The Scotch Bill is already frighting the isle from its
propriety. " On Monday, Sir David Baird," says a correspondent, " accompanied by two Haddington writers, canvassed Tranent, Prestonpans, and Coekenzie. His reception was most favourable : he got many pro- muses; and from several of those who did not promise, lie got assur- ances that they would not vote for a Tory candidate. Balfour's Had- dington agents followed on Tuesday. Balfour went through Preston- pans yesterday, accompanied by Laird Fowler ; he was civilly received, but made no converts." Only think of two Parliament-men doffing their bonnets and begging the sweet voices of the fishermen of Cock- enzie !
We expressed a belief, at the period when it first appeared, that the -advertised advice to the Edinburgh Electors to withhold from pledging themselves to any candidate, meant more than it expressed. The Ca- Wdo-nian Mercury seems to give the key to the document : the Exchequer Courts Bill was not then passed, and Mr. Abercromby could not come forward. The Mercury iterates the advice to give no pledges to Mr. Jeffrey, or Mr. Abereromby, or Mr. Anybody, until the proper time arrives. Our contemporary, very justly we think, looks upon two law- yers for one town as an pea de trap. lie strongly advises the elec- tors rather to choose a merchant and a lawyer. Still it would be but in character were the metropolis of Scotland to select the Lord Advocate and Mr. Abercromby—both good men, it is true ; and the one holding a place, add the other a pension.
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