The county elections in Ireland have been conducted on party
principles, and have resulted in . a complete victory for the Nationalists, who return 556 out of 670 Councillors. In the three Celtic provinces the old governing class may be said to be extinguished, and even in Ulster the National- ists have a majority. There are counties Wicklow, for instance—in which no Unionist has been returned, and Kilkenny sends up only one. Even in County Down the Nationalists return twelve to eight, 'and in King's County only one Unionist has been successful. A few Peers, in fact, are the only men of mark wlio have escaped the general rout, and they, for the most part, were not elected as Unionists but on local considerations ; while, on the other hand, scores of labourers have been returned. The Nationalists are naturally exultant at this new proof of their popularity, but we cannot see that they have greatly added to their power, while they have made themselves much more responsible for all defects of administration. Activity in affairs will correct much of their lamentable inexperience, and show them how little the most popular local rulers can do to secure local prosperity, and their constituents will hold them to a strict account for expenditure. Our one dread, in fact, is that they will be permitted to borrow, and so, indirectly, to pledge British credit.
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