Career of the Salisbury Ministry.

The Tory ministry of 1885 has been the briefest ministry of the last half century, having lasted just seven months. When, on William Ewart Gladstone's resignation last June, after an unexpected defeat, office was offered to Lord Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil Salisbury, there was much difference of opinion in Tory circles as to whether it would or would not be better to remain in opposition. Although the Tories have been beaten at the general election, their defeat is nowise due to their having taken office. On the whole, Lord Salisbury stands now before the country with a character for administrative judgment, as well as vigor, which he never enjoyed before.