Mr. Waddy, Q.C., and M.P. for Sheffield, was fated by
the Finsbury Liberal Association last Monday, and made a speech -on the rapid change which Tory views of the election for Sheffield underwent during the day of the poll. Up to the -evening of the day of the poll, they declared everywhere that it was a contest which must be won for the Government, that -defeat would sink Great Britain in the eyes of the world, and
indeed would be the signal for her losing her place in the comity -of nations. But about six or seven o'clock on the day of the poll,
it was discovered by the Tories that it was a contest of very little political significance, that it had been fought on mere -side-issues, and that if the Liberals should carry the day, it would bode no ill at all for the Government. Later, as we know, they went further, and discovered that the actual Liberal victory was a virtual victory for the Tories, and was a sure augury of success for the Tories at the general election. That is a curious proof that no political party which is really eager can help being optimist. It must, by the very law of its existence, put the most rose-coloured interpretation it can on the facts from which it has to compute its prospects for the future. Your
balloon will not rise in the air, unless it is filled with some gas -that is lighter than air. Even the Tory party cannot go ahead, -unless the heads of its members are inflated with hopes more buoyant than the facts of the case warrant.
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