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by Mr. Disraeli and passed by both Houses. The effect was to lower the franchise considerably. In 1868 bills of a like nature were passed for Ireland and Scotland. No change was made in the number of Irish seats, but the number of English seats was decreased, and the surplus transferred to Scotland.

352. The Abyssinian Expedition, 1868.—Had its origin in the detention of certain English captives by Theodoros, Emperor of Abyssinia. An expedition under Sir Robert Napier, now Lord Napier of Magdala, was despatched to Abyssinia to enforce their release, and the campaign terminated with the Taking of Magdala, a strong fortress, the death of Theodoros, and the liberation of his prisoners.

353. Disestablishment and Disendowment of the Irish Church, 1869.-The state of the Irish Church had long engaged attention. A Bill for disestablishing and disendowing it was introduced by Mr. Gladstone, and ultimately passed during his premiership, which commenced in 1868.

354. The Landlord and Tenant (Ireland) Act, 1870.— This was an Act passed with a view to establish more harmonious relations between landlord and tenant in Ireland, by regulating the occupation and ownership of land.

355. The Elementary Education Act, 1870.-An important measure providing for public elementary education in England and Wales. The carrying out of this Act was intrusted to district 'Schoolboards,' instituted for that purpose. A Metropolitan School Board was elected in November 1870.

356. The Supplemental Treaties, 1870.-These were concluded by Great Britain with France and Prussia respectively, at the commencement of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, in order to record her determination to maintain the independence and neutrality of Belgium as prescribed in a previous treaty (1839), between Great Britain, Austria, France, Prussia, and Belgium. If Belgium were invaded by either France or Prussia during the war, Great Britain was bound to assist the non-invading belligerent in expelling the invader.

357. Treaty of Washington, 1871.-Between Great Britain and the United States. Provided for the settlement, by arbitration, of the so-called 'Alabama' and kindred claims, arising from the fittingout, within British jurisdiction, of belligerent vessels during the American war of 1861-5; regulated the sea-fishery on the coasts of North America, and made arrangements for the navigation of certain rivers and the definition of certain boundaries.

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* Napoleon III., until recently Emperor of France, was deposed in 1870, after the capitulation of Sedan, when he became the prisoner of the King of Prussia. He was released at the peace, and is now (1871) resident in England.

The former Papal States are now incorporated with the kingdom of Italy. In December, 1870, the King of Prussia was elected 'Emperor of Germany.'

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London: Lockwood & Co Stationers Hall Court.

73

THR

CIVIL SERVICE ENGLISH HISTORY.

PART SECOND.

APPENDIX I.

ENGLISH CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY.

A SKETCH OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS IN THE HISTORY OF THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE BRITISH CONSTITUTION.

The British and Roman Periods.—Of the government of Britain under its aboriginal inhabitants little can be affirmed with certainty. The country, it appears, was divided into a number of petty states, having each its separate chieftain, and uniting in cases of common danger under a common ruler. Cassivelaunus, for instance, was elected to the command of the south-eastern parts of the island upon the second invasion of Julius Cæsar, B.C. 54. That the succession to the rulership of a state did not exclude females may be gathered from the fact that Prasatagus, King of the Iceni, was succeeded by his wife, Boadicea.

Great influence seems to have been exercised over both the chiefs and their subjects by the Druids, or priesthood. These were the educators of youth and the arbiters of disputes. They decided public and private causes, and pronounced sentence of excommunication upon all who refused to obey their decrees.

During the Roman period Britain was a military colony of the Roman empire, and its government was administered by Roman officers. The British government was not superseded, but to a certain extent existed along with that introduced by the conquerors, whose policy it was to adapt themselves, as far as possible, to the forms of government which prevailed in the territories they subdued.

Towards the latter part of the Roman occupation the country was included in the Prefecture of Gaul, and divided into five provinces, viz.:-1. Britannia Prima (south of the Thames and the Bristol Channel); 2. Britannia Secunda (Wales and some adjacent counties); 3. Flavia Casariensis (east of Britannia

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