A few days afterwards, at a meeting of the Wolverhampton Council, the Mayor produced a letter which, though marked “private,” he had obtained permission to read at that meeting. The letter was from Sir C. Grey. It was dated Windsor Castle, December 1, and, after stating that an official answer to the address of the Corporation would be sent, went on to say:--“Her Majesty is anxious that you should hear, as it were, more directly from herself how much she was gratified by the heartiness and cordiality of the reception she met with from every individual of the vast assemblage that yesterday filled your streets, and how deeply--how very deeply--she was touched by the proof which the day’s proceedings afforded of the respect and affection entertained at Wolverhampton for the memory of her beloved husband. I have also been requested by Princess Christian to say how much she has been gratified by the kindness shown yesterday to herself and Prince Christian, and that she will have much pleasure in wearing the beautiful bracelet presented to her at the station as a remembrance of a most interesting and gratifying day.” Sir John Morris then read another letter he had received from Sir Thomas Biddulph, in which the Queen desired that her condolence might be conveyed to a volunteer who had met with an accident on the occasion of her visit, and also expressed her Majesty’s intention to settle upon him an annuity of £20, payable quarterly. This announcement was naturally received with great enthusiasm by the Council. CHAPTER XII. THE TIDE OF DEMOCRACY. Stemming the Tide of Democracy--Lord Derby and Reform--The Reform League--The Riots in Hyde Park--Cowing the Ministry--The Adullamites--Mr. Disraeli’s Resolutions--Crises in the Cabinet--The Ten Minutes Bill--The Government Measure--Mr. Gladstone’s Alterations--A Leap in the Dark--The Movement in Favour of German Unity--The Austro-Prussian War--The Luxembourg Question--Execution of the Emperor Maximilian--Mr. Disraeli’s Budget--Academic Discussions of Irish Grievances--Fenian Outrages at Manchester and Clerkenwell--Rattening at Sheffield--Prince Arthur Passes his Military Examination--Illness of the Princess of Wales--Founding of the Royal Albert Hall--The Sultan in England--Abdul Aziz, K.G.--Visit of the Queen to the Duchess of Roxburghe--Dr. Macleod at Balmoral--Prince Arthur ill of Smallpox--The Queen Keeping Hallowe’en--Her Majesty Visits Lady Palmerston.