... to govern, proves himself to be a worthy leader. To prove Gladstone's hold one must also look at all that he accomplished during his leadership. Between 1868 and 1874, Gladstone "put into effect a long-delayed avalanche of reforms." (Churchill 1993: pg 286) He "disestablished the Protestant Church of Ireland. This was followed the next year (1870) by a Land Act which attempted to protect tenants from unfair eviction." (Churchill 1993: pg 287) He also eliminated patronage from the Civil Service, reformed the Army, got the electorate educated, allowed all to enter the universities, and simplified the judicial system. Following the Liberal victory at the 1868 General Election Queen Victoria called on Gladstone to form a government. He was appointed First Lord of the Treasury on 3 Dec 1868. "During his first ministry Gladstone unsuccessfully attempted to pacify Ireland by disestablishing the Irish Church (1869) and passing the first Irish Land Act ...

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