In August also died George Stephenson, Knight of the Order of Leopold, F.B.S., the originator of our railway system. This eminent engineer is a rare example of a self-taught genius. Born of parents too poor to give him any schooling, at eighteen years of age, when full grown, and following the occupation of a fireman, he was not ashamed to commence his education at an evening school. His steady industry and unconquerable perseverance ultimately won for him a position second to none in his profession. Looking at the influence of his labours on the whole human race, there are few names on the pages of history so pre-eminent as that of George Stephenson.
On the 21st of September, Lord William George Frederick Cavendish Bentinck, M.P. for Lynn, was suddenly removed by death. He was found dead in the grounds where he had been walking alone. As leader of the opposition, his death, so unexpected and so painfully sudden, made a great sensation.
In November Lord Melbourne, who had filled the office of premier in the beginning of her majesty’s reign, departed this life. The queen was much indebted to the courtly and constitutional skill of this nobleman in her first essays of government. He was her majesty’s faithful subject, minister, and friend, and she was justly much attached to her preceptor. He was too indolent, and too little acquainted with the tone and temper of the whole people for the office of premier. He was, however, a man of superior intellect and extensive culture, and was well versed in constitutional law.
Dr. James Pritchard, the celebrated naturalist and ethnologist, died in this month.
The death of Colonel Sir Frederick Augustus D’Esté, K.C.B., son of the Duke of Sussex by Lady Augustus Murray, daughter of the Earl of Dunmore, was the last decease of a remarkable person publicly noted in this year. The marriage of his royal highness without the consent of the crown rendered it invalid, and Sir Augustus was unable to obtain the inheritance or title of his father.
Thus terminated the events of 1848 which admit of record in a work like the present. The year expired leaving England on the whole stronger, and more confident in her stability and power. The whirlwind which had swept over the nations, shaking down the trophies and glories of antiquity which had remained after the first great French revolution, did not affect England—she heard its fury, but felt not its power.
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.