Aberdeen should ask Lord John what he advised him to do under the circumstances, was strongly condemned by me, as depriving Lord Aberdeen of all the advantage of the initiative with Lord Palmerston. Lord Aberdeen states his great difficulty to be not only the long antecedent and mutual opposition between him and Lord Palmerston, but also the fact that Lord Palmerston loved war for war’s sake, and he peace for peace’ sake. . . . He consoled himself, however, at last by the reflection that Lord Palmerston was not worse than Lord John in that respect, and, on the other hand, gave greater weight to the consideration of what was practicable. It remains open for the present whether Lord John is to act as the organ for the Government during the short Session, and resign afterwards, or to resign now. ALBERT.
Queen Victoria to Viscount Hardinge.
WINDSOR CASTLE, 10th December 1854.
The Queen is glad to hear of Lord Rokeby’s readiness to go
out, as she is sure that he will prove himself an efficient officer in command of that noble Brigade of Guards.[1]
The Queen must repeat again her opinion relative to General Bentinck. She thinks that he ought to go out again, and that, if a division were offered to him, he would not hesitate (when he has recruited his health) to go out. For the sake of example it would be most desirable, for there evidently is an inclination to ask for leave to go home, which would be very detrimental to the Army.
The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria.
LONDON, 16th December 1854.
Lord Aberdeen presents his humble duty to your Majesty.
The Cabinet met to-day, and discussed various measures,
with a view to their introduction into Parliament during the
course of the ensuing Session. In this discussion Lord John
Russell took an active part, and must have greatly astonished
his colleagues, after their knowledge of all that had recently
passed. Lord Aberdeen had been previously made aware,
although not by himself, of the change which had taken place in
Lord John’s intentions. After the meeting of the Cabinet,
Lord John came to Lord Aberdeen, and spoke of the affair of
- ↑ Lord Rokeby had on the previous evening been offered and had accepted the command.
