DEATH OF QUEEN LOUISE
Osborne,18th October 1850.
My dearest Uncle,—Thiswas the day Ialwaysand for somany yearswrote toher, toour adored Louise, and Inowwrite toyou, to thank you for thatheart-breaking, touching letter of the 16th, which you sovery kindlywrote to me. It issokind of you to write to us.Whata day Tuesday must have been!Welch einen Gang!andyesterday!Mygriefwasso greatagain yesterday. Totalkof her is mygreatest consolation!Let usall tryto imitateher!My poor dear Uncle, we wish so to be with you, to be ofany useto you. You will allow us, in three or four weeks, to go to you for two or three days,quite quietlyand alone, to Laeken withoutanyone, withoutanyreception anywhere, to cry with you and to talk with you ofHer. It will be a great comfort to us—asilent tributeofrespect and love to her—to be able to mingle our tears with yours overhertomb! And the affection of your two devoted children will perhaps besome slight balm. Myfirstimpulse was tofly at onceto you, but perhaps a few weeks' delay will be better. It will be agreatand melancholy satisfaction to us.Dailywill you feel more, my poor dear Uncle, thepoignancyofyour dreadfulloss; myheart breaksin thinking ofyouand the poor dear children.Howbeautiful it must be to see thatyour whole countryweeps and mournswithyou! For this country and for your children you musttryto bear up, and feel that inso doingyou are doingallshewished. If onlywecould be of use to you! ifIcould doanythingfor dear little Charlotte, whom our blessed Louise talked ofsooften to me.
May IwritetoyouonFridayswhen I used to write to her, as well as on Tuesdays? You neednotanswer me, and whenever it bores you to write to me, or you have no time, let one of the dear children write to me.
May God bless and protect you ever, my beloved Uncle, isour anxious prayer. Embrace the dear children in the name of one who has almost the feelings of a mother for them. Ever your devoted Niece and loving Child,
Victoria R.
THE QUEEN AND PALMERSTON
Osborne,19th October 1850.
The Queen is very glad of the result of the conflict with Lord Palmerston, of which Lord John Russell apprised her by his letter of yesterday's date. The correspondence, which the Queen now returns, shows clearly that Lord Palmerston in this transaction, as in every other, remained true to his principles of action.... But it shows also that Lord John has the power of exercising that control over Lord Palmerston, the careful exercise of which he owes to the Queen, his colleagues, and the country, if he will take the necessary pains to remain firm. The Queen does not believe inresignationunder almost any circumstances.
The Queen is very anxious about the Holstein question, and sends a copy of her last letter to Lord Palmerston on the subject.
Pembroke Lodge,21st October 1850.
Sir,—I have just received this note from Lord Palmerston.43
The French Ambassador, who has been here, confirms the news. We must consider the whole affair on Wednesday, and I shall be glad to learn what the Queen thinks can be done.
Mr Tennyson is a fit person to be Poet Laureate.
I have the honour to be, your Royal Highness's most obedient Servant,
J. Russell.
Footnote 43: The note was in reference to the affairs of Hesse-Cassel, and to the rumours of a Conference to be held in Austria for the settlement of German affairs.
THE TRACTARIAN MOVEMENT
Bishopthorpe,25th October 1850.
Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he has read with attention the letter of the Duchess of Norfolk.44He has also read the Pope's Bull. It strikes him thatthe division into twelve territorial dioceses of eight ecclesiastical vicariats is not a matter to be alarmed at. The persons to be affected by this change must be already Roman Catholics before it can touch them.
The matter to create rational alarm is, as your Majesty says, the growth of Roman Catholic doctrines and practices within the bosom of the Church. Dr Arnold said very truly, "I look upon a Roman Catholic as an enemy in his uniform; I look upon a Tractarian as an enemy disguised as a spy."
It would be very wrong to do as the Bishop of Oxford proposed, and confer the patronage of the Crown on any of these Tractarians. But, on the other hand, to treat them with severity would give the whole party vigour and union.
The Dean of Bristol is of opinion that the Tractarians are falling to pieces by dissension. It appears clear that Mr Denison and Mr Palmer have broken off from Dr Pusey.
Sir George Grey will ask the Law Officers whether there is anything illegal in Dr Wiseman's assuming the title of Archbishop of Westminster. An English Cardinal is not a novelty.45
Footnote 44: Two important events in the history of the English Church had just occurred. The Bishop of Exeter had refused to institute Mr Gorham to a Crown living in his diocese, on the ground that his teaching on baptism was at variance with the formularies of the Church. This decision, though upheld in the Court of Arches, was reversed (though not unanimously) by the Privy Council. High Church feeling was much aroused by the judgment.
In September, Pius IX. (now re-established in the Vatican) promulgated a papal brief, restoring the Roman Catholic hierarchy in England, and dividing it territorially into twelve sees, and in October Cardinal Wiseman, as Archbishop of Westminster, issued his Pastoral, claiming that Catholic England had been restored to its orbit in the ecclesiastical firmament. The Duchess of Norfolk, writing from Arundel, had criticised the proselytising action of certain Roman Catholic clergy.Seethe Queen's reply,post,p. 277.
Footnote 45: Lord John wrote on the 4th of November to Dr Maltby, Bishop of Durham, denouncing the assumption of spiritual superiority over England, in the documents issued from Rome. But what alarmed him more (he said) was the action of clergymen within the Church leading their flocks dangerously near the brink, and recommending for adoption the honour paid to saints, the claim of infallibility for the Church, the superstitious use of the sign of the cross, the muttering of the liturgy so as to disguise the language in which it was said, with the recommendation of auricular confession and the administration of Penance and absolution.
Lord John was pictorially satirised inPunchas the boy who chalked up "No popery" on the door and ran away.
UNREST IN EUROPE
Ardenne,10th November 1850.
My dearest Victoria,—I write already to-day that it may not miss to-morrow's messenger. I came here yesterday by a mild sunshine, and the valley of the Meuse was very pretty. I love my solitude here, and though the house is small and not what it ought to have been, still I always liked it. There seems in most countries danger of agitation and convulsions arising. I don't know how it will end in Germany. In France it is difficult that things should not break up some way or other. I trust you may be spared religious agitation. These sorts of things begin with one pretext, and sometimes continue with others. I don't think Europe was ever in more danger,il y atant d'anarchie dans les esprits. I don't think that can be curedà l'eau de rose; the human race is not naturally good, very much the contrary; it requires a strong hand, and is, in fact, even pleased to be led in that way; the memory of all the sort of Césars and Napoléons, from whom they chiefly got blows, is much dearer to them than the benefactors of mankind, whom they crucify when they can have their own way. Give my best love to Albert; and I also am very anxious to be recalled to the recollection of the children, who were so very friendly at Ostende. How far we were then to guess what has since happened.... My dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle,
Leopold R.
Thursday morning[November ...]1850.
Dearest Fanny,—This is a case of positive necessity, and asnoneof the ladies are forthcoming I fear I must call upon you to attend meto-night. You did so oncein statebefore, and as it is not amatter of pleasure, but of duty, I am sure you will at once feel that you can have no scruple.
Whenever the Mistress of the Robes does not attend, Ialwayshave three ladies, as they must take turns in standing behind me. Ever yours affectionately,
Victoria R.
Footnote 46: Frances, Countess of Gainsborough, daughter of the third Earl of Roden, a Lady of the Bedchamber, and known till 1841 as Lady Barham.
ENGLAND AND GERMANY
Windsor Castle,18th November 1850.
The Queen is exceedingly sorry to hear that Lord Westmorland47is gone, as she was particularly anxious to have seen him before his return to Berlin, and to have talked to him on the present critical events in Germany; but she quite forgot the day of his departure. What is the object of his seeing the President at Paris? and what are his instructions with regard to Germany?48
Havinginvariably encouraged Constitutionaldevelopment in other countries,... and having at the beginning of the great movement in 1847, which led to all the catastrophes of the following years,senta Cabinet Minister to Italy todeclaretoall Italian states thatEnglandwouldprotectthem from Austria if she should attempt by threats and violence to debar them from theattainmentof theirConstitutionaldevelopment,consistencywould require that we shouldnow, when that great struggle is at its end anddespotismis to bere-imposedby Austrian arms upon Germany, throwour weightinto the scale ofConstitutionalPrussia and Germany.... The Queen is afraid, however, that all our Ministers abroad,—at Berlin, Dresden, Munich, Stuttgart, Hanover, etc. (with the exception of Lord Cowley at Frankfort)—are warm partisans of thedespoticleague against Prussia and a German Constitution andforthe maintenance of the old Diet under Austrian and Russian influence. Ought not Lord Palmerston to make his agents understand that their sentiments are at variance with those of the English Government? and that they are doingserious mischiefif they express them at Courts which havealreadyevery inclination to follow their desperate course?
Lord Palmerston is of course aware that the old Diet once reconstituted and recognised, one of the main laws of it is that "no organic change can be madewithoutunanimityof voices," which was the cause of the nullity of that body from 1820 to 1848, and will now enable Austria, should Prussia and her confederates recognise the Diet, to condemn Germany to a further life of stagnation or new revolution.
Footnote 47: Minister at Berlin.
Footnote 48: Lord Palmerston may have had this letter of the Queen's in mind when he wrote on the 22nd of November to Lord Cowley: "Her (i.e.Prussia's) partisans try to make out that the contest between her and Austria is a struggle between constitutional and arbitrary Government, but it is no such thing." Ashley'sLife of Lord Palmerston, vol. 1. chap. vi.
CONSTITUTIONALISM IN GERMANY
Foreign Office,18th November 1850.
Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty. With respect to the maintenance of Constitutional Government in Germany, Viscount Palmerston entirely subscribes to your Majesty's opinion, that a regard for consistency, as well as a sense of right and justice, ought to lead your Majesty's Government to give to the Constitutional principle in Germany the same moral support which they endeavoured to afford it in Italy, Spain, Portugal, and elsewhere; but though he is conscious that he may be deceived and may think better of the Austrian Government in this respect than it deserves, yet he cannot persuade himself that rational and sound Constitutional Government is at present in danger in Germany, or that the Austrian Government, whatever may be their inclination and wishes, can think it possible in the present day to re-establish despotic government in a nation so enlightened, and so attached to free institutions as the German people now is. The danger for Germany seems to lie rather in the oppositedirection, arising from the rash and weak precipitation with which in 1848 and 1849 those Governments which before had refused everything resolved in a moment of alarm to grant everything, and, passing from one extreme to the other, threw universal suffrage among people who had been, some wholly and others very much, unaccustomed to the working of representative Government. The French have found universal suffrage incompatible with good order even in a Republic; what must it be for a Monarchy?
Viscount Palmerston would, moreover, beg to submit that the conflict between Austria and Prussia can scarcely be said to have turned upon principles of Government so much as upon a struggle for political ascendency in Germany. At Berlin, at Dresden, and in Baden the Prussian Government has very properly no doubt employed military force to reestablish order; and in regard to the affairs of Hesse, the ground taken by Prussia was not so much a constitutional as a military one, and the objection which she made to the entrance of the troops of the Diet was that those troops might become hostile, and that they ought not, therefore, to occupy a central position in the line of military defence of Prussia.
The remark which your Majesty makes as to unanimity being required for certain purposes by the Diet regulations is no doubt very just, and that circumstance certainly shows that the free Conference which is about to be held is a better constructed body for planning a new arrangement of a central organ.49
Footnote 49: War was staved off by the Conference; but the relative predominance of Prussia and Austria in Germany was left undecided for some years to come.
STATE OF THE CONTINENT
Windsor Castle,22nd November 1850.
My dearest Uncle,—Accept my best thanks for your kind letter of the 17th, and the dear little English one from dear little Charlotte, which is so nicely written, and shows such an amiable disposition. I send her to-day a little heart for the hair of our blessed Angel, which I hope she will often wear. Our girls have all got one. I have written to the dear child. You should have the dear children as much with you as possible; I amsureit would be sogood and usefulforyouandthem. Children ought to have great confidence in their parents, in order for them to have any influence over them.
Yesterday Vicky was ten years old. It seems a dream. If she lives, in eight years more she may be married! She is a very clever child, and I must say very much improved.
The state of the Continent is deplorable; the folly of Austria and the giving way of Prussia are lamentable.Ourinfluence on the Continent isnull.... Add to this, we are between two fires inthiscountry: a furious Protestant feeling and an enraged Catholic feeling in Ireland. I believe that Austria fans the flame at Rome, and that thewhole movementon the Continent isanti-Constitutional,anti-Protestant,and anti-English; and this is so complicated, and we have (thanks to Lord Palmerston) contrived to quarrelso happily, separately with each, that I do not knowhowwe are to stand against it all!
I must now conclude. Trusting soon to hear from you again. Ever your devoted Niece,
Victoria R.
My longing for dearest Louise seems only to increase as time goes on.
Windsor Castle,22nd November 1850.
My dear Duchess,—It is very remiss in me not to have sooner answered your letter with the enclosure, but I received it at a moment of great grief, and since then I have been much occupied.
I fully understand your anxiety relative to the proceedings of the Roman Catholic Clergy, but I trust that there is norealdanger to be apprehended from that quarter, the more so as I believe they see that they have been misled and misinformed as to the feeling of this country by some of the new converts to their religion. The real danger to be apprehended, and what I am certain has led to these proceedings on the part of the Pope, lies inour owndivisions, and in the extraordinary conduct of the Puseyites. I trust that the eyes of many may now be opened. One would, however, much regret to see any acts of intolerance towards the many innocent people who I believe entirely disapprove the injudicious conduct of their Clergy.
Hoping that you are all well, believe me, always, yours, affectionately,
Victoria R.
Windsor Castle,29th November 1850.
My dearest Uncle,—I have no dear letter to answer, but write to keep to the dear day, rendered so peculiarly dear to me by the recollection of our dearly beloved Louise.
We are well, but much troubled with numberless things. Our religious troubles are great, and I must just say that Cardinal Wisemanhimselfadmits that Austria not only approves the conduct of the Pope but is urgingonthePropaganda. Iknow thisto be so. Our great difficulty must be, and will be, to steer clear of both parties—the violent Protestants and the Roman Catholics. We wish in no way to infringe the rights of the Roman Catholics, while we must protect and uphold our own religion.
We have seen General Radowitz,50with whom we have been much interested; his accounts are very clear and very able, and I must say, very fair and strictly constitutional. You know him, I suppose? Might I again ask, dearest Uncle, if you would like to have a copy of Ross's picture of our angel Louise or of Winterhalter's?
Lady Lyttelton, who is returned, is very anxious in her enquiries after you.
I must now conclude, my dearest Uncle. Ever your devoted Niece,
Victoria R.
Footnote 50: General Radowitz, who had been Minister for Foreign Affairs in Prussia, had just arrived in England on a special mission from the King of Prussia.
STATE OF GERMANY
Windsor Castle,3rd December 1850.
My beloved Uncle,—Two of your dear letters are before me, of the 29th November and of yesterday. In the former yougive me a promise, which I considermostvaluable, and which I shallremindyou of if you get desponding, viz. "I will to please youlabour on, and do all the good I can." It is so pleasing to feel that onedoesgood and does one's duty. It sweetens so many bitter trials.
The state of Germany is indeed a very anxious one. It is a mistake to think thesupremacy of Prussiaiswhat is wished for. General Radowitz himself says that what is necessary for Germany [is] that she should take the lead, and should redeem the pledges given in '48. Unless this bedonein a moderate and determined way, afearful reactionwill take place, which willoverturn Thrones; to use Radowitz's own words: "und nicht vor dem Thron stehen bleiben." Prussia is theonly largeand powerfulreally GermanPower there is, and therefore she must take the lead; but her constant vacillation—one day doing one thing and another day another—has caused her to be entirely distrusted. You are quite right in saying things should be doned'un commun accord, and I think that the othergreat Powers ought to be consulted. Unfortunately,Lord Palmerstonhas contrived to make usso hatedby all parties abroad, that we have lost our position and our influence, which, considering the flourishing and satisfactory state of this country during all the European convulsions,oughtto have beenimmense. This it is which pains and grieves me so deeply, and which I have so plainly been speaking to Lord John Russell about. What a noble position wemighthave had, and how wantonly has it been thrown away!
Good Stockmar is well, and always of thegreatestcomfort and use to us. His judgment is so sound, so unbiassed, and so dispassionate. Ever your devoted Niece,
Victoria R.
ENGLAND AND ROME
Windsor Castle,8th December 1850.
The Queen received Lord John Russell's letter and the draft yesterday. He must be a better judge of what the effect of Mr Sheil's51presence in Rome may be than she can; but for her own part, she thinks it entirely against her notions of what isbecomingtoaskthePopefor afavour(for it is tantamount to that) at a moment when his name is being vilified and abused in every possible manner in this country. It strikes the Queen as anundignifiedcourse for this Government to pursue.
The Queen is glad to hear of what passed between the Archbishop and Lord John.52She trusts that something may be done, as the desire for it seems to be so great. On the other hand, the Queen deeply regrets the great abuse of the Roman Catholic religion which takes place at all these meetings, etc. She thinks it unchristian and unwise, and trusts that it will soon cease....
Footnote 51: Minister at the Court of Tuscany.
Footnote 52: The Government were preparing for the introduction of their Ecclesiastical Titles Bill.
LADY PEEL
Windsor Castle,10th December 1850.
My beloved Uncle,—My letter must, I fear, be a somewhat hurried and short one, for my morning has been taken up in receiving in state Addresses from the City and Universities about thisunfortunate"Papal Aggression" business, which is still keeping people in a feverish state of wild excitement.53Onegood effect it has had, viz. that of directing people's seriousattention to the very alarming tendency of theTractarians, which was doingimmenseharm....
Many, many thanksfor your two dear and kind letters of the 6th and of yesterday. All yousayaboutLouise, and about the disappearancefor everofallthatshe lovedand wasproud of, is so true, sodreadful. One fancies (foolishly and wrongly, but still onedoes) that the lost one has been hardly used in no longer enjoying these earthly blessings, and one's grief seems to break out afresh in bitter agony uponsmall and comparatively triflingoccasions. Poor Lady Peel (whom I saw for the first time yesterday at Buckingham Palace, whither I had gone for an hour) expressedthisstrongly.Hersis indeed abroken heart; she is sotrulycrushed by theagonyofhergrief; it wasverytouching to see and to hear her. Poor thing! shenevercan be happy again!
What you say aboutmeis far too kind. I am veryoftensadly dissatisfied with myself and with the little self-control I have.
Your long letter interested us much. I fear the German affairs are very bad.... That everlasting "backwards and forwards," as you say, of my poor friend the King of Prussia iscalamitous; it causesallparties to distrust him, and givesrealstrength only to the Republicans. Since '48 that has been his conduct, and themisfortunefor Germany. Asteadycourse,whateverit may be, isalwaysthe best.
What you say about poor Hélène54and France is true and sad. I really wish you would caution Hélène as to her language; she is much attached to you. Ipityher very much; her position is very trying, and her religion renders it more difficult even.
I must now end my letter. I grieve to hear of your goingaloneto Ardenne; it isBADfor you to be alone, and your poor children also ought not to be alone. Ever your devoted Niece,
Victoria R.
Footnote 53: These Addresses were presented at Windsor, Prince Albert and the Duke of Wellington representing the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford.
Footnote 54: The Duchess of Orleans.
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
Downing Street,11th December 1850.
Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has the honour to state that the Cabinet to-day considered at great length the question of the steps to be taken in respect to the Papal Aggression.
The inclination of the majority was not to prosecute, but to bring a Bill into Parliament to make the assumption of anytitles of archbishop, etc., of any place in the United Kingdom illegal, and to make any gift of property conveyed under such title null and void.
RITUALISM
Windsor Castle,12th December 1850.
My dear Aunt,—Many thanks for your kind letter; you are quite right not to distress the Duchess of Cambridge by mentioning to her what I wrote to you about the Bishop of London.55I am glad that you are pleased with my answers to the Addresses; I thought them very proper.56
I would never have consented to say anything which breathed a spirit of intolerance. Sincerely Protestant as I always have been and always shall be, and indignant as I am at those whocall themselves Protestants, while they in factarequite thecontrary, I much regret the unchristian and intolerant spirit exhibited by many people at the public meetings. I cannot bear to hear the violent abuse of the Catholic religion, which is so painful and cruel towards the many good and innocent Roman Catholics. However, we must hope and trust this excitement will soon cease, and that the wholesome effect of it on our ownChurchwill be the lasting result of it. Ever yours ...
Victoria R.
Footnote 55: The Bishop of London had taken the same view as Lord John Russell of the Papal action, though they had disagreed over the Gorham controversy.
Footnote 56: Seeante,p. 279.
Windsor Castle,14th December 1850.
The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter of yesterday. She sanctions the introduction into Parliament of a Bill framed on the principles agreed upon at yesterday's Cabinet, presuming that it will extend to the whole United Kingdom. What is to be done, however, with respect to the Colonies where the Roman Catholic bishoprics are recognised by the Government under territorial titles? and what is to be done with Dr Cullen, who has assumed the title of Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of all Ireland, which is punishable under the Emancipation Act? If this is left unnoticed, the Government will be left with the "lame" argument in Parliament of which we conversed here. Could the Government not be helped out of this difficulty by the Primate himself prosecuting the obtruder? The Queen hopes that the meeting of the archdeacons withDr Lushington may do some good; she cannot say that she is pleased with the Archbishop's answer to the laity published in to-day'sTimes, which leaves them without a remedy if the clergymen persist in Puseyite Rituals! The Queen will return Lord Minto's letter with the next messenger.
Windsor Castle,22nd December 1850.
The Queen now returns Lord Seymour's letter respecting the New Forest, and sanctions the proposed arrangement. Considering, however, that she gives up the deer, and all patronage and authority over the Forest, she wishes the shooting, as the only remaining Royalty, not to be withdrawn from her authority also. It will be quite right to give Deputations57to shoot over the various divisions and walks of the Forest to gentlemen of the neighbourhood or others; but in order that this may establish no right on their part, and may leave the Sovereign a voice in the matter, she wishes that a list be prepared every year of the persons recommended by the Office of Woods to receive Deputations and submitted for her approval.
Footnote 57: A deputation,i.e., a deputed right to take game.
The Ministry were in difficulties at the very beginning of the session (1851), being nearly defeated on a motion made in the interest of the agricultural party; and though the Ecclesiastical Titles Bill was allowed to be brought in, they were beaten in a thin House chiefly by their own friends, on the question of the County Franchise. A crisis ensued, and a coalition of Whigs and Peelites was attempted, but proved impracticable. Lord Stanley having then failed to form a Protectionist Ministry, the Whigs, much weakened, had to resume office.
The Exhibition, which was opened in Hyde Park on the 1st of May, was a complete success, a brilliant triumph indeed, for the Prince, over six million people visiting it; it remained open till the Autumn, and the building, some time after its removal, was re-erected at Sydenham, at the Crystal Palace.
The Ecclesiastical Titles Bill, much modified, was proceeded with, and, though opposed by the ablest Peelites and Radicals, became law, though its effect, while in operation, was virtuallynil. It was in after-years repealed.
Kossuth, the champion of Hungarian independence, visited England in October, and Lord Palmerston had to be peremptorily restrained from receiving him publicly at the Foreign Office. A little later, Kossuth's ultra-liberal sympathisers in London addressed the Foreign Secretary in language violently denunciatory of the Emperors of Austria and Russia, for which Lord Palmerston failed to rebuke them. The cup was filled to the brim by his recognition of the President'scoup d'étatin France. Louis Napoleon, after arresting M. Thiers and many others, proclaimed the dissolution of the Council of State and the National Assembly, decreed a state of siege, and re-established universal suffrage, with a Chief Magistrate elected for ten years, and a Ministry depending on the executive alone. Palmerston thereupon, though professing an intention of non-interference, conveyed to the French Ambassador in London his full approbation of the proceeding, and his conviction that the President could not have acted otherwise. Even after this indiscreet action, the Premier found some difficulty in bringing him to book; but before the end of the year he was dismissed from office, with the offer, which he declined, of the Irish Lord-Lieutenancy and a British Peerage. Greatly to the Queen's satisfaction, Lord Granville became Foreign Secretary.
At the Cape, Sir Harry Smith was engaged in operations against the Kaffirs, which were not brought to a successful termination till the following year, when General Cathcart had superseded him.
Windsor Castle,25th January 1851.
The Queen approves of the elevation of Mr. Pemberton Leigh1to the Peerage, which she considers a very useful measure, and not likely to lead to any permanent increase of the Peerage, as he is not likely to marry at his present age, and considering that he has only a life interest in his large property.
With regard to the creation of Dr Lushington2as a Peer, without remainder, the Queen has again thoroughly considered the question, and is of opinion that the establishment of the principle of creation for life—in cases where public advantage may be derived from the grant of a Peerage, but where there may be no fortune to support the dignity in the family—is most desirable. The mode in which the public will take the introduction of it will however chiefly depend upon the merits of the first case brought forward. Dr Lushington appears to the Queen so unobjectionable in this respect that she cannot but approve of the experiment being tried with him.
It would be well, however, that it should be done quietly; that it should not be talked about beforehand or get into the papers, which so frequently happens on occasions of this kind, and generally does harm.
Footnote 1: Member of Parliament for Rye 1881-1832, and Ripon 1835-1843, afterwards a member of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council: he became a Peer (Lord Kingsdown) in 1858, having declined a peerage on the present and other occasions.
Footnote 2: Dr Lushington was judge of the Admiralty Court: he had been counsel for, and an executor of, Queen Caroline. He declined the offer now suggested, and the subsequent debates on the Wensleydale Peerage show that the proposed grant would have been ineffectual for its purpose.
DIPLOMATIC ARRANGEMENTS
Windsor Castle,31st January 1851.
The Queen has received Lord Palmerston's letter of the 29th, in which he proposes a change in those diplomatic arrangements which she had already sanctioned on his recommendation, and must remark that the reasons which Lord Palmerston adducesin support of his present proposition are in direct contradiction to those by which he supported his former recommendation.3
The principle which the Queen would wish to see acted upon in her diplomatic appointments in general, is, that thegood of the serviceshould precede every other consideration, and that the selection of an agent should depend more on his personal qualifications for the particular post for which he is to be selected than on the mere pleasure and convenience of the person to be employed, or of the Minister recommending him.
According to Lord Palmerston's first proposal, Sir H. Seymour was to have gone to St Petersburg, Lord Bloomfield to Berlin, and Sir Richard Pakenham to Lisbon; now Lord Palmerston wishes to send Lord Cowley to St Petersburg.
The Queen has the highest opinion of Lord Cowley's abilities, and agrees with Lord Palmerston in thinking that Russia will, for some time at least, exercise a predominating influence over all European affairs. She would accordingly not object to see that Agent accredited there in whom she herself places the greatest confidence. But according to the same principle, she must insist that the posts of Berlin and Frankfort, which in her opinion are of nearly equal importance, should be filled by men capable of dealing with the complicated and dangerous political questions now in agitation there, and the just appreciation and judicious treatment of which are of the highest importance to the peace of Europe, and therefore to the welfare of England.
Before the Queen therefore decides upon Lord Palmerston's new proposals, she wishes to knowwhomhe could recommend for the post of Frankfort in the event of Lord Cowley leaving it, and thinks it but right to premise that in giving her sanction to the proposals Lord Palmerston may have to submit, she will be guided entirely by the principle set forth above.
Footnote 3: Lord Palmerston had altered his mind as to certain proposed diplomatic changes, and suggested the appointment of Sir Hamilton Seymour to Berlin, Lord Bloomfield to Lisbon, Lord Cowley to Petersburg, Mr Jerningham, Sir Henry Ellis, or Sir Richard Pakenham to Frankfort.
DIPLOMATIC ARRANGEMENTS
Chesham Place,12th January 1851.
Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has the honour to state that Mr Disraeli brought forward his Motion yesterday.4His speech was long and elaborate, but not that of a man who was persuaded he was undertaking a good cause.
He proposed nothing specific, but said nothing offensive.
The doubts about the division increase. Mr Hayter reckonedyesterday on a majority of three! Sir James Graham is of opinion Lord Stanley will not undertake anything desperate. He will speak in favour of Government to-morrow, when the division will probably take place.
Footnote 4: On agricultural distress; the Motion was lost by fourteen only in a large House.
Buckingham Palace,15th February 1851.
The Queen has received Lord Palmerston's letter of yesterday, and has to state in answer her decision in favour of the original plan of appointments, viz. of Sir H. Seymour to Petersburg, Lord Bloomfield to Berlin, and Sir R. Pakenham to Lisbon. The Queen quite agrees with Lord Palmerston in the opinion that the post at Petersburg is more important than that of Frankfort, and had Lord Palmerston been able to propose a good successor to Lord Cowley she would have approved his going to Petersburg; Sir R. Pakenham, however, would not take Frankfort if offered to him, as it appears, and the two other persons proposed would not do for it, in the Queen's opinion. It must not be forgotten that at a place for action like Petersburg, the Minister will chiefly have to look to his instructions from home, while at a place of observation, as Lord Palmerston justly calls Frankfort, everything depends upon the acuteness and impartiality of the observer, and upon the confidence with which he may be able to inspire those from whom alone accurate information can be obtained. Lord Cowley possesses eminently these qualities, and Sir H. Seymour has at all times shown himself equal to acting under most difficult circumstances. The desire of the Emperor to see Lord Cowley at Petersburg may possibly resolve itself in the desire of Baron Brunnow to see him removed from Germany.... The Queen had always understood that Sir H. Seymour would be very acceptable to the Emperor, and that Count Nesselrode called him a diplomatist "de la bonne vieille roche."