some nations it may suit, others may find it
unfitted for them.

[Pageheading: LORD GRANVILLE APPOINTED]

_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _23rd December 1851._

The Queen has just received Lord John Russell's letters, and is much
rejoiced that this important affair has been finally so satisfactorily
settled.

The Queen returns Lord Clarendon's letter, which she thinks a very
good one.[39] The Queen hopes Count Walewski will have been satisfied,
which she thinks he ought to be. The Queen will receive Lord
Palmerston to deliver up the Seals, and Lord Granville to receive
them, on Friday at half-past two.

[Footnote 39: Lord Clarendon, in answer to Lord John Russell,
expressed great reluctance to undertake the charge of
the Foreign Office, on the ground that Palmerston, always
suspicions of him, would insist that he had deliberately
undermined his position: while Lord Granville would be popular
with the Court and country.]

_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._

DOWNING STREET, _24th December 1851._

Lord John Russell submits a private note of Lord Palmerston,[40] which
only shows how unconscious he was of all that the rest of the world
perceived.

[Footnote 40: In this letter, Lord Palmerston denied the
"charge of violations of prudence and decorum," adding, "I
have to observe that that charge is refuted by the offer
which you made of the Lord-Lieutenancy of Ireland, because I
apprehend that to be an office for the due performance of the
duties of which prudence and decorum cannot well be dispensed
with."]

_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _25th December 1861._

The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letters, and she returns
the enclosures.

The articles in the _Times_ are very good; the other papers seem quite
puzzled, and unable to comprehend what has caused Lord Palmerston's
removal from office. Lord Palmerston's letter is very characteristic;
he certainly has the best of the argument, and great care ought to be
taken in bestowing any praise on him, as he always takes advantage of
it to turn against those who meant it merely to soothe him. The Queen
thought that there must be a Council for the swearing in of the new
Secretary of State.

[Pageheading: LORD GRANVILLE]

_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _27th December 1851._

Yesterday the Council