Of course, when Parliament re-a.s.sembled in February 1886, it was merely a question of how many weeks or days should precede the downfall of a Ministry in such a hopeless minority in the Commons. Meanwhile strange rumours had been in circulation that Mr. Gladstone had decided to accept the doctrine of Home Rule for Ireland, against which he and his party had fought hitherto with as much obstinacy as the Conservatives. On December 16 the sketch of a scheme attributed to him appeared in some of the newspapers, and, in spite of an ambiguous disclaimer from himself, people gradually became aware that Mr. Gladstone had resolved to extricate his party from their subjection to the Irish party in Parliament by the astounding expedient of granting the essence of their demands.

[Ill.u.s.tration: The BRITANNIA TUBULAR BRIDGE ACROSS THE MENAI STRAITS.

Designed by Robert Stephenson and Sir William Fairbairn, and opened in 1850. It is 1,571 feet in length, and 100 feet above the water. The widest spans are each 470 feet.]

Lord Salisbury's Government fell on January 25: Mr. Gladstone became Prime Minister, and in his Cabinet were included some of his colleagues who had p.r.o.nounced most emphatically and most recently against Home Rule, although the Lords Hartington, Derby, and Selborne stood significantly aloof. The mine was laid: the only indication of the coming explosion was the resignation, on March 26, by Mr. Chamberlain and Mr. Trevelyan of their seats in the Cabinet. The train was fired on April 8, when Mr. Gladstone introduced his Bill for the better government of Ireland. The permanent furniture of the House of Commons does not permit of more than some 400 out of its 670 members being seated within its walls. An attempt was made to admit the presence of a larger number to hear the explanation of this most momentous measure; even so, only seventy or eighty additional seats could be provided by filling the floor of the chamber with chairs. Probably there never was such a scene of anxious expectation in the modern history of Parliament.

[Sidenote: Dissolution of Parliament.]

The division on the second reading was taken on June 7, the corresponding Monday to that on which Mr. Gladstone's previous Administration had fallen in 1885. Ninety-three Liberals voted against the Bill, and Ministers were left in a minority of thirty. The Liberal party was rent from summit to base, not less completely than the Conservatives had been torn asunder by the action of their leader in 1846. The Prime Minister advised the Queen to dissolve Parliament.

Sudden and sharp was the appeal; firm and not to be misunderstood was the response. Mr. Gladstone went out on his fourth Midlothian campaign, and encountered no difficulty in retaining his own seat, as no opponent came forward to challenge it. But the country turned a deaf ear to his appeal. It preferred to listen to Lord Randolph Churchill's characteristic denunciation of the Home Rule Bill, than which he vowed that "the united and concentrated genius of Bedlam and Colney Hatch would strive in vain to produce a more striking tissue of absurdities."

He declared that the real reason they were asked to accept such a measure was only, "to gratify the ambition of an old man in a hurry."

The result of the elections showed 316 Conservatives, 78 Liberal Unionists, 191 official Liberals, and 85 Parnellites: or a majority in the new House of 113 against Mr. Gladstone's Irish policy.

[Sidenote: Lord Salisbury's Second Administration.]

When the Queen sent for Lord Salisbury, he invited Lord Hartington to join him in forming a coalition Cabinet; but the time for that was not yet--a purely Conservative Ministry, therefore, was formed. Everything promised fair for the endurance of Lord Salisbury's second Administration, but a rude shock was in store for it almost on the threshold of its career.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE FORTH BRIDGE.

This bridge, rather more than a mile in length (the princ.i.p.al spans being 1,710 feet each), was designed by Sir John Fowler and Sir Benjamin Baker. It was commenced in 1883, and opened by the Prince of Wales in 1890. It contains about 44,500 tons of Siemens steel, and cost over 2,000,000.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: _From a Photograph_} {_by Thiele, Chancery Lane._

THE TOWER BRIDGE: THE RAISING OF THE BASCULES ON THE OPENING DAY.

The bridge, which cost over 830,000, was commenced in 1886, and opened by the Prince of Wales, June 30, 1894. The bascules each weigh 1,000 tons.]

[Sidenote: Lord Randolph Churchill Resigns.]

[Sidenote: The Round Table Conference.]

By far the most striking figure in the Conservative ranks of the House of Commons was Lord Randolph Churchill. He became Chancellor of the Exchequer in the new Cabinet and leader of the House of Commons. Right well he led it through the six weeks of autumn session following on the elections. His admirers were delighted--his critics reconciled--by his adroit exchange of the manners of a political bravo for those of a responsible statesman; and that, too, without sacrifice of power in debate or pungency in retort. What was the dismay of Ministerialists when, in a moment of caprice, impatient because he could not get exactly his own way on a question of military and naval expenditure, Churchill threw up his office and left the Cabinet! This happened in December 1885; active negotiations were going on at the time for the redintegration of the old Liberal Party. Mr. Chamberlain and Sir George Trevelyan, as Unionists, had consented to confer with Sir William Harcourt and Mr. John Morley, as Home Rulers, at a "round table," under the presidency of Lord Hersch.e.l.l (also a Home Ruler). In the opinion of most people, the return of at least half the Liberal Unionists to their former allegiance might be expected, as the outcome of this conference.

The stability of the Ministry, therefore, was peculiarly jeopardised by any appearance of internal disunion at this juncture. The crisis pa.s.sed over in safety. Mr. Goschen, an old colleague of Mr. Gladstone, having been First Lord of the Admiralty in his first Administration, now determined to throw in his lot with the Unionists, and accepted the office vacated by Lord Randolph. The Round Table Conference separated without having found a basis of agreement, and the main body of Liberal Unionists remained staunch in support of Ministers.

The question still remained--who was to lead the House of Commons? The answer was a remarkable one. Mr. W. H. Smith, in spite of the mediocrity of his powers of oratory, had risen to very high office in successive Conservative Cabinets. As a man of business his reputation was unsurpa.s.sed, and he had secured the respect and confidence of all sections of the House of Commons by his well-known indifference to office and independence of its emoluments. Upon him the choice fell; he exchanged the post of Secretary for War for that of First Lord of the Treasury, and justified his appointment by leading the House of Commons with admirable temper and judgment during five trying sessions.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _From Photograph_} {_by E. Ward._

MANCHESTER SHIP Ca.n.a.l AND BARTON AQUEDUCT.

The Ca.n.a.l, 35-1/2 miles long, which has made Manchester practically a sea-port, was commenced in 1887 and opened by Her Majesty the Queen in 1893. It cost 15-1/2 million pounds. The Bridgwater Ca.n.a.l is carried across it in a swinging aqueduct at Barton. The lower ill.u.s.tration shows the aqueduct partially swung open; the ends of the water-way are of course closed and a barge may be seen therein, whilst the horse drawing it is on the tow path above. The Ship Ca.n.a.l is seen beneath.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: _From a Photograph_} {_by E. Ward, Manchester._

BARTON AQUEDUCT.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: _From a Photograph_} {_by Valentine & Sons, Dundee._

THE ROYAL PROCESSION ON JUBILEE DAY Pa.s.sING HYDE PARK CORNER.]

CHAPTER XVII.

1887-1897.

Adoption of the Closure by the House of Commons--The Queen's Jubilee--Thanksgiving Service in Westminster Abbey--The Imperial Inst.i.tute--"Parnellism and Crime"--Appointment of Special Commission of Judges--Their Report--Fall of Parnell--Disruption of the Irish Party--Deaths of Parnell and W. H. Smith--The Baring Crisis--The Local Government Bill--Establishment of County Councils--Free Education--Death of the Duke of Clarence--General Election--Mr. Gladstone's Fourth Midlothian Campaign--The Newcastle Programme--Victory of Home Rulers--The Second Home Rule Bill--Its Rejection by the Lords--Parish Councils and Employers' Liability Acts--Mr. Gladstone Resigns the Leadership--Lord Rosebery becomes Prime Minister--Disunion of Ministerialists--Defeat and Resignation of the Government--Lord Salisbury's Third Administration--General Election--Unionist Triumph--The Eastern Question--Ma.s.sacres in Armenia--Lord Rosebery Resigns the Leadership--Trouble in the Transvaal--Dr. Jameson's Raid--The German Emperor's Message--The Venezuelan Dispute--President Cleveland's Message.

The session of 1887 was an exceedingly laborious one in the House of Commons. The debate on the Address, prolonged by all the arts of obstruction to inordinate length, furnished a convincing argument that further changes in the rules of procedure were indispensable if the House were to retain any control whatever over its own business, and these rules, including that regulating the application of the closure, were remodelled and adopted after long and heated discussion.

[Sidenote: The Queen's Jubilee.]

[Sidenote: Thanksgiving Service in Westminster Abbey.]

In pleasing contrast to the heat and rancour of proceedings within the walls of Parliament were those organised throughout the country to celebrate the completion of the fiftieth year of Queen Victoria's reign.

The weather throughout the summer months was of exceptional splendour, as if to give emphasis to the popular term "Queen's weather." London lay for weeks under a cloudless sky, and no day in the year was more perfect than Jubilee Day, June 21. On that morning the Queen went in procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey to attend a thanksgiving service, accompanied by a number of European monarchs, princes, and distinguished persons, as well as by many Indian potentates, gorgeously attired in many-coloured silks and jewels. Temporary galleries, fitted up in the abbey church, afforded seats for peers and members of Parliament and officers of the Army, Navy, and Civil Service, and, as the wearing of uniforms was obligatory, the display of bright colour was such as may very seldom be seen in Great Britain. The coronation chair was set on a das covered with red cloth, between the sacrarium and the choir, and here the Queen took her seat with the robes of state placed on her shoulders while the service, which lasted just an hour, was performed.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _From a Photograph_} {_by F. Frith & Co._

THE JUBILEE PROCESSION Pa.s.sING DOWN REGENT STREET.

The escort of Princes in the foreground: the Indian escort immediately precedes the Royal Carriage.]

[Sidenote: The Imperial Inst.i.tute.]

It would be impossible, within reasonable limits, even to mention the various schemes started, inst.i.tutions founded, or funds set on foot to commemorate the Royal Jubilee of 1887. Of these the most conspicuous outwardly has taken the form of that pile of architecture in South Kensington, known as the Imperial Inst.i.tute, in the foundation, permanent organisation, and direction of which the Prince of Wales has taken as energetic a part as his father had done in the temporary Exhibition of 1851.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _T. S. C. Crowther._}

THE JUBILEE SERVICE IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY, June 21, 1887.

The most conspicuous figures on the Queen's right are the Prince of Wales and the Crown Prince of Germany (afterwards the Emperor Frederick), and to her left the Crown Princess and the Princess of Wales.]

[Sidenote: "Parnellism and Crime."]

[Sidenote: Appointment of Special Commission of Judges.]

During this year a series of events took their rise out of the publication in the _Times_ of a number of articles headed "Parnellism and Crime," in which Mr. Parnell and his colleagues were charged with active complicity in the long prevalence of outrage and terrorism in Ireland. The _facsimile_ of a letter, purporting to be written by Parnell, was published on April 18, containing the following sentence, referring to the Phoenix Park murders:--"Though I regret the accident of Lord F. Cavendish's death, I cannot refuse to admit that Burke got no more than his deserts." This letter was repudiated by Parnell in his place in the House of Commons; but the Government resisted a motion to the effect that the _Times_, in publishing these articles, had been guilty of breach of privilege. Mr. Gladstone then moved for a Select Committee to enquire into the truth of the charges, but this also was refused by the Government. The request for a Select Committee was renewed in the following year by Mr. Parnell, in order to enquire into the authenticity of certain letters produced in an action for libel brought against the proprietors of the _Times_ by Mr. O'Donnell, one of Mr. Parnell's followers. Mr. W. H. Smith stated, in reply (July 12), that, in the opinion of the Government, a Select Committee of the House of Commons was not a suitable tribunal to try charges arising out of the action of political parties, but that the Government were willing to appoint a Special Commission of Judges to enquire into the whole allegations. Unfortunately, the debates on the Bill necessary to const.i.tute this Commission were excessively heated. The fact, an infelicitous one, it must be allowed, that the Attorney-General, a member of the Government, had acted as leading counsel for the _Times_ in the late trial, gave colour to the unfounded charge that the Government had been acting all along in collusion with the _Times_.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _S. T. Dadd._} {_From Photographs by Russell & Sons, Baker Street._

THE OPENING OF THE IMPERIAL INSt.i.tUTE BY HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN, May 10, 1893: THE ROYAL PROCESSION.]