It looks as if Mr. Gladstone would have to renew
a good proportion of the whole English Epgeopate. The Bishop of Exeter has resigned at last, but is so ill that it is doubtful if he will be able to oomplete the formalities of resignation, except, indeed, by the last of all human formalities. The Bishop of Bath and Wells has resigned. The Bishop of Winchester resigns next month. The Bishop of Carlisle remains very unwell. The Bishop of Lichfield has already overworked himself. The Bishop of Chichester can hardly hold his own very much longer. The Bishop of Lincoln is said to be dverwhelmed by the magnitude of his diocese, and to wish to have it divided. The Bishop of Salisbury (Dr. Moberley) has just been appointed by Mr. Glad- stone. And if the Bishop of Oxford be translated to Winchester, as is reported, the See of Oxford will itself have to be filled up. It will be a little remarkable, if it should fall to the lot of the first lay theologian we have perhaps ever had amongst our Prime Ministers, to name the rulers of so'inany dioceses. We may hope that Mr. Gladstone may show us that a deep interest in, and a certain amount of knowledge of, theology, is not a bar to a catholic spirit in selecting our ecclesiastical rulers. We feel little doubt that he will try to select the best men of all schools.
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