t danger, and "did not wish to embark in a boat
which was going to sink." Still, he was friendly, and repeated that
it would be very easy when in opposition to unite, and then to come in
together.

VICTORIA R.

[Pageheading: DEFEAT OF THE GOVERNMENT]

_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._

CHESHAM PLACE, _21st February 1851._

Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has
the honour to report that on a motion of Mr Locke King's[5] yesterday
the Government was defeated by a hundred to fifty-two.

This is another circumstance which makes it probable the Ministry
cannot endure long. The Tories purposely stayed away.

[Footnote 5: For equalising the County and the Borough
franchise.]

[Pageheading: MINISTERIAL CRISIS]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _21st February 1851._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I have only time just to write a few hasty lines to
you from Stockmar's room, where I came up to speak to Albert and him,
to tell you that we have got a Ministerial crisis; the Ministers
were in a great minority last night, and though it was not a question
_vital_ to the Government, Lord John feels the support he has received
so meagre, and the opposition of so many parties so great, that he
must _resign!_ This is very bad, because there is no chance of any
other good Government, poor Peel being no longer alive, and not one
man of talent except Lord Stanley in the Party;... but Lord John is
_right_ not to go on when he is so ill supported, and it will raise
him as a political man, and will strengthen his position for the
future.

Whether Lord Stanley (to whom I must send to-morrow _after_ the
Government have resigned) will be able to form a Government or not,
I cannot tell. Altogether, it is very vexatious, and will give
us trouble. It is the more provoking, as this country is so very
prosperous.

On Tuesday I hope to be able to say more....

With Albert's love, ever your truly devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Pageheading: LORD LANSDOWNE CONSULTED]

[Pageheading: LORD STANLEY SUMMONED]

[Pageheading: FISCAL POLICY OUTLINED]

[Pageheading: PROTECTION]

_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _22nd February 1851._

Lord John Russell having been for a few minutes with the Queen,
in order to prepare her for the possibility of the Government's
resignation (yesterday, at two o'clock), went to Downing Street
to