The Gladstonians have gained a seat in the Carnarvon Boroughs.
The election took place yesterday week, when Mr. Lloyd George was elected by the very narrow majority of 18 votes (for Mr. Lloyd George, 1,963 votes ; for Mr. Ellis Nanney, 1,945). The total poll was heavy,—namely, 3,918 votes, as against a total poll in 1885 of 3,781 votes, and in 1886 of only 3,504. In 1885, before the division of the Liberal Party, the Liberal candidate came in with a majority of 65 votes. In 1886, after the split, Mr. Sweetenham, the Conservative candidate, came in by a majority of 136; so that the Unionists have lost considerably since the comparatively low poll of 1886, though they number many more votes than the Con- servatives could get together in 1885. The election, like almost all recent elections, shows that, at the by-elections at all events, the Gladstonians are gaining ground, but gaining it slowly, and not sweeping away the electors in any high-tide of enthusiasm. The General Election may well show a very different result. By-elections must be very decisive indeed if they are to furnish safe auguries for the General Election.
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