possessed before, and it certainly included some heights commanding the St. Lawrence which had not been assigned to us by the King of the Netherlands. The conclusion of this treaty was announced to Parliament at the opening of the session of 1843, and Sir Robert Peel claimed credit for having brought about so favourable an adjustment. This, however, was not the view entertained by the Opposition; and Lord Palmerston, in calling the attention of the House of Commons to the treaty, on the 21st of March, 1843, described it as “the Ashburton capitulation.” Undoubtedly, the larger part of the disputed territory was handed over to the United States, and it has since been generally considered by Englishmen that Mr. Webster demanded and obtained more than his country was entitled to. Some other clauses of the treaty were excellent. Provision was made for the better suppression of the slave traffic, and it was agreed that each country should render up to the other certain classes of criminals against whom a sufficient case should be established by due legal process. Lord Palmerston could never tolerate the Ashburton Treaty so far as the territorial rearrangement was concerned. He thought it would be productive of many evil consequences; but it was high time that a vexatious question, creating a certain amount of ill-will, should be brought to a final settlement. The Ashburton Treaty was perhaps the best that could be effected, and Englishmen have long ceased to consider its details. CHAPTER X. DAYS OF PEACEFUL DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESS. Visit of the Prince of Prussia to England--Christening of Prince Alfred at Windsor Castle--Second Visit to the Highlands in the Autumn of 1844--Louis Philippe in England--His Reception at Windsor--Interchange of Courtesies between English and French Officers--Opening of the New Royal Exchange by the Queen--Letters of her Majesty and Prince Albert on the Occasion--Scientific Progress: the Electric Telegraph, Photography, Lord Rosse’s Telescope, the Thames Tunnel, and Arctic Exploration--Tractarian Difficulties in the Church--Purchase of Osborne by the Queen--Visits of her Majesty and the Prince to Stowe and Strathfieldsaye--Opening of Parliament by the Queen (Feb. 4th, 1845)--Financial Statement of Sir Robert Peel--Reduction and Abolition of Duties--Acrimonious Debates on the Proposed Queen’s Colleges in Ireland, and the Increase of the Maynooth Grant--Retirement of Mr. Gladstone from the Ministry--Admission of Jews to Municipal Offices--Results of Sir Robert Peel’s Financial Policy--Economy in the Royal Household--Project for making Prince Albert King Consort--The Chief Command of the Army.