Chapter 2

1845

The Spanish marriages--Position of the Prince--Title of King Consort--Purchase of Osborne--Maynooth grant--Religious bigotry--Public executions--Birthday letter--Princess Charlotte--Vacant Deanery--Wine from Australia--King of Holland--Projected visit to Germany--Question of Lords Justices--Visit to the Château d'Eu--Spanish marriages--The Prince criticised--Governor-Generalship of Canada--Corn Laws--Cabinet dissensions--Interview with Sir Robert Peel--Lord John Russell suggested--Attitude of Lord Melbourne--The Queen's embarrassment--Attitude of Sir Robert Peel--Lord Stanley resigns--The Commandership-in-Chief--Duke of Wellington-- King Louis Philippe--Anxiety for the future--Insuperable difficulties--Lord Grey and Lord Palmerston--Lord John Russell fails--Chivalry of Sir Robert Peel--He resumes office--Cordial support--The Queen's estimate of Sir Robert Peel--Lord Stanley--The Prince's Memorandum--Comprehensive scheme--The unemployed--Lord Palmerston's justification--France and the Syrian War--Letter to King Louis Philippe--Ministry reinstated 30-70