Chapter XX: Empress of India

Mr. Disraeli recognises Intellect--Lord Hartington Liberal Leader--The Queen’s Speech--Lord Hartington’s “Grotesque Reminiscences”--Mr. Cross’s Labour Bills--The Artisans’ Dwellings Act--Mr. Plimsoll and the “Ship-knackers”--Lord Hartington’s First “Hit”--The Plimsoll Agitation--Surrender of the Cabinet--“Strangers” in the House--The Budget--Rise of Mr. Biggar--First Appearance of Mr. Parnell--The Fugitive Slave Circular--The Sinking of the Yacht _Mistletoe_--The Loss of the _Vanguard_--Purchase of the Suez Canal Shares--The Prince of Wales’s Visit to India--Resignation of Lord Northbrook--Appointment of Lord Lytton as Viceroy of India--Outbreak of the Eastern Question--The Andrassy Note--The Berlin Memorandum--Murder of French and German Consuls at Salonica--Lord Derby Rejects the Berlin Memorandum--Servia Declares War on Turkey--The Bulgarian Revolt Quenched in Blood--The Sultan Dethroned--Opening of Parliament--“Sea-sick of the Silver Streak”--Debates on the Eastern Question--Development of Obstruction by Mr. Biggar and Mr. Parnell--The Royal Titles Bill--Lord Shaftesbury and the Queen--The Queen at Whitechapel--A Doleful Budget--Mr. Disraeli becomes Earl of Beaconsfield--The Prince Consort’s Memorial at Edinburgh--Mr. Gladstone and the Eastern Question--The Servian War--The Constantinople Conference--The Tories Manufacture Failure for Lord Salisbury--Death of Lady Augusta Stanley--Proclamation of the Queen as Empress at Delhi 482