Embarrassments of the Ministry—'Too late!'—The advent of the Reform Bill—Divisions in the Conservative party—Lord Randolph and reform—The 'mud cabin' argument—Power of Lord Randolph Churchill in the House of Commons—The second vote of censure—The Reform Bill in the Lords—Conflict between the two Houses—The conference of the National Union at Sheffield—Lord Randolph's victory—Agreement with Lord Salisbury—The autumn campaign—Aston riots—The Aston debate—Correspondence with Chamberlain—Differences with Gorst—An Indian voyage 332 CHAPTER IX 1885 THE FALL OF THE GOVERNMENT 1885-1785: a comparison—Increasing weakness and perplexities of the Ministry—Lord Randolph returns—His authority over the Conservative party—Penjdeh and the Vote of Credit—Correspondence with Lord Salisbury—Lord Randolph's attacks upon Mr. Gladstone and Lord Granville—The Crimes Act—A mortal blow—Strange constitutional situation—Relations with the Irish party—Defeat of the Government—A threefold crisis—Formation of Lord Salisbury's First Administration—Lord Randolph refuses to join—The Interregnum—Lord Randolph's own account of these transactions—Appeals of various kinds—At the Inns of Court—A Parliamentary incident—Sir Stafford retires—Euthanasia of the Fourth party—Moriturus te saluto 375 CHAPTER X 1885 THE 'MINISTRY OF CARETAKERS' Lord Salisbury's difficulties—The last of the Woodstock elections—The new ministry—A truce at Westminster—A legislative feat—'Maamtrasna' and its consequences—Lord Carnarvon's opinions—The 'empty house' meeting—The Prime Minister's reticence—The Conservative Cabinet and Home Rule—The election campaign—General confusion—The 'unauthorised programme'—Parnell's demand—The lines of battle—Lord Randolph's exertions and activities—A visit to Dublin—'Come over and help us'—Dispute with Lord Hartington—The 'boa-constrictor' speech—The contest in Birmingham—Popularity of the Conservative Government—The poll—Victories of Tory Democracy in the boroughs—The loss of the counties—The Birmingham Election—'Low water-mark' 423 CHAPTER XI 1885 AT THE INDIA OFFICE A serener sphere—The Council of India—Lord Randolph in office—Railway development in India—Mr. Moore—The Russian crisis—The Afghan boundary—Correspondence with the Queen—Increase of the British and Native Armies in India—Appointment of Sir Frederick Roberts—The Indian Budget in the House of Commons—Lord Randolph and Lord Salisbury as letter-writers—The Bombay command—Resignation of Lord Randolph Churchill—Correspondence—Lord Salisbury yields—Settlement of the dispute—Conquest and annexation of Burma—The New Year's Proclamation 474 APPENDICES I. Three Election Addresses, 1874, 1880, 1885 527 II. Further Correspondence relating to the National Union of Conservative Associations 537 III. Lord Randolph Churchill's Explanation of His Action in regard to the Reform Bill, 1884 550 IV.