ed by the efforts on all sides for Party objects
to exalt the Emperor Napoleon, and make his will and use the sole
standard for the English Government.[22]

[Footnote 22: This curious letter of the Count stated in
effect that the alliance of England and France, and the
critical circumstances of the day, made Lords Palmerston and
Clarendon indispensable members of any Ministry that might be
formed.]

Lord Derby called it the most audacious thing he had ever seen, adding
that he had heard that Count Walewski had stated to somebody with
reference to the Vienna Conferences: "What influence can a country
like England pretend to exercise, which has no Army and no
Government?"

I told him he was right, as every one here took pains to prove that
we had no Army, and to bring about that the Queen should have no
Government.

[Pageheading: LORD LANSDOWNE CONSULTED]

[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL SUGGESTED]

_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _2nd February 1855._

Lord Lansdowne arrived late yesterday evening. The Queen, after having
stated that Lord Derby had given up the task of forming a Government,
asked his advice under the present circumstances, to which he replied
that he had little advice to give. I interrupted that at least he
could impart knowledge to the Queen, upon which she could form
a decision. The first and chief question was, What was Lord John
Russell's position? Lord Lansdowne declared this to be the most
difficult question of all to answer. He believed Lord John was not at
all dissatisfied with the position he had assumed, and was under the
belief that he could form an Administration capable of standing,
even without the support of the Peelites. He (Lord Lansdowne) would
certainly decline to have anything to do with it, as it could
receive its support only from the extreme Radical side, which was not
favourable to Lord John, but shrewd enough to perceive that to obtain
a Government that would have to rest entirely upon themselves would
be the surest mode of pushing their own views. Lord John, although not
intending it, would blindly follow this bias, excusing himself with
the consideration that he must look for support somewhere. He himself
doubted, however, even the possibility of Lord John succeeding; but
till he was brought to see this no strong Government was possible.
We asked about the Peelites, Lord Palmerston, etc. He did not
know whether the Peel