Before our next issue appears, politicians will know very nearly
how the borough Elections will go, though precise numbers will not be ascertained for ten days after that. Of course, every- body is prophesying, but the grounds for safe prophecy have not become in any way firmer. The ballot keeps its secret, and that is not the least of the many mischiefs it inflicts upon the country. The Times now admits formally that the majority on the side of Government must be diminished, and that there is even a possibility of Liberal success; and there can be no doubt that, as the polling draws near, Liberal spirits rise. Our own im- pression is that Liberal victories in Scotland, Ireland, the Eng- lish counties, and the medium boroughs will be considerable, but calculations are as yet waste of thought. The vote will be the heaviest ever polled, and we do not believe that either Mr. Adam or Sir W. Hart Dyke knows accurately which way those electors who Seldom vote intend this time to throw their strength. The Liberals are singularly united, but so also are the Tories, and both sides have attacked almost every doubtful seat.
