On reading a statement attributed to her Foreign Minister so far at variance with her own opinion and the decision of her Cabinet, the Queen wrote to Lord John Russell, asking him if "he knew anything about the alleged approval, which, if true, would again expose the honour and dignity of the Queen's Government in the eyes of the world." [Illustration: _J. Leech._} {_From "Punch"._ THE "JUDICIOUS BOTTLE-HOLDER," OR DOWNING STREET PET. "Bless you! it's all chaff--won't came to a fight. Old Nick's got no constitution--and then, I'm Bottle-holder on t'other side, too!"] [Illustration: _From the Silver Model_} {_by R. Hodd & Son._ H.M.S. "BRITANNIA," 1837. This, the most formidable line-of battle ship afloat at the time of Her Majesty's Accession, was built in 1820 and carried 120 guns. She was the Flag ship at Portsmouth from 1835 to 1840. In 1850 she was converted into a Training Ship, and was finally broken up in 1869. The Silver Model, from which this Illustration was photographed, was presented to Her Majesty the Queen, together with a similar one of the ill-fated _Victoria_--the typical ship of 1887--by the officers and men of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, and Auxiliary Naval Forces, and was exhibited amongst the Jubilee Presents.] [Illustration: H.M.S. "JUPITER," 1897. This "first class battleship," which has but lately undergone her sea trials, is of the same size as the _Majestic_ and the _Magnificent_. She was built by the Clydebank Shipbuilding Company, and may be taken as the representative ship of the year. Displacement, 15,000 tons; horse-power, 12,000; speed, 17-1/2 knots.]