ng Coalition Government has
failed--_for the present_. I say for the present, as they are all so
entirely agreed on the Commercial Policy that another time they hope
there will be no difficulty, when they have _fought together_.
The _Papal Aggression_ has in fact been the only insurmountable
difficulty. We sent to Lord Aberdeen last night (both he and Sir James
Graham have been most kind to us), and asked if _he_ could not try
to form a Government; but with the greatest readiness to serve me, he
said he could not, on account of this self-same Papal Aggression. He
equally declares that he cannot join Lord Stanley. Accordingly this
morning I have seen Lord Stanley, and he means to try if he can form
any fit sort of Government, but he has _no_ men of talent, and his
difficulties are gigantic. I shall only know to-morrow _definitely_ if
he _can_ form an Administration. I am calm and courageous, having such
support and advice as my dearest Albert's; but it is an anxious time,
and the uncertainty and suspense very trying. More details you will
have later on. Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Pageheading: LORD STANLEY TO BE SUMMONED]

_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _26th February 1851._

Lord Aberdeen and Sir James Graham came yesterday evening at nine
o'clock; the Queen put it to them whether _they_ could form a
Government, to which they replied that they had turned it in their
heads a hundred times, that there was nothing they would not do to
show their readiness to serve the Queen, but that they did not see a
possibility of forming an Administration which could stand a day. They
were most likely at that moment the two most unpopular men in England,
having declared that nothing should be done in Parliament against the
Papal Aggression, which the whole country clamoured for; the Whigs
would be very angry with them for their having broken up the new
combination; they might find favour with the Radicals, but that was
a support upon which no reliance could be placed. There was a growing
opinion that Lord Stanley ought to have a chance of bringing forward
his measures; that it was perilous, but that it was an evil which must
be gone through; that this opinion had been strongly expressed by Lord
Lansdowne, whose moderation nobody could doubt; that it was shared by
the Duke of Newcastle, Mr Sidney Herbert, and others of Sir James's
friends whom he had had time to consult.

Upon the Quee