The Sun.
London, England, 1868-02-27 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY, FEB. 27, 1868.

The intelligence that Mr. DISRAELI proceeds to-
day to Osborne to signify to her MAJESTY the
arrangements of the New Cabinet is most satisfac-
tory, and it certainly shows that the right hon.
gentleman has secured the goodwill and co-opera-
tion of his colleagues, and that they, on their part,
will put no needless hindrances in the way of his
forming his Administration. This is as it should
be, in all respects, more especially because time is
important, and at the very opening of a session it is
always of consequence to have as little of a Minis-
terial interregnum as possible. It is true that
these conjunctures have often occurred at
this period of the year, but until very
recently little had been thought of the change that
has taken place, and there are topics to be discussed
which call for unusual attention on the part of the
Legislature. The QUEEN, with her usual conside-
ration, informed the Chancellor of the Exchequer
that he need not wait upon her until he had formed
his plans, and these have happily taken so little
time, that to-day the right hon. gentleman will be
able to impart the information. He has had, in-
deed, little to do comparatively speaking, for, with
the exception of Lord CHELMSFORD, and finding
a successor to his own vacant post, there has been
no change to make. The substitution of Lord
CAIRNS for Lord CHELMSFORD as Lord Chancellor
cannot but strengthen the new Ministry, and the
public will learn with satisfaction the elevation of
the noble and learned lord to that high office. We
think that Mr. DISRAELI has done most wisely in
not uniting the two offices of First Lord of the
Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer. There
ould be far too much to do for him to do himself
justice or to be sufficiently on the alert in his new
and arduous vocation, and he has exhibited a wise
discretion in deciding as he has done. Speculation
is rife concerning the new Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer, Sir STAFFORD NORTUCOTE being the most
probable, some that he is most valuable where he
is. The India Office can ill spare him, and there
is, besides, the Abyssinian affair, which he has di-
rected, and which is now in so critical a condition,
that to change hands would be inadvisable. Mr.
HUNT is named with, perhaps, more likelihood as
the successor of his chief. It will be remembered
that in November, when Mr. DISRAELI'S indisposi-
tion prevented him from being in his place, that
that gentleman showed great ability in bringing
before the House the statement as to the
Abyssinian Expedition. Lord CHELMSFORD has
the respect of all, and can relinquish his high office
with the satisfactory reflection that he has made no
enemies, and given to scandal no opportunity to be
bu,y with his name. It is no secret, however, that
the noble and learned lord's political tendencies are
not so much in the advance as those of some of his
colleagues, and hence there may be more unity of
opinion and more real progress made without him.
Other changes will, of course, occur, that cannot
exactly be comprehended at once, but the necessity
and likelihood of which, on little reflection, will show
to be desirable and necessary. Lord STANLEY, it
seems, is not to be removed to the " form benches
of the Upper School." This is satisfactory in many
respects ; for the noble lord has great influence in
the House of Commons, and in the event of the
temporary absence of Mr. DISRAELI he is a most
fitting leader of the House. It is besides also satis-
factory to have the Foreign Secretary in the House
of Commons. At the same time it cannot be de-
nied that the gain of ono House is the loss of the
other, for even with the powerful aid of Lord CAIRNS
the debating power in the Upper House is deficient.
This and other defects may, however, be remedied
as time goes on, and perhaps it is as well not to
make too many or too startling changes at once.
It is evident that if Lord s STANLEY left the house of
Commons additional work would be thrown on Mr.
DISRAELI, as he would have to take the weight of
all foreign discussions, and as the Exchequer will
be in new and untried hands his attention would
be called away in all directions at once. In all
probability the House will not meet regularly
until next week, because there is much to be done ;
but so far the public will learn with satisfaction
that no untoward complications have arisen, and
that those first steps upon which so much depends
I ave been taken successfully.

When we have gone through the more importan