We have endeavoured elsewhere to explain our view of the
extent of this catastrophe, but we must add here that the Liberals in the House will probably make one last effort to induce Mr. Gladstone to reconsider his decision, and then, if that fails, proceed to decide upon their leader. It is believed in many quarters, and in one or two places assumed, that the Marquis of Hartington
has been selected, but that is an error. " The Premier- ship," to use the words we should use if Liberals were in office, passes almost inevitably to Lord Granville ; but the lead of the Lower House must be assigned by the party, ancl their choice is practically limited to four men,— Mr. Forster, Mr. Goschen, Lord Harlington, and Sir W. Har- court. Mr. Bright has not the physical strength, and Mr. Lowe is too decidedly unpopular. The opinions of Mr. Gladstone and Lord Granville have still to be expressed, that of the party at ' large has not been fully formed, and it must not be forgotten that the qualities required are those of a leader in Opposition. The chances, we fear, in a country like this are greatly in favour of the aristocratic candidate, even if he be the least competent of the first Three, but an immense number of considerations will go to the selection. One of them certainly ought to be this,—that for a leader in Opposition the most necessary, though not the highest quality, is House-of-Commons tact.
