_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._
BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _2nd February (? March) 1854._
In returning these letters to Lord Aberdeen the Queen must express to him that there are _hints_ in them which give her great uneasiness. The stability of this Government is not only of _paramount importance_ at the _commencement_ of the War, but throughout it; the moment for negotiation may arrive much sooner than we now expect--and _then_, more than _now even_, the Government ought to be composed of the _ablest and most moderate_ men which this Country can produce.
The Queen thanks Lord John Russell for his letter received this morning. She has read the proceedings in the House of Commons with much interest.[19] She was particularly pleased with Lord John's second speech, in which he affirmed the principle that public men ought not to oppose the regard for personal honour or reputation to the well-understood interests of the Country. Indeed, the Queen cannot conceive the possibility of their collision, as an exclusive regard for the well-understood interests of the Country must always redound to the honour and reputation of a Statesman.
[Footnote 19: Lord John Russell had announced the decision of the Government to postpone till the 27th of April the second reading of the Reform Bill, and, in reply to some sarcastic comments from Mr Disraeli, stated that he would be ashamed of himself if he preferred anything connected with his own personal reputation to the interest of the country. He added that the security of the country depended upon its confidence in the character of public men.]
_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Your kind letter of the 9th arrived here on Saturday just when we returned from a splendid and never-to-be-forgotten sight-- the sailing of our noble Fleet for the Baltic;[20] the Navy and Nation were particularly pleased at _my leading them out_, as they call it, which in fact was the case, as, in our little _Fairy_ we went on and lay to, to see them all come out, which (the wind being fair) they did, with sails set, each passing us close by, and giving us three hearty cheers, as I think none but British tars _can_ give. Gloriously they bore along, followed by the prayers and good wishes of all. You should read the account in yesterday's _Times_. Another sailing squadron goes to-morrow. The Captains and Admirals all took leave on board, and seemed much impressed with the solemnity of the moment.... Ever your truly devoted Niece,