for his anti-democratic zeal and his incisive speech. He joined
Lord Derby's Cabinet in 1866, left it on-account of his hostility
to the Reform Bill of 1867, and assailed Disraeli both with pen
and tongue in a fashion which seemed to make it impossible that
the two men could ever again speak to one another--let alone work
together. But political grudges are short-lived; or perhaps it
would be nearer the mark to say that, however strong those grudges
may be, the allurements of office are stronger still. Men conscious
of great powers for serving the State will often put up with a
good deal which they dislike sooner than decline an opportunity
of public usefulness.

Whatever the explanation, the fact remains that Lord Salisbury (who
had succeeded to the title in 1868) joined Disraeli's Cabinet in
1874, and soon became a leading figure in it. His oratorical duels
with the Duke of Argyll during the Eastern Question of 1876-1879
were remarkably, vigorous performances; and, when he likened a near
kinsman to Titus Oates, there were some who regretted that the
days of physical duelling were over. In 1878 he accompanied Lord
Beaconsfield to the Congress of Berlin, being second Plenipotentiary;
and when on their return he drove through the acclaiming streets
of London in the back seat of the Triumphal Car, it was generally
surmised that he had established his claim to the ultimate reversion
of the Premiership. That reversion, as I said just now, he attained
in June, 1885, and enjoyed till February, 1886--a short tenure of
office, put the earnest of better and longer things to come.

At this period of His career Lord Salisbury was forced to yield to
the democratic spirit so far as to "go on the stump" and address
popular audiences in great towns. It was an uncongenial employment.