Sink or Swim!! 69 Mr. Gladstone had introduced his Home Rule Bill, and had deliberately set his fortune and that of his party upon the policy thereby involved. “1886” 70-71 This travesty depicts the retreat of the Liberal Party on the defeat of the second reading of Mr. Gladstone’s Home Rule Bill. The Tempter 72 Certain Socialists and Anarchists had taken advantage of the prevailing poverty and lack of work to make inflammatory appeals to the unemployed. Salisbury Sisyphus 73 Lord Salisbury had to face the difficulties of the Irish question—a task as formidable to him as to his predecessors. “What of the Night?” 74-75 The action of Russia (the Great Northern Bear) in Bulgaria and elsewhere at this time seemed likely to involve a disturbance of the peace of Europe. “Quite English, you know” 76 President Cleveland was at this time advocating in America the adoption of the English system of Free Trade. Bear or Bug-Bear? 77 Russia, in consequence of her huge armaments and equivocal policy, seemed a standing menace to the peace of Europe. In the Arena 78-79 The two sides are shown parading before the reassembling of Parliament—the Unionists (Tory and Liberal) under Lord Salisbury, the Home Rulers under Mr. Gladstone. Germany, March 9, 1888 80 On this date Germany was plunged into mourning owing to the death of the Emperor William. Consol-ation 81 Mr. Goschen’s National Debt Conversion Bill provided for the conversion of the 3 per cent. Stocks into a new Stock bearing 2-3/4 per cent. interest for fifteen years, and thereafter a guaranteed 2-1/2 per cent. for 20 years. What next? 82 The popularity of General Boulanger suggested the idea that France was growing weary of a Republican “regime.” “Panic amongst the Pigs!” 83 A Papal Rescript, condemning the Plan of Campaign and the practice of Boycotting, caused some excitement among the Irish Nationalists. Plain English! 84 England was aggrieved by the action of Portugal in reference to the Delagoa Railway, and by insults to the British flag committed by the Portuguese.