CONTENTS

OF

THE FIRST VOLUME.

CHAPTER I.

INFLUENCE OF THE CROWN DURING THE REIGN OF GEORGE III.

AG

The sources of this influence

Influence of the Crown since the Revolution.

Restrictions on the personal influence of the sovereign

Ministerial power and responsibility

The accession of George III. His jealousy of ministers

His secret counsellors.

1

2

5

ib.

8

10

11

12

16

Lord Bute as premier carries out the king's policy

Their efforts to coerce the Opposition .

19

20

Lord Bute resigns

22

Mr. Grenville co-operates in the king's unconstitutional policy

24

The king's differences with the Grenville ministry

His reluctant admission of the Rockingham ministry, 1765

Exerts his influence in Parliament against them

The king advances his policy with the aid of Lord Chatham .

They unite in breaking up parties

Development of the king's policy under Lord North, 1770

The king his own minister .

Protests against the influence of the Crown, 1779-80

Intimidation of peers in opposition to the Court

Lord North driven from office by the Commons, 1782

Result of twenty years of kingcraft

General influence of the Crown augmented

The king prepared to exert his influence against Mr. Pitt.

The king's opposition to Catholic emancipation

Mr. Pitt resigns on that question.

Influence of the Crown during the Addington ministry

76

77

79

82

84

Pledge required by the king of ministers on the Catholic

The dismissal of ministers discussed in Parliament

The king's appeal to the people on the Catholic question at the

93

dissolution, 1807 .

The three years prior to the regency

99

100

CHAPTER II.

INFLUENCE OF THE CROWN DURING THE REGENCY, THE REIGNS OF

GEORGE IV., WILLIAM IV., AND HER MAJESTY QUEEN VICTORIA.

Influence of the Court over the prince regent

His estrangement from the Whigs

Position of parties a proof of the paramount influence of the

Crown

Negotiations on the death of Mr. Perceval, 1812.

Ascendency of Tory politics under Lord Liverpool

101

Proceedings against Queen Caroline

The bill of pains and penalties withdrawn

Mr. Brougham's motion on the influence of the Crown

George IV.'s opposition to Catholic emancipation.

Parliamentary reform favoured by William IV.

His support of Earl Grey's ministry

He prevails upon the Lords to pass the Reform Bill

Sudden dismissal of the Melbourne ministry

Sir R. Peel called to office while abroad

Is driven from office

Diminution of the influence of the Crown shown by these

Lord Melbourne in office on Her Majesty's accession
The 'bed-chamber question'

Sir R. Peel's second administration, 1841

Relations of a secretary of state to the Crown
Lord Palmerston's removal from office in 1851

Wise use of the influence of the Crown in the present reign
Increased influence of the Crown now under due control
Continued influence of great families

CHAPTER III.

PREROGATIVES OF THE CROWN DURING THE MINORITY OR INCAPACITY

OF THE SOVEREIGN.

Incapacity of a sovereign not recognised by law

George III.'s first regency scheme, 1765

Doubts concerning the term 'royal family'

Attempted exclusion of the Princess of Wales from the regency

Provisions of the Regency Act, 1765

ib.

147

148

150

152

153

154

Regent to be appointed by bill founded on resolutions

The great seal to be used under authority of Parliament

A new speaker during the king's incapacity.

The issue of public money authorised by Parliament

Act authorising George IV. to sign by a stamp

169

170

175

176

Rights of an infant king considered on the accession of

REVENUES OF THE CROWN: THE CIVIL LIST: PENSIONS: PREROGATIVES

The Civil List from William and Mary to George III.

Settlement of the Civil List on the accession of George III.

Charges and debts upon the Civil List

Schemes for economic reform

The Civil List Act, 1782

Civil Lists since the regency

Revenues of the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall

Private property of sovereigns

Provision for the royal family

Debts of the Prince of Wales

Mismanagement of the land revenues on behalf of the public
Improved administration of the land revenues and appropria-

Pensions on the Civil List and other Crown revenues

Restrictions on the grant of pensions

Final regulation of the Pension List in 1837.

Powers of the sovereign over the royal family

The Royal Marriage Act, 1772

The lords spiritual

Attempts to exclude them from the House of Lords

Progressive increase of the peerage prior to reign of George III. 233

The Peerage Bill of 1719

Profuse creations in the reign of George III.

Representative peers of Ireland

Present state of the peerage

Representative character of the House of Lords

Rights of Scottish peers

Gradual fusion of the peerages of the three kingdoms

Hereditary descent the characteristic of the peerage

Life peerages

Increased number of the House of Lords, a source of strength

The peerage viewed in reference to party

257

259

Collisions between the two Houses averted by the influence of

the Crown

261

Position of the Lords in reference to the. Reform Bills