CHAPTER X

Disraeli as Leader of the Opposition--Effects of Free Trade--Scientific discoveries--Steam--Railroads--Commercial revolution--Unexampled prosperity--Twenty-five years of Liberal government--Disraeli's opinions and general attitude--Party government and the conditions of it--Power of an Opposition Leader--Never abused by Disraeli for party interests--Special instances--The _coup d'état_--The Crimean War--The Indian Mutiny--The Civil War in America--Remarkable warning against playing with the Constitution 149