When the draft of the lengthy and intricate Irish Church Bill came before her, accompanied by an explanatory letter from Mr.Gladstone covering a dozen closely-written quarto pages, she almost despaired.

She turned from the Bill to the explanation, and from the explanation back again to the Bill, and she could not decide which was the most confusing.

But she had to do her duty: she had not only to read, but to make notes.

At last she handed the whole heap of papers to Mr.Martin, who happened to be staying at Osborne, and requested him to make a precis of them.

When he had done so, her disapproval of the measure became more marked than ever; but, such was the strength of the Government, she actually found herself obliged to urge moderation upon the Opposition, lest worse should ensue.
In the midst of this crisis, when the future of the Irish Church was hanging in the balance, Victoria's attention was drawn to another proposed reform.