CHAPTER XVII

THE LAST YEAR'S WORK

1886-1887

Lord Rosebery at the Foreign Office--His surprise at ill-feeling shown by French Government--Proceedings of General Boulanger--Princes' Exclusion Bill--Boulanger at the Review of July 14th--Causes of his popularity--General Election in England: Lord Salisbury Prime Minister--The Foreign Office offered to Lord Lyons--Egyptian questions raised by French Government--Apprehension in France of a German attack--Embarrassment caused by Boulanger--Unofficial attempt on behalf of French Government to establish better relations with England--Application by Lord Lyons to be permitted to resign--Pressed by Lord Salisbury to remain until end of the year--Desire of French Government to get rid of Boulanger--Lord Salisbury's complaints as to unfriendly action of the French Government in various parts of the world--Resignation of Lord Lyons--Created an Earl--His death 360

APPENDIX

Lord Lyons in Private Life. By MRS. WILFRID WARD 415

INDEX 429

LIST OF PLATES IN VOL. II

FACING PAGE

LORD LYONS AT THE AGE OF 65 _Frontispiece_

WILLIAM HENRY WADDINGTON 169

GENERAL BOULANGER 370

THE BRITISH EMBASSY, PARIS 420 (_Photograph by F. Contet, Paris._)

LORD LYONS

A RECORD OF BRITISH DIPLOMACY