The question still remained--who was to lead the House of Commons? The answer was a remarkable one. Mr. W. H. Smith, in spite of the mediocrity of his powers of oratory, had risen to very high office in successive Conservative Cabinets. As a man of business his reputation was unsurpassed, and he had secured the respect and confidence of all sections of the House of Commons by his well-known indifference to office and independence of its emoluments. Upon him the choice fell; he exchanged the post of Secretary for War for that of First Lord of the Treasury, and justified his appointment by leading the House of Commons with admirable temper and judgment during five trying sessions. [Illustration: _From Photograph_} {_by E. Ward._ MANCHESTER SHIP CANAL AND BARTON AQUEDUCT. The Canal, 35-1/2 miles long, which has made Manchester practically a sea-port, was commenced in 1887 and opened by Her Majesty the Queen in 1893. It cost 15-1/2 million pounds. The Bridgwater Canal is carried across it in a swinging aqueduct at Barton. The lower illustration shows the aqueduct partially swung open; the ends of the water-way are of course closed and a barge may be seen therein, whilst the horse drawing it is on the tow path above. The Ship Canal is seen beneath.] [Illustration: _From a Photograph_} {_by E. Ward, Manchester._ BARTON AQUEDUCT.] [Illustration: _From a Photograph_} {_by Valentine & Sons, Dundee._ THE ROYAL PROCESSION ON JUBILEE DAY PASSING HYDE PARK CORNER.] CHAPTER XVII. 1887-1897. Adoption of the Closure by the House of Commons--The Queen's Jubilee--Thanksgiving Service in Westminster Abbey--The Imperial Institute--"Parnellism and Crime"--Appointment of Special Commission of Judges--Their Report--Fall of Parnell--Disruption of the Irish Party--Deaths of Parnell and W. H. Smith--The Baring Crisis--The Local Government Bill--Establishment of County Councils--Free Education--Death of the Duke of Clarence--General Election--Mr. Gladstone's Fourth Midlothian Campaign--The Newcastle Programme--Victory of Home Rulers--The Second Home Rule Bill--Its Rejection by the Lords--Parish Councils and Employers' Liability Acts--Mr. Gladstone Resigns the Leadership--Lord Rosebery becomes Prime Minister--Disunion of Ministerialists--Defeat and Resignation of the Government--Lord Salisbury's Third Administration--General Election--Unionist Triumph--The Eastern Question--Massacres in Armenia--Lord Rosebery Resigns the Leadership--Trouble in the Transvaal--Dr. Jameson's Raid--The German Emperor's Message--The Venezuelan Dispute--President Cleveland's Message.