ment!

We have a most talented, capable, and courageous Prime Minister, but
all his people have no experience--have never been in _any sort_ of
office before!

On Friday the House of Commons meets again, and I doubt not great
violence will be displayed.

With every kind love to my dear Cousins, ever your very devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 21: Prime Minister of Austria. He died in the April
following.]

_Colonel Phipps to Queen Victoria._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _10th March 1852._

Colonel Phipps' humble duty to your Majesty.

He has this day visited the Marionette Theatre, and feels quite
certain not only that it would not be a suitable theatre for your
Majesty to visit, but that your Majesty would derive no amusement from
it.

The mechanism of the puppets is only passable, and the matter of
the entertainment stupid and tiresome, consisting in a great part of
worn-out old English songs, such as "The death of Nelson"! Colonel
Phipps considers "Punch" a much more amusing performance. Lady Mount
Edgecumbe, who was in a box there, would probably give your Majesty an
account of it....

_The report in London is_, that Lord John Russell is to recommend
moderation at the meeting at his house to-morrow. He has, very
foolishly, subjected himself to another rebuff from Lord Palmerston
by inviting him to attend that meeting, which Lord Palmerston has
peremptorily refused. Since that, however, Lady Palmerston has
called upon Lady John with a view to a _personal_--not
political--reconciliation. Lady Palmerston, as Colonel Phipps hears,
still persists in the unfounded accusation against Lord John of having
quoted your Majesty's Minute in the House of Commons without giving
Lord Palmerston notice of his intention.[22]

[Footnote 22: Palmerston, however, admitted the contrary
(_Life of the Prince Consort_, vol. ii. chap. xliv.).]

[Pageheading: DEMOCRACY]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _12th March 1852._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I have to thank you for a most kind letter from
peaceful Osborne, which must doubly appear so to you now, after all
the troubles of the recent Ministerial arrangements. I am glad that
you are struck with the good qualities of your new Premier. I am
sure his great wish will be to make the best possible Minister of the
Crown. His task will be very difficult. "Bread, cheap bread," "the
poor oppressed by the _aristocratie_," etc.--a who