The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1883-01-02 00:00:00

Punt &nig (Expren.

DORORISTER, JANUARY 2ad. MA

The Insurance Companies have been so
severely punished by the epidemic of fires
which have broken out in all pato of the
country that some are seriously considering the
question of a revision of rates, and, but for
oompetition, undoubtedly would do so.

Judging by the number of oomplsinta of
delayed banner letters, it would seem that
there never has been a heavier strain put upon
the Post-Offi,:e than during the last few days.
Poor Mr. Fawcett, when—se everybody hopes
will boon be the cese—he can return to his
official labours, will have to think twice before,
In addition to the present Post-Office work, the
Incubus of Parcel Delivery is laid on the
shoulders of his hard-worked department. If
the parcel-pout delivery had been in operation
this year, it is believed there would have
been a hopeless break-down at St. Martin's-le-
Grand. The fact is the Christmas cards mania
inauses year by year.
It is now understood that Lord Spencer
retains the poet of Lord President, partly because
Mr. Mundell& is quite equal to all the duties of
the Education Department, and is, in fact,
Minister of Eduction under a titular chief, and
also because Lord Spencer has no intention of
remaining longer in Ireland than his presence
there as Viceroy is absolutely requisite. It is
thought that as Ireland is quieting down, or at
least, the police are getting the upper hand
in tracking down and suppressing the Irish-
American conspirators, Lord Spencer will leave
Dublin early in Spring. In this cue Lord
Rosebery is named 11111 his probable successor,
and with his large fortune is likely to make •
popular Lord Lieutenant.
At length • place his been found in the
Cabinet for Sir Charles Dilke. Mr. Dodson,
the importance of whose presence in the Cabinet,
neither friend nor foe has ever been able to dis-
cover, has been transferred to • position which
Is often reserved for brilliant speakers who have
no special genius for business, but which in the
present cue will be as little adorned by
eloquence as encumbered by hard work. Sir
Charles takes the Presidency of the Local
Government Board, in view, perhaps, of the
Impending measure for the reform of County
Geveniment, and no doubt he will fill the post
In a becoming manner. Yet it is hard to know
exactly why his presence in the Cabinet should
have been deemed indispensable. As Under
Esuntary of Foreign Affairs, he has certainly
worked hard; but he has been distinguished
for curt answers and • out-and-dried officialism
of manner, which has more than once given
offenn to members of his own party. He has
very rarely addressed the House, except in
answering departmental questions. He has not
once afforded material support to the Govern-
ment in debate. He has rigorously abstained
from "starting" in the provinces, and his
exercised an almost cold reserve in addressing
his own constituents. Perhaps it is his policy
of judicious silence which his recommended
him for promotion; or more likely Mr. Glad-
stone has felt himself bound io keep his ocimpset
with the Radicals by having the extreme wing
of the party duly represented in the Cabinet, and
has promoted Sir Charles Dilke as a make-
weight to compensate for the loss of Mr.
Bright.