affect England--she heard its fury, but felt not its power.

CHAPTER LXI.

{VICTORIA. 1849}

Colonial Affairs..... Termination of the War in the
Punjaub..... Operations against Borneo Pirates, and in the
Chinese Seas..... Cape of Good Hope; Agitation against
making it a Penal Colony..... Canada: Disturbances.....
West Indies: Economical Discussions; Discontent of the
Planters..... Ionian Isles: Insurrection..... Foreign
Affairs..... General State of the Continent, and Relations
to England..... Naples and Sicily: Interference of England
and France..... Demand upon Turkey by Russia and Austria
for Extradition of Refugees; Interposition of England.....
Ireland: Potato Blight; Great Distress of the People;
Cholera; Political Agita-tion; Continuance of Crime and
Outrage..... Great Britain: Prevalence of Cholera; State
of Trade and Agriculture; Parliamentary Debates; Deaths of
Eminent Persons.

{1849}

The year 1849 was one of more importance to continental Europe than to
the nations of any other portion of the world. It was, however, a year
of considerable events for the British empire. In India a sanguinary
war was brought to a successful termination, and a large and fertile
territory added to the British dominions. At the Cape of Good Hope the
colonists successfully resisted the authority of the mother country.
In Canada, insurrectionary violence interrupted the usual order of
government. In Cephalonia the disloyalty and fanaticism of the Greek
population found violent vent, and generally the greatest circumspection
was required on the part of the home government in reference to our
vast colonial empire. In foreign affairs England preserved a dignified
non-interference, except in the case of Naples and Sicily, where her
interposition brought neither honour nor profit. In the case of Turkey
it was otherwise; the advice tendered to the Porte by the British
ambassador averted conflict, and saved an ancient ally from humiliation.
The chief difficulty of the empire was Ireland. Constitutional
government was there impossible, crime was rampant, distress
all-penetrating, and the people seditious. At home the visitation of a
fearful pestilence caused distress and sorrow, while party fury rent the
parliament and disturbed the repose of the country. Through every trial
to which she was put, the genius and resolution of England conducte