y hopes she feels some confidence
that the present state of the Eastern affairs is such as may lead to
a speedy, amicable termination--at the same time, with a nation so
irritable as the French, and with the Constitution which they have and
which they are unused to exercise, it is impossible to feel secure
for a moment. Guizot, when he gave the despatch of Thiers to Lord
Palmerston, said that he had nothing to do with the reasonings of that
despatch, and would not enter into any argument upon them.

He delivered them only in his official capacity as the Ambassador of
the King of France. All he would say was that they were the result of
a great effort of that party in France which was for peace. This was a
sufficient intimation that he himself did not approve of them, but it
was not possible to collect from what he said upon what grounds his
dissent was founded. Lord Melbourne has since heard that he says, that
he considers that France has taken too low a tone and has made too
much concession, and that he could not have been a party to this step
if he had been one of the King's Ministers. The step is also probably
contrary to the declared opinion of M. Thiers; whether it be contrary
to his real opinion is another question. But if it was written
principally by the influence of the King, it is a measure at once bold
and friendly upon his part, and the success of which will much depend
upon its being met in an amicable spirit here.

Lord Melbourne returns the letter of the King of the Belgians. Lord
Melbourne kept it because he wished to show it to Lord John Russell,
and some others, as containing an authentic statement of the feelings
of the King of the French, which it is well that they should know....

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th October 1840._

The Queen in returning these letters must express to Lord Palmerston
her very great satisfaction at the favourable turn affairs have taken,
and the Queen earnestly trusts that this demonstration of returning
amity on the part of France will be met in a very friendly spirit
by Lord Palmerston and the rest of her Government. The Queen feels
certain that this change on the part of France is also greatly owing
to the peaceable disposition of the King of the French, and she thinks
that in consideration of the difficulties the King has had to contend
with, and which he seems finally to have overcome, we should make
some return; and indeed,