[39:3] In 1876 Mr. Lowe in a public speech expressed his belief that the Queen had urged previous ministers in vain to procure for her the title of Empress of India. The matter was brought to the attention of the House of Commons, and he was forced to make an apology, which was somewhat abject, the Queen through the Prime Minister having denied the truth of his statement: Hans., 3 Ser. CCXXVIII., 2023 _et seq._; and CCXXIX., 52-53. An apparent, though not a real, exception may be found in the rule which requires that before a bill affecting the prerogative can be introduced into Parliament, notice of the King's assent thereto must be given. If the bill affects only the private property of the Crown it is not a political matter. If it affects the public powers of the Crown, then the assent is given on the responsibility of the ministers. [40:1] Lee, "Life of Queen Victoria," 74-75. [40:2] Parker, "Sir Robert Peel," II., 415 _et seq._ [40:3] English Const., 1 Ed., 103. [41:1] Gladstone, "Gleanings of Past Years," I., 85. [41:2] Morley, "Life of Walpole," 155. [41:3] This was in 1880. Lee, "Life of Queen Victoria," 451. [42:1] "Gleanings of Past Years," I., 86, 87. [42:2] For the same reason the President of the Board of Control objected in 1842, when Lord Ellenborough, the Governor General of India, took upon himself to write directly to the Queen, a proceeding which would undoubtedly not be permitted to-day. Parker, "Life of Sir Robert Peel," II., 591. In 1885 Lord Randolph Churchill tendered his resignation as Secretary of State for India, because the Prime Minister, without consulting him, had transmitted to the Viceroy a suggestion by the Queen that one of her sons should be appointed to the command of the forces in Bombay. The appointment was not made, and Lord Randolph withdrew his resignation. Winston Churchill, "Life of Lord Randolph Churchill," I., 503-13. [43:1] _Cf._ Dicey, "Law of the Constitution," 5 Ed., 392. [43:2] _Cf._ Parker, "Life of Sir Robert Peel," I., 334. [44:1] I., 42. [44:2] Lee, "Life of Queen Victoria," 133, 295, 387, and see page 39, note 2, _supra_. [45:1] Morley, "Life of Gladstone," II., 267 _et seq._ Davidson and Benham, "Life of Archbishop Tait," 2 Ed., II., 20-27, 35-36, 40-42. [45:2] Lee, "Life of Queen Victoria," 266, 302. [45:3] 33-34 Vic., c. 17. Order in Council, June 4, 1870. [45:4] _Cf._ Lee, "Life of Queen Victoria," 299, 336, 349. [46:1] Morley, "Life of Walpole," 159. But see Morley, "Life of Gladstone," I., 415. [46:2] Pp. 544-45. [46:3] "Croker Papers," II., 317. A couple of years earlier Peel had dreaded the advent of a ministry that might appear to be dictated to the King by the House of Commons, and continue in office independently of his will and control. Parker, "Sir Robert Peel," II., 302. No statesman would repeat either of these remarks to-day.