Volume 1

The life of His Royal Highness the Prince consort.

  • Theodore Martin
Date:
1877-1880
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The life of His Royal Highness the Prince consort. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    tions with the plenipotentiaries of the great European Powers, which took place in London after the King’s acceptance of the Belgian Crown, and which resulted in the Treaty of 1831, for securing the independence and security of the new kingdom. The arrangement as to the English allowance settled upon Prince Leopold on his marriage with Cne Princess Charlotte, which became necessary on his ascending the Belgian throne, was also carried through by him, under 'circumstances of no slight difficulty, with signal tact and success. These transactions had brought him into intimate contact with the leading diplomatists of Europe, as well as with the chiefs of the two great political parties in England, and by these his unusual abilities, and his great single- mindedness, and sturdy integrity were held in high estima- tion. ‘ G'est un original,^ said Count Felix de Merode of him; ‘ mais quel honnUe homme! ’ And Lord Palmerston, no friendly critic, paid him this remarkable testimony : ‘ I have come in my life across only one absolutely disinter- ested man—Stockmar.’ He ^YOuld accept no official appointment in Belgium, and in 1834 retired to Coburg, where his wife and family resided. Here he continued in active confidential corre- spondence with his former master, and had opportunities of seeing the young Princes, but only in the most casual way, from time to time. He had no relations with the Ducal House; and, indeed, there is reason to believe he was no favourite there. Weak in health, and void of personal ambition, the quiet studies of his tranquil life in Coburg, and the care of his own family, would have sufficed for his happiness. But an appeal from his old master for counsel or assistance at all times overcame every other consideration. A great issue, moreover, was now at stake. No one knew better than Stockmar how much must depend upon the Prince, who should be chosen to occupy the post nearest to
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