. The balance is slightly
in favour of the Tories, but the best sign of the times is the
defeat of the Radicals in various places. Grote nearly beaten in
the City, and probably will be turned out on a scrutiny;[6]
Roebuck and Palmer were defeated at Bath, Ewart at Liverpool,
Wigney at Brighton, Thompson at Hull. It was clear enough before
from the Conservative language which was put into the Queen's
mouth by her Ministers, and by that which they held themselves,
that it was the only tone which would be palatable to the
country, and the event of the elections confirms this impression.
This is, after all, the essential point, to which the gains of
either party are entirely subordinate. If the Government keeps
together without internal dissensions, and nothing particular
occurs to produce a change, these Ministers cannot well be turned
out, because, though their majority is small, they have the
undoubted support of the House of Commons, and in my opinion they
will be all the stronger from the Radicals being so reduced in
numbers, as those who remain must support them, and cannot expect
any concessions in return. It is quite impossible to doubt that
there is in the country a strong Conservative reaction, and it is
the more valuable from not being more strongly pronounced. It is
great enough to prove that our institutions are safe, but not
great enough to bring the Tories back into power and to turn
their heads, ready as they always are to be puffed up with every
returning gale of success. The Tories have made one good exchange
in the article of whippers-in, for they have got Planta and
Holmes instead of Bonham and Ross.

[5] [It was found that the Liberals replaced by Tories
amounted to 66, and the Tories replaced by Liberals to
53. The Government therefore lost 13 seats in the
boroughs.]

[6] [Mr. Grote was returned by a majority of only six, but
he was not turned out.]

Everything that could be said in praise of the Queen, of her
manners, conduct, conversation, and character, having been
exhausted, we now hear no more of her. It is an interesting
speculation to conjecture how soon she will begin to think and to
act for herself upon higher matters, as she has at once done on
all minor points connected with her domestic arrangements. It is
generally believed that she is perfectly independent of any
influence in these things, and while in all political concerns
she h