21 OCTOBER 1865, Page 2

A Conservative demonstration came off' at Castle Hedingham, Essex, on

Friday last, at which Mr. Ducane made a very long speech. Ile had not much to say, but he mourned over the ex- pulsion of Major Beresford, called on the Tories to register, de- precated State payment for slaughtered cattle, thought the Con- servative party could resist attacks on the Church and revolu- tionary reform, believed that when Lord Palmerston died Mr. Gladstone would be " unmnzzled" and chaos would come again, demanded the repeal of the malt-tax as compensation for the Rinderpest, held that the triumph of the North proved nothing in favour of democracy, and quoted Tennyson about the 4' land of old and just renown." For a man who had nothing whatever to say it was really a most creditable performance, and though the House of Commons will not mistake Mr. Ducane fora earning Disraeli, Essex farmers possibly may. Why should they be more intelligent than their representative ?—and he evidently makes that little mistake.