d,
and then I have a good deal to write, and must then have a little
leisure time to rest, and _de me delasser_ and to get out. It is a
great deprivation, as I delight in reading. Still, I will not forget
your recommendation.

I am sorry to say _nothing_ is definitely settled about our dear
Crystal Palace. With Albert's love, ever your truly devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

_Queen Victoria to Mr Disraeli._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _1st May 1852._

The Queen has read with great interest the clear and able financial
statement which the Chancellor of the Exchequer made in the House of
Commons last night, and was glad to hear from him that it was well
received.

_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Malmesbury._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _13th May 1852._

With respect to this despatch from Lord Howden,[35] the Queen wishes
to observe that hitherto we have on all similar occasions declined
accepting any Foreign Order for the Prince of Wales, on account of his
being too young and not even having any of the English Orders. Might
this not therefore be communicated to Lord Howden?

[Footnote 35: British Minister at Madrid.]

[Pageheading: AFFAIRS IN FRANCE]

_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._

OSBORNE, _27th May 1852._

The Queen returns the enclosed most interesting letters. It is evident
that the President is meeting with the first symptoms of a reviving
public feeling in France; whether this will drive him to hurry on the
Empire remains to be seen. All the Foreign Powers have to be careful
about is to receive an assurance that the _Empire_ does _not_ mean a
_return to the policy of the Empire_, but that the existing Treaties
will be acknowledged and adhered to.

The session seems to advance very rapidly. The Queen hails Lord
Derby's declaration of his conviction that a majority for a duty on
corn will not be returned to the new Parliament, as the first step
towards the abandonment of hostility to the Free Trade on which
our commercial policy is now established, and which has produced so
flourishing a condition of the finances of the country.

Mr Disraeli's speech about Spain was very good, though he had
certainly better not have alluded to Portugal.

We return to Town to-morrow.

_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._

HOUSE OF COMMONS, _21st June 1852._
(_Nine o'clock._)

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, with his humble duty to your Majesty,
reports to your Majesty that Lord John Russell intr