The funeral of Mr. Edward Stanhope, the Secretary for War
in the last Ministry, who died at his brother's seat at Ohevening, Sevenoaks, on Thursday, December 21st, took place on Wednes- day at Revesby, Lincolnshire. Mr. Stanhope's death, which was quite unexpected, was due to a sudden attack of gout, brought on by the Parliamentary labours of the year that is just closing. Mr. Stanhope, after Harrow and Christchurch, went to the Parliamentary Bar, and there won a very con- siderable success. In 1874, he went into the House, and in 1885 obtained Cabinet office. But though Mr. Stanhope early won an important place in political life, he was not a man of distinguished ability, and people have not unnaturally been asking what was the secret of his success. We believe that the explanation is to be found in the fact that he was one of those statesmen of whom it has been said, that any Prime Minister would be glad to have them in his Cabinet. That is, men of sound views and high character who are at the same time eminently peaceable and popular, and who, be the provocation what it may, never say bitter things. Such men bring the lubricating element which is as much wanted in Cabinets as in other pieces of machinery.
