CHAPTER LXI.
VICTORIA. 1849
Colonial Affairs..... Termination of the War in the Punjaub..... Operations against Borneo Pirates, and in the Chinese Seas..... Cape of Good Hope; Agitation against making it a Penal Colony..... Canada: Disturbances..... West Indies: Economical Discussions; Discontent of the Planters..... Ionian Isles: Insurrection..... Foreign Affairs..... General State of the Continent, and Relations to England..... Naples and Sicily: Interference of England and France..... Demand upon Turkey by Russia and Austria for Extradition of Refugees; Interposition of England..... Ireland: Potato Blight; Great Distress of the People; Cholera; Political Agitation; Continuance of Crime and Outrage..... Great Britain: Prevalence of Cholera; State of Trade and Agriculture; Parliamentary Debates; Deaths of Eminent Persons.
1849
The year 1849 was one of more importance to continental Europe than to the nations of any other portion of the world. It was, however, a year of considerable events for the British empire. In India a sanguinary war was brought to a successful termination, and a large and fertile territory added to the British dominions. At the Cape of Good Hope the colonists successfully resisted the authority of the mother country. In Canada, insurrectionary violence interrupted the usual order of government. In Cephalonia the disloyalty and fanaticism of the Greek population found violent vent, and generally the greatest circumspection was required on the part of the home government in reference to our vast colonial empire. In foreign affairs England preserved a dignified non-interference, except in the case of Naples and Sicily, where her interposition brought neither honour nor profit. In the case of Turkey it was otherwise; the advice tendered to the Porte by the British ambassador averted conflict, and saved an ancient ally from humiliation. The chief difficulty of the empire was Ireland. Constitutional government was there impossible, crime was rampant, distress all-penetrating, and the people seditious. At home the visitation of a fearful pestilence caused distress and sorrow, while party fury rent the parliament and disturbed the repose of the country. Through every trial to which she was put, the genius and resolution of England conducted her, under the care and blessing of Him who can elevate and abase empires, and the great law of whose moral government is, “Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”