Chapter X

DAYS OF PEACEFUL DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESS.

Visit of the Prince of Prussia to England--Christening of Prince Alfred at Windsor Castle--Second Visit to the Highlands in the Autumn of 1844--Louis Philippe in England--His Reception at Windsor--Interchange of Courtesies between English and French Officers--Opening of the New Royal Exchange by the Queen--Letters of her Majesty and Prince Albert on the Occasion--Scientific Progress: the Electric Telegraph, Photography, Lord Rosse’s Telescope, the Thames Tunnel, and Arctic Exploration--Tractarian Difficulties in the Church--Purchase of Osborne by the Queen--Visits of her Majesty and the Prince to Stowe and Strathfieldsaye--Opening of Parliament by the Queen (Feb. 4th, 1845)--Financial Statement of Sir Robert Peel--Reduction and Abolition of Duties--Acrimonious Debates on the Proposed Queen’s Colleges in Ireland, and the Increase of the Maynooth Grant--Retirement of Mr. Gladstone from the Ministry--Admission of Jews to Municipal Offices--Results of Sir Robert Peel’s Financial Policy--Economy in the Royal Household--Project for Making Prince Albert King Consort--The Chief Command of the Army 170