The only bright points in the Gladstonian view of the
Elections are the return of both Sir Henry Campbell- Bannerman for the Stirling Burghs, and of Mr. Asquith for East Fife, by decidedly increased majorities. But we very much question whether this is due to their Gladstonianism itself so much as to their reputation as Ministers who took a firm line where many of their colleagues took a violent and dangerous line. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman was regarded as the one Minister who could set his judgment against Sir William Harcourt's with some prospect of carry- ing the day ; and Mr. Asquith, at all events, opposed a steady resistance to the release of dynamiters as mere political prisoners. At the same time we must admit that on "Home-rule all-round '' and on Disestablishment Mr. Asquith was one of the firebrands of the late Cabinet.
