There is little doubt that Mr. Gladstone, by swaying a
little to the Radical side, can form an efficient Ministry. His col- leagues in the Peers adhere to him, and in the Commons there are plenty of able men ready to take office. It is probable that Lord Hartington, Mr. Goschen, Sir H. James, and, we should think, Mr. Trevelyan will decline to join a Ministry which, it is assumed, will sooner or later propose Home-rule; but we would warn our readers to distrust the rumours now flying so thickly. Cabinet-making is difficult work, and a wise Minister hardly commences it until he is himself in -the saddle. In the present instance, it will be a delicate process, many old Ministers having lost their seats, and Mr. Gladstone may have to choose among new men. Even when personal questions are settled, there will remain a programme to be prepared, and those wretched re-elections to be gone through. Last time, Parliament did not get to work for nearly a month, and it may be doubted if the loss of time will on this occasion be much less. All this while Ireland will remain ungoverned, except by the National League.
