We are not yet able to form any estimate of
the amount of new ability which is to be brought into the electoral con-
test so close upon us. But we see with pleasure that Mr.
Sidney Buxton—the son of the late Charles Buxton, who so long and so ably represented East Surrey—is coming forward
with Mr. Ingram at Boston in the Liberal interest, and has been addressing the electors with remarkable ability and a great deal of humour. He is sober and shrewd, and yet keen and lively. Nothing better than this has been said anywhere of Lord Beaconsfield's policy :— " I may relate an anecdote, in order to describe Lord Beacons- field's policy. The husband of a lady, who is a friend of mine, bought one of those new patent stoves which were to save half the fuel, and give the same heat. He tool the stove home with great pride, and showed it to his wife, and said, 'This will save you half the fuel, if you will only use this stove.' The wife said, Well, then, why not buy two, and then we shall save it all P' Well, it seams to me that Lord Beaconsfield saw that the English, with a large amount of territory, was a very strong Power, and therefore he thought that if he doubled the territory he would double the strength." Lord Beaconsfield, however, has not anticipated the economic stove, in his administration either of the Army or Navy. He has confined himself strictly to anticipating the lady's device for making it twice as econo- mical, by doubling the need of fuel.
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