this rumour, and Sir Robert Peel stated in reply that the paragraph was wholly without foundation. The design of making Prince Albert Commander-in-Chief after the death of the Duke of Wellington seems to have been really discussed for the second time at this period; but the duties were too onerous to be undertaken by his Royal Highness, in addition to the other demands on his attention. The appointment was never conferred on him, and it would certainly have been an affront to English feeling had such a post been occupied by a foreigner. [Illustration: FAVOURITE DOGS. (_After Etchings by the Queen._)] CHAPTER XI. ENGLAND IN 1845. Borneo and Sir James Brooke--Cession of Labuan to Great Britain--“Constitutionalism” in the Sandwich Islands--State of the Colonies--Unsuccessful Attack on Madagascar--Commencement of the Overland Route to India--Decline in the Popularity of Sir Robert Peel--Rise of Mr. Disraeli and the Young England Party--Generous Support of Peel by the Queen and Prince Albert--Offer of the Garter to Sir Robert, which he declines--Position of the Premier towards the Aristocracy--Increasing Weakness of the Government--Dangerous State of Ireland--Prince Albert on the Political Situation--Visit of the Queen to Belgium and Prussia--Splendid Reception in the latter Country--Speech of the King of Prussia at Bonn--The Illuminations at Cologne--Prince Albert and Baron von Humboldt--Reception of the Royal Visitors in Bavaria, at Coburg, and at Gotha--The Queen at the Native Place of her Husband--Excursion to the Thuringian Forest--Other Incidents of the German Visit--Second Visit of the Queen and Prince Albert to Louis Philippe at the Château d’Eu--Duplicity of the King--Return of the Royal Party to England--Spread of Railway Enterprise in Great Britain--The Railway Mania and Panic of 1845-6--Increasing Strength of the Free Trade Movement--The Potato Disease in Ireland--Threatenings of Famine--Sir Robert Peel and Free Trade--Letter of Lord John Russell to the Electors of the City of London--Ministerial Crisis--Return of Sir Robert Peel to Power.