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 THIRD MARQUESS OF SALISBURY 263

Bank Holidays Bill of the following year, Lord Salisbury was unsparing in his attacks on Liberal abuses of power, as shown, for example, in the Abolition of Purchase in the Army by Royal Warrant, after the rejection of the Bill in the House of Lords ; in the attempt to force the Ballot Bill through the Upper House without allowing opportunity for discussion ; and in the disgraceful jobbery in the matter of appointments, of which the case of Sir Robert Collier and the " Ewelme Scandal " were particularly gross.

The election of 1874 proved that, as he antici- pated, the people were tired of " heroic legislation," and were determined to impose a truce on " these perpetual attacks on classes and institutions and interests, which are fatal to the union, the peace, and the prosperity of the country." For the first time for thirty years the Conservatives were returned to power with a commanding majority, and Gladstone at once resigned.

In Disraeli's new Cabinet, Lord Salisbury again occupied the position of Secretary for India. He was at once called upon to deal with a critical situation created by the famine in Bengal, and by upholding the action of the Viceroy, Lord Northbrook his political opponent against that of Sir. G. Campbell, the Lieut. - Governor of Bengal, he showed that he was not only capable of taking large views of a serious question, uninfluenced by personal or party con- siderations, but was also courageous enough to maintain his opinion in the face of popular

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