By a new division, one took charge of the home affairs, the other of the foreign affairs.

And in 1794 a third Secretary was added for War, who, by a very singular arrangement, which continued till very recently, had charge also of the colonies.

But, in the year 1855, the Colonial-office was intrusted to a separate minister; and in 1858 a fifth Secretary of State, that for India, was added, on the transfer of the government of that country from the East India Company to the Crown.

When there were only two Secretaries of State, the rule was that one should sit in each House.

At present it is not _necessary_ that more than one should be a peer, though it is more usual for two to be members of the Upper House.