimea, iii. 110 + +Colenso, Rev. J. W., ii. 449 + +Coleridge, Mr, and Provostship of Eton, iii. 431 + +Colloredo, Count, Austrian Ambassador, ii. 439, 440 + +Colquhoun, Mr, iii. 44 + +Colvin, John Russell, Lieut.-Gov. of North-West Provinces, death of, +iii. 251 + +Combermere, Viscount, i. 420; + Constable of the Tower, ii. 393; + Field-Marshal, iii. _146_ + +Companies, Limited Liability, statute passed, iii. _64_ + +Conroy, Sir J., comptroller to Duchess of Kent, i. 99 + +Conservatives in opposition, i. _56_; + dissensions, ii. _1_; + Corn Laws, ii. 66; ii. 83, 315, 384, 403; + form a Government, ii. 412-430; + Roebuck Motion, iii. 79, 226; + Government of 1858, iii. _262_, 266; + possible dissolution, iii. 283-292; + new Reform Bill, iii. _307_; + defeat, iii. 341; iii. 362; + overtures to Lord Palmerston, iii. _420_, 429 + +Consort, Prince (_see_ Victoria, Queen), parentage, i. 4; + influence of Baron Stockmar, i. 26; + his character, i. _28_; + Princess of Hohenlohe's opinion of, i. 46; + Queen's first impression of, i. 49; + education of, i. 97, 109, 111; + engagement to Queen Victoria, i. _141_, 188; + visits Italy, i. 152; + Queen's views, i. 177; + description of, i. 186; + arrival at Windsor, i. 188; + religion, i. 196; + question of a peerage, i. 198; + the Declaration, i. 203, 204; + his Household, i. 204, 206, 207; + marriage with the Queen, i. _209_, 217; + his grant, i. _209_, 214; + appointed Regent, i. _209_; + the Queen's confidential secretary, i. 28; + name in Prayer Book, i. 249; + on changes at Court, i. 256; + visits Oxford, i. 291; + his position on change of Government, i. 304; + Lord Melbourne's opinion of, i. 306; + Fine Arts Commission, i. 332; + lays foundation stone of Royal Exchange, i. 376; + on duelling, i. _450_; + domestic life, i. 464; + to hold levees, i. 470, 471; + reception at Birmingham, i. 509; + his father's death, ii. 6; + Grand Cross of St Andrew, ii. 17; + birthday, ii. _20_; + French King's appreciation of, ii. 25; + title rumours, ii. 34; + interest in Osborne, ii. 42; + attacks on, ii. 46; + memo. on change of Government, ii. 61; + council meeting, ii. 65; + Sir R. Peel and memo. of their conversation, ii. 76; + memo. on resignation of Sir R. Peel, ii. 80, 83; + on new Government, ii. 85; + Sir R. Peel, ii. 93; + his self-denial, ii. 129; + visits King Louis Philippe at Claremont, ii. 163; + and the unemployed, ii. 168; + visit to York, ii. 184; + visit with the Queen to Ireland, ii. 224; + opening of new Coal Exchange, ii. 228; + Exhibition of 1851, ii. _231_, 316-318; + memo. on Lord Palmerston's Foreign Policy, ii. 235, 243, 260, 261; + Mansion House speech, ii. 239; + memos. on formation of a new Government, ii. 293, 297, 298, 300, + 302, 306, 309, 310, 311; + presides at Propagation of Gospel Meeting, ii. _319_; + on Lord Palmerston's successor, ii. 345-347; + his fondness for politics and business, ii. 362; + and the Army, ii. 365; + on resignation of Lord John Russell, ii. 367, 369, 371; + on change of Government, ii. 374; + command of Grenadier Guards and Rifle Brigade, ii. 392; + on new appointments on death of Duke of Wellington, ii. 392; + on national defences, ii. 398-400; + on Free Trade Debate, ii. 404; + on resignation of Lord Derby, ii. 412-413; + on new Government, ii. 413, 415, 420; + Lord Derby's opinion of, ii. 426; + on change of Ministry, ii. 427; + birth of Prince Leopold (afterwards Duke of Albany), ii. 444; + congratulates Mr Gladstone on his Budget speech, ii. 446; + memo. on Eastern Question, ii. 454, 456; + memo. on Lord Palmerston's resignation, ii. 467; + Press attacks on, iii. _1_, 3, _4_, 7, 8; + interview with Emperor Napoleon, iii. _1_; + President of Patriotic Fund, iii. _2_; + memos. on Reform Bill, iii. _20_, 22, 23, 24; + memo. of Government changes, iii. 33, 34; + visits French Emperor, iii. _41_-43; + memo. on Lord John Russell's possible resignation, iii. 58; + visits the French Emperor, iii. _64_; + memo. on Lord John Russell's resignation, iii. 72; + memos. on inability of Lord Derby and Lord John Russell to form a +Government, iii. 83-96; + memo. on Lord Palmerston's Government of 1855, iii. 97, 98; + asks Lord Aberdeen to join new Government, iii. 98; + memo. of interview with Mr Gladstone, iii. 107-109; + on Austria's proposal of Crimean settlement, iii. 120, _127_; + visits France, iii. 135; + appointment of Sir W. Codrington, iii. 155; + Queen's memo. on his status, iii. 192-194; + title of Prince Consort conferred, iii. 196, 197, _197_; + French Emperor's feeling towards England, iii. 232, 233; + marriage of Princess Royal, iii. _261_, 263, 264; + memo. on resignation of the Government, iii. 266-268; + Danish Question, iii. _281_; + memo. on Oudh Proclamation, iii. 284; + memo. on Lord Derby and dissolution, iii. 289; + visit to French Emperor at Cherbourg, iii. 295; + memo. on Lord Palmerston, iii. 300; + Lord Stanley's position with the Queen, iii. 301-303; + tours of Prince of Wales and Prince Alfred, iii. _411_; + Princess Alice's engagement, iii. 415; + state visit to Ireland, iii. _420_; + Lord John Russell's despatch to America, iii. _421_; + failure of health, iii. _421_; + death of the Duchess of Kent, iii. 435-439; + illness, iii. 468, 470; + draft despatch to United States, last written by, iii. 469; + slight rally, 472, 473; + death, iii. _421_, 473 + +Conspiracy and Assassination Bill, iii. _266_ + +Constantin, expedition against, i. _43_; + taken by France, i. 96 + +Constantine of Russia, Grand Duchess, ii. 7; iii. 466 + +Constantinople, i. 232; + Russian Fleet ordered to, ii. 441, 452 + +_Constitution de la Belgique_, newspaper, i. 55 + +Constitution, the English, i. 358 + +_Constitutional_ newspaper, i. 53 + +Conyngham, Lady Maria, i. 12 + +---- Marchioness, i. 12 + +---- Marquess, Lord Chamberlain, i. 12, 74, 75, 84, 110, 121 + +Cooper, the Leicester Chartist, i. 424 + +Coorg, Princess of, iii. 54 + +Corbett, Mr, Secretary of Legation at Florence, iii. 310 + +Corigan, Dominic, Physician-in-Ordinary, ii. _136_ + +Cork, Queen Victoria's visit to, ii. 224; + question of dockyard, iii. 151 + +Corn Laws, petition against, i. 148; + debates on, i. 218, 265, 278, 280, _370_, 381, 415, _450_, 465; + Anti-Corn-Law League, i. _370_, 415, 466; ii. _30_, 49, _383_; + paragraph in the _Times_, ii. 48, 49; + Lord John Russell's policy, ii. 59; + Sir R. Peel's views, ii. 65, 66, 87; + settlement, ii. 233; + Earl Grey on, ii. 377; + Mr Disraeli on, ii. 381 + +Coronation, i. 120, 127 + +Corry, H., ii. 306, 405 + +Cottenham, Earl of, Chancellor, i. 271, 308, 314; ii. 83 + +County and Borough Franchise, ii. 288 + +Couper, Sir George, iii. 254 + +Courvoisier murders Lord William Russell, i. _220_ + +Covent Garden Theatre, Free Trade meetings at, ii. 131 + +Coventry, Earl of, i. 91 + +Cowell, Major (afterwards Sir John), tutor to Prince Alfred, iii. _413_ + +Cowley, first Baron, Minister at Frankfort, i. 495 + +---- second Baron (created Earl 1859), ii. 146, 186, 275; + Queen's high opinion of, ii. 285, 286; + Ambassador at Napoleon's Court, ii. 397, 407; + Napoleon's marriage, ii. 435; + Eastern Question, iii. 115, 151, 153, 154, 160; + council of war at Paris, iii. 168; + honours, iii. 186; + iii. 221; + mission to Vienna, iii. _308_, 323, 324-326; + rumoured treaty between France and Russia, iii. 330; + terms of peace at Villafranca, iii. _359_, _360_; + England's congress representative, iii. 375; + Italian Question, iii. 384, 385; + stormy interview with Napoleon, 390-394; + French policy in Italy, iii. _412_ + +Cowper, Countess, i. 201 + +---- Lady Fanny, i. 121; + her beauty, i. 123, 125; i. 266. + _See_ also Jocelyn, Lady + +---- Hon. William, Priv. Sec. to Lord Melbourne, i. 220; + First Commissioner of Works, iii. 443 + +Cracow, ii. 72, 114 + +Crampton, Mr (afterwards Sir John), British Minister at Washington, +dismissal of, iii. _219_; + English Ambassador at St Petersburg, iii. 326 + +Cranworth, Lord, Lord Chancellor, ii. 420; iii. 103; + Divorce Bill, iii. 231 + +Creptowitch, Count, Russian Ambassador, iii. _185_ + +Crimea, _see_ Eastern Question + +Croker, Right Hon. J. W., Queen's declaration, i. 197 + +Crown, influence of the, i. 105; + prerogatives of, iii. 294, 296 + +---- jewels, claim to, i. 439, 487 + +Crowther, Rev. Samuel, ii. 366 + +Crystal Palace, the Queen opens the, iii. _2_; + visit of the Emperor and Empress of the French, iii. _117_; + peace fete, iii. 190 + +Cullen, Dr, Archbishop of Armagh, ii. 281 + +Cumberland, second Duke of, i. 4; + his character, i. 6, 72, 76. + _See_ also Hanover, King Ernest of + +---- third Duke of, _see_ Hanover, King George V. + +Cureton, General, death of, ii. 212 + +---- Rev. Wm., recommended for Canonry, ii. 121 + +Custine, Marquis Astolphe de, _La Russie en 1839_, i. 501 + + + +Daily News, iii. 337 + +Dalhousie, Countess of, i. 397; + death, ii. 450 +---- tenth Earl and first Marquess of, ii. 65, 84; + Viceroy of India, ii. _142_; + views as to the Punjab, ii. 196; + Marquess, ii. _208_, 221; + Queen's opinion of, ii. 212; + Koh-i-noor diamond, ii. 242; + Rangoon, ii. 380; + Cinque Ports, ii. 393; + India, ii. 400, 401; + on his wife's death, ii. 450; + correspondence with the Queen, iii. 38, 39, 45-48, 53; + desires to retire, iii. 114; + retirement of, iii. _159_, 179; + reported failure to suppress insubordination in India, iii. _180_; + Lord Canning succeeds him, iii. 179; + iii. 292 + +Dalkeith, Queen's visit to, i. 430 + +Dalmeny, Lord, i. 489 + +Danish Law of Succession, ii. _358_; iii. 280 + +Darmes, attempts King Louis Philippe's life, i. _243_ + +D'Aubigny, Mons., ii. 20 + +Davis, Jefferson, President of the Southern States, iii. _421_ + +Davys, Rev. George, Dean of Chester, afterwards Bishop of Peterborough, +instructor of Queen, i. 15, 38, 64 + +Dawes, Richd., Dean of Ripon, iii. 206 + +Dawson, Hon. Thomas Vesey, death at Inkerman, iii. 55 + +Deceased Wife's Sister Bill, iii. 277 + +Defences, national, ii. 396, 398-400; iii. 37 + +De Grey, Earl, Lord-Lieut, of Ireland, i. 309 + +Delane, John T., editor of the _Times_, ii. 263; + and Germany, iii. 462 + +De la Warr, Elizabeth, Countess, i. 310 + +Delhi, revolt at, iii. _224_, 236; + capture of, iii. 236 + +Democracy, progress of, ii. 385 + +"Democratic," definition of the term, i. 107 + +Denison, J. E., ii. 273; + Speaker, iii. _223_ + +Denman, Lord, i. 469 + +Denmark, and Morocco, ii. 4; + and Holstein, ii. 171, 222, 223, 249, 251, 270; + peace concluded with Prussia, ii. 254, 255; + Danish succession, ii. 320, 358 + +---- King of, letter to Queen Victoria, ii. 254 + +Derby, Earl of, _see_ Stanley + +Despatches, method of dealing with, ii. 221, 222 + +Devonshire, Duke of, ii. _14_; iii. 202 + +Dhuleep Singh, Maharajah, Queen's impression of, iii. 39, 47, 54; + iii. 219; + Indian Mutiny, iii. 248, 252 + +Dietz, Mons., Governor of Prince Ferdinand, i. 54, 131 + +Dilke, Sir C. W., Baronet, iii. 477 + +Disbrowe, Sir Ed., British Minister at the Hague, i. 145, 409, 417 + +Disfranchisement Bill, ii. 380 + +Disraeli, Benjamin, "Young England," ii. 16; + "poisoned chalice," ii. _59_; + protectionist, ii. _71_; + attack on Sir R. Peel, ii. 79, 80; + leader of Opposition, ii. _208_, 216, 248; + motion on agricultural distress, ii. 285; + protection, ii. 287; + ii. 291, 301, 303, 363; + on Palmerston's defence, ii. 364; + _Endymion_, ii. _376_; + Chancellor of the Exchequer, ii. 381; + debate on dissolution, ii. 382, 384; + Militia Bill, ii. 385, 386, 387; + speech on Duke of Wellington, ii. 401; + Free Trade, ii. 402, 403; + and Gladstone, ii. 405; + Budget speech, ii. 406; + loss of office, ii. 415, 427; + apology for his speech, ii. _428_; + attack on the Government, iii. _38_; + Roebuck Motion, iii. 76, 79, 106; + formation of Government of 1855, iii. 81, 84; + attack on Lord John Russell, iii. _131_; + preparation for war, iii. 192; + attack on the Budget, iii. _224_, 226; + China War debate, iii. 228, 229; + speech on Indian Mutiny, iii. 239; + return to office, iii. _261_; + Conspiracy Bill debate, iii. 265; + Chancellor of the Exchequer, iii. 272; + reports of the debates, iii. 274, 275, 277, 278; + India Bill, iii. 279; + Oudh Proclamation debate, iii. _290_, _292_; + and Lord Stanley, iii. 301; + debate on the address, iii. 340; + defeat of Government, iii. 341; + and the Pope, iii. 358; + and Lord Palmerston's Government, iii. 429 + +Dissenters and Church Rates, iii. 323 + +Dissolution, prerogative of, ii. 91 + +Divorce Bill, iii. _224_, _231_ + +---- Court, Queen's objection to publication of proceedings in +newspapers, iii. 378 + +Doabs, Eastern, disarmament of Sikhs, ii. 217 + +Dorset, Duke of, Master of the Horse, i. 12 + +Dost Mahommed, _see_ Afghanistan, Ameer of + +Douglas, General Sir Howard, iii. _175_ + +---- Lord (afterwards Duke of Hamilton), marriage, i. 439 + +Douglas, Rev. Hon. A. (afterwards Bp. of Aberdeen and Orkney), iii. 102 + +Douro, Marchioness of, i. 486; ii. 5, 322 + +Doyle, Richard, i. _152_ + +Drayton Manor, Queen's visit to, i. 509 + +Dresden, ii. _219_ + +Dreux, ii. 159 + +Drummond, Edward, assassination of, i. 455, 456 + +---- Castle, Queen's visit to, i. 430 + +---- Henry, Member for West Surrey, iii. 76, 276 + +Druses, iii. _380_ + +Dublin, Archbishop of (Richard Whateley), Queen's opinion of, i. 62 + +---- fear of outbreak at, ii. 169; + Queen's visit to, ii. 224 + +Duels, military, i. _450_, _485_ + +Dufferin, Marquess of, and story of Mrs Norton and the _Times_, ii. _48_ + +Duffield, Walter, ii. 41 + +Dumas, General, ii. 159 + +Duncannon, Viscount (afterwards Earl of Bessborough), Lord Privy Seal, +afterwards Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, i. 99, 133, 281, 308, 344; ii. 93; + death, ii. 122 + +Duncombe, Thomas, M.P., Finsbury, iii. 79; + Roebuck Committee, ii. 106 + +Dundas, Vice-Admral Sir James, Commander of Mediterranean Fleet, +ii. _452_; iii. _1_, _116_ + +---- Rear-Admiral Richard, commands expedition to the Baltic, iii. _116_ + +---- Mr (afterwards Lord Melville), i. 357 + +---- Sir David, Convention of Cintra, iii. _175_ + +Dundonald, Earl of (formerly Lord Cochrane), iii. _9_ + +Dunfermline, Lord (formerly James Abercromby), Speaker, i. 98; iii. 230 + +Dungannon, Viscount, i. _133_ + +Dunkeld, Queen's visit to, i. 429 + +Dunmore, Countess of, Lady-in-Waiting, i. 384 + +---- Earl of, death, ii. 43 + +Durham, first Earl of, High Commissioner in Canada, i. _102_, 103, 104; + rash conduct, i. 128, 133, 137; + resignation, i. 137; + i. _142_, 144, 155, 234 + + + +Eastern Question, ii. _431_, 437, 441-444, _449_, _452_-471; + declaration of war with Russia, iii. _1_, 12, 13, _20_; + Turkish success, iii. _36_; + battle of the Alma, iii. _43_, 49; + Inkerman, iii. _53_; + Four Points negotiations, iii. _63_, 65; + terms of settlement and final evacuation of the Crimea, iii. _158_, 182 + +East India Company, recall of Lord Ellenborough, ii. _1_, 9, 11; + giving medals, ii. 200; + Sir Charles Napier, ii. 259; + position of Indian princes, iii. 47, 219; + Mutiny, iii. _223_, 234, 237-248, 252; + future Government of India, iii. 257 + +Eastlake, Sir Charles, Keeper of National Gallery, i. 338 + +Ecclesiastical Titles Bill, ii. _232_, 279, 281, _283_, 313, 314 + +Eckerforde, ii. 218 + +Eden, Lt.-Gen. John, C.B., iii. 39 + +Edinburgh, Queen's visit, i. 429 + +Education, Bullock's work on, ii. 214; + committee on, ii. 390 + +Edwardes, Major, ii. 200 + +Egypt (_see_ also Ali, Mehemet) and the Four Powers, i. 227, 232, +242, _252_ + +Elchingen, Duc de, i. 83 + +Elcho, Lord (afterwards Earl of Wemyss), Government of 1855, iii. 98; + new Foreign Office, iii. 443 + +Election, general 1836, i. _56_; + on death of William IV., i. 80, 89; + ii. 126; + Corrupt Practices Bill, iii. 8 + +Elgin, Earl of, Governor in Jamaica, ii. 47, 94; + treaty with Japan, iii. _262_; + Postmaster-General, iii. 349 + +Elimar, Prince, of Oldenburg, iii. 458 + +Eliot, Lord, afterwards Earl of St Germans, i. 310 + +Elizabeth, Princess, daughter of Queen Adelaide, death, i. 31 + +Ellenborough, Lord (afterwards Earl of), President of Board of +Control, i. 163, 309, 326; + Governor-General of India, i, 344; + Indian warfare, i. 407, _443_; + Somnauth proclamation, i. 445, 462, 468; + Scinde controversy, i. 502; + recall of, ii. _1_, 9, 18; + Earldom, ii. 10; + in office, ii. 65, 70; + protectionist, ii. 306; + and Lord Cochrane, iii. _10_; + iii. 73, 81; + President of Board of Control, iii. _262_, 272; + Oudh despatch, iii. _281_, 282-289; + resignation, iii. 282-285 + +Ellesmere, Earl of, death, iii. 227 + +Ellice, Mr, i. 144; ii. 92 + +Elliot, Captain, Chinese opium trade, i. _254_, 260, _261_; + recalled, i. 265 + +---- Lady Fanny, i. 291 + +---- Lady Harriet, illness of, iii. _69_ + +---- Mr (afterwards Sir Henry), P.C., G.C.B., Plenipotentiary to +Naples, iii. 356, 418 + +Elphinstone, General, capture of, i. _254_ + +---- Sir J. D. H., M.P. for Portsmouth, iii. 278 + +---- Baron, Governor of Bombay, iii. 313, 406 + +Ely, bishopric of, ii. 35 + +---- Marchioness of, iii. 378 + +Emlyn, Lord, marriage, i. 395 + +Enfield, iii. 212 + +England, troubles in Afghanistan, _254_, _370_, 373, 382, 385 + +---- and Austria, ii. _182_, 183, 187, 190, 380; + Eastern Question, ii. _432_, 441, 444, 452; iii. _1_, 13, 25; + proposed alliance, iii. _49_, 50, 65, 115, 118; + Four Points, iii. 120, 144; + ultimatum, iii. 152, 168, 182 + +---- and China, i. 260-262; + successes in, i. 441; + dispute with and ultimatum, iii. _223_, 226, _231_; + treaty of Tien-tsin, iii. _262_, _381_; + march to Pekin, iii. _381_ + +---- and Denmark, ii. 358 + +---- and France, i. 93, _209_, 230; ii. _1_, 19, 96, _120_; + hospitality to King of, ii. 155; + relations with as a Republic, ii. 206; + on the Eastern Question, ii. _431_, 443, _452_, 458, 460, 470; + alliance with, iii. _1_, 232; + feeling against, iii. _261_, _264_ + +---- and Germany, ii. 274, 275, 276 + +---- and India (_see_ India) + +---- and Italy, ii. 182, 186; + Rome, ii. 279, 386, 387; + Naples, iii. 140, 141 + +---- and Japan, treaty, iii. _262_ + +---- and Persia, war, iii. _159_ + +---- and Portugal, unpopularity, i. _57_; + English fleet in the Tagus, ii. _109_; + constitutional trouble, ii. 111, 118; + conference, ii. _120_; + policy in, ii. 179 + +---- Punjab, annexation of, ii. _208_ + +---- and Russia, i. 86; ii. 19; + on the Eastern Question, ii. _431_, 441-445, _452_; iii. _1_, 4, + 11, 12, 13, 14; + declaration of war, iii. _19_; + Crimea, iii. 24-32, 35, 36, 43; + defeat at the Alma, iii. _43_, 44, 50; + battle of Balaklava, iii. 50; + Four Points, iii. _65_, 120; + Sebastopol taken, iii. 141; + Austrian ultimatum, iii. _152_; + peace and terms of settlement, iii. _158_; + difficulty of enforcing settlement, iii. _159_-186, 213; + Danish Question, iii. 439 + +---- and Spain, i. 433, 486, 487, 512; ii. _31_, 32, 44; + marriage question, ii. 72, 95-108 + +---- Sweden and Norway, iii. _134_ + +---- and Turkey, Eastern Question, ii. _431_, 437, 441-445, _452_; +iii. _1_, 11, _13,_ 19 + +England and United States of America, boundary dispute, i. _254_, +355, 368, 461; ii. _30_, _72_; + rupture with, iii. _159_, _219_; + _Trent_ affair, iii. _421_ + +England, General (afterwards Sir Richard), i. 402, 407 + +Enrique, Don, ii. 89, 90, 96, 98, 99, 103 + +Ense, Varnhagen, von, memoirs of, iii. 472 + +Erfurt, Diet of, ii. 229 + +Ernest, Prince, of Hohenlohe, death of, iii. 396 + +Ernest, King, of Hanover, i. _57_, 189. + _See_ Cumberland, Duke of + +---- Prince, of Saxe-Coburg, i. 48; + arrival at Windsor, i. 188; + i. 205; + marriage, i. 380; + bravery, ii. 218 + +Ernestine branch of Saxe-Coburg family, history of, i. 2 + +Erroll, Earl of, i. 300, 474 + +Espartero, Joaquin, Regent of Spain, i. _57_, 346 + +Este, Sir Augustus de, i. _489_ + +Esterhazy, Prince Paul, i. 115, 435 + +Eton College, ii. _21_; + Montem, ii. 109; + resignation of Dr Hawtrey, ii. 433; + extra week's holiday, iii. 200; + election of Provost, iii. 431 + +Eu, Chateau de, i. 181, 182; + Queen's visit to, i. 490; ii. 23, 89 + +Eugenie, Empress of the French, _see_ Montijo + +Eupatoria, disaster at, iii. _1_, _63_, _111_ + +Evans, Col. (afterwards Sir G. de Lacy), i. _44_, _57_; iii. _53_, 297 + +Examinations, competitive, iii. 10, _297_ + +Executions, public, ii. 38 + +Exeter, Bishop of, Gorham case, ii. _273_ + +Exeter, Marquess of, i. 312 + +Exhibition of 1851, in Hyde Park, ii. _231_, 239; + success of, ii. _283_, 316, 317; + ball at Guildhall, ii. 320 + + + +Factory Labour, Bill, ii. _1_, _115_ + +Fane, Hon. Julian, Secretary of Embassy, Vienna, iii. 370, _409_ + +Farnham, Queen's visit to, iii. 400 + +Fawcett, Col., shot in a duel, i. _485_ + +Featherstonhaugh, Mr., H.B.M. Consul, Havre, arranges escape of +King Louis Philippe, ii. 156-160, 163 + +Feodore, Princess, of Leiningen, the Queen's half-sister, marriage +to Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, i. 3, _33_; + childhood, i. 18; + i. 31, 37, 88, 125, 480, 510 + +Ferdinand, Maximilian Joseph, of Austria, Archduke, proposed marriage, +iii. 211; + marriage and death of, iii. _234_, _240_ + +---- Duke of Orleans, i. 234 + +---- _see_ Portugal, King of + +---- II., King of Naples, i. 51; + rising against, ii. _141_; + illness and death, iii. 324 + +---- of Bulgaria, Prince, i. _431_ + +Feroz Shah, Prince, iii. 47 + +Ferozepore, ii. 74, _208_ + +Ferozeshah, ii. _31_, _76_ + +Fieschi attempts King Louis Philippe's life, i. 407 + +Fife, Earl of, Peerage, iii. 245 + +Fine Arts Commission, i. 332 + +Finlay, Mr, claim against Greek Government, ii. _231_, _239_ + +Finmark, guarantee of, iii. _134_ + +Fiscal Policy, ii. _292_ + +Fisher, Dr, _see_ Salisbury, Bishop of + +Fitzclarence, Lord Adolphus, i. 390 + +Fitzgerald, William Robert Seymour Vesey, Under Secretary for +Foreign affairs, iii. 277, 445 + +---- Sir John, iii. 76 + +---- and Vesci, Lord, President of Board of Control, i. 347, 372 + +Fitzmayer, Col., iii. 182 + +Fitzwilliam, Earl, ii. 126-128 + +---- Lady Anne, i. 121 + +Flahaut, Madame de, ii. 39 + +Florence, visited by Prince Albert, i. 152; + revolution in, iii. _308_ + +Follett, Sir William, i. 219; + Solicitor-General, i. 469 + +Fonblanque, Albany, i. 412 + +Foreign Enlistment Bill, iii. _2_, _58_ + +Foreign Office, new, iii. 444 + +Foreign Secretary, duties of, ii. 264 + +Forey, General, iii. 455 + +Fortescue, second Earl, receives the Garter, iii. 157 + +---- Dudley, iii. 443 + +Fould, Achille, French Minister, iii. _333_, 418 + +Four Points, Crimean negotiations, iii. _63_, 65, 120, 154, _158_, +160-185 + +Fox, Charles James, i. 5, 391 + +---- Mr, British Minister at Washington, i. 355 + +France, attempts on life of King, i. _43_, 243, _408_; + expedition to Constantin, i. _43_, _57_; + heated debates in Chamber, i. 59, 63; + Duke and Duchess of Orleans, i. 69; + and England, i. 93, 97, _209_, 230; + and the Peninsula, i. 94; + in Africa, i. 96; + sympathy with Belgium, i. _102_, 135; + resignation of Ministry, i. 149, 151; + Louis Bonaparte, i. _209_; + Turco-Egyptian convention, i. 227; + Eastern crisis, i. 231, 235-240; + friendliness with England, i. 239, 244; + Thiers Ministry dismissed, i. 242; + possibility of revolution, i. 246-249; + and Spain, i. 347, 351, 445; + Spanish marriage, i. _488_; ii. 32, 44, _72_, 96-109; + Queen Victoria's visit to, i. 490; + friction with England, ii. _1_, 6, 21; + England and Russia, ii. 19; + hostilities with Morocco, ii. 20; + fortification of Paris and Algerian trouble, ii. _31_; + Syrian War, ii. 68; + murder of Duchesse de Praslin, ii. _115_, 128; + revolution, ii. _141_; + abdication of King, ii. _149_; + republic, ii. 148, 151; + new Government, ii. 155, 172; + national assembly, ii. _173_; + the Royal Family, ii. 176; + _entente cordiale_, ii. 186, 190; + English Ambassador to, ii. 190, 206; + Louis Bonaparte, President of Republic, ii. 205, 210, 214; + relations with England, ii. 206; + state of, ii. 238; + _coup d'etat_ in Paris, ii. 334-340, 353; + dispute with Russia, ii. _356_; + and the Swiss Government, ii. 380; + champion of Italian liberty, ii. 387; + Bourbons, ii. 389; + position of Louis Napoleon, ii. 390; + assumes imperial title, ii. _406_; + Eastern Question, ii. _431_, 441-444, _449_, 451-471; iii. _1_; + fleet sent to Salamis, ii. _441_; + and England, ii. _443_; + alliance with England against Russia, iii. _1_, _6_, 13; + and Sebastopol, iii. 43, 44; + Inkerman, iii. 52; + and the Four Points, iii. 120; + success against Russia, iii. _135_; + Queen's visit to, iii. 135, 136; + fall of Sebastopol, iii. 142, 143, 145; + desire for peace, iii. 153; + peace and terms of settlement, iii. _138_-185, 214, 215; + rupture with King Ferdinand, iii. _158_, _159_; + and Austria, iii. 168; + bad state of army, iii. 180; + feeling against England, iii. _261_, _264_; + Italy and Sardinia, iii. _307_; + war with Austria, iii. _310_, 314; + reported treaty with Russia, iii. _328_; + victories, iii. _353_; + conclusion of peace, iii. _355_; + Treaty of Zurich, iii. _374_; + annexation of Savoy and Nice, iii. _379_; + expedition to Pekin, iii. _381_; + policy in Italy, iii. 412 + +Franchise, County and Borough, ii. 288, 289; + Extension Committee, ii. 324; + Disfranchisement Bill, ii. 380, 381; + based on personal property, iii. _307_; + Borough, iii. _379_ + +Francis, attempts the Queen's life, i. _370_, 398, 405 + +---- II., King of Naples, flight to Gaeta, iii. _380_, 407 + +Frankfort, National Assembly at, ii. 174, _188_, _192_ + +Frederic of the Netherlands, Prince, iii. 458 + +---- Archduke, i. 431 + +Frederick, William Victor Albert (afterwards German Emperor), birth of, +iii. 314; + christening, iii. 324 + +Frederick I., _see_ Wuertemberg, King of + +---- Augustus II., _see_ Saxony, King of + +---- Crown Prince of Prussia, _see_ Prussia, Prince Frederick + +Free Church of Scotland, founded, i. 448 + +Freemasons, i. 478 + +Free Trade, i. 382; ii. _132_, 248, 310, 313, 344, 384, 386, 390, +_399_, 405, 427 + +Fremantle, Sir Thomas, afterwards Lord Cottesloe, i. 482 + +French, Emperor of the, _see_ Napoleon + +---- Empress of the, _see_ Montijo, Mademoiselle de + +French, King of the, _see_ Louis Philippe + +---- Queen of the (Marie Amelie) (_see_ Louis Philippe), death, ii. 265 + +Frogmore, iii. 399; + death of Duchess of Kent at, iii. 435-439, 447 + +Fueros, i. 188 + + + +Gaelic, in Highland schools, ii. 214 + +Gaeta, ii. 205 + +Gaillard, Gabriel Henri, _La Rivalite de la France et de l'Espagne_, i. 39 + +Gainsborough, Countess of, _see_ Barham, Lady + +Gaisford, Very Rev. Thomas (Dean of Christchurch), iii. 148 + +Garbett, Mr, i. 374 + +Gardner, Lord, i. 291 + +Garibaldi, guerilla leader, iii. _308_; + deputy for Nice, iii. _380_; + and Sicilian insurrection, iii. _380_, 410; + Lord J. Russell's letter to and reply, iii. 431, 432, 434 + +Geisel, Cardinal, iii. 457 + +George III., his politics, i. 5; + family, i. 6 + +---- IV., marriage, i. 1; + politics, i. 5; + Queen's visit to, i. 11-13, 258; + death, i. 19 + +---- V., of Hanover, _see_ Hanover + +---- Prince, of Denmark, i. 214 + +Germany, King of Prussia on, ii. 137; + effect of French Revolution, ii. _141_; + anxiety in, ii. 167, 170, 174; + Minor States, ii. 188, 189; + interest in Lombardy, ii. 193; + disorder in, ii. 199, 215; + Imperial crown declined by King of Prussia, ii. 219; + Union of Schleswig and Holstein, ii. 222, 249, 254; + critical position of, ii. 229, 273, 275, 278; + and England, ii. 274; + constitutionalism, ii. 275; + anxiety in, ii. 278; + Diet, ii. 320; + coronation, iii. 456-459; + the Emperor's views, iii. 465 + +Ghent, disturbances at, i. 187 + +Gholab Singh, ii. 74 + +Gholam Mohammed, Prince, iii. 39 + +Ghuznee, surrender of, i. 402, _442_; + Mahmood of, iii. 46 + +Gibraltar, Governorship of, ii. 201 + +Gilbert, Major-General, ii. 217 + +Girardin, Emile, ii. 149 + +Giurgevo, Turkish success at, iii. _1_, _35_ + +Gladstone, Right Hon. W. E., Member for Newark, i. 220; + President of Board of Trade, i. _370_; + Corn Laws, i. 381; + retirement, ii. _30_; + Colonial Secretary, ii. 64, 65; + ii. _71_, 248, 252, 302, 305, 306, 368; + Disfranchisement Bill, ii. 381; + education minute, ii. 391; + Free Trade, ii. 403, 404; + and Disraeli, ii. 405; + Chancellor of the Exchequer, ii. 421; + first Budget, ii. _431_, _446_; + Prince Albert's congratulations, ii. 440; + Eastern Question, ii. _454_; + possible Leader, ii. 458; iii. 24; + letter in the _Morning Chronicle_, iii. 8; + Civil Service examinations, iii. 9, 10; + Roebuck Motion, iii. 77, 79, 109; + formation of Government of 1855, iii. 83, 86, 93, 94, 97, 98, 107; + Chancellor of Exchequer, iii. 104; + interview with Prince Albert, iii. 107; + resignation, iii. 109; + iii. 149; + preparation for war, iii. 192; + attack on Budget, iii. _224_, 226; + Chinese dispute, iii. _228_; + Divorce Bill, iii. _231_; + High Commissioner to Ionian Islands, iii. _262_, 301, 309; + Conspiracy Bill debate, iii. 265; + refusal to join Government of 1858, iii. 270, 292; + Oudh Proclamation debate, iii. 290; + Crown prerogatives (India), iii. _295_; + new Reform Bill, iii. _307_; + Chancellor of the Exchequer, iii. _307_; + on the fate of the Government, iii. 341; + Chancellor of the Exchequer, iii. 349; + and the Pope, iii. 357; + Italian policy, iii. 367; + rise in Income Tax, iii. _379_; + desire to resign, iii. _379_; + Budget import duties, iii. _388_; + Bill for Abolition of Paper Duties thrown out, iii. 401, 402, _420_; + threatens resignation, iii. 403; + disagreement with Palmerston, iii. _420_, 423, 429 + +Glasgow, serious riot, ii. _141_; + Queen opens Waterworks, iii. _308_ + +Glenelg, Lord, Colonial Secretary, i. _102_, 104 + +Glenlyon, Lord (afterwards Duke of Athole), i. 429; ii. 25 + +Gloucester, Duchess of (Princess Mary), i. 12, 31, 172, 194, 389; +ii. 174 + +---- Duke of, character and politics, i. 7 + +---- Princess Sophia Matilda of, i. 480 + +Gluecksburg, Prince Christian of, _see_ Christian + +Goblet, Albert Joseph, Count d'Alviella, i. 52 + +Goldie, Brig.-Gen., death at Inkerman, iii. _52_ + +Goodford, Dr, Headmaster of Eton College, elected Provost, iii. 431 + +Gordon, Col., Deputy Quartermaster-General, censure on, iii. _174_ + +---- Sir Robert, Ambassador to Vienna, i. 326, 359, 487, 512 + +Gorham, Mr, and the Bishop of Exeter, ii. _272_ + +Gortschakoff, Prince, iii. _135_; + character, iii. 204, 334, 410 + +Gosford, Earl of, Governor of Lower Canada, i. _56_ + +Gotha, line extinguished, i. 2 + +Gough, Sir Hugh (afterwards Viscount), successes in China, i. 441; + baronet, i. 444; + successes in India, ii. _30_, _71_, _73_, 74; + Commander-in-Chief in India, ii. _142_, _208_; + superseded, ii. 215; + Viscount, ii. 221 + +Goulburn, H., Chancellor of the Exchequer, i. 309; ii. 37, 38, 306; + Disraeli's attack on, ii. _428_ + +Gower, Lady Elizabeth (afterwards Duchess of Argyll), i. 449 + +---- Lady Evelyn Leveson, marriage, i. 489 + +Graham, Sir James, Home Secretary, i. 163, 219, _253_, 309, 448; + public executions, ii. 38, 39; + Corn Laws, ii. 49; + takes leave of the Queen, ii. 85, 88; + as to joining the Whig Cabinet, ii. 287, 293, 298, 305, 359, 368, 375; + speech on Corn Duty, ii. 382; + ii. 415; + Colonial Office, ii. 421; + and Disraeli, ii. _428_; + India Bill, ii. 447; + Eastern Question, ii. _454_, 455; + position in the Government, ii. 458; + speech at Reform Club, iii. _25_; + Government of 1855, iii. 91, 93, 94, 97, 100; + Admiralty, iii. 104; + resignation, iii. 109; + iii. 175, 190; + Conspiracy Bill, iii. _265_; + defeat of the Government, iii. 267-272; + Oudh Proclamation debate, iii. _290_; + competitive exams., iii, 297; + assailed by Disraeli, iii. _341_ + +Grahamstown, new See, ii. 448 + +Granby, Marquess of, iii. 76 + +Grantown, Queen's visit to, iii. 407 + +Granville, first Earl, Ambassador at Paris, i. 95, 181, 258 + +---- second Earl, ii. 261; + Foreign Secretary, ii. _283_, 343, 344, 345, 348; + audience with the Queen, ii. 349; + Queen's view of Foreign Policy, ii. 351, 366, 372; + resignation 1852, ii. 375; + Board of Trade, ii. 421; iii. 34; + Government of 1855, iii. 97; + President of the Council, iii. 104; + iii. 141; + coronation of Czar, iii. _158_; + iii. 196; + his opinion of the Czar, iii. 203; + Garter, iii. 227; + China War debate, iii. 229; + fails to form a Government, iii. _307_, 343; + and the _Times_ disclosures, iii. 347; + President of the Council, iii. 348; + and the Pope, iii. 357; + Sir James Hudson, iii. 377; + Lord J. Russell's despatch to France, iii. 389 + +Graves, Lord, i. 12 + +Greece, throne of, i. 63; ii. 21, 199; + case of Don Pacifico and Mr Finlay, ii. _231_, 234; + appeal to Russia, and France, ii. _242_ + +Gregory XVI., Pope, + interview with Prince Albert, i. 152; + death, ii. _115_ + +Grenadiers, wounded from Crimea iii. 110 + +Grenville, Lord, i. 357 + +Greville, Charles, journal of, i. 285; + and Lord Palmerston, ii. 263; iii. _300_ + +Grey, Sir George, Governor of Cape of Good Hope (afterwards Governor +of New Zealand), iii. _201_; + difficulties with Hottentots, Kaffirs, and Boers, iii. 225; + action at Cape Town, iii. _238_ + +---- General, iii. 407, 473 + +---- second Earl, Prime Minister, i. 55; + Reform Bill, i. 61; + i. 283; + illness, i. 512; + death, ii. 43 + +---- third Earl, _see_ Howick, Lord + +---- Sir George, Under-Secretary for the Colonies, i. 135; + Chancellor of Duchy of Lancaster, i. 308; + Home Secretary, ii. 60, 86; + Chartist meeting, ii. 169; + officers' commissions, ii. 185; + ii. 237, 244, 261; + on Palmerston's successor, ii. 346; + seals of office given up, ii. 374; + Home Office, ii. 468; + Colonies, iii. _1_, 34; + resignation of Lord John Russell, iii. 75, 76-78; + Government of 1855, iii. 93, 95, 97, 98; + Cabinet of 1855, iii. 103, 104, 149, 150; + Conspiracy Bill debate, iii. 265; + iii. 272; + Chancellor of Duchy of Lancaster, iii. 349; + on Sir James Hudson's appointment, iii. 377; + _Trent_ affair, iii. 466 + +---- George Henry (son of the above), iii. 103 + +Grimston, Lady Mary, trainbearer to the Queen, i. 121; + her beauty, i. 123 + +Groeben, General Count von der, iii. 16 + +Gros, Baron, ii. 235 + +Grosvenor, Lord, i. 202, 204, 207 + +---- Lord Robert (afterwards Lord Ebury), peerage, iii. 245 + +Guards, The, embarkation for the Crimea, iii. 14 + +Guelphic Order, ii. 5 + +Gueronniere, M. de la, _The Pope and the Congress_ pamphlet, +iii. _313_, 382 + +Guilford, Earl of, _see_ North, Lord + +Guizot, M., i. 237, 238, 321, 347, 348; ii, 6, 20, 44, 106, 108; + a fugitive, ii. _141_; ii. 145, 153, 156, 162, 170, 263 + +Gujerat, ii. _208_, 217 + + + +Haddington, Earl of, First Lord of the Admiralty, i. 309, 432; +ii. 65 + +Hadfield, Mr, iii. 239 + +Halford, Sir Henry, Court Physician, i. 144, 477 + +Hall, Sir Benjamin (afterwards Baron Llanover), First Commissioner +of Public Works, ii. _365_; iii. 135, 150 + +Hallam's _Constitutional History_, i. 435, 449 + +Hamilton, William, attempt on Queen's life, ii. 220 + +Hammond, Mr (afterwards Lord), permanent Under-Secretary at Foreign +Office, iii. 466 + +Hampden, Dr, Bishop of Hereford, ii. _115_, 135, 136, 139 + +Hanover, House of, history of, i. 1 + +---- constitution abrogated, i. _57_; + Princess Royal's reception, iii. 454 + +---- King of (Ernest Augustus), the Queen's uncle, i. 6, 72, 76, +123, 126; + claim to Crown jewels, i. 439; + visit to the Queen, i. 477, 480-482; + power to confer Orders, ii. 5; + death, ii. 331; + treatment of Prince Consort, iii. 192 + +---- King George V. of, marriage, i. 437; + succeeds to the throne, ii. 334; + ii. 449 + +Hanoverian Orders, ii. 5 + +Harcourt, Edward Vernon, Archbishop of York, i. _291_, 292 + +Hardinge, Sir Henry (afterwards Viscount), i. 65; + Secretary at War, i. 163, 279, 309; + Governor-General of India, ii. 28, 29; + settlement of Sikh boundaries, ii. 74; + Queen's appreciation of, ii. 75, 77, 88; + state of India, ii. 125; + Ireland, ii. 188; + audience with the Queen, ii. 376; + Commander-in-Chief, ii. 393, 394, 396; + Army promotions, iii. 39; + Field-Marshal, iii. 146; + Army discipline, iii. 152, 189; + illness and resignation, iii. 197, 198; + death and Queen's opinion of, iii. 210, 211 + +Hardwicke, first Earl, Lord Chancellor, i. _500_, 504 + +---- fourth Earl, i. 384, 497; ii. 23; + Lord Privy Seal, iii. _272_ + +Harley, Lord (afterwards Earl of Oxford), i. 504 + +Harrow, extra week's holiday, iii. 200 + +Harrowby, Lord, iii. 149 + +Hartington, Lord (afterwards Duke of Devonshire), iii. 340 + +Hatzfeldt, Count, iii. _181_ + +Havelock, Colonel, death of, ii. _212_ + +---- General, Lucknow relief, iii. _224_, _238_, 249, _255_, 259; + death of, iii. 259 + +Havre, flight of King Louis Philippe, ii. 157-160 + +Hawes, Mr, i. 220; ii. 83 + +Hawtrey, Dr, Headmaster of Eton College, i. 339; + Montem, ii. 109; + resignation, ii. 433 + +Hay, Lord John, i. _44_, _57_ + +Haynau, General, attack on, ii. _231_, 267, 269, 402 + +Hayter, Mr, artist, i. 338 + +---- Mr (afterwards Sir William), Liberal Whip, iii. 227 + +Head, Sir Francis, i. _56_ + +Heath, Captain, H.M.S. _Sanspareil_, iii. 70 + +Heathcote, Sir William, iii. 292 + +Helena, Princess (afterwards Princess Christian), ii. 220 + +Henley, J. W., iii. 78; + President of Board of Trade, iii. 272; + withdrawal from Ministry, iii. _307_ + +Hennessy, John Pope (afterwards Sir), M.P., iii. 445 + +_Henri IV._, French warship, loss of, at Balaklava, iii. 56 + +Herat, i. 327; iii. _159_; + siege of, iii. _199_ + +Herbert, Sidney (afterwards Lord Herbert of Lea), ii. _48_, 49, 84, 368; + Militia Bill, ii. 388; + Free Trade debate, ii. 405, 415; + Admiralty, ii. 421; + sends out Florence Nightingale, iii. _62_; + Roebuck Motion, iii. 76; + formation of Government of 1855, iii. 83, 87, 91, 97, 99; + Cabinet, iii. 103, 104; + resignation, iii. 109; + Lord Palmerston, opinion of, iii. 149, 150; + declines to join the Government, iii. 150; + Secretary for War, iii. 349; + England's interference with Italy, iii. 364; + illness and death, iii. 422 + +Herries, Rt. Hon. J. C., ii. 291, 303 + +Hesse-Cassel, ii. _272_ + +Hesse, Prince Charles of, iii. 458 + +Hever Castle, Queen's visit to, i. 37 + +Heytesbury, Lord, Governor of Isle of Wight, i. 326, 330 + +Highland Volunteers, i. 429 + +Highlanders, 92nd, i. 429 + +Hill, Viscount, Commander-in-Chief, i. 100, 263; + resignation and death, i. 419, 420, _421_, 446 + +---- Lord Marcus, i. 300 + +Hilliers, Gen. Baraguay de, at capture of Bomarsund, iii. _36_ + +Hindoos, public offices opened to, ii. 29; + remarriage of widows, iii. _223_, 235; + Indian Mutiny, iii. _224_, 252; + address to the Queen, iii. 399 + +Hobhouse, Sir John Cam (afterwards Lord Broughton), +President of Board of Control, i. 62, 281; ii. 86, 287 + +Hohenlohe, House of, history of, i. 3 + +---- Langenburg, Ernest, Prince of, i. 3; + marriage, i. 33; ii. 402; + question of his daughter's marriage, ii. 429 + +---- Hermann, Prince, of, iii. 396 + +---- Princess of, _see_ Adelaide, Princess; Feodore, Princess + +Hohenzollern, Prince of, iii. 457 + +Holland, Dr (afterwards Sir Henry), Court Physician, i. 237, 438; +ii. 8; + Prince Consort's last illness, iii. 473 + +---- and Belgian dispute settled, i. _43_, _102_, _142_, 145, 146; + King Leopold's views on, i. 152; + and England, i. 117-120; + Queens visit to, ii. _44_ + +---- King William I. of, i. _188_; + abdication, i. _210_, 351 + +---- King William II. of, as Prince of Orange, suitor to the Queen, +i. 1; + becomes King, i. _210_; + i. 379, 380, 409; + visit to the Queen Sophia Frederica, ii. 42 + +---- King William III. of, visit to King Leopold, iii. 454 + +---- Queen of, visit to England, iii. 240 + +Holland, Lord, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, i. 245 + +Holstein, union with Schleswig, ii. _222_, 249, 250, 251, 258, 270 + +Holy Alliance, i. _44_ + +Holyrood Palace, ii. 266; iii. 50 + +Honfleur, ii. 157, 159 + +Hong-Kong, i. 261, 262; + cession of, to England, i. _370_; ii. 4 + +Hooghly River, iii. 250 + +Hope, A. J. (afterwards Beresford-Hope), iii. 8 + +Horsman, Mr, M.P., iii. 276, 404 + +Hospitals for sick and wounded soldiers, iii. 113 + +Hotham, Admiral Sir William, i. _216_ + +House Tax, ii. _407_, 411 + +Household appointments, ii. 373, 376 + +Howard, Charles, i. 419 + +---- de Walden, Lord, + British Minister at Lisbon and Brussels, i. 96, 131, 133, 356, 485; +ii. 95 + +Howden, Lord (formerly Sir John H. Caradoc), British Minister at +Rio Janeiro and Madrid, ii. 133, 241, 323, 390 + +Howick, Lord (afterwards third Earl Grey), views on Canadian affairs, +i. 98, 100; + on civil government of the Army, i. 147; + Corn Laws, i. 465; + and Lord Palmerston, ii. 59; + possible Colonial Secretary, ii. 59; + Ireland, ii. 84; + his party, ii. 86; + views on resignation of Government, ii. 375; iii. 80, 81, 86, 89, 90; + iii. 192; + South Africa, iii. 201; + refusal to join the Government of 1858, iii. 270 + +Howley, Dr, _see_ Canterbury, Archbishop of + +Huebner, Baron, Austrian Ambassador at Paris, ii. 422; iii. _310_, +321, 327 + +Hudson, Sir J., British Envoy at Turin, ii. 386; iii. 161, _333_; + peace at Villafranca, iii. _359_; + iii. 375, 440 + +Hugo, Victor (1802-1885), _Napoleon le Petit_, ii. _391_ + +Hull, Queen's visit to, iii. 49 + +Hume, Joseph, i. 60, 90, 147; ii. 70, _123_ + +Humiliation, days of, Queen's views on, iii. 19, 20; + national prayer and humiliation, iii. 247, 248 + +Hummelauer, Baron, ii. 174 + +Hungary, submission of, ii. _208_, 223 + +Hunt, Mr Leigh, i. 412 + +Huskisson, Mr, i. 278 + +Hutchinson, Mrs, biographer of her husband, i. 52 + + + +Ibrahim Pasha, (son of Mehemet Ali), i. _142_, 246 + +_Idees Napoleoniennes_, ii. 374 + +Income Tax, Queen's decision to pay, i. 387; iii. 36; + Bill, i. 403, 405; + raised, ii. _141_, 303, 307, 312, 388; + reduction for farmers, ii. 406; + ii. _431_; iii. 226; + increase, iii. _379_; + reduction, iii. _420_ + +Indemnity Act, iii. _224_, _256_ + +India (_see_ Afghanistan and East India Co.), + policy as to Herat, i. 327-329; + reinforcements for China, i. 336; + success in, i. 481; + retention of the Scinde, i. 502; + recall of Lord Ellenborough, ii. _1_, 9, 18, 19; + education, ii. 28; + public offices opened to Hindoos, ii. 29; + Sikhs aggressive, ii. _30_; + Sikhs defeated, ii. _71_; + extension of boundaries, ii. 74; + prosperity under British rule, ii. 125; + origin of Sikh War, ii. _142_; + necessity of making Punjab a British province, ii. 196; + successful operations against Sikhs, ii, _208_, 217; + safety of English prisoners, ii. 217; + disarmament of Sikhs, ii. 217; + annexation of the Punjab, ii. 220; + state of, ii. 400; + honours to Duke of Wellington, ii. 401; + India Bill, ii. _431_, 447; + satisfactory state of, iii. 45-48, 53; + troops for the Crimea, iii. 46; + Oudh placed under British control, iii. _159_; + Mutiny in, iii. _223_, _235_, 235-238; + Lucknow, iii. _243_, _248_, 249; + Cawnpore, massacre of garrison, iii. _247_, _248_, 249; + future government of India, iii. 257, _262_, _293_; + Oudh Proclamation, iii. _262_, _281_, 282; + Indian Army organisation, iii. 282, _295_, 302; + proclamation, iii. 298; + title of Viceroy, iii. 304; + religious question, iii. 304; + army question, iii. 317-320; + termination of the Mutiny, iii. 350; + status of Bussahir, iii. 360; + titles and honours, iii. 387; + letters of thanks to civil servants, iii. 399 + +Indus, ii. 74 + +Inkerman, battle of, iii. _252_; + account of the battle, iii. 54-56 + +Insanity, plea of, i. 469 + +Inverness, Duchess of (wife of Duke of Sussex), i. 479, 480 + +Ionian Islands, constitution of, iii. 301 + +Ireland, Secret Societies, i. _43_; + Municipal Corporations Bill, i. _56_, 66; + Tithe Bill, i. 66; + and O'Connell, i. 130; + Committee for, i. 149; + registration, i. 265; + repeal agitation, i. _450_; + Arms Bill, i. 482; + indictment of O'Connell, ii. _1_; + report of Potato Commission, ii. 48; + failure of potato crop, ii. 53; + Coercion Bill, ii. _71_, 79, 81; + Queen's proposed visit to, ii. 93, 95, 127; + alarming state of, ii. _141_, 170, 188; + Queen's visit to, ii. _208_, 223, 224; + enthusiasm of people, ii. 226; + brevet promotions, ii. 227; + another visit to, iii. _420_ + +Irun, capture of, i. _57_ + +Isabella, Queen, of Spain, i. 59, 62; + guardianship of, i. 346; + proposed marriage of, i. 349, 432, 485, 486, 487, 512; + ii. 4, _31_, 32, 44, _71_, 90, 96, 107, 389; iii. 6, _51_ + +Ismail, surrender of, iii. _159_ + +Issendorf, M. de, iii, 455 + +Isturitz, Senor, Spanish statesman, flight, i. _44_; ii. 97, 99 + +Italy, special mission to the Vatican, ii. 128; + revolution, ii. _141_; + and Austria, ii. 174; + and England, ii. _182_, 183, 187, 386, 387; + Piedmontese successes in Northern, ii. _191_, 191, _208_, 213; + and Austria, iii. 306, 322; + proposed congress and war, iii. 324-354; + Pope's opinion of Italians, iii. 357; + insurrection at Perugia, iii. 358; + Treaty of Zurich and congress to settle Italian affairs, +iii. _374_, _379_; + French policy in, iii. 412; + summary of events in 1861, iii. _420_; + Palmerston's views on, iii. 427, 428 + + + +Jackson, Serjeant J. D., Irish Solicitor-General, i. 352, 354 + +Jamaica, troubles in, and constitution of, i. _102_, _141_, 153; + Bill, i. 176 + +James, Edwin, successful defence of Dr Bernard, iii. _274_ + +Japan, treaty with, iii. _262_ + +Jarnac, Count, French Ambassador, ii. 21, 160 + +Jaux, M. de, ii. 429 + +Jenkinson, Lady Louisa, i. 121 + +Jenner, Dr (afterwards Sir William), Physician-Extraordinary +to the Queen, in attendance on Prince Consort, iii. 473, 476 + +Jersey, Earl of, Master of the Horse, i. 310 + +Jewish Disabilities Bill, iii. _224_ + +Jocelyn, Lord, on Free Trade, ii. 403 + +---- Lady, i. 380; iii. 427; + _see_ also Cowper, Lady Fanny + +John, Archduke, younger son of the Emperor Leopold II, +i. 431; ii. 171, 188, 191, 193 + +---- Prince of Portugal, brother of King Pedro, iii. 457 + +Joinville, Prince de, i. 94, 452, 480; + imprudent _brochure_, ii. _1_, 11, 24, 27; + ii. 148, 153, 167, 192, 267, 337, 353; + gallant deed, ii. 192; + accident to, iii. 324 + +---- Princess de, i. 178, 490 + +Jones, Sir John Thomas, _Wars in Spain_, i. 38 + +---- Mr, Vice-Consul at Havre, ii. 157 + +Jowett, Rev. B., Fellow of Balliol College, Professor of Greek, +iii. 148 + + + +Kaffir War, iii. 201 + +Kainardji, Treaty of, ii. _431_, _452_, 464 + +Kalampaka, engagement at, iii. _37_ + +Karak, island of, iii. _4_ + +Kars, fortress of, iii. _64_, _159_, 178, 179, _208_ + +Keane, Sir John (afterwards Lord), Cabul, i. _142_ + +Kellerman, General, and Convention of Cintra, iii. _175_ + +Kellersberg, Baron, iii. _328_ + +Kennedy, Mr, removed from Crown Office, iii. 61 + +Kennington Common, Chartist meeting, ii. 169 + +Kensington Palace, Queen's birth-place, i. 8; + Queen's early recollections of, i. 10; + proposal to build National Gallery on site of, ii. 315 + +Kent, Duchess of (Queen's mother), biography of, i. 3, 4, 8, 9; + character and disposition, i. 9; + Parliamentary Grant, i. 9; + education of Princess Victoria, i. 14-17; + Parliamentary Grant increased, i. 19; + estrangement with William IV., i. 19; + visit to Belgium, i. 287; + ii. 177; + illness of, iii. 335; + Frogmore, iii. 399; + Edinburgh, iii. 405; + present at Volunteer Review, iii. 406; + death, iii. _420_, 435-439 + +---- Duke of (Queen's father), politics and philanthropic views, +i. 5; + biography, i. 8; + sudden death, i. 9 + +Kertsch, successful attack on, iii. _64_, _126_ + +Khalsad army, surrender of, ii. 216 + +Khyber Pass, i. _370_, 402 + +Kinburn, citadel of, iii. _64_ + +King, Mr Locke, ii. 288, 295 + +---- Rev. Bryan, iii. _417_ + +Kinglake, Mr, _Invasion of the Crimea_, iii. _31_, 36, _111_ + +Kingstown (Ireland), Queen Victoria's visit to, ii. 225 + +Kinsky regiment, loss of twenty-four officers, ii. 219 + +Kirkpatrick, William, ii. _435_ + +Kisseleff, General, Russian Ambassador, iii. 393 + +Klebelsberg, Countess, marriage, i. 13 + +Knatchbull, Sir Edward, Paymaster-General, i. 279, 309 + +Knightley, Rainald (afterwards Sir), M.P., iii. 76 + +Knollys, Sir William, K.C.B., iii. _39_ + +Koh-i-noor diamond, ii. _208_; + history of, ii. 242 + +Kokan, Khan of, iii. 45 + +Koller, Baron, Austrian Ambassador, ii. 267-269 + +Koenigsberg, crowning of King and Queen of Prussia, iii. _420_ + +Kossuth, Louis, champion of Hungarian freedom, flight of, ii. _208_; + visit to England, ii. _283_; + reception by Lord Palmerston, ii. 324-331, 440, 441; iii. 432 + + + +Lablache, Luigi (Queen's singing master), i. 50, 62, 89 + +Labouchere, Mr (afterwards Lord Taunton), President of the + +Board of Trade, i. 262, 281, 308; + Government of 1855, iii. 91, _150_, 190, 272 + +Labour Bill, Mines, i. _370_; + Factories, ii. _1_ + +Laeken, Royal Palace in Belgium, i. 34 + +Lagos, capture of, ii. 366 + +Lahore, ii. 217 + +Lamartine, M., ii. _173_, _174_ + +Lambeth Palace, i. 388 + +Landgravine, Princess Elisabeth, i. 212 + +Landseer, Sir Edwin Henry (1802-1873), + artist, i. 396, 397 + +Langdale, Lord, Master of the Rolls, i. 335 + +Lansdowne, Marquess of, Lord President of the Council, i. 74, 281; +ii. 83, 86, 236, 237; + Government crisis, ii. 290, 308, 310, 413-417; + in the Cabinet, ii. 424; + Reform Bill, ii. 468; + and Lord John Russell, iii. 58; + formation of the Government of 1855, iii. 85-89, 90, 93, 94, 97, + 98, 102; + Cabinet, iii. 103, 104; + his ministerial life, iii. _104_; + iii. 190; + declines a dukedom, iii. _246_ + +Laporte, i. 220 + +La Susse, French Admiral, ii. 26 + +Lavradio, M., Portuguese statesman, i. 58 + +Law, administration of, ii. 67 + +---- Lords, want of, iii. 145 + +Lawrence, Sir Henry, Military Administrator at Oudh, death at Lucknow, +iii. _224_, 242 + +Lawrence, Mrs George, courage of, ii. 217 + +---- Sir J., Oudh Proclamation, iii. 286 + +Layard, Mr, Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, iii. 76, 98, 376, +443-447 + +Lee, Dr James Prince (afterwards Bishop of Manchester), ii. 131 + +Leeke, Admiral Sir Henry, capture of Bushire, iii. _159_ + +Lefevre, Mr Shaw (afterwards Viscount Eversley), Speaker, i. 141, 176; +iii. _223_, 230 + +Lefroy, John Henry, Inspector-General of Army Schools, iii. 220 + +Lehzen, Baroness (Queen's governess), i. 12, 14, 25, 122, 224 + +Leicester, Earl of, i. 350 + +Leigh, Mr Pemberton (afterwards Lord Kingsdown), ii. 284; iii. 145; + declines Lord Chancellorship, iii. 271 + +Leiningen, House of, history of, i. _9_ + +---- Prince of, marriage, i. 3; + death, i. 9 + +---- Prince Charles of (son of above), i. 13, 120, 125, 126; ii. 188; + death, iii. _216_, 217 + +---- Princess Feodore, _see_ Feodore + +Leith, proposed dockyard at, iii. 151 + +Le Marchant, Sir John Gaspard, Lieut. Gov. of Nova Scotia, iii. 189 + +Lennox, Lady Caroline, i. 121 + +Leopold, Prince (afterwards Duke of Albany), birth, ii. 444 + +---- Duke of Brabant (afterwards 2nd King of the Belgians), i. 59; +ii. 6 + +---- 1st King of the Belgians, birth and parentage, i. 4, 22; + Queen's reminiscences of, i. 10, 11, 13, 22; + kindness to Duchess of Kent, i. 11; + influence on, and kindness to the Queen, i. 19, 22, 23; + in the Russian army, refusal of throne of Greece, i. 22; + accepts Belgian throne, gallantry in war, a model ruler, i. 23; + nature of correspondence with the Queen, i. _27_; + Queen Victoria's first letter to, i. 32; + valuable advice to Queen Victoria, i. 37; + newspaper abuse of, i. 53; + birth of second son, i. 63; + visit to the Queen, i. 91; + Belgian interests, i. 134, 151, 152, 153; + England and France, i. 227-251; + views on dissolution, i. 282-289; + Queen's visit to, i. 492, 493; + friendship with Queen Victoria, ii. 10; + views on Czar's visit to England, ii. 19; + letters on King Louis Philippe's visit to England, ii. 23, 25; + birthday letter to the Queen, ii. 39; + on state of Germany, ii. 167; + failure of insurrection, ii. _172_; + Louis Bonaparte, ii. 213; + state of France, ii. 238, 342; + on death of Sir Robert Peel, ii. 255; + illness of Queen Louise, ii. 266; + the Sovereign "People," ii. 379; + on Victor Hugo, ii. 391; + on death of Duke of Wellington, ii. 395; + the Empress of the French, ii. 436; + Eastern Question, ii. 441, 443; + Press attacks on Prince Consort, iii. 5; + visits the Queen, iii. 133; + on the conclusion of the war, iii. 172, 185; + iii. 195; + review of Crimean troops at Aldershot, iii. _198_; + as to decorating Duke of Westmorland, iii. 202; + Princess Charlotte's proposed marriage, iii. 207; + on death of Prince Charles of Leiningen, iii. 216; + marriage of Princess Charlotte, iii. 234, 240; + on the Queen's visit to Napoleon, iii. 295; + Napoleon's desire for war, iii. 315; + Napoleon and the Pope, iii. 382; + Italian Question, iii. 386; + Prince of Wales's visit to Canada, iii. 404; + Volunteer Review in Hyde Park, iii. _406_; + letter to the Queen, iii. 414; + death of Duchess of Kent, iii. 435-439, 451; + sympathy for Prince Consort's illness, iii. 471, 472 + +Leopold, Prince of Saxe-Coburg, ii. 89, 97, 98 + +Letters, Sunday delivery, ii. 244 + +Levis, Duc de, i. 507 + +Lewis, Sir George Cornewall, Chancellor of Exchequer, iii. _109_; + Stamp Duties Bill, iii. 116; + Budget, iii. _224_; + Income Tax, iii. 226; + financial crisis, iii. 255; + Home Secretary, iii. 348; + St Juan dispute, iii. 373 + +Lhuys, M. Drouyn de, French Foreign Minister, ii. 262; + and Russian loan, iii. 35; + Austria's proposed terms of Crimean settlement and resignation, +iii. 120 + +Liberals (_see_ Whigs), small majority, i. 176; + gains at election, 1839, ii. 126, 458; + Lord Palmerston's followers, the Liberal Party, iii. _110_; + Oudh Proclamation debate, iii. _290_, _291_; + new Reform Bill, iii. _307_; + Lord Palmerston forms a Government, iii. _307_, 344-349 + +Liddell, Mr, iii. 239 + +Liechtenstein, Prince and Princess of, i. 433 + +Liege, iii. 453 + +Lieven, Princess de, i. 85, 88 + +Ligne, Prince de, i. 109 + +Lincoln, Abraham, President, United States, iii. _421_ + +---- Bishop of (John Kaye), report as to Queen's education, i. 14-16 + +---- Earl of (afterwards (T.N.: 1851) fifth Duke of Newcastle), +Chief Commissioner of Woods and Forests, i. 466; ii. 84; + ii. 294, 300, 346, 350, 354, _360_, 420, 448-449, _455_, 468, 471; + Secretary of State for War, iii. _1_; + Marshal St Arnaud, iii. _30_; + hospital at Scutari, iii. 61; + Lord J. Russell's resignation, iii. 73, 75, 80, 91, 97; + Knight of the Garter, iii. 145, 154, 156; + refuses to join Government of 1858, iii. 271; + Colonial Secretary, iii. 349; + tour with Prince of Wales, iii. _380_, _405_, 414 + +Lind, Jenny, ii. 123 + +Lindley, Dr, Irish Commissioner on potato disease, ii. 48 + +Lindsay, Lady Charlotte, i. 358 + +Lisbon, revolution, i. 54; + run on the bank of, ii. _90_ + +Liverpool, bank failures, ii. _131_ + +---- third Earl of, biography of, i. _50_, 165; + Lord Steward, i. 169, 310; ii. 85, 89; + death of, ii. 323 + +Llanover, Baron, _see_ Hall, Sir B. + +Lloyd, Thomas Davies, Baronetage, iii. 477 + +Lochnager, Queen's visit to, ii. 322 + +Loftus, Lord A., iii. 153 + +Login, Sir John, iii. 248; + Oudh Proclamation, iii. 286 + +Lombardy, ii. _178_, _182_, _183_, _186_, 191, 194, 198; + ceded to Sardinia, iii. _308_ + +London, Bishop of (C. J. Blomfield), report on Queen's education, +i. 14-16, 340; + Papal aggression, ii. 281; iii. 416; + (A. C. Tait), Divorce Bill, iii. 231 + +Londonderry, Marquis of, Ambassador at Vienna, i. 420; ii. 287; + Garter, ii. 391, 393 + +Longley, Charles Thomas, Bishop of Durham (afterwards Archbishop +of Canterbury), iii. _206_ + +Lonsdale, John (Bishop of Lichfield), ii. _35_ + +---- Earl of, ii. 392 + +Loodiana, ii. 74 + +Lords, House of, increase of appellate jurisdiction, iii. _158_; + powers in Money Bills, iii. _379_, 401; + throw out Abolition of Paper Duties Bill, iii. 401, 403; + privilege resolutions, iii. 404 + +---- Justices, question of, ii. 44 + +Louis XVIII., character of, i. 53 + +Louis Napoleon, _see_ Napoleon + +---- Philippe, King of the French, biography of, i. 4; + Belgian throne, i. 22; + attempted assassination of, i. _43_, 243, 407; + letters to the Queen, i. 77; ii. 27, 57, 78, 146, 160; + proposed visit to the Queen, i. 181, 182; ii. 21-22; + and English Government, ii. _1_, 21, 27, 68; + letter from the Queen on resignation of Sir R. Peel and reply, +ii. 69, 78; + ii. 89; + the Spanish marriages, ii. _71_, 90, 102, 105, 107; + ii. 118; + abdication, ii. _141_, _148_; + death of his sister, ii. 143-147; + flight of, ii. 149, 152, 153-165; + gratitude to the Queen, ii. 160; + ii. 169; + Queen Victoria's view of his policy, ii. 170, 172; + position of, ii. 177, 183, 204; + illness and death, ii. _231_, 238, 265; + compared with Napoleon III. in knowledge, iii. 124 + +Louis, Prince, of Hesse (afterwards Grand Duke Louis IV.), +engagement to Princess Alice, iii. 405, 415, 418, 419 + +---- Mrs (Queen's dresser), i. 10, 14, 110; + death, i. 111 + +Louisa, Princess, of Hesse, ii. 358 + +Louise (Queen of the Belgians), marriage and correspondence +with the Queen, i. _28_; + her character, i. 34; letter on the Queen's engagement, i. 192; + on death of the Duke of Orleans, i. 413, 414; + ii. 7; + on her father's visit to England, ii. 21, 22, 23; + sorrow at Madame Adelaide's death, ii. 143-145; + French Revolution and her father's flight, ii. 150; + illness, ii. 266; + death, ii. 266, _267_; + ii. 271 + +---- Princess, of Belgium, birth, iii. 276, 397 + +Loewenstein, Prince William of, i. 490 + +Loyd, Mr Jones (afterwards Lord Overstone), ii. 130 + +Lucan, Lord, censure on, iii. _175_ + +Lucca, Duke of, i. 148 + +Lucknow, iii. 177; + mutiny and siege of, iii. _224_, 238; + relief of, iii. _248_, 254, 259, _262_, 278 + +Luitpold of Bavaria, Prince, iii. 458 + +Lushington, Dr Stephen, Admiralty Judge, i. 62, 277; + refuses a life peerage, ii. 284; iii. 145; + on right to search ships, iii. 466 + +Luxemburg, i. _43_, _102_ + +Lyndhurst, Lord, Lord Chancellor, i. 163, _253_, 308; ii. 368; + on Russia's aggressiveness, iii. _35_; + title of Prince Consort, iii. 196, _197_; + Divorce Bill, iii. 231, 232 + +Lynedoch, Lord, death, i. 512 + +Lyons, Richard Bickerton Pemell, K.C.B. (afterwards Earl Lyons), +the Pope's appreciation of, iii. 310; + United States dispute, iii. 469 + +---- Sir Edmund, commands Mediterranean Fleet, iii. _116_ + +Lyttelton, Lady (governess to the Royal children), i. _390_, 394; ii. 3 + +---- Lord, iii. 190 + +Lytton, _see_ Bulwer Lytton + + + +M'Caskill, Sir John, death, ii. 76 + +M'Culloch, Mr, ii. 303 + +Macaulay, T. B. (afterwards Lord Macaulay), Secretary at War, i. _141_; + China debate, i. 219; + in favour of dissolution, i. 281, 308; + on Somnauth Proclamation, i. 469; + Maynooth grant, ii. _37_; + defeat at Edinburgh, ii. 126; + peerage, iii. 245 + +Macdonald, Captain, iii. _462_ + +---- Lt.-Col. Hon. Bosville, iii. 70 + +---- Miss, ii. 220 + +Macmahon, Mr, Conspiracy Bill debate, iii. 265 + +Macnaghten, Sir William, envoy at Cabul, i. _209_, 383; + death, i. 386 + +MacNaghten, Daniel, assassin, i. 455-459; + pronounced insane, i. 468, 469 + +MacNeill, Sir John, iii. _175_ + +Madiai, release of the, ii. 443 + +Magenis, Arthur Charles (afterwards Sir), Minister at Stockholm, +iii. _133_ + +Magenta, Duc de, iii. 461 + +Magnan, Marshal, iii. 136 + +Mahmoud, Sultan, war with Pasha of Egypt, i. _141_; + successor, i. 182 + +Mahon, Lord (afterwards fifth Earl Stanhope), _History of England_, +i. 436, 449 + +Malakhoff batteries, attack on, iii. _64_, _128_ + +---- Duc de, _see_ Pelissier + +Malcolm, Major, i. 446 + +Malegnano, Austrians defeated at, iii. _308_ + +Malmesbury, Earl of, memoirs, ii. _2_; + Foreign Secretary, ii. 372-374, 397; + Napoleon's title, ii. _406_; + secret protocol, ii. 408; + question of Princess Adelaide of Hohenlohe's marriage, ii. 408-410, + 422; + iii. 190; + Foreign Secretary, iii. _272_; + Orsini incident, iii. 273, 274; + Danish Question, iii. 280; + and Italy, iii. 305; + proposed congress to settle Italian difficulties, iii. 325-335, + _341_, _362_; + Peers and Money Bills, iii. _379_; + and Lord Palmerston's Government, iii. 423, 429 + +Malta, English Church for, i. 138 + +Maltby, Dr Edward, Bishop of Durham, i. _122_; ii. _273_ + +Mamelon, capture of, iii. _64_, _126_ + +Manchester, riot, i. 422-424; + Chartist fiasco, ii. 169 + +---- Duchess of (afterwards Duchess of Devonshire), Mistress of +the Robes, iii. 454 + +Mangles, Mr, of East India Company, iii. 239 + +Mann, Sir Horace, i. 389 + +Manners, Lord John (afterwards seventh Duke of Rutland), ii. _17_; + Commissioner of Works, iii. 272; + on John Bright, iii. _394_; + on new Foreign Office, iii. 443 + +Manning, Marie, her execution, ii. _269_ + +Mansfield, Colonel, military adviser at Constantinople, iii. 154 + +---- Earl of, i. 429 + +Manteuffel, Baron, President of Prussian Ministry, iii. _19_, 153, _181_ + +Maria, Donna, _see_ Portugal, Queen of + +Mario, opera singer, ii. 253 + +Maritime Law, International, iii. _183_ + +Markham, General, death, of, iii. 153 + +Marmora, General La, Sardinian General, iii. _66_, 134, _135_, 168 + +Maronites, iii. _380_ + +Marriage Act, i. _43_ + +Marston, North, repair of church, ii. _392_ + +Martin, Rev. Francis, bursar, Trinity Coll., Cambridge, i. 348 + +---- Sir Theodore, _Life of Prince Consort_, iii. _41_, _137_; + last draft prepared by Prince Consort, iii. 469 + +Mary, Princess, _see_ Gloucester, Duchess of + +---- of Cambridge, Princess (afterwards Duchess of Teck), proposed +marriage of, iii. _206_, 209 + +Maryborough, Lady, i. 223 + +Mason, Mr, Confederate Envoy, iii. 466 + +Mathew, Father, ii. 88 + +Maule, Mr Fox, _see_ Panmure, Lord + +Maundy money, ii. 37 + +Maurice, Rev. F. D., ii. 46 + +Maximilian, Archduke, _see_ Ferdinand + +Mayne, Richard, Commissioner of Police, ii. 169 + +Maynooth Roman Catholic College, grant, ii. _30_, 36, 37, 75 + +Mazzini, ii. 440; iii. _359_ + +Mecklenburg, Prince Charles of, i. 6 + +Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Frederic William, Grand Duke of, i. 431, _435_ + +Medals, Peninsular, ii. 109-113; + East India Company, ii. 200; + Crimea, iii. 56, 116; + distribution of, iii. 127 + +Medjid, Abdul, Sultan, i. 182; + interview with Duke of Cambridge, iii. 27 + +Meer Shere Mahommed, i. 481 + +Meerut, revolt at, iii. _224_ + +Melbourne, Viscount, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, +i. 20; + Ministry, i. 24; + i. 67; + Queen's confidence in and appreciation of, i. 74, 79, 158, 159, + 174, 189, 192; + letter to Queen on accession, i. 74; + interview with Queen, i. 76; + arrangements for King William IV.'s funeral, i. 80, 81; + King Leopold's appreciation of, i. 81, 82, 87, 116, 134, 145, + 175, 190; + Duke of Wellington's opinion of, i. 83; + indisposition, i. 84; + politics, i. 89; + visit to the Queen, i. 92; + Canadian troubles, i. 98, 99, 100, 103, 127-129, 133, 135-137; + i. _102_; + Coronation arrangements, i. 114, 115; + Belgium and Holland, i. 118, 135; + ceremony, i. 122-125; + Cabinet crisis, i. 147, 149, 150; + resignation, i. 154, 155; + advises the Queen, i. 155, 156, 160, 161, 162, 164; + Queen's distress at parting, i. 156, 159; + Queen's refusal of Peel's terms, i. 167; + Prince Albert's declaration, i. 196; + Turco-Egyptian Convention, i. 227-232; + overtures to France, i. 231; + Eastern difficulties, i. 237-239; + criticism on his future correspondence with the Queen, i. _254_, + 330, 331, 340, 353, 360, 361; + Ministry in jeopardy, i. 268-287; + dissolution, i. 301; + takes leave of the Queen, i. 306; + portrait of, i. 333, 337; + on division of high offices of State, i. 357; + address from Derby, i. 369; + visit to the Queen, i. 371, 372, 451, 512; + serious illness, i. 376, 438; + on his health, i. 449, 453, 458, 462, 467, 474, 483; + Queen's visit to, i. 483; + on old age, ii. 8; + opinion of Emperor of Russia, ii. 17; + crisis in Parliament, ii. 18; + on Scotland, ii. 24; + Queen's letters to, ii. 36, 42; + Sir R. Peel's resignation, ii. 51, 52, 67; + political views of, ii. 92; + Queen's advance of money to, ii. _140_; + Queen's birthday congratulations to, ii. 164; + death, ii. 203 + +Melvill, Sir James, Chief Secretary, East India Company, iii. 299 + +Mendizabal, Don Juan Alvarez y, Spanish statesman, i. _44_; + Queen's opinion of, i. 59 + +Menschikoff, Prince, the Eastern Question, ii. _431_, 442, _449_ + +Mensdorff-Pouilly, Comte Emmanuel de, marriage, i. 97, 396, 404; +ii. 333 + +Meredith, Mr, ii. _48_ + +Metcalfe, Sir Charles (afterwards Lord), Governor-General of Canada, +i. 454, 508; + retirement, ii. 46, 94 + +Metchersky, Princess, iii. 387 + +Metternich, Prince, i. 190, 192, 231, 232, 236, 359, 487, 512; +ii. 4, 114; + a fugitive, ii. _141_, 170, 171; + Italian Question, iii. 370, 375, _412_ + +Meyendorff, Baron, Austrian Foreign Minister, ii. _457_ + +Meyer, Miss Eugenie, i. 461 + +Michael, Grand Duke, visit to the Queen, i. 494, 501 + +Miguel, Dom, i. _43_; ii. 118; iii. _10_ + +Milan, surrender of, ii. _191_; + insurrection, ii. _440_; + French Emperor and King Emmanuel enter, iii. _308_ + +Milanese rising against Austria, ii. _141_ + +Miles, Mr, M.P. for Bristol, on Sugar Duties, ii. _17_; iii. 78 + +Militia, reconstruction, ii. _141_; + Bill, ii. 367, 368, 374, 380, 388; + carried, ii. 388, 440; + iii. 71 + +Milner Gibson, Mr, iii. _223_; + Conspiracy Bill Debate, iii. _261_, 265, _266_, 267; + President of the Board of Trade, iii. 349; + Abolition of Paper Duties Bill, iii. 401, 403 + +Milnes, R. Monckton (afterwards Lord Houghton), iii. 76 + +Ministers of State, duties of, i. 106; iii. 68, 69 + +Minto, Earl of, First Lord of the Admiralty, i. 281, 308; ii. 86, +107, _115_; + special mission to the Vatican, ii. 128, _183_; + ii. 196, 236; + Pope's opinion of, iii. 356 + +Modena, Duke of, ii. 174 + +Mohammedan schools, ii. 29; + Indian Mutiny, iii. 251 + +Moldavia, iii. _262_ + +Mole, Count, French Premier and Foreign Secretary, i. 95 + +Molesworth, Sir William, at the Office of Works, ii. 422; + Government of 1855, iii. 98; + Board of Works, iii. 104; + death, iii. _148_ + +Monro, Major, i. 315 + +Montebello, battle of, iii. _308_ + +Montemolin, Count of, ii. 89, 90 + +Montijo, Mdlle. Eugenie de (Empress of the French), parentage, +marriage to Napoleon, ii. _435_, 435, 436; + ii. 437; + visit to England, iii. 117; + Queen's opinion of, iii. 122, 137; + Queen's letter to, _re_ Treaty of Paris, iii. 207, 208; + attempted assassination of, iii. _261_, _264_; + tour in Scotland and England, iii. _415_; + visit to the Queen, iii. 418, 419 + +Montjoye, Madame de, ii. 165 + +Montpensier, Duc de, i. 439, 501; ii. 22, 23, 24, 32; + engagement to the Infanta, ii. _72_, 99, 100, 102, 107, 148, + _149_, 155, 164, 172 + +Montreal, i. 508 + +Moodkee, ii. _31_, _76_ + +Mooltan, insurrection, ii. 196, _208_ + +_Morning Chronicle_, i. 374; ii. _34_, 86, 172; iii. 7, 8, 463 + +_Morning Post_, iii. 337 + +Morocco, ii. 4 + +Morpeth, Viscount (afterwards Earl of Carlisle), _see_ Carlisle + +Morris, Mr, Governor of the Bank, ii. 129 + +Morton, Earl of, i. 499 + +Mouravieff, General, takes Kars fortress, iii. _64_ + +Muich, Loch, Queen's visit to, ii. 321, 392 + +Municipal Corporations, i. 43 + +Munro, Lieutenant, duel, i. _485_ + +Munster, Earl of, Governor of Windsor Castle, tragic death, i. 387, 390 + +Muntz, George Frederick, M.P., Birmingham, iii. 79 + +Murat, Madame de, ii. 154 + +---- Joachim, formerly King of Naples, iii. _428_ + +Murray, Sir George, Commander-in-Chief for Ireland, i. 420 + +---- George, Bishop of Rochester, iii. 417 + +Muscat, Imam of, list of presents for the Queen, i. 406 + +Musgrave, Dr, Bishop of Hereford (afterwards Archbp. of York), ii. 135 + +Mutiny Act, ii. 447 + + + +Naas, Lord (afterwards Earl of Mayo), + Chief Secretary for Ireland, iii. 277 + +Nagpur, annexation of, iii. _178_ + +Nana Sahib, perfidy of, iii. _238_, _351_ + +Nanking, i. _370_, _442_ + +Napier, Sir Charles (General), Scinde victory, i. 481; + G.C.B., i. 484; + Governor of Scinde, i. _503_; + receives the thanks of both Houses, ii. _1_; + succeeds Lord Gough, ii. _208_, 215; + resignation, ii. 259 + +---- Sir Charles (Admiral), i. _252_; + commands the Baltic Fleet, iii. _1_, _2_, 10, _16_; + capture of Bomarsund, iii. _36_ + +---- Sir George, Governor of Cape Colony, i. 427 + +Naples, cholera panic, i. 52; + slight on English Government, iii. 140, 141; + seizure of the _Cagliari_, iii. _262_, _275_; + triumphal entry by King of Sardinia and Garibaldi, iii. _380_; + flight of Francis II., iii. 380, 408; + revolution doctrines, iii. _383_, 397; + absorption of, iii. 428 + +---- Francis II., King of, amnesty granted, iii. 311; + letter to the Queen, iii. 409; + reply, iii. 412; + character, iii. 418 + +Napoleon I., Emperor, iii. 139, _274_, _354_ + +---- Louis (afterwards Napoleon III., Emperor of the French), +lands at Boulogne, i. _209_, 228; + President of the French Republic, ii. _141_, 178; + elections, ii. 204, 205; + writes to Queen Victoria, ii. 210; + ii. 212, 213; + universal suffrage, ii. _283_; + _coup d'etat_ in Paris, ii. 334-340; + assumes Imperial title, projected marriage, ii. _356_, _406_, 408, 422; + Queen Victoria's opinion of, ii. 360, 362, 366, 374, 378; + title of Emperor, ii. 389; + his position, ii. 390; + anecdote of, ii. 397; + and England, ii. 398, 401; + Queen Victoria's letter to, ii. 406; + annoyance with the Powers, ii. 422; + his title, ii. 433; + Eastern Question, ii. _432_, 442; + marriage, ii. 434, _435_; + interview with Prince Albert, iii. _1_; + and Russia, iii. 6; + interview with Duke of Cambridge, iii. 24-26; + visit from Prince Albert, iii. _41_; + visit to England with the Empress, iii. _63_; + Palmerston's letter to, iii. _105_; + proposes to take command at the Crimea, iii. 110, _111_, 111; + visit to England, iii. _117_; + festivities and investiture, iii. _117_; + letter to the Queen, iii. 118; + and reply, 119; + and Austria's proposed Crimean settlement, iii. _120_; + attempts on his life, iii. 121; + Queen's opinion of, iii. 122, 122-126, 138; + Queen's visit to France, iii. 135-137; + attempt on his life, iii. 142; + desire to +terminate hostilities, iii. _150_; + correspondence with the Queen on the ultimatum, iii. 162, 164, 172, + 185, 188; + council of war at Paris, iii, 165, 169; + interview with Lord Clarendon, iii. 175; + birth of Prince Imperial, iii. 181; + Treaty of Peace, iii. 221; + on proposed marriage of Prince Frederick William of Prussia, iii. 220; + Egypt and Morocco, iii. 221; + his feelings towards England, iii. 232; + visit to England, iii. 240; + attempted assassination of, iii. _261_, _264_; + and the Carbonari Club, iii. 273; + and Italy, iii. 305; + confederacy with Sardinia, iii. _308_, _331_; + entry into Milan, and conclusion of peace, iii. _308_; + _Napoleon et l'Italie_, iii. _313_; + war with Austria, iii. _313_-315, 321, 332, _333_; + proposed congress, iii. 326; + rumoured treaty with Russia, iii. 329; + French victories, iii. _353_; + conclusion and terms of peace, iii. _354_, _359_, _361_; + annexation of Savoy and Nice, iii. _379_, 385, 391-393, 397; + policy in Syria, iii. _380_; + _The Pope and the Congress_ pamphlet, iii. 382; + Italian policy, iii. 385; + stormy interview with Lord Cowley, iii. 390-394; + New Year's letter to the Queen, iii. 423; + reply, iii. 427; + Italian Question, iii. 432; + on death of Cavour, iii. _441_; + King of Sweden, iii. 448; + Mexico, iii. 453; + interview with King of Prussia, iii. 467 + +---- Bonaparte, Prince Jerome, iii. _160_, _331_ + +---- Eugene Louis Jean Joseph, Prince Imperial, birth, iii. 181, 182 + +Narvaez, General, ii. 241 + +Nasmyth, Lieutenant, siege of Silistria, iii. _35_ + +Nassau, Prince of, iii. 205 + +National Gallery, ii. 315; iii. 196 + +Navigation Laws, i. _278_; ii. 184; + repeal of, ii. _208_, 219; iii. _2_ + +Navy, African squadron, ii. 366; + Admiralty appointments, ii. 373; + national defences, ii. 396, 398; + bombardment of Odessa, iii. 26; + Bomarsund, iii. 36; + battle of the Alma, iii. 44; + Balaklava and Sebastopol, iii. 50; + hurricane at Balaklava, iii. _56_; + second Baltic expedition, iii. 115; + want of a dockyard in Scotland, iii. 151; + retrenchments, iii. 188; + position of, iii. 191; + peace establishment, iii. 191; + fleet sent to Black Sea, iii. _208_; + want of ships and state of, iii. 242, 279, 297; + use for Indian Mutiny, iii. 250; + proposed increase, iii. 312, 330; + change in naval uniform, iii. 402 + +Neild, J. C., leaves fortune to Queen Victoria, ii. 392 + +Neill, General, death of, iii. 254, 259 + +Neipperg, Count, marriage i. 439 + +Nelson, Lord, proposed pension for children of his adopted daughter, +iii. 40, 41 + +Nemours, Duchesse de, _see_ Victoire, Princess + +---- Duc de, i. 63, 65; + at Constantin, i. 96; + marriage, i. _149_; + i. 414, 439, 495, 498, 506; ii. 5, 148, 153, 154, 164, 167, 173, + 185, 204, 354, 360; iii. 6; + death of his wife, iii. _254_ + +Nesselrode, Count, Russian Minister, ii. _452_, 456; iii. 12 + +Netherlands, King of the, _see_ Holland, King William Second of + +Neuchatel, ii. 138; + rising in canton of, iii. _214_ + +Neuilly, Queen's visit to, iii. 136 + +Neumann, M. de, Austrian Minister, i. 46, 232, 497 + +Newcastle, Duke of, _see_ Lincoln, Earl of + +New Forest, ii. 282 + +Newhaven, King Louis Philippe's flight to, ii. 159 + +Newman, Mr, ii. 130 + +Newport, riot at, i. _141_, 201 + +New Zealand, native troubles, ii. _31_; + constitution granted, ii. _357_ + +Ney, Edgar, ii. 387 + +---- General, iii. 182 + +Nice, annexation to France, iii. _379_, _385_, 391-393, 397 + +Nicholas, _see_ Russia, Emperor of + +---- Prince, of Nassau, visit to the Queen, ii. 354 + +Nicholson, General, death of, iii. 254 + +Nicolas, Grand Duke, iii. 457 + +Nicols, Lieut.-Gen. Sir Jasper, Commander-in-Chief, India, i. 444 + +Nightingale, Miss Florence, iii. _2_; + arrival at Scutari, iii. _62_; + Queen's letter of thanks to, iii. 170; + presentation to, iii. _170_ + +Nine Elms Station, ii. 133 + +Ningpo, i. 441 + +Norbury, Lord, assassination of, i. 144 + +Norfolk, Duchess of (governess to Royal children), i. 397, 484, 485; + Papal brief, ii. _273_, 277 + +---- Duke of, Coronation, i. 122; + refusal of Garter, iii. 227 + +Normanby, Marquess of, Canada, i. 129; + Home Secretary, i. _141_, 308; + Lord-Lieut. of Ireland, i. 143, 281; + i. 509; ii. 100, 104; + Ambassador-Extraordinary at Paris, ii. 190, 192, 206; + _coup d'etat_, Paris, ii, 334-341; + Palmerston's +conduct to, ii. 334, 336, 338, 341, 344, 354, 363 + +Normanby, Marchioness of, _coup d'etat_ in Paris, ii. 336-341 + +Normandy, ii. 4 + +North, Colonel, iii. 76 + +---- Lord (afterwards Earl of Guilford), i. 358 + +Northumberland, Duke of, ii. 303, 305, 306, 392 + +---- Duchess of, first Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen, i. 64; + ill-health, ii. 376 + +Norton, Mrs. ii. _48_ + +Norway and Sweden, iii. _134_. _See_ also Sweden + +Nott, General (afterwards Sir William), Afghanistan, i. _370_, _402_, +_443_, 444 + +Nottingham election, i. 264 + +Novara, battle of, ii. 219 + +Nuneham, Queen's Visit to, i. 291 + + + +Oaths Bill, iii. _262_ + +O'Brien, Smith, Young Ireland agitation, ii. _141_ + +_Ocean Monarch_, emigrant ship, burnt, ii. _193_ + +O'Connell, Daniel, agitator, i. 106, 130, 425, _450_; + arrest, i. 496; + release, ii. _1_; + ii. 8, _141_ + +O'Connor, Feargus, people's charter, ii. _141_; + Kennington Common meeting, ii. 168, 169 + +Odessa, bombardment of, iii. _27_ + +Olozaga, Mons., iii. 51 + +Oltenitza, ii. _432_ + +Omar Pasha, Turkish Commander, iii. _31_ + +Opera, Queen at the, ii. 14 + +Oporto, Louis, Duc de, brother to King Pedro V of Portugal, iii. 332, +_457_, 465 + +Orange, Prince of, _see_ Holland + +---- Prince William Nicholas of (son of King William), iii. 185 + +-----River Free State, ii. _142_; iii. 201 + +Orders, right of British subjects to accept Foreign, ii. 5 + +Oregon, end of boundary dispute, ii. 82 + +Orleanists, and French Revolution, ii. 148-162; + blunders of, ii. 164 + +Orleans, Duke of, i. 63, 94; + death, i. 408, 409, 415, 416 + +---- Duchess of, ii. _334_ + +---- Princess Louise of, _see_ Belgians, Queen of + +---- Princess Marie of, i. 65; + marriage and death, i. 144 + +---- family, ii. 321, 360, 379; iii. 7, 139 + +Orloff, Princess, iii. 387 + +---- Count, Russian Ambassador, i. 86; iii. 204 + +Orsini, of the Carbonari Society, execution of, iii. _261_, _264_, _274_ + +Osborne, Ralph Bernal, Secretary of the Admiralty, ii. 423; iii. 78, +275, 443, 444 + +---- Queen's purchase of, ii, 35, 36; + Queen's occupation of, ii. 42 + +Oscar, Prince, of Sweden, iii. 195, 397; + visit to the Queen, iii. 447, 448, 450 + +Otho, King of Greece, ii. 199 + +Oudh, placed under British control, iii. _159_, 176; + Mutiny, iii. _224_, 238; + Proclamation, iii. _262_, _281_, 282, 291 + +Oudinot, Gen., ii. _208_, _387_ + +Oultremont, Countess de, i. _210_ + +Outram, General (afterwards Sir James), war with Persia, iii. 159; + annexation of Oudh, iii. _177_; + Indian Mutiny, iii. 249, 255; + Oudh, Proclamation, iii. _262_, 291 + +Overstone, Lord, _see_ Loyd + +Oxford, Bishop of, _see_ Wilberforce + +---- tracts, i. 373 + +Owen, Sir Edward, i. 384 + + + +Pacifico, Don, Claim against Greek Government, ii. _231_, 235, 239, _240_, +_243_, 248, 252, _253_, _256_ + +Paget, General Sir Edward, G.C.B., i. 420 + +---- Lady Adelaide, i. 121 + +---- Lord, Lord Melbourne's page, i. 125 + +Pakenham, Sir R., Minister at Lisbon, ii. 286 + +Pakington, Sir John (afterwards Lord Hampton), First Lord of the Admiralty, +iii. 272, 278, 280; + French naval preparations, iii. 297, 328 + +Palermo, occupation of, by Garibaldi, iii. _380_ + +Palmella, Duc de, ii. _72_, 109 + +Palmer, Colonel, i. _402_ + +---- Mr, ii. 273 + +---- Sir Roundell, Solicitor-General, iii. 467, 477 + +Palmerston, Viscount, his political power and views, i. _30_; + i. 54, 62; + speech on Spanish affairs, i. 66; + i. 72, 82; + visits Queen Victoria, i. 92; + power of officials in public offices, i. 106; + i. 113, 119; + illness, i. 143; + Belgium and Holland, i. 145; + marriage, i. 201; + Eastern crisis, i. _227_-240; + views on France, i. 233, 246; + China and opium trade, i. 260, 261; + votes for dissolution, i. 281; + Foreign Secretary, i. 308; + _Morning Chronicle_, i. 374; + and Lord Grey, ii. 59; + possible Foreign Secretary, ii. 60; + desire for peace, ii. 68; + and Lord Aberdeen, ii. 85, 86; + Spanish marriage question, ii. _90_, 95, 97-103, 107; + incurs Queen's displeasure, ii. 136, 171, 182, 193, 195, 221, 222, + 223-236, 240, 241, 248, 256; + attack on Portuguese Government, ii. _179_, 180; + anti-Austrian sympathy, ii. 182; + France and Austria, ii. 186, 192, _193_; + Lord Normanby's appointment to Paris, ii. 189, 206; + Italian policy, ii. 197; + despatch about Greece, ii. 199; + supplies arms to insurgents, ii. _211_; + proposed removal of, ii. 212, 235; + methods for redress of wrongs, ii. 229; + hostility against Greece, ii. _231_; + Haynau trouble, ii. _231_; + case of Don Pacifico and Mr Finlay, ii. _231_, 233-240, _243_, + _244_, 252, _253_; + draft to Greece, ii. 234, 235; + Prince Consort's memoranda on his Foreign Policy, ii. 235, 243, 260, 261; + and Spain, ii. 240; + Lord J. Russell's offer to resign, ii. 243, 244; + speech on Foreign Policy, ii. 252; + Schleswig draft, ii. 258; + removal of, considered, ii. 260-263; + Press attacks on, ii. 263; + duties of a Foreign Secretary, ii. 263; + Haynau despatch, ii. 267-270; + Austria and Prussia, ii. 274; + reception of Kossuth, ii. _283_, 325-331; + Louis Napoleon, ii. _283_; + diplomatic changes, ii. 285, 312; + _coup d'etat_, approval of, ii. 334-341; + difference with Lord Normanby, ii. 334-340; + dismissal from office, ii. 342-349; + inconsistency of, ii. 344; + absence from Council explained, ii. 350; + explanation in the House, ii. 362-364; + Militia Bill, ii. _367_, 368, 385, 386; + refusal to serve under Lord Derby, ii. 369, 370; + and Lord John Russell, ii. 378, 379, 382; iii. 58; + power to appoint Commander-in-Chief, ii. 394; + his aims, ii. 403, 404; + Home Office, ii. 420; + illness, ii. 428, 430; + Eastern Question, ii. _432_; + peculiar position of, ii. 451, 457; + objection to Reform proposals, ii. 465, 466; iii. _20_, 22, 23, 24; + resignation, ii. 467; + withdraws his resignation, ii. _472_; + speech at Reform Club, iii. _26_; + Austrian alliance, iii. _51_, + and the War Office, iii. _53_; + iii. 57; + forms a Government, iii. _63_; + on Lord John Russell's resignation, iii. 72; + Premier, iii. 76-78; + position on Lord Derby's and Lord John Russell's failure to form +a Government, iii. 84, 85, 87-96; + forms a Government, iii. 97-104; + letter to Napoleon, iii. _105_; + Roebuck Committee, iii. 109; + Lord John Russell's resignation, iii. 131; + Neapolitan affront, iii. _141_; + Queen's congratulations on Treaty of Peace, 1856, iii. 186; + made K.G., iii. 187; + condition of defence, iii. _192_; + obtains majority in House of Commons, iii. _223_; + _resume_ of events, iii. 225, 226; + dissolution on China War debate, iii. 229, _231_; + Indian Mutiny, iii. 234, 239, 241-248; + financial crisis, iii. 255-257; + Ministry defeated over right of asylum, iii. _261_; + resignation, iii. 266-268; + iii. 272, 276; + India Bill, iii. 279; + iii. 288, 290; + his unpopularity, iii. 300; + new Reform Bill, iii. _307_; + reconciliation with Lord J. Russell, iii. _307_; + forms a Government, iii. _307_, 344-348; + foreign affairs, iii. _324_; + and John Bright, iii. _350_; + Committee on Military Departments, iii. 351; + differences with the Queen on Italian policy, iii. 361-373; 374-378; + Peers and Money Bills, iii. _379_, 401; + W. E. Gladstone's resignation, iii. 402, 403; + privilege resolution, iii. 404; + proposed visit of Emperor of Austria, iii. 409; + appointments of bishops, iii. 416; + overtures from Conservative leaders, iii. _420_; + _resume_ of political situation, iii. 422, 423, 429; + Italian Question, iii. 427, 428; + Garibaldi letter, iii. 432, 434; + presses for Mr Layard's appointment, iii. 443-447; + _Times_ newspaper, iii. 462-464 + +Panmure, Lord (Mr Fox Maule), afterwards Earl of Dalhousie, Under Secretary +for Home Office, and Secretary for War, i. 221; ii. 345; iii. 61; + War Minister, iii. _63_, 90, 98, 104; + Crimean medals, iii. 116; + fall of Sebastopol, iii. 142, 143; + G.C.B., iii. 146; + Land Transport, iii. 157; + no troops at the camp, iii. 196; + Indian Mutiny, iii. 235, 236; + increase of Army, iii. 256, 260; + new Cabinet, iii. 272 + +Panshanger, Earl Cowper's residence, i. 151; + Queen's visit to, i. 296 + +Papal aggression, ii. 272, 273, 277-282, 294, 299, 307 + +Paper Duties, Bill for Abolition of, thrown out, iii. 401; + passed, iii. _420_ + +Paris, Comte de, birth, i. _243_; + christening, i. 266, 267; + Federal Army, iii. 453 + +---- question of an Ambassador, ii. 189; + _coup d'etat_, ii. 334-340; + Queen's visit to, iii. 135, 136; + Treaty of, iii. _160_, 167, 207, 208, _214_ + +Parke, Baron (afterwards Lord Wensleydale), i. 419; iii. _158_ + +Parker, Admiral Sir Wm., successes in China, i. _254_, _370_, 441; + G.C.B., i. 444; + Italy, ii. 128; + commands Mediterranean fleet, ii. 229, _235_ + +---- Society, i. 259 + +Parks, the Royal, ii. 259 + +Parliament, new Houses of, ii. 363 + +Parliamentary reform, ii. 458 + +Parma, Duke of, ii. 174 + +Parma, Duchess of, iii. 355 + +Pasha, the Capitan, treachery of, i. 179 + +---- of Egypt, _see_ Mehemet Ali + +----Omar, _see_ Omar + +Passport Question, iii. 277 + +Pate, Robert, assault on the Queen, ii. _231_ + +Patriotic Fund, established, iii. _2_ + +Paul, Captain, ii. 157, 158 + +Paxton, Mr, ii. _231_ + +Pedro, Dom, Emperor of Brazil, i. _43_ + +---- Prince (afterwards King of Portugal, King Pedro V.); + proposed marriage of, iii. _51_, _207_, 211; + marriage of, iii. _332_; + death, iii. _420_, 465 + +Peel, Captain, of the _Shannon_, gallantry at relief of Lucknow, +iii. _252_ + +---- Lady (wife of Sir Robert Peel), ii. 280 + +---- Rev. John, Dean of Worcester, ii. 40, 41 + +---- General Jonathan, War Secretary, iii. 272, 321 + +---- Sir Robert, in opposition, i. _43_, _56_ + Glasgow speech, i. 58, 60; + Hume's attack on, i. 60; + sent for by the Queen, i. _141_; + Corn Laws, i. 148, 218, 465, 466; ii. 49; + Jamaica Government, i. 153; + i. 155, 156; + request to form a Ministry, i. 158; + Queen Victoria's impression of, i. 159; + difficulties as to appointment of Queen's Household, + i. 159-173, 268-274; + and the United States, i. 260; + Lord Melbourne's opinion of, i. 161; + Free Trade, i. 279; ii. 66; + vote of censure, i. 286; + i. 302, 305; + Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, i. 308; + interview with the Queen, i. 309; + Roman Catholics, i. 365; ii. _30_; + King Leopold's opinion of, i. 462; + Queen's visit to, i. 509; + Queen's appreciation of, ii. 16, 64, 85; + Prince Albert's title, ii. 34; + resignation and interview with Prince Albert, ii. 48, 51; + his attitude, ii. 53, 54; + returned to office, ii. 58-66; + comprehensive scheme, ii. 66; + speech on opening of Parliament, ii. 73; + objection to Prince Albert's memo, of their conversation, ii. 76; + explanation, ii. _73_, 79; + personal defence, ii. 79, 80; + resignation, ii. 80, 82; + account of his speech, ii. 82, 83; + takes leave of the Queen, ii. 85, 87; + and Prince Albert, ii. 93; + ii. _115_; + supports the Ministry, ii. _123_; + accident and death, ii. _231_, _253_-255 + +---- Frederick (afterwards Right Hon. Sir Frederick), maiden speech, +ii. 219 + +Peelites, ii. 359, 368, 375, 403, _404_; + position in Government of 1852, ii. 412, 413, 414; iii. _63_; + Lord John Russell's resignation, iii. 75; + Government of 1855, iii. 82, 83, 85, 88, 89, 91, 94, 98, 101, 108; + retirement of, iii. _109_; + Chinese debate, iii. _223_, _231_; + conspiracy debate, iii. 266; + return to power, iii. _307_ + +Peers, right of audience, i. 335, 343; + powers in Money Bills, iii. _379_ + +Pelissier, General (afterwards Duc de Malakhoff), Commander of the +French army, iii. _64_, _126_, _129_; + Queen's congratulations to, iii. 143; + becomes Duc de Malakhoff, iii. _143_; + iii. 154, 276, 314, _333_ + +Pennefather, Chief Justice of the Irish Queen's Bench, i. 352 + +Penny postage introduced, i. _141_, 176 + +People's Charter riots, i. _141_; ii. _141_ + +Pepys, Henry, Bishop of Worcester, death, iii. 416 + +Percy, Lord Henry Hugh Manvers, K.C.B., V.C., gallantry at Inkerman, +iii. 55 + +Perekop, Isthmus of, iii. 44 + +Perim, Island of, iii. 391 + +Perry, Sir Erskine, ex-Chief Justice of Bombay, Indian Mutiny debate, +iii. 239 + +Persia, Turkey, and England, iii. _4_; + war with England, iii. _159_; + siege of Herat, iii. _199_; + hostilities terminated, and terms of peace, iii. _223_ + +Persigny, M. de, French Ambassador in London, iii. _121_, 165, +_213_, 215; + interview with Earl of Clarendon, iii. 232; + Orsini incident, iii. 273: + resignation, iii. 276; + iii. 333; + war with Austria, iii. _353_, 369, 375; + visit to the Queen, iii. 384, 396 + +Peshawur, ii. 218 + +Peterborough, Bishop of, _see_ Davys + +Pfordten, M. von der, iii. 151 + +Philippe (second son of King Leopold I., afterwards Count of Flanders), +i. 65, 146 + +Phillimore, Dr, Counsel to the Admiralty, iii. _467_ + +Phillips, Mr T. (Mayor of Newport), knighted, i. 201 + +Philipotts, Henry, Bishop of Exeter, ii. _140_; iii. 416 + +Philpott, Canon Henry, Bishop of Worcester, iii. _417_ + +Phipps, Maria Henrietta Sophia, marriage of, iii. 169 + +---- Hon. Sir Charles, ii. 184, 378; iii. _89_, 286, 430 + +Pianori, Giacomo, iii. _122_ + +Piccolomini, Max, i. 395 + +Piedmont, war with Austria, ii. 178, 190, 191, 386, 387; + invasion of, iii. _308_ + +Piedmontese, ii. _178_, _191_ + +Pierri, execution of, iii. _261_ + +Piraeus, fleet sent to, ii. _231_ + +Pitt, William, i. 391 + +Pius IX., Pope, ii. _115_; + flight to Gaeta, ii. 204, _208_; + letter to the Queen, ii. 204; + reply, ii. 210; + Papal brief, titles for English bishops, ii. _232_, _272_; + papal aggression, ii. 273-282; + and England, iii. 310; + invasion of the Papal States, iii. _380_; + iii. 415 + +Playfair, Dr, Irish Commissioner, potato disease, ii. 48 + +Plombieres, compact of, iii. _308_, _385_ + +Poerio, iii. 312 + +Poles and Russia, ii. 15, 17 + +Polk, President (U.S.A.), ii. _30_ + +Pollock, General (afterwards Sir George), successes in Afghanistan, +i. _370_, 402, 442; + G.C.B., i. 444 + +Pollon, Count, Sardinian Minister, i. 148 + +Ponsonby, Lord (Ambassador at Constantinople), i. 232, 234; ii. 114 + +Poor Law Act, i. 20, _102_, 108, 382; + State maintenance of the poor, ii. 67; + commission, ii. 130 + +Pope, _see_ Pius IX. and Gregory XVI. + _The Pope and the Congress_, famous pamphlet, iii. _382_ + +Porte, the, i. 179; + and Austria, i. 191; + convention of 1828, i. 229, 232; + and Mehemet Ali, i. 237; + Eastern Question, ii. _431_, 441-444, _449_, 452-465, 469; +iii. _1_, 12, 13, _20_; + Turkish success, iii. _36_; + Alma, iii. _43_, 50; + Inkerman, iii. _53;_ + Four Points Negotiation, iii. _63_, 65; + protection of Christian subjects, iii. _152_ + +Portland, third Duke of, i. 357 + +---- fifth Duke of, iii. 227 + +Portugal, revolution, i. _43_, 54, 92; + and England, i. _57_, 149, 356; ii. 111, 118, 134; + and Spain, i. 59, 62; ii. 119; + new Ministry, i. _92_; + slave trade, i. 115; + insurrection, ii. _72_, 90; + civil war and constitutional troubles, ii. _109_, 116, 117, 119, + 120, 129; + Lord Palmerston's attack on, ii. _179_; + case of Don Pacifico, ii. _231_, _234_, 235, 239, _240_, _243_ + +---- King of (Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg), i. 45; + Queen's opinion of, i. 46; + Commander-in-Chief, i. 47, _55_; + Queen's letter to, on slave trade, i. 115; + and Lord Howard de Walden, i. 133 + +---- Maria da Gloria, Queen of, i. 4, _43_, _44_, 94; + letter on Queen's engagement, i. 200; + dismissal of Ministry, ii. _109_, 134; iii. 10 + +---- Stephanie, Queen of, iii. 332, 466 + +---- Prince of, the Pope sponsor to, i. 392 + +Post Office, inauguration of penny post, i. 141, 176; + Sunday delivery, ii. 244 + +Pottinger, Sir Henry, successes in China, i. _254_, 265; + G.C.B., i. 444; + i. 446, 447, 449 + +Powys, Captain, i. 426 + +Pozzo di Borgo, Count, Russian Ambassador, i. 67 + +Praet, Van, i. 134, 136 + +Praetorius, Dr, i. 361 + +Praslin, Duchesse de, murdered by her husband, ii. _115_, 128 + +Prescott (Canada), i. _136_ + +---- Mr, Deputy Governor of the Bank, ii. 130 + +Presentations, fatigue of receiving, i. 470, 471 + +Preston, riot, i. 424 + +Pretorius, Boer leader, ii. _200_ + +Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne on origin of term, i. 358 + +Primogeniture, i. _56_ +_Prince_, loss of the steamer, at Balaklava, iii. _56_ + +Principalities, the Danubian, Russia's invasion of, iii. _1_, 12, +_13_, 17, 32; + relinquishment of Russia's protectorate, iii. _152_, _158_, 180, + _233_, _262_ + +Prior, Matthew, i. 504 + +Privilege Question, i. _209_ + +Property, qualification, i. _56_ + +Protection, i. _278_; ii. 66, 293, 294; + Lord Derby, ii. 384; + abandoned by Disraeli, ii. _404_ + +Protectionists, ii. 66, _71_, 81, 83, 86, 123, 216, _231_; + check to, ii. 233, 248, _283_, 289, 298, 315, 384, 468; iii. 88 + +Protestant, Prince Consort's declaration, i. 203-205; + Low Church bigotry, ii. 37; + Church in Ireland, ii. 83 + +Proxy, voting, i. _56_ + +Prussia (_see_ Prussia, King of), and Holland, i. 119; ii. 275, 278; + Eastern Question, ii. _452_; + alliance with Austria, iii. _1_; + position in impending war, iii. 17, 115; + and England, iii. 161; + admission to war conference, iii. 171, 181 + +---- King of (Frederick William IV.), i. 365; + visit to Queen Victoria, i. 376, 378-380; + on Swiss quarrels, ii. 137; + on French Revolution, ii. 150; + declines Imperial Crown of Germany, ii. _219_; + Diet of Erfurt, ii. 229; + peace with Denmark, ii. 254; + and Austria, ii. 276, 280; + Queen Victoria's letter to, on his position, iii. 17; + reply, iii. 28; + Russia's influence over, iii. 31; + letter from the Queen, iii. 107; + iii. 454; + account of his death, iii. 420, 423-426 + +Prussia, Queen of, iii. 425, 426 + +Prussia, Prince of (afterwards King William I.), visit to Queen Victoria, +ii. 172, 251, 253; + a refugee, ii. _176_; + Queen's appreciation of, ii. 256; + coronation, iii. _455_, 456-459; + interview with Napoleon, iii. 467 + +---- Prince Frederick William of (afterwards Emperor Frederick), +question of marriage, iii. 142, 146, 147, 182, 195, 205, 220; + marriage to the Princess Royal, iii. 253, _261_, 455; + birth of a son (present Emperor), iii. 314; + death of the King of Prussia, iii. 423-426; + coronation of the King and Queen of Prussia, iii. 456-459 + +---- Marie Louise Augusta, Princess of (grandmother of present German +Emperor), ii. 106, 318, 319; + Queen writes to, on death of Czar, iii. 112 + +Pulteney, Mr (afterwards Earl of Bath), i. 391 + +Punjab (_see_ India), ii. _142_, 196; + annexation of, ii. _208_, 220; iii. _178_ + +Puseyites, ii. 16, 273, 277, 282, 376 + + + +Quadruple Alliance, i. _488_; ii. 353 + + + +Rachel, Madame, i. 290 + +Racine, Jean Baptiste (1639-1699), tragedian and poet, i. 40 + +Radetzky, Marshal, Austrian General, ii. _141_, _178_, _182_; + defeats Piedmontese at Custozza, ii. _191_, _219_ + +Radicals, i. _56_, 66, _90_; ii. 123, 216, 313, _364_, 403; + defeat Government on House Tax, ii. 411-413; + inclusion in Lord Aberdeen's Government, ii. 412-430; iii. 300 + +Radnor, third Earl of, i. 335 + +Radowitz, General, Prussian Minister for Foreign Affairs, ii. 378, 379 + +Raglan, Lady, iii. 129 + +---- Lord, _see_ Somerset, Lord Fitzroy + +Railways; accident near Reading, i. 369; + Queen's first journey on G.W.R., i. 404 + +Rajpoot Hill States, ii. 74 + +Ramnuggur, English reverse at, ii. _142_ + +Ramsgate, Queen's visit to, i. 11, 19 + +Rangoon, ii. 380 + +Raphael, painter, i. 334 + +Rawul Pindee, ii. 217 + +Rechberg, Count, Austrian Foreign Minister, iii. 409 + +Redan batteries, attack on, iii. _64_, _126_, _129_, 163, 165 + +Redschid Pasha, Turkish Minister, ii. _460_; iii. 27 + +Reeve, Henry, ii. 263 + +Reform Bill, i. _20_, _61_; ii. 294, 332, _361_, 369, _466_; + withdrawn, iii. _2_, _8_, 15, _16_, _20_, _23_, 59; + introduced by Disraeli, iii. _307_, 324 + +Reform, parliamentary and municipal, i. _20_ + +Refugee Question, ii. _440_ + +Regency Bill, i. _209_ + +Reinhardtsbrun, i. 186; ii. _45_ + +Rellstab, Louis, novelist, i. 501, 506 + +Review in Windsor Park, ii. 13; + Crimean troops at Aldershot, iii. _198_, 199, 200; + field day, 1860, iii. 400; + at Edinburgh, iii. 407 + +_Revue des Deux Mondes_, ii. 132 + +_Revue Retrospective_, ii. 183 + +Rianzares, Duke of, marriage, ii. _2_, 97 + +Rice, Mr, M.P. for Dover, iii. 78 + +Rich, Mr, iii. 79; + Baronet, iii. 477 + +Richmond, Duchess of, i. 124 + +---- Duke of, i. 122, _308_ + +Rio Janeiro, ii. _133_ + +Riots, Manchester, i. 422; + tollbar, i. _450_, 483, 492, 493; + Chartist demonstration, ii. 167, 168; + Birmingham, i. 179; + Stockport, ii. 391 + +Ripon, first Earl of (Mr Robinson), Chancellor of the Exchequer, +speech on Queen's education, i. 9, 10, 299; + President of Board of Trade, i. 309; + political history, i. _309_; ii. 65 + +River Plate, ii. 133 + +Robinson, Mr, _see_ Ripon Earl of, + +Rocky Mountains, Canada, dispute as to territory, ii. _30_ + +Roden, third Earl of, iii. 19 + +Roebuck, Mr, ii. 247, 363; + motion on conduct of Crimean War, iii. _63_, 72, 76-78; + result, iii. 78, 79; + Committee, iii. 89, 107, 108, 109, 112; + Chinese dispute, iii. _228_; + Ireland, iii. 277; + Reform Bill, iii. 324 + +Rokeby, Lord, iii. 60 + +Rolle, Lord, Queen's Coronation, i. 122 + +Rollin, Charles, _Histoire Ancienne_, i. 39 + +---- Ledru, French President, ii. _174_, 239 + +Romagna, The, assembly of, and Victor Emmanuel, iii. _308_; + iii. _380_ + +Roman Catholics, Maynooth College grant, ii. _30_, 36; + Bill, ii. 81, 84; + papal aggression, ii. _232_, 277-282, 303, 376 + +Romano, Giulio, painter, i. 334 + +Rome, Prince Albert's visit to, i. 152; + Pope's flight from, ii. 205; + and England, ii. 279; + Lord Russell's draft on the Roman Question, iii. 441 + +Romilly, Sir John, Master of the Rolls, iii. _216_ + +Rosebery, fourth Earl of, i. 62 + +Rosenau, the, ii. _45_ + +Rosslyn, Lady, i. 310 + +Rothesay, Lord Stuart de, Ambassador at St Petersburg, i. 326 + +Rothschild, Baron, iii. _262_ + +Rowan, Colonel, Commissioner of Police, ii. 167 + +Roxburgh, Duke of, i. 278 + +_Royal Charter_, wreck of, iii. _308_ + +Royal Exchange opened by the Queen, ii. _1_, 27 + +---- Princess, _see_ Victoria + +Royston, Lord, i. _384_ + +Runjeet Singh, i. 233; ii. 217; + Koh-i-noor diamond, ii. 242 + +Russell, Lord John (afterwards Earl), Irish Municipal Bill, i. _66_; + Leader of the House, i. 77; + result of the elections, i. 90; + i. 106; + death of his wife, i. 130, 131, 133; + Home Secretary, i. _141_; + civil government of the Army, i. 147; + Corn Laws, i. 148, 381; + politics, i. 267, 277, 278, 281; + Sugar Duties, i. 274; + Colonial Secretary, i. 308; + political career of, i. _309_; + reply to Plymouth address, i. 365; + opposition to Income Tax Bill, i. 406; + conversion to repeal of Corn Laws, ii. _30_, 49; + views on Queen's absence from England, ii. 43; + unable to form a Government, ii. 58-60, 70; + resignation of Sir R. Peel, ii. 80, 81; + undertakes to form a Government, ii. 83, 86; + pensions, ii. 88; + Queen's views on a dissolution, ii. 91; + Spanish marriage difficulties, ii. 96-103, 107; + Portuguese and Spanish affairs, ii. 117, 118, 119, 132; + possible dissolution, ii. 121; + crisis in the City, ii. 130; + birth of second son, ii. _170_; + difficulty as to despatches, ii. _179_, 220, 221, 222; + Germany, ii. 229; + case of Don Pacifico and Mr Finlay, ii. 233-236, 242; + report, ii. 243; + Prince Albert's memos. on Lord Palmerston's Foreign Policy, +ii. 235, 243, 260, 261; + offer to resign, ii. 243; + on Lord Palmerston's removal, ii. 262; + Haynau despatch, ii. 267-270; + on Ritualism, "No Popery," ii. _273_; + and Sir James Graham, ii. 286; + defeat of Government, ii. 288, 289, + resignation of, ii. 290; + failures to form a new Government, ii. 289-308; + memo. as to uniting with Peelites, ii. 296; + old Government to continue, ii. 312; + memo. on state of Government, ii. 313; + Palmerston's reception of Kossuth, ii. 324-331; + Parliamentary Reform, ii. 332, 333; + Lord Palmerston's approval of _coup d'etat_, Paris, ii. 334-340; + dismissal of Lord Palmerston, ii. 342; + and Lord Palmerston's successor, ii. 343-347; + discomfiture of Lord Palmerston in the House, ii. 362-364; + resignation, ii. 367; + Lord Grey's opinion of, ii. 374, 375; + and Lord Palmerston, ii. 379; + ii. 381; + on dissolution, ii. 382; + Militia Bill blunder, ii. 387; + education, ii. 390; + ii. 403; + refusal of Foreign Office, ii. 413-418; + accepts Foreign Office, ii. 422-427; + resigns Foreign Secretaryship, ii. _431_; + Leadership without office, ii. 438; + pledged to introduction of Reform Bill, ii. _451_ + possible retirement, ii. 457, 458; + war measures, ii. 467; + President of the Council, iii. _1_, 34; + withdraws Reform Bill, iii. _2_, _8_, 15, _16_, _23_; + incomprehensible actions, iii. _21_, 22; + Disraeli's attack on, iii. _38_; + Austrian alliance, iii. 48, 50; + urges more vigorous measures, iii. _53_; + proposed resignation, iii. 57-60; + and Mr Kennedy's loss of office, iii. 61; + Ministry defeated, resignation, iii. _64_, 72, 74, 79; + visit to Paris, iii. _69_; + failure to form a Government, iii. 87-96; + Government of 1855, iii. 98; + Vienna Conference, iii. _64_, _105_; + Colonial Office, iii. _109_, 110; + Austria's proposed terms of Crimean settlement, iii. _120_; + attacks on, and resignation, iii. _121_, _131_, 132, _133_; + iii. 190; + Chinese dispute, iii. _223_, _228_; + and the House of Lords, iii. 227; + retains his seat, iii. _231_; + financial crisis, iii. 256; + Conspiracy Bill, iii. _266_; + Reform Bill, iii. 276; + India Bill, iii. 279; + competitive examinations, iii. 297; + new Reform Bill, iii. _307_, 324; + reconciliation with Palmerston, iii. _307_; + Foreign Secretary, iii 345-349; + France and Austria, iii. 352; + differences with the Queen on Italian policy, iii. 361-373, 374-378, + 382-390, 395-398; + Reform Bill, iii. _379_; + revolution doctrines, iii. 383; + despatch to French Government, iii. 390; + Abolition of Paper Duties Bill, iii. 401-404; + proposed visit of Emperor of Austria, iii. 409; + disagreement with Palmerston, iii. _420_, 423; + goes to the House of Lords, iii. _420_, 423; + despatch to America, iii. _421_; + iii. 428; + and Gen. Garibaldi, iii. 431, 432, 433, 434; + Danish Question, iii. 439; + draft to Rome, iii. 441; + the Garter, iii. 441; + peerage, iii. _444_ + +---- Lord William, i. 202; + murder of, i. 220 + +---- Odo (afterwards Lord Ampthill), Secretary of Legation at Florence, +iii. 306; + interviews with the Pope; iii. 310, 356 + +Russell's _Modern Europe_, i. 38 + +Russia, Hereditary Grand Duke of (afterwards Alexander II), i. 154, 172 + +---- Nicholas, Emperor of, i. 234; visit +to England, ii. 12; + Queen's opinion of, ii. 12, 14, 15, 17; + effect on foreign countries, ii. 19; + on the French Revolution, ii. 165; + dispute with France, ii. _357_; + letters to and from the Queen on the Eastern Question, ii. 459-465; + and Turkey, iii. 4, 5; + and Napoleon, iii. 6; + interview with Sir H. Seymour, iii. 26; + death, iii. _63_, 111 + +---- Empress-Dowager of, widow of Emperor Nicholas, iii. 306 + +---- Alexander, Emperor of, _see_ Alexander + +---- Empress Marie Alexandrovna (wife of Alexander), iii. _205_ + +---- and England, i. 86; + protector of the Porte, i. 229; + and Central Asia, i. 328; + France and England, ii. 20; + Poland, ii. _114_; + dispute with France, ii. _356_; + war with Turkey, ii. _431_; + Eastern Question, ii. 437-444, 449-465, 469-471; iii. _1_, 4, 5, + 17, 18; + Ambassador leaves London, iii. _10_; + England declares war with, iii. _20_; + Napoleon's views on the crisis, iii. 24, 25; + Prussia, iii. 29; + repulse by Turkey, iii. _36_; + defeat on the Alma, iii. _43_, 50; + opinion of, in India, iii. 45, 46; + Balaklava, iii. 50; + Inkerman, iii. _53_, 54-56; + death of Czar Nicholas, iii. _63_; + fall of Sebastopol, iii. _64_; + "Four Points" negotiation, iii. _65_, 120; + Kertsch and the gravel pits (Redan) taken, iii. _126_; + defeat on the River Tchernaya, iii. _135_; + Austrian ultimatum, iii. 152; + peace and terms of settlement, iii. _158_, 182-185; + procrastination in carrying out terms, iii. _159_, 179, _208_ _214_; + Lord Granville's opinion of, iii. 204; + reported treaty with France, iii. 328, _331_; + Danish Question, iii. 439 + + + +Sailors' Homes, iii. 191 + +St Albans, Disfranchisement, ii. _381_ + +St Arnaud, Marshal, commands French Army in Crimea, death, iii. _1_, +28, _30_ + +St Cloud, Queen's visit to, iii. 136 + +St Edward's Chair, i. 121 + +---- Chapel, i. 121, 122 + +St Germans, Earl of, Postmaster-General, ii. 65 + +St Juan, Island of, United States claim to, iii. 373 + +St Leonards, Queen's visit to, i. 39, 40 + +St Leonards, Lord (Lord Chancellor), refusal to join Government of 1858, +iii. 271 + +Saint-Simon, Duc de, _Memoires_, i. 435 + +Sak, proposed occupation of, iii. 185 + +Saldanha, Marshal, ii. 90 + +Sale, Lady, her journal, i. 383 + +---- Sir Robert, success in Afghanistan, i. _370_, 383, 402; + pension, i. 444; + death, ii. 76 + +Salisbury, Bishop of (Dr Fisher), Queen's reminiscences of, i. 10 + +---- Marquess of, President of the Council, iii. 272 + +Sand, George, _Comtesse de Rudolstadt_, novel by, ii. 27 + +Sandon, Viscount, Sugar Duties, i. _275_ + +Sandwich, Countess of, i. 177 + +Sans Souci, death of King of Prussia at, iii. 424 + +Sardinia, Princess Clothilde of, marriage of, iii. _308_, _331_ + +---- Kings of, _see_ Charles Albert and Victor Emmanuel + +Sardinia, ii. _141_, _175_; + war with Austria, ii. _178_, _182_, 186, 190, 193; + Western Alliance against Russia, iii. _63_; + success against Russia, iii. _135_, 154, 161; + Treaty of Peace, iii. 213; + alliance with England and France against Russia, iii. _307_; + war with Austria, and cession of Lombardy to, iii. _308_; + refusal to disarm, iii. _327_; + sympathy with, iii. 328; + Government of Tuscany, iii. 329; + Napoleon's promise of help, iii. _331_; + Duchies of Parma, Modena and Romagna, transferred to, iii. _380_; + disavowal of Garibaldi, iii. _380_ + +Savoy, annexation to France, iii. _379_, 385, 395 + +Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, House of, history of, i. 1, 2, 3 + +Saxe-Coburg, Ernest, Duke of, (Prince Consort's father), i. 4, 22, _48_; + death, ii. 6 + +---- Ernest, Prince of (Prince Consort's brother), i. 49, 62; + illness, i. 69 + +---- Prince Augustus of, parentage and marriage, i. 4, 431, 458, 459 + +Saxe-Saalfeld-Coburg, Duchess of, i. 13, 18 + +---- Francis, Duke of, i. 8, 22; iii. _437_ + +Saxe-Weimar, Prince Edward of, letter to the Queen, iii. 54 + +---- Prince William and Princess Louise of, i. 31 + +Saxony, Crown Prince of, iii. 458 + +---- Frederick Augustus II., King of, ii. 12, 16 + +Schleinitz, M., ii. 250 + +Schleswig, ii. _141_, 182, 192, _195_; + union with Holstein, ii. 222, 249, _254_, 258; iii. _281_ + +_School for Scandal_, i. 218 + +Schulenberg, Countess, iii. 457 + +Schwartzenberg, Prince, Prime Minister of Austria, ii. 378, 380 + +Scone Palace, Queen's visit to, i. 429, 430 + +Scotch Fusiliers, wounded from the Crimea, iii. 110 + +Scotland, Church crisis, i. 447, 448, _450_; + Admission of Ministers Bill, i. 488, _489_; + the Queen's visit to Balmoral, ii. 321-323, 392, 394-396; + to Edinburgh, iii. 406 + +Scott, General, iii. 469 + +---- Gilbert, architect, iii. _444_ + +Scutari, iii. _2_; + hospital at, iii. 61, 62, 78 + +Search, right of, on the high seas, ii. 6; iii. 466, 468, 469 + +Seaton, Lord, _see_ Colborne + +Sebastopol, iii. _1_, 43, 44; + bombardment, iii. 50; + fall, iii. _64_, 142 + +Secretary of State, _see_ State, Secretary of + +---- at War, _see_ War, Secretary at + +Sepoys, mutiny of, iii. _224_, 237, 238 + +Septennial Act, i. _56_; ii. 121 + +Serpent's Island, Russia's claim to, iii. _159_, _208_ + +Settembrini, iii. 312 + +Sevigne, Mme. de, i. 40; iii. 172 + +Seville, Duke of (Don Enrique), ii. 45 + +Seymour, Lord (afterwards Duke of Somerset), Roebuck Committee Reports, +iii. 112. + _See_ Somerset, Duke of + +---- Admiral, occupies Chinese fort, iii. _223_ + +---- Mr Digby, M.P., iii. 402, 404 + +---- Sir Hamilton, Minister at Brussels, i. 139, 320; + Envoy-Extraordinary at Lisbon, ii. 119, 134, 179, 180, _181_; + Petersburg, ii. 286; + Eastern Question, ii. _431_; + recall from St Petersburg, iii. _10_; + interview with the Czar, iii. 26; + "neutralisation," iii. 151 + +Shaftesbury, Earl of, _see_ Ashley, Lord + +Sheil, Mr, Minister at the Court of Tuscany, ii. 279; + death, ii. 319 + +Shere Singh, surrender of, ii. 217 + +Short, Dr Thomas Vowler (afterwards Bishop of Sodor and Man), i. 64; + _Sketch of History of Church of England_, i. 452 + +Sibthorp, Colonel, iii. 76 + +Sicily, rising in, ii. _141_, _208_. + _See_ Garibaldi + +Sikhs (_see_ India), aggressive, ii. _30_; + defeat of, ii. _71_, 77; + boundaries, ii. 74; + murder of two Englishmen, ii. _142_; + hostility of, ii. 196, 197; + successful operations against, ii. _208_, 217 + +Silesia, insurrection in, ii. _72_ + +Silistria, Turkish success at, iii. _1_, _36_ + +Simpson, General, retirement from the + command in the Crimea, iii. _64_; + death of Lord Raglan, iii. 128; + Commander-in-Chief, iii. 130; + position, iii. 134; + Queen's congratulations on fall of Sebastopol, iii. 142, 143 + +Sinclair, Sir George, M.P., i. 448 + +Singapore, convict population of, iii. 278 + +Singh, Maharajah Dhuleep, _see_ Dhuleep + +Sinope Harbour, affair of, ii. _432_, 471; iii. 115 + +Slavery, abolition of, i. 20, 277, 377, 382 + +Slidell, Mr, Southern Confederacy Envoy, iii. 466, 468, 469 + +Smith, Mr Robert Vernon (afterwards Lord Lyveden), Under-Secretary +for War and the Colonies, i. _275_, 468; iii. 76; + Board of Control, iii. _109_, 127, 128; + annexation of Oudh, iii. _176_, _219_; + on Indian Mutiny, iii. 239; + iii. 272; + Oudh Proclamation, iii. _281_ + +---- Sir Harry, ii. _71_; + Governor of Cape of Good Hope, Boer War, ii. _142_; + wounded, ii. _200_; + Kaffir War, ii. _283_; + Orange River Free State, iii. 201 + +---- Sir Lionel, Governor of Jamaica, i. _141_ + +Smithfield, Cattle Show, Queen's visit to, iii. 419 + +Smyth, William, Professor of Modern History, i. 435 + +Smythe, George, member of "Young England" party, ii. _17_ + +Sobraon, defeat of the Sikhs at, ii. _74_, 77 + +Socialism, possibilities in Russia, iii. 205 + +Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, Prince Consort presides +at meeting, ii. _319_ + +Solferino, battle of, iii. _308_, _353_ + +Solyman Pasha, i. 246 + +Somerset, 11th Duke of, death, iii. 145 + +---- 12th Duke of, First Lord of the Admiralty, iii. 349; + Garter, iii. 441; + iii. 466. + _See_ Seymour, Lord + +---- Lord Fitzroy, afterwards Lord Raglan ii. 393, 396; + Commander of Forces for the East, iii. _26_; + victory at the Alma, iii. 50; + Field-Marshal, iii. 52, 53; + Inkerman, iii. 52, 54-56; + death of, iii. _64_, 128; + welfare of the Army, iii. 68, 69, 81 + +Somnauth, Gates of Temple of, i. 444-445, 468, 477 + +Sonderbund, the, ii. 138 + +Sooja, Shah, Ameer of Afghanistan, 1. _142_, _209_, 328, 444, 445; + Koh-i-noor diamond, ii. 242 + +Sophia, Princess, daughter of George III., i. 31; + death, ii. 147 + +Soult, Marshal, Duke of Dalmatia, i. 111; ii. 268 + +South Africa, Natal insurrection, i. 427; + Sir H. Smith's proclamation in 1848, ii. _142_; + Dutch War, ii. 200 + +Southern, Mr, Secretary of Legation at Lisbon, ii. 111, 118, 119, 120 + +Spain, disputed succession, i. _44_, 50, _57_; + and Portugal, i. 59, 61; ii. 119, 133; + Lord Palmerston on, i. 66; + battle at Bilbao, i. 67; + constitution, i. 82, 83; + condition of, i. 96, _102_; + the Fueros, i. 188; + Mission, i. 330; + guardianship of young Queen, i. _346_; + and France, i. 347, 350, 351, 374; + proposed marriage of the young Queen, i. 432, 485, 486, 487; + ii. _31_, 32, 44, _72_, 90, 96-109; + Don Carlos' abdication of claim to throne, ii. _31_; + changes in Ministry, ii. _116_; + and England, ii. _120_; + and Sir H. Bulwer, ii. 175; + and Lord Palmerston, ii. 240; + Queen of Spain's desire for the Garter, ii. 323 + +---- Infanta of, i. _488_; ii. 32, 45, _72_, 97, 99, 103, 107; +iii. _51_ + +---- Queen of, _see_ Christina + +Spaeth, Baroness, i. 14, 18, 123 + +Spithead, accident, ii. 199 + +Spooner, Mr, Conspiracy Bill debate, iii. 265 + +Spring Rice, Mr, Chancellor of Exchequer, i. 147 + +Stafford, Augustus, Secretary of the Admiralty, iii. 78 + +Stamp Duties Bill, iii. 116; + stamp on cheques, iii. 262 + +_Standard_, newspaper, iii. 8 + +Stanhope, Philip Henry, fourth Earl, i. 108 + +---- Lady Wilhelmina, i. 121, 123, 125 + +Stanley, Lord (afterwards fourteenth Earl of Derby), thrice Prime +Minister, i. _62_, 137; + Colonial Secretary, i. 163, 306, 309; + Corn Laws, ii. 49; + resignation, ii. 54, 64; + Protection dinner, ii. 87, _122_; + vote of censure, ii. _244_, _247_, 248, 287, 288; + failure to form a Government, ii. 290, 291, 293, 299, 300, 311, 315; + Prime Minister, ii. 368-397; + and the Church, ii. 376; + adherence to treaties, ii. 377; + the Queen's views on Militia Bill, ii. 380; + Disfranchisement Bill, ii. 380; + question of dissolution, ii. 383; + progress of democracy, ii. 384, 385; + Protection, ii. 386; + Militia Bill, ii. 386, 388, 389; + Italy, ii. 386, 387; + military appointments, ii. 392; + national defences, ii. 396, 398-400; + confusion of Parties, ii. 403-405; + Budget, ii. 406; + Princess Hohenlohe's marriage, ii. 408-411; + resignation, ii. 412-414; + attack on Lord Aberdeen, ii. 417, _418_, 419, 425; + takes leave of the Queen, ii. 425; + Roebuck Motion, iii. 78; + failure to form a Government, iii. 63, 80-87, 90; + on title of Prince Consort, iii. _197_, 197; + China War debate, attack on Lord Palmerston, iii. 230; + Conspiracy Bill, iii. _261_, 264, 265; + forms a Government, iii. 268-272; + Oudh Proclamation and resignation of Lord Ellenborough, iii. 282-_285_; + possible dissolution, iii. 285, 286-289; + vote of censure withdrawn, iii. 290-293; + competitive examinations, iii. 296, 297; + new Reform Bill, iii. _307_; + Queen's letter to French Emperor, iii. 314; + Indian Army Question, iii. 317-320; + Queen's letter to Emperor of Austria, iii. 322; + proposed congress to settle Italian Question, iii. 327-333; + Queen's Speech, iii. 336-340; + resignation on defeat of Government, iii. _307_, 324, 343 + +---- Lord (afterwards fifteenth Earl of Derby), Colonial Secretary, +iii. 148, 272, 292; + his position with regard to the Queen, iii. 301-303; + Indian Army Question, iii. 317, 318, 319; + Peers and Money Bills, iii. _379_ + +Stanley of Alderley, Lord, Secretary to Treasury, i. 129, 395; iii. 150 + +State, Secretary of, duties of, i. 100; iii. 34 + +Stephanie, Grand Duchess, ii. 233 + +Stephen, James, Under-Secretary for Colonies, retirement, ii. 131; + Privy Council, ii. 132 + +Stockmar, Baron, private physician and secretary to King Leopold, +unofficial adviser to the Queen, i. 25; + accompanies Prince Albert on tour, i. 25, 152; + his character, i. 25, 26, 68; + i. 69, 72, 73, 76, 79, 81, 83, 211, 332; + memos. on Lord Melbourne's correspondence with the Queen, + i. 340, 353, 360, 361; + illness, i. 392; + i. 474, 476; + Spanish marriage, ii. 103, 192; + on a Minister's duty, ii. 238; + ii. 279, 315, 362; + Legion of Honour, ii. 402; iii. 49, 171; + illness of, iii. 185 + +Stockport, riot at, ii. 391 + +Stopford, Admiral Sir Robert, i. _252_, 258 + +Stowell, Lord, law of nations, iii. 466 + +Strafford, Earl of, ii. 126, _128_, 393; + Field-Marshal, iii. _146_ + +Straits Settlements, iii. 277 + +Strangford, Viscount, i. 326, 482 + +Strangways, Brigadier-General, died at Inkerman, iii. _53_ + +Stratford de Redcliffe, Viscount (formerly Sir Stratford Canning), +ii. 138, 369; + Eastern Question, ii. _431_, _449_, _452_, 456, 457, 460-465, 469, 470; + illness of, iii. 27; + victory of the Alma, iii. 44; + and the Pope, iii. 358 + +Strawberry Hill, sale of, i. 389 + +Strelitz, ii. 188 + +Strickland, Miss Agnes, i. 322 + +Stroekens, Major, i. 67 + +Strutt, Mr, Chancellor of the Duchy, iii. _34_ + +Stuart, Miss, marriage, i. 388 + +---- Wortley J. (afterwards second Baron Wharncliffe), President of +the Council, i. 299, 309 + +Sudbury, disfranchisement of, ii. 381 + +Suffrage, Queen's view of, ii. 333; + extension of, ii. 324, 333, 366 + +Sugar Duty, i. 265; + Colonial preference, ii. _17_, 91 + +Sully, Maximilien, Duc de, Memoirs of, i. 38, 47 + +Sunday bands, iii. 135 + +Surrey, Earl of (afterwards thirteenth Duke of Norfolk), i. 123; + Treasurer of the Household, i. _275_ + +Sussex, Duke of, politics, i. 5, 6, 10, 11, 71, 76; + Ireland, i. 129, 138; + precedence, i. 207; + Regency Bill, i. _209_, 378, 390; + will of, i. 478, 479 + +Sutherland, second Duke of, death, iii. _443_ + +---- Duchess of, i. 101, 120; + Queen Victoria's valued friend, ii. 371; + letter to Queen on her husband's death, iii. 442 + +Sweaborg, bombardment of, iii. _64_ + +Sweden, and Morocco, ii. 4; + Schleswig Question, ii. _195_; + and Norway, iii. _134_ + +---- and Norway, Charles XV., King of, visit to the Queen, iii. 447; + his views on foreign affairs, iii. 448-450 + +Switzerland, internecine strife, ii. _115_, 137-139; + and France, ii. 380; + rising in, iii. _214_; + protest against annexation of Savoy, iii. _380_; + claim to parts of Savoy, iii. _395_ + +Syria, i. _179_, _209_, 240; + successes in, i. 246, _252_; + war, ii. 69; + Napoleon's policy, iii. _380_ + + + +Tahiti, dispute with France, ii. _1_, _21_, 25 + +Tait, Dr A. C., Bishop of London, iii. 205 + +Talbot, Lady Mary, i. 121, 125 + +---- Monsignore, iii. 356 + +Tallenay, M. de, ii. _173_, 186 + +Talleyrand, Prince, death of, i. 116 + +Tamburini, Sr, opera singer, i. _220_ + +Tangiers, bombardment of, ii. 20 + +Tankerville, Earl of, i. 198 + +Tawell, Salt Hill murderer, ii. 269 + +Taylor, Sir Herbert, i. 68 + +Taymouth, Lord Breadalbane's house, Queen's visit to, i. 428 + +Tchernaya, River, success of the Allies at, iii. _64_, _135_ + +Teba, Count de (afterwards Count de Montijo), ii. _435_ + +Temple, The Hon. Sir William, K.C.B., Minister Plenipotentiary, Naples, +iii. _140_ + +Templetown, Viscount, i. 62 + +Tennent, Sir James Emerson, i. 469 + +Tennyson, Alfred, poet, ii. 45; + Poet Laureate, ii. 272 + +Terceira, Duc de, i. _55_; ii. 397 + +Terni, cataract at, Prince Albert's visit to, i. 152 + +Thames, pollution of the, iii. _294_ + +Theresa, Archduchess, i. 52 + +Therese, Princess, i. 453 + +Thiers, Louis A., French Premier, i. 149, 227; ii. 364, 389 + +Thirlwall, Bishop of St David's, iii. 416 + +Thouvenel, M. de, French Foreign Minister, iii. 382; + and Lord John Russell's despatch, iii. 389; + iii. 395 + +Threepenny pieces, circulation of, ii. 37 + +Ticino, Austrian troops on the, iii. _328_, 333 + +Timber duty, i. 265 + +_Times_, newspaper, i. 425; ii. 20, 27, _30_, _48_, 86, 135, 172, 190, +220, 241, 244, 263, 282, 348, _411_; iii. _1_, 8, 16; + Crimea, iii. 36; + Queen's visit to France, iii. 138; + enquiry on Crimean officers, iii. 174; + iii. 192, 254; + attacks on Prussia, iii. 455; + report of a private interview, iii. 347; + abuse of Germany, iii. 462, 463 + +Tindal, Chief Justice, i. 469 + +Tippoo Sahib, iii. 39 + +Tite, Mr (afterwards Sir William), architect, iii. 443 + +Tithes, i. _43_ + +Tollbar riots, i. _450_, 483, 492 + +Tomantoul, Queen's visit to, iii. 407 + +Tory party and the Royal family, i. 5, 6; + consolidation of, i. 20; + Queen's opinion of, i. _27_, 60, 61, 203, 207, 212, 213; + failure of, i. 66; + organisation of, i. 90; + unsuccessful attempt to form a Ministry, i. 154-170; + vote of censure on Government and success at the polls, +i. _253_, 264; + Nottingham election, i. 264; + amendment to address, 1841, i. 301; + Cabinet, i. 308, 309; + Finance, Income-Tax, Import Duties, i. _370_; + Corn Law Debate, i. 465, 466; + Irish Arms Bill, i. 482; + dissensions (Young England party), ii. _1_, 16; + resignation, ii. _30_, 51; + return to office, ii. _30_, 62; + repeal of Corn Laws, ii. _71_; + defeat on Irish Coercion Bill. ii. _71_; + resignation, ii. 80, _115_; + on intervention in Portugal, ii. _123_, + ii. 216; + peril of the Ministry, ii. 285; + defeat of the Government, ii. 288; + inability to form a Government, ii. 288-313; + Parliamentary Reform, ii. 332, 333; + resignation of Whig Government, ii. 368; + Lord Derby becomes Prime Minister, ii. 369-377; + first debate, ii. 380-383; + question of dissolution, ii. 383; + Free Trade debate, ii. _399_; + Budget, ii. 406; + defeat on House Tax and resignation, ii. 411-413; + China War debate, iii. 231 + +Tractarian movement, ii. 273, 280 + +Transport Land Corps, iii. 157 + +Transvaal, independence of, ii. _142_; iii. 200 + +Trapani, Count, Spanish marriage, ii. _31_, 32, 44, 89, 99 + +Treaty of 1856, settlement of Eastern Question, iii. _63_, 65, +_158_, 182; + Nanking, i. _442_ + +Trelawney, Sir John, and Church rates, iii. _323_ + +Trench, Richard Chenevix, Dean of Westminster, iii. 206 + +_Trent_, steamship, seizure of Envoys, iii. 466, 468 + +Treport, Queen's visit to, ii. 44; + ii. 157 + +Trianon, iii. 136 + +Troubridge, Sir Thomas, C.B., great gallantry at Inkerman, iii. 127 + +Trouville, ii. 156 + +Truelove, trial of, iii. _273_ + +Tuckett, Captain Harvey, i. _263_ + +Tulloch, Colonel, iii. _175_ + +Tunbridge Wells, Queen's visits to, i. 11, 19, 36, 38 + +Turgot, M., ii. _335_, 339, 344 + +Turkey, Convention about Egypt, i. 227-243, 258; + war with Russia, ii. _432_; + Eastern Question, ii. 437, 441-444, _449_, _452_, 464-465, 469-471; + and Persia, iii. 4; + Russian occupation of the Principalities, iii. 12, _13_, 17; + protocol signed for integrity of, iii. _19_; + success of, iii. _35_; + Inkerman, iii. 54-56; + peace and terms of settlement, iii. _158_, 161-188, _208_ + +Turton, Dr Thomas, Dean of Ely, ii. _35_ + +Tuscans, deputation to King Victor Emmanuel, iii. _308_ + +Tuscany, Duke of, Pope's opinion of, iii. 357 + +---- Government of, iii. _308_, 329 + + + +Umbria, conquered, iii. _380_ + +Unemployed, the, ii. 67, 168 + +United States, dispute with Canada, i. _254_, 260, _356_, 368; + treaty, i. 461, 462; + boundary dispute with England, ii. _30_; + Oregon boundary, ii. 82; + Foreign Enlistment Act, iii. _159_, _219_; + financial crisis, iii. _256_; + military occupation of St Juan, iii. 373; + Prince of Wales's visit to, iii. _380_; + Abolitionist troubles, iii. _381_; + conflict between Federal Government and Southern States, iii. _421_; + right to search neutral ships, iii. 466, 468, 469; + draft despatch for release of Mason and Slidell, iii. 469 + +Unkiar Skelessi, Treaty of, i. 142 + +Uruguay, ii. _133_ + +Utrecht, Treaty of, ii. 107 + +Uxbridge, Earl of, i. 110, 400, 467 + +---- Countess of, i. 400; + death, ii. 8 + + + +Valliant, Marshal, Minister of War, iii. 43; + G.C.B., iii. 146; + opinion of Morocco, iii. 221; + goes to Italy in 1859, iii. 333 + +Vane, Lord Harry, Conspiracy Bill debate, iii. 265 + +Varna, Allied Forces sailing from, iii. _1_, 36 + +Venice, Republic proclaimed, ii. _141_; + ii. 198; + Venetia in 1859, iii. _308_ + +Verney, Sir Harry, ii. 390 + +Versailles, Queen's visit to, iii. 136 + +Vico, Colonel, death of, iii. _135_ + +Victoire, Princess, of Saxe-Coburg, i. 149; + marriage to Duc de Nemours, i. 213; + flight from France, ii. 155, 167, 176, 177; + visits Queen Victoria, ii. 184, 185 + +Victor Emmanuel, King of Sardinia, ii. _208_, 218; + visit to England, iii. _64_, _156_; + joins the Western Alliance, iii. _66_; + rumoured conversation with Louis Napoleon, iii. 168; + proposed marriage, iii. _207_; + war with Austria, entry into Milan, and conclusion of peace, +iii. _308_; + and the Pope, iii. 311; + cession of Savoy and Nice, iii. _385_; + war with Austria, iii. 386; + as King of Italy, iii. _420_ + +Victoria, Queen, ancestry of, i. 1-7; + political position of, i. 17; + memoir of her early years, i. 18-21; + relations and friends, i. 22-26; + close correspondence and relationship with King Leopold, i. 23; + formation of her character, i. 22-26; + interesting points in her correspondence, i. 27-29 + 1819 Born 24th May at Kensington Palace, i. 8 + 1819-1826 Reminiscences of early childhood, written by herself, + i. 10-14 + 1824 Miss Lehzen becomes her governess, i. 25 + 1826 Visits George IV. at Windsor, i. 11-13; + serious illness, i. 13, 14 + 1827 Visits George IV. at Windsor, i. 13 + 1828 First letter to Prince Leopold, i. 32 + 1830 Duchess of Kent's memo, on education, i. 14-16; + June, George IV. died and William IV. succeeded, i. 19; + Duchess of Northumberland appointed official governess, i. 25 + 1832 King Leopold on the necessity of forming her character, i. 35 + 1834 Visits Hever Castle, i. 37; + reading and studies, i. 37-40 + 1835 Confirmation, i. 41 + 1836 Painful scene between the Duchess of Kent and William IV., + i. 19; + possible suitors, i. 47, 48; + admiration for Prince Albert, i. 48, 49, 50; + visits Lord Liverpool at Buxted Park, i. 50; + Church matters, i. 52; 72; + change of name discussed, i. 55 + 1837 Music with Prince Albert, i. 59; + her establishment, i. 64, 68; + William IV. offers her an independent income, i. 68; + 24th May--attains her majority, i. 69; + accession imminent, i. 71; + reliance on Lord Melbourne, i. 72; + 20th June--death of William IV.: Queen Victoria's accession, + i. 75; + reminiscences of events on the King's death, i. 75; + address of condolence and congratulation, i. 77; + her nationality, i. 78; + her Ministers, i. 79; + 13th July--goes to Buckingham Palace, i. 84; + 17th July--prorogues Parliament, i. 86; + singing lessons, i. 89; + the elections, i. 89; + King Leopold's visit to Windsor Castle, i. 91; + visit to Brighton, i. 92; + goes to the House of Lords and gives her assent to the Civil List Bill, + i. 97 + 1838 Prince Albert's education, i. 111; + distress at death of Louisa Louis, i. 111, 112; + deaths of old servants, i. 112; + arrangements for the Coronation, i. 113, 114; + draft letter to the King of Portugal on Slave Trade, i. 115; + brilliant ball, i. 115; + 28th June--Coronation Day, Queen's reminiscences of, i. 120-125; + 9th July--Coronation Review in Hyde Park, i. 126; + at Windsor Castle, i. 130 + at Brighton, i. 140; + 1839 Death of Princess Marie of Orleans, i. 144; + opens Parliament, i. 146; + disagreement with King Leopold, i. 151-154; + Prince Albert's tour in Italy, i. 152; + resignation of Lord Melbourne, i. 154; + audience with Duke of Wellington and Sir R. Peel, i. 157-159; + refusal to allow Sir R. Peel to appoint Ladies of her Household, + i. 161-169; + Lord Melbourne's return to office, i. 170; + ball at Buckingham Palace, i. 172; + views on Cabinet crisis, i. 174; + feelings for Prince Albert, i. 177, 178; + at the Opera, i. 178; + arrival of Princes Albert and Ernest at Windsor Castle, i, 188; + announcement of her engagement to Prince Albert, i. 188, 189; + her happiness, i. 191; + her letters to the Royal Family, i. 193, 194; + letters to Prince Albert, i. 195, 196, 199, 200, 203, 206, 208, + 211-213, 217; + reads Declaration before the Privy Council, i. 196; + suggested peerage for Prince Albert, i. 196-199; + Prince Albert's Household, i. 200-207 + 1840 Queen opens Parliament and announces intended marriage, i. 212; + Prince Albert's grant, i. 214; + marriage of the Queen to Prince Albert, i. _209_, _217_; + disturbance at the Opera, i. 220; + Prince Albert and politics, i. 224; + attempted assassination by Oxford, i. 225; + views on foreign affairs, i. 248, 249; + birth of Princess Royal, i. 251 + 1841 Christening of Princess Royal, i. 255; + speech from the Throne, i. 256, 257; + operations in China, i. 261, 262; + the Budget, i. 265; + Household appointment difficulties, i. 268-273; + impartiality, i. 285; + visit to Ascot and Nuneham, i. 291; + visit to Woburn Abbey, i. 295, 296; + carriage accident, i. 298; + resignation of Whig Ministry, i. 301; + Prince Albert as adviser, i. 304, 305; + interview with Sir R. Peel and sorrow at parting with Lord + Melbourne, i. 309; + seals of office exchanged, i. 315; + question of future correspondence with Lord Melbourne, i. 330, + 331, 340, 353, 360, 361; + indisposition, i. 364; + birth of first son, now King Edward VII., i. 364; + he is created Prince of Wales, i. 366; + domestic happiness, i. 366 + 1842 Christening of the Prince of Wales, i. 376, 381; + visit to Brighton, i. 383; + excursion to Portsmouth, i. 384; + decision to pay Income Tax, i. 387; + selection of a governess, i. 390, 394; + ball at Buckingham Palace, i. 392, 393; + attempt by Francis on the Queen's life, i. 398; + Ascot and review of cavalry, i. 401; + first railway journey, i. 404; + list of presents sent by the Imam of Muscat, i. 406; + attempt by Bean on the Queen's life, i. 407; + death of the Duke of Orleans, i. 408, 409, 413, 416; + strike riots, i, 422-428; + prorogues Parliament, i. 425; + visit to Scotland, i. 428, 429; + return to Windsor, i. 430; + steam yacht, i. 432; + domestic happiness, i. 436; + visit to Walmer Castle, i. 436, 438, 443; + King of Hanover's claim to Crown jewels, i. 439, 487; + and France, i. 445, 446 + 1843 Gaieties at Windsor, i. 451; + visit and recollections of Claremont, i. 451; + education of Prince of Wales, i. 463; + domestic happiness, i. 464; + new chapel at Buckingham Palace, i. 466; + views on the verdict, not guilty but insane, in Macnaghten trial, + i. 469; + Prince Consort to hold levees for the Queen, i. 470, 471, 472, 473; + the toast of the Prince, i. 475; + birth and christening of Princess Alice, i. 480, 481; + Turnpike riots in South Wales, i. 483, 492; + resignation of the Duchess of Norfolk as Bedchamber Woman and + successor, i. 484, 485, 486; + suppression of duelling, i. 485; + the Crown jewels, i. 487; + visit to the King and Queen of France at Chateau d'Eu, i. 490; + visit to Belgium, i. 492; + visit to Cambridge, Wimpole, and Bourne, i. 496, 497, 500, 503; + visit to Sir R. Peel at Drayton Manor, i. 504, 509; + visit of Prince Consort to Birmingham, i. 507, 509, 510; + visit to Belvoir Castle and Chatsworth, i. 509, 510 + 1844 Opens the new Royal Exchange, ii. _1_, 27; + visit to Claremont, ii. 4, 5; + carriage accident, ii. 5; + death of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg Gotha, ii. 6; + _brochure_ of Prince de Joinville, ii. 11; + visit of the Emperor Nicholas of Russia, ii. _1_, 12-16, 17, 20; + domestic happiness, ii. 6, 7; + uncle and niece, ii. 10; + review in Windsor Great Park, and Ascot races, ii. 13; + visit of King Louis Philippe, ii. 21, 27 + 1845 Spanish marriage question, ii. 32, 44; + state of Buckingham Palace, ii. 33; + question as to Prince Albert's title, ii. 34; + sponsor to Sir R. Peel's grandson, ii. 35; + Queen's purchase of Osborne, ii. 35, 42; + Low Church bigotry, ii. 37; + King Leopold's birthday letter, ii. 39; + visit of the King of Holland, ii. _42_; + on the Queen's absences from England, ii. 43; + visit to Holland and Coburg, and to Treport to King Louis Philippe, + ii. 44; + Sir R. Peel's resignation and return to office, ii. 48-67; + letter from King Louis Philippe, ii. 57; + reply, ii. 69-70 + 1846 Opening of Parliament in person, ii. _73_; + defeat of the Sikhs, ii. 74-76; + Coercion Bill, Ireland, ii. 79; + resignation of Sir R. Peel, ii. 80-85; + Lord John Russell forms a Government, ii. 85-87; + parting with Ministers, ii. 87; + Spanish marriage question, ii. 89, 90, 96-107; + views as to dissolution, ii. 91; + the Government of Canada, ii. 94; + Duke of Wellington's statue, ii. 95; + indignation at the engagement of the Queen of Spain, ii. 99-109; + visit to Jersey, ii. 100; + visit to Osborne, ii. 105; + Peninsular War medals, ii. 109, 112, 113 + 1847 Views as to governing Portugal, ii. 117-120; + Church patronage, ii. 121; + difference with Lord Palmerston, ii. 122, 136; + at the Opera to hear Jenny Lind, ii. 123; + Duke of Wellington's statue, ii. 124; + visit to Ardverikie, ii. 128; + and Mr. Cobden, ii. 131; + foreign policy, ii. 132-134; + on the Swiss dispute, ii. 138; + the Bishops and Dr Hampden, ii. 139; + advance of money to Lord Melbourne, ii. 140 + 1848 Madame Adelaide's death, ii. 143-146; + abdication and flight of King Louis Philippe to Claremont, + ii. _149_-164; + Princess Louise born 18th March, ii. _166_; + Chartist demonstration, ii. 167-169; + displeased with Lord Palmerston, ii. 171, 190, 191, 193, 195, + 234, 240, 241, 256; + position of the French Royal Family, ii. 176, 177; + views on Foreign Policy, ii. 180; + eulogy on Prince Albert, ii. 192; + describes Balmoral, ii. 194; + views of the Austrian and Italian Questions, ii. 197; + stays at Osborne, ii. 197, 204; + letter from Pope Pius IX., ii. 204; + relations with France, ii. 206 + 1849 Receives the Koh-i-noor diamond, ii. _208_; + correspondence with Pope Pius IX., ii. 209, 210; + letter from Napoleon, ii. 210; + memo. on French Republic, ii. 213, 214; + Hamilton's attempt on her life, ii. 220; + method of dealing with despatches, ii. 221, 222; + on Schleswig-Holstein Question, ii. 223, 250, 251, 257, 258; + visits Ireland (Cork, Dublin, Waterford, Kingston, Belfast), + ii. 223-249; + Coal Exchange opened, ii. _228_; + thanksgiving after cholera epidemic, ii. 228; + death of Queen Adelaide, ii. 230 + 1850 Pate's attack, ii. _231_, 253; + the draft to Greece, ii. 234, 238, 240; + Prince Albert's speech, ii. 240; + Koh-i-noor Diamond, ii. 242; + birth and christening of Prince Arthur, ii. 251; + stays at Osborne, ii. 256; + death of first Duke of Cambridge, ii. 256; + duties of the Foreign Secretary, ii. 264; + death of King Louis Philippe, ii. 265; + visits Scotland, ii. 265; + death of the Queen of the Belgians, ii. 266, 271, 272; + Lord Palmerston and the Haynau despatch, ii. 269, 270; + on Germany, ii. 274, 278; + on religious strife, ii. 277, 278; + Papal aggression, ii. 279-282 + 1851 Principle of diplomatic appointments, ii. 285, 286; + memo. on Sir J. Graham joining the Cabinet, ii. 286, 287; + resignation of Government, ii. 289, 304; + difficulties in forming a Government, ii. 288-315; + success of the Exhibition in Hyde Park, ii. 317, 318, 320; + Guildhall ball, ii. 320; + visit to Balmoral, Allt-na-Giuthasach and Lochnagar, ii. 321-323; + Lord Palmerston and Louis Kossuth, ii. 325-331; + death of King of Hanover, ii. 331; + views on Franchise and Suffrage proposals, ii. 332; + Louis Napoleon's _coup d'etat_, ii. 334; + dismissal of Lord Palmerston, ii. 342-348; + review of Foreign Affairs, ii. 351 + 1852 Crown of Denmark, ii. 358; + women and politics, ii. 362; + New Houses of Parliament, ii. 363; + pressure of business, ii. 366; + change of Government, ii. 368-377; + Household appointments, ii. 373, 376; + on Foreign Affairs, ii. 377, 380; + visits Osborne, ii. 378, 390, 417; + on Italy, ii. 386, 387; + Louis Napoleon's position, ii. 390; + visits Osborne, ii. 391; + inherits Mr Neild's fortune, ii. 392; + visits Balmoral, ii. 392; + views on national defence, ii. 396, 398-400; + death of the Duke of Wellington, ii. 392-396, 401, 402; + her admiration of his character, ii. 394; + Louis Napoleon becomes Emperor, ii. 397, 407, _408_; + letter to him, ii. 407; + secret Protocol, ii. 408; + views on Princess of Hohenlohe's marriage, ii. 408-411, 422, 429; + Lord Aberdeen's new Government, ii. 412-430; + Lord Derby's tribute to, ii. 427 + 1853 French Emperor's marriage, ii. 433-435; + Eastern Question, ii. _431_, 441-444, 449, 452-465; + views on Lord John Russell's position, ii. 438; + birth of Prince Leopold (afterwards Duke of Albany), ii. _444_; + congratulations from the Emperor of Russia, ii. 444; + views on India Bill, ii. 447; + correspondence with Emperor of Russia on Eastern Question, + ii. 459-465; + Lord Stratford's despatch, ii. 469 + 1854 Opens Crystal Palace, iii. _2_; + Press attacks on Prince Albert, iii. _1_, 3, 7, 8; + on reception of Orleans family, iii. 6, 7; + Reform Bill, iii. 8, 15; + on competitive examinations, iii. 10, 11; + desires augmentation of Army, iii. 12; + Baltic Fleet sails, iii. 16; + correspondence with King of Prussia on Eastern Question, + iii. 16-19, 28-30, 31-33; + declaration of war with Russia, iii. _19_; + on the defenceless state of England, iii. 36; + on the state of India, iii. 38, 53; + views on Army promotions, iii. 39; + disapproves of special prayers for illness, iii. 40; + French Emperor's letter after Prince Albert's visit, + iii. 41, 42; + battle of the Alma, iii. 44, 49; + treatment of Indian Princes, iii. 47; + views on Austrian Alliance, iii. 48, 50; + Balaklava, iii. 50, _51_; + Inkerman, iii. 52, 54-56; + Crimean medal, iii. 56; + condition of hospital at Scutari, iii. _61_ + 1855 Visits the French Emperor, iii. _64_; + King of Sardinia visits England, iii. _64_; + opinion on the "Four Points" negotiations, iii. 65; + confidence in Lord Aberdeen, iii. 66-68; + on the duties of Ambassadors and Foreign Secretaries, + iii. 68, 69; + on Lord John Russell's resignation, iii. 72-75; + memo. on the crisis, iii. 74, 75; + on Government's resignation, iii. 79; + inability of Lord Derby and Lord John Russell to form a Government, + iii. 80-96; + Lord Palmerston forms a Government, iii. 96-104; + letter to King of Prussia, iii. 107; + visit to the wounded from Crimea, iii. 110; + letter to Princess of Prussia on sudden death of the Czar, + iii. 112; + hospitals for sick and wounded soldiers, iii. 113; + Crimean medals, iii. 116; + visit of the Emperor and Empress of the French, iii. 117; + review in Windsor Park, iii. _117_; + investiture of the French Emperor, iii. _117_; + letter from the Emperor, and reply, iii. 118, 119; + Queen's opinion of French Emperor, iii. 122-126; + distribution of medals, iii. 127; + power of appointing Governor-General of India, iii. 127, 128; + death of Lord Raglan, iii. 129; + letter to Lady Raglan, iii. 129; + message to the Army, iii. 130; + Lord John Russell resigns, iii. 131, 132; + Gen. Simpson's difficulties in the Crimea, iii. 134; + Sunday bands, iii. 135; + account of her visit to France, iii. 135-140; + letter to French Emperor, iii. 137; + first occupation of Balmoral, iii. _141_; + Sebastopol taken, iii. 142; + Queen's message, iii. 142, 143; + Princess Royal's proposed marriage with Crown Prince of Prussia, + iii. 146, 147; + Queen's desire for a dockyard on the Forth, iii. 151; + discusses proposals of peace, iii. 152-154 + 1856 Victoria Cross, iii. 160; + correspondence with French Emperor on the ultimatum, + iii. 162-164, 172, 185; + views on the council of war at Paris, iii. 168, 169; + views of King of Sardinia, iii. 198; + England's policy, iii. 169; + letter to Florence Nightingale, iii. 170; + distribution of honours, iii. 171; + Commission on the conduct of Crimean officers, iii. 174; + question of marriage of Princess Royal, iii. 182, 188, 220; + Queen's views on Treaty of Peace, iii. 182-188; + peace fete at Crystal Palace, iii. 190; + enquiries before appointments offered, iii. 190; + memorandum on her husband's status, iii. 192-194, 196; + Sunday bands, iii. 194; + title of Prince Consort conferred, iii. _197_; + review of Crimean troops, iii. _198_, 199, 200; + proposed marriage of Princess Mary, iii. 206, 209; + letter to Empress of the French as to Treaty of Paris, and reply, + iii. 207, 213; + Balmoral, iii. 209; + defence of England, iii. 212; + death of Prince Charles of Leiningen, iii. 216, 217; + letter to Louis Napoleon, iii. 221 + 1857 Indian Mutiny, iii. _223_, 234, 236; + China War debate, iii. _223_, _231_; + French Emperor's feelings towards England, iii. 233; + Princess Beatrice born, iii. 234; + marriage of Princess Charlotte of Belgium, iii. _234_, _241_; + Victoria Cross decoration, iii. 235; + visit of the Emperor and Empress of the French, iii. 240, 242; + views on defenceless state of England, iii. 241-242; + urges reinforcements for India, iii. 242-246; + on necessity of increasing the Army, iii. 245, 257, 260; + anxiety for India, iii. 246; + marriage of Princess Royal, iii. 253; + death of Duchesse de Nemours, iii. 254; + financial crisis, iii. 255; + opens Parliament in person, iii. _256_ + 1858 Prince Frederick William of Prussia (afterwards Emperor + Frederick), married to the Princess Royal, iii. _261_; + death of Duchess of Orleans, iii. _261_; + parting with the Princess Royal, iii. 263, 264; + defeat of the Government on Conspiracy Bill, iii. 265; + formation of new Government, iii. 267-272; + Prince of Wales's confirmation, iii. 278; + enquiries into the state of the Navy, iii. 279, 297; + Crown prerogatives, iii. 294, 295, 296; + visit to the Emperor of the French, iii. _296_; + Proclamation to people of India, iii. 298, 304; + duties of Secretary of State, iii. 299; + Princess Royal's reception by the Prussians, iii. 454-456 + 1859 Dissolution on new Reform Bill, iii. _307_; + necessity for a strong Army and Navy, iii. 309; + Queen's speech, iii. 313, 314; + birth of first grandchild (present German Emperor), + iii. 314, 324; + letter to French Emperor advising peace, iii. _315_; + Indian Army Question, iii. 316-320; + opens Parliament, iii. _317_; + letter to Emperor of Austria, and reply, iii. 322, 323, 324, 325; + proposed congress to settle the Italian Question, iii. 325-334; + Queen's speech, iii. 335-340; + defeat of the Government, iii. 342; + Lord Palmerston forms a new Government, iii. 344-349; + Committee on Military Departments, iii. 351; + views on the war between France and Austria, iii. 353, 354; + conclusion of peace arranged between the two Emperors, + iii. _354_, _359_, _360_; + the Pope's opinion of England's policy, iii. 356-359; + differences with Lord Palmerston and Lord J. Russell on + England's Italian Policy, iii. 361-373, 374-377; + objection to publication of divorce cases in daily papers, + iii. 378; + congratulates French Emperor on peace, iii. 378 + 1860 Volunteer Review in Hyde Park, iii. _379_; + Prince of Wales visited Canada and United States, + iii. _380_, _405_; + difficulties with Lord John Russell over the Italian Policy, + iii. 383; + Gladstone's Budget statement, iii. 388; + Earl Cowley's stormy interview with French Emperor, iii. 390-394; + Prince of Wales visits Coburg and Gotha, iii. _396_; + letters of thanks to Indian Civil servants, iii. 398; + visit to Aldershot, iii. 400; + Abolition of Paper Duties Bill thrown out by the House of Lords, + iii. 400-403; + engagement of Princess Alice to Prince Louis of Hesse, + iii. 405, 415, 418, 419; + visits Holyrood, iii. 406; + Balmoral, iii. 407; + proposed meeting with the Emperor of Austria, iii. 408, 409; + appeal from the King of Naples, iii. 409; + reply, iii. 412; + appointment of bishops, iii. 416, 417 + 1861 Death of Duchess of Kent, iii. _420_; + third visit to Ireland, iii. _420_, 452; + New Year's letter from French Emperor, and reply, iii. 423, 427; + detailed account of death of the King of Prussia, iii. 424-426; + happiness of the Princess Royal, iii. 430; + wedding day anniversary, iii. 433; + Garibaldi letter, iii. 434; + death of the Duchess of Kent, iii. _420_, 435-439, 447, 448; + Mr Layard as Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, iii. 444-447; + King of Sweden's visit to Osborne, iii. 447; + his views on the Foreign Affairs, iii. 448-450; + the Queen's views, iii. 450; + visits Frogmore, iii. 451; + visits Ireland, iii. 452; + coronation of the King and Queen of Prussia, iii. 456-458; + Queen of Prussia on Foreign Policy, iii. 460; + appreciation of her Highland servant, iii. 461; + _Times_ newspaper's attacks on Prussia, iii. 462-464; + America's right to search neutral ships, iii. 466, 468; + Prince Consort's illness, iii. 468, 470; + slight improvement, iii. 470; + the crisis, iii. 472, 473; + pathetic letter to King Leopold on death of Prince Consort, + iii. 473, 476; + death of Lady Canning, iii. 475; + sympathetic letter to Viscount Canning, iii. 477 + +Victoria, Princess Royal, birth, i. 251; + i. 319, 322, 358, 364, 436, 451, 493; ii. 3, 5; + at opening of new Coal Exchange, ii. _228_; + ii. 276, 317; + riding accident, ii. 322; + her character, iii. 156; + question of marriage, iii. 146, 147, 182, 188, 195, 218, 221; + confirmation of, iii. 185; + birthday, iii. 216; + iii. 240; + marriage, iii. 253, _261_; + parting from the Queen, iii. 263, 264; + reception by the Prussians, iii. 454-456; + birth of the present German Emperor, iii. 313, 314; + iii. 332; + visit to the Queen, iii. 335; + birth of Princess Charlotte, iii. 406; + detailed account of death of King of Prussia, iii. 424-426; + domestic happiness of, iii. 430; + death of Duchess of Kent, iii. 435, 438 + +_Victoria and Albert_, Queen's yacht, ii. 42 + +---- Cross, iii. 160, 235 + +---- (Australia), governorship of, iii. 190 + +Vienna, Congress of, i. 3; + Treaty of, ii. _72_, 114, 455, 469; + Crimean Conference, its failure, iii. _63_, _64_; + Conference of the Powers, iii. 104 + +Villafranca, peace concluded at, iii. _308_, _355_, _359_, _361_ + +Villiers, George William Frederick, afterwards fourth Earl of +Clarendon. _See_ Clarendon + +---- Hon. Henry Montagu, Bishop of Carlisle, iii. 417 + +---- Mr Charles, "Father of the House," i. 148; + Free Trade motion, ii. 381, 399, 404; + proposed for office, ii. 422 + +Viscount, meaning of term, i. 124 + +Vivian, Sir Hussey, Master-General of the Ordnance, i. 279 + +Volunteer Review, iii. 406 + +_Vor-Parlament_, ii. _192_ + + + +Waddington, Dr, Dean of Durham, i. 453 + +Walcheren Expedition, iii. 76 + +Wales, Albert Edward, Prince of, afterwards King Edward VII., birth, +i. 364; + Order of Black Eagle conferred, i. 372; + christening, i. 376, 380; + education, i. 463, 475; + Grand Cross of St Andrew, ii. 17; + present from the King of the French, ii. 27; + Duke of Cornwall, ii. 100; + Irish title, ii. 224; + opening of new Coal Exchange, ii. _228_; + Foreign Orders, ii. 390; + confirmation, iii. 278; + visit to Napoleon at Cherbourg, iii. _296_; + visit to Rome, iii. 306, 311, 321; + tour in Canada and United States, iii. _380_, _411_, 413, 414; + visit to Coburg and Gotha, iii. _396_; + visit to Ireland, iii. _420_, 452; + goes to Cambridge, iii. _433_; + death of Prince Consort, iii. 476 + +---- tollbar disturbances, i. _450_, 483, 492 + +Walewski, Madame, iii. 333 + +---- Count, ii. _133; + coup d'etat_, Paris, ii. _334_, 339, 344, 347, 407; + proposed marriage of Louis Napoleon, ii. _410_, 422, 429; + Eastern Question, ii. 442; + Prince Albert's visit to Louis Napoleon, iii. 42; + want of transports, iii. 51; + curious letter, iii. _85_, _154_; + Treaty of Peace, iii. _160_, _213_, 215; + right of asylum despatch, iii. _261_, _266_, 276; + and war with Austria, iii. 333, _333_; + resignation, iii. _383_ + +Walker, Colonel, iii. 410 + +Wallachia, iii. _262_ + +Walmer Castle, i. 436; + Queen's visit to, i. 438, 443 + +Walpole, Spencer, ii. 374; + Militia Bill, ii. 386, 388; + on education, ii. 390, _391_, 428; iii. 76; + Home Secretary, iii. 272, 278; + withdraws from Ministry, iii. _307_ + +---- Sir Robert, i. 358 + +War, Secretary at, duties of, i. 100; + power to appoint Commander-in-Chief, ii. _393_ + +Warburton, Mr, Corn Law debate, i. 218 + +Ward, Mrs Horatia, daughter of Lord Nelson, iii. 41; + pension for her children, iii. 40, 41 + +---- Rev., Dean of Lincoln, ii. 46 + +Warre, Lieut.-Gen., Sir Wm., i. 423 + +Wasa, Princess Caroline Stephanie of, ii. 408 + +Washington, Prince of Wales's reception at, iii. _405_ + +Waterford, Queen's visit to, ii. 225 + +---- Marquess of, i. 388 + +Watson, Dr (afterwards Sir Thomas), Prince Consort's last illness, +iii. 473 + +---- Admiral, iii. 250 + +Weikersheim, iii. 396 + +Weimar, Grand Duke of, i. 180; iii. 456, 458 + +Wellesley, Lord Charles, ii. 23 + +---- Sir Arthur (afterwards Duke of Wellington), and Convention of Cintra, +iii. _175_ + +Wellington, Duke of, Foreign Secretary, i. _30_; + Reform Bill, i. 61, 89; + on Canadian difficulty, i. 100; + i. 106, 155; + interview with the Queen, i. 157; + convention of 1828, i. 229; + i. _253_; + illness, i. 259; + i. 300; + in the Cabinet, i. 309; + Roman Catholic Question, i. 365; + christening of the Prince of Wales, i. 376; + Commander-in-Chief, i. 420; + on duelling, i. _450_, 485; + i. 509; + Corn Laws, ii. 49, 63; + ii. 55, 63, 65; + on dissolution, ii. 81; + statue, ii. 95, 123, _124_; + Peninsular War medals, ii. 109, 113; + on intervention in Portugal, ii. 123; + on defence of England, ii. _141_; + Queen's tribute to, ii. 219; + Brevet promotions, ii. 227; + Sir Charles Napier's resignation, ii. 259; + views on formation of new Government, ii. 295; + appeal to, ii. 308, 309; + death, ii. _357_, 392; + Queen's appreciation of, ii. 394; + funeral arrangements, ii. 396; + India's homage to, ii. 401; + funeral, ii. 402 + +---- College, foundation stone, iii. 195 + +Welsh language, in schools, ii. 215 + +Wemyss, Earl of, _see_ Elcho + +Wessenberg, Baron, ii. 197 + +Westbury, Lord, _see_ Bethell, Sir Richard + +Westminster Abbey, the enthronisation, i. 121, 122 + +Westminster, Marquess of, K.G., iii. _227_ + +Westmorland, eleventh Earl of, Minister at Berlin, ii. 241, 250, 274; + question of decorations, iii. 202 + +Weyer, Sylvain van de, Belgian Foreign Minister, i. 58, 61, 182, 205; + visit to the Queen, i. 255; ii. 299, 362, 372; iii. 101, 109, 386 + +Whalley, Mr, M.P., iii. 402 + +Wharncliffe, first Baron, Lord President of the Council, i. 299, 309 + +Whateley, Richard, Archbishop of Dublin, i. 62 + +Wheeler, General Sir Hugh, mutiny at Cawnpore, iii. _238_ + +Whewell, Professor, i. 348 + +Whig Party, and the Royal Family, i. 5; + power of, i. 20; + weakness of, i. _43_, _209_; + Ministry of, i. _56_, 66, _102_, 106; + resignation of, i. 154; + resume office, i. 171; + Queen's opinion of, i. 213; + verge of dissolution, i. 230; + defeat, i. _253_; + in jeopardy, i. 268; + vote of censure, i. 289; + dissolution, i. 301; + Cabinet, i. 308; + Corn Law debate, i. 465; + unable to take office, ii. _30_, 58-63; + and Protectionists, ii. _71_; + take office, ii, _71_; + Irish Coercion Bill, ii. 79, 81, 82; + and Cobden, ii. 84; + jealousies, ii. 86; + Factory Act, ii. _115_; + intervention in Portugal, ii. _123_; + Poor Law Commission, ii. 130; + repeal of Navigation Laws, ii. _208_, 219; + case of Don Pacifico and Mr. Finlay, ii. _231_, 233-239, _243_, + _244_, _247_; + suggested rearrangement of offices, ii. 236; + Foreign Policy defended, ii. 252; + in difficulties, ii. _283_; + Government defeat and resignation, ii. 288, 291; + return to office, ii. 314; + attempted fusion with Peelites, ii. 359; + Militia Bill, ii. 368; + resignation, ii. 368, 385; + confusion of parties, ii. 403; + defeat Government on House Tax, ii. 411, 412, 413, 423, 425; + Lord Aberdeen forms a new Government, ii. 412-430; + withdrawal of Reform Bill, iii. _16_, _23_; + resignation of Lord John Russell, iii. 58, 61, _63_, 73-76; + Lord Palmerston becomes Premier, iii. 76; + Roebuck Motion, iii. 76, 78; + and Lord John Russell, iii. 86; + Government of 1855, iii. 97, 102; + Cabinet, iii. 103, 108, _109_; + Lord John Russell accepts the Colonial Office, iii. _109_; + dissolution on Chinese debate, iii. _229_; + return to power, iii. _307_ + +Whiteside, Mr, iii. 239 + +Whiting, page to Queen Victoria, i. 12 + +Wilberforce, Archdeacon (afterwards Bishop of Oxford), i. 333; +ii. 35, 82, 135; + Divorce Bill, iii. 231, 232 + +Wilkie, Sir David, i. 313 + +William I., King of Prussia, _see_ Prussia + +---- King of the Netherlands, _see_ Holland + +---- IV. of England (formerly Duke of Clarence), politics, i. 5; + marriage, i. 8, 14, 24; + succession to the Throne, i. 19; + estrangement with Duchess of Kent, i. 19, _27_, 68; + death and review of his reign, i. 19, 20, _56_; + illness, i. 71, 72, 73; + death, i. 74; + his children, i. _258_ + +Williams, General Fenwick, gallant defence of Kars, iii. _64_ + +---- Mr, i. 374 + +Willis's Rooms, iii. _341_ + +Willoughby, Lord, receptions at Court, iii. 385 + +Wilson, James, Financial Secretary to Treasury, afterwards Privy +Councillor, ii. 190 + +Wimpole, i. 504 + +Winchester, Marquess of, ii. 393 + +Windsor, Queen's opinion of, i. 85; + beauty of, i. 372 + +Wiseman, Cardinal, made Archbishop of Westminster, ii. _232_, _273_, 278 + +Woburn Abbey, Queen's visit to, i. 295 + +Wodehouse, Lady, iii. 205 + +---- Lord (afterwards Earl of Kimberley), iii. 377 + +Women and Politics, Queen Victoria's view of, ii. 362 + +Wood, Sir Charles (afterwards Viscount Halifax), Chancellor of the +Exchequer, ii. 84, 86, 109, 130, _132_, 139, 312, 324, 359; + Seals of Office given up, ii. 375; + Board of Control, ii. 421; + and Disraeli, ii, _428_; + India Bill, ii. 447; + and Lord John Russell, iii. 59; + Government of, 1855, iii. 93, 97, 98; + India Board, iii. 104; + first Lord of Admiralty, 1855, iii. _109_, 149, 253; + position of Naval Force, iii. 191; + financial crisis, iii. 256; + Secretary for India, iii. 349; + Italian Policy, iii. 366; + Indian titles, iii. 394; + Indian Civil Service, iii. 398; + artillery in India, iii. 473; + letter on death of Prince Consort, iii. 474 + +Woods, Sir William, i. 204 + +Woolwich Arsenal, ii. _22_ + +Worcester, Deanery of, ii. 40; + See of, iii. 416 + +Wordsworth, Rev. Dr Christopher, Headmaster of Harrow, i. 348 + +Woronzow, Prince Michael, i. 494 + +Worsley, Lord, i. 287 + +Woulfe, Stephen, afterwards Chief Baron for Ireland, i. 62 + +Wrangel, General von, iii. 454 + +Wuertemberg, Alexander, Duke of, marriage, i. 4 + +---- Crown Prince of, iii. 458 + +---- King of, marriage, i. 1; + visit to the Queen, i. 90 + +---- Prince Alexander, of, i. 89, 144, 145, 199 + +Wuertemberg, Princess Alexander of, death, i. 144, 150 + +---- Queen of, i. 11; + visit to Frogmore, i. 13 + +Wyse, Mr, British Envoy at Athens, ii. 229, 234, 235, _243_ + + + +Yang-tze River, i. _442_ + +Yeh, Chinese Governor, and Sir John Bowring, iii. _223_; + ultimatum, iii. _223_ + +York, Duke of, character, i. 5, 10 + +---- Prince Consort's visit to, ii. 184 + +Yorke, Sir Joseph, death, i. _384_ + +Young, Sir John, High Commissioner, iii. _309_ + +"Young England" party, ii. _1_, 16 + + + +Zichy, Count Eugene, i. 115 + +Zollverein, i. 289 + +Zouaves, iii. 136 + +Zurich, Treaty of Peace at, iii. _308_, _374_ + + * * * * * + +_Printed by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury. +Paper supplied by John Dickinson & Co., Ld., London._ + + + + + + * * * * * + + + + +Transcriber's note: + +ERRATA + +Page 20: extraneous "the" removed. (...what they are--the +the Queen...) + +Page 111: _so-fond_: hyphen removed + +Page 142: 'as replaced with 'at'. (The great event has at length taken +place...) + +Page 171: 'Fiday' corrected to 'Friday' (Lord Clarendon starts for +Paris on Friday.) + +Page 209: (indistinct) 'a s' corrected to 'pas', to conform with +wording of earlier draft (...ces dangers seront ecartes a l'instant +que la France s'unira a nous pour tenir un langage ferme a la Russie +qui tache de nous desunir et il ne faut pas qu'elle y reussisse.) + +Page 261: 'eighy' corrected to 'eighty' (...joined with eighty-four +Liberals and four Peelites...) + +Page 281, Footnote 28: 'wote' corrected to 'wrote'. + +Page 325: 'sentimens' [sic; instead of 'sentiments'] (Lord Cowley a +ete aupres de moi le digne interprete des sentiments de votre Majeste, +....) + +Page 325: 'independans' [sic; instead of 'independants'] Etats +independans. + +Page 325: 'sentimens' [sic; instead of 'sentiments'] C'est dans ces +sentimens que je renouvelle a votre Majeste.... + +[The omission of 't' in the above words may have been a personal +idiom. They have been left as such.] + +Page 390: Date corrected from 7th March 1863 to 7th March 1860. + +Page 432: 'preseved' corrected to 'preserved' (...by which the peace +of Europe may be preserved.) + +Page 444: '1831' corrected to '1851' (...your Majesty's sanction to +that was obtained in 1851-52,...) + +Page 503: 'annxation' corrected to 'annexation' + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LETTERS OF QUEEN VICTORIA, +VOLUME III (OF 3), 1854-1861*** + + +******* This file should be named 28649.txt or 28649.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/8/6/4/28649 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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