Memorandum by the Queen._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _5th March 1851._

The Queen would give every facility to the selection of a good site
for a new National Gallery, and would therefore not object to its
being built on to Kensington Palace or anywhere in Kensington Gardens;
but does not see why it should exactly be placed upon the site of the
present Palace, if not for the purpose of taking from the Crown the
last available set of apartments. She is not disposed to trust in the
disposition of Parliament or the public to give her an equivalent
for these apartments from time to time when emergencies arise. The
surrender of Kensington Palace will most likely not be thanked for at
the moment, and any new demand in consequence of such surrender would
be met with lavish abuse. As to economy in the construction, it will
most likely be best consulted by building on a spot perfectly free and
unencumbered.

_Lord John Russell to the Prince Albert._

CHESHAM PLACE, _14th March 1851._

SIR,--I cannot undertake to make any change in the Foreign Office. Our
Party is hardly reunited, and any break into sections, following one
man or the other, would be fatal to us. I need not say that the Queen
would suffer if it were attributed to her desire, and that as I have
no difference of opinion on Foreign Policy, that could not fail to be
the case.

Upon the whole, the situation of affairs is most perplexing. A
Dissolution I fear would not improve it.

I can only say that my Office is at all times at the Queen's disposal.

I have the honour to be, Sir, your Royal Highness's most dutiful
Servant,

J. RUSSELL.

_Queen Victoria to Sir George Grey._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _30th March 1851._

The Queen approves of the draft of a letter to the Archbishop of
Canterbury. With respect to the Archbishop's letter and the address,
the Queen will receive it in the Closet. It seems strange to propose
as a remedy for the present evils in the Church, and for its evident
great disunion, _600_ more churches to be built! There ought clearly
to be some security given to those who are to encourage such a scheme
against the extension of those evils.

[Pageheading: THE GREAT EXHIBITION]

_Lord John Russell to the Prince Albert._

PEMBROKE LODGE, _19th April 1851._

SIR,--Lord Granville came here yesterday to speak to me upon the order
for opening the Exhibition at one o'clock on the 1st of May. He is
anxious to have the order chang