The Sun.
London, England, 1868-08-14 00:00:00

MR. GLADSTONE AND SOUTH-WEST
LANCASHIRE.

The following is the copy of a letter which Mr. Glad.
stone has addressed to each of the electors who signed
the requisition asking the right honourable gentleman
to come forward as a candidate for South-West Lan-
cashire : _

" Hawarden, Chester, Bth Augnst, 1868,

"Dear Sir,—A requisition to which you have given
your name, requesting me to stand for South-West Lanca-
shire, has reached me. I have much pleasure in thanking
you for your promise of support; and in acceding to the wishes
of the requisitionists. As Mr. Grenfell's name was not
before you at the time when the requisition was proposed, I
may perhaps take the liberty of expressing, very respect-
fully, my hope that his claims to your support as my
colleague may be favourably considered.—l am, dear sir,
your obliged and faithful servant,

" W. E. GLADSTONE."

RUMOURED ABSCONDING- OF A
MERCHANT.

The Liverpool Mercury contains the following:—" bruch
excitement was occasioned on 'Change y, sterday (Wednes-
day) by the prevalence of a rumour that a well-known
merchant—the principal, if not the only partner, of an old-
established Liverpool firm—bad absconded, and that ho had
left behind him forged paper repre:enting £20,000. The
statement is believed to be substantially correct, and although,
for obvious reasons, it would be unwise at present to give
the person's name, yet we may mention that the case has
been placed in the hands of the police, and that a warrant
has been issued for his arrest on a charge of f rgery to the
extent of £1,400. There are said to be other cases against
him. The affairs of the alleged delinquent are likely to be
investigated before the Bankruptcy Court in a few days."

THE LATE MARQUIS OF DOWNSHIRE.

The funeral of this nobleman took place on Thursday.
The remains of the noble marquis had been removed from
London to Hillsborough Castle, and amongst those who
accompanied: them were the Earl of Hillsborough, Lord
Arthur Hill, Lord Kenlis, Mr. Filgate, and Mr. A. G.
Williams. On their arrival the colours of the Royal
Consort and of all the other shipping in the harbour
were lowered to half mast. The cortege passed slowly
through the town. Although there was a drenching
rain, there was a considerable assemblage. The pro-
cession increased in -extent as it proceeded on its way,
the rain pouring mercilessly all the while. On approach.
ing Lisburn it was met by a great number of the inhabi-
tants, and as it passed through the town the places of
business were all closed. Outside Hillsborough another
and greater accession was contributed, the inhabitants
going out almost en masse. At the head of the coffin there
was a marquis's coronet resting upon a cushion, then an
inscription, which is as follows :—" Died on the 6th of
August, 1868, agel 56 years, Arthur-Wills-Blundell-
Sandys-Trumbull-Windsor Hill, Marquis of Down-
shire, Earl of Hillsborough, Viscount Hillsborough
and Kilwarlin, and Baron Hill of Kilwarlin, county
Down ; Earl of Hillsborough, Viscount Fairford, county
Gloucester; and Lord Harwich, Baron of Harwich,
county Essex ; hereditary constable of Hillsborough Fort,
and colonel of the South Downshire Militia." Beneath
the inscription was the decoration of the Order of St.
Patrick, of which Lord Downsbire was a knight. A
great number of people were admitted to see the coffin.
The fine old Gothic church, which was built by the first
marquis, had been draped in black. The coffin was placed
in a vault beneath the south transept, which contains four
coffins, those of the three preceding marquises and the
dowager marchioness, mother of the late marquis, who
died in 1555.

THE WEATHER TABLE•-THIS DAY.