The Queen's Visit to France--Sir George C. Lewis on the War--Inefficiency of Lord Panmure--The Queen and the Emperor--Lord John Russell's Estrangement from his Friends--The Fall of Sebastopol--The Queen on the Orleans Confiscation--The Prince Regent's Letter on the Holy Alliance--Ferment in Italy--The Failure at the Redan--Lord John's Defence--General Windham--Lord John Russell's Retirement--Death of Sir Robert Adair--Adieu to the Turf--Progress of the War--Colonial Office proposed to Lord Stanley--Lord John Russell's Position--Relations with Mr. Disraeli--Mr. Labouchere Colonial Secretary--Negotiations for Peace--The Terms proposed to Russia--The King of Sardinia and M. de Cavour at Windsor--The Demands of the King of Sardinia--Lord Palmerston presses for War--Lord Macaulay's History of England--An Ultimatum to Russia--Death of the Poet Rogers--French Ministers--The Emperor's Diplomacy--Sir George C. Lewis's Aversion to the War--Quarrels of Walewski and Persigny--Austria presents the Terms to Russia--Baron Seebach mediates--The Emperor's Difficulties and Doubts _page 281_ A JOURNAL OF THE REIGN OF QUEEN VICTORIA FROM 1852 TO 1860. CHAPTER I. Divisions of the Liberal Party--Lord Lansdowne as Head of a Liberal Government--Hostility of the Radicals--National Defences--Lord John Russell's Literary Pursuits--The Queen's Speech--The Peelites--Protection abandoned--Duke of Wellington's Funeral--Mr. Villiers' Motion--Disraeli's Panegyric on Wellington--Death of Miss Berry--The Division on the Resolution--Disraeli's Budget--Lord Palmerston's Position--The Division on the Budget--Lord Derby resigns--Liberal Negotiations--Formation of Lord Aberdeen's Government--Lord St. Leonard's--Tone of the Conservatives--Lord Clanricarde and the Irish Brigade--Violence of the Tories--Lord Palmerston agrees to join the Government--The Aberdeen Cabinet--First Appearance of the New Ministry--Irritation of the Whigs. _October 22nd, 1852_.--As usual a long interval, for since the Duke's death I have had nothing to write about. The distribution of his offices and honours has not given satisfaction. The appointment of Fitzroy Somerset would have been more popular than that of Hardinge to the command of the army, especially with the army; but I have no doubt the Court insisted on having Hardinge, who is a great favourite there. MINISTERIAL COMBINATIONS.