e life of enterprise, augmented the public
expenditure and taxation for purposes not merely unnecessary but
mischievous, and plunged the finances, which were handed over to them in a
state of singular prosperity, into a series of deficits unexampled in
modern times." After shooting this heavy bolt he looked abroad. "Abroad
they have strained, if they have not endangered, the prerogative by gross
misuse, and have weakened the empire by needless wars, unprofitable
extensions, and unwise engagements, and have dishonoured it in the eyes of
Europe by filching the island of Cyprus from the Porte under a treaty
clause distinctly concluded in violation of the treaty of Paris, which
formed part of the international law of Christendom." As to the domestic
legislation of the future, it was in the election address of the prime
minister a perfect blank. It was true that in default of reform in this
kingdom, the nation was promised the advantages of "presence, not to say
ascendency," in the councils of Europe.

There is indeed, he said, an ascendency in European councils to
which Great Britain might reasonably aspire, by steadily
sustaining the character of a Power no less just than strong;
attached to liberty and law, jealous of peace, and therefore
opposed to intrigue and aggrandizement, from whatever quarter they
may come; jealous of honour, and therefore averse to the
clandestine engagements which have marked our two latest years. To
attain a moral and envied ascendency such as this, is indeed a
noble object for any minister or any empire.

II

Mr. Gladstone wrote to Lord Acton on March 14:--

On Tuesday I am to set out for Midlothian and my _last_ general
election. My general elections have been 1832, 1835, 1837, 1841,
1847, 1852, 1857, 1859, 1865, 1874, and now 1880--what a list! I
believe that among the official men of this century I am now
beaten only by Lord Palmerston in the length of my career in the
House of Commons. A clear answer from the nation, a clear answer
in the right sense, and a decisive accession of the liberal party
to power without me, this is what I hope and pray. I think that
the experts and the party generally are pretty sanguine. None
doubt that the government are to lose; a few doubt whether they
will be weaker than liberals and home rulers; very many whether
weaker than liberals alone. All agree that Scotla