is large
port, having since two years entreated us to come here. We shall reach
Windsor to-morrow.

We are, and indeed the whole country is, _entirely_ engrossed with one
idea, one _anxious_ thought--the _Crimea_. We have received all the
_most_ interesting and _gratifying_ details of the _splendid_ and
decisive victory of the Alma; alas! it was a bloody one. Our loss
was a heavy one--many have fallen and many are wounded, but my noble
Troops behaved with a _courage_ and _desperation_ which was beautiful
to behold. The Russians expected their position would hold out three
weeks; their loss was immense--the whole garrison of Sebastopol
was out. Since that, the Army has performed a wonderful march to
Balaklava, and the bombardment of Sebastopol has begun. Lord Raglan's
behaviour was worthy of the old Duke's--such coolness in the midst of
the hottest fire. We have had all the details from young Burghersh[56]
(a remarkably nice young man), one of Lord Raglan's Aides-de-camp whom
he sent home with the Despatches, who was in the midst of it all. I
feel so _proud_ of my dear noble Troops, who, they say, bear their
privations, and the sad disease which still haunts them, with such
courage and good humour.

George did enormously well, and was not touched. Now with Albert's
love, ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 56: Francis, Lord Burghersh, afterwards twelfth Earl
of Westmorland (1825-1891).]

[Pageheading: FRANCE AND AUSTRIA]

_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _5th November 1854._

The Queen has received Lord Clarendon's letter referring to the new
Draft of a Treaty with Austria proposed by the French Government,
and has since attentively perused the Treaty itself.[57] Vague and
inconclusive as it is as to _co-operation_ (which is the main object
of our desire), it is a step in advance, and has the advantage of
assuring Austria of our alliance should the war between her and Russia
break out. The Queen regrets to find a Clause omitted which stood
in the former French project (rejected by us about three weeks ago),
stipulating that Austria was to prevent the re-entry of Russia into
the Principalities. Although she would of her own accord have to do
this, a treaty obligation towards the _belligerents_ to that effect
would have made a considerable inroad into her position as a _neutral_
power, and secured a co-operation in the war--_ad hoc_ at least.
Austria ought