Austria were to disregard the measure, would involve them in War as
the Allies of France. They have therefore limited themselves to
a protest, the terms of which will require to be very carefully
considered before it is embodied in a despatch. Lord Malmesbury will
submit to your Majesty by this messenger the terms of his telegram....
To appeal at once to arms, when no question, except this of form,
remained unsettled as to the meeting of Congress, and the subjects
to be then discussed, had been unanimously agreed to, appears to Lord
Derby to indicate a reckless determination to go to war which it will
be very difficult to justify in the eyes of Europe.

_For the moment_ these events rather diminish than increase the
probability of a rupture with France, while they will task her means
to the uttermost, and not improbably overthrow her personal dynasty!

[Footnote 25: On the 19th, Count Buol despatched an emissary,
Baron Kellersberg, to Turin, with a summons to Sardinia to
disarm, under the threat of immediate hostilities if she
declined. Sardinia indignantly refused, whereupon the Austrian
troops crossed the Ticino.]

[Pageheading: WAR IMMINENT]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th April 1859_.

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I hardly know _what_ to say, so confused and
bewildered are we by the reports which come in three or four times a
day! I have _no hope_ of peace _left_. Though it is _originally_ the
wicked folly of Russia and France that have brought about this fearful
crisis, it is the madness and blindness of Austria which have brought
on the war _now!_[26] It has put _them_ in the wrong, and entirely
changed the feeling here, which was all that one could desire, into
the most _vehement_ sympathy for _Sardinia_, though we hope now again
to be able to _throw_ the blame of the war on France, who _now_ won't
hear of mediation, while Austria is again inclined to do so!

It is a melancholy, sad Easter; but what grieves me the most (indeed,
distracts me)--for I have had nothing but disappointments in that
quarter since November--is that in all probability Vicky will be
unable to come in May! It quite _distracts me_. You also must be very
anxious about dear Charlotte; I hope she will not remain at Trieste,
but go to Vienna. Her being in Italy is really _not_ safe.... Now with
kind loves to your children, ever your affectionate and devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.