The experience of the General Election has been sadly to
confirm-our impression that promises to vote one way have been -very largely succeeded by votes given the other way, if given at all. Too many promise according to their principles, and vote -according to their individual tastes—or even fancies. And though we recognise fully the fact of Conservative reaction, we do not -doubt for a moment that the permanent effect of the Ballot is and will be to diminish the influence of that aura popularis which,
even if this year it proves Conservative, is far oftener a Liberal -than a Conservative influence. Moore's spirited satire on the Ballot must have been illustrated in hundreds of constituencies -within the last fortnight :—
"Time was when free speech was the life-breath of freedom,— So thought once the Seldens, the Ilampdens, the Lockes ; But mute be our troops when to ambush we lead 'em,
For 'Mum' is the word with the knights of the box."
Now though " Mum" is a mot d' ordre which undoubtedly has its civic advantages in promoting the comfort and convenience of errant knights, it will never be the battle-cry of knights-errant.
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