uch has
as yet been settled, but I fear we shall not be fit to move for some
time; the difficulty of transport is very great, our Artillery
only partly arrived, and no Cavalry. We require more troops, more
particularly of the latter arm, in which the Russians are very strong.
We ought to have at least 10,000 men more, and the sooner they are
sent out the better. Even that number is not enough, for the French
talk of 100,000 men, and we should be in a most dreadful minority
unless we had 40,000 to 50,000. I am afraid all this will alarm people
in England, but it is the truth.... I remain, my dear Cousin, your
most dutiful Cousin,

GEORGE.

We never hear any news here. All that does come to us generally comes
by way of Europe; another proof of what a miserable country this is.

[Footnote 31: Abdul Medjid, born 1823, who had succeeded to
the throne at the time of the Syrian War; see _ante_, vol. i.,
19th August, 1839, note 54.]

[Footnote 32: Minister of Foreign Affairs, born 1802, died
1858.]

[Pageheading: THE KING OF PRUSSIA]

_The King of Prussia to Queen Victoria._

[_Translation._]

SANS SOUCI, _24th May 1854._

MOST GRACIOUS QUEEN,--... My policy,[33] which has been so terribly
criticised and derided as "vacillating," has been, since the beginning
of this most inauspicious conflict, one and the same, and _without a
hairsbreadth of deviation_ either to the right or to the left. As it
rests on the unshakable foundation which my conscience as a King and
a Christian has laid down, and which does not admit _que je fasse la
besogne ni de l'un ni de l'autre parti_, I am abused and insulted
at the Winter Palace, and regarded, by way of contrast in London and
Paris, as a kind of simpleton--neither of which is pleasant.

May your Majesty believe my Royal Word: I was, I am, I remain the
truest and most faithful friend of Great Britain, as well in principle
as from religious feeling and from true affection. I desire and
practise a good and honest understanding with France; but when it
comes to helping the French--to whom Prussia's geographical position
between Paris and Warsaw is very inconvenient--to pull the _chestnuts
from the fire_ for them, for such a task I am frankly too good. If the
Emperor wishes to force me to assist--as evidently he is inclined to
do--it will end by becoming too difficult for him. He ought to thank
God that my view of Russian policy and my fidelity to your Maje