NEWS OF THE WEEK.
DIE annual process of revising the lists of Parliamentary voters has commenced in the Metropolis, and in some provincial towns. Except in places where party-spirit, irritated by local quarrels, runs high, the revision excites little interest. In the City of London, the Liberals prefer neither claim nor objection ; and, perhaps, la- bour and expense without profit would result from a contest with Tories in the Registration Court. If by circumstances, unlikely to occur, the spirit of Reformers be not revived before a general election, it were vain to hope for a Liberal majority Billie next House of Commons. That spirit once again roused, Tory gains on the register would count for little. The independent portion of the constituencies have ceased to expect benefit from Parliament, and a seat in "the House" is scarcely an object of ambition to the few who are inclined to labour for the public good. It is seen that the pro- gress of Liberal principles depends upon external action—that much may he accomplished by addressing the people "out of doors," while it is a mere waste of strength to contend with the combination of factious and selfish interests in Parliament. Therefore, with few exceptions, independent Liberals regard defeat at elections with indifference, and will no longer submit to the cost and drudgery of the revision. 'rho Tories, for reasons which require no explanation, exhibit more activity than the Liberals, but they too seem inclined to husband their resources. For instance, in Finsbury, where efforts to beat down the Liberal majority would be ineffectual, they abstained from offering claims or objections ; leaving the whole business to be performed by the Barrister and Overseers, who easily got through it in one day.
