decision on her part, and a secession which had nothing offensive in
the eyes of the nation.

But there is a material difference between leaving a company from
motives of one's own, or being _kicked out_ of it. I must beg you to
speak seriously to Lord Melbourne, who is the head of your Government,
on these important affairs; they may upset everything in Europe if the
mistake is not corrected and moderated.

I shall write again to you next Friday from hence, and on Saturday,
1st August, we set off. Ever, my dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

[Footnote 26: On the 15th of July a convention was signed in
London by representatives of England, Russia, Austria, and
Prussia, offering an ultimatum to the Viceroy of Egypt. The
exclusion of France was hotly resented in Paris. Guizot,
then Ambassador in London, had been kept in ignorance of the
project, but the Foreign Secretary, Lord Palmerston, denied
that there had been any discourtesy intended, or want of
consideration shown.]

[Footnote 27: Louis Adolphe Thiers (1797-1877), who through
the Press had contributed to the downfall of the Bourbons, had
held various Cabinet offices under Louis Philippe, and, from
March to October 1840, was for the second time Premier.]

[Pageheading: PRINCE LOUIS NAPOLEON]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_7th August 1840._ (10 P.M.)

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. The House of
Lords lasted until eight, and Lord Melbourne might by an exertion have
got to the Palace to dinner, but as he had the Speech, by no means an
easy one, to prepare for the consideration of the Cabinet to-morrow,
he thought it better to take this evening for that purpose, and he
hopes therefore that your Majesty will excuse his not coming, which is
to him a great sacrifice to have made.

Your Majesty will have probably seen by this time the report from
your Majesty's Consul at Boulogne of the mad attempt of Louis
Bonaparte.[28] It is rather unfortunate that it should have taken
place at this moment, as the violent and excited temper of the French
nation will certainly lead them to attribute it to England. It will
also be highly embarrassing to the King of the French to have in
his possession a member of the family of Bonaparte and so many
Bonapartists who have certainly deserved death but whom it may not be
prudent or politic to execute.

[Footnote 28: