In July, 1865, Gladstone was defeated for Par liament at Oxford, but was returned from South Lancashire. Lord Russell became head of the Ministry, and made Gladstone Chancellor of the Exchequer and leader in the House of Commons. In 1866 Lord Russell brought for ward his first bill for the extension of suffrage and the redis tribution of seats in the House of Commons. The support of this measure marks the begin ning of Gladstone's adhesion to the Liberal Party, toward which he had long been tending. His acceptance of office under Palmerston while still professing Tory principles was the first step in this direction. His defeat by his Oxford con stituents because of his Liberal affiliations and tendencies strengthened his resolution to make his abandonment of Toryism definite. As for the bill itself, Disraeli and others united to defeat it, and the Liberal Government was forced to re sign (June 19th). Lord Derby and Disraeli on their accession to power introduced another re form bill even more radical than that of Glad stone, who gave the new measure his hearty sup port. helping to carry it through in 1867.
In December, 1867, Gladstone succeeded Lord Russell as leader of the Liberal Party. In this capacity he vigorously assailed the Conservative Ministry, which after February 26, 1868, was headed by Disraeli. In November the Ministry appealed to the country on the question of the dis establishment of the Irish Church, which had been made by Gladstone a party issue, and in the new Parliament the Liberals gained an over whelming majority. On December 4, 1868, Glad stone became Prime Minister, and started in at once on a campaign of reform in Irish affairs. The disestablishment of the Irish Church was effected in July, 1869, after a bitter struggle in the House of Lords. The next thing he essayed was to reform the Irish land system. This bill, though moderate in character, was nevertheless a step forward in the direction of giving the ten ants more rights and keeping them from being crushed at pleasure by their landlords. This bill was carried in 1870. He also sought to establish an Irish National University that would satisfy the just demands of the Catholics of Ireland. This measure was defeated and he resigned (March, 1873). Disraeli refused to form a Min istry, so Gladstone was forced to resume office for a time, though his strength was insufficient to carry any important reform measure. In 1874 he called for a dissolution in order to in crease, if he could, the strength of his party in the House by a general election. The election brought defeat instead, and Disraeli returned to power. Gladstone, wearied with the weight of affairs, resigned his leadership and retired from official life to carry on a controversy over the Vatican decrees recently promulgated by the Pope, and destined, as Gladstone thought, to weaken the allegiance of English Catholics to their sovereign.
It was the news of the Bulgarian horrors (1876) that brought Gladstone once more into public life. By his speeches and pamphlets he aroused
public feeling to the highest pitch of excitement, and throughout the Russo-Turkish War he de nounced the pro-Ottoman policy of Lord Beacons field, acting once more as the leader of his party. On the issue of the Russo-Turkish War the Liberals carried the country in 1880, and Gladstone, elected from Midlothian. on April 23 became Prime Minister. Gladstone now resumed his position at the head of the Lib eral Party. He started in at once to continue the work of his first Ministry. He introduced a second Irish Land Bill, which was thrown out of the House of Lords. Ireland began to grow im patient, and the Nationalist leaders in Parlia ment restive. The Home Rule movement took a new lease of life under Parnell, Dillon, and others, but as yet Gladstone had nothing in com mon with their cause. His Ministry lost prestige in the conduct of affairs both in Ireland and abroad. The Pha'nix Park murders (1882), fol lowed by repressive legislation on the part of the Government, alienated the Irish members in Par liament. The defeat of Majuba Hill (1881). and the generous terms of peace conceded the Boers, aroused public dissatisfaction. The failure to relieve Khartum, and the tragic death of General Gordon (1885), were fatal blows to the Min istry. On June 8, 1885, Gladstone resie-ned and was succeeded by Lord Salisbury. 'The elections of November showed a slight prepon derance of Conservatives and Parnellites over Liberals. To gain the support of the latter, Gladstone announced his adhesion to Home Rule; the Conservative Government was over thrown, and on February 1, 1886, Gladstone succeeded to the Premiership for the third time. In April a Home Rule bill was brought into Par liament. ( See HOME RULE.) The measure met with opposition from all sides. The Irish mem bers objected to the clause which deprived Ire land of representatives to the Imperial Parlia ment. A serious defection occurred in the Lib eral ranks, Lord Hartington and Mr. Goschen refusing to support the Government, and being supported in their action by John Bright and Joseph Chamberlain. On June 7th the bill failed to pass a second reading, 93 Liberal votes being cast against it. Parliament was dissolved on June 26th, but the elections resulted in the de cisive defeat of the Liberal Party, and on July 20th the Ministry resigned. The elections of 1892 showed a majority of 40 for Home Rule, and on August 15th began Gladstone's fourth and last Ministry. In 1803 a new and amended bill was brought before the House, and Gladstone, making the last great official fight of his life, triumphantly carried it. The House of Lords, however, threw out the measure (September 8th), and the last stage of Gladstone's life work ended in apparent failure. Weary of the tumults of Parliamentary life, he laid down his office on March 3, 1894, being succeeded by his colleague Lord Rosebery.