nd the Princesses in a
very amiable light.

[Footnote 40: Lord John Russell had strenuously opposed the
Income Tax Bill, but had been defeated by large majorities.]

[Footnote 41: Frances was tried on 17th June, and convicted.
The death sentence was commuted to one of transportation for
life.]

[Footnote 42: Used in the classical sense of "exposed to";
_cf._ "obnoxia fato."]

[Footnote 43: The first five volumes were published this
year, Madame D'Arblay having died in 1840, at the age of
eighty-seven. Croker somewhat rancorously attacked them in the
_Quarterly_, to which Macaulay replied in the _Edinburgh_.]

[Pageheading: A PRESENT FROM MUSCAT]

_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._

FOREIGN OFFICE, _28th June 1842._

Lord Aberdeen, with his humble duty, begs to enclose for your
Majesty's information a list of the presents brought by the Envoy of
the Imam of Muscat for your Majesty.

Lord Aberdeen will attend to-morrow with the Envoy, at the hour your
Majesty has been pleased to command; and he will suggest that the
presents should be sent previously to the Palace, in order to be laid
before your Majesty.

[List of Articles sent for Her Most Gracious Majesty, The
Mighty Queen, a trifling Gift scarce worth being
mentioned.]

Two Pearl Necklaces,
Two Emeralds,
An Ornament made like a Crown,
Ten Cashmere Shawls,
One Box containing four Bottles Otto of Roses.
Four Horses, before mentioned in a former letter, but for
the transmission of which no opportunity offered in Bombay,
but now sent in my own ship. Through your kindness have
those things taken[44] from Ali bin Nassur, and make an excuse
for me to Her Most Gracious Majesty, and peace be on you!

[Footnote 44: _I.e._ accept.]

_Lord Fitzgerald and Vesci to Queen Victoria._

INDIA BOARD, _4th July 1842._

... From the seat of war, the intelligence is most satisfactory. The
conduct of the army, its perseverance and its courage, have not been
surpassed in the military history of British India.

Recent events have not, however, changed the views of Lord
Ellenborough as to the general policy which he recommends to be
pursued.

He regards as the best result of that success which has attended
the Arms of your Majesty, that it admits of withdrawing, without
dishonour, the British force to positions of safety, having certain
and uninterrupted communicat