Majority_ of 100; but this very
strength makes the supporters of the Government act in a _most_
unjustifiable manner by continually acting and voting against them,
_not_ listening to the debates, but coming down and voting against the
Government. So that we were really in the greatest _possible_ danger
of having a resignation of the Government _without knowing to whom to
turn_, and this from the recklessness of a handful of foolish _half_
"Puseyite" half "Young England"[20] people! I am sure you will agree
with me that Peel's resignation would not only be for us (for _we
cannot_ have a better and a _safer_ Minister), but for the whole
country, and for the peace of Europe--a _great calamity_. Our present
people are all _safe_, and not led away by impulses and reckless
passions. We must, however, take care and not get into another crisis;
for I assure you we have been quite miserable and _quite_ alarmed ever
since Saturday.

Since I last wrote to you, I spoke to Aberdeen (whom I should be
equally sorry to lose, as he is so _very fair_, and has served _us
personally_, so kindly and truly), and he told me that the Emperor has
_positively pledged_ himself to send a Minister to Brussels the moment
those Poles are no longer employed;[21] that he is quite aware of
the importance of the measure, and would be disposed to make the
arrangement easy, and that he spoke very kindly of _you_ personally.
Aberdeen says it is not necessary to disgrace them in any way, but
only for the present _de les eloigner_. The Emperor has evidently some
time ago made some strong declaration on the subject which he feels
he cannot get over, and, as I said before, he will not give up what he
has once pledged his word to. _Then, no one_ on earth _can_ move him.
_Au fond_, it is a fine _trait_, but he carries it too far. He wrote
me a _very_ kind and affectionate letter from the Hague. The Emperor
has given Bertie the Grand Cross of St Andrew, which the boy was quite
proud of.

Our kind and good King of Saxony leaves us to-morrow, after having
seen more than anybody has done almost, and having enjoyed it of all
things. He is quite at home with us and the children, whom he plays
with much. Alice walks quite alone, and looks too funny, as she is so
_very_ fat. Now, ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 19: The Ministry had been defeated on Mr P. Miles's
motion in favour of giving an increased preference to colonial
sugar, but o