r whether they contain the result of a discussion
on the particular matter, cannot be precisely ascertained. But
they contain so many phrases and turns of expression which are
characteristic of her outspoken temperament, that it is clear that
she not only followed every detail, but that the substance of
the communication bore in most cases the impress of her mind. A
considerable number of the drafts again are in her own hand, with
interlinear corrections and additions by the Prince; and these so
strongly resemble in style the drafts in the handwriting of the
Prince, that it is clear that the Queen did not merely accept
suggestions, but that she had a strong opinion of her own on important
matters, and that this opinion was duly expressed.

One fact must, however, be borne in mind. It happens in many cases
that a correspondence on some particular point seems to be about to
lead up to a definite conclusion, but that the salient and decisive
document is absent. In these cases it is clear that the matter was
settled at a personal interview; in many cases the Prince prepared
a memorandum of an important interview; but there are a considerable
number of such correspondences, where no record is preserved of the
eventual solution, and this incompleteness is regrettable, but, by the
nature of the case, inevitable.

[Pageheading: LEADING STATESMEN IN 1837]

The young Queen, on coming to the Throne, had little technical
knowledge of the details of diplomacy, but she already had a real and
intelligent acquaintance with foreign affairs, though it was rather
personal than political, and, as we have seen, was more inspired by
her interest in the fortunes and position of her numerous maternal
relations than by the political views of her paternal relatives. Among
the English statesmen of the day there were few who were qualified
to help and instruct her. The two men who for over twenty years
alternately guided the foreign policy of the country were Lord
Aberdeen and Lord Palmerston. They represented two opposed schools.
Lord Aberdeen, a Peelite, was naturally and by tradition inclined to
desire harmonious relations with all foreign Powers, and to abstain,
as far as was consistent with maintaining British interests, from any
sort of intervention in European affairs; Palmerston was a disciple of
Canning, who had definitely broken with the principles of the Congress
of Vienna, and openly avowed his approval of a policy of intervention