The Reform Bill of 1867 gave a great accession of power to the Liberal Party; and the General Election of November 1868 speedily led to the resignation of the Disraeli Cabinet and the accession of the Gladstone Ministry to power.

This portended change in other directions than home affairs.

The tradition of a spirited foreign policy died with Lord Palmerston in 1865.

With the entry of John Bright to the new Cabinet peace at all costs became the dominant note of British statesmanship.

There was much to be said in favour of this.