His imperial majesty, and the people of France, displayed a cordiality of welcome and a tasteful hospitality which rivalled those exhibited in England on the occasion of the emperor’s visit.
VISIT OF THE KING OF SARDINIA TO THE ENGLISH COURT.
On November the 30th the King of Sardinia visited her majesty, and was received with much enthusiasm by the people. The prompt and gallant way in which his majesty and his people had joined Western Europe in the war against Russia made him popular.
IRELAND.
There were few events connected with Ireland which possessed any peculiar general interest. The alacrity with which recruits entered service for the war, and the terrible proceedings of the disloyal Ribbon Societies, were remarkable. Thus Ireland at once exhibited a generous loyalty and a sanguinary sedition. The newspapers were literally filled, during the closing winter months, with recitals of murders or attempts at murder. The character of the assassinations was even more than usually brutal and vindictive; and although some of the criminals were arrested and punished, government was even more than usually remiss in applying remedies to a condition of society so deplorable. Among the events in Ireland which excited most horror and astonishment in Great Britain, were those connected with burning the Bible. There was much excitement among the Roman Catholic religious orders, and efforts were made by them to create a species of revival in various parts of the country. On some of these occasions the Bible was burned during the fervour of fanaticism excited.
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS, MINISTERIAL CHANGES, AND DIPLOMATIC STRUGGLES.
A notice of the parliamentary conflicts of the session, of the ministerial vicissitudes resulting from them, and of the diplomacy which was acted upon by each, and which itself influenced both, will here find its proper place in this chapter.