CHAPTER X

1841

Letter to King Leopold--The Prince and literature--The speech from the

throne--Domestic happiness--Duke of Wellington's illness--England and

the United States--Operations in China--Lord Cardigan--Army discipline

--The Nottingham election--The Budget--Irish Registration Bill--Sugar

duties--Ministerial crisis--Lord Melbourne's advice--Dissolution or

resignation--The Household question--Sir Robert Peel--Mr Anson's

intervention--Interview with Lord Melbourne--King Leopold's sympathy

--The Corn Laws--The Queen's journal--The Prince's support--Further

interviews--Resignation postponed--The Queen and the Church--King

Leopold's advice--The Queen's impartiality--Difficulties removed--Vote

of want of confidence--The country quiet--King Leopold's views--Fiscal

Policy--Marriage of Lord John Russell--Visit to Nuneham--Archbishop

Harcourt--The Prince visits Oxford--Letter from Lord Brougham--Visit

to Woburn Abbey--Lord Melbourne and the Garter--A dreaded moment

--Debate on the Speech--Overwhelming majority--Resignation--New

arrangements--Parting with Lord Melbourne--The Prince in a new

position--The Queen and Sir Robert Peel--Lord Melbourne's opinion of

the Prince--The Household question--New Cabinet--Lord Melbourne's

official farewell--Sir Robert Peel's reception--New appointments

--Council at Claremont--The Lord Chamberlain's department--The French

ambassador--Confidential communications--The diplomatic corps

--Governor-General of Canada--India and Afghanistan--Lord Ellenborough

--Russia and Central Asia--Indian finances--The Spanish mission

--Correspondence with Lord Melbourne--Fine Arts Commission--Peers and

audiences--Lord Radnor's claim--The Chinese campaign--English and

foreign artists--Lord Melbourne and the Court--The Queen and her

Government--Baron Stockmar's opinion--Lord Melbourne's influence

--Baron Stockmar and Sir Robert Peel--Professor Whewell--Queen

Christina--Queen Isabella--French influence in Spain--Holland and

Belgium--Dispute with United States--Portugal--The English

Constitution--The "Prime Minister"--The "Secretaries of State"--Baron

Stockmar expostulates with Lord Melbourne--Birth of Heir-apparent

--Created Prince of Wales--The Royal children (pages 253-369)