But a terrible era of violence and crime, inaugurated by the murder of Viscount Mountmorres on September 25, 1880, proved that the old methods of terrorising were far from obsolete, and that the "more Christian and charitable" boycotting was only a supplement to them. The transparency of the veil thrown over the connection of the Land League with atrocious crimes made it necessary to strengthen the hands of the Executive by the introduction of a fresh Coercion Bill, with clauses specially framed to deal with the new system of intimidation known as boycotting. Mr. Forster, by a merciful instruction to substitute buckshot for ball in the cartridges of the Irish police, earned for himself from the Irish Party the nickname of "Buckshot" Forster. The debates on this measure are memorable for the resistance offered to it by the Parnellite party, which led to the adoption of the "12 o'clock rule" and of the closure. [Sidenote: The Irish Land Bill.] [Sidenote: Resignation of the Duke of Argyll.] No sooner had the new Coercion Bill received the Royal Assent, on March 21, than Mr. Gladstone announced another great measure dealing with Ireland, framed to conciliate disaffection and redress the complaints of Irish farmers. The Irish Land Bill occupied the House of Commons during four months of 1881. Its introduction caused the secession of the Duke of Argyll from the Cabinet, because, as he explained to the Lords, though in favour of increasing the number of landowners in Ireland, he would have no hand in destroying ownership altogether. [Sidenote: Death of Lord Beaconsfield.] The Earl of Beaconsfield died on April 19, 1881. If Sir Robert Peel must be reckoned the founder of the Conservative Party, Benjamin Disraeli must be claimed as its architect. [Illustration: _From a Photograph_} {_by Thiele, Chancery Lane._ LORD BEACONSFIELD'S STATUE. The statue erected to the memory of the Earl of Beaconsfield in Parliament Square is annually decorated, on "Primrose Day" (April 19) with palms and flowers, and vendors of primroses drive a busy trade in "button-holes" amongst the onlookers. A similar tribute is annually paid to the memory of General Gordon, whose statue stands in the centre of Trafalgar Square; and for the last two years the Nelson Column itself has, on "Trafalgar Day," been hung with festoons of evergreens.] [Sidenote: Military Revolt in Egypt.]