ide the regular party organisation of parliament. And
I was aware of no differences of opinion or tendency likely to
disturb the new government. Then on the positive side. I felt sure
that in finance there was still much useful work to be done. I was
desirous to co-operate in settling the question of the franchise,
and failed to anticipate the disaster that it was to undergo. My
friends were enlisted, or I knew would enlist: Sir James Graham
indeed declining office, but taking his position in the party. And
the overwhelming interest and weight of the Italian question, and
of our foreign policy in connection with it, joined to my entire
mistrust of the former government in relation to it, led me to
decide without one moment's hesitation....

CONTEST AT OXFORD

On the day on which Mr. Gladstone kissed hands (June 18) disturbing news
came from Oxford. Not only was his re-election to be opposed, but the
enemy had secured the most formidable candidate that he had yet
encountered, in the person of Lord Chandos, the eldest son of the Duke
of Buckingham. His old chairman became chairman for his new antagonist,
and Stafford Northcote, who with Phillimore and Bernard had hitherto
fought every election on his behalf, now refused to serve on his
committee, while even Sir John Coleridge was alarmed at some reported
wavering on the question of a deceased wife's sister. 'Gladstone,
angry, harassed, sore,' Phillimore records, 'as well he might be.' The
provost of Oriel explains to him that men asked whether his very last
vote had not been a vote of confidence in a Derby government, and of
want of confidence in a Palmerston government, yet he had joined the
government in which he declared by anticipation that he had no
confidence. After all, the root of the anger against him was simply that
the tories were out and the liberals in, with himself as their strongest
confederate. A question was raised whether he ought not to go down and
address convocation in person. The dean of Christ Church, however,
thought it very doubtful whether he would get a hearing. 'Those,' he
told Mr. Gladstone, 'who remember Sir Robert Peel's election testify
that there never was a more unreasonable and ferocious mob than
convocation was at that time. If you were heard, it is doubtful whether
you would gain any votes at that last moment, while it is believed you
would lose some. You