# The New Government explained — Phineas Finn

> Chapter companion for Phineas Finn by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

The new government is formed under Mr. Mildmay, with Mr. Gresham at the Foreign Office, Mr. Monk at the Board of Trade, and others appointed. Phineas Finn feels left out as no office is offered to him, and he discusses Mr. Kennedy's refusal of an office with Lady Laura. Laurence Fitzgibbon claims a promise from Phineas to assist in his reelection in Mayo, and they travel there together.

## Themes in this chapter

### Politics and Patronage

The chapter focuses on the formation of the new government, the distribution of offices, and the maneuvering of political figures like Mr. Daubeny, Mr. Mildmay, and Mr. Gresham.

### Ambition and Social Mobility

Phineas Finn feels left out and frustrated by his lack of advancement, highlighting his ambition and the challenges of social mobility in political circles.

### The Cost of Ambition

Laurence Fitzgibbon comments on the salary of his office and the debts he owes, illustrating the financial burdens that accompany political ambition.

## Character check-ins

### Phineas Finn

Feels left out as the new government is formed without any offer to him; discusses Mr. Kennedy's refusal with Lady Laura; agrees to go to Mayo with Laurence Fitzgibbon.

### Lady Laura Standish

Discusses Mr. Kennedy's refusal of office with Phineas; defends Mr. Kennedy's independence; tells Phineas about Lord Chiltern's expulsion from Oxford and cries.

### Mr. Kennedy

Refuses an offer of office (not in the Cabinet but of high dignity), which Phineas finds disappointing.

### Laurence Fitzgibbon

Becomes a junior Lord of the Treasury; claims a promise from Phineas to assist at his reelection in Mayo.

### Barrington Erle

Goes to the Admiralty as Secretary; expresses fear of Mr. Gresham breaking up the party.

### Lord Chiltern

Mentioned as having been expelled from Christ Church for being drunk, as told by Lady Laura.

### Mr. Daubeny

Announces the resignation of Lord de Terrier and the summoning of Mr. Mildmay; speaks with honey-flowing words about his party.

### Mr. Mildmay

Becomes Prime Minister; summoned to Windsor; forms the new government.

## Key lines

> The very men who had discussed with him the question of the division⁠—who had discussed it with him because his vote was then as good as that of any other member⁠—did not care to talk to him about the distribution of places.

The same people who had consulted him about the vote now ignored him when it came to discussing who would get government positions.

_Phineas feels excluded from the inner circle now that the government is being formed._

> I don’t believe that, said Fitzgibbon. People seem to think that he has got a head on his shoulders, though he has got no tongue in it.

Fitzgibbon disagrees, saying that people consider Kennedy intelligent even if he is not talkative.

_Discussion about Mr. Kennedy's reputation and why he was offered an office._

> A thousand a year! said Laurence Fitzgibbon, speaking of the salary of his office. It isn’t much; is it? And every fellow to whom I owe a shilling will be down upon me.

Laurence Fitzgibbon complains that his salary of a thousand a year is small and that his creditors will immediately demand payment.

_Fitzgibbon reflects on the financial pressures of his new position._

## Links

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