THIRD MARQUESS OF SALISBURY 255
incisive speeches, and his article in the Quarterly Review (March, 1866), which provoked an out- burst of irritation from Gladstone, played their part in procuring the defeat of the Government. He was now marked for promotion, and in spite of the fact that he had held no office previously, no surprise was felt when Lord Derby invited him to join his Cabinet as Secretary of State for India. At the same time he was sworn of the Privy Council (July I2th, 1866). Within a week of this date, he was called upon to introduce the Indian Budget, and astonished the House by his mastery of the intricate details of Indian finance. But his first tenure of office was of short duration. The question of Reform had now become urgent owing to the Hyde Park riots and the action of the Reform League ; and in February, 1867, Disraeli made an attempt to settle it by consent of the whole House. This proving unsuccessful, as might have been expected under the circumstances, a Bill was introduced, and three members of the Cabinet, Lord Cranborne, General Peel and Lord Carnarvon, resigned. The history of the events which led to this defection has often been told. It appears that two alternative measures, one of which granted household suffrage under certain conditions, while the other was based on a 6 franchise, were considered by the Cabinet, and on Saturday, February 23rd, the former was agreed upon. On the Monday morning, the three doubtful ministers, having carefully examined the statistics
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