ENGLAND ROUSED. 61 by 28, but in addition to the extreme narrowness of this majority, the fact that many of the strongest adherents of the Liberal policy either declined to vote or sided with the minority, was eloquent in its significance.

The tension was over. If the Government had scored a technical victory, they had suffered a moral defeat. Public opinion had asserted itself, and its influence had penetrated within the gates of Westminster. Henceforth the Ministry must change their ways. True, they retained office ; but the con¬ ditions under which they did so were now altered. To ignore that any pressure had been brought to bear upon them was out of the question. It was neces¬ sary now to allow that that pressure had driven them from their previous course. Deviation was forced upon them. To act antagonistically to popular opinion was absurd. England had been roused.