NEWS OF THE WEEK.
AIR. GLADSTONE has so far reconsidered his determination to retire from the leadership of Opposition as to consent for -the present Session at least to assume his old position, on condition that he is not expected to promise any very laborious attendance at the House. "For a variety of reasons personal to myself," he writes to Lord Granville, "I could not contemplate any un- limited extension of active political service ; and I am anxious that it should be clearly understood by those friends with whom I have acted in the direction of affairs that at my age, I must reserve my entire freedom to divest myself of all the responsi- bilities of leadership at no distant time. The need of rest will prevent me from giving more than occasional attendance in the House of Commons during the present Session. I should be desirous, .shortly before the commeneement of the Session of 1875, to con- sider whether there would be advantage in my placing my services lor a time at the disposal of the Liberal party, or whether I should then claim exemption from the duties I have hitherto discharged," if, however, the party prefer that he should at once assume the position of an independent member, Mr. Gladstone would willingly do so, and give his support to any leader chosen in his place. But the party,—unless it be Mr. Lowe, who is reported to be very unwilling to follow Mr. Gladstone any longer, —does not prefer anything of the kind. It is not ready to choose a substitute for Mr. Gladstone, and the choice of the best substi- tute would he vastly facilitated by a delay of Mr.- Gladstone's resignation, and especially such a delay as he proposes, during which there would be plenty of scope for his colleagues to show their mettle. On the whole, we may take Mr. Gladstone's letter =as meaning that he has quite made up his mind not to be the next Liberal Premier, even if the opportunity were open to him, but that he will drill for a time the disheartened forces of the Opposition. And that is a concession for which the whole country owes him hearty thanks. Those Parliamentary Liberals who are ungrateful for it will find their own position none the better for their ingratitude.
