Opening of Parliament--Lord Russell and the American Government--Catholicism and Conservatism--Mr. Disraeli angles for the Irish Vote--Palmerston on Tenant Right--Another Panic in Piccadilly--Death of Cobden--Failure of the “Manchester School”--A Prosperity Budget and a Round Surplus--End of the American War--Moderation of the Victors--Assassination of President Lincoln--Reorganising the South--Conflict between President Johnson and the Republican Party--The Mexican Empire and the United States--The Danish Question--The Convention of Gastein--Bismarck’s Interview with the Duke of Augustenburg--The Mystery of Biarritz--Lord Chancellor Westbury’s Fall--Death and Character of Palmerston--The New Ministry--Mr. Gladstone Leader of the Commons--The Rinderpest--The Fenian Conspiracy--The Queen’s Letter on Railway Accidents--Laxity of Administration in the Queen’s Household--Birth of Prince George of Wales--Majority of Prince Alfred--The Queen at Gotha--The Betrothal of the Princess Helena--The Last Illness and Death of King Leopold of Belgium--His Character and Career--Suppressing a Rebellion with a Carpet-Bag. Brighter prospects dawned on the year 1865 than could have been anticipated. England was at peace with all the world, and in spite of Lord Palmerston’s irritation against the German Powers, it was certain that the country would not permit him to engage actively in Continental broils. The Civil War in America, so disastrous to Lancashire, was drawing to a close; and though a dubious and desultory conflict with the Maoris in New Zealand was going on, the scene of strife was far away, and the struggle but slightly affected the course of business. Trade was sound and healthy, and the cotton famine had almost disappeared. Lord Palmerston’s Cabinet still held its ground, and though its aged chief had begun to show signs of physical decay, his high spirits and indefatigable energy gave no indication that the end of his career was at hand. Two of the four or five great ladies of fashion who had for forty years exercised a far-reaching, though unseen, influence on political life--Lady Tankerville and Lady Willoughby d’Eresby--had died in January, within a few days of each other. Lady Palmerston was thus left as almost the sole representative of those _grandes dames_ of politics who were the flower and crown of the old order of society, soon destined to perish under the touch of democratic reform. Parliament was opened by Commission on the 7th of February. The Speech from the Throne, which was read by the Lord Chancellor, referred to the Treaty of Peace between the Emperor of Austria, the King of Prussia, and the King of Denmark, and declared that no renewed disturbance of the peace of Europe was to be apprehended. It regretted the conflict with some of the native tribes in New Zealand, and rejoiced at the tranquillity of our Indian dominions.