opposition of Lord John Russell and the Whigs-Budget-Renewal of In-

come and Property Tax-General satisfaction with the finance of the Govern-

ment-Lord Derby at the Mansion House-Alarm of the Free Traders-The

St. Albans and Sudbury Bills-Defeat of the Government-Close of the Session

-Great measures carried for which the Whigs claim credit-Attacks of Lord

John Russell-Mr. Disraeli's reply-Import duty on corn no longer possible—

General Election-Address to the electors-Result of the elections-Convoca-

tion restored-The New Parliament-Queen's Speech-Debate on the Address

-Mr. Villiers's attempt to hamper the Government-The resolutions-Mr.

Disraeli's amendment-Speech thereon-Mr. Disraeli and Sir Robert Peel-

Their position defined-Attacks upon the former-Lord Palmerston's amend-

ment-Accepted by the Government-Defeat of the Whigs-Mr. Disraeli's

second budget-Analysis of its details-Ways and Means-Whig misrepre-

sentations-General characteristics of the scheme-The debate-Mr. Disraeli's

. 178

reply-The division-Not a minister on sufferance-Out of office

CHAPTER VII.

AGAIN IN OPPOSITION.

The Coalition Government-A strong administration-Clouds in the East-At

home-Ministerial indiscretions-The French alliance-Attacks on foreign

powers-Analysis of the situation-The Budget-Conceived in a spirit of

hostility to the land-Anti-Russian feeling in England-A new Reform Bill

-Palmerston's resignation-Absurd reports about the Prince Consort-

Opening of the Session-Ministerial explanations-Speech on the Address-

Lord John's Reform Bill-Drifting into war-Speech on the Government

policy Preparations for war-The Supplemental Budget-Criticisms of the

chief of the Opposition-Government war policy-Prorogation of Parliament

-Landing of the Allies in the Crimea-Vacillation of Lord Aberdeen-

Speech on the conduct of the war-The Prince Consort's Proposals-Lord

John Russell "upsets the coach "-Re-assembling of Parliament, January,

1855-The Crimean Inquiry-Collapse of the Government-The Interregnum

-Palmerston Prime Minister-Speech of Mr. Disraeli-Retirement of the

Peelites-Ministerial explanations-Sir G. C. Lewis's Budget-Failure of the

Vienna Conference-"Ambiguous language and uncertain conduct of the

Government"-Resolution-Aggressive war and protective diplomacy—

Amendments-Lord John Russell at Vienna-Retirement of Lord John

Russell Cabinet sympathy with the Peace party-Prorogation and the

Queen's Speech

200

CHAPTER VIII.

STILL IN OPPOSITION.

Death of Lord Raglan-Fall of Sebastopol-Austrian Intrigues-Re-opening of

Parliament-The Mercantile Marine Bill-Peace-The Bulget of 1856-

Italian Affairs-The American Difficulty-En of the Session-Mr. Disraeli's

Review-Chinese War-The Lorcha Arrow and Sir John Bowring-Indian

Mutiny-Foreign Policy of the Coalition Government-The Secret Treaty-

Discomfiture of Lord Palmerston-Debate on the China War-Mr. Disraeli's

Speech-Defeat of the Government-The Dissolution-The General Elec-

tion-Mr. Disraeli's Address-Parliament Re-opens-Indian Mutiny-Mr.

Disraeli's Speech-Lord Granville "taken by surprise "-A bold and states-

manlike Policy- Parliament adjourned-Commercial Panic-Parliament

hastily summoned-Debate on the Address-Indian Mutiny-Unpreparedness

of the Government-Attempt to assassinate Napoleon III.-Count Walewski's

Despatch and the Addresses of the French Colonels-Lord Clanricarde's Case-

The Conspiracy to Murder Bill-Mr. Disraeli's Action-Defeat of the

Government-Lord Derby sent for-The New Ministry

CHAPTER IX.

IN OFFICE, 1858-1859.

232

Lord Derby reluctant to take Office-Mr. Disraeli's Address-Speech from the

Hustings Foreign Policy of the Government-Reform-The French Alliance

-Lord Malmesbury's Despatch-The Emperor's Pamphlet-The Cagliari

Business-Mr. Disraeli's Speech-General Business of the House-Reform-

The India Bill-First reading-Compromise-Resolutions-The New Bill—

Rebellion in Oude-Lord Canning's Proclamation-Censure by the Govern-

ment-Lord Ellenborough's Retirement-Montalembert's Pamphlet The

Slough Dinner-The “Cabal" Debates on the Speech-Mr. Disraeli on his

Defence-Financial Policy of the Government-The Budget-Reduction of

the Income Tax-Equalisation of the Spirit Duties-Budget well received-

Cost of Whig Foreign Policy-State of the Thames-A Government Mea-

sure-Prorogation-Speech from the Throne-The Recess-Impending War

between Austria and France-England the Mediator-Reform-Retirement

of Mr. Walpole and Mr. Henley-Difficulties of the Government-Session of

1859-The Queen's Speech-Debate on the Address-Mr. Disraeli on Italy-

Reform-The Government Bill-Fancy Franchises -Redistribution --The

Bill unpopular-Debate on the Second Reading-Tactics of the Opposition—

Lord John Russell's Amendment-State of Europe-Defeat of the Govern-

ment-Ministerial Statements-The impending Dissolution Statement on

Condition of Europe-The Dissolution-Mr. Disraeli in Buckinghamshire-

The "enormous lies" of the Opposition press-Results of the Election-The

Queen opens Parliament-Lord Hartington moves an Amendment to the

Address Sir James Graham's Accusations against the Government-Mr.

Disraeli's Reply-On Foreign Policy-On Reform-How can a New Govern-

ment be formed-The Division-Out of Office once more

CHAPTER X.

ONCE MORE IN OPPOSITION.

261

The new Administration-The Willis's Rooms Intrigue-Lord Granville sent for

-The Queen's reasons-Lord Granville fails to form a Ministry-His letter

to the Times-Lord Palmerston returns to office-Without a Policy and

without a Party-The Banquet at Merchant Taylors' Hall-Mr. Disraeli's

Speech-State of the Exchequer-A Deficit of Five Millions-More Addi-

tions to the Income Tax-Mr. Disraeli's criticism-Foreign Policy-Lord

John Russell's Statement-Why should England join the Conference?—

Prorogation-Speech from the Throne-A barren Session-The Session of

1860-The Queen's Speech-Debate on the Address-French Commercial

Treaty―The Italian Question—A February Budget-More Income Tax-

Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Pitt-No more concessions to precedent-Objection

to Mr. Cobden as Negotiator of the Treaty-Mr. Disraeli's criticism of the

Budget and of the Treaty-The Annexation of Savoy and Nice-The New

Reform Bill-Unpopular from the first, and speedily withdrawn-Financial

Adjustment-Paper Duty-Church Rates-Prorogation-Mr. Disraeli at

Amersham-Session of 1861-Debate on the Address-Mr. White's Amend-

ment-Mr. Disraeli on Lord Russell's "candid foreign policy "-Public

business-The Budget-Mr. Disraeli's criticism-Prorogation-Ministers

and the Confederate States-Death of the Prince Consort-Parliament opened

by Commission-The Legislative Programme-The Budget-No remission

of Taxation-Mr. Disraeli's indictment of Liberal Finance-A "Penurious

Prodigal "-Resolutions on Retrenchment-Not a vote of want of confidence

--Mr. Cobden on Liberal Economy-The Position of the Government-Foreign

Affairs-The Colonies-Close of the Session

CHAPTER XI.

STILL OUT OF OFFICE.

306

The Recess Queen's Speech-No Amendment to the Address-Mr. Disraeli's

Speech-Earl Russell's Foreign Policy-Poland and Austria-Brazil-Italy-

The Budget-Earl Russell at Blairgowrie-Speech from the Throne-

Mr. Disraeli on the Address-Condition of Europe-Denmark-Lord Russell's

promises-Government by Under Secretaries-The Budget of 1864-A Penny

off the Income Tax-Prorogation-State of Europe-"On the side of the

Angels "-Commencement of the Reform Agitation-Session of 1865-

Canada and the United States-Death of Mr. Cobden-Mr. Baines's Reform

Bill The Westbury Scandal-The General Election-The falling Ministry

-Mr. Disraeli's Address-Results of the Elections-Death of Lord Palmerston

The Queen opens Parliament-Suspension of Habeas Corpus in Ireland-

The Budget The New Reform Bill-Mr. Lowe's Opposition to it-Agitation

out of doors-Mr. Disraeli's criticism of the Bill-Mr. Gladstone's reply-

Ministers practically in a Minority-The Redistribution Bill-Absurd in

practice-Referred to Committee-The Government going to pieces-Lord

Dunkellin's. Amendment-Ministers defeated-Lord Russell resigns-Lord

Derby sent for-Popular excitement-Mr. Disraeli once more elected for

Buckinghamshire

CHAPTER XII.

THE REFORM MINISTRY,

346

Lord Derby unwilling to accept office, but consents-The New Administration

a strong one-Mr. Disraeli begins with a supplementary vote of credit-

End of the Session-The Royal Speech-Reform agitation-Mr. Stuart

Mill's speech-The Hyde Park riot-The Reform League-Mr. Bright on

the House of Commons-Leicester, the glass-blower, and "Constructive

abdication"— Lord Beaconsfield's unpopularity-The Session of 1867-

Queen's Speech and debate on the Address-Work of the New Adminis-

tration-Reform-Not a question to decide the fate of Ministries-Lord

Beaconsfield's speech on the Resolutions-The Resolutions-Boroughs and

Counties The Conservative sacrifice-The House and the Speech-Opposi-

tion to the Resolutions-"Forcing the hand" of the Government-Cabinet

dissensions-Resignations of Lord Carnarvon, Lord Cranborne and General

Peel-The Cabinet "reverts to its original policy "-The New Reform

Bill-Details Popular privileges and democratic rights-The policy of the

Opposition-Opinions of the Press-Mr. Bright and the Residuum-Not

numbers, but fitness, the principle of the Bill-Mr. Gladstone's opposition

-The Budget of 1867-Popular opinion of it-The Reform Bill again-The

Liberal instruction-Its collapse-The Reform Bill in Committee-Mr.

Beresford Hope and his "Batavian Grace"-Mr. Gladstone's Resolutions—

The Division-The Recess-The Compound Householder-Mr. Gladstone's

charge of "fraud and dissimulation "-"The invective of Torquemada and

the insinuation of Loyola "-The Scotch Reform Bill-Mr. Disraeli's rebuke

to Mr. Gladstone-The reply of "Atticus "-Mr. Bernal Osborne's opinion

of Lord Beaconsfield-Extinction of the Compound Householder-Lord

Cranborne on the Conservative leaders-Lord Beaconsfield's last speech on

the Reform Bill-Third Reading of the Bill-Conservative opposition to

Reform-End of the Session-The Mansion House banquet-Lord Beacons-

field's speech-A quiet autumn-Lord Beaconsfield at Edinburgh-His letter

to the Times-The "Conservative surrender "-On the Irish Church-The

new Session-The Queen's Speech-The Abyssinian War-The Fenians at

Clerkenwell prison-Bribery and corruption-Lord Derby retires-Mr.

Disraeli Premier-The Press on the event-The Chelmsford incident-

Welcome of Mr. Disraeli in Westminster Hall-Opening speech-Mr.

Maguire on Ireland-Mr. Neate's amendment-Mr. Disraeli closes the

Debate The Church and the Nation-Mr. Gladstone's Resolutions on the

Irish Church-Mr. Disraeli's letter to Lord Dartmouth-Lord Stanley's

amendment-Lord Beaconsfield on Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Lowe-Result

of the Debate-Lord Beaconsfield attacked by the Press-Appeals to the

country-Mr. Ayrton as censor morum-Mr. Bright's personal attack-The

tactics of the Opposition-Mr. Gladstone's letters-Dinner at Merchant

Taylors' Hall-Mr. Disraeli's speech-Factious opposition to the Govern-

ment-Lord Beaconsfield and John Leech's family-Prorogation and the

Queen's Speech-Lord Mayo's appointment-Address to Bucks electors—

Tory finance-Organisation of the War Office-Religion and civilisation—

Fenianism and English Liberalism-The elections and their results-Mr.

Disraeli's speech at Aylesbury-Mrs. Disraeli becomes Lady Beaconsfield-

Results of the elections-Mr. Disraeli retires-Mr. Gladstone is sent for-

The spoils to the victor

375

CHAPTER XIII.

MR. GLADSTONE'S GOVERNMENT, 1868-74.

The new Administration-Meeting of Parliament-Queen's Speech-The debate

on the Address-Mr. Disraeli's speech-Opinions of the Press-Dangers to

private property-Debate on the Irish Church Bill-Speech on the third

reading-Trinity House banquet-Mr. Lowe rebuked-Prorogation-Session

of 1870-Queen's Speech-Irish Land Bill-The Irish policy of the Govern

ment-Irish Land Bill-The Ballot-" Lothair "-The critics-Mr. Goldwin

Smith-The fables of the Edinburgh-The Saturday Review-Coincidences-

Public demand for the book-Speech on the State of the Continent-

Lord Granville's "surprise "-Buckinghamshire manifestoes-Session of 1871

-Queen's Speech-Debate on the Address-Mr. Disraeli's speech-Apprecia-

tion of Lord Clarendon-Fenianism and the United States Government—An

incompetent Administration-On the Declaration of Paris-Mr. Lowe's

Budget-The Match Tax-The Leader of the Opposition and his criticism-

The Charge of "hounding on the country "-War Taxation in time of Peace

-Direct v. Indirect Taxation-Military reform-The Abolition of Purchase-

Mr. Gladstone's coup d'état-Mr. Disraeli's comment-Appeals to the Preroga-

tive of the Crown-Ballot-The Government determined to force the Bill

through the House-Tactics of the Government-A Pythagorean system of

legislation-Prorogation-A Confession of Failure-Mr. Disraeli at Hughenden

-The Health of the Queen-Telegraph absurdities-Ministerial Apologies

and Explanations-The new Session-Debate on the Address-The Collier

scandal-The Ewelme Rectory job-Personal Government in excelsis—The

Washington Treaty-Mr. Disraeli in Manchester-The Pomona Palace demon-

stration-Speech in the Free-Trade Hall on Reform-On the improved

condition of the working classes-The policy of the Government-The Treaty

of 1856-A Policy of Sewage-No sign of a return to office-Constitutional

dinner at the Crystal Palace-Mr. Disraeli's speech-A Wasted Session-

Session of 1873-The San Juan award-The Geneva award-The debate on

the Address-National indignation-Mr. Disraeli's speech-Irish University

education-The Government Bill-Why the Tories opposed it-Mr. Disraeli's

speech-What the Government had done-The Fate of the Government sealed

-In a Minority of three-Resignation of Ministers-Mr. Disraeli summoned-

Refuses to take office without a dissolution of Parliament-Mr. Gladstone's

ingenuous explanations-Mr. Disraeli's reply-His letter to the Queen-

Position of the Tory party-The Burials Bill-Mr. Lowe's last Budget-

Amendment on the Report-Close of the Session-The Bath Election-Lord

Beaconsfield at Glasgow-Speech as Lord Rector-Banquet in the City Hall

-The Tories not anxious to be rid of him-Rest and retirement-Mr. Glad-

stone dissolves Parliament on the eve of its meeting-His manifesto to

Greenwich-Mr. Disraeli's address to the Electors of Bucks-The Election of

1874-Speech at Aylesbury-Foreign Policy-The state of the Elections-

The Liberal Government abandons its intention of Meeting Parliament-

Mr. Gladstone gives up the seals of office-The Session opens on the 19th of

March

435