The Sun.
London, England, 1860-08-20 00:00:00

BERTVICK _ELECTION COMMISSION.

BERWICK-UPON-TWEED, AUG. 18.
The Commissioners met this morning at 10 o'clock.
Ralph Anstruther Earle was sworn and examined by
the Chief Commissioner—l was member for this town from
April, 1859, to August in the same year, and was Mr. Dis-
raeli's private secretary from the time of his coming into up
to the time of his quitting office. I consulted Mr. Disraeli
before becoming a candidato. I came to Berwick, April 8,
and commenced my canvass. I heard a great deal about
the barrack question. It appeared that the question of re-
occupying the barracks had. been agitated during the pre-
ceding year, and a memorial signed by a great many per-
sons was drawn up, representing the great injury done to
the town by the abandonment of the barracks, and that they
had set every influence in motion to have the old state of
things restored, as I understood, without success, and that
they had then changed their ground and, instead of asking
that the barracks should be occupied, asked that the claims
of Berwick as a military station should be reconsidered.
They were more successful in this, and some rather sub-
stantial hope was held out that this modest request would
be acceded to. They complained that the renewed inquiry
did not take place, and they thought that, if granted, the
officer who had already condemned the barracks would
be employed to revise hie own decision. Thicting
wish of the inhabitants reasonable, I undertook to make an
inquiry on the subject. I addressed a communication to
the War-office, stating what I had heard. It was alleged
that Lord Melville, the commander of the district, finding
Berwick inconveniently distant from head-quarters, was
prejudiced against having soldiers there. I wrote to the War-
office in a tone of remonstrance and asked information. I
was actuated in pursuing the course I did by thinking that
the disappointment already experienced by the inhabitants
was unfavourable to the Conservative party, and I wished
also to make myself favourably known to the electors. I
either addressed my letter to Gen. Peel, or to Mr. William
Peel, his private secretary. I also wrote to Mr. Disraeli,
asking him to speak to Gen. Peel. I received an answer,
which I showed to several people in Berwick and left with
some of them. I have not got it, nor do I know where it is.
I made use of it in my address. If the printed copy of my
address put it into my hands is correct, that will give sub-
stantially a correct copy; but, as it is not in my hand-
writing, I will not admit it. I certainly exaggerated my
services. The word " success" is too strong. Addresses
are often altered. I don't believe I said what is there
printed. The article in the Warder is immensely exagge-
rated ; the letter contained nothing to warrant it. I think
it is a sanguine amplification. Ido not deny that I wrcte
that address, nor do I assert that I did. Tho charge made
by the other party is that there was a compact that if the
Conservative candidates were returned the barracks should
be restored. There was a " cry" got up that I had beer.' suc-
cessful in getting a concession from the Government abort
the barracks. Perhaps I allowed too much to be said. The
excitement of an election produces exaggeration. There
is no very strict adherence to truth on such occasions. I
don't think that I told Mr. Disraeli, in writing to him from
Berwick, that I had been able to make a good deal out of the
barrack promise. I think I told him that the non-perform-
ance of the promise made by the Government had produced
a very unfavourable impression to the Conservative interest.
I thought my chance of success would be increased if I was
enabled to state that the barracks would be restored. I
don't think I was so ambitious as to think that my position
as secretary to Mr. Disraeli, and my being able to commu-
nicate with General Peel, would enable me to state that,
the barracks would be restored. My object was, not so.
much to produce a good as to remove a bad impression. I
had some communication with Mr. Rose before I ca me
down as a candidate, and I wrote to him while I wfa at
Berwick. The circumstances of the compromise of which
you have heard were as follows. Immediately after the
change of Government I went abroad, and on my return I
heard from Mr. Spofforth that there had been a meeting
between him and Mr. Baker about compromising the peti-
tion which there was against both mine and Captain Gor-
don's seats. Baker said the Liberals must have a seat at
Berwick. I felt from that moment that the responsibility
of continuing to defend the seat rested upon me. Mr. Rose
afterwards told me that he understood that there was no
distinct evidence against me, but that he believed it was in-
tended to attack a great number of votes on account of pay-
ments of money riade by Captain Gordon. Rose said he
did not think the payments corrupt, but a hostile committee
might take a different view. It would also have been a
scrutiny, and I could ill afford the expense. I thought I
had better retire with honour, and moreover I felt I was in
a difficult position as regarded Capt. Gordon. The compro-
mise did not emanate from our party. It was considered
the best tactics to take chances of war and not give up till
the last moment, so I kept my seat till within three days
of the end of the session. I signed the agreement, which
was drawn up by Sir F. Slade and Mr. Phinn. I objeoted
to two or three things in it, but was overruled. I know
Brodie ; he was first known about a duel at Canterbury,
subsequently at Weedon. I became acquainted with him
shortly after becoming Mr. Disraeli's secretary. Shortly be-
fore Lord Palnierston's Administration terminated in 1858,
a great deal of attention had been excited by the. Weedon
scandals. Several M.P.'s asked Mr. Disraeli to see Ser-
geant Brodie. Mr. Disraeli promised to make aw appoint-
ment for Brodio to come to him. I learnt this from Mr.
Disraeli, partly at the time and partly since. Mr. Disraeli
did not see him, but one day, as he was walking to West-
minster, Brodie accosted him and introduced himself, and
walked with him to the house ; this was beihre the change
in ISSB. Mr. Disraeli, thinking him badly used, indulged
and encouraged him ; the consequence was that Brodie
often used to lie in wait and accost him, and talk to
him. At the time of the change I became private sec-
retary, and one of the first letters received was one from
Brodie, asking for an interview, and making some allusion
to his claims. Mr. Disraeli docketed the letter " that he
knew the man, took some interest in him, and desired me
to see him, and to ascertain what he wanted." He came and
related the circumstances under which he had been deprived
of his appointment, and asked that Mr. Disraeli's influence
should be used to get him reinstated or appointed to some-
thing else. Mr. Disraeli, entertaining the same sentiments
as he did before he came into office, spoke to General Peel
about Brodie. General Peel promised to inquire, and to

ascertain whether anything could be done for ilim.' The re-
port received by General Peel was unfavourable to Brodie,.
One of the reasons given against his being employed N.vs.s
that he was mad. Although there was a constant apparenat
excitement in Brodie's manner, Mr. Disraeli did not concur,
and observed nothing in his proceedings which could yLot be
reconciled with his character as a man suffering and er real
or imaginary oppression. Mr. Disraeli's efforts havi.ng thus
failed to obtain any appointment in the public so rvice, ho
was glad to learn from Brodie that ho had obta'aied some
employment in his own line of business, through Nicoll, the
tailor, I think. Some months subsequently ,in April,
1859, Brodie accosted Mr. Disraeli in the lobby, and asked
to speak to him for five minutes. Mr. Disraeli acceded,
and listened to him. He said he had lost his employment,
and that he was in want. Mr. Disraeli said, after what
had occurred, he could not hold out any hopo of getting
him reinstated, but that he thought he might get him some-
thing to do in connexion with the general election, meaning
that he might be employed as a messenger or paid can-
vasser. He told him that ho might go to Mr. ELose and men-
tion his name. Brodie said, "Oh, that won't do ; can't you
give me something written ?'' Whereupon he wrote on an
envelope some few lines, which, to use his own expression,
might be read at Charing-cross. The man went to Mr.
Rose's office (this I heard from Mr. Spofforth), but did not
see Mr. Rose, but not, as he supposes, because he was taken
for a spy, but because his eccentric. aspect, incoherent lan •
guage, and redolence of liquor 'alarmed the clerks, who
thought he ought not to be allowed to remain lounging on
the premises, as ho was manifestly intoxicated, and perhaps
insane. I have a very lively recollection of the particulars,
and that is all I know about it.—[The envelope spoken of
by Brodie was handed to the witness, who said it was cer-
tainly in Mr. Disraeli's handwriting.]—He used often to
come and bother me. The other day he wanted to show me
a letter he had received from Lord Palmerston, ititroducing
him to Mr. Sidney Herbert. Mr. Disraeli told 3ne he had
never seen him at his house. The reason he said it was,
that the whole of the same story was bruited shout at the
time of the Frame petition, except that Berwick-uipon-Tweed
was not mentioned. I was at that time very much in the
way of hearing this sort of thing in Parliamentary circles.
I know it was intended that if the Frome petition had gone
on this should have been brought forward. People who
knew Brodie told me that they were song he had been
guilty of this abuse of Mr. Disraeli's benevolence. I was
walking one day in Leicester-square and ho (Brodie) met
me, and said a debate was going on at Wyld's rooms; would
I not go and hear it ? I went to a room where two, men were
drinking beer. He said it was a mistake, and he then took
me to another where there were three men, but no debate
was going on. I forget where the second was. I Itltave never
been with him anywhere but that once.
By Mr. Barstowe—l never had any conversation with
him about his being employed on the secret service. Ho is
the very last person to be employed where discretion is re-
quisite. He was always full of mystery and great person-
ages. He used to say ho had just come from the Duke of
Cambridge. Once or twice ho came to me in the lobby of
the house and said, " Ah, Mr. Earle, all my friends at Ber-
wick-upon-Tweed voted for you." Brodie certainly was not
in the habit of taking me to debating societies. He used
to come to Downing-street with paragraphs cut out of
papers in his pocket and show me. He once produced a bit
of paper headed, "Wyld's Room.—Question, Whether
Lord Palmerston was fit to advise the Queen ?' Mesa a
Noes, 15." I used to see him often. He is in the had are
accosting people. Many think him a charactor, cud.
amused at his absurdity. I went to Wyld's (sPust'
Ile boasts
Mr. Disraeli used to speak of Brodie
withPalmer.el Mr. Milner
ston, the Duke of Cambridge, General Pool,
readirtg the letter
Gibson.
By Mr. Lushington—l think anYb°dY
been made before applica-
survey of the barracks had
from General Peel's secretary would understand that the
three hours,
exam.ination above
tion.
missioners adjourned.
This witness was under
and at half-past 4 the Com

It appears that the total subscriptions for the
New Sardinian Five per Cent. Loan of £6,000,000
amounted to £22,000,000, and that each applicant among
the public obtained only about 15 per cent. of the amount
asked.
A MEETING IN TUE Ant.—On Monday lastna
meeting was hold on the top of St. Paul's, Mr. Godwin (Le
the chair), Professor Donaldson, Mr. Norton, Yin Pen Zell
Mr. Porter, and Mr. T. Hayter Levis beingy 3_
- IliscPwith the
the various towers and steeples were exanun°'.
view of saying
spircs
wonderful, and thosepresent found few
which should be preserved.
L..b.:tcs sighttwas
struction cif which they were willing to esseni;•
rial was agreed on, and, being afterw yds
of he
wavers otthe Council
President of the Institute and such
and
memo.yh
House of Commons on Ipehalf of
as could 'foe found, was presented
monraaeuTyuoer
that
nitogwhtertso
steeples,-14uilder.