Fetes at
Berlin--_The Times_ and Prussia--Death of King of
Portugal--The affair of the _Trent_--The Compiegne
interview--An ultimatum--The Prince's last letter--Illness of
the Prince--The Crisis--Sympathy--Bereavement--Death of Lady
Canning--A noble resolve--Comfort and hope 420-478

INDEX 479-520

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

H.M. QUEEN VICTORIA, H.R.H. THE PRINCE CONSORT,
AND CHILDREN. _From the picture by F. Winterhalter
at Buckingham Palace_ _Frontispiece_

H.M. EUGENIE, EMPRESS OF THE FRENCH. _From a miniature
by Sir W. K. Ross at Windsor Castle_ _Facing p._ 120

VISCOUNT PALMERSTON, K.G. _From the drawing by
Sir George Richmond, R.A., in the possession of
the Earl of Carnwath_ " 232

H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES. _From a drawing by
F. Winterhalter, 1859_ " 320

H.R.H. THE PRINCE CONSORT, 1861. _From the picture
by Smith, after Corbould, at Buckingham Palace_ " 472

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

TO CHAPTER XXIII

At the meeting of Parliament, on the 31st of January 1854, the
Ministry were able triumphantly to refute the charge of illegitimate
interference in State affairs which had been made by a section of the
Press against Prince Albert; they were, however, severely attacked for
not acting with greater vigour in Eastern affairs. In February, the
Russian Ambassador left London, the Guards were despatched to the
East, and the Russian Government was peremptorily called upon by Great
Britain and France to evacuate the Principalities. The Peace Party,
Bright, Cobden, and others, were active, but unheeded; the Society of
Friends sending a pacific but futile deputation to the Czar. In March,
the demand for evacuation being disregarded, war was declared, and a
treaty of alliance signed between England and France; Lord Raglan and
Marshal St Arnaud were appointed to command the respective armies,
Vice-Admiral Sir James Dundas and Sir Charles Napier having command
of the Mediterranean and Baltic Fleets respectively. The attitude of
Austria was ambiguous, and, after England and France were committed to
war, she contracted an offensive and defensive alliance with Prussia,
each country engaging to make limited preparations for war. At home,
with a view to greater efficiency, the duties of the Secretary
of State for War and the Colonies, till then united in a single
Secretary