Chapter IX: Ireland, Russia, and France

O’Connell and the Agitation for Repeal of the Union--Early Life of the Agitator--Character of his Oratory--Question as to the Purity of his Motives--The “Repeal Year” (1843)--Methods by which O’Connell worked on Irish Opinion--Open-air Gatherings on the Repeal Question--Extravagant Speeches of O’Connell--Crowning of the Liberator on the Hill of Tara--Prohibition of a Proposed Meeting at Clontarf--Arrest of the Chief Agitators--Trial, Condemnation, and Sentences--The Convictions Annulled by the House of Lords--Release of O’Connell, and Final Years of his Life--Effect of the Prosecution on the Government of Sir Robert Peel--Death of Prince Albert’s Father--Visit of the Prince to Saxe-Coburg-Gotha--His Presents to the Queen on her Birthday (1844)--Visits of the King of Saxony and the Emperor of Russia to England--Appearance and Manners of the Emperor--Political Objects of Nicholas in Visiting London--His Designs on Turkey--Memorandum of Agreement between the Czar and the English Government--Jealousy on the Part of the French--Ministerial Crisis in the Summer of 1844--Sir James Graham and the Opening of Letters at the Post Office--Disagreement with France with Respect to the Island of Tahiti--The Pritchard Affair--Queen Pomare and Queen Victoria--Anxieties of the English Court as to the Maintenance of Peace--The Ashburton Treaty with the United States 151