country and
Persia, on the ground that the latter was endeavouring, in defiance
of Treaties, to subvert the independence of Herat. The Shah had laid
siege to the town, when, in December, the English fleet, under Admiral
Sir Henry Leeke, attacked and captured Bushire on the Persian Gulf.
Soon afterwards, Sir James Outram arrived on the scene from Bombay,
and assumed the command.

CHAPTER XXV

1856

_Queen Victoria to Lord Panmure._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _5th January 1856_.

The Queen returns the drawings for the "Victoria Cross." She has
marked the one she approves with an X; she thinks, however, that it
might be a trifle smaller. The motto would be better "For Valour" than
"For the Brave," as this would lead to the inference that only those
are deemed brave who have got the Victoria Cross.

_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _7th January 1856_.

The Queen has received Lord Clarendon's letter, and in answer to his
question expresses her opinion that Lord Cowley's presence at the
Council of War will be absolutely necessary.[1] She believes Lord
Clarendon to be agreed with her, that the value of a plan of military
campaign is entirely dependent upon the _general policy_ which the
Government intends to pursue. As none of our Commissioners at the
Council of War are in the least acquainted with the latter, they might
be drawn into plans which would not at all agree with it. Lord Cowley
would take that part of the question into his own hands, in which
it will be quite safe. The Queen thinks that it is of secondary
importance whether Count Walewski attends or not, but that the Emperor
cannot have the same need of his presence which we have of that of our
Ambassador.

[Footnote 1: A satisfactory and speedy conclusion of
hostilities appearing at this time far from probable, a
Council of War to settle the course of operations was, at the
Emperor's suggestion, summoned to meet at Paris. Lord Cowley,
Count Walewski, Prince Jerome Bonaparte, and others, were
present, besides Naval and Military representatives of the
Allies, among whom was the Duke of Cambridge.]

[Pageheading: POLICY OF CAVOUR]

_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _9th January 1856_.

The Queen has read Sir J. Hudson's[2] letter with much interest.
There is much truth in what Count Cavour says, and it must ever be our
object and our interest to see Sardini