Stockmar has, I know, explained to you the state of affairs, which is unexampled, and I think the present Government very weak and extremely disunited. What may appear to you as a mistake in November was an inevitable evil. Aberdeen very truly explained it yesterday. "We had ill luck," he said; "if it had not been for this famine in Ireland, which rendered immediate measures necessary, Sir Robert would have prepared them gradually for the change." Then, besides, the Corn Law Agitation was such that if Peel had not wisely made this change (for which the whole Country blesses him), a convulsion would shortly have taken place, and we should have been forced to yield what has been granted as a boon. No doubt the breaking up of the Party (which will come together again, whether under Peel or some one else) is a very distressing thing. The only thing to be regretted, and I do not know exactly why he did it (though we can guess), was his praise of Cobden, which has shocked people a good deal.
But I can't tell you how sad I am to lose Aberdeen; you can't think what a delightful companion he was; the breaking up of all this intercourse during our journeys, etc., is deplorable.
We have contrived to get a very respectable Court.
Albert's use to me, and I may say to the Country, by his firmness and sagacity, is beyond all belief in these moments of trial.
We are all well, but I am, of course, a good deal overset by all these tribulations.
Ever your devoted Niece,
Victoria R.
I was much touched to see Graham so very much overcome at taking leave of us.
Queen Victoria to Viscount Hardinge.
THE QUEEN'S ANXIETY