Chapter 10

1841

Letter to King Leopold--The Prince and literature--The speech from the throne--Domestic happiness--Duke of Wellington's illness--England and the United States--Operations in China--Lord Cardigan--Army discipline --The Nottingham election--The Budget--Irish Registration Bill--Sugar duties--Ministerial crisis--Lord Melbourne's advice--Dissolution or resignation--The Household question--Sir Robert Peel--Mr Anson's intervention--Interview with Lord Melbourne--King Leopold's sympathy --The Corn Laws--The Queen's journal--The Prince's support--Further interviews--Resignation postponed--The Queen and the Church--King Leopold's advice--The Queen's impartiality--Difficulties removed--Vote of want of confidence--The country quiet--King Leopold's views--Fiscal Policy--Marriage of Lord John Russell--Visit to Nuneham--Archbishop Harcourt--The Prince visits Oxford--Letter from Lord Brougham--Visit to Woburn Abbey--Lord Melbourne and the Garter--A dreaded moment --Debate on the Speech--Overwhelming majority--Resignation--New arrangements--Parting with Lord Melbourne--The Prince in a new position--The Queen and Sir Robert Peel--Lord Melbourne's opinion of the Prince--The Household question--New Cabinet--Lord Melbourne's official farewell--Sir Robert Peel's reception--New appointments --Council at Claremont--The Lord Chamberlain's department--The French ambassador--Confidential communications--The diplomatic corps --Governor-General of Canada--India and Afghanistan--Lord Ellenborough --Russia and Central Asia--Indian finances--The Spanish mission --Correspondence with Lord Melbourne--Fine Arts Commission--Peers and audiences--Lord Radnor's claim--The Chinese campaign--English and foreign artists--Lord Melbourne and the Court--The Queen and her Government--Baron Stockmar's opinion--Lord Melbourne's influence --Baron Stockmar and Sir Robert Peel--Professor Whewell--Queen Christina--Queen Isabella--French influence in Spain--Holland and Belgium--Dispute with United States--Portugal--The English Constitution--The "Prime Minister"--The "Secretaries of State"--Baron Stockmar expostulates with Lord Melbourne--Birth of Heir-apparent --Created Prince of Wales--The Royal children (pages 253-369)