The royal visit to Ireland-Thoughtfulness of Prince Albert-In Cork where the Queen admired the women—Arrival at Kingstown-Welcome of all classes" Make one o' them Prince Pathrick and all Ireland will die for ye "-A wonderful and striking spectacle—A shout of loyalty never heard before— The Queen pays a personal compliment-The post of Commander-in-Chief offered to Prince AlbertBirth of Prince Arthur-Her Majesty is struck on the head-Death of Queen Adelaide-Accident to Sir Robert Peel-His death causes universal sympathy-The Queen's mark of appreciation of his services-Death of the Duke of Cambridge, Louis Philippe and the Queen of the Belgians-The royal visit to Edinburgh-Sees the apartments of Mary Stuart-Sectarian agitation-Negotiations opened with Rome-Lord Palmerston explains Lord Minto's position-Nicholas Wiseman-A type of the great Churchman-The Cardinal has a surprise-The Times on the Catholic hierarchy— Wiseman writes to Lord John Russell-Lord John to the Bishop of Durham—Attack on the unworthy sons of the Church of England-Storm of intolerance-Greville writes to The Times-Its editor thinks the agitation a pack of nonsense-The Archbishop's reply-Greville describes the tempest of public fury-The Queen on intolerance-Lord John Russell introduces a bill-His Government is defeated on the extension of suffrage-Her Majesty sends for Lord Derby-Difficulties of forming an Administration-Lord John is reinstated-The Queen dissatisfied-Lord John introduces a maimed Ecclesiastical Titles Bill-Its fatePrince Albert's scheme for a great ExhibitionOpposition and vexations-Colonel Sibthorpe's prayer-Monarchs afraid-The King of Hanover's letter-Over eighteen hundred acres of glass-The Prince driven almost crazy-The Foreign Ministers refuse to present an address-The Prince's difficulties overcome-Opening of the Exhibition-Prince Arthur's birthday-The Queen at the Guildhall.

CHAPTER XIII

N 1849, when the Queen had been twelve years on the throne, it was decided that she should visit her Irish dominions. Not only was this the first visit to Ireland by Her Majesty, but it was the first visit paid to that country by an English Sovereign for twenty-eight years. News of her intention filled an excitable people to the wildest enthusiasm, and preparations were made to give her a loyal and warm welcome. At the suggestion made to the Prime Minister by Prince Albert, who was invariably considerate and thoughtful, it was decided that in the distressed condition of Ireland, just recovering from the effects of famine, the royal visit would not be one of State which must involve an expenditure the country could not afford; but would take the form of an unceremonious call. If the reasons for this were explained to the people, he felt sure they would take the absence of official ceremonies as more complimentary and friendly. In this he touched a chord in Irish hearts, which responded promptly and gratefully. On the morning of August 2, Her Majesty with the Prince and their four eldest children left Cowes in the royal yacht

Victoria and Albert accompanied by a squadron, and late that evening steamed into the Cove of Cork. The sun had already set, but a faint yellow light streaked the west, and a blue haze hung above the silent melancholy land. Then as their entrance was signalled by the firing of cannon, a glare of light sprang up from sea and shore, to be followed a moment later by the blazing of bonfires one after another on the hill-tops; flaring signals of joy scaring darkness and defying night.

Morning came with heavy grey mists covering the mountains and brooding above the waters, but presently when Her Majesty embarked at the Cove-from that time called Queenstown-a sudden burst of sunshine lit the land, which the Celt prone to note omens, interpreted as a happy augury. Later in the day the royal party sailed up the picturesque river Lee to Cork, amid the ringing of bells, the firing of guns, and the cheers of thousands on shore, who accompanied the slow movement of the yacht-a black belt of humanity between blue water and green fields. Cork's own city was thronged with noisy, laughing, rollicking, goodhumoured people, calling to each other, shrieking words of welcome to, and scrambling for a sight of the Queen. In return Her Majesty smiled at them from her open carriage as she drove through the principal streets, and was struck, as she recorded in her Journal, by the charm of her own sex amid the throng.

"Such