Chapter XVIII: Government Under Difficulties

A Lull Before the Storm--Dissent in the Dumps--Disastrous Bye-Elections--The Queen’s Speech--The Irish University Bill--Defeat of the Government--Resignation of the Ministry--Mr. Disraeli’s Failure to Form a Cabinet--The Queen and the Crisis--Lord Derby as a Possible Premier--Mr. Gladstone Returns to Office--Power Passes to the House of Lords--Grave Administration Scandals--The Zanzibar Mail Contract--Misappropriation of the Post Office Savings Banks’ Balances--Mr. Gladstone Reconstructs his Ministry--The Financial Achievements of his Administration--The Queen and the Prince of Wales--Debts of the Heir Apparent--The Queen’s Scheme for Meeting the Prince’s Expenditure on her Behalf--The Queen and Foreign Decorations--Death of Napoleon III.--The Queen at the East End--The Blue-Coat Boys at Buckingham Palace--The Coming of the Shah--Astounding Rumours of his Progress through Europe--The Queen’s Reception of the Persian Monarch--How the Shah was Entertained--His Departure from England--Marriage of the Duke of Edinburgh--Public Entry of the Duchess into London 431