CHAPTER XV

1886

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

At the Treasury--Lord Randolph as an official--Secret Service money--The Metropolitan coal and wine dues--Preparation of the Budget--Democratic finance--The death duties--The inhabited house tax--New stamp duties--Horses, cartridges and theatre tickets--The Sinking Fund--Large reductions of taxation--A fivepenny income tax--The means for Local Government--The Budget in the Cabinet--A silence.....179