n the 7th of April.]

_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._

_1st April 1854._

The Queen rejoices to see the Debate was favourable in the House of
Lords, and that it was concluded in the House of Commons.[23]

She is rather startled at seeing Lord Aberdeen's answer to Lord Roden
upon the subject of a day of humiliation, as he has never mentioned
the subject to her, and it is one upon which she feels strongly.
The only thing the Queen ever heard about it was from the Duke of
Newcastle, who suggested the _possibility_ of an _appropriate_ prayer
being introduced into the Liturgy, in which the Queen quite agreed;
but he was strongly against a day of humiliation, in which the Queen
also entirely agreed, as she thinks we have recourse to them far too
often, and they thereby lose their effect. The Queen therefore hopes
that this will be reconsidered carefully, and a _prayer_ substituted
for the _day of humiliation_. Were the services selected for these
days of a different kind to what they are--the Queen would feel
less strongly about it; but they always select chapters from the Old
Testament and Psalms which are so totally inapplicable that it does
away with all the effect it ought to have. Moreover, really to say
(as we probably should) that the _great sinfulness of the nation_ has
brought about this War, when it is the selfishness and ambition of
_one_ man and his servants who have brought this about, while our
conduct has been throughout actuated by unselfishness and honesty,
would be too manifestly repulsive to the feelings of every one, and
would be a mere act of hypocrisy. Let there be a prayer expressive of
our great thankfulness for the benefits we have enjoyed, and for the
immense prosperity of this country, and entreating God's help and
protection in the coming struggle. In this the Queen would join heart
and soul. If there is to be a day set apart, let it be for prayer in
this sense.

[Footnote 23: On the 27th of March the Queen announced to
Parliament that the negotiations with the Czar had terminated,
and that she felt bound "to afford active assistance to her
ally, the Sultan." Next day the Declaration of War was issued,
containing a narrative of the events which finally led to the
rupture. The debates on the Address in answer to the message
took place on the 31st of March, Mr Bright, in the Commons,
censuring the declaration, and being replied to by Lord
Pal