Introductory material

Crisis in the City — The Chancellor of the Exchequer — A Journey to Paris — Lord Lyndhurst in Paris — Princess Lieven — Parties in France — Berryer — The Strasburg Conspirators — Rotten State of France — Presentation at the Tuileries — Ball at the Tuileries — Bal Musard — Lord Granville — The Due de Broglie — Position of the Duc d’Orleans — Return to England — Conservative Reaction — Sheil’s Tirade against Lord Lyndhurst — Lyndhurst as a Tory Leader — Angry Debate on Church Rates — The Government on the Brink of Resignation — Sir R. Peel’s Prospects — The King and Lord Aylmer — Death of Mrs. Fitzherbert — Ministerial Compromise — Westminster Election — Majority of the Princess Victoria — The King’s Illness — The King’s Letter to the Princess — Preparations for the Council — Sir E. Peel on the Prospects of the New Reign — Prayers ordered for the King’s Recovery — Affairs of Lord Ponsonby — Death of King William IV. — First Council of Queen Victoria — The Queen proclaimed — Character of William IV