CHAPTER XVIII.

'The Policy of England to Ireland'--Ministers object to the Publication--Could the Book be delayed and published anonymously?--Visit to the Grange--Buckland--Visit to Broadlands--Visit to Woburn--Prince Albert complains of want of Secrecy--Visit to Ampthill--Baron Rolfe--The Master of the Rolls to sit at the Judicial Committee--The Queen knew nothing of the Irish Book--Reconciliation of Thiers and Palmerston--Mr. Gladstone resigns on the Maynooth Endowments--Changes in the Cabinet--Sidney Herbert--Lord Lincoln--Precarious Position of French Ministry--Mr. Gladstone's Resignation transpires--Sensitiveness of the French Government--Debate in the House of Commons--Gladstone's Resignation unintelligible--Mr. Duncombe's Letters--Death of Rev. Sydney Smith--Publication of the 'Policy to Ireland'--Death of Robert Smith (Bobus)--Death of Miss Fox--Visit to Althorp--Effects of the Irish Book--Whig and Tory Opinions--The Maynooth Grant--Meeting of Thiers and Guizot--Debate on the Maynooth Grant--Macaulay's Speech--Divisions in the Tory Party--Possibility of a Whig Government--Break-up of Parties--Birkenhead--Depression--Visits to the Grove and to Broadlands--Lord Melbourne--Opinions on the Irish Book--Sir Robert Peel's Improved Position--Embarrassment caused by the Queen's Absence from England--A Queer Family _page_ 258