ing, and much beloved by the country.

July 20th, Sir Robert Peel, Bart., the statesman and parliamentary
leader. Such ample notice has been taken of his life and death, on
former pages, that it is not necessary more particularly to refer to it
in this place.

August the 7th, Louis Philippe, the exiled King of the French, aged 77
years. Few princes experienced so many and such great vicissitudes of
fortune. He died at Claremont, in Surrey. When in his power the most
obsequious homage was paid to him by the court and the citizens of
London; in his exile, he was allowed to sink almost unnoticed into
obscurity and death. His faithlessness to political engagements, his
avarice, and want of principle generally, had created a universal
obloquy round his name.

CHAPTER LXIII.

{VICTORIA. 1851}

General Condition of Great Britain: Agitation against "the
Papal Aggres-sion," and strong national feeling against the
Pope and the Church of Rome; Efforts of the
"Protectionists," and hostility of the people to that
party..... Parliamentary Conflicts: Resignation of the
Russell Ministry, and its Resumption of Power.....
Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations..... The
Census..... General Condition of Ireland..... The
Court..... Colonial Affairs: War in South Africa; Discovery
of Gold in California; Hostility of the Arabs near
Aden..... Foreign Affairs: European Relations..... Outrage
upon an English gentleman by an Austrian officer in
Florence..... Deaths of Eminent Persons in 1851.

{A.D. 1851}

The year 1851 opened more auspiciously upon England than several
preceding years. There was neither pestilence nor famine in Great
Britain or Ireland. No commercial panic smote the prosperity of the
country. Crime was not more than usually prevalent, and was rather on
the decrease. The royal family were in health, and their happiness was a
subject of universal care, as their persons were the objects of
devoted loyalty. No sovereign in the world held so high a place in the
affections of her people, or presided over dominions on the whole so
united and prosperous.

The great home subject of interest was "the papal aggression," referred
to in a former chapter. Nearly all classes of Englishmen were indignant
at the terms in which the pope decreed the new arrangements for
the episcopal government of his church in England. There were many,
especially amo