A hundred years ago From the 'Spectator', 9 May 1868—Political
ex- citement has been increasing all through the week. The reunited Liberals, warming to their work, have carried Mr. Gladstone's Resolutions, but the Government, though fully aware. as Mr. Hardy acknowledged, of its "severe defeat", insists on retaining power in the teeth of the House of Commons . . . Mr. Disraeli made his statement on Monday evening to a thronged and excited House of Commons. It occupied about ten minutes, and re- vealed nothing. Mr. Disraeli . . . had gone to Osborne on Friday; had advised a dissolution; had, to smooth her Majesty's path, tendered his resigna- tion; had been told to wait a day; had been ordered on the morrow not to resign; and had received power to dissolve "as soon as the public business would permit" In giving this short narrative, the Premier used the words "Her Majesty" thirteen times, frequently employing them as a pronoun, and carefully indicated that the Queen, and not himself, had decided on the course to be pursued.
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