On Thursday the Education Bill and the London Water Bill
and some minor measures received the Royal Assent, and Parliament was at once prorogued. The King's Speech was long but formal, except for the passage in which the King
alluded to his illness and Coronation. On the whole, the autumn Session has been a successful one for the Govern- ment from the House of Commons point of view. Mr. Balfour has undoubtedly raised himself greatly in the opinion of the nation and of the House of Commons owing to the firm but yet conciliatory way in which he has piloted the Educa- tion Bill through the House. Only in his handling of the Lords' amendments did he show any want of strength. No doubt the difficulties of dealing with the " wear-and-tear " amendment were very great, especially at a moment so near. the day fixed for the prorogation, but we greatly wish that the situation had been differently dealt with. In spite, how- ever, of this, and even of the Venezuelan blunder, Mr. Balfour's hold on the country has increased.
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