| Collection | Victorian Papers, Main Series |
| Description | Queen Victoria thinks that the state of Ireland is most alarming; there is so much 'inflammable matter' all around that it creates great anxiety: but the events of Monday [regarding the Chartists?] must have a calming effect. Lord John Russell's remarks about Europe and the calamitous policy of the French Government are most true. Is not the poor King [Louis Philippe], however, to be pitied for being the cause of such misery? To see all his hopes destroyed, his pride humbled, his beloved children ruined is enough to make a man wretched, and much to be pitied. Francois Guizot is more to blame, as he was responsible adviser for all this policy; he ought to have behaved differently. If the poor King had died in 1844, before the most unfortunate Spanish marriage question started, he would have deservedly gone down in posterity as a great monarch: but what will his name be in history now? His fate is a great moral. Regarding Germany, Prince [Klemens von] Metternich is the cause of half of the misfortune, because his advice was taken by almost all the German Sovereigns, which has prevented them from doing in time what has now been torn from them, with the loss of many rights which they need not have sacrificed. Archduke John has arrived at Frankfort, which may do much good, as he is popular and wise. Some well-informed people say that nothing could have prevented the catastrophe in France, and that the French would never continue quiet for any number of years; the Queen feels there is some truth in this. With regard to the Lord Lieutenants, Mr Talbot has already kissed hands. The Queen approves of Lord James Stuart as Lord Lieutenant of Bute. |