The recast of the subordinate offices is not yet complete.
It is obvious that a successor in the Commons must be found for Sir Charles Dilke as Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and rumour speaks of Lord Edmund Fitzmaurice as that probable successor. Lord Edmund, like his brother, Lord Lansdowne, has been rather shaky at times in his allegiance to the Liberal Party, but both have been more cordial Liberals of late ; and we trust that if Lord Edmund. succeeds Sir Charles Dilke, we shall have no reason in future to complain of his tendency to live in caves. He knows well the state of the East, and has lately supported heartily Mr. Gladstone's policy in the East. With an Indian Secretary (Lord Kimberley) in the Lords, we shall want an Under-Secretary in the Commons, and that will de- prive the Government of the valuable services of Lord Enfield, whom it will be a great pity to lose. Mr. Bryce would be an admirable successor to Lord Enfield. In ability he is one of the best men in the House, and has, we believe, all the qualities of a considerable administrator. Or if Mr. Courtney were transferred, as is possible, to higher functions, and Mr. Bryce should succeed him in the Colonial Under-Secretaryship, we should certainly have got an eminently fit man for the work.
