prevent the frightful war which is impending.

Kossuth is fabricating paper to the extent of from 140 to 300,000,000
of florins to furnish the sinews of insurrection. In the month of
March Hungary will be in a blaze. But if Italy, Germany, and France
keep away, the fire may burn out of itself.

_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._

_11th February 1861._

Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and in
returning Lord John's letter begs to submit, that as Lord John is so
anxious to send it, and seems so strongly of opinion that it is
an effort which might be successful in dissuading Garibaldi from
attempting to create disturbances in the Austrian territory by going
thither with a band of adventurers, it may be best to let the letter
go, though it might perhaps be improved by pointing more directly
to the nature of the expedition which it advises Garibaldi not to
undertake.

There may be inconveniences which may arise from the letter, but they
might be dealt with; on the other hand, if Garibaldi undertakes his
expedition, it would be a matter of regret if it could be thought
or said that a step which might have prevented the mischief had been
omitted.

_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _12th February 1861_.

The Queen has received Lord John Russell's reiterated request for her
sanction to his writing to General Garibaldi. She still entertains
the same objections to the step, as implying a recognition of the
General's position as a European Power as enabling him to allow the
impression to prevail, that he is in communication with the British
Government and acts under its inspiration, as possibly leading to a
prolonged and embarrassing correspondence, and as implying for the
future that when the disapprobation of the Government is not expressed
(as in the present instance), it gives its consent to his aggressive
schemes. The Queen will not prevent, however, Lord John from taking
a step which he considers gives a chance of averting a great European
calamity. Should Lord John therefore adhere to his opinion, she asks
him to let her see the letter again, upon the precise wording of which
so much depends.

[Pageheading: A HAPPY ANNIVERSARY]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _12th February 1861_.

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Many, many thanks for your dear letter of the 8th.
Here we have cold again since the day before ye