Etc Courstrg.
REPRESENTATION OF DORSETSHIRE.—MT; Portman, in a letter dated the 26th instant, has announced to the freeholders of Dorset his intention of resigning the representation of that county. Mr. Port- man defers his explanation of the motives which have induced him to adopt this resolution, until he meet his old constituents on the hustings. Report speaks of a pledge to Lord Ashley, of the nature and object of which we do not pretend to judge. A pledge is usually given to prevent the agitation of a county; but in Mr. Portman's case, such a pledge would seem to have been given for the purpose of exciting agitation. The County of Dorset has no doubt acted an inconsistent part. It rejected Mr. Bankes, its old and not unjustly respected re- presentative, for Mr. Calcraft, solely because of the Reform principles of the latter; and in six months after, it chose Lord Ashley, for his Anti-Reform principles. A high-spirited man might say to such a county, " Your see-sawing renders my connexion with you a disgrace instead of an honour, and therefore I dissolve it." But in justice to Dorset, it is only fair to say, that the election of Mr. Calcraft and the election.of Lord Ashley involved no abandonment of principle in the freeholders who Supported these gentlemen. Mr. Ponsonby's address, which-appeared in our last Number, expressly exonerates the Re- formers from any imputation of blame. The same number came for- ward to support these principles as on the former occasion; but the Anti-Reformers, who had kept back on the first election, came forward ,on .the second. The county, in a word, when fully polled, was found to contain a majority of electors against Reform. To this discovery, we are rather of opinion, the secret of Mr. Portman's resignation may be more fairly traced, than to any pledge to Lord Ashley. He finds himself occupying a false position. He is a Reform member repre- senting an Anti-Reform county. His election was the result of an accident, and he disdains to owe it to any thing short of a free and un- biassed choice. In this light, we find it impossible to blame Mr. Port- man's resignation, however much we may regret it. All we most sin- cerely hope for is, that no attempt will be made by any Reformer to disturb the county; let Sir Charles Wetherell, let Mr. Croker, walk the course if he will. The Dorset freeholders have expressed their wishes ; let them be gratified to their hearts' content.. We envy them not the glory or the shame of opposing a measure which does not de- pend on their friendship, and which as little fears their enmity.
The Duke of Bedford has caused a number of small allotments of land to be given to the poor at Tavistock for cultivation. A number of spades has also been ordered by his Grace for that purpose.
A final dividend of 2s. 9d. is now in course of payment to the credi- tors of the Leominster Old Bank ; this, with the two former divi- dends, makes 15s. Sd. in the pound.—Hereford Journal.
One of the brothers Lander, whose courage and perseverance have at length decided that great problem which has for so many years excited and baffled the curiosity of mankind, namely, the termination of the Niger, has been in Liverpool for some time, making arrangements for a second expedition into the interior of Africa. The object of the ex- pedition is partly commercial and partly scientific. Two steam-boats, one much less than the other, have been purchased, and loaded with British goods ; and it is expected that with the smaller of them Mr. Lander will be able to make his way many hundred miles up the Niger, and to carry on an extensive trade with the Negroes on the banks of the river. The larger vessel will also be able to advance a considerable distance up the Niger.—Liverpool Paper.
COOPERATION.—One of the members of the Cooperative Society, at Chester, having contrived to obtain goods to the amount of his sup- poseciiiiaterest in the joint stock, left the concern. When this became knownowneral run took place upon the stores. Bacon, flour, and articles '15f grocery began to disappear rapidly, till the storekeeper shut up the storehouse, wishing to retain something for the grocer and flour- dealer, who took possession of the residue accordingly.
Captain William St. Clair Wemyss perished on Tuesday sennight, under very melancholy circumstances. He set out frond Stir.;;;;Iieg; to cross the Wampool, on horseback, in order to reach Cardornock, but getting into deep water he turned back, and after several times gal- loping through the water he dismounted ; when his horse made for the land, and the unfortunate gentleman was drowned.—Carlisle Patriot.
On .Thursday last week, a steam-engine boiler, belonging to the ca- lendenng-house of Mr. J. Goodier, suddenly burst with extreme vio- lence. The explosion carried away the roof of the building in which the boiler was situated, and part of the front. From eight to ten per- sons were dreadfully scalded, and four, including the engineer and two boys, were killed.
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