circle, from “GOSSET’s Room” to the floor of the House, which he sometimes “took” to deliver a witty speech in support of a Motion for adjourning over the Derby.  He was only in his fortieth year, married scarce a fortnight, when comes the blind Fury with the abhorred shears and slits the thin-spun thread.  “LYCIDAS is dead!”; but he will long be remembered as shedding through seventeen years a genial light on Irish politics, too often obscured by aggressive vulgarity, and the sacrifice of patriotic interests to the ends of personal vanity.

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ONLY FANCY!

We are in a position to state that overtures were recently made to a well-known and popular member of the aristocracy in connection with a certain high office lately vacated.  It is felt that a gentleman with the varied experience and capacity indicated by the circumstance (to which we may allude as not involving breach of confidence), that his name was successively mentioned in connection with the offices, recently vacant, of Postmaster-General, Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and Leader of the House of Commons, is peculiarly well qualified for the post.

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The PRIME MINISTER has, we learn, been much gratified by the receipt of a letter volunteered by one of his colleagues, expressing generous satisfaction at his selection of Mr. ARTHUR BALFOUR to the Leadership of the House of Commons.  It was the more pleasing as the name of Lord SALISBURY’s correspondent had, in Conservative circles, been prominently mentioned in connection with the office.  “It is true,” the Abounding Baron wrote, “that the public with unerring instinct has looked in another direction.  I should therefore like to be the first to say that your Lordship has done well in recognising the services to the Unionist cause performed by Mr. BALFOUR.  Of course there may be other openings, and in case your Lordship has occasion to communicate with me, it may be convenient to mention that, having come to town this morning and transacted business at my office in Bouverie Street, I am about to return to my country residence at Stow-in-the-Wold.”

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It is announced that Lord SALISBURY’s new house at Beaulieu is to be let furnished for the winter months, the PREMIER not intending to return till the Spring.  We understand that one of Mr. GLADSTONE’s friends and admirers is in treaty for the residence, intending to place it for a few weeks at the disposal of the Leader of the Opposition.  We have not yet heard how far this happily-conceived scheme has progressed.

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THE TRAVELLING COMPANIONS.

NO.  XVIII.