9 DECEMBER 1865, Page 1

The usual Conservative demonstration came off at Maldon on the

5th inst., and Mr. Peacocke, Mr. Du Cane, Mr. R. Earle, and others made speeches. The chief party topic was of .course, the Reform Bill, from which Mr. Peacocke hoped the "great Conservative party" would remove all objectionable features, while Mr. Earle hoped the measure, while not wanted, would still be final, and Mr. Du Cane believed the country was more opposed than ever to organic change. Mr. Selwyn advocated lateral franchise, and the general tone was one of a reluctant resolve to accept a Reform Bill, but to see that it was either so weak as to be worthless, or so vast as to be dangerous,—a curiously Tory programme.