The Eastern question had passed once more into an acute stage. The incorrigible vices of the Government of Turkey had led to a series of horrible massacres of the Christian subjects of the Sultan in Armenia. Sympathy with the sufferers was readily aroused in this country; Mr. Gladstone, though no longer in Parliament, responded to appeals made to him by various individuals, and wrote a number of letters, in which, though at first he was careful to use no expression to increase Lord Salisbury's difficulties, he gradually glided into his accustomed vehemence, and indicated his desire that England should take vengeance on the "Assassin of Europe," single-handed, if need be. In the course of 1896 he appeared on a public platform in Liverpool, and supported this view with great energy. This precipitated a further calamity on the Liberal party, for, in the course of 1896, Lord Rosebery announced that he differed so strongly from the views expressed by Mr. Gladstone, and was, besides, so sensible of the want of cordiality in the support given to him by some of his followers, that he felt compelled to resign his leadership. It would be premature to attempt more than brief allusion to events which are still in progress. The insurrection of the Cretan subjects of the Porte, the invasion of the island by Greece, and the war which ensued between Turkey and Greece, in which the latter so quickly collapsed, have proved, thus far, to be disturbances severely localised by means of the Concert established among the Great Powers, who, while resolved to compel the Sultan's Government to administer his realm with humanity and even justice, have resisted the attempt made by the Greeks to wrest away part of his territory by violence. [Illustration: _Sir J. Tenniel._} {_From "Punch."_ WHO SAID "ATROCITIES"?] [Illustration: _From a Photograph by Russell & Sons._} THE STATE DINING-ROOM AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE. The tables set for the wedding breakfast of Princess Maud of Wales. Princess Maud, youngest daughter of the Prince and Princess of Wales, was married to Prince Carl, second son of the Crown Prince of Denmark, July 22, 1896.] [Sidenote: Trouble in the Transvaal.]