ry, a careful avoidance of the traps which cajolery and flattery
were setting for Prussia, because at any moment the Emperor might
think it necessary for his own purposes in France to seize upon the
left bank of the Rhine, and that all classes in France, no matter
to what party belonging, would be delighted at his so doing, and his
popularity and power in France would be enormously increased by it.
The Queen agreed, but was under the notion, which Lord Clarendon
was able effectually to dispel, that the dilapidated state of French
finances would prevent the Emperor from undertaking a war upon a large
scale.

Lord Clarendon thinks that he strengthened the Queen's opinion
respecting "eventualities" and the necessity of making preparations
and evoking a national spirit against foreign aggression, such as that
recently manifested in England, and which had done so much in favour
of peace as far as we ourselves were concerned. Her Majesty, however,
said that Prussian policy towards Germany opened so large a chapter
that she wished to reserve the discussion of it for our next
conversation.

Lord Clarendon fears that Count Bernstorff is disposed to think that
Austria's difficulty is Prussia's opportunity, and to be exigent as
to the concessions upon which a better understanding between the two
countries must be based. Lord Clarendon was confidentially informed
yesterday that a Cabinet had just been held for the first time since
Count Bernstorff became a member of it, and that with respect to
internal affairs he had greatly alarmed and annoyed some of his
colleagues by his retrograde opinions. Lord Clarendon had the honour
of dining with the Crown Prince and Princess last night. The dinner
was perfect, and everything conducted in the most admirable manner;
there was afterwards a ball at "The Queen's" which was really a
splendid fete. The festivities and the visitings are so uninterrupted
that everybody is unwell and tired. The Duc de Magenta's grand fete
takes place on the 29th. The Austrian Minister gives a ball to-morrow
(_Sunday_), which day has unfortunately been fixed by the King, to the
annoyance of all the English; but Lord Clarendon has determined that
the Embassy shall attend, otherwise the King might consider that we
wished to give him a public lesson upon the observance of the Sabbath.
Lord Clarendon trusts that your Majesty will approve the decision.
Lord Granville's visit appears to be highly appreciated by the Cou