The regular conflict in Central Middlesex between the medical and
legal professions as to their claims to be considered the fittest coroners ended on Thursday in the usual way, the freeholders deciding for the medical candidate. Four persons originally sought the office vacant by Dr. Lankester's decease, but these were soon reduced to two,—Dr. Hardwicke, for many years Deputy Coroner, and Mr. Boulton, a solicitor in very good repute. The contest was close, and as usual we should imagine excessively expensive ; but at the close it was understood that Dr. Hardwicke had polled 1,164 votes, and Mr. Boulton 818. There can be little doubt that in the great cities at all events, where so many deaths occur from starvation, parish neglect, and child-murder, the doctors have the best claim, but the method of election is detestable, and that of inquiry not very good. Appointment by the Home Secretary and inquiry through a better jury of six would be far preferable, but there is no great grievance to remove, and the system will, we suppose, continue until we have County Councils everywhere.
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