examination before
the Archbishop and ourselves by the Dean on Wednesday was long and
difficult, but Bertie answered extremely well, and his whole manner
and _Gemuethsstimmung_ yesterday, and again to-day, at the Sacrament
to which we took him, was gentle, good, and proper.... Now, good-bye,
dear Uncle. Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 25: See the Prince Consort's letter to Stockmar,
_Life of the Prince Consort_, vol. iv. p. 205.]

[Pageheading: NAVAL PREPARATIONS]

_Queen Victoria to Sir John Pakington._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th April 1858_.

The Queen has received Sir John Pakington's letter of the 10th,
and thanks him for the transmission of the printed copy of his
confidential Memorandum.

The object of the paper which the Queen sent from Osborne to Lord
Derby was to lead by a thorough investigation to an exact knowledge
of the state of our Naval preparations in the event of a war, with
the view to the discovery and suggestion of such remedies as our
deficiencies imperatively demand. This investigation and thorough
consideration the Queen expects from her Board of Admiralty, chosen
with great care, and composed of the most competent Naval Authorities.
She does not wish for the opinion of this or that person, given
without any responsibility attaching to it, nor for mere returns
prepared in the Office for the First Lord, but for the collective
opinion of Sir John Pakington and his Board with the responsibility
attaching to such an opinion given to the Sovereign upon a subject
upon which the safety of the Empire depends. The Queen has full
confidence in the honour of the gentlemen composing the Board,
that they will respect the _confidential_ character of the Queen's
communication, and pay due regard to the importance of the subject
referred to them.

[Pageheading: PROCEDURE BY RESOLUTION]

_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._

HOUSE OF COMMONS, _12th April 1858_.
(_Monday night._)

The Chancellor of the Exchequer with his humble duty to your Majesty.

House reassembled--full. Chancellor of Exchequer much embarrassed with
impending statement, on the part of your Majesty's servants, that they
intended to propose Resolutions on the Government of India, instead of
at once proceeding with their Bill.[26]

Received, five minutes before he took his seat, confidential
information, that Lord John Russell, wishing to defeat the prospects
of Lord Palmerston, and himself to oc