English Political History, 1880-1885

Preface

. ADDRESSING the electors of Midlothian from Har warden Castle, on the 17th September, 1885, four months after the downfall of his second Adminis tration, Mr. Gladstone took into review the principal measures that Government had carried to a successful issue. Among the measures so enumerated will be found what are now known as the Ground Game Act, the Irish Land and Arrears Acts, the Burials Act, the Bankruptcy Act, the Corrupt Practices Act, Employers' Liability Act, the reform of procedure resolutions — all ' apart from the great subj'ect which has occupied the two last of the six Sessions' of the Parliament of 1SS0. 'These,' wrote Mr. Gladstone, ' form an honourable record of the determination and ability with which, in the teeth of such an amount of obstruction as had never before been exhibited, the House of Commons has laboured in your cause.' In a subsequent part of his Address, Mr. Gladstone refers to the part his

PREFACE.

. IV Government played in the settlement of the Afghan war, of the Basuto revolt, of the Boer war, to the suppression of the Egyptian rebellion of 1882, and to the termination of the Soudan campaigns. Writing to the voters of the Central Division of Birmingham three weeks after Mr. Gladstone's Manifesto was issued, Lord R. Churchill begins by saying : ' Two schools of political thought strive against each other to win your confidence. The one, composed of those who, having had under their complete control the Government of the Empire from May, 1880, until June, 1885, are unable to justify their claims upon you by any record of foreign or colonial or home achievement, but, contenting themselves with incomplete and misleading ex tenuation of acknowledged failure, seek to attract you by a renewal of promises, and even bribes, which bitter experience has shown they have neither the capacity nor the strength to fulfil.' The divergence between the assertions contained in the quotations from the two addresses is posi tively startling.

From the following pages the reader will easily glean whether Mr. Gladstone or Lord Randolph Churchill has spoken, or, rather, written the truth. Not that the work has been produced in the special interests of any party in the State. On the contrary, the desire of the author has been to present a faithful record of political life in England, and as affairs abroad have

PREFACE.

. V affected the country, in a calm, equitable, and judicious spirit. And yet the writer claims for the work that it is something more than a record, simply, of political events as they have occurred during the reign of the second Gladstone Administration — the actions of Government and Opposition are, at intervals, criticised ; not unfairly, it is hoped. Moreover, where the author has deemed it ne cessary to a better understanding of the subjects taken in hand, he has not contented himself by giving a recital of circumstances of debate and events upon which discussion has been founded, but has entered, briefly it may be, into the origin and history of the movements so dealt with in Parliament and outside the walls of Westminster. Crucial divisions — and those of less importance even — in the lobbies of both Houses of Parliament, have been analysed, that the reader may gather at once the character of such divisions.

The relative position of parties in the cities and towns, at inter vals has not been forgotten, and bye-elections have received notice. With a view to rendering the work still more valuable, and with the idea of making it addition ally interesting, the thread of the more important political subjects has been continued without a break. As, for example, in the case of the Anglo- Egyptian troubles, the difficulties in regard to the PREFA CE. VI Soudan (from 18S1 to 1885, inclusive), and the Great Reform agitation in Parliament and throughout the country. Ireland, too, is referred to in a connected form, as far as the peculiar character of events would allow. Further, the results of legislative enactments are given in a number of instances. It will not be superfluous to remark, perhaps, that the greatest care has been exercised in drawing out the Index, in order to afford the utmost facility to those who wish to retain the volume as a book of reference — one bearing on a period of unwonted political activity at home, of stirring events abroad, and one calculated to have a tremendous influence upon the future of the British Empire. October 31st, 1885. CONTENTS.

Chapter I

The Political Tempest of 1880.— Lord Beaconsfield's Government. — Announcements of Dissolution. — Manifesto by the Conservative Leader. — Excitement in the Country. — Lord Hartington and the Crisis.— Mr. Gladstone in Mid lothian. — Parliament dissolved. — Affairs at Home and Abroad. — The Elections. — Liberal Gains and Conservative Losses : Comparative Statement. — Lord Beaconsfield resigns. — Mr. Gladstone forms a Ministry. — The New Government. — Assembling of Parliament. — Mr. Bradlaugh. — Scene in the Commons. — Ministerial Intentions. — The Premier and Austria ... ... ... ... 1

Chapter II

The Queen's Speech. — Condition of Ireland.— Government Bills. — Nonconformists and the Burial Question. — Satis faction in the Country. — Mr. Bradlaugh's Admission to Parliament. — The Conservatives and Mr. Bradlaugh. — Pronounced Conduct of Lord R. Churchill. — An Oaths Committee appointed. — ■ Protests against Lord Ripon's Appointment to the Indian Viceroyalty. — Lord Beacons field and the Government. — Measures introduced. — The Budget. — -Afghanistan. — Lord Ripon in India. — England and the Retention of Candahar. — Extraordinary Deficit... 14

Chapter III

Mr. Bradlaugh : Report of the Select Committee. — The Member for Northampton again refused Admission. — Mr. John Bright and the taking of Oaths. — Mr. Bradlaugh addresses the Commons. — Refusal to leave the House. — The Speaker appeals in vain. — Great Excitement. — Sir Stafford Northcote protests.— Mr. Bradlaugh imprisoned. — His release. — Mr. Gladstone and Affirmations. — Mr. Bradlaugh affirms and takes his Seat. — Turkey and the Berlin Treaty. — Collective Note to the Sultan. — European War threatened. — Turkey and the Surrender of Dulcigno. — The Combined Fleets assemble.— Conservative Criticisms. CONTENTS. VIII — Renewed Troubles in Afghanistan. — Defeat of the British - Relief of Candahar. — End of the War.— Local Option. -The Burials Bill. — Employers' Liability.—Com pensation for Disturbance (Ireland) Bill rejected. — Close of the Parliamentary Session.— The Basuto War ... 27

Chapter IV

The Irish Problem.— Liberal and Conservative Policies. Brighter Prospects for Ireland.— Abandonment of Coer cion. _ Warning in the Lords.— Effects of Rejecting the Compensation for Disturbance Bill.— Recurrence of Outrages. — The Agrarian Movement. — Serious Distur bance."— Mr. W. E. Forster and the Irish Rioters. — ' Buck shot.' — A General Rising not feared. — The Murder of Lord Mountmorris. — Payment of Rents withheld. — Land Agitators.— The Irish Privy Council and the Outrages.— Severe jMeasures by the Executive. — Spread of Lawless ness.—Boycotting. — Mr. Gladstone and the Condition of Ireland.— Lord Salisbury and 'Cumbersome Hypocrisy.' — Mr. Parnell's Manifesto. — Shocking Cruelties. — Troops for Ireland. — The Habeas Corpus Act ... ... 43

Chapter V

Continued Spread of Irish Land Agitation.— ' No Rent' Notices.— The War against the Landlords. — Judge Lawson and Disorders. — The Proclamation of Districts.- Memorial to the Premier. — Prosecution of Mr. Parnell and others. — The Indictments. — Result of the State Trials.— Violence still rampant. — Military Reinforcements. — Re-opening of Parliament. — The Government and the Condition of Ireland. — Additional Powers sought. — Public Opinion. — Taunts from the Conservative Party. — The Irish National Party. — In adequacy of the Law. — Protection of Person and Property Bill. — Mr. Parnell threatens. — The Land League. — Coer cion. — Obstruction ... ... ... ... 58

Chapter VI

An Abnormal Sitting. — The Ministry and the Coercion Bill. — Determined Attitude. — Obduracy of Irish Nationalists. —'Choice' Language. — Rejection of Amendments. — Sin gular Tactics. — Mr. Speaker interposes. — Uproarious Scenes in Parliament.— Arrest of Michael Davitt. — Renewed Dis order in the Commons. — Wholesale Suspension of Irish Members. — Impressive Speech by Mr. Gladstone.— 'Urgency.' — The 'Arms' Bill. — Proclamation to the Irish People. — CONTENTS. IX Appeal by the Land League.— Demonstration of Radicals.— Mr. Parnell's Clare Speech.— Activity of the Government.— Irishmen still defiant ... ... ... ... 70

Chapter VII

Affairs in South Africa.— The Basuto Revolt.— The Boers restless. — How the Transvaal was Annexed. — Sympathy of the Radical Party.— The Prado Kraal Resolve.— Decrees at Heidelberg. —Boer Proclamation of a War of Self-Defence. — Precipitancy of Kruger's Followers. — Attack on British Soldiers. — The Boer Position stormed. — Defeat at Laing's Nek.— Majuba Hill Disaster.— A Cry for Vengeance.— An Armistice. — Terms with the Boers. — Peace. — Consequences and the Close of the Boer Revolt.— Earl Cairns and the Government.— Earl Kimberley's Reply.— Reflections.— The Political Horizon ... ... ... ... 85

Chapter VIII

The Irish Land Bill.— The Land Bill of 1870.— Features of the New Measure. — Hopes for the Future. — Resignation of the Duke of Argyll.— The Irish Leader and the Land Bill. — Opinion of the Irish Clergy. — Reception of the Land Bill by Conservatives. — Hostile Action of the Opposition : Liberal Support. — Second Reading of the Land Bill : the Division. — Third Reading. — The Land Bill in the Lords. — Adverse Propositions. — A Political Deadlock. — Conciliatory Dis position of the Lords and Commons. — Removal of Diffi culties. — Royal Assent ... ... ... ... 99

Chapter IX

Proceedings against Mr. Bradlaugh : Decision in the Court of Appeal. — New Writ for Northampton. — Re-election of Mr. Bradlaugh. — Again at the Bar of the Commons. — The Commons refuse to admit Mr. Bradlaugh. — Parliamentary Oaths Amendment Bill. — Coalition. — A Demand and a Withdrawal. — Meeting of Radicals, — Measures dropped. — Sunday Closing. — Local Option again. — Proposed Monument to Lord Beaconsfield : Division. — Vote of Censure : Motion on the Transvaal Policy defeated. — Diminution of Crime in Ireland. — Effect of the Coercion Act. — Renewed Troubles. — Seditious Language. — Arrest of Mr. Dillon, M.P. — 'Suspects' in Kilmainham. — Revival of Terrorism in Ireland. — The ' Policy of Dynamite.' — Warning from Mr. Gladstone. — Mr. Parnell in custody. — Indignation in Ireland. — The Land Court ... ... ... ... ... ... CONTENTS. X

Chapter X

The Suppression of the Irish Land League.— The Evic tion War.— Signs of Improvement.— Preparation for Home Legislation.— Ambitious Projects.— Obstruction in the Lower Chamber.— The Bradlaugh Phantom.— Mr. Bradlaugh takes the Oath. — Honourable Gentlemen astounded. — Pro posed Vote of Want of Confidence.— Ministerial Division on the Oaths Ouestion.— Obstruction by Conservatives and Parnellites. — Suggested Repeal of the Protection (Ireland) Act. — Committee of Inquiry on the Land Act. — The Cloture Resolutions : Violent Opposition.— Irish Disaffection. — Re lease of Mr. Parnell.— The alleged Kilmainham Treaty- Mr. Forster resigns : his Vindication. — Why Mr. Parnell was liberated ... ... ... ••• ••• J3'

Chapter XI

The Phœnix Park Assassinations. — The Opposition and Go vernment Proposals. — Stringent Measures by the Cabinet. — The Crimes Bill. — Discontent of Irish Members. — Liberals and Conservatives co-operate.- — Clauses of the Crimes Bill hotly contested by Parnellites. — Suspension of Twenty-three Home Rulers. — The New Bill passed into Law. — The Arrears Bill. — Earl Spencer succeeds Earl Cowper, and Mr. Trevelyan Lord Frederick Cavendish. — The Rules of Procedure. — Grand Committees. — 'Slaughter of the Innocents.' — Changes in the Government. — Political Gains and Losses. — Condition of Ireland ... ... ... ... ... 148

Chapter XII

Arabi Pasha's Revolt. — The Establishment of the Dual Control. — Decision of the Liberal Government to observe Conservative Policy in Egypt. — Military Rebellion. — Arabi's Reason for Rebelling. — Egyptian Intrigues. — A Crisis. — The British Government and the Employment of Turkish Troops. — French Objections. — Reforms in Egypt. — The Council of Notables. — Lethargy of the Porte. — Another Resignation of the Ministry in Egypt. — Growing Pretensions of Arabi and the Notables. — Panic among Europeans. — Alexandria Riots : the French and Military Intervention. — Conference of the Powers. — Arabi decorated.— Deplorable Situation. — The Insurrection. — Why the Alexandria Forts were bombarded.— How the rebellion was suppressed. — Cost to England ... ... ... ... ... CONTENTS. XI

Chapter XIII

Position of the Government. — Strictures by the Opposition. — Bye-Elections. — Lord Beaconsfield's Death: its effect upon the Conservatives. — The Marquis of Salisbury. — Sir Stafford Northcote. — Lord Randolph Churchill. — Foreign Affairs.— The Dual Control Abolished. — Ireland. — Re-opening of Parliament. — Speech from the Throne. — Mr. Bradlaugh again. — New Measures. — Egypt. — Conflicting Ideas.— Local Option. — Parliamentary Oaths Act : Division.— Mr. Par nell's Land Law Amendment Bill. — Uniformity of the Franchise. — Court of Criminal Appeal Bill. —Explosives Act. — Bankruptcy Laws. — The Budget. — Corrupt Practices Bill. — Agricultural Holdings. — Mr. Gladstone and Liberal Unity. — Political Vitality. — Attack on the Khedive. — Queen's Speech ... ... ... ... ... ... 183

Chapter XIV

Speech from the Throne. — The Reform Bill of 1884. — Introduction by Mr. Gladstone. — Redistribution. — Government Reasons for Separating the Franchise from Redistribution. — The Opposition and the Reform Bill. — Lord Randolph Churchill and the Agricultural Labourers. — Progress of the Franchise Bill. — 'A Miserable Objection.' — Mr. Bright and Mr. Chamberlain. — Mr. Broadhurst and the Working Men. — Lord John Manners' Amendment Defeated. —The Franchise Bill in Committee. — Warning to the Upper Chamber. — The Lords and Reform. — Lord Salisbury Again Determined. — Amendment by Lord Cairns. — Re jection of the Franchise Bill in the Lords. — Proposed Compromise. — Meeting of Liberals ... ... 204

Chapter XV

The Premier and the Reform Bill Crisis. — Mr. Bright on the Situation. — Lord Salisbury and 'Wilful Misrepresenta tion.' — Notice of Motion by Lord Wemyss. — Defeat of the Motion. — Queen's Speech. — 'The Peaceful Revolution.' — Sir Charles Dilke Indignant. — Extraordinary Demonstrations. — Mr. Gladstone again in Midlothian. — Enthusiasm in the Country. — The House of Lords threatened. — Tokens of Yielding. — Riot at the Aston Grounds. — The Autumn Session. — Re-introduction of the Franchise Bill. — Division on Lord R. Churchill's Adverse Motion. — Col. Stanley's Amendment Rejected. — New Proposals by the Government. — Negotiations Re-opened. — The Reform Bill again in the Lords : Third Reading. — The Seats Bill. — Royal Assent. — End of the Crisis ... ... ... ... CONTENTS. XII

Chapter XVI

The Soudan.— Retrospective.— Rise and progress of the Soudan Insurrection.— Egyptian Garrisons.— The Govern ment and the Soudan. -Sir E. Baring's Advice.— Evacuation insisted upon.— Earl Granville on the Situation.—Resigna tion of the Egyptian Council.— Nubar Pasha's Ministry.— Colonel Coetlogen's Despatch.— General Gordon's Mission.— British Expedition to the Red Sea Coast.— Re-assembling of Parliament.— The Queen's Speech.— The Opposition and the Government. — Severe Condemnation.— Vote of Censure Motion. — Mr. Labouchere's Resolution. — Mr. Gladstone and Sir Stafford Northcote.— Lord Hartington explains — Gordon at Khartoum.— ' Indelible Disgrace.'— Sir Michael Hicks-Beach's iMotion.— Gordon Relief Expedition.— Vote of Credit ... ... ... ••• ■•■ 233

Chapter XVII

Mr. Bradlaugh's Persistency.— Still Rejected.— New Writ for Northampton.— Re-election— Retirement of the Speaker. — Sir H. Brand's Successor.— Housing of the Poor.— Bills thrown out. — Second Readings. — The London Government Bill.— Municipal Elections Bill.— Hours of Polling.—Mer chant Shipping. — Private Measures. — Reform of the House of Lords. — The Budget. — Prorogation. — Speech from the Throne. — Extra Session.— The Nile Valley Expedition. — Lord R. Churchill and Mr. Chamberlain. — Proposed Vote of Censure. — Maamtrasna. — Proportional Representation.— The Conservative Leadership. — Gains and Losses ... 252

Chapter XVIII

The Soudan again. — Fighting in the Desert. — Fall of Khartoum. — Meeting of Parliament. — Another Vote of Cen sure Motion. — The Government and the Khartoum Disaster. — Proposed War of Revenge. — Another Expedition. — Evacu ation. — Russian Advance towards India. — Excitement in England. — Preparation for War. — Anglo-Russian ' Arrange ment.' — Fighting near Penjdeh. — Mr. Gladstone and the Crisis. — Grave Situation. — Vote of Credit. — Negotiations. — War Avoided. — Registration Bills. — Medical Relief Dis qualification. — Consolidated Fund Bill: Amendments. — Budget Proposals. — The Liquor Duties. — Sir M. Hicks- Beach's Amendment. — The Division. — Analysis of the Voting. — Defeat of the Government. — Resignation. — Lord Salisbury forms a Ministry. — Bills Passed. — Questions Settled. — Political Harmony ... ... ...

PRINCIPAL MEMBERS OF THE GLADSTONE A DMINISTRA TsON. 1880-1885. *,. n, , . S Prime Minister and First *Mr. Gladstone ... ... \ T a c .u -r ( Lord of the Treasury. *Lord Selborne ... ... Lord Chancellor. Earl Spencer ... ... ) Lord President of the *Lord Carlingford ... ... ) Council. Duke of Argyll I Lord Privy Seal. *Earl of Rosebery ... ... \ J *Sir W. V. Harcourt ... Home Secretary. *Earl Granville ... ... Foreign Secretary. Earl of Kimberley ... ...)„, . . „ *Earl of Derby f Colonlal SecretaT- Mr H. C. Childers .... 1 Secret for War. ♦Marquis of Hartington ... ) ' Marquis of Hartington ... ) , ,. „ ♦Earl Kimberley [ Ind.an Secretary. SÆ^Childers" Z\ Chancellor of the Exchequer. *Earl Northbrook ... ... First Lord of the Admiralty. j.,, T „, , , • f President of the Board of *Mr. J. Chamberlain ... i Trade Mr. J. G. Dodson (Lord ) D . , . '.. .

Monk-Bretton) ... ... tPr"ldent °f p the. Local *SirC. Dilke J Government Board. Mr. John Bright J Mr. J. G. Dodson (Chancellor of the Duchy of *Mr. G. O. Trevelyan ( Lancaster. (Minister of Agriculture) ) Professor Fawcett ... ••• I r> . . r- 1 *Mr. Shaw-Lefevre | Postmaster-General. EarlCowper ! Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland. *Earl Spencer ... ... ) Mr. W. E. Forster \ Lord F. Cavendish I chief Secret sor j t d Mr. G. O. Trevelyan ... 1 J Mr. Campbell-Bannerman... ) Mr. Mundella Education Minister. Mr. Shaw-Lefevre 1 r. . n _. • r,T, , t, , c o i \r irst Commissioner of Works. Earl of Rosebery ... ...J Sir H. James Attorney-General. Sir Farrar Herschell ... Solicitor-General. * Members of the Cabinet when Mr. Gladstone resigned. PRINCIPAL MEMBERS OF THE SA USB UR Y AD MINIS TRA TION. 1885. r „ ,. , ( Prime Minister and Foreign *Marquis of Salisbury ... j Secretary. ♦Lord Halsbury (Sir H. Giffard) Lord Chancellor. *Viscount Cranbrook ...

Lord President of the Council. *Earl of Harrowby Lord Privy Seal. *Sir R. Cross Home Secretary. ♦Colonel Stanley Colonial Secretary. ♦Mr. W. H. Smith Secretary for War. ♦Lord R. H. S. Churchill ... Indian Secretary. ♦Sir Michael Hicks-Beach... Chancellor of the Exchequer. ♦Lord Iddesleigh (Sir S. Northcote) First Lord of the Treasury. ♦Lord G. Hamilton First Lord of the Admiralty. ♦Duke of Richmond and j president of the Board of #„Gord°nc--; Trade. ♦Hon. E. Stanhope... ... ; .,„ , , „ ,, (President of the Local ♦Mr. A. J. Lalfour j Government Board. ( Chancellor of the Duchy of Mr. H. Chaplin < Lancaster and Minister of ( Agriculture. ♦Lord John Manners ... Postmaster-General. ♦Earl of Carnarvon ... Lord- Lieutenant of Ireland. ♦Lord Ashbourne (Mr. Gibson) ... ... ... Lord Chancellor of Ireland.

Sir W. H. Dyke ... ... Chief Secretary for Ireland. Hon. E. Stanhope ) _ , . ,,. . Sir H. Holland , Education Minister. Mr. D. Plunket ... ... First Commissioner of Works. Sir R. E. Webster ... ... Attorney-General. Mr. Gorst ... ... ... Solicitor-General. Duke of Richmond and Gordon Secretary for Scotland. * Members of the Cabinet. 1880— 1885.

Chapter I

The Political Tempest of 1880. — Lord Beaconsfield's Government. — Announcements of Dissolution. — Manifesto by the Conservative Leader. — Excitement in the Country. — Lord Hartington and the Crisis. — Mr. Gladstone in Mid lothian. — Parliament dissolved. — Affairs at Home and Abroad. — The Elections. — Liberal Gains and Conservative Losses : Comparative Statement. — Lord Beaconsfield resigns. — Mr. Gladstone forms a Ministry. — The New Government. — Assembling of Parliament. — Mr. Bradlaugh. — Scene in the Commons. — Ministerial Intentions. — The Premier and Austria. ALTHOUGH the great political tempest which broke in the early months of 1880, and swept over every part of the United Kingdom and Ireland, was not unexpected, the first unmistakable signs of its near approach produced in the minds of the people a feeling closely akin to genuine surprise.

Earl Beaconsfield's Parliament, as it was popularly designated, had endured beyond the ordinary term of life of Governments in England. When death terminated its existence, this Administration had lived to the abnormal age of six years nineteen days. There were no glaring tokens of a dissolution when Parliament met on the 5th February. They appeared very slowly indeed in the weeks imme diately following. When, therefore, on the 8th March, Earl Beaconsfield announced from his place in the House of Lords that as soon as Sir Stafford Northcote had made his financial statement in the Commons — which he hoped to do forthwith — and had perfected the arrangements neces sary, her Majesty would, with the advice of her Ministers, dissolve Parliament, surprise was ex perienced in nearly every quarter.

It was acknowledged, of course, that the demise could not be far removed ; but the Ministry had not received any of those crushing blows in the division lobby which allow of no alternative but resignation of the seals of office. However, on this 8th March, the Premier wrote that letter to the Duke of Marl borough, as Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, which has become historical as one of the most remarkable of manifestoes. Ireland had been a sore thorn in the side of the Government, and Ireland it was that formed, with Imperialism, a prominent feature in the communication. 'The arts of agitators,' wrote Lord beaconsfield, ' who represented that England, instead of being the generous and sympathising friend, was indifferent to the dangers and the sufferings of Ireland, have been defeated by the measures, at once liberal and prudent, which Parliament has always unanimously sanctioned.

During the six years of the present Administration, the improvement of Ireland and the contentment of our countrymen in that island have much occupied the care of the Ministry ; and they remember that in this period they have solved one of the most difficult problems connected with the government of the people, by establishing a system of public education open to all classes and to all grades. Nevertheless, a danger, in its ultimate results scarcely less disastrous than pestilence and famine, and which now engages your Excel lency's anxious attention, distracts that unhappy country. A number of its people are attempting to sever the Constitutional tie which unites Great Britain in that bond which has favoured the power and prosperity of both.' The epistle proceeded to the effect that there were some who challenged the expediency of the Imperial character of the realm ; but the immediate dissolution of Parliament would afford the nation an opportunity of deciding upon a course which would materially influence its future fortunes and shape its destiny.

Rarely in this century had there I — HISTOR Y. 4 been an occasion more critical. The power of England and the peace of Europe would largely depend on the verdict of the country. Peace could not be secured without the ascendancy of England in the Councils of Europe. The excitement in London and the provinces was great indeed. During the expiring days of Parliament the most elaborate preparations were made in the electoral areas for that struggle Earl Beaconsfield had described as being all important. Manifestoes were issued in plenty ; notably one by the Marquis of Hartington, as the official leader of the Liberal Party, in which he spoke of ' six years of feebleness and cruelty abroad, and sham legislation at home,' and one by the then leader of the Home Rule Party (Mr. Shaw), in which the conduct of the Government as regarded Irish affairs was adverted to in anything but complimentary language.

Mr. Gladstone had, it need hardly be said, visited Midlothian in the previous November, and poured out such a torrent of invective as had rarely been equalled. His progress had been marked with wonderfully enthusiastic demonstrations, his speeches had been greeted with thunders of applause, and his eloquence and his arguments had disturbed political feeling throughout the elec torates. The indictment preferred by the right hon. gentleman against the Government had been that the faith and the honour of the country had been greatly compromised ; that by the disturbance of confidence and of peace they had brought about, aggravated, and prolonged public distress ; that the Government had augmented the power and the influence of the Russian Empire, while estranging the feelings of its population ; that they had em barked the Crown and the people in an unjust war in Afghanistan, full of mischief, if not of positive danger, to India ; and that, by the use of the treaty making and the war-making powers of the Crown, they had abridged the just rights of Parliament and had strained the prerogative of the nation under an unconstitutional aspect which tended to make it insecure.

This indictment Mr. Gladstone held by at the moment the early dissolution of Parliament was announced. He did not wait for the final rising of the Commons to prosecute it again. He left the Metropolis a week after for Midlothian, where his perfervid utterances were greeted with tokens of delight even more significant — because of the acute ness of the crisis — than they had been four months before. In the meantime, both Houses of Parliament disposed very quickly of the business introduced by Government ; and on the 24th March Parliament was dissolved. At that time signs were not wanting that in Afghanistan troubles were drawing to a close and that the interference of British arms would soon be a thing of the past ; quietness may be said to have prevailed in South Africa, where disorder had reigned ; the relations between the Great Powers were moderately satisfactory, except that Turkey was disposed to be uneasy, and, nearer home, de pression in trade and agricultural distress were less poignant.

All this was in favour of the Govern ment, and, standing alone, was naturally calculated to influence general opinion. But the first elections dispelled any idea that might have existed that the country was still faithful to a Conservative Govern ment, to the principles held by the members, and to the policy they had enunciated and carried into effect, and that fears were aroused and national vanity touched by the manifesto of Earl Beacons field. Along the whole line victory after victory was proclaimed for the Liberal cause. Town and country in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales proclaimed the one story ; until, when the last of the elections had taken place, it was seen that while the Liberal votes at the General Election in 1874 had been 1,436,215, they now totalled 1,882,847, as against 1,418,442 Conservative votes and 1,222,205 in 1874.

In upwards of 136 electoral areas was a Liberal gain recorded (including many county divisions), the Conservative gains being 23 only (including not more than two county divisions : that is to say, East Cumberland and South Hampshire). A nice calculation shows that, taking an average, the Liberal majorities were 630 votes. Midlothian had not only been fought, but won. The Marquis of Hartington had, with Mr. Grafton, wrested one of the divisions of Lancashire from the Conserva tives — nay, Lancashire, concerning which Lord Beaconsfield had observed that the verdict it gave on one day would be the decision of England on the morrow, was almost wholly given up to Liberalism, as represented by the returns at the election. It was from Lancashire that the initiatory sounds of victory proceeded, and which bespoke the triumph of the party so recently and so long in Opposition.

With a Liberal majority of 113, then, equal to 226 on a division, nothing was left to Lord Beacons field and his colleagues but to resign the seals of office, which they accordingly did in effect on the 2 1st April. Lord Hartington was summoned by the Queen to Windsor, April 22nd, and requested to form a Cabinet ; but neither he nor Lord Gran ville, the Liberal leader in the Upper Chamber, would undertake the ■ honour of constituting a Ministry, seeing, as they did, that although they were the nominal chiefs of the party, there was one to whom the overwhelming victory at the polling booths was in a large measure due — one whose name was upon the lips of the majority of the electors as HISTOR Y. 8 the idol and the leader, by talents and by right, of the party inside and away from the House of Commons.

That one was William Ewart Gladstone, now more than ever indispensable to the Liberal cause and its upholders. To Mr. Gladstone returned Lord Granville and the Marquis of Hartington, and on this same 22nd day of April Mr. Gladstone journeyed to Windsor, had a long interview with her Majesty, and undertook to form a Cabinet. The principal members were : First Lord of the Treasury, Mr. Gladstone ; Lord Chancellor, Lord Selborne; Lord President of the Council, Ear Spencer ; Lord Privy Seal, the Duke of Argyle Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Gladstone ; Home Secretary, Sir W. V. Harcourt ; Foreign Secretary, Earl Granville ; Colonial Secretary, Earl Kimberley ; Secretary for War, Mr. H. C. Childers ; Secretary for India, Lord Hartington ; President of the Board of Trade, Mr. J. Chamberlain ; Presi dent of the Local Government Board, Mr. J. G Dodson ; Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Mr. John Bright ; Postmaster-General, Professor Fawcett ; First Lord of the Admiralty, Earl North brook ; Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, Earl Cowper ; Chief Secretary of Ireland, Mr. W. E. Forster ; Chief Commissioner of Works, Mr. W. P. Adams ; Attorney-General, Sir H. James ; Solicitor-General, Sir F. Herschell ; Lord Advocate of Scotland, Mr. J. M'Laren.