vement, and nothing in Lord Minto's mission can prevent our
endeavouring to facilitate and forward a speedy settlement of the
present Italian difference.[31] If, therefore, the Italians should be
inclined to be moderate, there can be no dereliction of principle in
encouraging them to be so. The danger of French interference increases
with the delay and is equally great, whether the Austrians maintain
themselves in the Venetian Territory or whether Charles Albert unite
it to his proposed kingdom of Northern Italy; indeed, the French seem
to be anxious for a cause of interference from the line they pursue
even with regard to Naples.

Lord Palmerston seeks to establish a difference between the case
of Schleswig and of Lombardy, on the fact that Schleswig is to be
incorporated into a confederation of States; but this makes the case
of Lombardy only the stronger, as this is to be incorporated into
the dominions of another Sovereign. With regard to the "Revue
Retrospective," the perusal of it has left a different impression upon
the Queen from that which it seems to have made upon Lord Palmerston.
It proved to her, that while the retiring attitude which the late
Government took with regard to the Spanish marriages, left the French
Government to try their different schemes and intrigues and to fail
with every one of them, the attempt of Lord Palmerston to re-organise
the Progressista Party and regain the so-called _English influence_,
brought Queen Christina and King Louis Philippe (who had before
seriously quarrelled) immediately together, and induced them to rush
into this unfortunate combination, which cannot but be considered as
the origin of all the present convulsions in Europe.

[Footnote 31: Lord Minto, the Lord Privy Seal, and
father-in-law of the Prime Minister, had been sent to
encourage in the path of reform Pope Pius IX., who was halting
between progress and reaction: on the sanguinary risings
taking place in Lombardy and Venetia, his mission naturally
appeared hostile to Austria.]

[Pageheading: AN ANXIOUS PERIOD]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _11th July 1848._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--For another kind and dear letter of the 8th, I have
much to thank you. The prosperity of dear little Belgium is a bright
star in the stormy night all around. May God bless and prosper you
all, for ever and ever!

Since the 24th February I feel an uncertainty i