Chapter XIV

1886 LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

The General Election—'An old man in a hurry'—Birmingham—Triumph of the Unionist party—Formation of Lord Salisbury's second Administration—The lead in the House of Commons—Chancellor of the Exchequer—The short session—Lord Randolph as leader—Conduct of public business—Correspondence with Lord Hartington—End of the session—Golden opinions—Foreign affairs—A grave divergence—Eastern policy—The Dartford programme—'Mr. Spencer's journey'—Bradford—'The Grand Young Man' 115