equire.

I can retire with perfect equanimity from the Government in
consequence of the vote of the House of Commons; but to be stigmatised
as the Head and tolerated as the subordinate member I cannot endure.

If at any future time my presence should be required in a Cabinet, I
should feel no objection to accept any office, or to enter it without
office. But to be the Head of a Cabinet to-day, and to become a
subordinate member of the very same Cabinet to-morrow, would be a
degradation to which I could never submit, that I would rather die
than do so--and indeed the sense of it would go far to kill me.

If you tell me that your retaining your present offices, without the
slightest sacrifice, but on the contrary with the approbation of all,
is in any degree to depend on my taking such a course, I can only
say that, as friends, I cannot believe it possible that you should be
guilty of such wanton cruelty without any national object.

I must, then, again earnestly exhort you to reconsider the decision of
yesterday, and to continue to form part of the Government. I will do
anything in my power to facilitate this. If you like, I will go to
Palmerston and promote any explanation between him and Gladstone on
the subject of peace and war. Or I will tell him that you have yielded
to my strong recommendation. In short, I am ready to do anything in my
power.

I wish you to show this letter to Gladstone and to Graham, to whom, as
you will see, it is addressed as much as to yourself.

I hope to meet you this morning, and Gladstone will also come to the
Admiralty. Yours, etc.

ABERDEEN.

[Pageheading: ADHESION OF THE PEELITES]

_The Prince Albert to the Earl of Aberdeen._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _6th February 1855_.

MY DEAR LORD ABERDEEN,--We are just returning to Windsor. Lord
Palmerston kissed hands after having announced that his Peelite
colleagues also have agreed to keep their offices. The Queen is thus
relieved from great anxiety and difficulty, and feels that she owes
much to your kind and disinterested assistance. I can quite understand
what you say in the letter which I return. You must make allowances
also, however, for the wishes of your friends not to be separated from
you. You will not be annoyed by further proposals from here.

To-morrow we shall have an opportunity of further conversation with
you upon the state of affairs. Believe me always, yours, etc.,

ALBERT

_Queen Victoria to the Kin