He was followed by Mr Drummond on the same subject in a telling epigram. Then Lord Palmerston, in reply to the charges of Mr Horsman, mild and graceful, with a sarcastic touch. The general impression of the House was very favourable to the Ministry; all seemed changed; the Debate had cleared the political atmosphere, and, compared with our previous state, we felt as if the eclipse was over.
Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.
RESIGNATION OF PERSIGNY
Buckingham Palace, 23rd March 1858.
My dearest Uncle,—You will, I trust, forgive my letter being short, but we have only just returned from Aldershot, where we went this morning, and really have been quite baked by a sun which was hardly hotter in August, and without a breath of wind....
Good Marie17 has not answered me, will you remind her? I did tell her I hoped for her child's18 sake she would give up the nursing, as we Princesses had other duties to perform. I hope she was not shocked, but I felt I only did what was right in telling her so.
I grieve to say we lose poor Persigny, which is a real loss—but he would resign. Walewski behaved ill to him. The Emperor has, however, named a successor which is really a compliment to the Army and the Alliance—and besides a distinguished and independent man, viz. the Duc de Malakhoff.19 This is very gratifying.
In all this business, Pélissier has, I hear, behaved extremely well. I must now conclude. Ever your devoted Niece,
Victoria R.
Footnote 17: Marie Henriette, Duchess of Brabant, afterwards Queen of the Belgians; died 1902.