ion, under the impression that Lord
John would resign, had been for Lord Aberdeen to call upon Lord
Palmerston, and to explain to him that although he had acted cordially
with him as a Colleague in this Government, yet they had been
political antagonists during their whole lives--the Government also
was still a Reform Government; from personal, therefore, as well as
public, reasons it was impossible that he should be entrusted with the
lead of the House of Commons, being the only anti-Reformer. And it was
hoped that he would have no difficulty in letting Mr Gladstone lead
the House, as Sir James Graham was the same age and political standing
with Lord Palmerston, but at once cheerfully contented to waive all
his claims in favour of Mr Gladstone.

ALBERT.

[Pageheading: THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE]

[Pageheading: THE EMPEROR OF AUSTRIA]

_The Duke of Cambridge to Queen Victoria._[27]

VIENNA, _28th April 1854._

MY DEAR COUSIN,--Before leaving this place I think it right that I
should once more trouble you with a letter, to inform you that the
messenger has arrived who brought your autograph letter for the
Emperor, which I presented to him to-day at an audience I had for this
purpose.... I had a very long and most interesting conversation with
the Emperor, who opened frankly and fairly upon the great questions
of the day. The impression he made upon me was an excellent one, his
confidence and frankness are complete, and I have the firm conviction
that he is a man of his word, and that he never would say a thing
that he did not in his heart mean. The result of what he said was
the following: that he naturally was most distressed at all that
had occurred; that he was placed by the Emperor of Russia in a most
difficult position; that he quite disapproved his acts; but that he
could not but have a great disinclination to break with a very old
ally; and that even still he hoped this painful step might be spared
to him by the Emperor of Russia making some proposal so honourable to
all parties, that it would not be rejected by the Western Powers,
who would naturally not be disinclined to a peace, honourable to
themselves and tranquillising for the future; that the basis of such
treaty would be the position of the Christian population of the
East; that this might be discussed in Conference, the Russians having
_first_ evacuated the Principalities, upon which the Turks would
hold the right bank of the Danube, our Fleets