xious he should have as few failings
as mortal men can have. Our poor Bertie is still on the Atlantic,
detained by very contrary winds, which those large vessels with only
an auxiliary screw and only eight days' coal cannot make any way
against. Two powerful steamers have now gone out to look for him and
bring him in....

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

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 43: Major (afterwards Sir John) Cowell was appointed
as Tutor to Prince Alfred in 1856. He was then a Lieutenant
of Engineers, and had been Adjutant to Sir Harry Jones at
Bomarsund and before Sebastopol.]

_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._

PICCADILLY, _22nd November 1860_.

Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
to submit that, as it appears from a despatch from Lord Cowley
that the commercial negotiations at Paris have been brought to a
conclusion, and that Mr Cobden has left Paris, the time has come
for your Majesty to consider what substantial mark of your Majesty's
approval your Majesty would be pleased to confer upon Mr Cobden.
Mr Cobden has now for about twelve months been laboriously employed
without salary or emolument in negotiating the complicated details of
commercial arrangements between England and France, which cannot
fail to tend to the material advantage of both countries, but more
especially to the increased development of the industry and commerce
of your Majesty's subjects. It would be an ungracious proceeding to
leave the services of Mr Cobden with no other acknowledgment than
the praises contained in a Foreign Office despatch, and Viscount
Palmerston therefore with the concurrence of Lord John Russell would
beg to submit for the gracious approval of your Majesty that Mr Cobden
might be offered his choice of being created a Knight Grand Cross
of the Civil Order of the Bath, or of being made a Member of your
Majesty's Privy Council.

(_Note, in Queen's hand._--Was agreed to offer him either to be made a
P.C., or a Baronet.)[44]

[Footnote 44: Mr Cobden declined both the Honours.]

[Pageheading: THE EMPRESS OF AUSTRIA]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _22nd November 1860_.

MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--I have to thank you for a most kind letter
of the 20th. I hope you will see the young and very nice Empress of
Austria,[45] perhaps you made a little excursion to Plymouth. I had,
and have still, some