The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-03-21

Queen Victoria accepted Mr.. Gladstone's
resignation as Prime Minister of England and
then offered the Premiership to Lord Rose
berry, who consented to take the Office.
A cablegram from London says For the
fourth and last time Mr.. Gladstone has de.
ivered to his Sovereign the privy seal which
is the highest emblem Of national au-
thority, and, declining all honors Of posi-
ton and title, stepped back into the
ranks as En2land's greatest commoner.
When the political strife and turmoil
which the premature news OF his retire.
ment creates have subsidized, English
men will turn to the more gracious duty
of acknowledging the splendid services
to the country and humanity now fin
ished. Long as Mr.. Gladstone's with
drawal has been expected, the fact has
come with the shock Of a sudden catastro-
phe. His retirement marks the end OF an
era as the close of no other human career has
done. There Is, therefore, q good deal Of
confusion and good deal OF panicky talk
which still distract attention from Mr..
Gadstone's personality. 1t was an i'm
pressive scene In the throne room at Windsor
Castle. In a few days the country will
realize that, after all, Mr.. Gladstone has been
promoted; that he has become, In sense,
talents are still available for his party and his
country. The official announcement OF the
Premier's resignation was not made until
next day, and, of course, nothing will be al
lowed to be made public OF the details OF his
last interview as Prime Minister with the
Queen.
The American Ambassador enjoyed the
privilege of being member OF the memoir
able dinner party at which Mr.. Gladstone
was the principal guest Of the Queen on the
last evening OF his Premiership. 1t is under
stood, however, that the occasion was not
saddened by any illusions to the close OF
the career OF the venerable statesman.
The ceremonies were all Of formal char
acter. The meeting of the Privy Council to
arrange for the propagation OF Parliament
had nothing to do with the Premier's reslg-
nation. That ceremony took place at the
private audience with the Queen after the
Council dissolved.
It Is wrongly announced that Lord Rose
pery received a summons from the Queen tor
the purpose of instructing him to form a
Cabinet, that evening. Thi. would have been
q gross breach OF royal etiquette, OF which
the Queen would never be guilty. 1t was not
until Mr.. Gladstone officially placed his resig-
nation in Her Majesty's hands that she sent
an invitation to Lord Rosebery the man
who, all the world knew, would succeed his
chief.
Lord Rosebery practically finished the
task Of Cabinet making on the evening OF
his acceptance Of the Premiership. He was
commissioned to do this, not In the usual
way at an audience with the Queen, but by
the written command OF Her Majesty, IN a
letter delivered to him by Si- Henry Pom
sonby. The new Premier received the prvy
seal from the Queens hands at buckingham
Palace.
The only changes IN the Cabinet were as
follows Lord Kimberly relinquishes the In
dian Office and becomes Foreign Secretary.
| Mr.. Marjoribanks, chief Liberal whip, be-
comes Secretary for India. Mr. John Morley,
after long interview with the new chief,
consented 10 remain Secretary for Ireland.
The Radical revolt against Lord Rosebery
| is rapidly dwindling in importance. Members
| OF the Radical party declare that not more
than two will join Mr.. Labouchere in oppos-
ing the Government In division in the
| lobbies.
The operation to which Mr.. Gladstone will
submit in a few weeks, the necessity OF
which was the principal reason for his sud-
den resignation, Is one Of the most common
in modern surgery. 1t Is painless, and with
skilful operator Is almost invariably sue
cessful. The patient is not anesthetized,
| cocaine being used to render the eye insen.
sible. It involves removing the natural
lens from the eye with the cataract. Its
| place is supplied by glasses OF high magnify.
| ing power. Mr.. Gladstone has been assured
that after three to six Waeks' confinement In
| a dark room he will find his eyesight equal
| to all ordinary demands. Relying upon this
assurance he will not resign his seat II
| Parliament, q. present at least.