Page:The Siege of London - Posteritas - 1885.djvu/23

 had aroused a good deal of interest and anxiety amongst Englishmen, and, notwithstanding that one or two optimists declined to take any alarmist views, and some obscure Radical Working Men's Clubs had sent a resolution to Mr. Gladstone strongly deprecating any increase in the naval estimates, there was a concensus of opinion that some very decided action must be taken in order to place the navy in a thoroughly efficient position.

Party rancour was not allowed to blind the more intelligent part of the community to these things; and it was felt that the greatness of England ought to be maintained whatever party was in power. It was remarkable during this contest what a thoughtful feeling pervaded the country. Men who seldom troubled themselves about politics were, it was noted, more inclined to listen to arguments; and to question, in a rational manner, those who sought to lead them than they had been on any previous occasion. The violent language of the advanced Radicals did not find much favour; while the more logical reasoning of the Conservatives arrested men's attention.

Although the Conservatives began to take a more hopeful view from these signs, the Liberals did not cease to predict a tremendous victory for their party. It seemed to them a foregone conclusion. Defeat, they said, was impossible. The country to a man was with Mr. Gladstone, and his policy was thoroughly appreciated. This jubilant tone was maintained for some time, until the elections commenced, and were found to be going against them. But still the party by no means despaired, and did not even dream of defeat. It may, therefore, be imagined with what blank amazement they learned at last that the country had expressed itself indignant, and had returned the Conservatives to power again with the splendid majority of eighty.

This result was a surprise for both parties, but for the Liberals it was something more: it was crushing and humiliating. They were thunderstruck and dumbfounded. They had shouted "Victory," and now had to acknowledge overwhelming disaster. Their own weapons had been turned against them. Their own Reform Bill, which had brought in two million new voters, had actually helped to defeat them. It was a tremendous shock, because it was