is that poor Lord Raglan
should die _thus_--from sickness--on the eve, as we have every
reason to hope, of the glorious result of so much labour, and so much
anxiety, and not be allowed to witness it.

The Queen's prayers will be more than ever with her Army, and most
fervently do we trust that General Simpson's health, as well as that
of the other Generals, may be preserved to them unimpaired!

_Queen Victoria to Lady Raglan._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _30th June 1855_.

DEAR LADY RAGLAN,--Words _cannot_ convey _all_ I feel at the
irreparable loss you have sustained, and I and the Country have, in
your noble, gallant, and excellent husband, whose loyalty and devotion
to his Sovereign and Country were unbounded. We both feel _most
deeply_ for you and your daughters, to whom this blow must be most
severe and sudden. He was so strong, and his health had borne the bad
climate, great fatigues, and anxieties so well, ever since he left
England, that, though we were much alarmed at hearing of his illness,
we were full of hopes of his speedy recovery.

We must bow to the will of God; but to be taken away thus, on the eve
of the successful result of so much labour, so much suffering, and so
much anxiety, is cruel indeed!

We feel much, too, for the brave Army, whom he was so proud of, who
will be sadly cast down at losing their gallant Commander, who had led
them so often to victory and glory.

If sympathy can be any consolation, you have it, for _we all_ have
_alike_ to mourn, and no one more than I, who have lost a faithful and
devoted Servant, in whom I had the greatest confidence.

We both most anxiously hope that your health, and that of your
daughters, may not materially suffer from this dreadful shock. Believe
me always, my dear Lady Raglan, yours very sincerely,

VICTORIA R.

[Pageheading: GENERAL SIMPSON TAKES COMMAND]

_Queen Victoria to General Simpson._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _7th July 1855_.

When the Queen last wrote to General Simpson to express to him, and
through him to her Army in the Crimea, her _deep_ grief at the loss
of their noble, gallant, and excellent Commander, it was not yet known
that Sir George Brown would return home, and that the command of the
Army would devolve upon General Simpson. She writes to him, therefore,
to-day, for the _first_ time as the Commander-in-Chief of her heroic
Army in the East, to assure him of her confidence and support. It is
as proud a command as an