Chapter XVIII

'The Policy of England to Ireland'--Ministers object to
the Publication--Could the Book be delayed and published
anonymously?--Visit to the Grange--Buckland--Visit to
Broadlands--Visit to Woburn--Prince Albert complains of want
of Secrecy--Visit to Ampthill--Baron Rolfe--The Master of the
Rolls to sit at the Judicial Committee--The Queen knew nothing
of the Irish Book--Reconciliation of Thiers and Palmerston--Mr.
Gladstone resigns on the Maynooth Endowments--Changes in
the Cabinet--Sidney Herbert--Lord Lincoln--Precarious
Position of French Ministry--Mr. Gladstone's Resignation
transpires--Sensitiveness of the French Government--Debate in the
House of Commons--Gladstone's Resignation unintelligible--Mr.
Duncombe's Letters--Death of Rev. Sydney Smith--Publication of
the 'Policy to Ireland'--Death of Robert Smith (Bobus)--Death
of Miss Fox--Visit to Althorp--Effects of the Irish Book--Whig
and Tory Opinions--The Maynooth Grant--Meeting of Thiers and
Guizot--Debate on the Maynooth Grant--Macaulay's Speech--Divisions
in the Tory Party--Possibility of a Whig Government--Break-up
of Parties--Birkenhead--Depression--Visits to the Grove and to
Broadlands--Lord Melbourne--Opinions on the Irish Book--Sir Robert
Peel's Improved Position--Embarrassment caused by the Queen's
Absence from England--A Queer Family _page_ 258

CHAPTER XIX.

Death of Earl Spencer--His Character--M. Thiers in
England--Fever of Speculation--Cabinets on the Corn Laws--'Every
Man in his Humour'--Dickens on the Stage--'Alarm' wins a
great Stake--Visit to Worsley--Manchester--Death of Lady
Holland--Bretby--Southwell--Sherwood Forest--Announcement of the
Repeal of the Corn Laws--A Ministerial Crisis--Sir Robert Peel
resigns--Lord John Russell sent for--Lord Wharncliffe's account
of the Crisis--Proceedings of the Whigs--The Court--Attempts
at an Understanding--Sir Robert Peel's Position--Lord Grey
disagrees--Communication to Sir Robert Peel--Lord John undertakes
to form a Government--Dénouement of the Crisis--Lord Howick
refuses--Lord John Russell gives up the task 295