NEWS OF THE WEEK.
TORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL died at 6.15 a.m. on Thursday morning, being then within a month -of forty-six years old. He had been in Parliament twenty years, had been Chancellor of the Exchequer and Secretary for India, and had been considered the most probable candidate for the leadership of the Tory party. His death at so early an age from general paralysis, caused by his furious consumption of his nervous energy, is an event to excite pity ; but as a politician we have never believed for a moment in Lord Randolph, and we must either speak the truth of his public life, or pass over his -decease. Born of a great house, he had very considerable powers, could make himself understand any political ques- tion, was the best music-hall orator of recent times, and had a -capacity for getting up details which surprised both the 'Treasury and the India Office. He had perfect audacity, un- tiring energy, and a gift of acquiring popularity ; but all his -qualities were marred by a strain in his character which we can only describe as instinctive rowdyism. He charmed rough audiences .from the platform, but he overwhelmed political enemies with abuse, snubbed and deserted political allies, and in all crises of his career played visibly, sometimes even cynically, for his own hand. He had occasional flashes of political insight, and rose fast, but his colleagues never trusted him ; and when, in 1886, he resigned, hoping that the Cabinet would fall, the Cabinet stood, and he was thence- forward politically a nullity. It is probable that there was some deep taint in his blood, and that for many of his impulses he was irresponsible; but England escaped, in his failure to become Premier, very serious dangers.
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