The municipal elections show a certain gain for the Conser-
vatitires,—and more gain in the magnitude of the majorities than -in the number of. seats; but we cannot say that we attach very much importance to this symptom, though, con- sidering that the tendency a year ago was in the opposite direction, it certainly ought to count for something. Still, not only do municipal elections turn on many considerations which, are hardly political at all, but sometimes even they may be regarded as a sort of safety-valve through which electors whoa do not at all intend to desert their party on any great occasion, blow off the steam of their dissatisfaction with the immediate shortcomings of the party strategy. We may derive some encouragement for the Unionist cause from the results of the municipal elections, but it would be a great mistake to build too much upon them.
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