Chapter 5

Opening of the Session--Lady Flora Hastings--Bulwer's 'Richelieu'--Changes at the Colonial Office--Attack on Lord Normanby's Irish Administration in the Lords--General Aspect of Affairs--The 'Morning Chronicle'--Death of Lord de Ros-- Precarious Position of the Government--Views of Lord John Russell--A doubtful Question--Conciliatory Conversation with Sir James Graham--Attitude of the Whig Party--Peel's cold Reception of the Proposal--Result of the Debate--Attitude of Lord John Russell--Language of the Radical Party-- Conciliation--Change of Feeling in the Country--Duke of Newcastle dismissed from the Lord Lieutenancy--Lord John Russell's Letter--Jamaica Bill--Defeat of the Jamaica Bill-- Resignation of Ministers--The Queen retains the Ladies of her Household--Conduct of the Whigs--End of the Crisis--The Truth of the Story Page 170