ber, Lord John
took the same ground in the case of Naples. After quoting with
approval the view taken by Vattel of the lawfulness of the
assistance given by the United Provinces to the Prince of
Orange, and his conclusion that it is justifiable to assist
patriots revolting against an oppressor for "good reasons," he
stated that the question was whether the people of Naples and
of the Roman States took up arms against their Government
for good reasons; and of this matter, he added, the people
themselves were the best judges.]

_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _11th January 1860_.

The Queen has received Lord John Russell's note of this day, in which
she is not able to find any answer to her letter, or even an allusion
to what she had written, viz. that Austria and France being asked to
abstain from interference, such an arrangement would be partial and
incomplete unless Sardinia was pledged also to non-interference. The
Queen cannot make out what the doctrines of the Revolution of 1688 can
have to do with this, or how it would necessitate Lord John to abjure
them.

[Pageheading: AFFAIRS OF ITALY]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _17th January 1860_.

MY BELOVED UNCLE,--Your dear letter of the 13th reached me on
Saturday, and I at once forwarded your letter to good and faithful
Clark, who was for _two_ months unable to attend us from a severe
attack of illness, but who is, I am happy to say, much better, indeed
his own good self again, and who is now _here_.[3] This good account
you give us of your precious health makes us truly happy. It is such a
blessing.

Affairs are in a sad and complicated state, and though we modify
matters as much as we _can_, we can't entirely keep our Ministers
(_the two_) from doing _something_. You will hear no doubt of the last
proposal soon, viz. that France and Austria should _both_ agree _not_
to interfere in Italy--France withdrawing her troops from Rome, and
Sardinia to be asked not to send any troops into the Duchies until
there has been a _final vote_ expressive of their wishes. We could
_not prevent_ this _proposal_, which I doubt being accepted--as the
rest of the Cabinet thought it could _not_ be opposed, and entailed
_no_ material _support_. This country _never_ would consent to be
entangled in a _war_ for this Italian quarrel....

We have a large party again to-day