The Sun.
London, England, 1870-06-11 00:00:00

COUNTY ELECTIONS.

The Standard thinks that the two county elections
deeided on Friday give a most significant testimony to the
growth of Conservative opinion. They alter very little—
and, considering the largeness of the majority of which
the Government disposes, we may even say un-
appreciably—the relative strength of parties in the
Souse of Commons ; but they show that the policy
of the present Government is becoming more and more
distasteful to the constituencies of England. These elec-
tions will, we trust, stimulate Conservatives everywhere
to lose no chance, to omit no exertion. They show that
the good cause is gaining strength everywhere. They
premise, as the result of the pains and efforts which are
demanded, the victory of the principles, to promote
the establishment of which those labours are under-
taken. The position is a most hopeful and encouraging
one. We have not gained many seats since the general
election, but we have shown that our strength has greatly
increased ; and if only Conservatives throughout the
United Kingdom work as they have done, we may
fairly calculate at the least upon a large Conservative
majority for England at the next general election,
and hope for a majority in the United Kingdom. But, we
iepeat, because we feel that we cannot lay too much em-
phasis upon the warning and the appeal, there must be no
slackening of efforts. These victories must encourage to
greater exertions. They must not be allowed to generate
a false confidence.

The Daily News believes there can be no doubt that the
electors of the Isle of Wight and of South Leicestershire
have justified the fears of their friends and the hopes of
their enemies. The tenant-farmers of these two consti-
tuencies have said ditto to their landlords. The frogs
have voted for King Stork. The geese desire to be re-
presented by the Fox. Recollecting a worthier past we
must hope for a better future. Time was when
the counties of England were the strongholds of
the Liberal party, and concentrated within them-
selves the political independence of the country.
In the election of 1831, nearly all of the 82 county mem-
bers for England were reformers. Of the present county
representatives of England, three-fourths are Tories. The
yeoman of the period preceding 1832 was the type of
sturdy British independence. The tenant farmer
since that date is the chosen example of political servi-
tude and timidity. Full of courage and spirit on any
other occasion, and before any other men, he is too
often abject and craven in the presence of his landlord,
or, more terrible being still, his landlord's agent,
In the canvassing week or on the polling day.
The elections for the Isle of Wight and South Leicester-
shire prove the unabated force of the disease, and the
urgent need of the remedy which Lord Hartingtou's Bill
lareemaes to administer.

Mr. S. Roger Smith has retired from the editorship
of the Architect.

The Committee of the House of Lords on the
Amended Medical Bill is fixed for the 17th insi.

The Lancet says that Mr. Syme, the eminent sur-
geon, is not now expected to recover.

Mr C. W. Hatfield, who was last year Mayor of
Doncaster, died on Tuesday night, at the age of 53.
John Anderson, a lad of sixteen, was drowned
bathing in Dundee Harbour on Thursday.

The marriage of the Earl of Derby with the Mar-
chioness of Salisbury is fixed to take place on Tuesday,
the sth of next month.

The cellar of wines collected by the Duke of
Hamilton has been sold by auction by Messrs. Christie
and Manson, at their rooms in King-street.

By way of memorial to the late Bishop of Exeter,
it is proposed to add a tower to St. Mary's Church in the
cathedral city of the diocese.

In St. Petersburg, a Russian lady, Madame Susloff,
practices as a physician with great success, and has ob-
tained a large number of female patients.

There is a ladies' newspaper in India, the Bungo
Mohila,or Woman of Bengal, published at Calcutta in
Bengali, and edited by a Hindoo lady.

It is said that Mr. J. L. Toole has decided on
visiting America on a professional tour which will extend
over several months.

The Law Times says the punishment of the gravest
charge brought against the prisoners Boulton and Park
may be penal servitude for life or a period of ten years.

The bill by which the Telegraph Acts of 1868 and
1869 are extended to the Channel Islands has been issued.
It gives the Postmaster-General power to purchase any of
the existing lines to the islands.
DEATH OF MARY PYPER.—The Scotsman says
many of your readers will regret the decease of this esti-
mable person, long known in Edinburgh in the double
character of needle-woman and poetess. This event
occurred on the 25th ult., in the room occupied
for many years by the deceased in the old
High School Yards. Miss Pyper, though poor,
blind, aged, and deformed, was in many respects a
remarkable woman. The only child of a private
soldier who was lost sight of in her infancy, she was
brought up by her excellent mother in extreme poverty,
but with habits of honest independence, Too poor to send
her child to school,, the mother educated her herself, and
after toiling in a trimming establishment all day, the two
would sit down together to improve their minds by reading
the best authors which they could command, both in
poetry and prose. Mary Pyper's mother was long laid
aside by illness, and it was while attending upon her
that her daughter first took to writing verses. Some of
ber poems were published many years ago, and in 1865 a
small collection of them was printed for her benefit, with
an introduction kindly written for her by Dean Ramsay.
They are remarkable for elegance and purity. Although
the deceased was plain in features, and of remark-
ably smal stature, her manners were those of a
lady, and her expression was refined and intelligent. She
was very independent, and not only scorned to ask for
assistance but would only by delicate management be
induced to accept of it. She was brought up in commu-
nion with the Scottish Episcopal Church, of which body
she died a humble and attached member. The following
epitaph, taken from her poems, will form an appropriate
close to her humble story :--

EPITAPH.-A LIFE.
I came at morn—'twas spring, I smiled,
The fields with green were clad ;
walked abroad at noon—and lo !
'Twas summer—l was glad.
•
I sate me down 3 • 'twas autumn eve.
And I with sadness wept ;
I laid me down at night, and then
'Twas winter—and I slept !
Some of those friends who took an interest in the lowly
poetess are about to erect a tombstone over her grave.