CHAPTER XI

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A STOP-GAP ADMINISTRATION.

End of the Era of Compromise--Dawn of the new Epoch of Reform--Opening of Parliament by the Queen--The Queen’s Nervous Prostration at Osborne--Introduction of the Reform Bill--Hostility of the House of Commons--Dissentient Liberals in “the Cave of Adullam”--Defeat of the Reform Bill--Resignation of the Ministry--Lord Derby forms a Cabinet--His attempted Coalition with the Whig Dukes--Domestic Policy during the Session--The House of Commons and the Rinderpest--Another Prosperity Budget--Large Remissions of Taxation--Coercing Ireland--The White Terror in Jamaica--Marriage of the Princess Helena--The Financial Embarrassment of the Princess Louis of Hesse--The Queen Intercedes with Prussia on behalf of Hesse-Darmstadt--The Queen’s Gift to Mr. Peabody--The Queen’s Visit to Aldershot--The Foundation of the Albert Medal--Marriage of the Princess Mary of Cambridge--The Queen’s first Telegram to the President of the United States--The Queen’s Visit to Aberdeen and Wolverhampton 252

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