affection,
which yesterday morning I could still do _de vive voix_. It was indeed
a _happy_ time; I only fear that I was a dull companion--silent,
absent, stupid, which I feel I have become since the War; and the
constant anxiety and preoccupation which that odious Sebastopol causes
me and my dear, brave Army, added to which the last week, or
indeed the _whole fortnight_ since we arrived here, was one of such
uncertainty about this tiresome scarlatina, that it made me still more
_preoccupee_.

The _only_ thing that at all lessened my sorrow at seeing you depart
was my thankfulness that you got safe _out_ of our _Hospital_.... Ever
your devoted Niece and Child,

VICTORIA R.

[Pagheading: AFFAIRS OF SWEDEN]

_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._

OSBORNE, _27th July 1855_.

The Queen has delayed answering Lord Clarendon's letter respecting
Sweden till she received the first letter from Mr Magenis,[66]
omitted in Lord Clarendon's box. Now, having read the whole of these
documents, she confesses that she requires some explanation as to the
advantages which are to arise to England from the proposed Treaty,
before she can come to any decision about it. When a Treaty with
Sweden was last in contemplation, she was to have joined in the war
against Russia and to have received a guarantee of the integrity of
her dominions by England and France in return; yet this clause was
found so onerous to this Country, and opening so entirely a new field
of questions and considerations, that the Cabinet would not
entertain it. Now the same guarantee is to be given by us without the
counterbalancing advantage of Sweden giving us her assistance in the
war.

[Footnote 66: Mr (afterwards Sir) Arthur Charles Magenis,
Minister at Stockholm (and afterwards at Lisbon), had written
to say that an attempt was being made to change the partial
guarantee of Finmark into a general guarantee on behalf of
Sweden and Norway. An important Treaty was concluded between
Sweden and Norway, and the Western Powers, in the following
November, which secured the integrity of Sweden and Norway.]

[Pageheading: GENERAL SIMPSON'S DIFFICULTIES]

_Queen Victoria to Lord Panmure._

OSBORNE, _30th July 1855_.

The Queen has received Lord Panmure's letter of yesterday evening,
and has signed the dormant Commission for Sir W. Codrington. A similar
course was pursued with regard to Sir George Cathcart. The Queen h