it has kept them from doing in time what has now been
torn from them with the loss of many rights which they need not have
sacrificed. We heard yesterday that the Archduke John[16] had arrived
at Frankfort. This is a wise measure, and may do much good and prevent
much evil, as he is a popular and most distinguished prince....

[Footnote 16: Uncle of the Emperor (Ferdinand I.) of Austria,
born 1782.]

[Pageheading: LORD PALMERSTON AND THE QUEEN]

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._

OSBORNE, _17th April 1848._

The Queen not having heard anything from Lord Palmerston respecting
foreign affairs for so long a time, and as he must be in constant
communication with the Foreign Ministers in these most eventful and
anxious times, writes to urge Lord Palmerston to keep her informed
of what he hears, and of the views of the Government on the important
questions before us.

She now only gets the Drafts when they are gone.

The acceptance of the mediation between Denmark and Holstein is too
important an event not to have been first submitted to the Queen.

_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._

CARLTON GARDENS, _18th April 1848._

Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and
regrets much that he has not lately had an opportunity of giving
your Majesty verbally such explanations as your Majesty might wish to
receive with respect to the progress of foreign affairs, but Viscount
Palmerston hopes to be able to get down to Broadlands for a few days
on Saturday next, and he could easily from thence wait upon your
Majesty on any morning and at any hour your Majesty might be pleased
to appoint.

Although events of the greatest importance have been passing in
rapid succession in almost every part of Europe, the position of
your Majesty's Government has been one rather of observation than of
action, it being desirable that England should keep herself as free as
possible from unnecessary engagements and entanglements, in order that
your Majesty may be at liberty to take such decisions as the state of
things may from time to time appear to render most advisable.

[Pageheading: LOYALTY OF BELGIUM]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BARTON, _18th April 1848._

DEAREST UNCLE,--Detained here by a heavy shower of rain, I begin my
letter to you and thank you warmly for your dear and kind letter of
the 15th, which I received yesterday.

_Truly_ proud and de