VICTORIA.
21
teld Adıninistration by the war which broke out in 1877 between
Russia and Turkey, consequent on the revolt from the
jatter country of Bosnia and other provinces, When Con- un of
stantinople was about to fall into the hands of Russia, SP
England interfered by sending a powerful fleet through the Darda-
nelles, It was then agreed that the chief Powers of Kurope should,
chrough their representatives, meet at Berlin and settle the questions
at issue between Russia and Turkey, affecting, as these did, the gen-
aral peace and welfare of the Continent. The Zreaty of Berlin (1878) is
zenerally regarded by his friends as the great achievement of Lord
Beaconsfield’s life. England retained possession of Cyprus, previously
seded to her by Turkey, while a number of the Danubian provinces
became altogether independent of the latter country. Russia received
some important grants of territory in Asia Minor, Lord Beacons-
feld’s term of office was also marked by the purchase by England of
a controlling influence in the Suez Canal, and the assumption of a pro-
vecturate over Kyypt, which has since given the country much trouble.
47. The general election of 1880 displaced the Beaconsfield Minis-
try and restored Mr. Gladstone to office. Kor some time
much uneasiness had existed in Ireland, where a Land Gladstone
Lecamue, designed to secure for the Irish people possession Adıminis-
A} B poop’e } tration.
of the soil, now owned by landlords generally residing in
England, had acquired great influence under the leadership of Mr. Par-
nell and other Irish members of Parliament. Asa measure of justice
to Treland, and with the view of counteraeting the operations of the
League, Mr. (iladstone introduced in 1881 a Land Act for Ireland, a
measure intended to grant substantial relief to tenants, by making
chem to a large extent independent of their landlords. What the
ultimate results of this Act may be cannot now be predieted, Un-
fortunately, instead of quieting the unensiness which provailed in Ire-
and, it had to be followed by a Cuereion Act, under the operation of
which Mr. Parnell and other Irish leaders were temporarily impris-
aned, A sad event connected with the Irish troubles was the assassi-
nation, in May 1882, of Lord Frederick Cavendish, the Chief. Secre-
tary for Ireland. Lord Beaconsfield did not long survive his retirement
from office in 1880. After one of the most remarkable careers in
Önglish history, in which, by sheer dint of genius and industry, he
advanced himself step by step to the highest post attainable by a
subject, he died on the 19th of April 1881.
48, Great Britain has never made greater progress than during the
long reign which happily is not yet closed. In manu-
factures and commerce our country maintains her proud General
position as the leading nation of the world. Long fame< der
for her universities and her great endowed schonls, Kn- viogopin,
zland has at last determined to be surpassed by no other
