We deeply regret to find that Mr. Goschen has declined
the Speakership, in consequence of the shortness of his sight, which, it is thought, would interfere seriously with the adequate dis- charge of his duties. All parties would have welcomed cordially the accession of Mr. Goschen to the Chair. Mr. A. Peel has been since thought of for Speaker, and it is believed that he has not yet decided whether to be put in nomination, or to decline to be nominated. Mr. A. Peel is a moderate Liberal, and is generally liked and respected. But for an office of this kind, he is an unknown quantity. Even the oldest Members of Parlia- ment are as ignorant as external politicians whether he has the highest qualifications for the office, or only moderate qualifications for it, or no special qualifications at all. If he accepts the nomination, he will at least show that he has con- fidence in his own power to administer a very critical function well, and that will be one good reason for hoping that he is the right man ; for no one has ever attributed political conceit to Mr. Arthur Peel.
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