d I _am_ thankful as I ought to be."

These two extracts are very gratifying to our hearts.

I must now wish you good-bye. With Albert's affectionate love, ever
your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Pageheading: THE PROVOSTSHIP OF ETON]

[Pageheading: DR GOODFORD]

_Viscount Palmerston to Sir Charles Phipps._

94 PICCADILLY, _10th February 1861_.

MY DEAR PHIPPS,--In the box which I sent to the Queen on Friday
morning, giving a short account of the Debate on Thursday, I placed
a separate paper submitting for her approval that Dr Goodford,
Headmaster of Eton, might be recommended to the Fellows to be elected
to the office of Provost now vacant; and I mentioned that the matter
was rather pressing. I have had no answer as yet, and the election is
fixed for to-morrow.

The election is on the same footing as that of a bishop who is
nominally elected by the Chapter of the Diocese, but who is named for
being so elected by the Crown. The Crown recommends the person to be
named Provost, and the Fellows as a matter of course elect him. But
the election must be made within a stated period--I believe fifteen
days after the vacancy has happened; and if the Crown does not within
that period recommend, the Fellows proceed to make their own choice.

The election is fixed for to-morrow, and it would not, I think, be
desirable to let the Royal prerogative drop on this occasion. The
persons who have been named as candidates are Dr Goodford, Headmaster,
and with regard to him it is to be said that the office has generally
been given to the Headmaster, and that, as far as the Provost has any
function connected with improvements in the arrangement of the school,
there is an advantage in his having been conversant with the details
of the existing system. Dr Goodford is qualified for the office by his
degree.

The next candidate is Mr Coleridge, once a master in the school, but
he is not qualified by a sufficient degree, and there was a prejudice
against him on account of his Puseyite tendencies.

The third is Dr Chapman, late Bishop of Colombo, qualified by his
degree, but having no peculiar claims or other recommendations for the
office.

The fourth is Mr Birch, formerly tutor to the Prince of Wales,
scarcely of sufficient calibre for the office, and not qualified by a
sufficient degree.

Between Dr Goodford and Dr Chapman I think the preference should be
given to Dr Goodford, and the more especially because Dr Chapma