FIGHTING A MAN WITH HIS OWN WEAPONS.
IT is not safe for every one to fight a man at his own weapons. A Guardsman, exchanging his long straight sword for the scimitar, would have a better chance of wounding himself than his adversary. So has it fared with the Reform Whigs whenever they have attempted to turn Tory weapons against their legitimate owners. An attempt was made two years ago to secure Hull by "taking up the freedom " of a number of the poorer electors : the opposite party "took up" a greater number, or possibly secured the services of those who had theirs taken up by their rivals, and now Hull is lost. Great was the whispered exulting congratulation of the Whigs when the Inverness Burghs were secured by purchasing properties on which Conservative electors had qualified : dire is their outcry now that Haddington is taken from them by the same trick. The truth is, that the Tories, who originally forged the weapons, must know their poise and temper best. Nor is this all : the Whigs, who have so long been protesting against the use of them, are prevented by regard to appearances, if not by conscien- tious scruples, from putting forth the whole of their force and skill.
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