n the knowledge that this is to be done.

We have just had two hours' most interesting conversation with General
Bentinck,[69] whose sound good sense and energy make us deeply regret
that he is not now on the spot; he is, however, ready to go out again
next year, as Lord Raglan wishes to give him a Division. We hope that,
after two or three months' rest, he may be able to go out again.

[Footnote 69: General (afterwards Sir Henry) Bentinck had been
wounded at Inkerman; he returned to the Crimea to command a
Division.]

[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL]

_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._

LONDON, _7th December 1854._

Lord Aberdeen presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He would have
been desirous of personally submitting to your Majesty the result of
the meeting of the Cabinet last night; but he was apprehensive that
his sudden journey to Windsor Castle this morning would give rise
to speculations and conjectures which, in the present state of the
Ministry, it is as well to avoid.

Lord Aberdeen thinks he may venture to assure your Majesty that the
correspondence recently circulated is regarded by all the Members of
the Cabinet precisely in the same light; and that the propositions
of Lord John Russell are considered by all as quite untenable. Lord
Palmerston forms no exception; and, whatever may be his views in
future, it is clear that at present he contemplates no changes in the
Government. Lord John was himself fully aware of this unanimity, and
remained entirely silent with respect to his former suggestions. He
dwelt in general terms on the absence of vigour in the prosecution
of the war, and stated his conviction that the same course would
be observed in future. He referred to his position in the House of
Commons with much bitterness, and declared that he would never pass
such another Session of Parliament as the last. He attributed the
frequent defeats of the Government in the House of Commons to the
Reform Bill having been withdrawn, by which it was shown that hostile
attacks might be made with impunity.

It was obvious, however, that the drift of his observations tended to
the substitution of himself as the Head of the Government rather than
to any change of Departments; and this he did not deny, when Lord
Aberdeen pointed out the inference to be drawn from his remarks.

Finally, Lord John said that he had quite made up his mind. He was
ready to continue in office during