| [CHAPTER XII] 1843 Recollections of Claremont—Historical writers—Governor-Generalship of Canada—Mr Drummond shot—Mistaken for Sir Robert Peel—Death of Mr Drummond—Demeanour of MacNaghten—Letter from Lord Melbourne—Preparations for the trial—The Royal Family and politics—King Leopold and Sir Robert Peel—The American treaty—Position of the Prince of Wales—Good wishes from Queen Adelaide—Proposed exchange of visits—Mr Cobden's speech—The new chapel—Fanny Burney's diary—MacNaghten acquitted—Question of criminal insanity—Princess Mary of Baden—The Prince and the Levées—Sir Robert Peel's suggestions—Police arrangements—Looking for the comet—Flowers from Lord Melbourne—The Royal children—The toast of the Prince—King of Hanover's proposed visit—Gates of Somnauth restored—Death of Duke of Sussex—Birth and christening of Princess Alice—Irish agitation—Rebecca riots—Duchess of Norfolk's resignation—Duelling in the Army—Outpensioners of Chelsea—Crown jewels—Obstruction of business—Lord Melbourne on matrimonial affairs—Visit to Château d'Eu—Increased troubles in Wales—Royal visitors—England and Spain—Arrest of O'Connell—Duc de Bordeaux not received at Court—Duc de Nemours expected—Visit to Cambridge—Duc d'Aumale's engagement—Indian affairs—Loyalty at Cambridge—Proposed visit to Drayton Manor—Travelling arrangements—Duchesse de Nemours—Birmingham—Canadian seat of government—Chatsworth—American view of monarchy—Prince Metternich and Spain | [450-512] |
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
| [Queen Victoria receiving the News of her Accession
to the Throne, 20th June 1837.] From the picture by H. T. Wells, R.A., at Buckingham Palace | [Frontispiece] |
| [T.R.H. The Duchess of Kent and the Princess
Victoria.] From the miniature by H. Bone, after Sir W. Beechey, at Windsor Castle | Facing p. [8] |
| [H.R.H. The Princess Victoria, 1827.] By Plant, after Stewart. From the miniature at Buckingham, Palace | Facing p. [16] |
| [H.M. King William IV.] From a miniature at Windsor Castle | Facing p. [72] |
| [H.R.H. The Prince Consort, 1840.] From the portrait by John Partridge at Buckingham Palace | Facing p. [176] |
| [H.M. Queen Victoria, 1841.] From the drawing by E. F. T., after H. E. Dawe, at Buckingham Palace | Facing p. [272] |
CHAPTER I
THE ANCESTRY OF THE QUEEN—HOUSES OF BRUNSWICK,
HANOVER, AND COBURG
Queen Victoria, on her father's side, belonged to the House of Brunswick, which was undoubtedly one of the oldest, and claimed to be actually the oldest, of German princely families. At the time of her birth, it existed in two branches, of which, the one ruled over what was called the Duchy of Brunswick, the other over the Electorate (since 1815 the Kingdom) of Hanover, and had since 1714 occupied the throne of England. There had been frequent intermarriages between the two branches. The Dukes of Brunswick were now, however, represented only by two young princes, who were the sons of the celebrated Duke who fell at Quatre-Bras. Between them and the English Court there was little intercourse. The elder, Charles, had quarrelled with his uncle and guardian, George IV., and had in 1830 been expelled from his dominions. The obvious faults of his character made it impossible for the other German princes to insist on his being restored, and he had been succeeded by his younger brother William, who ruled till his death in 1884. Both died unmarried, and with them the Ducal family came to an end. One Princess of Brunswick had been the wife of George IV., and another, Augusta, was the first wife of Frederick I., King of Würtemberg, who, after her death, married a daughter of George III. The King of Würtemberg was also, by his descent from Frederick Prince of Wales, first cousin once removed of the Queen. We need only notice, in passing, the distant connection with the royal families of Prussia, the Netherlands, and Denmark. The Prince of Orange, who was one of the possible suitors for the young Queen's hand, was her third cousin once removed.
THE HOUSE OF SAXE-COBURG-GOTHA