DECLARATIONS AGAINST REFOIt31.—A declaration against the Re- form Bill has

been signed in the county of Stafford by 373 individuals. The list contains the natnes of eight Peers—Talbot, Dartmouth, Mac- clesfield, Wilton, Bradford, Dudley, Beresford, Bagot ; one Bishop_ Litchfield and Coventry ; several Baronets—among whons we find Sir Robert Peel, and Sir Roger Gresley, a gentleman who was the other day soliciting a seat, as one of the new members, when the Bill should pass. Of a verity these Anti-Reformers are a set of modest fellows. There are also in the list the names of fifteen clergymen, of one or two lawyers, and as many medical men ; the rest are without designation. We can- not help looking on all such documents as unfair attempts at influ- encing public opinion. When a county or town has so recently had ass opportunity of constitutionally expressing its sentiments, a declaration of the sentiments of this or that coterie is most uncalled for. NVe shall watch these declarations, and we hope others will do the same. When the Bill has passed, we shall no doubt have many of the men who have signed them applying to the people for their suffrages. It would be absurd to say that every man, who, at a public meeting, or by way of petition, fairly got up, opposed the Bill, should in consequence forfeit the good opinion of his fellow-citizens ; but all who seek by extraordinary means to de-

feat that measure, ought to forfeit their good opinion ; and if they be men of sense, we must presume that they have made up their mind to the forfeiture. Let it be proclaimed in every political union and club, in every meeting where the friends of Reform are to be found, that he who gives a vote to a man who has signed any of these declarations is himself unworthy of trust. Let lists of the names of those who sign be exhibited at hustings, and be pasted up over chimneys, that honest electors may not fail from lack of knowledge to render unto their owners the return which their conduct merits. Let every elector bethink him, that he who opposes the Bill by suds means, will, when the Bill has passed, do all that in him lies to neutralize its effects. The machinery of the Bill, it is true, will be of great potency ; but the best machinery ever constructed may turn out indifferent work, where the superintend- ents are ignorant or wilful.

Loan THOMAS CECIL.—A singularly determined, but unsuccessful attempt, has been made by this scion of the house of Exeter, to engage Mr. Charles Tennyson in a duel. In the course of the election contest at Stamford, Mr. Tennyson had expressed himself very warmly on the subject of the wanton attack on the freedom of election, manifested in the ejecttnents, by the Marquis of Exeter, of his tenants at Stamford, for their independent conduct at the contest in July last year. He called Lord Exeter a tyrant—Lord Thomas Cecil thought he added "an exe- crable man." At the close of the poll, Mr. Tennyson took occasion to apologize for the heat which had been displayed during its continuance, in the following very ample and gentlemanlike terms—" I join with my noble colleague in imploring you to suffer, from this moment, all party feuds to subside ; and when the noble Lord makes that appeal to you, I am bound, in justice to him and to my honourable and gallant friend, to admit not only that nothing could have been more fair than the man- ner in which they have conducted themselves in this contest, but also that nothing on their part could have been more gentlemanlike and in- offensive. I confess that on mine (although the noble Lord has been generous enough not to allude to any thing that I have said), I may have to excuse myself to him and others for some overheated expressions uttered under the excitement of the moment ; but I was not fighting here for myself, but for you ; and as the noble Lord is again connected with you, I am sure, for your sake, he will forgive me." These words were published in two Stamford papers on the 6th and 10th May. On the 3rd June, however, not the noble person supposed to have been called "an execrable man" as well as a tyrant, but Lord Thomas Cecil, his brother, calls on Mr. Tennyson for an apology to him, Lord Thomas, for the language supposed to have been used concerning Lord Exeter. Mr. Tennyson replied at once by denying that ever he used the term "execrable man," and by enclosing the above extract of his speech. Lord Thomas, in spite of his eagerness to fight another man's battle, could not well withstand such an answer; and here, in consequence, at- tempt the first dropped.

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On the 30th May, four days before Lord Thomas's first epistles there was a dinner at Stamford, where Mr. Tennyson, rather con- trary to the sentiments of the company, proposed the health of the louse of Cecil, in the following terms—" Prosperity to the house of Cecil; and may they, profiting by the lesson they have received, learn to respect the rights of the people !" This toast was not, it seems, seen by Lord Thomas (who has, indeed, a knack of not seeing things visible to every body else) until it was reprinted in the Morning Herald of the 6th instant. No sooner, however, did he see it, than off went another letter to Mr. Tennyson, calling on him to apologize for it also. Mr. Tennyson replied to this demand of the Cecil champion, as any man of common sense must have known he would:— " Throughout the late contest at Stamford, I had uniformly con- tended that the Marquis of Exeter, by discharging his tenants on account of the votes they had given in 1830, had 'invaded the rights of the people.' This language corresponds with that of the resolution of the House of Commons, which declares the interference of Peers at elections to be a high infringement of the liberties and privileges of the Commons of England ; and I must accordingly consider myself justified in publicly adopting it, however I may regret that your Lordship's feel- ings were wounded by it on the occasion to which you refer."

It might have been imagined that this would suffice; but then it con- tained argument, and what has a Tory peerling to do with logic ? The consequence of Mr. Tennyson's letter was an unconditional challenge. The following is the first paragraph ; and it is worth preserving, both for the courtesy and good sense it evinces-

" 178. Piccadilly, 7th June.

"Sr is a matter of indifference to me whether er yo attack myself or may tamily in a public or private capacity. You have made use of expressions which no gentleman can submit to from another, rendered more strong and personal by the continued warfare that bus existed for the last twelve months, and which I had trusted had been brought to an end at the close of our late correspondence of the Sd instant."

Mr. Tennyson applied to Colonel Maberley to arrange the much-de. sired meeting ; and Colonel Maberley, having coolly weighed the alleged offence and the demand of reparation, notwithstanding the urgent 'en- treaties of Colonel Standen, 0010111 my Lord Thomas had chosen as his second, gave it as his decided opinion—and lie will be borne out by the approbation of every impartial man in England—that there was nothing in the language of Mr. Tennyson that, according to the strictest code of honour, called either for retractions or satisfaction. My Lord Thomas shakes his head, and looks as wise us his namesake ; but he can make nothing more of it.

TILE RIGIITS OF WOMEN.—We notice, not witindut pleasure, and as indicating, as decidedly as any of the events that we have of late been called on to commemorate, the extraordinary character of the times in which we live, the speeches of the Ladies Salisbury and Veru- lam to the Herts Yeomanry, and time still more unusual after-dinner

oratorical displays of the Cadies Salisbury. Reform Bill gives larger power to the men ; but if matters progress as these noble ladies have fairly commenced them, we must have a second bill to enlarge the privileges of the gentler as well as the rougher sex. First for the political displays. In presenting a stand of colours to the South Heats troop, on Friday last, the Marchioness of Salisbury spoke as follows.

Gemtlemen—In addressing you on the present occasion, I cannot bat congratu- late you and the country upon the zeal and alacrity with which you have answered the call of your King, to enrol your:e!ves in the respectable corps I now see assembled. It was impossible to with 0:4s without regret, a few years since, the reduction of that constitutional force of yeomanry, the imposing aspect of which mainly contributed in times V the utmost need to preserve this country from the ravages of that long and bloody war uhich desolated surrounding nations. I hail with the sincerest pleasure the re-estab- lishment of this force. I hail the proof, if proof could be wanting, that the yeomanry of England feel the gratitude they owe to those free institutions under which they have lived and flourished, and by which this country is so proudly distinguished. To us women few opportunities are afforded of evincing, our affec- tion for our country ; I therefore gladly avail myself of this to express my senti- ments, in presenting to you your standards' as a testimony of my admiration of your zeal. To recommend to Englishmen to guard them well, would be an insult. I present them to you [here her Ladyship presented the standards] in the fullest confidence that you will never disgrace them ; that it' you are called upon to follow them in repelling the aggressions of a foreign enemy, it will be to victory. and glory ; and that should you be required, as unfortunately has been the case in many countries, to protect your families and your properties against the disturbers of the public tranquillity at home, you will discharge that painful duty with alacrity, and ever bear in mind that by such conduct you will merit the approbation of your country and your King.'

Lady Verulam's address to the Cashio troop, on Monday, was briefer and pithier.

"Gentlemen," said her Ladyship, "I feel much pleasure in presenting to you this colour, and more especially as you have done my son (Lord Grimston) the honour of choosing him for your commander. I do not expect that in these times of pro. raised peace you will ...we to settle the broils of nations on British ground ; but we hare other and nearer dangers to avert in the restless and innoratiag spirit of the times ; it is from the miseries that may be produced by this that we look for your protec- tion. Gentlemen, it is the characteristic of a British yeoman to be brave and loyal. Under these impressions, I place this colour in your hands ; persuaded, that for your own, your families', and your country's sake, you will keep it unsullied by dishonour.'

Why did not Lord Thomas Cecil get his mother or sister to manage his correspondence ? These three Tory ladies have more wit and spirit than a score of lumpish Tory lords. We hope a motion will be made on Tuesday to allow them to hold proxies. -

After the presenting of the colours to the South Her ' Hens troop a repast was given at Hatfield House, to the gallant troopers. The health of the Marchioness of Salisbury being drunk with three times three, her Ladyship returned thanks, in the following neat and appropriate speech. "I beg to return you my best thanks for the very flattering and gratifying manner in which you have drunk my health. I trust that as I am so little accustomed to speak in public in this unpremeditated manner,. you will excuse my saying more than that I am your sincere well-wisher, and beg to drink all your healths in return."

The health of the Marchioness Dowager was afterwards drunk with equal enthusiasm. She also replied to the compliment by a speech.

"Gentlemen," said her Ladyship, "I beg to offer my most sincere thanks for the honour you do me in drinking my health upon this gratifying occasion. I always recollect with satisfaction and gratitude the many proofs of kindness and friendship which I have received from this county, and those feelings I shall retain to my dying day." •

There was a colour-giving scene in Bucks on Tuesday last week ; and the Duke of Buckingham spoke on the occasion, but his Grace's oratory will not bear reporting after that of the brave dames, his precursors.

PRUDENT Rosoavos.—The Reform dinner which was to take Place in Bath, to commemorate the return of our two county members, is deferred until the Reform Bill shall have passed.—Bath Journal.

CANDIDATE Fon Witirmr.—Richard Moorsom jun., Esq. has pub- lished a long address to the inhabitants of Whitby, declaring his inten- tion, if they are called upon to send a representative to a reformed house of parliament, of offering himself as a candidate for their suffrages.-- Newcastle Chronicle.