England under Lord Beaconsfield; the political history of six years from the end of 1873 to the beginning of 1880

Preface

This Book is an attempt to tell the story of a very striking episode in the Political History of England. These half-dozen years are marked off from the times which preceded them, and are likely to be severed from the period that follows them, by deep dividing lines. They have witnessed a great Political crisis, which will be as interesting to the historian as to the party politician of the future. I venture to hope that the careful contemporary study I have been able to give to these events will do something to facilitate the fuller understanding of the political characteristics of the time. I hope, however, that the book may be more immediately useful in view of the coming General Election. There are thoughtful people in all the constituencies who are not content to take their impressions of late events from party speakers on either side, and who would wish, before pronouncing their verdict on the men and measures of the past six years, to refresh their own recollcc-

331075 iv I Preface.

tions iW reference to authentic documents. I hope I have e:!iabled such readers to test the statements of Ministerial and Opposition candidates by the very words of official Despatches, of Parliam.entary documents, and of acknowledged speeches and writings. I have in all cases supplied the means of verifying my statements, and though I have exercised my own judgment freely, and expressed my opinions strongly, I have at least given the reader every opportunity of testing the fulness and accuracy of the premises from which my conclusions are drawn.

P. W. CLAYDEN.

LOXDON,