February

1868, he reached the summit of his ambition, becoming premier on the resignation of Lord Derby, but being in a minority after the general election he had to give up oflice the following December. In 1874 he again became prime minister with a strong Conservative. majority, and he remained in power for six years. This period was marked By, his elevation to the peerage in 1876 as Earl of Beacons field, and by the prominent part he took in regard to the Eastern question and the conclusion of the treaty of Berlin in 1878, when he visited the German capital. In the spring of 1880 Parliament was ‘rather suddenly di olved, and the new Parliament showing an overwhelming Liberal majority, he resigned office, though he still retained the leadership of his party. Not long after this, the publication of a novel called “Endymion” (his last, “ Lothair,” had been published 10 years before) showed that his intellect was still vigorous. His physical powers however, were now giving way, and he died April 19, 1881, after an illne of some weeks’ duration. His wife had died in 1872 after having been created Viscounte Beacons field.