Stock Photo - Out of the Wood!, 1881. The Liberal Prime Minister, Gladstone, is the knight in shining armour, sweeping Hibernia out of danger. Instead of a lance, he carries the Irish Land Act. The Bill had occupied virtually all the debating time in the Commons over nearly five months. Three readings in the Commons were followed by debates and amendments in the Lords. The Commons rejected many of these amendments. When the Bill returned to the Lords, the rejection of the amendments was itself rejected. Eventually, Lord Salisbury, the new Leader of the Conservatives in the Lords after Disraeli's death, advised the Lords to accept the Bill even though he himself was not completely in agreement. However, the Bill was finally passed, and received Royal Assent on 22nd August 1881. From Punch, or the London Charivari, August 27, 1881.