We record with special pleasure that Mr. Balfour has made
so good a recovery from the influenza that he was able to visit the House of Commons on Thursday. He received a very warm welcome from all sides, as was natural, for there is no man who is personally better liked in the House of Commons. Whatever we may feel as to his recent political actions, we can all agree in our pleasure at his recovery. But though Mr. Balfour's return was welcome, it cannot be said to have brought the Government good luck. It was in no pleasant mood—and small wonder, considering the tale of muddle, extravagance, and want of decision and foresight disclosed— that the House of Commons met the Government's explanations of the Somaliland vote. The result was a very marked drop in the Government majorities. On one of the votes it actually went as low as 14 (88 votes to 74), but this was no doubt due to the division having been taken somewhat unexpectedly and at a moment inconvenient to the Government Whips. Still, such an incident shows how greatly discredited the Govern- ment are, and how little confidence is extended to them even by their nominal supporters. But, after all, could anything else be expected from those who, professing to be Free-traders, support the cause of Protection ?
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