Chapter XIV

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 Chateau 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