The General Election in Italy came off on Sunday, and
ended, as it was expected to end, in a large majority for the Government, which secures 326 seats out of 508; while Signor Crispi was returned for no less than nine electoral districts. That is conclusive as to the general opinion of Italians ; but it is by no means conclusive as to the ability of the Premier to form a stable Administration. The regular method in Italy is for the people to return a majority to support the King's Government, and for that majority to split into groups, each of which thenceforward sells its support in return for local concessions, or grants towards public works. The Govern- ment, therefore, is nearly as unsafe as in France, and is quite too weak to do anything unpopular. Unfortunately, the thing needed in Italy just now is an unpopular thing,—namely, a large reduction in the overmanned Civil Service, and a still larger one in the expenditure on public works.
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