ons to whom such a question can
properly be referred. The Queen thinks it right to add that
being fully persuaded of the strong religious persuasion of
the Princess, of the extreme improbability of any change
of opinion on her part, and of the evils inseparable from a
difference of opinion on such a subject between the Emperor
and his intended Consort, she wishes Lord Malmesbury to place
this consideration prominently before Count Walewski, before
he takes any other step in the matter, which he appears to
have brought unofficially under the consideration of Lord
Malmesbury."]

[Pageheading: THE QUEEN AND LORD MALMESBURY]

[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S OPINION]

_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._

OSBORNE, _16th December 1852._

The Queen has received Lord Derby's letter of the 14th inst. She did
not intend to complain personally of Lord Malmesbury, who, the
Queen is sure, was most anxious to do the best he could under the
circumstances; but she still thinks that a question of such importance
should not have been brought immediately before her for her decision;
and although Lord Derby states his opinion that Lord Malmesbury had no
alternative but to promise to Count Walewski that he would bring "_the
Emperor's sentiments before the Queen_," the very suggestion Lord
Derby now makes, viz. "that Lord Malmesbury should be instructed
to treat the proposition as emanating, not from the Emperor,
but _unofficially_ from Count Walewski, and that he should also
_unofficially_ dissuade him from pressing the matter further"--shows
that there was an alternative.

Lord Derby and Lord Malmesbury alone can know, whether, after what
may have passed in conversation between Lord Malmesbury and Count
Walewski, this course still remains open.

There can be no doubt that the best thing would be to terminate this
affair without the Queen being called upon to give any opinion at all.

Lord Derby seems to treat the matter as of much less importance than
the Queen, but he will admit that, if the alliance is sought by
the Emperor, "_pour resserrer les liens d'amitie entre la France et
l'Angleterre_," the refusal of it on the part of the Queen must also
have the opposite effect. The responsibility of having produced this
effect would rest personally with the Queen, who might be accused of
having brought it about, influenced by personal feelings of animosity
against the Emperor, or by mistak