Of course speculation is rife as to the cause of
Mr. Disraeli's partial retirement, but we believe the simplest explanation to be the nearest to the truth. The Premier's health has been failing for some time, he has become more and more impatient of what in England is called "work "—which is mainly worry—and he has retreated to the House of Lords in order to remain Premier as long as he can, without using himself up with the late hours, jangling debates, and endless interpolations of the House of Commons. He has probably greatly over-estimated the influ- ence he wields apart from his ascendancy in the Lower House, and looks forward to occupy for some years the position of Lord Palmerston, as a quiet but popular ruler through an irresistible majority. We have argued elsewhere that he misreads his own. position in the country, but even if this should prove to be the case, the step he has taken may still have been a wise one for himself. As long as he lives he will be a personage, he can as a Peer address the country when he pleases, and fond as he is of exclusive society, he may enjoy a rank which will prevent any loss of position, from loss of office being brought too closely home to him. He probably despises an Earldom, but he does not despise deference. The consequences of his act will fall in the long-run rather upon.. his party than himself, and after all, he may urge that he brought them into power in their own despite, and owes them nothing except thanks for having at last discovered that he was in the right.
