In the Northwich Division of Cheshire, Mr. Brunner, the Gladstouian
candidate, was returned on Saturday with a majority slightly greater than in 1885, the Unionist reaction of 1886 having apparently disappeared and left no trace behind. Mr. Brunner polled 5,112 votes, against 3,983 given for the Liberal Unionist, Lord Henry Grosvenor,—majority, 1,129. In 1886, the Liberal Unionist, Mr. R. Verdin, obtained a majority of 658 over Mr. Brunner. But in 1 5, Mr. Brunner had a majority of 1,028 over Mr. W. H. Verdin; so that the hand of the clock has gone even a little further back than the place at which 't stood in 1 5. The result is very disheartening, especially as hewing that old party ties are very much more tenacious ban any convictions, however clear and impressive, which cross the exigencies of those ties. But the last and best touchstone of
deep conviction is to stand firm in the face of reverses ; and the Unionists may be sure of this,—that if they suffer reverses when the question of the Union is not in the Parliamentary fore- ground, they will gain more than they have lost so soon as that great question, with all its overwhelming difficulties, is once more brought full before the country.
