CHAPTER XXIV.

THE REIGN OF VICTORIA (_continued_).

The National Prosperity in 1865--Debate on the Malt Tax--Remission of Fire Insurance Duty--Mr. Gladstone's Budget--The Army and Navy Estimates--Academic Discussions of large Questions--Mr. Lowe on Reform--The Union Changeability Bill--The New Law Courts Bill--Debate on University Tests--The Catholic Oaths Bill--Other Ecclesiastical Discussions--The Edmunds Scandal--Mr. Ward Hunt's Motion--Lord Westbury resigns--The General Election--The Rinderpest--The Fenian Conspiracy--Stephens the Head-Centre--His Arrest and Escape from Richmond Gaol--The Special Commission--Obituary of the Year--Lord Palmerston and Mr. Cobden 363