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Some interest was raised on Wednesday evening by the report in town that our Queen's-uncle, the King of Hanover, had died : yesterday, the Morning Post, which at first gave circumstantial credit to the rumour, stated that not only was the King perfectly well on Monday, but he has not in any way suffered from the fatigue of the festivities with which the people Celebrated his eightieth birthday, on the 5th of this month. Those festivities were prolonged through four days, and the mere speak- ing, on receiving loyal deputations and acknowledging affectionate ad- dresses, involved much fatigue. "Eight hundred persons, including twenty- nine princes and princesses," were entertained at court ; a labour the stout performance of which implies even robust health.
Mr. Pussy has followed up his letter to the farmers of Berkshire by one to the electors of the same county. " To the Electors of Berkshire. " Gentlemen—It is right that, as one of your Members, I should respect- fully address a few words to all my constituents on a matter which concerns you as much as myself. " You have heard before of hole-and-corner petitions, but it appears that a hole-and-corner election is now going on in your county. A certain number of names are to be written on paper, hawked about in your parishes, and thus you are to be saved the trouble of going up to the poll. This may be a very snug and convenient course, but does not seem to me quite con- stitutionaL According to the ancient custom, the Queen dissolves Parlia- ment ; a writ is sent to the Sheriff, who calls a county court, in which you hear the rival candidates ; afterwards, if need be, you record your votes at your polling-booths. Now, for the first time, a bull is issued from some secret conclave in London, excommunicating all County Members who will not bow the knee to the idol of Buckinghamshire, Mr. Disraeli; and this bull is circulated by a synod sitting in the Ship Inn at Reading. Gentle- men, I protest against this foreign dictation. I uphold the royal preroga- tive of dissolution against such almost Papal aggression, and call upon you to help me. " As long as I am Member for Berkshire I will not do the bidding of th Member for Bucks. He can no more teach me what is good for agricul- ture than I can teach him the straight way to office. Gentlemen, indeed I cannot, and will not turn Israelite. If you ask me why, I do not regard the honourable Member as an Israelite himself without guile. " It seems to me, gentlemen, that your own rights as voters are endangered by this attempt to smuggle a seat quite as much as your Member's charac- ter. In common contests customers do endeavour to control tradesmen ; yet at least there are two parties in the field who watch each other's proceedings. But what protection is there for a voter in this newfangled contraband Rrocess? Yet if ever there was a question on which the forty-shilling freeholder had as good a claim to the free use of his birthright as the tenant of 400 or the owner of 4000 acres, surely it is the price of his loaf. " I warn you, gentlemen, that if Tou once allow this new kind of dicta- tion, you will not merely permit your present Member to be stabbed in the dark, but will imperil for the future the independent exercise of your own franchisee.
"After all, what is this hurry about ? I see no chance of an election this year. Is it that my opponents think they have me at a disadvantage just now ? Are they afraid to let the chance slip ? But why are you to give your votes two years perhaps before an election takes place? Each year brings its change. Perhaps even one year hence you might no longer wish for the young gentleman who very naturally seeks to relieve me. You might prefer some other candidate for your favour. Who knows but you might even have a vote for your old Member ? " I do not presume to ask your suffrages, gentlemen, now, but I do ask you firmly not to pledge against me before the close of the Parliament. I sin told that this unfair attack has rather done me good in your wishes, as un- fair attacks commonly do. I hope we shall soon hear no more of it, and shall recover our wonted good humour. I do not enter upon religious dis- putes, not being fond of them, but honouring good Christians of whatever denomination they be ; nor, however I may differ in some respects from one near and most dear to me, will you expect me to find fault with him—with his views I mean, for with his character none dares find fault. " One of your number has given me notice to quit. I refuse to accept it from him, and appeal with respect, but with confidence, to my 5000 landlords, the electors of Berkshire, duly convened by the Sheriff at Abingdon. Let us have no hocus-pocus work now, but a free election, gentlemen, when the time comes. Let everything be done above-board. I have always spoken plainly to you, and I tell you now that in making this stand I amt fighting for your independence as well as my own. " I have the honour to be, gentlemen, respectfully, and, whatever may be said to the contrary, faithfully yours,
" Pusey, June 4. Pima, PUSEY."
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