of this time, and of the
character and aims of Cavour, will be found in De la Gorce's
_Histoire du Second Empire_; see especially vol. ii. book 14.]

[Pageheading: THE POSITION OF FRANCE]

_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Malmesbury._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _3rd May 1859_.

The Queen has carefully read the enclosed draft. She thinks that,
without saying anything offensive to France,[33] this important
document would not place matters before that Power in the world in
accordance with the facts, and would lead to erroneous inferences
if it left out altogether, as it does, any reference to the
responsibility which France has had in bringing about the present
state of affairs.... Austria and Sardinia are spoken of as the
offenders, and blamed, not without sufficient ground, for the parts
which they have respectively acted, and France is treated as if
standing on a line with us in fostering civilisation, liberty, and
peace. The inference would be that _we_ forsake her in her noble
course, and deserve again the name of "_perfide Albion_."

The Queen would ask Lord Malmesbury to consider this. For the sake of
showing how she thinks the omissions dangerous to our position might
be supplied, she has added some pencil remarks.

[Footnote 33: _I.e._, if the despatch were to abstain from
reprobating the French policy.]

[Pageheading: THE GENERAL ELECTION]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _3rd May 1859_.

DEAREST UNCLE,--Many thanks for you dear, kind letter of the 30th. God
knows we _are_ in a sad mess. The rashness of the Austrians is indeed
a _great_ misfortune, for it has placed them in the wrong. Still there
is _one_ universal feeling of _anger_ at the conduct of France, and
of _great suspicion_. The Treaty with Russia is _denied_, but I am
perfectly certain that there _are engagements_....

Here the Elections are not as satisfactory as could be wished, but the
Government still think they will have a clear gain of 25 to 30 seats,
which will make a difference of 50 or 60 votes on a Division. It
gives unfortunately no majority; still, it must be remembered that the
Opposition are very much divided, and not at all a compact body, which
the supporters of the Government are.[34]

Lord John has been holding moderate and prudent language on Foreign
Affairs, whereas Lord Palmerston has made bad and mischievous
speeches, but _not_ at all in accordance with the feelin