Lord Rosebery, nominated successor to Mr. Gladstone, like some Popes,
"by acclamation," kissed hands on Mon- day as First Lord of the Treasury and President in Council, a sinecure which, when held by a Peer, confers precedence over almost everybody. As was expected, he surrendered the portfolio of the Foreign Office, which has been given to Lord Kimberley, but the vacancy thus created has not been filled by Mr. John Morley. He has consented, sorely, we suspect, against his will, to remain Chief Secretary for Ireland, and Mr. H. H. Fowler, of all mankind, has been made Secretary for India. There can be no question as to his claims after his management of the Parish Councils Bill, and no one doubts his abilities, but the two posts which we should have thought him incompetent to fill are the Premiership and the India Office. He may, however, be of great assistance in the finance work, which is just now the preoccupation of the India House. Mr. Shaw Lefevre takes the Local Government Board, the work of which he understands, and the Public Works will probably be given to Mr. Herbert Gladstone, with- out a seat in the Cabinet. Lord Reay will be the Under-Secre- tary for India, and Mr. George Russell will become Under- Secretary for the Home Department. It is added that the death of Lord Tweed mouth greatly disturbed Lord Rosebery, who relied upon Mr. Marjoribank's unequalled knowledge of the Commons, and consequently, as he has succeeded to the peerage, he will be admitted to the Cabinet, either without portfolio, or as Lord Privy Seal. The resolve to make no changes that could be helped has saved the new Premier endless worry.
