The Sun.
London, England, 1857-03-09 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, MARCH 9, 18b7.

STATE OF PUBLIC OPINION.

BRISTOL.

After high 'Change on Saturday afternoon an ad-
dress-to the Right Hon. Lord Palmerston, expres-
sive of regret at the result of the Cobden vote, was
set on foot-and received a number of most influen-
tial signatures,•inCluding those of many magistrates
and town councillors, leading merchants, &c. The
address is couched in the following terms, and, al-
thoughoriginated by members holding Conservative.
vitws,in politics, it has been subscribed by men of
all prties :
" We, the undersigned, inhabitants of the city
and county of Bristol, beg to :represent to. your•
lordship the feelings of surprise and regret with
which we have received intelligence of the result of
the recent division on Mr. Cobden's motion in the
House of Cointnons.

" We greatly lament that an Opposition so openly
factious, and combining within itself men and prin-
c;.p'es too incongruous to afford hope of any useful
alliance, should have commanded the support of so
large a number of members of the House of Com-
mons as to have enabled it to defeat a Ministry re-
markable for its truly English character, for the
respect it, has won for the, British name throughout
the woad, for the security it has obtained for mer-
cantile intercourse with foreign nations, and for the
vigour with which it has carried on its governmen-
tal functions at home and abroad.

"We venture •to believe that the alliance. by
which you have been assailed, while it has greatly
lowered the political reputations of the parties en-
gaged in it, has gained no sympathy in the,hearts
of the British people.
" We thank your lordship that, instead of yield-
ing the reins of Government into other hands, you
have resorted to the constitutional alternative of
appealing to the people; and we desire to express
to you our firm conviction that the result of that
appeal will not confirm the •decision of- the House
of Commons."

It was expected that the address would be very
numerously signed on Monday (this day).

SHEFFIELD.

The recent defeat of Lord Palmerston has caused
a great sensation in Sheffield, but from the result
of our inquiries we are able to state that the public
feeling, at least among the middle classes, appears
decided►y in favour of his lordship, and opposed to
the coalition. On Saturday morning a meeting of
the principal merchants of the town was held at the
Exchange-rooms, to consider the propriety of adopt-
ing a memorial expressive of confidence in the pre-
mier. Die following is the memorial :

"We, the undersigned, merchants, manufacturers, and
others, inhabitants of Sheffield, feel bound at once to
assure your lordship that we have heard with the gr-atest
regret and di iiatistaction the result of the division on Mr.
Cobden's motion, in the House of Commons on Wednes-
day morning last ; and, at the same time, most decidedly
to express our opinion that a Liberal Government, with
your lordship at its bead, will give the best guarantee
for the prosperity of the British dominions at home and
abroad."

The memorial was signed by all the gentle-
men present, including many of the most eminent
merchants and manufacturers, and the document is
still receiving an additional number of names,
prior to its being despatched for presentation to
his lordship.

LEICESTER;
The feeling here in favour of Lord Palmerston is
very strong, and is shared in alike by all political
parties. The Conservatives very generally regard
him as the best- possible Minister at the present
time, and would be anything but elated at the
prospect of his downfall. The three local journals,
representing respectively Conservative, Whig, and
extreme Radical politics, and which on most sub-
j,cts are as wide as the poles asunder, are
united in representing the late vote of the House
of Commons as the result of an unprincipled and
factious combination. Had the borough members
voted against the Government their return at the
ensuing election, would certainly have been im-
perilled, for the almost universal feeling of their
constituents is, that the present contest is bttwern
Palmerston and England on the one hand, and the
the tripartite coalition and Russia on the other.

( Prom the Economist.)
Few topics have been more thoroughlv winnowed
and sirtea man tee origin and detatli of our pre-
sent qualrel with China. Tho debates contiuued
for two sights in the Lords and four nights in the
Commons, and nearly every speaker of eminence in
each branch of the Legislature, and many who were
eminent in neither, took part in the discussion.
It may be presumed that every point contained in
the papers laid before Parliament, .and every piece
of information possessed by the public, was tho-
roughly well examined and brought to bear on the
decision ; but whether all these papers and all this
information combined were sufficient either in clear-
ness or in ;fullness to warrant any confident deci-
sion at all, is a very different question. And, look-
ing at the matter actually as well as"constitutionally,
it cannot be said that Vie nation has arrived at any
definite or fixed conclusion. The House of Lords
has expressed one opinion ; the House of Commons
has expressed an opposite opinion, and the people
of England, the court of ultimate resort, is about
to be appealed to as umpire between these conflict-
ing verdicts.

' We frankly and unreluctantly admit both the
difficulty of the dilemma in which Parliament was
placed, and the unsatisfactory character of the facts
end materials of the special ease before it. It was
almost impossible to debate the matter without
doing harm and incurring serious dangers. It was
equally impossible to avoid debating it without a de-
reliction of one of the most obvious duties of a con-
trolling ,and governing assembly. Ministers, on
whom devolved the heavy responsibilities of action,
and independent and conscientious members of Par-
liament, who could not but look at the actual or
apparent merits of the case, were alike in a position
of grave perplexity. If Ministers blamed and de-
serted their representatives in China for acting in a
manner which they themselves, if consulted, proba-
bly never would have sanctioned, and which, judg-
ing by the facts as partially known to us, seemed
open to serious question, they might possibly be in
error ; and at all events would greatly embarrass
and complicate the crisis at Canton, and by discou-
raging the English and encouraging the Chinese,
might bring the most formidable dangers on those
who looked to them for protection, and who at the
very moment might be struggling for their lives. If,
on the other hand, they resolved to assume the re-
sponsibility of what bad become afaitaccompli, and
to justify and endorse proceedings which their in-
structions had not warranted, and which undeniably,
as tar as yet appears, were not free from flaw or
doubt (to say the least)—they placed ,themselves in
the awkward and painful predicament of having to
defend what it was clear they could not heartily ap-
prove—and thus gave a great and manifest advan-
tage to their rivals and antagonistsiat home. Again,
honet senators felt that Sir John Bowring and Con-
sul Parkes appeared to have acted hsetily and
harshly, and, however just their chronic grounds of
quarrel with the Chinese, to have chosen an
unlucky and defective case for bringing that
quarrel to an issue—thus placing themselves and
their country in the wrong by a mistake, though
there might be no mistake at all as to the substan-
tial merits of the cause. Yet to condemn these
officials for what they had done and the Govern-
ment at home for supporting them when it was
done, would not only be to hazard actual and seri-
ous mischief by playing the game of our enemies,
but would—before the world at large, where the
niceties of a question are always overlooked—be
equivalent to confessing that, in the quarrel with
the Ohinese authorities (not about this miserable
lorcha, but about their whole conduct towards us),
they are right and we are wrong—which every one
believes or knows to be the very reverse of the
truth. It is not surprising, therefore, that there
should never have been a discussion in which sin-
cere men and wise men felt so entirely puzzled as
to the language they ought to hold and the vote
they ought to give. . .
A second consideration, which has not received
the attention it deserves, is this :—Whatever may
be the reality or the importance of the flaw in our
case relating to the lorcha which Sir J. BoNvring
made the immediate occasion of the rupture, there
can be no doubt that it was only the occasion, and
not the real cause. One undoubted fact—at least
i we believe t to be undoubted—is, that every indi-
vidual acquainted with the Chinese or resident in
China, whether merchant, naval officer, diplo-
matist, or missionary, whether Englishman or
foreigner,. of the same opinion in this matter.
All.deplore the decision of the House of Commons,
and all concur in the absolute necessity of chas-
tising. the persistent faithlessness, the incessant
aggressions, and the systematic affronts of the
Cuinese. It is very possible that in the matter of
the lorcha we may have been in error as to fact ; it
is probable, even, that in point of law we were in
error. It is too probable, also, that as regards
the illicit trade carried on in the Canton waters our
hands are not clean. - But we must not overlook
the consentalleollll testimony of nearly every per-

son wboie knowledge of China entitles him to be
listened to on such a subject. All declare that sa-
tisfactory, safe, and dignified intercourse with those
arrogant and cruel people is impossible till they
have met with severe chastisement, and have been
forced to respect our superior power and their own
solemn engagsm.mts. A long course
of insults, not
only to us, but to other foreigners, had been gra-
dually reaching its climax ; further endurance and
forbearance had become impossible ; everylbing
was ripe for a quarrel ; and it seems to have been
determined that the next insult to the British
should be peremptorily dealt with when the Arrow
was boarded. At- the very time this happened,
we were in consultation with the French and Ame-
ricans, in order to devise some plan for placing our
common relations with the Cantonese upon a more
satisfactory footing, and btinging that ignorant and
overbearing people to a sense of their true position
with regard to European Powers. Now, we do
say, that the unanimous feeling of all most qua-
lified to judge as to the necessity of taking a high
ground with China, and of prosecuting with energy
and resolution our substantially just quarrel—just
in'its essentials, though erroneous in its accidental
circumstances—ought not to be lightly put aside.
The debates in Parliament and the decision of
the House of Commons—even if reversed by the
country on appeal—will render the further action
of our Government in this matter full of difficul-
ties, and embarrass not a little the proceedings of
the Commander-in-Chief or Plenipotentiary we
may send ont to prosecute or terminate the quar-
rel. We do note apprehend as many do that
either the adverse vote, or the strong and reckless
language held by .many members of the Opposition
will really imperil the lives of the Europeans in
those parts : for the same mail that carries out this
news will carry out also such reinforcements as
will place opposition and danger at defiance.

(From the Examiner.)

The Yehs have it. The Ayes, who are identical
with the Yehs, have carried by a majority of six-
teen Mr. Cobdas resolution condemning the mea-
sures taken against the Chinese, without consider-
ing the provocation. Thus, upon the motion of
" the leader of the Peace party," the House of
Commons has performed the kotoo, and struck its
head sixteen times against the floor in token of its
submission to the Brother of the Sun. When the
joyful tidings arrive in China proclamations will be
published setting forth that the foreign devils were
seized with trembling when they heard of the
audacious steps take❑ at Canton against the autho-
rity of the wise and virtuous Yeh, and that they
immediately confessed the fault, and humbly en-
deavoured to propitiate the wrath of the Celestial
Empire, before which they knew it was impossible
to stand.

Never was there a more motley majority than
that of the Yehs on Mr. Cobden's motion. Black
spirits and white, blue spirits and grey, spirits of
every hue of the rainbow, mingled together in the
oddest confusion, or fusion, that ever astonished
and disgusted the public. It was but a few nights
ago that Mr. Sidney Herbert voted against Mr.
Locke King's motion for the extension of the fran-
chise, not because he was against reform, to which
indeed,phaerwtyaswshoenfriinenpdolyw,ertoLord John Russell's Re-
form
that he had been a
form Bill, but because he held it to be a paramount
obligation to look to the state of parties, and not
place Lord Palmerston's Administration in diffi-
culty, much less in danger. These considerations
have, however, all vanished, and Mr. Sidney Her-
bert's tender regards are all transferred from the
Premier to Commissioner Yeh.

Since 1831 we have not observed so strong a
fealing of public displeasure at an attempt to over-
throw a Ministry as has been manifested upon the
present occasion. The judgment has been all but
unanimous out of Parliament, and Lord- Palmer-
sten has good grounds for asserting that he has not
lost the confidence of the country. We will not
evade the truth--the Chinese affair was not liked,
for it is not every one who understands the charac-
ter of that singular people, and the only means of
dealing with them ; but the public had soon the
wit to perceive that the question was not discussed
on the merits, but was merely wielded as an instru-
ment for a deadly
.blow to the Administration.
" What's Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba 1" asked
the public of Mr. Gladstone's and other similar
extranactancaa--
"Tears in his eyes, distraction in 'a aspect,
A broken voice, and his whole function suiting,
With forms to his conceit, and all for nothing I"
Fol 7 Yeh ! The current word for the thing has
been humbug, every dne knowing that the Opposi-
tion, if sides were changed, would chastise the
Chinese miscreant in authority at Canton with a
will not a jot less hearty than that of tile present
Government. Nay, more ; if Lord Derby and
Lord Malmesbury had been in power, they would
have approved all that had been done, as surely as
a Liberal Opposition would have pursued the other
course. Men never will learn how much their
views are influenced by the position whence taken
—in or out.

(From the 41anchester Guardian.)
For gentlemen who have their personal connec-
tion principally among the mercantile clwses, and
whose influence is mainly based on their presumed
knowledge of, and regard for, the interests of trtde,
Mr. William Gladstone and Mr. Richard Cob-
den have managed to distinguish themselves in
a very remarkable manner. As we address a com-
munity wh ch has some slight pre tensions to commer-
cial importance, we have reason for taking special
note'of the obligation under which they have placed
us. Mr. Gladstone encouraged the House of Com-
mons to turn a deaf ear to tha voice of the merchants
of England on the Chinese question, by saying that
to listen to this class of witnesses would be the
same as if they had decided the question of slavery
by a reference to the slaveowners. We must leave
others to decide whether the comparison is more
damaging to the right hon. gentleman's cause In a
logical or in a rhetorical point of view ; for, in the
first place, it clearly involves an admission that the
attitude assumed by our officials in the Canton
River is favourable to the interests of trade, which
has been again and again
denied ; and, in the next
place, it implies that the whole of a social class,
which exercises some influence on the election of
members of Parliament and on the policy of the
country, is base enough to prostitute its conscience
pursuit of gain. The elaboration
idea was chiefly, however, under-
to
f ttilishe
fisuactcteerinssfulg
taken by Mr. Cobden, who appears to have a rather
worse opinion of his old friends than that which he
used to express of the landowners. If he had been
contented with throwing them overboard with re-
gard to this question alone, the exigences of his
argument would have afforded a presentable ex-
cuse. But the heartiest and longest part of his
speech was an invective against the cupidity, sel-
fishness, and atrogan.oe of British merchants all
over the world.

After the betrayal of feelings so very nearly
allied to contempt, it may not be a very serious
thing to threaten either of these orators with the
displeasure of the class whom thPy estimate at so low
a figure. But as we know what Mr. Gladstone and
Mr. Cobden think of the commercial class, it is in-
evitable that we should soon learn what the com-
mercial class thinks of them. An earnest of its
opinion was decisively afforded during the debate
itself by the circumstance that even such opponents
Lord Palmerston as Mr.Gregson,Mr. Robertson,
and Mr. Honfall, happening to be also connected
and resist-
withit
ne
gret s
thef, were
otrade
cu andre unreservedwrehcilueh' nug
the to
a n kceoe condemning
an eye on its in-
d membersem n
forin
the West
g
Riding and the University of Oxford had com-
bined to adopt. The voice of the commercial
interests of the country has now to be beard di-
rectly pronounced, and, apparently, there will be
i
an unusual unanimity n its declaration.

(Prom the Derbyshire Courier.)
There are not a score of Englishmen out of the
tagellesedtobbyeparty prejudices or the
gained by a change of
hhiune3iesst'oeifriso,tawdthrvaaomnmwill not acquit Lord Palmerston of
any intention 'of acting with cruelty towards the
crafty barbarians of Canton. All that can be said
against him is that, finding two official servants in
responsible situations in China when he became
Minister, and believing that they were not men to
act with undue severity or reprehensible want of
consideration towards the Chinese, he has refused
to secure his own safety by sacrificing the former
friends of his political opponents. Lord Palmer-
ston has stood up with the manliness of an English
gentleman for Sir John Bowring and Admiral Sey-
mour.

(From the Gateshead Observer)
As soon as the necessary arrangements can be
made the Parliamentof 1852 will be dissolved, and
a general election will ensue. wehave no misgiv-
ings
popular ar cause will be as to the result. It will not accord with the
views of Mr. Cobden. It will not serve the pur-
pose Whatever party
ad-
vanced by the election of a new Parliament. De-
ceived by all the echoes of their own petty clique and
may O
go f thteo Conservative
tthe
waiit he
circles, the coaletioiDg exPeOtantsiu London Imagine

the whole country to be chorusing their party cries.
Ne;i-er was there a greater mistake. The country is
quiescent--more quiescent perhaps than it sh Auld
be._ •But so it is. And .the -probability is-that we
shall have fewer election contests than in 1852.

(From the rorle Herald. )
Lord Palmerston has fully justified the confidence
reposed in him by his country. '

(From the Brighton herald.)
The question to be decided will I.e a national one:
the Palmerston Government will appeAl to the
country for support in i!s pursuit of a national
policy against a conspiracy of parties.

(From the Bath Journal )
This vote will obtain the approval of d spots, and
of all who envy and hate this country ; but England
has now to speak out.

(From the Hertford gerettry.)
The contest which is about to take place must, to
a certain extent, a,sume the character of a personal
one. It is Lord Palmerston,.the ablest of the Libe-
ral statesmen, and. the most successful of Liberal
leaders, whO is assailed. It is his policy which is
specially attacked, and it is for or against hini that
the decision must be given. .

(From the Bucks Advert;ser.)
We have no fear that a Parlianrvnt can be re-
turned that will for a single week tolerate a Tory
Government.

(Prom yce Western 7ini e,s. )"

Lord Palmerston's thorough English spirit, his
indomitable power of work, and genial got hu-
mour, have made him more personally beloved
than any public leader of the day. His defeat was
the work of treachery.

(From the 71Velsh,man.)

Lord Palmerston may safely appal to the court
try for the support which a factious combinalion it
the House, of Commons has refused.

ELECTION INTELLIGENCE.

EAST SUSSEX.

The official declaration of the poll was made ou Satur-
day at Lewes by the High Sheriff of th*county, Mt. It.
C. Pomfret, the number of votes recorded being as fol-
lows :

Lord Pevensey
Mr. Dodson

.
. 2,234

Majority for Viscount Pevensey (C) ps
The result, while showing the maj ,rity in Viscount
Pevensey's favour as less by 21 than in a former return
published, proves the present contest to hava been the
most severe one known for this division.

Viscount PEVENSEr, after the ceremony of buckling
on the sword to the newly-e!ected nlemuer had been
performed, returned -thanks._

Mr. DODSON also returned thanks, and, having con•
gratulated the electors on their success in the infliction
of a death-blow on Tory monopoly in that division of
the county, said they would not desist in their efforts
until they had wrested the division from the grasp of
the Tories. Before very many weeks w tre ovtr he should
appear again as a candidate before them, and be believeJ
that next time the result would not be doubtful.

LITERPOOL—The election campaign at Liverpool has
commenced. Mr. J. C. Ewart, one of the preetnt mem-
bers, issued his address on Saturday soliciting a re-
newal of the confidence which has been so far reposed
in him. He refers to his vote in support of the Minis-
try against the motion of Mr. Cobden,' and makes pro-
minent mention of his sympathy for Colonel Tulloch
and Sir J. M'Neil, and of his address on the subject
which he had the honour of forwarding to them from
the principal merchants and others in Liverpool. The
feeling of the town is at present strongly in favour of re-
turning both the present members, Mr. Horsfall having
gained the favour of all sections and p4rties by his bold
and independent c onduct in the house, and by the at
tention with which he has looked after the interests of
his constituents in Parliament, while the moderate Tot ies
have no objection to Mr. Ewart. The extreme party'
men, however, are determined to bring Mr. Turner for-
ward in connection with Mr. norsiall, and a severe
struggle is anticipated.

MANONESTEE. --- The Liberals of Manche-ter are
anxious to get some Liberal of mark to oppose Mr.
Milner Gibson, whose course of conduct has given deep
dissatisfaction. There is no place where the principles
and English policy of Lord Palmerston are trier., war.nly
espoused. Some of the old Free-trade party are, how-
ever, anxious for the election of Mr. Bright and Mr.
Gibson on the ground of former services in the cause of
commercial reform.
YORKSHIRE.—The constituents of the various Parlia-
mentary boroughs in the West Riding of Yorkshire have
already begun to 1 sok out for the right men to send as
their representatives in Parliament, and among a liirge
portion of the inhabitants there is a strong determina-
tion to return such as will support the policy of Lord
Palinerston's Government with reference to the Chinese
question. First of all, as to the representation of the
West Riding itself, there is not a shadow of a chance of
Mr. Cobden being again elected, tae hon. gentleman's
opinions of the war with Russia having decided his fate
some time ago. Indeed, it is extremely doubtful whe-
ther Mr. Cobden will venture to come before the elec-
tors even to thank them for their past confidence. So
far, therefore, as the West Riding is concerned, the
mover of the resolution which has had the effect of
bringing about a dissolution will most undoubtedly not
find his way back again to St. Stephen's. Mr. E.
Denison, the other member, will most likely be again
elected. The probable successor of Mr. Cobden is not
yet known. Tarious gentlemen have been mentioned,
including Sir John Ramsden, Lord Goderich, and the
Right Hon. T. Baines, but no definite nomination has
been made. It is said that Sir John Rarnsden, who w 11
be supported by the Fitzwilham interest, is likely to be
preferred. At Leeds, the capital of the Riding,
there is every probability of the re-election of the
Right Hon. M. T. Baines, and a meeting is to be hel I
on the 16th inst. for the purpose of taking steps to pre-
sent a requisition to Mr. Baines and to Mr. William
Beckett, one of the present members fur Ripou, who,
although a Conservative, voted with the Government
against Mr. Cobden's resolution. Mr. Robert Hall, bar-
rister, is also spoken of as a Conservative candidate ;
and the name of Mr. S. Morley, of the Administrative
Reform Association, has also been mentioned as a candi-
date on the Liberal interest. Sir George Goodman, in
consequence of ill health, will not come forward again.
At Bradford Mr. Robert Milligan will resign his
seat, but Mr. H. W. Wickham will again come for-
ward. Soma' names have been mentioned as those
of probable candidates to succeed Mr. Milligan, among
whom may be mentioned Major-General Thompson,
Mr. E. Ackroyd, of Denton and Halifax ; Mr. Titus
Salt, of Crow-nest ; Mr. William Murgatroyd, of
Bankfield ; and Mr. H. W. Ripley, of Sightcliffe. At
Halifax, the present . members, the Right Hon.
Sir Charles Wood and Mr. Frank Crossley, will
again be nominated. The Conservatives are getting up a
requisition to Major Edwards. At Huddersfield it is
anticipated that Lord Goderich will again be returned,
be having on several occasions refused to allow himself
to be nominated for any other borough as long as his
present constituents were satisfied with his conduct. At
Wakefield, Mr. George Sanders, the Conservative mem-
ber, will retire, and Mr. J. C. D. Charlesworth or Mr.
Leathern will probably be brought forward in his stead.
The Liberals have not yet fixed upon a candidate. At
Pontefract no opposition will be offered to Mr. Monck-
ton Milnes, but Mr. Oliveira will ba opposed by Mr.
Wood, to whom a very numerously signed requisition
was presented a short time ago. There will be four candi-
dates
at Knaresborough. Mr. Dent, one of the present
members, and Mr. Westhead, who formerly sat for the
borough, will be brought forward by the Liberals, and
Mr. Woodd, the present Conservative member, and
Mr. Collins, barrister, who has also represented the
borough, will be nominated by the Conservatives. The
Liberal electors of Hull held a meeting at the Cross Keys
Hotel on Saturday afternoon for the purpose of selecting
two candidates for the representation of the borough in
Parliament. There was a large attendance. Mr. Jas.
Clay, M.P. for Hull, was unanimously selected as one
of the candidates. The Hon. W. EL F. Denison, son of
Lord Londesborough, was proposed as the second can-
didate, and a letter was read from that gentleman an-
nouncing that he was a thorough Reformer. He was
unanimously selected as the colleague of Mr. Clay. Dur-
ing the meeting a letter was read from Mr. W. D. Say- I
mour, one of the present borough memberr, declining to
stand again for Hull The meeting was strongly in favour
of Lord Palmerston, and it was underste e 1 that the two
gentlemen selected were prepared to support his lordship.
Mr. Schneiderand Mr. Hall, of London,and Mr. Aldam,
late M.P. for Leeds, and chairman of the Aire and Cal-
der Company, are also mentioned as probable candidates.
EAST REVIVED AND THE HUNDRED OF BASSETLAW.
—Viscount Galway and the Hon. W. E. Duucombe,
both Conservatives, are the present members, and they
are both to be put in nomination, but so early as Friday
last the friend§ of Mr. F. Foljambe (Libera), son of Mr.
C S. Foljambe, of Osberton-ball, coinnienced a canvass
in Retford on his behalf. There is also a party, by no
means inconsiderable in numbers, who are desirous of
seeing the Earl of Lincoln, the eldest ,on of the Duke
of Newcastle, put in nomination, and it was currently
rumoured on Saturday that he is to be bi ouehtt out.
WORCESTER.—There is likely to be a contest for the
representation of this city. The conduct of the Liberal
member, Mr. Laslett, in voting against Lord Palmerston
on Mr. Cobden's motion has met the decided disapproval
of a certain portion of his supporters,--who are about to
exhibit it in an unmistakeable manner. Tbe Derbyites in-
tend, it is said, to bring forward Alderman Sidney, of
London, and Mr. Huddleston, of the Oxford Circuit, in-
timated at the last-election his intention of coming for-
ward again in the Conservative interest whenever an op-
1 portunity offered. The Council of the Parliamentary

Reform Association here have issued a long address to
the electors of the city calling upon them to support
Mr. Ricardo and Mr. Laslett as being two consistent re-
formers. The address is dated March 9, but was circu-
lated on Saturday night.
SOUTHAMPTON.—The present Liberal members, Mr.
B. M. Willcox and Mr. T. M. Weguelin, have each pub:
lished an addiess to the electors ; and the unfortunate
difference which existed between the Liberal electors,
we hope, no longer existing, it is probable that no Tory
candidate will offer himself, and these gentlemen will be
returned without opposition.
CIRENCESTER.—The Hon. Ashley Ponsonby, one of
the sitting members for this borough, has issued an ad-
dress to the el,:eteas soliciting re-election. Referring
to the Canton aff kir lie says
"I deeply regret the unfortunate occurrences which have
recently taken place at Canton' but feeling, as I did, that
the Home Government were not fairly chargeable with the
acts or agents abroad, with wham they had had no pre-
vious coeimueication on the subject, I did not feel justified
in refusing them my support on the recent division, espe-
cially bearing in mind the previous character of the officer
whose conduct was chit:illy impugned, and the fact that his
appointment had been . approved by men who have now
joined the Opposition. While rendering Lord Palmer-
aton'aAd ministration a general -support, I have not scru-
pled to give my- vote in opposition to it when I felt that
that vote would ba of service in promoting measures which
the interests of the country appeared to require. The ex-
tension of the suffrage and the protection of the voterfrom
undue influence in the exercise of thefranchise have always
had and will continue to have my cordial support. The
abolition of church rates is a measure whisk I hope to see
shprtly carried. .I shall watch with satisfaction the further
progress of administrative reform, as I think promotion
should depend on merit en every department of the public
service. My opinions on the subject of the income tax are
in unison with- your own, as expressed in your petition re-
cently presented to the House of Commons on the subject."
Mr. Ponsonby adds a hope that with the war will cease
the heavy expenditure of the country, and that our naval
and raillery establishments may be placed on a reduced
footing. It is understood that Mr. Mullings will again
offer himself, and a third candidate i a the person of a
nephew of Eaal B.ithurat is spoken of.
GLOUCESTER.—Au opposition to the Return of Admi-
ral Sir M. Berkeley and Mr. Price is talked of here.
Although the Conservative party was beaten at the last
el ction, they intend to bring forward Mr. S. Baker, of
hh irngrove, Worcestershire, as their champion. Mr.
Baker is Chairman of the Gloucester and Dean Forest
Railway Company, and was an unsuccessful candidate
for the borough of Stroud at the last election. He pro-
f, uses Conservative and Free-trade principles, and is an
able speaker. The annoyance which has lately been ex-
perienced here on the subject of the incomes tax has
somewhat prejudiced the minds of the electors against
that tax, and this will be taken advantage of by the op-
position party.
TEWKESBURY.—Foor' candidates are likely to offer
themselves for the representation of this small constitu-
ency. The two sitting members, Mr. Martin and Mr. H.
I3r)wn (both Liberals), offer themselves for re-election,
and Mr. Cox (of the Northern Circuit) has pledged him-
self to c elle forward in the Conservative interest. A
requisition ha + also been got up soliciting the Hon. F.
Lygon, son of Earl Beauchamp, to allow himself to I e
put in nomination in the Conservative interest. There
is a stroeg feeling here will respect to Mr. Brown and
his connection with the Royal British Bank.
STROUD.—Mr. Horsman and Mr. Scrope have both
intimated their intention to appeal to the electors of
Stroud for a continuance of their suffrages. Tile nomi-
nation of a " third man," professing decided anti-In-
c me tax p, ineiples, is threatened.
WINDSOU.—Mr. Grenfell and Mr. S. Ricardo will
again come forward for Windsor, and Mr. Hope, Mr.
Roberts, the banker, and Mr. Wm. Vansi:tart are an-
nounced as likely to oppcse them, without, however,
aiiy very great chance of success.
NORTIUMPTONSHME.—Lord Altborp is about to come
forward in the. Liberal interest for South Northampton-
shire.
LYNN.—At Lynn Lord Stanley and Mr. J. H. Gurney
will not, it is presumed, be disturbed in their seats.
NORFOLK.—Major-General Windham is reported as
about to to brought forward as a Liberal candidate for
West Norfolk.
Now/nat.—The vote given by Mr. Warner, the Libe-
rel member for this city, against the Government, on
Tuesday night, has caused dissatisfaction among some of
his constituents, although it has received approval from
others. Thera has been a rumour that the hon. gentle-
man does not intend to offer himself for re-election ; but
this appears extremely doubtful.
GREAT YARMOUTH.—Here there is every probability
of a severe contest. The Conservative candidates are
expected to be Sir E. Lacon, one of the present mem-
bers, and the Ron, C. S. Vereker, who received pledges
of support from the party some time since. The Liberal
indidetes are Mr. T. fe: iCillagh, and Mr. E. Watkin,
of the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway ;
and they have Leued an address to the electors.
CHATHAM. 14/r. W. G. Romaine, C. 8., Deputy-Judge-
Advocate with tint army latelyservingin the East Indica, a
Liberal in p has announced his intention of be-
coming a candidate for the representation of the borough.
In his a idresQ, just issued, be says ,
" The dissolution has been brought about by the tempo-
rary union of certain public men, who, differing on all the
great questions in politics, have nevertheless agreed to
risk the welfare of their country in the hope of grasping
place and power. Am I wrong in supposing you will con-
demn such conduct ? I feel certain that you will not join
in censuring officers who on the distant shores of China
have sustained the honour of the British flag. You will
not assist in driving from the helm the pilot who weathered
the great Russian storm and brought the ship into a fair
haven. You will not help to bring into office men who at
the turning point of England's fortune would have made
a cowardly and ignominious peace with Russia. The coun-
try is now called upon to choose between Palmerston on
the one hand and Disraeli and Gladstone on the other.
What is your answer?"
Mr. Romaine was a candidate for Chatham at the gene-
ral election in 1852, but then retired in favour of Ad-
miral Sir J. Stirling.
InvoNrouT —Mr. J. Wilson will be a candid'ate.for
'Davenport; Gen. Berkeley retires, and Sir E. Perry's
junction with the factious Opposition the other night has
placed his seat in great danger.
PLYMOCTII.—" _Plymouth, we are glad to see," says
the Western Tirnes, " will get rid of Mr. R. Palmer, and
return two Liberals. North Devon has two members
aho are getting past,senatorial labour. Mr. Buck, it is
said, can never go up to Parliament again ; and Sir T.
Acland, who is 70 years old, experiences the infirmities
incidental to that advanced period of life. The Tories
talk of bringing Sir S. Northcote forward for North De,
von, in the room of Mr. Buck, as a slight compliment to
Mr. Gladstone, in return for the services rendered by
that able casuist, and in token of their peace with the
Peelites. In South Devon Sir J. Buller and Mr. Palk
will, of course, be returned without opposition. Dart-
mouth may, perhaps, wrestle against Sir H. Seale's as-
cendancy, but in no other part of the county do we see
any likelihood of a change."
CORNWALL.—In East Cornwall there will be a con-
test ; Mr. Roberts and Mr. Kendall, the present mem-
are the candidates. In West
tiers, and Mr. Carew,
Cornwall Mr. M. Williams will likely be re-elected, and
Mr. Tremayne will probably succeed Sir V. Lemon, who,
it is understood, retires from his Parliameatary duties.