Lord Randolph Churchill's resignation announced—Consideration of rival forces and principles in the Conservative party—The conflict in the Cabinet—Various differences—Retrenchment—The Army Estimates—The Prime Minister's choice—Windsor Castle—Letter of Resignation—Lord Salisbury's reply—Publication of the news—General reflections thereon 213 CHAPTER XVII. 1887 THE TURN OF THE TIDE A private member—Mr. Chamberlain's letters—Outcry against Lord Randolph Churchill—Lord Salisbury and Lord Hartington—Failure of a coalition—Protracted Cabinet crisis—A New Year's Day letter—Explanation to the Queen—Mr. Jennings—Mr. Goschen—Death of Lord Iddesleigh—The Government reconstituted—Final correspondence with Lord Salisbury—The two courses—Meeting of Parliament—Lord Randolph's statement—Algiers and Italy—Public results of Lord Randolph's resignation—Displeasure of the Conservative party 251 CHAPTER XVIII. 1887 ECONOMY Difficulties of an ex-Minister—Lord Randolph's course—Mr. Goschen's Budget—The Army and Navy Committee—Economy and efficiency—Departmental mismanagement—Wolverhampton speech—The Hartington Commission—Effect of Lord Randolph's agitation—Lord Randolph abandons Fair Trade 302 CHAPTER XIX. 1887-1888 THE NATIONAL PARTY Ireland still—The Liberal Unionists—Coercion—Lord Randolph Churchill and Mr. Chamberlain—Dream of a central party—Difficulties of co-operation—A severance—Correspondence with Lord Hartington—Weakness of the Government—Irish educational schemes—Lord Randolph in Russia—His conversation with the Czar 334 CHAPTER XX. 1888-1889 CROSS CURRENTS Irish Local Government—A disregarded pledge—Suakin—Vacancy at Birmingham—Mr. Chamberlain's attitude—Mr. Jennings' account—Lord Randolph withdraws—Disappointment of Birmingham Conservatives—Mr. Balfour's intervention—Correspondence with Mr. Chamberlain—Royal grants—Speeches in the Midlands—'Mr. Podsnap'—Hostility of the Conservative party 370 CHAPTER XXI. 1890-1891 THE PARNELL COMMISSION The Pigott letter—Action of the Government—Lord Randolph's warning—The forgery exposed—Report of the Special Commission—Mr. Jennings' amendment—Lord Randolph's speech—Mr. Chamberlain replies—Mr. Jennings offended—Wrath of the Conservative party—Estrangement from Mr. Jennings—Tendency of Lord Randolph Churchill's later views—Ministerial discredit—Lord Randolph on the turf—At home and abroad—Barren years—Loyalty to the Conservative party—Expedition to Mashonaland—Lion-hunting—Mr. Balfour becomes Leader of the House of Commons 405 CHAPTER XXII. 1892-1895 OPPOSITION ONCE MORE A new situation—General Election of 1892—Lord Randolph unopposed—Friendly dispositions of Conservative leaders—Lord Randolph rejoins their councils—Speech on the Home Rule Bill—Fatal symptoms—His last success—Correspondence with FitzGibbon—Riot in the House of Commons—Increasing infirmities—A desperate campaign—Kissingen—Meeting with Bismarck—Preparations for a long journey—The end 453 APPENDICES V.