shot, on the 8th of July, King Leopold among others being
present; Lord Hardinge, who had brought with him the Report of
the Military Commission which had been sitting at Chelsea,
was struck by paralysis during an Audience with the Queen; the
next day Lord Panmure wrote: "His leg is entirely useless, and
his right arm visibly affected. I spoke to him for a moment as
he got into his carriage, and his head is quite clear, but his
public career is closed; and knowing his high mind as I do, I
would not be surprised to learn that he made a communication
to that effect to the Queen very shortly."]

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _10th July 1856_.

The Queen has received the enclosed letter from Lord Hardinge,
conveying his resignation, for which she was prepared. She asks Lord
Palmerston to enable her, by the assistance of his advice, soon to
appoint a successor to the important office of Commander-in-Chief.
She has again considered the question, and is confirmed in her opinion
that the Duke of Cambridge stands almost without a competitor.

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Hardinge._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _11th July 1856_.

The Queen received yesterday evening Field-Marshal Lord Hardinge's
letter resigning his office of Commander-in-Chief. She cannot
sufficiently express how deeply grieved she is to feel that from Lord
Hardinge's state of health she must accept his resignation. The loss
of his services will be immense to the Queen, the country, and the
Army--and she trusts that he is well assured of her high sense of the
very valuable services he has long rendered. She hopes, however,
that she may still reckon on his advice and assistance on matters of
importance, though he will no longer command her noble Army.

She cannot conclude without expressing the Prince's and her fervent
wishes that he may rapidly recover, and his valuable life be long
preserved to all his friends, amongst whom we shall ever consider
ourselves.

[Pageheading: THE COMMANDERSHIP-IN-CHIEF]

_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._

DOWNING STREET, _12th July 1856_.

Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
to state that he has consulted with his colleagues as to the advice
to be tendered to your Majesty in regard to the appointment of a
successor to Lord Hardinge as General Commanding-in-Chief; and upon
a full consideration of the s