[Pageheading: PALMERSTON RESUMES OFFICE]
_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._
LONDON, _26th December 1853._
Lord Aberdeen, with his most humble duty to your Majesty, has the honour of enclosing copies of Lord Palmerston"s letter to him,[37]
and of his answer. Lord Aberdeen was not without some apprehension of receiving a rejoinder; but instead of which, a note arrived this morning, merely asking if a Cabinet was likely to be summoned in the course of the week, as he was going into the country; in fact, a note just as if nothing whatever has taken place!
[Footnote 37: Lord Palmerston wrote: "I find ... that I was mistaken in inferring from your letter that the details of the intended Reform Bill had been finally settled by the Government, and that no objection to any part of those details would be listened to." He went on to say that, under the circ.u.mstances, he could not decline to comply with the wish of many members of the Government that he should withdraw his resignation.]