CHAPTER IX

A political earthquake convulses Europe-Affairs of Portugal-Queen Maria Pia appeals to the English Sovereign-Palmerston's interference-Insurrection in Sicily-The Pope leaves Rome-The King of Bavaria abdicates-The King of Hanover grants his subjects a liberal constitution-Switzerland threatens the peace of Europe-Frederick William of Prussia writes to the English Court-Palmerston summoned to Osborne-Riots before the Palace in Berlin-Grants the wishes of his people "Listen to the paternal voice of your King"-The Crown Prince of Prussia in London-The Queen and Palmerston-Revolutionary spirit in England-The Chartists-Feargus O'Connor-Riots in the provincesSedition in Scotland-Meeting at Kensington Common-London is alarmed-One hundred and seventy thousand special constables-Lord John Russell's coolest and most offensive manners-The day of the monster Meeting-Attended by fifty thousand-Crossing the bridges-The petition in the House of Commons-Ridicule and laughterThe end of Feargus O'Connor-Agitation in Ireland—William Smith O'Brien in the House-Young Irelanders are filled with hope-Violent speechesDeputation to Paris-Trial and disagreement of the jury-Efforts to rouse the country to rebellionWild schemes-The Police of MullinahoneO'Brien sheds tears of pain and mortification-The battle of Ballingarry-The Widow McCormack's house-The peasants do not respond-O'Brien gives himself up-Courts death-The Government's hasty Bill-The curtain falls on the second act of Home Rule-Birth of the Princess Louise-Death of the Princess Sophia-Lord Melbourne's last days-Deserted and lonely-His last vote-Only a runaway knock-A guest at Windsor Castle-His peaceful end-The Queen's regret,

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CHAPTER IX

STIRRING time in the world's history was

now approaching. Wholly unforeseen, swift in action, inspiring terror, a political earthquake convulsed Europe and shook its thrones. One of the first countries to feel its effects was Portugal. On being refused the rights guaranteed to them by their constitution, the Portuguese people broke into civil war. In imminent distress, Maria Pia the Queen of Portugal, apparently unaware of the limited powers of a constitutional monarch, appealed to Queen Victoria for her aid and intervention. These the English Sovereign was willing to give, not only because she had personally known Maria Pia, when as a young girl she had visited England, but because she had selected as her consort a cousin of Prince Albert, who was then the most unpopular man in Portugal. But as Queen Victoria was powerless to interfere without the advice and consent of her Foreign Minister, Palmerston was summoned to Windsor, when he found Her Majesty and the Prince very anxious and uneasy." His view of Portuguese affairs differed from that of the Queen, who had a

horror of revolutions, and a deep sympathy with her kinsfolk; while Palmerston felt disinclined to support the Portuguese Government which had undoubtedly behaved in an unconstitutional and tyrannical manner. Palmerston was convinced that the trouble was primarily due to the evil counsels of a native of Coburg named Dietz, who had been sent by the Saxe-Coburg family to act as tutor and adviser to the King Consort; a man, as Palmerston said, who "had set to work to secure himself, little caring for or foreseeing the danger in which he was involving the King and Queen."

A reply advising the summary dismissal of Dietz, which Palmerston insisted on as a preliminary to peace, as well as some unpalatable truths on the political conduct of their Portuguese Majesties, was not one which the English Sovereign desired to make Maria Pia; and it was with considerable reluctance that she copied the words written for her by her Foreign Secretary. Though severe with the Portuguese Majesties, he was unwilling to see a country which was England's natural ally deluged with blood and financially ruined; or to have Europe involved in war, as was threatened. England therefore intervened, civil war was suspended, the Portuguese Government was forced to give back a Parliament, and the people to lay down their arms; when the political conflict was transferred from the field of battle, to the floor of the