pendent income, and the acceptance of
this by the Princess caused the Duchess considerable vexation; but the
project dropped. The King died in the following month, soon after the
Princess had attained her legal majority; he had always hoped that the
Duchess would not be Regent, and his wish was thus fulfilled.

It is no exaggeration to say that the accession of the Princess
Victoria reinstated the English monarchy in the affections of the
people. George IV. had made the Throne unpopular; William IV. had
restored its popularity, but not its dignity. Both of these kings were
men of decided ability, but of unbalanced temperament. In politics
both kings had followed a somewhat similar course. George IV. had
begun life as a strong Whig, and had been a close friend of Fox. Later
in life his political position resolved itself into a strong dislike
of Roman Catholic Relief. William IV. had begun his reign favourably
inclined to Parliamentary Reform; but though gratified by the personal
popularity which his attitude brought him in the country, he became
alarmed at the national temper displayed. It illustrates the tension
of the King's mind on the subject that, when he was told that if the
Reform Bill did not pass it would bring about a rebellion, he replied
that if it did bring about a rebellion he did not care: he should
defend London and raise the Royal Standard at Weedon (where there
was a military depot); and that the Duchess of Kent and the Princess
Victoria might come in if they could.

[Pageheading: CHARACTER AND TEMPERAMENT]

[Pageheading: SYMPATHY WITH MIDDLE CLASSES]

The reign of William IV. had witnessed the zenith of Whig efficiency.
It had seen the establishment of Parliamentary and Municipal Reform,
the Abolition of Slavery, the new Poor Law, and other important
measures. But, towards the end of the reign, the Whig party began
steadily to lose ground, and the Tories to consolidate themselves.
Lord Melbourne had succeeded Lord Grey at the head of the Whigs, and
the difference of administration was becoming every month more and
more apparent. The King indeed went so far as abruptly to dismiss his
Ministers, but Parliament was too strong for him. Lord Melbourne's
principles were fully as liberal as Lord Grey's, but he lacked
practical initiative, with the result that the Whigs gradually
forfeited popular estimation and became discredited. The new reign,
however, brought them a decided increase of strength. The