[231] Continental diplomatists and publicists held that the notification in the Gazette was absolutely illegal, because it was a violation of an international agreement as to the assumption of this title arrived at by the Great Powers at Aix-la-Chapelle in 1818. This agreement, which was signed by the Duke of Wellington as the representative of England, is embodied in the “Protocol Séparé Séance du 11 Oct., 1818, entre les cinq Puissances,” and it arose out of their refusal to permit the Elector of Hesse to assume the title of king. The Powers declared that the title Royal Highness used by the sons of kings, might be also used by grand dukes and their heirs-presumptive, but by no one of lower rank in sovereign circles. Prince Henry was neither a grand duke nor an heir-presumptive to a grand duke.
[232] When Prince Victor married the sister of the Marquis of Hertford, she was created Countess Gleichen, a title which the Prince also assumed, the marriage being on the Continent regarded as “morganatic.” It was held that the Queen’s order raising the lady to her husband’s royal rank was void and illegal outside the English Court, like the similar order with reference to the Countess Dornburg.
[233] This intrigue was initiated by Mr. Justin McCarthy, who had long enjoyed Lord Carnarvon’s personal friendship. Before finally selling the Irish vote, Mr. Parnell had a personal interview with Lord Carnarvon, at which the bargain was struck. Lord Carnarvon has denied various accounts of this interview, but he has never denied that as Viceroy of Ireland, he told Mr. Parnell that Irish industries must be stimulated, and that he would give the new Irish Government power to levy Protective Duties. As taxation and representation go together, this concession implies that the Irish Government was to be vested with fiscal powers, which could only be exercised in co-operation with and under responsibility to an Irish Parliament.
[234] The doctrine of ransom in the counties took the form of a vague and ambiguous pledge to give every labourer who wanted an allotment “three acres and a cow,” by purchase-money advanced from the rates.
[235] For a definite statement of Lord Carnarvon’s policy as Mr. Parnell understood it, see Mr. Parnell’s speech on the Home Rule Bill. Times, June 8, 1886.
[236] The case for the Government, however, was strengthened and made more conclusive as the debate went on.
[237] As successor of the old abbots, the Dean of Westminster, in the Abbey, takes precedence of all ecclesiastics except the Archbishop of Canterbury.
[238] When the children got to the Park Mr. Lawson, like a practical man, put them in good humour by feeding them. They were taken in squads to tents, and each child got a bag with a meat pie, a piece of cake, a bun, and an orange; also a plated medallion portrait of the Queen. A Jubilee mug of Doulton ware was also given to each boy and girl, and during the day lemonade, ginger beer, and milk were to be had for the asking.
[239] Lord Tennyson’s health did not admit of his officiating as Laureate on this occasion, and Mr. Browning has always declared himself unable to produce ceremonial odes to order.
[240] History of England, Vol. V., p. 537.