4 be the function of the Head of a State, and in an especial degree of the Constitutional Monarch, whose study is, in the words of our Liturgy, 'to preserve her people in wealth, peace, and godliness.' The events which make history were thus the atmosphere in which the Prince lived. It was upon them his mind was most constantly at work, it was with them that his correspondence chiefly dealt. His story, therefore, could not be told without at the same time telling the story of these events. To show how they acted upon his mind, and how in turn his influence re-acted upon them, has been my aim. This could not be done without at the same time affording glimpses of what each day brings to Your Majesty in the way of active supervision of the business of the State. In going through the voluminous records of State and other papers compiled by the Prince for the use of Your Majesty and himself, which it has been my duty and privilege to examine in the execution of my task, nothing has impressed or touched me more, than the indications on which I everywhere came, of how the minds and hands of Your Majesty and the Prince had worked together upon the multiform and difficult questions which were constantly presenting themselves for consideration. Only a faint idea can be given in any work like the present of the weighty character and the wide range of the topics, which engaged the thoughts of Your Majesty and the Prince during the eventful years of which this volume treats. Still, it cannot but be well, that Your Majesty's subjects should learn something of the noble activity which then reigned within the Palace;-how not a day, scarcely an hour passed, which did not leave its record of some good work done, some sagacious counsel tendered, some worthy enterprise encouraged, some measure to make men wiser or better devised or helped forward, some problem of grave social or political moment meditated to its depths, and advanced towards a 5 solution. They have long looked with pride to the home of their Sovereign as a pattern of what a home and a Court should be, in the warmth of the family affection, the refined simplicity of the tastes, the purity of the moral atmosphere, by which it was pervaded. They will be no less pleased to learn, as from the present volume they will, that while all the graces of life were cultivated there, and all the charities that soothe, and heal, and bless' diligently fostered, that home was also the seat of hard, anxious, unremitting work, which had for its one object the protection and promotion of the country's welfare. Thus, too, they will better understand, what such work imposes upon Your Majesty, when it is no longer shared with him, whose ever-wakeful tenderness, no less than his calm, courageous intellect, took from the cares of Royalty more than half their burden. I have the honour to be, MADAM, Your Majesty's most devoted BRYNTYSILIO: 16th September, 1876. THEODORE MARTIN. CONTENTS OF VOLUME II. Review of the State of Europe after the Fall of Louis Philippe-National Defences-Revo- lution in Milan-War in Northern Italy-Revolutions in Naples, Vienna, and Berlin- State of Ireland-Movements of Young Ireland's Party-Repressive Measures-Trials for Sedition-Chartist Riots in England-Commercial Depression-Habitual Cheerfulness Unsettled State of Germany-Prince takes great Interest in the Movement for its Unifica- tion-The Vor-Parlament-The National Assembly-Separate Plans by the Prince and by Baron Stockmar for the Regeneration of Germany-Élection of Vicar of the Empire Lord Palmerston as Foreign Secretary-Our Ambassador ordered to leave Spain-Counter- Revolution in Naples-Defeat of the Sicilians-Austria's Proposal to surrender Lom- bardy refused-Insurrection in Posen-The Ateliers Nationaux in Paris-Their Fail- ure-Breakdown of Chartist Plots in England-The June Massacres in Paris-Corre- 62 Prince at Agricultural Society's Meeting at York-Success of his Speech there-Prepara- tions for Rebellion in Ireland-Defeat and Capture of Smith O'Brien-Trial and Sen- tence of Rebel Leaders-Frankfort Central Government-Struggles for German Unity First Visit to Balmoral-Pursuits of Prince there-Accident in the Solent seen from Royal Yacht-Continuance of Troubles on the Continent-Revolution put down in Vienna- Proposed University Reforms at Cambridge-Steps taken by the Prince as Chancellor of the University-His Correspondence on the Subject-Success of his Plans Letter by Prince to Dean Wilberforce on Functions of Bishops in the House of Lords- Memorandum by him on State of Ireland-Remedies-Reaction in Austria-Proposed Mediation of England and France between Austria and Sardinia-Revolution in Rome -Excitement in Central and Northern Italy-Louis Napoleon elected President-Na- tional Assembly suppressed in Berlin, and State of Siege proclaimed-Signs of Reac- tion in German Sovereigns-Opinions of Prince-Death of Lord Melbourne Prince's Activity-His Accuracy of Observation-Lays Foundation Stone of Grimsby Docks -His Speech there, and at Meeting in Aid of Servants' Provident and Benevolent So- Education of Royal Children--On what Principles conducted-Their Religious Training- Lady Lyttelton-Baron Stockmar on Changes of Religious Opinion in England Condition of England-Irish Visit projected-Occupation of Rome by the French-Offer of German Imperial Crown to King of Prussia-He refuses it-Revolutionary Out- breaks in various Parts of Germany put down-Great Exhibition projected by the |