11 JANUARY 1879, Page 3

The Liberals of Mid-Lothian have, it is stated, unanimously re-

solved to ask Mr. Gladstone to become a candidate for the county in the Liberal interest at the next election, in spite of Sir John Don Wanehope's foolish attack on him. The circumstances of the constituency are somewhat remarkable. Since, and inclusive of, 1832, there have been thirteen elections, eight uncontested and five contested. All the eight uncontested elections have gone for the Conservatives, and in four out of these eight the candidate elected has been the Earl of Dalkeith. But of the five contested elections the Liberals have carried a majority,—three, —and the Conservatives only two ; of which two, the Earl of Dalkeith carried one. Hence it seems that when things are quiet, the county acquiesces in a Conservative representative, in defer- ence to the Bucclengh interest ; but whenever there is strong poli- tical feeling, the contests run close, but rather oftener in favour of the Liberals than of the Tories.