would be roused in
the working classes by a Dissolution for that purpose, which Lord
Stanley, however, did not seem to apprehend; on the contrary, he
thought the distress of the farmers would lead to the destruction of
the landed interest, which was the only support to the Throne.

I told him that the Queen and certainly myself had been under a
delusion, and that I was sure the country was equally so, as to
his intention to return to Protection. Sometimes it was stated that
Protection would be adhered to, sometimes that it was given up,
and that it was _compensation_ to the landed interest which the
Protectionists looked to. His last speeches and the Motion of Mr
Disraeli led to that belief, but that it was of the highest importance
that the country should know exactly what was intended; the Queen
would then have an opportunity of judging how the nation looked upon
the proposal. I hoped therefore that the declaration of his opinions
which Lord Stanley had now laid before the Queen would be clearly
enunciated by him in Parliament when the Ministerial explanations
should take place, which would naturally follow this crisis.

Lord Stanley merely answered that he hoped that no explanations would
take place before a Government was formed. He said he should wish the
word "Protection" to be merged, to which I rejoined that though he
might wish this, I doubted whether the country would let him.

Before taking leave, he repeated over and over again his advice that
the Coalition Ministry should be tried.

ALBERT.

_Queen Victoria to Lord Stanley._

_22nd February 1851._

In order to be able to be perfectly accurate in stating Lord Stanley's
opinions, which the Queen feels some delicacy in doing, she would be
very thankful if he would write down for her what he just stated to
her--as his advice in the present difficulty. Of course she would not
let such a paper go out of her hands.

[Pageheading: SIR JAMES GRAHAM]

[Pageheading: FOREIGN POLICY]

[Pageheading: THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON]

_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _23rd February 1851._

Sir James Graham, who had been out of Town, came at six o'clock,
having received my letter on his return. Lord John Russell had been
here before that time.

After having stated to him (Lord John) what had passed with Lord
Stanley, we told him that Sir James Graham was here; Lord John seemed
much surprised at Lord Stanley's refusal to form an