CHAPTER II

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THE ITALIAN REVOLUTION.

Napoleon’s New Year’s Reception--The Secret _Pacte de Famille_--Victor Emmanuel and the _Grido di Dolore_--The Queen’s Views on the Italian Movement--The Queen’s Letter to Napoleon--Meeting of Parliament--Cavour Threatens Napoleon--Appeal of Prussia to the Queen for Advice--Mr. Disraeli’s Reform Bill--Lord John Russell’s Amendment--Defeat of the Government--An Appeal to the Country--The Queen Criticises Austria’s Blunders--War at Last--The General Election--Reconciliation of Lord Palmerston and Lord John Russell--Fall of the Derby-Disraeli Administration--The Palmerston-Russell Ministry--Austrian Defeats and French Victories--The Peace of Villafranca--Palmerston Duped--Illness of the Duchess of Kent--The Budget--The Queen and Palmerston--Triumph of the Queen’s Policy--The Holiday at Balmoral--Dancing in the New Year 28

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