1888. Death of the Emperor William of Germany, followed by that of his son, the Emperor Frederick William. THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT received Royal Assent.
The principal object of this Act is the division of England and Wales into counties and county boroughs for local government, with boundaries as nearly as possible corresponding to the geographical counties, and the establishment in each of a representative Council having control over most of the administrative business and finance of the district it represents. The Metropolitan Board of Works ceases to exist, and its powers, business, and officers are transferred to the London County Council.
The national debt and interest at this date slightly exceeded £705,000,000.
1889. Local Government Act for Scotland passed, establishing Elective County Councils. H. M. Stanley reached the East Coast of Africa with Emin Pasha, whom he had gone to relieve.
1890. Heligoland ceded to Germany, and the protectorate of Zanzibar granted to Great Britain. The Forth Bridge, which cost £4,000,000, and is the largest bridge in the world, opened.
1891. Death of Parnell, leader of the Irish party.
1892. Duke of Clarence died. The Conservative Ministry defeated. Mr. Gladstone returns to power. Death of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Poet-Laureate.
1893. The Imperial Institute inaugurated. Marriage of the Duke of York and Princess Victoria Maud of Teck.
1894. Parish and District Councils appointed. The Manchester Ship-Canal opened for traffic. The Tower Bridge, London, completed.
1895. Advance against Umra Khan, usurper of Chitral. The “Unionists” return to power with a majority of 152.