CHAPTER XIV

1886

LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

The General Election--‘An old man in a hurry’--Birmingham--Triumph of the Unionist party--Formation of Lord Salisbury’s second Administration--The lead in the House of Commons--Chancellor of the Exchequer--The short session--Lord Randolph as leader--Conduct of public business--Correspondence with Lord Hartington--End of the session--Golden opinions--Foreign affairs--A grave divergence--Eastern policy--The Dartford programme--‘Mr. Spencer’s journey’--Bradford--‘The Grand Young Man’.....115