[To THY EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR,"] SIR,—The writer of the
second leading article in the Spectator of August 19th speaks of the end of autumn as "always the most convenient time" for a Dissolution of Parliament. This is a very singular statement in view of the fact that—with the exception of the year 1900—there is not any instance since 1832 of an autumn Dissolution on an old register. In 1900 Lord Salisbury did dissolve in September on the register made up in 1899, but this is a solitary ease. All the other Dissolutions on existing registers took place between January and July. The two Dissolutions of 1868 and 1885 were both taken on newly prepared and specially accelerated registers, rendered necessary by the Reform and Redistribution Bills. If, therefore, Mr. Balfour should dissolve in the autumn on the register of last year, he will be acting on the one exception which proves the rule instead of acting on the rule itself.
—I am, Sir, &c., A CONSTANT READER.
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