then been agreed to by Lord John Russell. The Queen begins
to fear serious mischief from the long duration of the crisis. It must
weaken the prestige of the new Government, and, instead of smoothing
difficulties, is, from the nature of things, rather calculated to
invite new ones. The Queen has, in her letter of yesterday, stated
some objections _she_ felt, but added that she would waive them all
for the satisfaction of the immediate want of the country (a strong
Government), and she must express her hope that political parties will
not fall short in patriotic spirit of the example she has thus herself
set.

_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._
[_Draft--from recollection._]

WINDSOR CASTLE, _24th December 1852._

The Queen has received Lord Aberdeen's letter of this afternoon, and
is very glad to hear that he has overcome the difficulties which he
mentioned this morning, and that he has secured the services of Lord
Lansdowne in the Cabinet. She hopes, however, that Lord Aberdeen will
remain firm on the other points, as difficulties are never overcome by
yielding to more than can be fairly demanded.

_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _25th December 1852._

Lord Aberdeen came this afternoon to announce the completion of his
Cabinet.

From many of them answers have not yet been received.

The day before it looked very bad. Lord John Russell had sent in such
a list of persons whom he required in the Cabinet (Sir Francis
Baring, Sir George Grey, etc., etc.), that, having been very yielding
hitherto, Lord Aberdeen was obliged to be peremptory in his refusal.
Now that the Cabinet was formed on a due proportion, he was inclined
to let Lord John have his own way pretty much with regard to the
minor Offices, considering that he brought 250 followers, and he (Lord
Aberdeen) only 50.

It was to Lord Clarendon that the persuasion of Lady John was finally
due, but Lord Aberdeen had to add his own promise to that of Lord
Clarendon, that the latter would take the Foreign Office whenever she
thought Lord John ought to be relieved from it.

Lady Palmerston had been most anxious to bring her husband into office
again; Lord Aberdeen had seen the first symptom of their joint wish in
the earnestness with which Lord Palmerston's friends declared in all
places that, had he been well enough, he would certainly have voted
against the Government.

Lord Lansdowne's exertions and Lord Clarendon's disin