Conference met on January 17, 1872, and solemnly proceeded to abrogate that which they were in no position to maintain--the neutralisation of the Black Sea. Reflection on the situation of Europe at that time can lead to no other conclusion but that Great Britain was sagaciously steered without loss of honour through a very difficult channel; but none the less unfavourable to the Government was the impression created at the time, that the country had suffered a degree of humiliation in permitting a treaty which had cost her so dear to be torn up. [Illustration: _From a Photograph_} {_by Hughes & Mullins, Ryde._ HER MAJESTY WITH THE PRINCESS BEATRICE. April 1871.] [Sidenote: The Irish University Bill.] [Sidenote: Defeat and Resignation of Ministers.] But Mr. Gladstone, full of serious purpose, was blind to the symptoms of failing prestige--indifferent to the warning conveyed by loss of successive seats at by-elections. He had dealt with two limbs of the upas-tree; there remained the third--that of Irish education, and he bared his arms to attack it. On February 13 he introduced a Bill dealing with the Irish Universities. It was a masterly measure, a scheme of extraordinary complexity, dealing with a very complicated and unsatisfactory state of things. It is not necessary to examine its details at this time; it is, perhaps, enough to say that the Prime Minister's plan was one that, while it offended and alarmed every one deriving benefit from the existing state of things, failed to satisfy any of the religious bodies--Protestant, Catholic, or Nonconformist--which desired a change. Disraeli's words spoken on the second reading came home to many hearts on both sides of the House. "You have now had four years of it," he said. "You have despoiled churches; you have threatened every corporation and endowment in the country. You have examined into everybody's affairs. You have criticised every profession and vexed every trade. No one is certain of his property, and nobody knows what duties he may have to perform to-morrow. I believe that the people of this country have had enough of confiscation." The Bill was rejected by a majority of three votes, and Mr. Gladstone resigned office; but, on the Queen sending for Mr. Disraeli, he declined to form "a weak and discredited Administration," and the Government resumed its functions. [Illustration: _Sir J. Tenniel._} {_From "Punch."_ CRITICS. Mr. Gladstone: "H'm, flippant!" Mr. Disraeli: "Ha, prosy!" Mr. Disraeli's "Lothair" and Mr. Gladstone's "Juventus Mundi" appeared almost simultaneously in 1870.] [Sidenote: General Election.]