_ not only to the nations, but also
to us. Every blessing and happiness to you, dear Albert, and your
children, and for me your love and affection, which is a blessing to
your devoted Sister,

FEODORA.

Ernest also wishes you all possible happiness. If Ada has the wish to
see the Emperor before she decides, what is to be done?

[Pageheading: NEW YEAR WISHES]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _31st December 1852._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--On _this_, the last day of the old year, allow me
to offer my most ardent wishes for _many_ and happy returns of the
New Year to you and yours. May it be one of peace and prosperity to
us _all_, and may we have the happiness of seeing _you_ again. May we
still hope to see you this _winter_ or not?

Our Government is very satisfactorily settled. To have my faithful
friend Aberdeen as Prime Minister is a great happiness and comfort
for me personally. Lord Palmerston is terribly altered, and all his
friends think him breaking. He walks with two sticks, and seemed in
great suffering at the Council, I thought. I must now conclude. Ever
your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

TO CHAPTER XXII

The opening of the year 1853 saw a strong Coalition Ministry in power;
the necessity of a cordial understanding with France was obvious, but
bitter and indiscreet attacks on the Emperor of the French were made
by certain members of the Government, for which Mr Disraeli took them
severely to task. Lord John Russell, who had been appointed Foreign
Secretary, resigned that office in February, in favour of Lord
Clarendon, being unable to bear the twofold burden of the Leadership
of the House and the Foreign Office. Though the arrangement was
questioned, he continued during the year to lead the House without
office. A Canadian Clergy Reserves Bill, an India Bill, introducing
competitive examination into the Civil Service, and various measures
of Metropolitan improvement were passed. A more important feature of
the Session was Mr Gladstone's first Budget, dealing comprehensively
with the Income Tax, and imposing a duty on successions to real
property.

The Eastern Question, however, overshadowed all other interests. For
some time a dispute had existed between the Latin and Greek Churches
as to the guardianship of the Holy Places (including the Church of
the Holy Sepulchre) in Palestine. After long negotiations between the
French and Russia