NEWS OF THE WEEK.
Tan Metropolis being new empty—not more than a million and a half of nobodies remaining to wear out a stupid existence in town— for interesting events we turn to the provinces. And there may be seen politicians as well as partridges in a flutter. Elections have agitated Manchester and Cambridge. Time was when great im- portance would have attached to the result of these contests ; but now, as respects the state of parties, they are of little consequence. No doubt the loss of two seats would reduce the Ministerial majo- rity of five to one ;. but Lord MEL130ERNE no longer holds office on the strength of House of Commons support. Suppose Minis- terial measures rejected in both Houses, what should Lord MEL- SOME care, so long as the supplies are granted ? Give bins money, and Ile will go on. Bills he abandons, censure he sneers at: fill his official pouch, and he is content. Therefore, even in the very nicely-balanced numbers of the House of Commons, the loss or gain of two seats scarcely affects the Whig tenure of office.
The Cambridge election was decided in flivour of the Tory can- didate. That the triumph was in part purchased with hard cash, is beyond doubt ; for bribery was detected and proved before the day of polling. If the Liberals resorted to the same foul practices, as is alleged by their adversaries, they at least have not been MAO- semi. This seat of science and literature was the scene of dis- gusting debauchery and violence for several clays.
• ,!.-whester, better order was preserved ; and there MI. Gross the Liberal candidate—a gentlemen known as a good deal more than a Whig, and a strenuous opponent of the Corn-laws- succeeded on Thursday's election against Sir GEORGE MURRAY, brought forward by the Tories. Colonel '17nomesoN also was in the field, but few of his supporters recorded their votes. The Colonel contented himself with a formal objection to Mr. Gate's return. That gentleman is on the Continent, and of course could not make the declaration of qualification ; and on this ground, some of the unsuccessful parties may endeavour to annul the choice of the electors.
In consequence of a doubt whether the Returning-officer for the Parliamentary borough of :Manchester is the Boroughreeve or the Mayor, it became necessary to hold two elections ; and though Mr. GREG was chosen on Thursday—the clay fixed by the Borough- reeve—lie may have been rejected yesterday on the Mayor's hustings. At the time we write the result is not known. Neither have we received such particular information as would enable us to explain why the Tories have polled a much larger, the Liberals a much smaller number of votes, than at the last election. But such is the fact. The particulars will be found in the provincial news, in a subsequent page.
