s Josephine by her first marriage, and adopted
son of Napoleon I.]

[Pageheading: ASCENDANCY OF FRANCE]

_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._

OSBORNE, _13th July 1859_.

The Queen has received the news of a concluded peace,[60] which Lord
John Russell has sent to her yesterday, with as much surprise as it
must have caused Lord John. It was a joyous intelligence, as far
as the stopping of the further effusion of innocent blood and the
security against further diplomatic complications is concerned, but
it gives cause for serious reflection. The Emperor Napoleon, by
his military successes, and great apparent moderation or prudence
immediately after them, has created for himself a most formidable
position of strength in Europe. It is remarkable that he has acted
towards Austria now just as he did towards Russia after the fall of
Sebastopol; and if it was our lot then to be left alone to act the
part of the extortioner whilst he acted that of the generous victor,
the Queen is doubly glad that we should not now have fallen into the
trap, to ask Austria (as friends and neutrals) concessions which he
was ready to waive. He will now probably omit no occasion to cajole
Austria as he has done to Russia, and turn her spirit of revenge upon
Prussia and Germany--the Emperor's probable next victims. Should he
thus have rendered himself the master of the entire Continent, the
time may come for us either to obey or to fight him with terrible odds
against us. This has been the Queen's view from the beginning of this
complication, and events have hitherto wonderfully supported them. How
Italy is to prosper under the Pope's presidency, whose misgovernment
of his own small portion of it was the ostensible cause of the war,
the Queen is at a loss to conceive. But the Emperor will be able to
do just as he pleases, being in military command of the country, and
having Sardinia, the Pope, and Austria as his debtors.

The Queen would like this letter to be communicated to the Cabinet.

[Footnote 60: The armistice had arranged that the Emperors
should meet at Villafranca, where peace was concluded. See
_ante_, Introductory Note to Chapter XXVIII. The Italian
Confederation was to be under the presidency of the Pope.]

_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._

FOREIGN OFFICE, _13th July 1859_.

Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he will
read your Majesty's letter to the Cabinet t