One thing is certain, that whatever may be the result
of the county elections, no one can justly say, so far as regards the borough elections, that the popular feeling is all on one side. The contests have been singularly close, and so far as it is possible to judge, without taking into account the uncontested elections, for which it is not easy to find any accurate arith- metical expression, the popular feeling is ardent enough on both sides, but is preponderatingly on the side of the Unionists. Of course the county elections may alter the balance, but in the great towns and cities of England, any candid man must admit that, while both sides of the question are supported by a great multitude, the greater multitude is against the change which Mr. Gladstone advocates, and that in spite of the vast personal influence wielded by Mr. Glad- stone himself, for which there is no sort of equivalent on the Unionist side. Lord Salisbury is not without influence, and Mr. Balfour will probably exert, before many years are over, even a greater influence than Lord Salisbury ; but neither of them commands anything like the personal fascination wielded by Mr. Gladstone.
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