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We may note here that a good deal has been

said as to the weakness involved in the determination to abstain from voting announced by Lord Cromer, Lord Rosebery, and Lord Balfour of Burleigh. We cannot express any sympathy with this criticism. It seems to us that abstention is the natural course for those who hold that though the Budget is thoroughly bad per se, it would be good tactics to let the electors have some taste of it before they are asked to condemn it. It would be quite impossible for the three statesmen we have just named, holding the views they hold, to vote for the Budget. It would also be impossible for them, consistently with their views on the question of tactics, to vote for rejection. Their attitude towards the situation found its fit expression in inaction.

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