BY
ROBERT WILSON.
——
Illustrated.
——
VOL. III.
CONTENTS.
| [CHAPTER I] LORD DERBY’S SECOND ADMINISTRATION. | |
|---|---|
| Days of the Rebellion—The Operations in China—The Queen’s Personal Direction of Affairs—Palmerston’swaning Popularity—Attacks on Lord Canning—The Orsini Plot—French Menaces toEngland—The Conspiracy Bill—Defeat of the Ministry—The Second Derby-Disraeli Government—Abandonmentof the Conspiracy Bill—The Queen’s Opposition to the India Bill—The Oudh Proclamationand Ellenborough’s “Secret Despatch”—A Tropical Summer and an Exhausted Legislature—Confirmationof the Prince of Wales—The Queen at Birmingham and Leeds—The Dispute between France andEngland about the Principalities—The Queen’s Visit to Cherbourg—The Royal Visit to Prussia—TheMeeting with the Princess Frederick William—A Royal “Middie”—The Indian Proclamation—TheQueen at Balmoral—Donati’s Comet—The Controversy over the Indian Army—Abdication of the Kingof Prussia—The Queen’s Letter to the Prince of Wales—France and Portugal—Failing Health of thePrince Consort | [1] |
| [CHAPTER II] THE ITALIAN REVOLUTION. | |
| Napoleon’s New Year’s Reception—The Secret Pacte de Famille—Victor Emmanuel and the Grido diDolore—The Queen’s Views on the Italian Movement—The Queen’s Letter to Napoleon—Meeting ofParliament—Cavour Threatens Napoleon—Appeal of Prussia to the Queen for Advice—Mr. Disraeli’sReform Bill—Lord John Russell’s Amendment—Defeat of the Government—An Appeal to the Country—TheQueen Criticises Austria’s Blunders—War at Last—The General Election—Reconciliation ofLord Palmerston and Lord John Russell—Fall of the Derby-Disraeli Administration—The Palmerston-RussellMinistry—Austrian Defeats and French Victories—The Peace of Villafranca—PalmerstonDuped—Illness of the Duchess of Kent—The Budget—The Queen and Palmerston—Triumph of theQueen’s Policy—The Holiday at Balmoral—Dancing in the New Year | [28] |
| [CHAPTER III] THE COURT AND THE CABINET. | |
| The Queen’s Distrust of French Policy—Her Conferences with Lord Clarendon—The French Pamphlet on“The Pope and the Congress”—Palmerston’s Proposal of an Alliance Offensive and Defensive withFrance—Intriguing between Palmerston and Persigny—Recall of Cavour—Affairs in China—Mr.Cobden’s Commercial Treaty with France—Cession of Nice and Savoy to France—The Anglo-FrenchAlliance at an End—Lord John Russell’s Reform Bill—Threatened Rupture with France—RussiaAttempts to Re-open the Eastern Question—Garibaldi’s Invasion of the Two Sicilies—Collapse of theNeapolitan Monarchy—The Piedmontese Invade the Papal States—Annexation of the Sicilies toSardinia—Meeting between Napoleon III. and the German Sovereigns at Baden—A New HolyAlliance—The Mahometan Atrocities in Syria—The Macdonald Scandal—Palmerston’s FortificationScheme—The Lords Reject the Bill Abolishing the Paper Duty—The Volunteer Movement—Reviewsin Hyde Park and Edinburgh—The Queen at Wimbledon—The Prince of Wales’s Tour in Canadaand the United States—Betrothal of the Princess Alice—The Queen and her Grandchild—SeriousAccident to the Prince Consort—Illness of the Queen | [43] |
| [CHAPTER IV] THE DEATH OF THE PRINCE CONSORT. | |
| England in 1861—The Jumble of Parties—Secret Alliance Between Palmerston and the Tories—Openingof Parliament—The Prince Consort and the “Two Old Italian Masters”—Lady William Russell’sSalon—The Proposed Sale of Venice—The Fall of Gaeta—Prussia and Italy—Death of Cavour—ACasus Belli against France—Napoleon in the East—Denmark and the Duchies—The Queen’s PrivateSorrows—Last Illness and Death of the Duchess of Kent—Renewed Attacks in the Press on PrinceAlbert—Palmerston Accused of Tampering with Despatches—Anecdote of Lord Derby and LordGranville—The Budget—Repeal of the Paper Duty—Palmerston’s “Grudge” Against Prince Albert—TheMarriage of the Princess Alice announced—The Queen and Her Social Duties—Two Drawing-Roomsand Two Investitures—A Season of Mourning—Death of Lord Herbert of Lea—Lord JohnRussell’s Peerage—Reform and the Working Classes—Ministerial Changes—The Queen’s Tour inIreland—The Queen and German Unity—Coronation of the King of Prussia—Death of the King ofPortugal—Fatigue of the Prince Consort—Signs of His Last Illness—The Queen at Her Husband’sSick-Bed—A Mournful Vigil—The Prince Consort’s Last Words—Scene at the Death-Bed—TheSorrow of the Country—The Queen’s Despair—Her Removal from Windsor—Prince Albert’s Characterand Career—His Funeral—The Scene at the Grave—The Queen and the Princess Alice | [73] |
| [CHAPTER V] WAR AND FAMINE. | |
| Outbreak of Civil War in the United States—Origin of the Dispute—The Missouri Compromise—Effect ofthe “Gold Rush” on the Extension of Slavery—Colonising Nebraska—The Struggle in “BleedingKansas”—Assault on Senator Sumner—The Wyandotte Constitution—The Dred Scott Case—Electionof Mr. Lincoln as President—Secession of South Carolina—Organisation of the Southern Confederacy—TheFiring of the First Shot—Capture of Fort Sumter—Lincoln’s Call to Arms—Opinion in England—TheTrent Affair—The Queen and the Prince Consort avert War—Opening of Parliament—Bitter Controversyover the Education Code—Parliament and the Civil War—The Cotton Famine—A Relief Bill—WarExpenditure—Mr. Disraeli denounces Lord Palmerston’s “Bloated Armaments”—A Budget withouta Surplus—The Fortifications at Spithead—Floating versus Fixed Forts—A Mexican Adventure—Revolutionin Greece—Bismarck’s Visit to London—Anecdote of Bismarck and Mr. Disraeli—Progressof the American War—Mr. Peabody’s Benefactions—The Exhibition of 1862—The Prince of Wales’sTour in the East—The Hartley Colliery Accident—Marriage of the Princess Alice—The Queen’s Visitto Belgium—Her Meeting with the Princess Alexandra of Denmark—The Queen’s Visit to Gotha—Removalof the Prince Consort’s Remains to the Mausoleum at Frogmore | [111] |
| [CHAPTER VI] THE MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCE OF WALES. | |
| England in 1863—The Prince of Wales Summoned as a Peer of Parliament—His Introduction to theHouse of Lords—Cession of the Ionian Islands to Greece—Mr. Disraeli’s Policy—The Prince ofWales’s Income—The Dowry of the Princess—Approaching Marriage of the Prince of Wales—TheVoyage of the “Sea-King’s Daughter”—Reception of the Princess Alexandra at Gravesend—HerEntry into London—The Scene in the City—The West End en Fête—Loyalty of Clubland—Accident tothe Royal Party at Slough—The High Churchmen and the Queen—Objections to a Royal Marriagein Lent—The Dispensing Power of the Primate—A Visit to Frogmore—The Queen at the Prince ofWales’s Marriage—The Scene in St. George’s Chapel—The Wedding Presents—The Ceremony—TheWedding Guests hustled by Roughs—Riots in Ireland—Illuminated London—Foreign Policy—ThePolish Question—The Russian Rebuff to Lord Palmerston—Napoleon III. Proposes a Congress of Sovereigns—LordRussell Condemns the Proposal—The Death-Knell of the Anglo-French Alliance—Franceand Mexico and the Archduke Maximilian | [146] |
| [CHAPTER VII] LORD PALMERSTON’S LAST CONTEST WITH THE QUEEN. | |
| The Sleswig-Holstein Question—The Danish Succession—Palmerston’s Partisanship—The “Danification” ofthe Duchies—The Letters-Patent of Christian VIII.—The Revolution of ’48—The Sleswig-HolsteinTreaty of Berlin—Salic Law in the Duchies—Palmerston’s Intrigue with the Russian Ambassador—TheProtocol of 1850—The Queen’s Objections to it—Prince Albert’s Advice to the Prince of Noër—TheTreaty of London—Lord Malmesbury’s Fatal Blunder—His Mistake as to the Mandate of the Diet—Letters-Patentof Frederick VII.—His Death—Accession of Christian IX.—Revolt of the Duchies—Proclamationof the Duke of Augustenburg as Sovereign—Mr. Gladstone’s Popular Budget—Deathof Sir George Cornewall Lewis—The Queen’s Letter to Lady Theresa Lewis—The Dispute withBrazil—The Prison Ministers Bill—A South Kensington Job—Hoodwinking the Commons—A “Scene”in the House of Commons—A Ministerial Defeat—Sir George Grey and the City Police—The CivilWar in America—Escape of the Alabama—Illegal Seizure of the Alexandra—Blockade Running—ProclamationAbolishing Slavery—Progress of the War—Net Results of the Campaigns | [164] |
| [CHAPTER VIII] THE DANISH WAR. | |
| Stagnant Politics—Excitement over the Danish War—Attitude of the Queen—Withdrawal of the Danesfrom Holstein—Lord Wodehouse’s Mission—The Quarterly Review advocates War—Mr. Disraeli Repudiatesa War Policy—Lord Palmerston’s Secret Plans—The Case against Germany—The Queen’sWarnings—Mr. Cobden’s Arguments—Lord Russell’s “Demands”—Palmerston drafts a Warlike Queen’sSpeech—The Queen Refuses to Sanction it—Lord Derby Summoned to Osborne—He is Pledged to aPeace Policy—Austria and Prussia in Conflict with the Diet—The Occupation of Sleswig—War atLast—Retreat of the Danes to Düppel—Palmerston’s Protests Answered by German Victories—TheInvasion of Jutland—Storming of the Düppel Redoubts—Excitement in London—Garibaldi’s Visit toLondon—Garibaldi and the Dowager Duchess of Sutherland—Anecdotes of Garibaldi’s Visit—Clarendon’sVisit to Napoleon III.—Expulsion of Garibaldi by Palmerston—Napoleon III. Agrees to Acceptthe Proposal for a Conference—Triumph of the Queen’s Peace Policy—Palmerston’s Last Struggle—HisMinistry Saved by Surrender to Mr. Cobden—The Treaty of Vienna—End of the War | [186] |
| [CHAPTER IX] THE HEIR-PRESUMPTIVE. | |
| Disputes with American Belligerents—The Southern Privateers—Uneasiness of the Queen—Federal Recruitingin Ireland—Mr. Gladstone’s Budget—Revival of the Reform Agitation—Mr. Gladstone Joins theReformers—“Essays and Reviews”—A Heresy-Hunt in Convocation—A Ribald Chancellor—TheParliamentary Duel between Wilberforce and Westbury—The Vote of Censure on Mr. Lowe—The FiveUnder-Secretaries and the House of Commons—Prorogation of Parliament—The Strife in the UnitedStates—Gambling in Cotton—A Commercial Panic in England—The Battle of Chancellorsville—Sherman’sMarch through Georgia—The Canadian Raiders—The Presidential Election—Birth of the Heir-Presumptive—Baptismof the Heir-Presumptive—The Queen’s Gift to her Little Grandson—TheQueen and the Floods at Sheffield—The Murder of Mr. Briggs—The Queen Refuses a Reprieve to theMurderer—The Queen’s Letter to the Princess Louis—John Brown and the Queen’s Pony—Dr. NormanMcLeod’s Message from the Queen—An Anniversary of Sorrow and Sympathy | [211] |
| [CHAPTER X] THE DEATH OF PALMERSTON. | |
| Opening of Parliament—Lord Russell and the American Government—Catholicism and Conservatism—Mr.Disraeli angles for the Irish Vote—Palmerston on Tenant Right—Another Panic in Piccadilly—Deathof Cobden—Failure of the “Manchester School”—A Prosperity Budget and a Round Surplus—Endof the American War—Moderation of the Victors—Assassination of President Lincoln—Reorganisingthe South—Conflict between President Johnson and the Republican Party—The MexicanEmpire and the United States—The Danish Question—The Convention of Gastein—Bismarck’s Interviewwith the Duke of Augustenburg—The Mystery of Biarritz—Lord Chancellor Westbury’s Fall—Deathand Character of Palmerston—The New Ministry—Mr. Gladstone Leader of the Commons—TheRinderpest—The Fenian Conspiracy—The Queen’s Letter on Railway Accidents—Laxity of Administrationin the Queen’s Household—Birth of Prince George of Wales—Majority of Prince Alfred—The Queenat Gotha—The Betrothal of the Princess Helena—The Last Illness and Death of King Leopold ofBelgium—His Character and Career—Suppressing a Rebellion with a Carpet-Bag | [231] |
| [CHAPTER XI] A STOP-GAP ADMINISTRATION. | |
| End of the Era of Compromise—Dawn of the new Epoch of Reform—Opening of Parliament by theQueen—The Queen’s Nervous Prostration at Osborne—Introduction of the Reform Bill—Hostility ofthe House of Commons—Dissentient Liberals in “the Cave of Adullam”—Defeat of the Reform Bill—Resignationof the Ministry—Lord Derby forms a Cabinet—His attempted Coalition with the WhigDukes—Domestic Policy during the Session—The House of Commons and the Rinderpest—AnotherProsperity Budget—Large Remissions of Taxation—Coercing Ireland—The White Terror in Jamaica—Marriageof the Princess Helena—The Financial Embarrassment of the Princess Louis of Hesse—TheQueen Intercedes with Prussia on behalf of Hesse-Darmstadt—The Queen’s Gift to Mr. Peabody—TheQueen’s Visit to Aldershot—The Foundation of the Albert Medal—Marriage of thePrincess Mary of Cambridge—The Queen’s first Telegram to the President of the United States—TheQueen’s Visit to Aberdeen and Wolverhampton | [252] |
| [CHAPTER XII] THE TIDE OF DEMOCRACY. | |
| Stemming the Tide of Democracy—Lord Derby and Reform—The Reform League—The Riots in HydePark—Cowing the Ministry—The Adullamites—Mr. Disraeli’s Resolutions—Crises in the Cabinet—TheTen Minutes Bill—The Government Measure—Mr. Gladstone’s Alterations—A Leap in the Dark—TheMovement in Favour of German Unity—The Austro-Prussian War—The Luxembourg Question—Executionof the Emperor Maximilian—Mr. Disraeli’s Budget—Academic Discussions of IrishGrievances—Fenian Outrages at Manchester and Clerkenwell—Rattening at Sheffield—Prince ArthurPasses his Military Examination—Illness of the Princess of Wales—Founding of the Royal AlbertHall—The Sultan in England—Abdul Aziz, K.G.—Visit of the Queen to the Duchess of Roxburghe—Dr.Macleod at Balmoral—Prince Arthur ill of Smallpox—The Queen Keeping Hallowe’en—Her MajestyVisits Lady Palmerston | [269] |
| [CHAPTER XIII] THE NEW ERA OF REFORM. | |
| A “Little War” in Abyssinia—King Theodore’s Arrest of Vice-Consul Cameron—The Unanswered Letterto the Queen—A Skilful but Expensive General—Sir Robert Napier’s Expedition—An AutumnalSession—Addition to the Income Tax—Parliament in 1868—A Spiritless Legislature—Fishing for a Policy—ApologeticMinisters—Mr. Bright on Repeal—The Irish Church Question—Fenian Alarms—Illness andResignation of Lord Derby—Mr. Disraeli Prime Minister—His Quarrel with Lord Chelmsford—LordDerby Arbitrates—The “Giant Chancellor”—Mr. Disraeli’s New Policy—Discontented Adullamites—PublicExecutions—Lord Mayo and Concurrent Endowment—“The Pill to Cure the Earthquake”—Mr.Gladstone Attacks the Government—The Irish Church Resolutions—Resignation or Dissolution—Mr.Disraeli’s “No Popery” Cry—Lord Chelmsford’s Bad Pun—Defeat of the Ministry—Mr. Disraeliand the Queen—“Scenes” in the House of Commons—Charges of Treason—Mr. Disraeli’s Relationswith the Queen—A Parliamentary Duel between Mr. Disraeli and Mr. Bright—The Dissolution ofParliament—Mr. Ward Hunt’s Budget—Conclusion of the Abyssinian War—The General Election—Triumphof Mr. Gladstone—Resignation of the Ministry—Mr. Gladstone’s New Cabinet—The Queen’sPoliteness to Mr. Bright—Illness of Prince Leopold—Attempted Assassination of the Duke of Edinburgh—TheQueen’s Book—The Queen Accused of Heresy—The West-End Tradesmen and the Queen—Mr.Reardon, M.P., suggests Abdication—A Bungled Volunteer Review at Windsor—A Hot LondonSeason—Serious Illness of the Queen—Her Tour in Switzerland—Death of the Archbishop of Canterbury—Conflictbetween the Queen and Mr. Disraeli as to Church Patronage—The Revolution in Spain—Rupturebetween Turkey and Greece—Another War-Cloud in the East | [300] |
| [CHAPTER XIV] A HOPEFUL YEAR. | |
| Hopefulness all round—Ministers at the Fishmongers’—The Queen’s Speech—The Legislative Bill of Fare—TheQueen and Mr. Gladstone’s Irish Church Policy—Release of Fenians—Mr. Gladstone’s Schemefor Disestablishing the Irish Church—The Debate in the Commons—The Second Reading Carried—TheBill in Committee—Read a Third Time—The Lords and the Bill—Amendments of the Peers—TheLords Bought Off—The Bill becomes Law—Mr. Lowe’s First Budget—The Endowed Schools Bill—TheHabitual Criminals Act—The Lords and the Commons’ Legislation—Official Hostility to ReformingMinisters—Weak Members of the Cabinet—Mr. Reverdy Johnson and the Alabama Claims—ThePolicy of “Masterly Inactivity”—Liberalism in France—Prince Leopold’s Illness—The Queen’s Interviewwith Mr. Carlyle—Visit of Ismail Pasha to the Queen—The Peabody Statue—Prince Alfred in Australia—ThePrince of Wales and Court Dress—Death of Lord Derby—Death of Lady Palmerston—Openingof Blackfriars Bridge and Holborn Viaduct—O’Donovan Rossa, M.P.—Orangemen and Fenians | [325] |
| [CHAPTER XV] FALL OF THE SECOND EMPIRE. | |
| Social condition of the Country in 1870—Mr. Bright’s “Six Omnibuses in Temple Bar”—Opening of Parliament—Mr.Gladstone’s Irish Land Bill—Amendments to the Bill—Dual-Ownership Established—TheBill and the House of Lords—The Revolt of Lord Salisbury—The Education Bill—Mutiny of the LiberalDissenters—Mr. Lowe’s Second Budget—The Civil Service opened to Competition—Mr. Cardwell’sFailure at the War Office—The Queen and the Army—Mr. Childers and Admiralty Reform—Mr. Baxterand Navy Contracts—The Wreck of the Captain—Lord Granville and the Colonies—Death of LordClarendon—The Franco-Prussian War—Collapse of the French Armies—Sedan—Fall of the BonapartistDynasty—Proclamation of the Third Republic—Investment of Paris—The Government of NationalDefence at Tours—M. Gambetta Rouses Prostrate France—Gallant Stand of the Mobiles—A PassingGlimpse of Victory—The Queen and the War—Prussia and England—Russia Repudiates the Black SeaClauses of the Treaty of Paris—Papal Infallibility and the Italian Occupation of Rome—King WilliamProclaimed German Emperor—Opening of London University—Betrothal of the Princess Louise—Deathof General Grey—Death of Dickens—The Novelist and the Queen—Garden Party at WindsorCastle—The Red River Expedition | [354] |