pes of many
Germans for a united national Germany were frustrated by
the Congress of Vienna, which perpetuated the practical
independence of a number of German States, as well as the
predominance within the Germanic confederation of Austria,
a Power largely non-German. One of the chief factors in the
subsequent unification of Germany was the Zollverein, or
Customs Union, by which North Germany was gradually bound
together by commercial interest, and thus opposed to Austria.
The success of this method of imperial integration has not
been without influence on the policies of other lands.]

[Pageheading: THE OPPOSITION ELATED]

_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._

_WILTON CRESCENT, 5th June 1841._

Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has
the honour to state that the House divided about three this morning.

For Sir Robert Peel 312
Against 311
---
Majority 1

The Opposition were greatly elated by this triumph. Lord Stanley, and
Sir Robert Peel who spoke last in the debate, did not deny that the
Crown might exercise the prerogative of dissolution in the present
case. But they insisted that no time should be lost in previous
debates, especially on such a subject as the Corn Laws.

Lord John Russell spoke after Lord Stanley, and defended the whole
policy of the Administration.

After the division he stated that he would on Monday propose the
remaining estimates, and announce the course which he meant to pursue
respecting the Corn Laws.

[Pageheading: MARRIAGE OF LORD JOHN RUSSELL]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

_6th June 1841._

... Now, many thanks for two letters of the 31st ult. and 4th June.
The former I shall not answer at length, as Albert has done so, and
I think has given a very _fair_ view of the state of affairs. Let
me only repeat to you again that you need not be alarmed, and that I
think you will be pleased and _beruhigt_ when you talk to our friend
Lord Melbourne on the subject...

I fear you will again see nothing of the Season, as Parliament will
probably be dissolved by the 21st....

As to my letters, dear Uncle, I beg to _assure_ you (for Lord
Palmerston was _most indignant_ at the doubt when I once asked) that
_none_ of our letters nor any of those _coming_ to us, are ever opened
at the Foreign Office. My lette