The Papal States.—According to the constitution, England held no diplomatic connection with the court of Rome. The proceedings of that court, however, had an important influence upon the British empire, as four-fifths of the Irish population were Roman Catholics, and in Eastern Canada, Newfoundland, and other British colonies or dependencies, many of the people were of the same religion. The events of the year at Rome were the death of Pope Gregory XVI., and the election of Cardinal Mastei to the pontifical chair, who assumed the title of Pius IX. One of his first acts was to publish an amnesty for political offenders, which gave great satisfaction to the inhabitants of the Roman States. This was speedily followed by a tariff reform, based upon sound views of the interests of the Roman people. Throughout the year, his civil and sacerdotal administration were alike popular within the states, throughout Italy, and all over Europe. The French, Austrian, Neapolitan, Spanish, and Portuguese governments were all, however, incensed at the liberal tendencies of the new pope. The Roman Catholic subjects of the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland received the announcements of the pontifical liberality with favour; it was thought that by these means the objections of Protestants would be softened, and a way opened for the reconciliation of many, especially liberal churchmen, to Rome.
Poland.—The sympathies of England were aroused by events in Poland, which extinguished the last spark of Polish liberty. Throughout all the provinces, a desire existed to make one effort more for freedom. The hope of disenthralling their native land animated every heart. An ill-concerted insurrection, was the inevitable consequence of this strong feeling; and as Cracow was a free city, under the guarantee of the treaty of Vienna, the insurgents believed that they could use it as a point d’appui. In the month of February, the circle of Tarnow rose in arms. The peasantry of Silesia, armed with scythes, attacked the Austrian troops under General Collin, and drove them out of Cracow. A provisional government was instituted there; Poland was called upon to rise at once; and all nations, especially France and England, were appealed to in passionate terms for aid. After various successes by the revolters, they were at last encountered by superior forces, and repeatedly defeated: Cracow was taken by the Austrians, and its independence extinguished. The English and French ministers protested against this as a violation of the treaty of Vienna. Russia and Prussia supported the policy of Austria, who replied to the Western diplomatists that the proceedings of the Poles was a violation of the treaty of Vienna, and that it was necessary to the integrity and peace of the Austrian empire that Cracow should be no longer a focus of rebellion. The Western governments satisfied themselves with protests, and the last green spot of Polish independence had its life stamped out by the foot of Austrian despotism.
Such were the general relations of England during the year 1846. Colonial revolt was suppressed; a powerful invader was driven back from her oriental territory; and she maintained with honour her European policy, and peace with neighbouring nations, under circumstances of great provocation; her star shone with more lustre in the eyes of foreign nations when the year terminated than when it opened.
HOME.
The parliamentary events of the year have already been narrated. There were many home incidents which were not comprised in the records of parliament. In the month of January, Wales was visited with disastrous inundations, which destroyed a vast amount of property, and caused much distress. More liberal arrangements were made about this time for the reward and promotion of deserving privates and non-commissioned officers of the army. In the month of February, Captain Rous, the member for Westminster, having accepted office under Sir Robert Peel’s administration, a new election became necessary. The captain was opposed by Lieutenant-general Sir de Lacy Evans, one of the most chivalrous and accomplished soldiers in the British army. The result was in favour of the gallant general by nearly one thousand. Sir de Lacy, being returned as a thoroughly liberal politician, this event was “a heavy blow, and great discouragement” to the administration of Sir Robert Peel. In South Nottinghamshire an election also occurred, in which Lord Lincoln, a political protégé of Sir Robert’s, was defeated by Mr. Hildyard, a protectionist, by a very large majority. These events were supposed to foreshadow the speedy demise of the Peel administration. In the following month, Lord Lincoln was defeated at North Nottingham, polling only two hundred and seventeen votes against one thousand seven hundred and forty-two, polled by Lord H. Bentinck. During the early part of the year, a serious revulsion took place in railway speculation; the rate of money became high; a panic seized the speculators and adventurers in such undertakings: in this way many incurred serious loss. The public were startled in various parts of Great Britain by shocking railway accidents, generally the result of carelessness on the part of the officials, or deficient inspection and control on the part of directors.
On the 25th of May, her: majesty was safely delivered of a daughter.
Much interest was excited in June by a visit from Ibrahim Pasha, the celebrated Egyptian prince and soldier. His highness inspected the dockyards and public places, paid his respects to the court, and was feted and entertained by public men, especially of the navy and army.
A public dinner was given to the postage reformer, Mr. Rowland Hill, on the 17th of June, and a testimonial presented to him on the part of the merchants of London, which (including a first instalment handed to him in 1845) amounted to £13,360 19s. 5d.
On the 25th, the infant princess was baptised: the name given to her was Helena Augusta Victoria. The sponsors were her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, proxy for the Duchess of Orleans; his Royal Highness the Hereditary Grand-duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz; her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge.