twenty-eight temporal peers, and a hundred commoners were to represent
Ireland in the united parliament. The churches of England and Ireland
were to be united into one Protestant episcopal church, called the
United Church of England and Ireland; both countries were to enjoy the
same commercial privileges; and the laws and courts of each country
were to remain the same as before, subject to alterations by the
united parliament.
1802. ~Treaty of Amíens~, between England, France, Spain, and Holland
(Mar. 27). Buonaparte declared consul for life.
This treaty was merely a truce. England surrendered all her conquests
except Ceylon and Trinidad. Malta was to be given back to the knights
of St. John.
1803. =Renewal of the war with France=: all the English travelling in
France arrested. =War with the Mahrattas= in India. General Lake gained
great victories at DELHI (Sept. 11) and LASWAREE (Nov. 1), and General
Wellesley at ASSAYE (Sept. 23) and ARGAUM (Nov. 28).
1804. Pitt reinstated as premier. Buonaparte became emperor of France
under the title of Napoleon I.
1805. Napoleon prepared to invade England. Victory over the French and
Spanish fleets off CAPE FINISTERRE, by Sir Robert Calder (July 22), and
off =TRAFALGAR= by Nelson, who was killed (Oct 21): naval power of France
destroyed.
1806. Death of Pitt. A coalition ministry formed, the most important
member of which was Fox, who died the same year. The French defeated by
Sir John Stuart at MAIDA, in Calabria (July 6). Napoleon issued the Berlin
Decree, to destroy the trade of England.
1807. Slave trade abolished by parliament. The duke of Portland appointed
premier. COPENHAGEN bombarded by the English (Sept. 5), who seized the
Danish fleet, which otherwise would have fallen into the hands of
Napoleon. Portugal occupied by the French.
1808. The king of Spain compelled to resign his crown, which was conferred
by Napoleon on his brother, Joseph Buonaparte. The people of the Peninsula
resolved to resist, and England to render aid. =THE PENINSULAR WAR.= Sir
Arthur Wellesley landed in Portugal, and defeated the French at Roliça
(Aug. 17) and Vimiera (Aug. 21). After the latter battle, the =Convention
of Cintra= was concluded, by which the French agreed to evacuate Portugal.
1809. Battle of CORUNNA, in which the French were defeated, and Sir John
Moore, the English general, slain (Jan. 16). Wellesley gained a great
victory at TALAVERA (July 27-8). The unfortunate Walcheren expedition, in
which a large number of our troops died from disease. Perceval became
premier.
1810. Wellesley, now Lord Wellington, defeated the French at Busaco (Sept.
27), but his opponents in the Peninsula being greatly superior in numbers,
he entered the impregnable lines of Torres Vedras, where it was impossible
to attack him with success. George III. became incurably insane.
1811. =George, prince of Wales, appointed regent.= The English defeated
the French at BARROSA (Mar. 5), FUENTES D'ONORE (May 5), and ALBUERA (May
16).
1812. Wellington took CIUDAD RODRIGO (Jan, 19), and BADAJOZ (April 7), by
storm, and gained a great victory at SALAMANCA (July 22). Perceval shot by
an assassin, and Lord Liverpool made premier. =United States declared war
against England= on account of our searching their vessels for deserted
seamen, and other alleged grievances. =Napoleon invaded Russia=; but, as
the Russians burnt Moscow, he was compelled to retreat,--during this
campaign and retreat, his army was almost destroyed.
1813. Wellington completely routed the French at VITTORIA (June 21), and
defeated them in the BATTLES OF THE PYRENEES. Wellington crossed the
Bidassoa, and thus England was the first of the powers of Europe which
succeeded in planting its victorious standard on the soil of France.
1814. The Russians, Prussians, and Austrians invaded France. Wellington
defeated the French at Orthes (Feb. 27) and Toulouse (April 10). NAPOLEON
ABDICATED, and was allowed to retire to Elba. Louis XVIII. acknowledged
king. ~Treaty of Paris~ (May 30). Washington taken by the English. Peace
concluded between England and the United States at ~Ghent~ (Dec. 24).
By the treaty of Paris, France was reduced to its limits as they stood
in 1792. Malta was ceded to England, and England restored all the
colonies taken from France and her allies except Tobago, St. Lucia,
and the Isle of France.
During the war with the United States many engagements took place at
sea; and as the Americans usually attacked much smaller vessels than
their own, they gained several victories; but the superiority of the
British navy was unmistakably proved in the ocean duel between the
Shannon and Chesapeake, for the latter, though containing a much
larger crew, was taken in fifteen minutes.
1815. The English, shortly after the peace was signed in Europe, defeated
at NEW ORLEANS (Jan. 8). Napoleon escaped from Elba, and returned to
France; and the allies declared war against him. The Prussians were
defeated by the French at LIGNY (June 16), but =Wellington= repulsed them
at QUATRE BRAS (June 16), and =gained a decisive victory at WATERLOO=
(June 18). Second abdication of Napoleon, who was sent to St. Helena.
~Second treaty of Paris~ (Nov. 20). Enactment of a corn law.
This treaty further restricted the limits of France, provided for the
occupation of the northern and eastern frontier, and certain
fortresses, by the allies for three years, and fixed the amount to be
paid towards the expenses of the war. At the end of this war the total
national debt reached nearly £900,000,000.
1816. Algiers bombarded by Lord Exmouth.
1817. Death of the Princess Charlotte, daughter of the Prince Regent.
1819. A public meeting at Manchester forcibly dispersed, and several
persons killed and wounded. _The Six Acts_ passed: this unconstitutional
code was the latest violation of our free constitution.
GEORGE IV.
=D.= He was the son of George III. =B.= at St. James's, 1762. =M.=
Caroline, of Brunswick. =Dd.= at Windsor, June 26, 1830. =R.= 10-1/2 years
(1820 to 1830).
1820. Conspiracy discovered for assassinating the king's ministers. Bill
of pains and penalties introduced against Queen Caroline for adultery, but
afterwards abandoned.
1823. War with the Burmese: it ended in 1826.
1827. Death of Lord Liverpool. Canning became premier, and on his death
Lord Goderich. The Turkish and Egyptian fleet defeated by the English,
French, and Russian fleet at NAVARINO (Oct. 20).
1828. The duke of Wellington became premier. _Repeal of the Test and
Corporation Acts._
1829. _Catholic Emancipation Bill_ passed.
WILLIAM IV.
=D.= He was the brother of George IV. =B.= at Buckingham House, London,
1765. =M.= Adelaide, of Saxe-Meiningen. =Dd.= at Windsor, June 20, 1837.
=R.= 7 years (1830 to 1837).
1830. Revolutions in France and Belgium. Earl Grey appointed premier.
1831. Reform Bill introduced and rejected. Riots at Bristol and other
towns.
1832. _REFORM BILL_ passed, by which many towns were disfranchised, and
others empowered to return members, while at the same time the franchise
was largely extended.
1833. Bill passed for the abolition of slavery.
1834. Lord Melbourne appointed premier. _New Poor Law_ passed. Houses of
Parliament destroyed by fire. Sir Robert Peel succeeded Lord Melbourne.
1835. Melbourne returned to office. _Municipal Corporation Reform Bill_
passed.
1836. Marriage and Registration Acts passed, as well as an Act for
allowing prisoners counsel in cases of felony.
VICTORIA.
=D.= She is the only daughter of Edward, duke of Kent, fourth son of
George III. =B.= at Kensington, 1819. =M.= Albert, prince of Saxe Coburg,
who died in 1861. =Became Queen= June 20, 1837.
1837. The duke of Cumberland (the queen's uncle, and eldest male heir of
George III.) became king of Hanover, by virtue of the Salic law, which
prohibits the accession of females. Rebellion in Canada.
1838. Chartist movement. Commencement of the agitation for the repeal of
the corn laws.
The Chartists were so called because they drew up what they termed the
People's Charter, in which were embodied their demands. They were--1,
Annual parliaments; 2, Universal suffrage; 3, Vote by ballot; 4, Equal
electoral districts; 5, Abolition of property qualification for
members of parliament; 6, Payment of members of parliament. Some of
the demagogues soon began to talk about resorting to physical force
for the accomplishment of their objects, and several disturbances
occurred, but the only serious attempt at insurrection was at Newport,
where more than twenty persons were killed (1839).
1840. Penny Postage established. =War with China=, which arose out of
disputes about the opium trade. England assisted Turkey against Mehemet
Ali, the pasha of Egypt, who had seized on Syria: Acre stormed by the
British fleet, on which he agreed to evacuate Syria.
1841. Sir Robert Peel appointed premier.
1842. Late in 1841 the Afghans rose against the English, who were
compelled to make a disastrous retreat. Generals Nott and Pollock restored
the prestige of the British army, and then retired from Afghanistan.
~Peace with China.~
Besides the payment of about four and a quarter millions, the Chinese
ceded Hong Kong, and opened five of their ports to our merchants.
1843. =War with the Ameers of Scinde=: Sir Charles Napier defeated them at
Meeanee (Feb. 17), and Hyderabad (Mar. 24). Rebecca riots in Wales.
Secession of many of the clergy of the Scotch established church; and
formation of the Free Church. =War in Gwalior.= Sir Hugh Gough gained a
decisive victory at Maharajpoor (Dec. 29), and General Grey, on the same
day, was victorious at Punniar. The agitation in Ireland for the Repeal of
the Union assumed a very serious character; Daniel O'Connell and other
leaders were arrested for conspiracy and sedition.
1844. Trial and conviction of Daniel O'Connell, and the other
conspirators; the sentence was afterwards reversed by the House of Lords.
1845. =War with the Sikhs.= Sir Hugh Gough and Sir Henry Hardinge defeated
them at Moodkee (Dec. 18), and Ferozeshah (Dec. 21, 22).
1846. Sir Harry Smith gained a complete victory over the Sikhs at Aliwal
(Jan. 28); and Gough completely routed them at Sobraon (Feb. 10). The
conquerors dictated terms of peace. Failure of the potato crop in Ireland,
which led to a famine in the ensuing winter. _REPEAL OF THE CORN LAWS._
Lord John Russell appointed premier. Minutes of Council on education
issued.
1848. =Revolution in France=, and Prince Louis Napoleon, nephew of the
emperor, elected president of the French Republic. Smith O'Brien tried to
raise an insurrection in Ireland, and signally failed. =War with the
Sikhs=, and indecisive battle of Ramnuggur (Nov. 22).
1849. Lord Gough again met the Sikhs at Chilianwallah, where a sanguinary
and indecisive battle was fought (Jan. 13), but he soon after gained a
great victory at Goojerat (Feb. 21). ANNEXATION OF THE PUNJAUB.
1850. Death of Sir Robert Peel.
1851. The Great Exhibition of Industry, open for twenty-four weeks, and
attended by 6,000,000 people.
1852. Louis Napoleon elected president for life. War with the Burmese, and
annexation of Pegu. The earl of Derby appointed premier, and succeeded,
several months after, by the earl of Aberdeen, at the head of a coalition
ministry. Death of the duke of Wellington. Louis Napoleon elected emperor.
1853. The Sultan declared war against Russia on account of the aggressive
measures of the Emperor Nicholas.
1854. England and France determined to assist Turkey, and declared war
against Russia. THE CRIMEAN WAR. The allies invaded the Crimea, and
defeated the Russians at THE ALMA (Sept. 20). Siege of Sebastopol. The
Russians defeated at BALACLAVA (Oct. 25), and INKERMANN (Nov. 5). Sir
Charles Napier destroyed Bomarsund, on the Aland Isles (Aug.).
1855. Lord Palmerston became premier. Death of the Emperor Nicholas. Sir
Edmund Lyons took Kertch and other towns. Final bombardment of Sebastopol:
the Russians effected a masterly retreat to the northern side of the town
(Sept.).
1856. ANNEXATION OF OUDE. ~Peace concluded with Russia~ (March).
Hostilities with China, on account of the Chinese authorities seizing a
small vessel bearing the British flag.
Russia receded from all her previous demands, agreed to dismantle the
fortifications of Sebastopol, and pledged herself not to keep ships of
war in the Black Sea. The national debt and interest, at the close of
this war, reached £836,000,000.
1857. INDIAN MUTINY. The rebels captured DELHI, and treacherously
massacred the English at Cawnpore. General Havelock repeatedly defeated
the rebels, and temporarily relieved Lucknow, which was finally relieved
by Sir Colin Campbell (Nov. 17), who had been sent from England as
commander-in-chief. Death of Havelock. DELHI was recovered immediately
before the first relief of Lucknow (Sept. 14). CANTON taken by the
English.
1858. Lord Derby appointed premier. The mutiny completely suppressed.
~Treaty of Tien-Tsin~, between England and China. Commercial treaty with
Japan. =Abolition of the East India Company.=
1859. Lord Palmerston succeeded Lord Derby. The volunteer movement
originated.
1860. Renewal of the war with China. Occupation of Pekin; and ~Convention
of Pekin~ (Oct.).
1861. =The Southern States seceded from the United States=, and war
ensued. _Death of the Prince Consort._ Repeal of the paper duty.
1862. Distress in the cotton districts, from the want of the usual
supplies of cotton from America. International Exhibition open for more
than six months. Discussions in parliament concerning popular education.
1863. Marriage of the prince of Wales. Continuance of the war in America.
Sir John Lawrence, who had mainly contributed to save India at the time of
the mutiny, appointed governor-general on the death of Lord Elgin.
1864. The Ionian Isles annexed to Greece.
1865. The Southern States subjugated. Death of Lord Palmerston. Earl
Russell became premier, and Mr. Gladstone chancellor of the exchequer. The
Fenian conspiracy assumed a serious aspect. Outbreak of the cattle plague.
1866. The ministry, being defeated on one of the clauses of a Reform Bill,
resigned. Earl Derby appointed premier, and Disraeli chancellor of the
exchequer. Atlantic cable laid. Overend and Gurney's great bank failure
for £10,000,000.
1867. _REFORM BILL_ passed (August 16). War with Abyssinia.
This act confers the franchise in boroughs on all householders and on
all lodgers paying a rent of not less than £10 per annum, and in
counties on all householders rated at £12 and upwards. It partially
disfranchises several constituencies, and creates others.
1868. Disraeli appointed premier (March), resigns (Dec.) owing to defeat
of the government, and is succeeded by Mr. Gladstone. MAGDALA taken, and
Abyssinian War ended. Death of Lord Brougham (May). First private
execution (Aug.).
1869. Suez Canal opened (March). _Disestablishment and disendowment of the
Irish Church_ (July). Earl Derby died (Oct.).
1870. Mr. Gladstone's first Irish Land Act, and Forster's _ELEMENTARY
EDUCATION ACT_ passed.
This Act provides for the election of School Boards, empowered to
raise funds for the building and maintenance of schools, and of
compelling the attendance of children at efficient schools, either
voluntary or board.
Russia repudiates her pledges made at the Treaty of Peace in 1856, with
regard to the Black Sea clause. Suppression of the Red River Rebellion
(Aug.). Loss of H.M.S. "Captain" and 523 hands (Sep.). Half-penny
Postcards came into use.
1871. Serious illness of the Prince of Wales. Army purchase abolished.
~Treaty of Washington~, between Great Britain and the United States,
providing for the settlement, by arbitration, of the "Alabama" claims,
which resulted in the United States receiving 15,000,000 dollars (about
£3,000,000), awarded by the Tribunal of Arbitration, which met at Geneva
in the following year.
1872. The Queen and royal family attend a public thanksgiving service at
St. Paul's Cathedral, for the recovery of the Prince of Wales. _The Ballot
Act_ passed. Assassination of Lord Mayo, Viceroy of India.
1873. Death of Napoleon III. at Chislehurst, Kent (Jan.). =Ashantee War=
commenced. Constitution of the Supreme Court of Judicature.
1874. End of the first Gladstone Ministry. Disraeli became premier.
Capture of COOMASSIE, and termination of the Ashantee War. ANNEXATION OF
THE FIJI ISLANDS.
1875. The postal union ratified.
1876. =The Queen proclaimed "Empress of India."= Disraeli created Earl of
Beaconsfield. Purchase of the Khedive's share of the Suez Canal for
£4,000,000. Terrible famine in Southern India.
1877. Lord Salisbury represented England at the Conference held at
Constantinople to discuss the Eastern question. War between Russia and
Turkey.
1878. The Berlin Congress on the Eastern question, at which England was
represented by Lords Beaconsfield and Salisbury, brought to a successful
issue. ~Treaty of Berlin.~ Cyprus ceded to England by Turkey. Shere Ali,
of Cabul, having refused to receive a British ambassador, the SECOND
AFGHAN WAR commenced (Sep.). Death of Prince Alice (Dec. 14).
1879. =War in Zululand.= The Prince Imperial (only son of the late Emperor
Napoleon III.), who had accompanied the British troops, killed by Zulus.
Cetewayo, the Zulu king, captured, and the war ended. Zululand divided
among a number of chiefs subject to British rule.
1880. Dissolution of parliament. Mr. Gladstone became premier. _Burial
Laws Amendment Act_ passed, permitting nonconformists to be buried in
Church of England burial grounds, without the service of that church. The
Speaker of the House of Commons invested with the power of the Closure.
Rising of the Boers in the Transvaal. Abdul Rahman (nephew of Shere Ali)
proclaimed Ameer of Cabul by the British: and end of the second Afghan
war.
1881. Defeat of the British by the Boers at Majuba Hill. Assassination of
Alexander II., Emperor of Russia. Death of Lord Beaconsfield. Irish Land
Act passed, to improve the relations between landlord and tenant.
1882. Assassination of Lord Frederick Cavendish and Mr. Burke in Phoenix
Park, Dublin. =English occupation of Egypt.= Alexandria bombarded. BATTLES
OF KASSASSIN and TEL-EL-KEBIR. Arabi Pasha taken prisoner and sent into
exile.
1883. =War in the Soudan.= Destruction by the Mahdi (leader of the rebels)
of the army of Hicks Pasha.
1884. Continuance of the War in the Soudan. Defeat of the Mahdi at EL TEB.
_REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE ACT passed, which extended the household and
lodger franchise of the boroughs to the counties, and added about 2-1/2
million voters._
1885. Betrayal and assassination of General Gordon at Khartoum. Mr.
Gladstone resigns the premiership, and is succeeded by Lord Salisbury.
_Redistribution of Seats Act_ passed, by which the parliamentary
representatives were increased from 658 to 670. Revised version of the
Bible, the result of fourteen years' preparation, was published.
1886. ANNEXATION OF UPPER BURMAH. Lord Salisbury resigns the premiership,
and is succeeded by Mr. Gladstone, who gives up office on the rejection of
his measure for Home Rule in Ireland, and the Conservatives under Lord
Salisbury return to power, supported by about eighty Liberals, since known
as "Liberal Unionists," who could not follow Mr. Gladstone in reference to
the Irish question.
1887. THE JUBILEE OF THE REIGN OF QUEEN VICTORIA. _Prevention of Crimes
(Ireland) Act_ passed. Proclamation of the Irish National League.
1888. Death of the Emperor William of Germany, followed by that of his
son, the Emperor Frederick William. _THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT_ received
Royal Assent.
The principal object of this Act is the division of England and Wales
into counties and county boroughs for local government, with
boundaries as nearly as possible corresponding to the geographical
counties, and the establishment in each of a representative Council
having control over most of the administrative business and finance of
the district it represents. The Metropolitan Board of Works ceases to
exist, and its powers, business, and officers are transferred to the
London County Council.
The national debt and interest at this date slightly exceeded
£705,000,000.
1889. Local Government Act for Scotland passed, establishing Elective
County Councils. H. M. Stanley reached the East Coast of Africa with Emin
Pasha, whom he had gone to relieve.
1890. Heligoland ceded to Germany, and the protectorate of Zanzibar
granted to Great Britain. The Forth Bridge, which cost £4,000,000, and is
the largest bridge in the world, opened.
1891. Death of Parnell, leader of the Irish party.
1892. Duke of Clarence died. The Conservative Ministry defeated. Mr.
Gladstone returns to power. Death of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Poet-Laureate.
1893. The Imperial Institute inaugurated. Marriage of the Duke of York and
Princess Victoria Maud of Teck.
1894. Parish and District Councils appointed. The Manchester Ship-Canal
opened for traffic. The Tower Bridge, London, completed.
1895. Advance against Umra Khan, usurper of Chitral. The "Unionists"
return to power with a majority of 152.
1896. Dr. Jameson made an unsuccessful raid into the South-African
Republic. The National Debt and interest at this date amounted to nearly
£657,000,000.
GRAMMAR (_continued_)
9.--A Manual of Grammatical Analysis. With copious Exercises, Analytical
and Synthetical. 90,000 sold. Fcap. -/6
"One of the completest works on this subject we have seen."--_National
Schoolmaster._
"A very clear and excellent manual."--_School Board Chronicle._
"Not only good, but thoroughly cheap."--_Literary World._
"It is remarkable for its simplicity and comprehensiveness, and is
written by one well acquainted with the English language."--_Midland
Counties Herald._
"A neat and well-arranged manual, with a double set of exercises, both
synthetical and analytical,--that is, one set with blanks which
require to be filled in, and the other containing sentences in which
the various parts of which they consist are to be pointed out and
described. The plan and arrangement are clear and well worked
out."--_Educational Times._
10.--A Manual of English Etymology. Fcap. 27,000 sold. -/6
"This is a most useful little book; and it contains much more accurate
knowledge than is usually furnished in such books for the use of
schools. The notes are especially valuable."--_Educational Review._
"Really well done."--_Papers for the Schoolmaster._
"Compiled with the greatest care."--_Norfolk News._
11.--A First Book of Grammar and Analysis. With copious Exercises. 21,000
sold. Fcap. -/3
"A handy and thoroughly well-got-up little manual."--_Scholastic
Register._
"This is a _working_ book. It is full of exercises, and the exercises
are very full and clear."--_National Schoolmaster._
GEOGRAPHY.
12.--Outlines of Geography. 211,000 sold. Fcap. -/6
"Excessively cheap."--_School Board Chronicle._
"A most excellent little manual of geography, complete, yet concise,
and with its facts put in a form likely to attract the attention of
the scholar."--_Court Circular._
13.--Geography of Great Britain and Ireland. 28,000 sold. Fcap. -/6
"An excellent little treatise, which we can cordially recommend for
school use; it is full, accurate, and concise."--_Educational
Reporter._
"A very useful and compact manual. It contains a large amount of
useful matter, well arranged and clearly set out."--_Educational
Times._
"This is really an excellent little work. We approve very much of the
method pursued in dealing with the outlines and general features of
each country."--_Irish Teachers' Journal._
14.--A First Book of Geography. 12,000 sold. Fcap. -/3
"It is clearly arranged, well printed, and just the treatise to push
its way."--_Scholastic Register._