One of the most noteworthy features in the Election is
the Liberal gain in towns in the Eastern Counties. In Norwich, Mr. Colman and Mr. Tillett come in almost as a matter of course ; but in Ipswich, Mr. Jesse Collings, of Birmingham, tore away the second seat from the Conservatives, and nothiug but the local influence of his family saved Mr. Cobbold. In Cambridge, two Tories, one of whom, Mr. Smollett, was a figure in the House, his speeches recalling his kinsman's novels, were replaced by two Liberals, one of whom, Mr. Fowler, is a gain to Parliament ; and in Colchester, of all places in England, both the Conservatives were thrown out. In Lincoln, the second seat has been carried for the Liberals ; and in Bury St. Edmtind's, Mr. Hardcastle heads the poll by a great majority, throwing out a local magnate like Lord F. Hervey. These results, important in themselves, are all the more so because the tone of these towns is apt to be in unison with what is called "county feeling" in politics, and their con- version to Liberalism is an indication of possible successes in the counties. We shall never have much hope in the counties till the Liberals study county politics more closely ; but there are signs in many directions that a farmers' revolt is at hand. Their " friends " never had such a long spell of power, and never did so little for them.
