laid the foundation of permanent peace, order, and freedom in Europe.
Selfishness and cunning have destroyed that which honesty and wisdom
might have maintained. It is impossible not to pity the innocent
victims of the misconduct of Louis Philippe. Still less can one
refrain from regarding with dread the fearful state of Germany, of her
princes, her nobles, and her tempest-tossed people.

The example of Great Britain, may, however, secure an interval of
reflection for Europe. The next six months will be very trying, but
they may end with better prospects than we can now behold. It was
impossible that the exclusion of free speaking and writing which
formed the essence of Prince Metternich's system could continue. It
might have been reformed quietly; it has fallen with a crash which
spreads ruin and death around.

Lady John is deeply grateful for the congratulations of your Majesty
and the Prince.[15] She is going on well to-day.

[Footnote 15: On the birth of a second son.]

[Pageheading: ALARMING STATE OF IRELAND]

_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._

OSBORNE, _16th April 1848._

The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter. The state of
Ireland is most alarming and most anxious; altogether, there is so
much inflammable matter all around us that it makes one tremble.
Still, the events of Monday must have a calming and salutary effect.
Lord John Russell's remarks about Europe, and the unfortunate and
calamitous policy of the Government of the poor King of the French are
most true. But is he not even most to be pitied for being the cause
of such misery? (Though perhaps he does not attribute it to himself),
for, to see all his hopes thus destroyed, his pride humbled, his
children--whom he loves dearly--ruined--is not this enough to make a
man wretched? and indeed much to be pitied; for _he_ cannot feel _he_
could _not_ have prevented all this. Still Guizot is more to blame;
_he_ was the responsible adviser of all this policy: he is _no_
Bourbon, and he ought to have behaved differently. Had the poor King
died in 1844 after he came here, and before that most unfortunate
Spanish marriages question was started, he would have deservedly gone
down to posterity as a great monarch. _Now_, what will be his name in
history? His fate is a great _moral!_

With regard to Germany, Prince Metternich is the cause of half the
misfortune. His advice was taken by almost all the sovereigns of that
country, and