The Sun.
London, England, 1868-02-29 00:00:00

selves.

Lord DERBY, it may fairly be said, has won
golden opinions from all men, and when he is
sufficiently recovered to turn his attention to ordi-
nary affairs he will be gratified to read all that has
been said and written about him. Not the least
interesting of the various comments will be found
in the foreign journals, particularly those of France,
which have hastened to accord their testimony to
the high character and honourable services of our
great Minister and statesman. The Presse has
some very interesting observations on the subject,
and the writer evidently appreciates the position of
affairs in regard to English politics. A not un-
enviable future is marked out for Lord DERBY by
the French critic, and the noble earl's friends and
admirers, as well as the public generally in a more
remote degree, will acknowledge the force and jus-
tice of these remarks. Mr. DISRAELI, it is said,
will consider himself fortunate in not losing alto-
gether the advantages of Lord DERBY'S experience and
great abilities. His former colleagues can still
benefit from his advice, and he may smooth away
difficulties by his wisdom, and in cases of need give
the assistance of his " powerful oratory." The
noble earl, in fact, will be withdrawn from the
struggle of party, and yet maintain his interest in
the fortunes of his party and the turn of affairs in
general. Respected by all sides, and honoured by
his SOVEREIGN, he will occupy a place not unlike
that of the Duke of WELLINGTON and the Marquis
of LANSDOWNE, and, it may be added, Sir ROBERT
PEEL. He will be a sort of arbiter, to whom appeal
and reference can be made in moments of emer-
gency, and, like them, " the depository of the tra-
ditions and wisdom of the past." After summing
up the advantages of the position and its use-
fulness
,to the country, the writer concludes
by saying, " How worthy of envy is such an
incomparable situation, and how magnificent
is such a crowning of an illustrious career !
Lord DERBY will be by a sort of universal accla-
mation the foremost citizen of a free country.

The arrangements for the new Ministry are. pro-
gressing favourably, and no drawback has been
recorded as yet, and last night an announcement
was made in the House of Commons to the effect
that an additional adjournment would take place, and
to state more fully the Ministerial policy than has
as yet been possible. At any rate it is satisfactory
to know that a few days delay will be all that
could be looked for, it would of course have been
impossible for the new Prime Minister to complete
his arrangements so speedily had more changes in
the Cabinet been called for, and the Parliament
and public have thus3the more reason to rejoice at
the unanimity which prevails. Among other absurd
rumours that have been afloat at different times,
it had been intimated that the Chancellor of the
Exchequer was tolerated as a necessity, but that he
would never be accepted as the head of the party ;
and no better contradiction could be put upon such
remarks than the fact now patent to the world,
that none of the members of the late Administra-
tion desired to leave when the change of Premier-
ship took place. There is nothing like letting people
alone when they are so perversely inclined and so
persistent in their invidious comments, because time
must show how mistaken they are better than any-
thing else can do. The knowledge that Lord
CAIRNS has accepted the office of Lord Chancellor
will infallibly strengthen the Government consi-
derably, and Sir W. PAGE WOOD is an excellent
substitute as Justice of Appeal. Mr. HuNr's suc-
cessor at the Treasury is not yet named, but that
gentleman is to be the new Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer, with general approval as to the fitness of
the appointment. It is now decided that it will be
necessary for Mr. HUNT to be re-elected, but that
is of no moment, under the circumstances, we
should imagine, except as regards loss of time and
other inconvenience, for his return cannot be a
matter of doubt. The event which has caused this
sudden change in the conduct of the Cabinet is of
a nature that disarms criticism, but, apart from
that circumstance, we never remember a Prime
Minister taking office under more auspicious cir-
cumstances than Mr. DISRAELI has done. It
seems to be the general opinion that he deserves
his fortune, and that a fair trial should be given to
him, while the indications of his policy for the
future afford a good hope that the cause of pro-
gress and the work of Reform will be as safe in his
hands, if not far more certain, than in those of any
of his competitors.

The dispute between Messrs. PONTIFEX and Co.
and their carpenters has assumed some importance
owing to circumstances not directly connected with
the matter. The influence of the exorbitant de-
mands of workmen in occasioning and perpetuating
the existing widespread distress is one of the most
perplexing problems with which philanthropists
have to deal. Every one must sympathise with the
complaint of strong able-bodied men who are willing
to turn their limbs and faculties to the best account,
and to do a fair day's werk for a fair day's wages,
but who cannot get it to do. To an energetic, in-
dustrious, and self-reliant man, it is an intolerable
thing to see his wife and children want bread or
receive it from charity, while he sits in enforced idle-
ness, though he is able and willing to work. But the
case is altogether altered if from his own assumption,
or from too ready subservience to the dictates of his
fellows, the idleness is not enforced, but chosen ;
if he has himself refused to do the work which
he might have done, and with quibbles, and cap-
tious rules, and frivolous exceptions, and exorbitant
demands, has disgusted his employers, and damaged
alike their interests and his own. The man is per-
haps most to be pitied when he sees and feels all
these evil consequences, and yet is forced by threats
and intimidation to join in courses which his rea-
son and his judgment condemn. The 30 men who
left work at Mr. PONTIFEX'S, owing to the dispute
about the Saturday half-holiday, have stated their
case to the Executive Committee before the Lord