mand for modification, to back out of her proposal altogether. Lord
A. Loftus in his last letter states that Baron Manteuffel[93] even was
afraid of having admitted as proper, terms too hard upon Russia, since
peace is wanted at Paris.

The course intended to be pursued by Lord Clarendon in summing up the
whole question in a public Despatch seems quite the right one, as it
would never do, on the other hand, to let England be considered as
merely _a la remorque_ of France, an impression unfortunately very
prevalent on the Continent at this moment.[94]

As to Marshal Pelissier, the best thing the Emperor could do would be
to recall him, and to put a younger and more enterprising man in his
place. As we have got our hero coming home, his French colleague might
be recalled also.

The Duke of Newcastle's letter is very interesting; the Queen will
return it this evening. It confirms the truth of the axiom that a
_settled policy_ ought to precede a military plan of campaign, for
which the Prince is always contending.

We have been much pleased with old Sir Colin Campbell, who is a
thorough soldier, and appears not at all wanting in good sense. On
asking him about our rising men, and the officer whom _he_ would point
out as the one of most promise, he said that Colonel Mansfield[95] was
without comparison the man from whom great services could be expected
both in the Field and as an Administrator. Lord Clarendon will be
pleased to hear this, but will also not be surprised if the Queen
should look out for an opportunity to reclaim him for the Army from
the Foreign Office.

[Footnote 93: President of the Prussian Ministry.]

[Footnote 94: Lord Clarendon, in the letter to which this
was a reply, observed that he had asked Lord Cowley to inform
Count Walewski that he would have to learn that England was a
principal in the matter, and "not a political and diplomatic
Contingent."]

[Footnote 95: He had distinguished himself in the first
Sikh War, and was in 1855 Military Adviser to the British
Ambassador at Constantinople.]

_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _24th November 1855_.

The Queen returns Lord Cowley's letter and General Pelissier's
telegram. Lord Cowley is quite right in insisting upon a clear
understanding between England and France before negotiations are
entered into with Austria. To come to a speedy agreement, it will be
wise to drop the