SOUTH DORSETSHIRE.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
'SIR,—If South Dorset be a fair specimen of by-elections, I think it may be taken that Home-rule enters but slightly as a factor in the decision arrived at. The number of M.P.'s, ex-M.P.'s, and candidates who addressed meetings was very numerous; but on glancing at their speeches, I found very little space given to the Irish Question,—Messrs. Justin McCarthy's and T. P. O'Connor's speeches must be excepted.
You know what will happen if you send the Gladstonians back to power," said Mr. Jesse Collings to a village audience, referring to Home-rule. "I thought it was dead and buried," a voice called out. The arguments addressed to the electors turned on the past services of the Liberal Governments, the contempt the Tories and aristocracy have for the masses—(" They call you scum," said Mr. Broadhurst, in a speech which I am told much moved his audience ; "they call you dogs which could only bark and not bite, and now you can bite ")—the "harshness of the workluiuse system," the sterling ability of the Gladstonian Liberal candidate and his services rendered on the County Council,—these, rather than impeachments of the fire' years' administration of the Govern- ment, formed the matter of most speeches. I think your first article of last Saturday overlooks the fact that North Bucks will give the 117th or 118th new Member to the House of Commons.—I am, Sir, &c.,
Fleet House, Weymouth, May 12th. HENRY PETO.
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