nt described as a Vote of Censure. With regard,
however, to the question put by your Majesty as to what would be the
course pursued by the Government in the event of a defeat, Viscount
Palmerston could hardly answer it without deliberation with his
colleagues. His own firm belief is that the present Government has
the confidence of the country in a greater degree than any other
Government that could now be formed would have, and that consequently
upon a Dissolution of Parliament, a House of Commons would be returned
more favourable to the Government than the present. Whether the state
of business as connected with votes of supply and the Mutiny Act would
admit of a Dissolution, supposing such a measure to be sanctioned
by your Majesty, would remain to be enquired into; but Viscount
Palmerston believes that there would be no insurmountable difficulty
on that score. He will have the honour of waiting upon your Majesty at
a little before three to-morrow.

[Footnote 8: Mr (afterwards Sir) William Hayter, Liberal Whip,
the father of Lord Haversham.]

[Footnote 9: See _ante_, Introductory Note, to Chapter XXVI. Mr
Cobden's motion of censure affirmed that the papers laid on the
table of the House did not justify the violent measures resorted
to by the Government at Canton in the affair of the _Arrow_. He
was supported by Lord John Russell, Mr Roebuck, Mr Gladstone,
and Mr Disraeli, the latter emphatically challenging the Premier
to appeal to the country.]

_The Prince Albert to Viscount Palmerston._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _3rd March 1857_.

MY DEAR LORD PALMERSTON,--The Queen has this moment received
your letter giving so unfavourable an account of the prospects
of to-night's division. She is sorry that her health imperatively
requires her going into the country for a few days, and having put off
her going to Windsor on account of the Debate which was expected
to close yesterday, she cannot now do so again to-day. She feels,
however, the inconvenience of her absence should the division turn out
as ill as is now anticipated. The Queen could not possibly come to a
decision on so important a point as a Dissolution without a personal
discussion and conference with you, and therefore hopes that you might
be able to go down to-morrow perhaps for dinner and to stay over the
night.

The Queen feels herself physically quite unable to go through the
anxiety of a Ministerial Crisis and the f