It seems pretty certain that Mr. Gully is to be
the new Speaker, as he is the accepted candidate of the Govern- ment, and any defection from the Gladstonian ranks in Sir Matthew White Ridley's favour will be compen- sated by a probable defection from amongst the Unionist barristers, with whom Mr. Gully is a special favourite. The Speaker will resign on Monday, and deliver on that day his farewell address to the House. Sir William Harcourt will then give notice of his intention to move a vote of thanks to the Speaker for his services on Tuesday, and also an address to the Queen, asking her for some signal mark of her favour; and these resolutions, when seconded by Mr. Balfour, will be carried on that day. On Wednesday the new Speaker will be elected, the choice lying between Mr. Gully and Sir Matthew White Ridley, with a strong pre- sumption that the vote will go in favour of the Government candidate. Let us hope that the great popularity of Mr. Gully is not a bad augury, as it sometimes is, of the qualifications for a Speaker. Of Speakers, as of religions men, it is often true that they are least blessed of whom all men speak well.
