Chapter 5

Preparations for the Coronation--Long Wellesley committed by the Chancellor for Contempt--Alderman Thompson and his Constituents--Prince Leopold goes to Belgium--Royal Tombs and Remains--The Lieutenancy of the Tower--The Cholera--The Belgian Fortresses--Secret Negotiations of Canning with the Whigs-- Transactions before the Close of the Liverpool Administration-- Duke of Wellington and Peel--The Dutch invade Belgium--Defeat of the Belgian Army--The French enter Belgium--Lord Grey's Composure--Audience at Windsor--Danger of Reform--Ellen Tree-- The French in Belgium--Goodwood--The Duke of Richmond--The Reform Bill in Difficulties--Duke of Wellington calls on Lord Grey--The King declines to be kissed by the Bishops-- Talleyrand's Conversation--State of Europe and France-- Coronation Squabbles--The King divides the old Great Seal between Brougham and Lyndhurst--Relations of the Duchess of Kent to George IV. and William IV.--The Coronation--Irritation of the King--The Cholera--A Dinner at St. James's--State of the Reform Bill--Sir Augustus d'Este--Madame Junot--State of France--Poland. Page 165