274 THE CECILS
a step of this kind has once been taken, you are practically obliged to go on/' and " all that Lord Beaconsfield did was to carry out the policy which his predecessors had laid down." He added that Beaconsfield was not free from mis- giving, but " still entertained hopes, which I did not entertain. Those hopes have not been realised."
During the next two years, the popularity of the Government declined, and in 1880 the Liberals were again returned to power, with Gladstone as Prime Minister. A year later, on April igth, 1881, Lord Beaconsfield died, at the height of his reputation, and Lord Salisbury succeeded him as Conservative leader in the House of Lords. Sir Stafford Northcote still led the Opposition in the Commons, and this system of " dual control " continued for the next four years.
At this time Lord Salisbury was by no means universally recognised as the future Prime Minister. Great as was his ability, he was thought to be wanting in tact and moderation, and his personal reserve prevented him from being in any sense a popular figure. " He has many of the most necessary qualities of a leader," wrote Lord Lytton at this time ; " great powers of work, and a charm of manner very attractive to those who are immediately about him. But he makes bitter personal enemies, and the country at large mistrusts him, I think." 1
1 Letters of Robert, Earl of Lytton, II. 233.
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