does not suffice merely to get
_recruits_, as Lord Palmerston says; they will not become _soldiers_
for six months when got, and in the meantime a sufficient number of
Militia Regiments ought to be drilled, and made efficient to relieve
the Line Regiments already sent, or yet to be sent, for these also are
at present necessarily good for nothing.

The Queen must say that the Government incur a fearful responsibility
towards their country by their apparent indifference. God grant that
no unforeseen European complication fall upon this country--but we are
really tempting Providence.

The Queen hopes Lord Palmerston has communicated to the Cabinet her
views on the subject.

[Footnote 34: After referring to the necessity for supplying
by fresh drafts the gaps created in the regiments in India,
Lord Palmerston had written:--

"If the Militia officers were to find that they were
considered merely as drill sergeants for the Line, they would
grow careless and indifferent, and many whom it is desirable
to keep in the Service would leave it.

"With regard to the number of Militiamen to be embodied, the
question seems to be, What is the number which will be wanted
for the whole period to the 31st of March, because it would be
undesirable to call out and embody now Militia Regiments which
would become unnecessary during the winter by the progress of
recruiting, and which, from there being no funds applicable to
their maintenance, it would become necessary to disembody. The
men would be now taken from industrial employment at a time
when labour is wanted, and would be turned adrift in the
winter when there is less demand for labour.

"With respect to recruiting for the Army, every practicable
means has been adopted to hasten its success. Recruiting
parties have been scattered over the whole of the United
Kingdom, and the permanent staff of the disembodied Militia
have been furnished with Beating Warrants enabling them to
enlist recruits for the Line; and the recruiting has been
hitherto very successful. The only thing to be done is to
raise men as fast as possible, and to post them as they are
raised to the Regiments and Battalions for which they engage.
The standard, moreover, has been lowered...."]

[Pageheading: LORD LANSDOWNE]

_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._

PICCADILLY, _31st August 1857_.