ernment.

[Pageheading: COMPETITIVE EXAMINATIONS]

_Mr Gladstone to Queen Victoria._

DOWNING STREET, _17th February 1854._

The Chancellor of the Exchequer presents his humble duty to your
Majesty, and has the honour to acknowledge your Majesty's gracious
letter.

He takes blame to himself for having caused your Majesty trouble by
omitting to include in his short memorandum an explanation of the
phrase "qualified persons."

Experience at the universities and public schools of this country has
shown that in a large majority of cases the test of open examination
is also an effectual test of character; as, except in very remarkable
cases, the previous industry and self-denial, which proficiency
evinces, are rarely separated from general habits of virtue.

But he humbly assures your Majesty that the utmost pains will be
taken to provide not only for the majority but for all cases, by the
strictest enquiries of which the case will admit; and he has the most
confident belief that the securities for character under the
system, although they cannot be unerring, will be stronger and more
trustworthy than any of which the present method of appointment is
susceptible.

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _21st February 1854._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--... War is, I fear, _quite_ inevitable. You will
have seen that the Emperor Nicholas has not given a favourable
answer to _our Brother_ Napoleon (which I hear has disappointed him
extremely, as he expected very great results from it); and the last
proposals or attempts made by Buol[14] it is to be hoped will not be
accepted by Russia, for France and England could _not_ accept them;
but if Austria and Prussia go with us--as we hope they will--the War
will only be a local one. Our beautiful Guards sail to-morrow.
Albert inspected them yesterday. George is quite delighted to have a
division....

I must now conclude, with Albert's affectionate love. Believe me
always, your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 14: Austrian Premier and Minister of Foreign
Affairs.]

[Pageheading: THE BRITISH ARMY]

_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _24th February 1854._

The Queen must write to Lord Aberdeen on a subject which at this
moment appears to her of paramount importance--viz., the augmentation
of the Army. The ten thousand men by which it has been ordered to be
augmented can hardly be