English Chartism in the Summer of 1839--Riots in Birmingham--Principal Leaders of the Chartist Party--Excesses of the Artisans in Various Parts of Great Britain and Ireland--Chartist Rising at Newport, Monmouthshire--Conviction of Frost, Williams, and Jones--The Queen and Prince Albert--Early Life of the Prince--His Engaging Qualities--Desire of King Leopold to Effect a Matrimonial Engagement between Prince Albert and the Princess Victoria--First Visit of the Former to England--His Studies in Germany--Informal Understanding between Prince Albert and Queen Victoria--Difficulties of the Case--The Prince’s View of the Matter in the Autumn of 1839--Second Visit to England, and Formal Betrothal--Letter of Baron Stockmar on the Subject--Announcement of the Royal Marriage to the Privy Council and to Parliament--The Appointment of the Prince’s Household--Subjects of Difficulty and Dissension--Question of the Prince’s Religion--Reduction of his Annuity by a Vote of the House of Commons--Progress from Gotha to England, and Reception at Buckingham Palace--Marriage of Prince Albert to the Queen at the Chapel Royal, St. James’s 57 CHAPTER V. THE FIRST YEAR OF MARRIED LIFE. Difficulties of the Early Married Life of Prince Albert--His Unpopularity in Certain Quarters--Attempt to Suppress Duelling in the Army--Position of the Prince in the Royal Household--Want of Supervision in the Management of the Palace--Introduction of Reforms, on the Initiative of Prince Albert--Duties Assumed by the Prince--Domestic Life--Post Office Reform--Defective State of the Service previous to 1840--Rowland Hill and the Penny Post--Opposition to the New Scheme--Introduction of the Lower Rate of Postage--General Features and Effects of the Change--Measure for the Protection of Children Employed in Chimney-Sweeping--Attempt of Edward Oxford to Shoot the Queen--Appointment of Prince Albert as Regent under certain Eventualities--Life and Studies at Windsor--Birth of the Princess Royal--Devotion of the Prince to her Majesty--Christmas at Windsor (1840)--Christening of the Princess--Accident to Prince Albert--The Eastern Question: Turkey and Egypt--Removal of the Body of Napoleon I. from St. Helena to Paris--Rise and Development of the Agitation for Free Trade 71 CHAPTER VI. TROUBLES IN THE STATE, AND HAPPINESS AT HOME. PAGE