of opinion that
he should not do so.

The result is very uncertain; at present the power is likely to rest
in the Army, to whose memory of victories and defeats the President
has so strongly appealed.

[Footnote 30: Lord Normanby, having applied for instructions
as to his future conduct, was desired to make no change in his
relations with the French Government, and to abstain from even
the appearance of interference in her internal affairs. Having
made a communication to this effect to M. Turgot, the latter
replied that M. Walewski had notified to him that Lord
Palmerston had already expressed to him his "entire
approbation of the act of the President," and his "conviction
that he could not have acted otherwise."]

[Pageheading: LOUIS NAPOLEON]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _5th December 1851._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--Receive my best thanks for your dear gracious
letter of the 2nd, the date of the battle of Austerlitz, and the _coup
d'etat_ at Paris. What do you say to it?

As yet one cannot form an opinion, but I am inclined to think that
Louis Bonaparte will succeed. The country is tired and wish quiet, and
if they get it by this _coup d'etat_ they will have no objection, and
let _le Gouvernement Parlementaire et Constitutionnel_ go to sleep for
a while.

I suspect that the great Continental powers will see a military
Government at Paris with pleasure; they go rather far in their hatred
of everything Parliamentary. The President takes a little of Napoleon
already. I understand that he expressed himself displeased, as if I
had too much supported the Orleans Family. I render perfect justice to
the President, that hitherto he has not plagued us; but we have
also abstained from all interference. I think that Helene has been
imprudent; besides, it is difficult for the poor Family to avoid to
speak on these subjects or to express themselves with mildness.

If something like an Empire establishes itself, perhaps we shall for
a time have much to suffer, as the _gloire francaise_ invariably looks
to the old frontiers. My hope is that they will necessarily have much
to do at home, for a time, as parties will run high.... Your devoted
Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._

OSBORNE, _6th December 1851._

The Queen has to acknowledge Lord John Russell's letter of yesterday.
She is glad to hear that the Cabinet occupy