The elections of the new Parliament have been more than
usually distinguished by violence, and quite unusually by fraud. In the West Kent election some scoundrel sent out a number of circulars with the forged signature of Lord Nevin, the chairman of their committee, telling Conservatives that as there was no chance of getting in both Lord Holmesdale and Mr. Dyke, the course resolved upon was to vote for Lord Holmesdale and Sir J. Lubbock, and by that fraud the Conservatives aver that they lost many votes, though they gained the election. In Hertfordshire a very similar trick was played on the other side. A circular was sent round to Mr. H. F. Cowper's supporters, stating that as one of the Conservatives had withdrawn, Mr. Cowper would not need the votes of his party. Both the frauds failed of effect, and as they were on opposite sides they affect nothing but the morality of the country,—which is, how- ever, of perhaps as much importance as the party contest. It is curious that such violence and frauds seem to be rather connected with the absence of any except a party issue in the elections. A keen feeling about a cause would probably bring out too much earnest feeling to admit of dishonour, as a strong wind clears away the mists.
