anxiety. France gives, these sixty years, the proof of
the truth of what I say, always believing itself at the highest point
of perfection and changing it a few weeks afterwards.

A military Government in France, if it really gets established, must
become dangerous for Europe. I hope that at least at its beginning it
will have enough to do in France, and that we may get time to prepare.
England will do well not to fall asleep, but to keep up its old energy
and courage.... Your truly devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

[Pageheading: DISMISSAL OF LORD PALMERSTON]

_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._

OSBORNE, _19th December 1851._

The Queen has received several communications from Lord John Russell,
but has not answered them, as she expected daily to hear of Lord
Palmerston's answer. As Lord John Russell in his letter of yesterday's
date promises to send her his correspondence with Lord Palmerston,
she refrains from expressing a decided opinion until she has had an
opportunity of perusing it; but Lord John will readily conceive what
must be her feelings in seeing matters go from bad to worse with
respect to Lord Palmerston's conduct!

[Pageheading: LORD GRANVILLE]

_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._

WOBURN ABBEY, _19th December 1851._

Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has
the honour to submit to your Majesty a correspondence with Viscount
Palmerston, which terminates with a letter of this day's date.

Lord John Russell has now to advise your Majesty that Lord Palmerston
should be informed that your Majesty is ready to accept the Seals of
Office, and to place them in other hands.

Lord John Russell has summoned a Cabinet for Monday.

They may be of opinion that they cannot continue a Government.

But that is not Lord John Russell's opinion; and should they agree
with him, he will proceed without delay to recommend a successor to
your Majesty.

The Earl Granville appears to him the person best calculated for
that post, but the Cabinet may be of opinion that more experience is
required.

_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _20th December 1851._

The Queen found on her arrival here Lord John Russell's letter,
enclosing his correspondence with Lord Palmerston, which she has
perused with that care and attention which the importance and gravity
of the subject of it demanded. The Queen has now to express to Lord
John Russell her read