13 JUNE 1896, Page 15

MR. AUGUSTINE BIRRELL AND COUNTY COUNCILS.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR"] Sra,—Mr. Augustine Birrell, having learnt what County .Councillors are not, may like to know what they are. Let me take my own county. The Chairman, anyhow, should please Mr. Birrell, for he is a man of letters, of Radical opinions, chosen on account of his business capacity by a Council distinctly opposed to him in politics. The Aldermen and 'Councillors include fifty-one gentlemen of independent means, three M.P.'s among them ; eight Peers, Baronets, and titled persons; six tradesmen; four clergymen; four farmers ; two solicitors. Three I have not been able to trace in the Directory, and there were two vacancies.—I am, Sir, &e., A WILTSHIRE RECTOR.