conspicuous as in his addresses upon education and kindred subjects. His political friends and opponents alike find here common ground upon which to pay him just tribute. To the working classes especially have his addresses been most valuable. He has recalled them from the pursuit of social and industrial will-o'-thewisps, while he has at the same time acknowledged their right to combine in every lawful manner for their well-being and prosperity. He has striven to show that labour, the universal lot of man, is honourable, and that social drones are the most prolific source of danger to the commonwealth. And while he has thus enjoined the value and sacredness of labour, by the wise and useful legislation which he has initiated, he has enabled the working man to treasure up the fruits of that labour, and to make provision for old age. Moreover, he has insisted upon the high and noble results which follow from culture and self-improvement, counselling the toilers in our factories and workshops that these are to be sought not alone for the material advantages they may bring, but for that deeper and richer good which follows upon the development of the mental and moral faculties. Mr. Gladstone has, in fine, ever urged the people onward in the path of real progress, and has shown them how, by self-denying and strenuous effort, they may enjoy for themselves, and extend to others, the blessings of a robust and a Christian civilisation.

CHAPTER XXVI.

RESIGNATION OF THE LIBERAL LEADERSHIP.

Mr. Gladstone definitely resigns the Liberal Leadership-Second Letter to Lord Granville-His Lordship's Reply-Public Opinion on the ex-Premier's Retirement-Speech of Mr. Forster at Bradford-The Liberal Party without a Leader-Claimants for the Post-Election of the Marquis of Hartington-Mr. Gladstone's appearances in the House of Commons-He supports the Burials Bill-Attacks the Budget.

WE have seen, from Mr. Gladstone's letter to Earl Granville, that the Liberal leader held himself at liberty to determine at any time, according as circumstances might dictate to him, whether he could with satisfaction continue in his onerous position as the active chief of the party. His friends, foreseeing the difficulties which must ensue from his withdrawal from the leadership, earnestly desired his continuance in the post where none could well follow him. But his retirement came earlier than was anticipated. Having thrown himself deeply into literary and controversial studies, and finding in the existing aspect of public affairs little hope of being able to render such service to the Liberal party and the country as he desired, Mr. Gladstone resolved on completing the act of resignation to which he had some time before referred as a not distant possibility.

Accordingly, early in January, 1875, he addressed

a second letter to Lord Granville, announcing his resignation in decisive and unmistakable terms. The time has, I think, arrived,' wrote the ex-Premier, 'when I ought to revert to the subject of the letter which I addressed to you on March 12. Before determining whether I should offer to assume a charge which might extend over a length of time, I have reviewed, with all the care in my power, a number of considerations, both public and private, of which a portion, and these not by any means insignificant, were not in existence at the date of that letter. The result has been that I see no public advantage in my continuing to act as the leader of the Liberal party; and that, at the age of sixty-five, and after forty-two years of a laborious public life, I think myself entitled to retire on the present opportunity. This retirement is dictated to me by my personal views as to the best method of spending the closing years of my life. I need hardly say that that my

conduct in Parliament will continue to be governed by the principles on which I have heretofore acted; and, whatever arrangements may be made for the treatment of general business, and for the advantage or convenience of the Liberal party, they will have my cordial support. I should, perhaps, add that I am at present, and mean for a short time to be, engaged on a special matter, which occupies me closely.'

Such a resignation on the part of a great political chief was without precedent; but while many lamented the step, none challenged the right of this eminent statesman to retire after forty-two years of active

service. Even with a less brilliant catalogue of legislative achievements than his, it was surely within his own legitimate province to say when the time had come for putting off the political armour, and yielding the command of the Liberal forces into other hands. At the same time, the announcement came with so great a surprise upon the country that for the moment it could scarcely be realised. That he who for a considerable period had been the life and soul of one of the two great political parties in the State should thus suddenly relinquish its control, carried something like consternation into the ranks of those who were anxiously looking for the consolidation of the Liberal party. Efforts were made to induce Mr. Gladstone to reconsider his decision, but in vain; and in formally acknowledging the receipt of the ex-Premier's letter, Earl Granville wrote as follows:-'I have communicated to you in detail the reasons which make me profoundly regret and deprecate the conclusion at which you have arrived. Your late colleagues share these feelings to the fullest extent, and have regretted the failure of their endeavour to persuade you to come to a different decision. We have no doubt that the Liberal party, both in and out of Parliament, will feel as we do on the subject. The observations we have addressed to you are prompted by considerations of public advantage for the future, and not merely by our sense of your great services, and our sentiments of personal admiration and attachment.'

The daily and weekly press, both metropolitan

and provincial, were all but unanimous in their expressions of sympathy and regret, and in recognising in Mr. Gladstone's retirement a loss to the nation. Many journals expressed a hope that the resignation was the result of a temporary depression, rather than of a lasting mood of mind; and, while assuming that there would be many occasions when his mind would revert to Westminster, they trusted also that a sense of duty to the nation would bring him back at recurrent intervals to the scene of so many triumphs.

Mr. Bright, in addressing his constituents at Birmingham, alluded to the few disparaging comments made upon the Liberal leader's withdrawal-comments scarcely noticeable amid the general expressions of esteem and regret. 'I will say nothing,' observed the right hon. member for Birmingham, in answer to ungenerous things that have been said and done. Of this I am well aware that Mr. Gladstone, like an old and a noble Roman, can be content with deserving the praises of his country, even though some of his countrymen should deny them to him.'

Mr. Gladstone's retirement did not, of course, signify the end of his Parliamentary career. He would still tender such advice and counsel to his party as he was able, and appear from time to time in his place in the House of Commons. But the nature and meaning of the step could not be disguised. The previous session had witnessed a disorganised Opposition, but another was about to open which would find the party in yet more lamentable plight-without a