1840 Letters to Prince Albert--Opening of Parliament--The Prince's grant -- The Prince at Brussels--Marriage of the Queen and Prince--Public enthusiasm--Plays in Lent--Debate on the Corn Laws--England and China -- Disturbance at the Opera--Murder of Lord William Russell--Mrs Norton -- Character of Princess Charlotte--English manners--Oxford's attempt on the Queen's life--Egypt and the Four Powers--Prince Louis Napoleon -- King Leopold at Wiesbaden--A threatened crisis--France and the East -- A difficult question--Serious measures--Palmerston and France--Views of King Louis Philippe--Propositions for settlement--Attitude of France--Pacific instructions--The Porte and Mehemet Ali--Bombardment of Beyrout--Guizot and Thiers--Differing views--The Queen's influence -- An anxious time--Attempt on life of King Louis Philippe--Negotiation with France advised--Thiers more moderate--Death of Lord Holland -- Change of Ministry in France--Importance of conciliation--The Prince's name in the Prayer-book--King Leopold on Lord Palmerston -- Birth of the Princess Royal--Settlement of Eastern Question (pages 209-252) CHAPTER X 1841 Letter to King Leopold--The Prince and literature--The speech from the throne--Domestic happiness--Duke of Wellington's illness--England and the United States--Operations in China--Lord Cardigan--Army discipline -- The Nottingham election--The Budget--Irish Registration Bill--Sugar duties--Ministerial crisis--Lord Melbourne's advice--Dissolution or resignation--The Household question--Sir Robert Peel--Mr Anson's intervention--Interview with Lord Melbourne--King Leopold's sympathy -- The Corn Laws--The Queen's journal--The Prince's support--Further interviews--Resignation postponed--The Queen and the Church--King Leopold's advice--The Queen's impartiality--Difficulties removed--Vote of want of confidence--The country quiet--King Leopold's views--Fiscal Policy--Marriage of Lord John Russell--Visit to Nuneham--Archbishop Harcourt--The Prince visits Oxford--Letter from Lord Brougham--Visit to Woburn Abbey--Lord Melbourne and the Garter--A dreaded moment -- Debate on the Speech--Overwhelming majority--Resignation--New arrangements--Parting with Lord Melbourne--The Prince in a new position--The Queen and Sir Robert Peel--Lord Melbourne's opinion of the Prince--The Household question--New Cabinet--Lord Melbourne's official farewell--Sir Robert Peel's reception--New appointments -- Council at Claremont--The Lord Chamberlain's department--The French ambassador--Confidential communications--The diplomatic corps -- Governor-General of Canada--India and Afghanistan--Lord Ellenborough -- Russia and Central Asia--Indian finances--The Spanish mission -- Correspondence with Lord Melbourne--Fine Arts Commission--Peers and audiences--Lord Radnor's claim--The Chinese campaign--English and foreign artists--Lord Melbourne and the Court--The Queen and her Government--Baron Stockmar's opinion--Lord Melbourne's influence -- Baron Stockmar and Sir Robert Peel--Professor Whewell--Queen Christina--Queen Isabella--French influence in Spain--Holland and Belgium--Dispute with United States--Portugal--The English Constitution--The "Prime Minister"-- The "Secretaries of State"-- Baron Stockmar expostulates with Lord Melbourne--Birth of Heir-apparent -- Created Prince of Wales--The Royal children (pages 253-369).