Chapter XV

1846

Sir Robert Peel's speech--Extension of Indian Empire--Bravery
of English troops--Death of Sir Robert Sale--Memorandum by
the Prince--Celebration of victory--Letter from King Louis
Philippe--Irish Crimes Bill--Attack on Sir Robert Peel--His
resignation--Intrigues--End of Oregon dispute--Sir Robert
Peel's tribute to Cobden--New Government--Cobden and the
Whigs--Parting with the Ministers--Whig jealousies--A
weak Ministry--Anxieties--French Royal Family--Spanish
marriages--Portugal--Prerogative of dissolution--Views of Lord
Melbourne--The Prince and Sir Robert Peel--Proposed visit
to Ireland--Government of Canada--Wellington statue--Lord
Palmerston and Spain--Instructions to Mr Bulwer--Don
Enrique--Sudden decision--Double engagement--The Queen's
indignation--Letter to the Queen of the French--View of
English Government--Letter to King Leopold--Baron Stockmar's
opinion--Letter to Queen Louise--Lord Palmerston and
the French--Princess of Prussia--England and the Three
Powers--Interruption of _entente cordiale_--Spanish
marriages--Peninsular medal--Duke of Wellington's
view--England and Portugal--The Queen's decision on Peninsular
medal--Cracow 71-114

CHAPTER XVI

1847

England and Portugal--Peaceable policy advised--Spain and
Portugal--Sir Hamilton Seymour--Septennial Act--Church
preferments--Jenny Lind--Wellington statue--Prosperity in
India--General election--Earldom of Strafford--Mission to the
Vatican--Portugal--Crisis in the City--Lord-Lieutenancy of
Ireland--Mr Cobden--Foreign policy--Queen of Spain--Queen
of Portugal--Hampden controversy--Lord Palmerston's
despatches--Civil war in Switzerland--Letter from King of
Prussia--The Queen's reply--The Bishops and Dr Hampden 115-140