Few general elections in England have ever been watched with such strained eagerness of gaze as that which is now going on. The reason is obvious. After a long period of retirement from active participation in the affairs of the rest of the world, Great Britain has lately reappeared on the scene and has interfered to maintain the "peace of Europe. The task she has performed was beset with difficulties, and during the anxious mouths of negotiation it often seemed that she would fail in her purpose. In spite of blunders, owing to the division of her counsels at the early stage of the proceedings, she gained her end. But of course this end could not have been gained without responsibility and expense. It is the contention of the upholders of Lord Beaconsfield that the responsibility was more than justified by the grave occasion, and the expense incurred comparatively slight. At all events England played a conspicuous part and exerted vast influence. Rightly or wrongly, the Ooutinental publicists consider that if a Liberal Ministry takes office little or nothing will be heard of Great Britain in the high debate of foreign politics. The country will shrink like the carpet in the Arabian tale, which at one time enclosed Emperors and armies, but at another time could have been easily wrapped in the interior of a "Gladstone" bag had that convenient portmanteau been available for the purpose. Without.the voice of England to speak peace, the long-deferred European' war may come any moment. The already gigantic armaments are still being augmented, and some cause for drawing the sword may readily be found. This being the case it is easy to understand why the English elections are being watched with unusual interest, The figures which have been published in our telegrams certainly excite surprise. The Liberals were not expected to come to the front so decidedly, and though at the time we write we ate ignorant of the issue, it seems probable that they will securea majority. It is not very clear how this result has been brought about, and we feel that something must have occurred within the last few weeks to shake the strength of the organized phalanx Lord Beaconsfield had disciplined so well. It is only possible to conjecture what has taken place. Wo venture to suggest, however, that two mistakes of the Government have loot them a measure of public confidence. The first was the action taken about. the Russian correspondence discovered at Cabul, There has been a grent deal of needless talk on this subject. The semi-official organs of the Government have called public attention to the matter and excited keen curiosity. Something very extraordinary was expected. Those who were distrustful of the Ministry were told to wait until these mysterious letters should be forth coming. When they were produced a new light would burst on the whole matter. But just when expectation was tits height it was disappointed with the baffling official formula—to produce the papers would be " inexpedient and prejudicial to the public service." Wo conceive this unfortunate course has done the Government harm. The papers should never have been referred to, or should have been published without any parade or prelude. If Lord Derby were disposed he might, with telling effect, refer to the unsavoury historical character whose name Lord Salisbary once mentioned in connection with Limself, and accuse the Foreign Secretary of being another Titus Oates and stifling the plot. The second mistake was undoubtedly the disclosure of the project with regard to Herat. We have on previous occasions quoted high authorities to show that this important post will in all likelihood have to be secured, but this was not the time to disclose any more projects of annexation, The public declared that they wanted rest, and were disappointed to find new sounds of disturbance in the air., These two mistakes, added to the many minor causes of discontent and uneasiness which collect after a Ministry has held office for some time, may account in a great degree for the figures which are so daunting the spirits of the Tories. The question of a succession to Lord
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