Chapter XXIV (4)

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_.