erence in the nature and duration of the War. Our summons to
Russia went last night _via_ Paris, Berlin, and Vienna, and if they
are received either with silence, or the Emperor refuses to evacuate
the Principalities--_War_ will be considered as declared. The French
send a similar summons. The messenger is to wait _six_ days for an
answer, but no longer.

The last battalion of the Guards (Scots Fusiliers) embarked to-day.
They passed through the courtyard here at seven o'clock this morning.
We stood on the balcony to see them--the morning fine, the sun
rising over the towers of old Westminster Abbey--and an immense crowd
collected to see these fine men, and cheering them immensely as they
with difficulty marched along. They formed line, presented arms,
and then cheered us _very heartily_, and went off cheering. It was a
_touching and beautiful_ sight; many sorrowing friends were there, and
one saw the shake of many a hand. My best wishes and prayers will be
with them all....

_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._

[_Undated._]

The Queen was rather annoyed at the manner in which Lord Clarendon
pressed the Duke of Cambridge's going to the Tuileries last night.[17]
She thought it an immense boon upon her part to allow the Duke of
Cambridge _to go to Paris_--and instead of its being considered as
such by Lord Clarendon and Count Walewski, the Queen was told it would
offend the Emperor if the Duke did not go to the Tuileries also. The
Queen observed that it was unnecessary and unusual for the Duke, or
any Prince almost, to live at the _Palace_ of the Sovereign, unless he
was a very particular friend or near relation. The Duke of Genoa had
refused going there, though he had received other civilities here; in
the same manner _no Prince_ comes to this _Palace_ unless he is a very
_near relation_ or particular friend. To this Lord Clarendon replied
that it was "because the _Emperor wished_ it," which rather shocked
the Queen, and she spoke _strongly_ to him upon the subject. The
result was that the Queen said she would speak to the Duke of
Cambridge about it, and see, as the Emperor made _so great a point of
it_, and Lord Clarendon considered that the _Alliance depended upon
it_, what he would do....

The Queen must and _will_ protest, for she cannot mix up personal
friendship with a political Alliance. The former is the _result_ of
the _experience_ of years of mutual friendship, and cannot be _carried
by storm