26 FEBRUARY 1870, Page 2

Lord Derby, as we have explained in another column, has

de- clined the leadership of the Tory party in the House of Lords, and it has since been pressed upon Lord Salisbury, whose difficulty in acting with Mr. Disraeli will be no doubt mainly a personal one. It is not yet known, as we go to press, what Lord Salis- bury's decision is. Should he decline, we suppose the screw will next be put upon the Duke of Richmond. It is not a popular office to lead an army which can always defeat the enemy, but in a matter of any moment very seldom indeed dares do so.