The last battalion of the Guards (Scots Fusiliers) embarked to-day. They passed through the courtyard here at seven o'clock this morning. We stood on the balcony to see them--the morning fine, the sun rising over the towers of old Westminster Abbey--and an immense crowd collected to see these fine men, and cheering them immensely as they with difficulty marched along. They formed line, presented arms, and then cheered us _very heartily_, and went off cheering. It was a _touching and beautiful_ sight; many sorrowing friends were there, and one saw the shake of many a hand. My best wishes and prayers will be with them all.... _Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ [_Undated._] The Queen was rather annoyed at the manner in which Lord Clarendon pressed the Duke of Cambridge's going to the Tuileries last night.[17] She thought it an immense boon upon her part to allow the Duke of Cambridge _to go to Paris_--and instead of its being considered as such by Lord Clarendon and Count Walewski, the Queen was told it would offend the Emperor if the Duke did not go to the Tuileries also. The Queen observed that it was unnecessary and unusual for the Duke, or any Prince almost, to live at the _Palace_ of the Sovereign, unless he was a very particular friend or near relation. The Duke of Genoa had refused going there, though he had received other civilities here; in the same manner _no Prince_ comes to this _Palace_ unless he is a very _near relation_ or particular friend. To this Lord Clarendon replied that it was "because the _Emperor wished_ it," which rather shocked the Queen, and she spoke _strongly_ to him upon the subject. The result was that the Queen said she would speak to the Duke of Cambridge about it, and see, as the Emperor made _so great a point of it_, and Lord Clarendon considered that the _Alliance depended upon it_, what he would do.... The Queen must and _will_ protest, for she cannot mix up personal friendship with a political Alliance. The former is the _result_ of the _experience_ of years of mutual friendship, and cannot be _carried by storm_.... There would be nothing unusual in apartments being offered to the Duke of Cambridge, and declined by him. This was done by the King of the Belgians only last summer at Berlin and Vienna, without anybody's construing it into an affront. The Queen adds a list of the Royal personages who have been in England and never resided at the Palace. Lord Aberdeen may show this letter to Lord Clarendon. [Footnote 17: The Duke was going to the Crimea, and it was arranged that he should stop at Paris on the way.] [Pageheading: STABILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT] _Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _1st March 1854._