Victoria._

LONDON, _16th December 1854._

Lord Aberdeen presents his humble duty to your Majesty. The Cabinet
met to-day, and discussed various measures, with a view to their
introduction into Parliament during the course of the ensuing Session.
In this discussion Lord John Russell took an active part, and must
have greatly astonished his colleagues, after their knowledge of
all that had recently passed. Lord Aberdeen had been previously made
aware, although not by himself, of the change which had taken place
in Lord John's intentions. After the meeting of the Cabinet, Lord John
came to Lord Aberdeen, and spoke of the affair of Mr Kennedy,[72] but
did not seem disposed to advert to any other subject. Lord Aberdeen
therefore took an opportunity of referring to the correspondence which
had taken place, and the notice which had been given by Lord John.
Without any embarrassment, or apparent sense of inconsistency, he at
once admitted that he had changed his intention, and attributed it
chiefly to a conversation yesterday with Lord Panmure, who, although a
great military reformer, had convinced him that the present was not a
fitting time for his proposed changes.

Lord Aberdeen had not seen any member of the Cabinet this evening
since the meeting terminated, and does not know how they may be
affected by this change. Some, he feels sure, will be disappointed;
but, on the whole, he feels disposed to be well satisfied. It is true
that there can be no security for a single week; and it is impossible
to escape from a sense of self-degradation by submitting to such an
unprecedented state of relations amongst colleagues; but the scandal
of a rupture would be so great, and the evils which might ensue so
incalculable, that Lord Aberdeen is sincerely convinced it will be
most advantageous for your Majesty's service, and for the public,
to endeavour, by a conciliatory and prudent course of conduct, to
preserve tranquillity and union as long as possible. This does not
exclude the necessity of firmness; and in the present case Lord
Aberdeen has yielded nothing whatever, but he has received Lord John's
change without resentment or displeasure.

[Footnote 72: Mr Kennedy (who was remotely connected by
marriage with Lord John) had been removed by Mr Gladstone from
an office he held. Lord John took it up as a family matter.]

[Pageheading: THE SCUTARI HOSPITAL]

_The Duke of Newcastle to Queen Victoria._

WAR D