Some ten thousand people assembled in Trafalgar Square and passed vehement resolutions in favour of reform. They then marched to Carlton House Terrace, singing litanies and hymns in honour of Mr. Gladstone; his name was received everywhere with tumultuous cheers, and he was hailed as the true Leader of the Liberal party.

A new Ministry was formed by Lord Derby, and time soon proved the truth of Mr. Gladstone's great speech.

The spirit of the people had been aroused by the dismissal of their trusted leaders, Lord Russell and Mr. Gladstone; public opinion was now thoroughly aroused in favour of reform. Meeting after meeting was held in Hyde Park of crowds clamouring for an extension of the suffrage. Fearful of a disturbance to the public peace, the gates of the park were closed and barred. But the formers were not to be so easily daunted. They pulled down the railings, rushed through the breach, and took forcible possession of the park.

Reform was so loudly demanded by public opinion that the Conservative Ministers were compelled to listen; and Lord Derby, the Prime Minister, with Mr. Disraeli as Leader of the House, found themselves driven to introduce a Reform Bill of a far more sweeping character than that which had failed in the names of Lord Russell ant Mr. Gladstone.

The Ministry that so successfully carried the Reform Bill was not of long duration. In 1565, Lord Derby retired in ill-health, to be succeeded by Mr. Disraeli as Prime Minister.

No one doubted that. Mr. Gladstone would be the next.

One afternoon in November 1868, Mr. Gladstone, in his shirt sleeves, was cutting down a tree in Hawarden Park, while a friend of his, Evelyn Ashley, was holding his coat and watching the proceedings. Suddenly up came a messenger with a telegram. Mr Gladstone opened it and read it.

"Very significant," he said, handing it to his friend to read. Then, without saying another word, he resumed his work.

The telegram stated that an order was coming front the Queen. The well-directed blows continued. Presently they ceased.

Mr. Gladstone, resting on the handle of his axe, looked up, and, with deep earnestness in his voice and a look of great intensity in his face, exclaimed, "My mission is to pacify Ireland."

He then resumed his task and never said another word till the tree was down.

Soon after, the royal summons came. Mr Gladstone stool on the topmost rung of the ladder. He was Prime Minister of England!