w Lord Palmerston's attention. The Queen does so
with strict impartiality, having had ample opportunities of hearing
both sides of this intricate and highly-important question.

First of all, it strikes the Queen that, even if M. Thiers _did_ raise
the cry, which was so loud, for war in France (but which the Queen
cannot believe he _did_ to the extent Lord Palmerston does), that such
an excitement _once_ raised in a country like France, where the people
are more excitable than almost any other nation, it cannot be so
easily controuled and stopped again, and the Queen thinks this will be
seen in time.

Secondly, the Queen cannot either quite agree in Lord Palmerston's
observation, that the French Government state the danger of internal
revolution, if not supported, merely to extract further concessions
for Mehemet Ali. The Queen does not pretend to say that this danger is
not exaggerated, but depend upon it, a _certain_ degree of danger
does exist, and that the situation of the King of the French and
the present French Government is not an easy one. The majority,
too, cannot be depended upon, as many would vote against Odillon
Barrot,[56] who would _not_ vote on other occasions with the
Soult-Guizot Ministry.

Thirdly, the danger of war is also doubtless greatly exaggerated,
as also the numbers of the French troops. But Lord Palmerston must
recollect how very warlike the French are, and that if once roused,
they will not listen to the calm reasoning of those who wish for
peace, or think of the great risk they run of _losing_ by war, but
only of the glory and of revenging insult, as they call it.

Fourthly, the Queen sees the difficulty there exists at the present
moment of making any specific offer to France, but she must at
the same time repeat how _highly_ and _exceedingly_ important she
considers it that some sort of conciliatory agreement should be come
to with France, for she cannot believe that the appeals made to her
by the King of the French are only exertions of skilful diplomacy. The
Queen's earnest and only wish is peace, and a maintenance of friendly
relations with her allies, consistent with the honour and dignity
of her country. She does not think, however, that the last would be
compromised by attempts to soften the irritation still existing in
France, or by attempts to bring France back to her former position in
the Oriental Question.

She earnestly hopes that Lord Palmerston will consider this, wil