avoir la
meme confiance de mon cote, et en vous repetant que cette confiance ne
sera pas plus decue dans l'avenir, qu'elle ne l'a ete dans le passe.

Votre Majeste me permettra d'offrir ici au Prince Albert l'expression
de ma vive et sincere amitie. Je la prie aussi de recevoir celle de
l'inviolable attachement avec lequel je suis, Madame ma tres chere
S[oe]ur, de votre Majeste, le bon Frere et bien fidele Ami,

LOUIS PHILIPPE R.

[Footnote 33: The return of Palmerston to the Foreign Office
was of course dreaded by the King and Guizot.]

[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S ACCEPTANCE]

_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _16th December 1845._

The Queen has just received Lord John Russell's letter of this day's
date,[34] and considering that it is of great importance that no time
should be lost, has immediately forwarded it to Sir Robert Peel.

The Queen fully understands the motives which guide Lord John in
using every effort to ensure the success of the great measure which is
impending before he undertakes to form a Government.

The Queen sees from Lord John's second letter that he has taken a copy
of Sir R. Peel's letter of the 15th to her. As she does not feel to
have been authorised to allow this, the Queen hopes that in case Sir
Robert should have an objection to it Lord John will not retain the
copy.

[Footnote 34: It is printed in the _Annual Register_, 1846, p.
17. Lord John considered the temporary suspension or repeal
of duties, with the prospect of their re-imposition, open to
grave objections.]

[Pageheading: INSUPERABLE DIFFICULTIES]

_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _18th December 1845._

Lord John Russell returned at five this evening, and informed
the Queen that after considerable discussion, and after a full
consideration of his position, _he will undertake to form a
Government_.

As at present arranged, the Council is to be on Monday; the Queen much
wishing to have a parting interview with Sir R. Peel, however painful
it will be to her, wishes Sir Robert Peel to inform her when he thinks
it best to come down here.[35]

[Footnote 35: Lord John Russell, however, found insuperable
difficulties in forming the Cabinet; and, to quote Disraeli,
"handed back with courtesy the poisoned chalice to Sir
Robert."]

[Pageheading: GREY AND PALMERSTON]

_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._