might do it easily. I do not think that there will be any outburst
yet awhile in France....

I am rather unhappy about dear Uncle Mensdorff, who, I hear, has
arrived at Vienna with gout in his head. I hope, however, soon to hear
of his being much better....

[Pageheading: THE COUP D'ETAT]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

OSBORNE, _4th December 1851._

DEAREST UNCLE,--I must write a line to ask what you say to the
_wonderful_ proceedings at Paris, which really seem like a _story_ in
a book or a play! What is to be the result of it all?[28]

I feel ashamed to have written _so positively_ a few hours before that
nothing would happen.

We are anxiously waiting for to-day's news--though I should hope that
the Troops were to be depended upon, and _order_ for the present would
prevail. I hope that none of the Orleans Family will move a limb or
say a word, but remain perfectly passive.

I must now conclude. Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 28: On the 2nd of December, Louis Napoleon seized
the Government of France, arrested his chief opponents, put
an end to the National Assembly and Council of State, and
declared Paris in a state of siege.]

_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._

OSBORNE, _4th December 1851._

The Queen has learnt with surprise and concern the events which have
taken place at Paris.[29] She thinks it is of great importance that
Lord Normanby should be instructed to remain entirely passive, and to
take no part whatever in what is passing. Any word from him might be
misconstrued at such a moment.

[Footnote 29: On the 3rd the tidings of the _coup d'etat_
reached London. Count Walewski announced it to Lord
Palmerston, who expressed his approval of it, and wrote to
Lord Normanby the letter printed in his _Life_, disavowing
surprise that the President had struck the blow when he did,
"for it is now well known here that the Duchess of Orleans was
preparing to be called to Paris this week with her younger son
to commence a new period of Orleans dynasty."]

_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._

DOWNING STREET, _4th December 1851._
(6 P.M.)

Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty. Your
Majesty's directions respecting the state of affairs in Paris shall
be followed. Lord Normanby[30] has asked whether he should suspend his
diplomatic functions; but the Cabinet were unanimously