The Sun.
London, England, 1831-05-14 00:00:00

DOWNPATRICK, MAY 11.

(FROM A CORRESTONPENT.)
The election for the county of Down commenced yester-
day. Colonel Farel, who last year contested the county
on the independent interest, having declined coming for.
ward, William Sharman Crawford, E•q., a talented and
influential country gentleman of well known patriotic
principles, his offered himself, in opposition to Lord Cas-
tlereagh, at Ow so;icitation of a large body of liberal elec-
tors. The exciting circumstances of the present times,
and the late conduct of Lord Castlereagh respecting Re-
form, have awakened the most lively interest in the issue
of the contest. Nothing was done yesterday except putting
the candidates in nomination. Lord Arthur Hill, one of
the late candidates, is considered sure of his return, on ac- '
count of his votes in favour of the Ministerial measure of
Reform. The battle will, therefore, he between Lord
Castlereagh and Mr. Crawford. For many
.),ears, the
county has been kept in a state of vassalage, owing to a
Junction between the families of Downshire and London
donderry. In consequence of the avowed sentiments of
the Marquis of Downshire, and Lord Arthur Hill, in
opposition to those of Lord Castlereagh and the Marquis
of Londonderry, the Marquis of Downshire Las expressly
declared that his tenants are perfectly at liberty to dispose
of th,ir second votes as they please. There is no question
if they support the independent candidate, but that Lord
Castlereagh will he thrown out. Every exertion is mak-
ing, by underlings, to induce them to act otherwise; but
the friends of Crawford and Reform are sanguine as to
the result.

The circumstances iu which Lord Castlereagh finds him-
sel', seem to have operated with wonderful power, in con-
vincing him of the necessity of some Reform. In his ad-
dress yesterday he laboured to persuade the electors that
he was anxious to amend the representation. He could
not, however, conceal the cloven foot. Whilst he affected
to condemn the nomination system (and this he actu ally
did), he declared himself the uncompromising supporter
of the vested rights of corporation 1, roughs ; and, as
Coleraine, Belfast, and Armagh, are thus in a con-
dition, relative to their representation, that seems
so deserving of admiration and support, his Lord-
ship's hollow professions were capable of deceiving not
even the humblest freeholder. Goulburn and Armagh are
too well known here ; and the Noble Lord's professions
were, therefore, marked down in the catalogue of his
other political sins. He had even the presumption to
vindicate his vote respectinz the East Reboil affair, and
his opposition to Lord John Itus.ell's motion for giving
Members to Manchester, Leeds, and Birmingham. What
was his apology? Why, he said there was not then a
public call for such measures ; that is, he did not deny
their justice, but he would withhold all, even the slightest
concession, until forad by the people. Men too fre-
quently commit errors, but it is sedout that they publish
their shame to the world. And if his Lordship spoke
what was his true motive, and if he admitted his willing-
ness to defer to the public voice, why does he not now
yiel I when there is a loud and universal demand for the
Bill? In fact, his whole defence is hollow ; and his
hypocrisy has not even the merit of being skilful. He
has also been base enough to enlist religious party feeling
on his side. He also agreed to pass the Catholic Relief
Bill, and now rinsed the " No Popery" cry—that is, he
voted for conferring privileges on Catholics, but he has
the audacity to say now that Catholics are not tobe trusted.
Eeither now or formerly be must be considered as chargeable
with ti e most direct want of principle, and he may choose
the alternative. Then comes the cry that the Union will
he repealed if we get a Reformed Parliament. These are
despicable expedients ; but they shew the d, operate situa-
tion in which he is placed, and how far he is capable of
adopting any means that appear likely to promote his own
ends. So badly, indeed, is he pressed, that the Marchio-
ness of Londonderry was in Downpatrick yesterday, sitting
in his Lordship's Committee-room ; not, as may he easily
imagined, an idle spectator of what was going forward.
I may mention another fact to shew the fears of his party.
Mr. Cross, a Belfast gentleman of high literary character,
and a freeholder of the county, was prevented from re-
plying to the speech of his Lordship by the uproar and
interruption of a trained mob of ruffians, because his
well-known eloquence and integrity were deemed exceed-
ingly dangerous to the stability of the pretensions which
his Lordship hal so unblushingly put forward. To-day
the voting is going on briskly, and Mr. Crawford is con-
fident of success. I cannot now mention the state of the
poll ; and as it is post hour, I must close my letter by
saying, that I do not think the contest can be over before
Saturday, at the earliest. You shall hear from me again.

PAGANINI, the celebrated violinist, arrived in
London at six o'clock this morning, and is staying at the
Sabloniere Hutel, Leicester-square,