doubt would be started whether he, as son of the Grand Duke Nicholas,
would not be superseded by his younger brother born son of the
Czar.[44] It is possible that the new Emperor may revert to that
peaceful policy which he was understood to advocate in the beginning
of these transactions, but it is possible, on the other hand, that
he may feel bound to follow out the policy of his father, and may be
impelled by the headstrong ambition of his brother Constantine. At all
events, this change at Petersburg should not for the present slacken
the proceedings and the arrangements of the Allies.

The House of Commons has been engaged in discussing Mr Roebuck's
proposal that the Committee of Enquiry should be a secret one. This
proposal was made by the majority of the Committee on the ground that
they anticipated a difficulty in conducting their enquiries without
trenching on the delicate and dangerous ground of questioning the
proceedings of the French. The proposal was objected to by Lord
Seymour[45] and Mr Ellice, members of the Committee, by Sir James
Graham as unjust towards the Duke of Newcastle, and others whose
conduct ought to be enquired into with all the safeguards which
publicity secures for justice, and not before a Secret Tribunal in the
nature of an Inquisition. The general sense of the House was against
secrecy, and Viscount Palmerston expressed an opinion adverse to it,
on the ground that it could not be enforced because the Committee
could not gag the witnesses, and that the character of secrecy
would excite suspicion and disappoint public expectation. Sir John
Pakington, a member of the Committee, was for secrecy, Mr Disraeli
spoke against it, and the Motion has been withdrawn.

[Footnote 44: The eldest son, the Grand Duke Alexander
(1818-1881), succeeded as Czar Alexander II.]

[Footnote 45: Lord Seymour (afterwards Duke of Somerset)
drafted the Report of the Committee.]

_Queen Victoria to the Princess of Prussia._ [_Translation._]

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _4th March 1855_.

DEAR AUGUSTA,--The astounding news of the death of your poor uncle the
Emperor Nicholas reached us the day before yesterday at four o'clock.
A few hours previously we had learnt that his condition was hopeless.
The news is sudden and most unexpected, and we are naturally very
anxious to learn details. His departure from life at the present
moment cannot but make a particularly strong impression, and what
the conse