Rumours of course have been flying thick. It is stated,
for example, that Lord Derby is to have a Dukedom, which, con- sidering what Dukes are, would be rather a degradation for the head of the Stanleys ; that the Cabinet was to lose the Duke of Richmond, and to profit by the resignation of the Duke of Marl- borough, but neither event has yet occurred. Nor has Lord Malmesbury retired, his odd remark, that Mr. Disraeli " had been directed to form a Government if possible," having evidently been only one of his Lordship's frequent blunders, or possibly a naif expression of his doubt if any statesman would follow a Minister neither Peer nor Peer's son. The extreme difficulty of finding a leader in the House of Lords has also increased the crop of stories. First, Lord Stanley was to go ; but Lord Stanley prefers the Com- mons ; then the duty was to be entrusted to Lord Cranborne with a barony, but Lord Cranborne prefers his honour ; then to Mr. Gathorne Hardy ; and, finally, to Lord Cairns, by whom it will probably be performed.
