We have endeavoured elsewhere to give a broad view of
the general situation, which suggests to us a weak Premier, a weak Government, and a weak dominant party. None of the speeches yet made are important, though Lord Lansdowne's is instructive; and in truth everything waits, and must wait, for the recovery of the Premier, who, we deeply regret to record, hasheen attacked by his old enemy, influenza. The pivot of all that is happening is Mr. Balfour, and until he has clearly explained his attitude towards fiscal reform, and its corollary, the taxation of bread,, no politician can be exactly sure where he himself stands. It was hoped that Mr. Morley's amend- ment to be moved" On Monday, in which- he describes Free- trade as the source of our prosperity, and deprecates any departure from its principles, would extract this information; but the Premier's regrettable illness may cause a postpone- ment of the issue. Nobody will be satisfied with the explanations of his lieutenants. It is to be noted that the idea of an early Dissolution as the only tonic for the Govern-: meat and the House is rapidly gaining ground.
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