Chapter XX

1851

Life Peerages--Diplomatic arrangements--Peril of the
Ministry--Negotiations with Sir J. Graham--Defeat of the
Government--Ministerial crisis--The Premier's
statement--Lord Lansdowne consulted--Lord Stanley sent
for--Complications--Fiscal policy--Sir James Graham--Duke
of Wellington--Difficulties--Lord Aberdeen consulted--Lord
Stanley to be sent for--His letter--Lord Stanley's
difficulties--Mr Disraeli--Question of dissolution--
Explanations--Lord Stanley resigns--His reasons--The Papal
Bill--Duke of Wellington--Appeal to Lord Lansdowne--Still
without a Government--Lord Lansdowne's views--Further
difficulties--Coalition impossible--Income Tax--Free Trade
--Ecclesiastical Titles Bill--Confusion of Parties--New
National Gallery--The great Exhibition--Imposing
ceremony--The Prince's triumph--Enthusiasm in the City--Danish
succession--The Orleans Princes--Regret at leaving
Scotland--Extension of the Franchise--Louis Kossuth--Lord
Palmerston's intentions--A dispute--Lord Palmerston
defiant--He gives way--The Queen's anxiety--Lord Palmerston's
conduct--The Queen's comment--Death of King of Hanover--The
Suffrage--The _Coup d'Etat_--Louis Bonaparte--Excitement
in France--Lord Palmerston and Lord Normanby--State of
Paris--Lord Palmerston's approval--Birthday wishes--The
crisis--Dismissal of Lord Palmerston--Inconsistency of
Lord Palmerston--The Prince's Memorandum--Lord
Clarendon--Discussion on new arrangements--Count Walewski
informed--Lord Granville's appointment--The Queen's view of
foreign affairs--Our policy reviewed--Difficulty of fixed
principles--Prince Nicholas of Nassau--_Te Deum_ at Paris
283-355