Introductory material

Thunderstorms—Lord Durham—Don Giovanni—New Zealand—Eton Montem—Lord Barham—Miss Chaworth and Byron—Lord Melbourne’s household—Visit to Eton—King Leopold’s position—Lord Melbourne’s reminiscences—Public School education—Irish legal difficulties—O’Connell—Eton and Ascot—South Sea Co.—The Order of the Bath—Coronation Honours—Lord Melbourne and the Garter—Marshal Soult—Coronation Day—Procession to Westminster—The ceremony—The procession—After the Coronation—The peerage—Illuminations—Lord Melbourne on the ceremony—Kings and usurpers—Review in Hyde Park—Popularity of enemies—Soult at Eton—Family questions—Sir E. Lyons—Prince Royal of Bavaria—Dukedoms—The Sheridan family—Lady Seymour—Lord Shelburne’s marriage—A dinner party and reception—George III.’s sons—And his illnesses—Lady Sarah Lennox—Mehemet Ali—Lord Melbourne and King Leopold—Statues—The Queen’s Speech—Lord Melbourne on Lord Brougham—Wellington—Belgium and Holland dispute—The Irish—Persian affairs—Pozzo di Borgo—Lord Howick—Belgian affairs—Russian influence—Jewels—Duke of Sussex—Lord North—Mexican affairs—Concerning books—Lady Holland—George III.’s Prime Ministers—Colonial policy 336–398

H.R.H. Princess Victoria & “Dashy”

from a picture by R. Westall R. A. at Windsor Castle