TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE Italic text is denoted by _underscores_. Bold text is denoted by =equal signs=. Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within the text and consultation of external sources. More detail can be found at the end of the book. BELLS ENGLISH HISTORY SOURCE BOOKS _General Editors_: S. E. WINBOLT, M.A., and KENNETH BELL, M.A. IMPERIALISM AND MR. GLADSTONE BELL'S ENGLISH HISTORY SOURCE BOOKS. _Volumes now Ready. 1s. net each._ =1154-1216. The Angevins and the Charter.= Edited by S. M. TOYNE, M.A., Headmaster of St. Peter's School, York, and late Assistant Master at Haileybury College. =1307-1399. War and Misrule= (special period for the School Certificate Examination, July and December, 1913). Edited by A. A. LOCKE. =1485-1547. The Reformation and the Renaissance.= Edited by F. W. BEWSHER, Assistant Master at St. Paul's School. =1547-1603. The Age of Elizabeth.= Edited by ARUNDELL ESDAILE, M.A. =1603-1660. Puritanism and Liberty.= Edited by KENNETH BELL, M.A. =1660-1714. A Constitution in Making.= Edited by G. B. PERRETT, M.A. =1714-1760. Walpole and Chatham.= Edited by K. A. ESDAILE. =1760-1801. American Independence and the French Revolution.= Edited by S. E. WINBOLT, M.A. =1801-1815. England and Napoleon.= Edited by S. E. WINBOLT, M.A. =1816-1836. Peace and Reform.= Edited by A. C. W. EDWARDS, Assistant Master at Christ's Hospital. =1876-1887. Imperialism and Mr. Gladstone.= Edited by R. H. GRETTON. =1535-Present-Day. Canada.= Edited by H. J. MUNRO, M.A. _Other volumes, covering the whole range of English History from Roman Britain are in active preparation, and will be issued at short intervals._ LONDON: G. BELL AND SONS, LTD. IMPERIALISM AND MR. GLADSTONE (1876--1887) COMPILED BY R. H. GRETTON FORMERLY DEMY OF MAGDALEN COLLEGE, OXFORD AUTHOR OF "A MODERN HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH PEOPLE" [Illustration: (Publisher's colophon)] LONDON G. BELL & SONS, LTD. 1913 INTRODUCTION