CHAPTER V

1883

ELIJAH’S MANTLE

The war in Egypt--The Conservative leaders--Minor tactics in the House of Commons--Correspondence with Sir Stafford Northcote--The Beaconsfield statue--Lord Randolph’s letter to the Times--Party displeasure--Elijah’s mantle--The Affirmation Bill--The Primrose League--An Ishmaelite at bay--His father’s death--An interlude.....224