Election affairs begin to wear an appearance of business, now
that one sees the Ministers actively engaged in soliciting the voters. Lord John Russell made his first appearance this season on Tuesday; Mr. Hawes also appearing on the Parliamentary theatre in Lambeth. By a coincidence, both the Ministers de- voted some eloquence to the deprecation of 4' pledges" : and not without reason. There are occasions on which pledges are not improper ; such as those when the whole kingdom is divided on some measure of paramount importance, and it is absolutely ne- ceseary to make sure which of two sides the candidate will take. The Reform Bill is an instance. But usually, pledges are idle. They form no measure of the duties which the Member will be called upon to perform ; they are most easily taken by the least worthy among candidates ; and the candidate is often readiest to take a pledge on points about which he has thought the least. They are apparent securities for the represented ; but they are a very fragile bond, which at the best secures only small things, hampers the good candidate, and serves the dishonest as a trap for catching electors.
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