'Three seats in the House of Commons have recently become
vacant. Sir E. Antrobus has resigned Wilton, and the seat is sought by Mr. Sidney Herbert, the younger brother of the Earl of Pembroke. Wilton ha always been considered a close borough, but it contains a good many Dissenters and farm labourers, and Mr. Norris, a Liberal barrister of ability, will contest it with some faint hope of success. The election is fixed for Monday. Halifax is also vacant by the retirement of Mr. J. Crossley, and Oldham, by the death of Mr. Cobbett, and in both boroughs there will be a contest. In Halifax, in particular, Mr. Hutchinson, having refused to support Home-Rule, loses most of the Irish vote, which will, it is said, be transferred to the Tory candidate, Mr. Gamble. In all three boroughs, however, the central subject of dispute will be the policy of the Government on the Eastern Question, and in all we trust that the electors' reply will be unmistakable.
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