31 OCTOBER 1992, Page 22

One hundred years ago

RUMOURS have been flying about all the week of dissensions in the Cabinet, and have attracted so much attention that a semi-official denial has been put forward. It is also denied that Mr. Glad- stone intends to avoid the House, "except on important days", the truth being that he will be present whenever wanted, but will avoid the strain involved in the continuous management of detailed business. As to dissensions, the line between argument and dissen- sion is very difficult to draw; but actual resignations on any decision unconnect- ed with Home-rule are very improbable. When the Cabinet Committee have fin- ished with that Bill, the test will come; and if the Moderates and the Logicians in the Government stick together, we shall be a little surprised. There are still ten weeks, however, at the least, before the meeting of Parliament; and, in these days, ten weeks is an appreciable frac- tion of time. The Spectator 29 October 1892