CHAPTER VIII

1839

Murder of Lord Norbury--Holland and Belgium--Dissension in the Cabinet

--The Duke of Lucca--Portugal--Ireland and the Government--England and

Belgium--Prince Albert's tour in Italy--Jamaica--Change of Ministry

imminent--The Queen's distress--Interviews with the Duke of Wellington

and Sir Robert Peel--Lord Melbourne on Sir Robert Peel--The Household

--Proposed new Cabinet--Interview with Lord Melbourne--The Ladies of

the Household and Sir Robert Peel--Reply to Sir Robert Peel

--Resignation of Sir Robert Peel--The Queen's journal--Cabinet minute

--Whigs resume office--Ball at Buckingham Palace--Lord John Russell

and Sir Robert Peel--The Queen on the crisis--King Leopold's approval

--The penny postage--The Queen and Prince Albert--Syria--England and

the Sultan--Proposed visit of King Louis Philippe--Preparing the

Queen's speech--King Leopold's feeling for the Queen--Coming visit of

Prince Albert--Arrival of Princes Ernest and Albert--The Queen's

engagement to Prince Albert--Lord Melbourne's congratulations--King

Leopold's satisfaction--Austria and the Porte--The Queen's happiness

--Queen Louise's congratulations--The Queen's letters to the Royal

Family--The Prince's religion--Announcement to the Council--Marriage

treaty--Question of a peerage--English susceptibilities--Letter from

Donna Maria--Household appointments--Mayor of Newport knighted--The

word "Protestant"--The Prince's coat-of-arms--The Prince and Mr Anson

--Appointment of Treasurer--The Prince and Lord Melbourne (pages 141-208)