Government has been unlucky in elections this week. Mr. Powell
has been returned for the West Riding (Northern Division) by a majority of 44, the numbers being 6,961 for him, and 6,917 for his opponent, Mr. Holden, who stood on the Nonconformist interest, and is so wealthy that he has just subscribed £40,000 to the French subscription for the payment of the indemnity. We have tried elsewhere to explain the meaning of the election, but must mention here that as the number of electors is only 16,918, some of whom are abroad, and 13,878 votes were polled, seven in eight of all possible electors must have recorded their opinions. That is a good sign, at all events, of popular interest in politics. Galway also has been lost, Captain Nolan, the advocate of Home rule, having been returned by 2,823 to 658 given to Mr. Trench. Nearly half the voters stayed away, terrorized, Mr. Trench's friends say, by the priests and the mob, and it is believed an inquiry will be demanded.
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