FURTHER NOTES ON THE REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM.

BEERALSTON.—A fresh illustration of our representative system has just occurred here, which shows full well the working of the " puppets and wires." An election took place on Tuesday the 11th instant, of one member, in the room of Lord Louvaine, who is called to the House of Lords in consequence of the death of his father, the late Earl of Beverley.

The following account has been handed to us. Its farcical details might make us laugh, if we did not recollect that grave senators have seriously defended such things, and that the end of folly is suffering and grief. " The writ was moved during the present session, and three candi- dates were named as ready to start ; but there appeared to be .a greater difficulty in procuring electors than candidates. Mr. Lyons, Mr. Attwood, and a gentleman who was to have been proposed by Mr. Claridge, the auc- tioneer, of Curzon Street, Mayfair ; but that gentleman not appearing, Mr. Claridge supported Mr. Attwood. " Beeralston is situated about fourteen miles from Devonport; is in the corner of the county, and nearly surrounded by water, the river Tamer on one side, and a small river called the Teave on the other. The inha- bitants seldom quit the town, except in the fruit season, when they con- vey their produce (principally strawberries and apples) to Devonport market, by boats, down the Tamer.

" The town consists of a few miserable huts. The inhabitants them- selves are rude, uncultivated, and ignorant beyond conception; their costume, that of the meanest labourer. Most of them gain their liveli- timed by working in the silver and lead mines ; the return of the mines is about 7000/. per annum. Some few of the inhabitants possess a few acres of land ; not above four individual's have a freehold.

" There is no court-house, nor any paper or records to be found. No court has been held for eighty years, and the portreeve resides at Ply- mouth, merely riding over once a year, accompanied by his clerk, to return himself again as Portreeve.

4' Not a vote has been registered for the Same period, the members having been named and proclaimed by the Portreeve, who attended, ac- companied by his clerk, strider a tree, which stands in the centre of the town—the place whereon the business of the borough is transacted. Most of the inhabitants were even ignorant for what purpose the Piwtreeve and his clerk attended, and seldom knew from one Parliament to an- other whether any member had been sent from the borough. The re- turning of members never occupied a quarter of all hour ; and immedi- ately afterwards the Portreeve and his clerk left the town, and were never seen or heard of until tilt time arrived for choosing a Portreeve, or carrying on another.

" At the last general election, two gentlemen entered Beeralston, for the express purpose of nominating two candidates in opposition to those returned. The Portreeve and clerk entered the town, and proceeded, as usual, to the tree : the two gentlemen followed as quick as possible, bat, on arriving, were told by the clerk that they were too late—the election was over, and the members duly returned ; but not a vote had been registered, and not a person had appeared to give one.

" Upon the present election, a poll was demanded, and obtained ; but it was the determination of the Portreeve to allow only his own voters, and to reject all others. Tlie following, examination of the voters will show what a farce the election of Beeralston is :-

" Major-General George Bowden Adams, of Bowden, near Totness, Devon, claims to vote as a freehold tenant, burgess tenure in the borough, and answers as follows :—Does not know how long the property has been in his possession ; say some years, but will not say if two months ; declines answering any questions. Does not know who was present when the deeds were executed ; does riot know whose possession the deeds were in ; they are not in his own, and will not answer ; de- clines answering how much value he gave for it. Declines answering if ever he saw the property ; declines to say in what street it is ; declines answering whether it consists of a dwelling-house or a field • does not recollect when he was admitted a burgess. Voted for David Lyons, Esq. and allowed.

" The agent for John Attwood, Esq. rose and addressed the Portreeve upon allowing the above gentleman to vote, stating his opinion upon the manner in which they were put forward as free burgesses. Their an- swers to his questions plainly showed, that if the property was really and bone i fide their own, no objection would have been made to answer in. a straightforward manner.

"The Portreeve gave no explanation, but merely said that he allowed their votes. • " Richard Toll was then called forward ; and said he claimed to vote for the borough of Beeralston, as a ft es burgess, as a freeholder ; he stated; • the property was his own, and the deeds in his own possession. He voted for Mr. Attwood.

" The Portreeve rejected the voter.

" Thomas Northey, of Bearferris, within the boro--o,h of Beeralston, Devon, carpenter, claimed to vote as a freeholder and a .ree burgess ; the property in his own possession, and could produce the deeds. He voted for Mr. Attwood. Rejected by the Portreeve.

" Mr. Attwood's agent asked the Portreeve upon what grounds he could-possibly reject the two last votes tendered, who were precisely bold- ing the same tenure as those allowed on the behalf of Mr. Lyons : he should be much obliged if the Portreeve would state his objections.

" The Portreeve then stated, that he rejected the votes upon the grounds of their not being freehold tenants of the borough, holding by burgess tenure, and paying threepence per annum, or more, ancient bur- gess-rent to the lord of the borough ; and because they had not been pre- sented, admitted, and sworn at the lord's court.

" It was here argued by Mr. Attwood's agent, that there not having been any Court held for upwards of forty years, none of Mr. Lyons's voters could have any right to vote, as, without a court, no rent could have been paid by either the one party or the other ; if one was allowed,. the other must be, or vice versa ; and it was most strongly urged to the Portreeve to act justly and unbiassed by any party.

"The Portreeve merely said that he should not alter his decision. " Capt. John Bastard, of Sharpham, Devon, captain in the Royal Navy, claims to vote as a freehold burgess, paying burgess-rent. Da- clines to say where he paid the rent, or when ; declines to answer if before Friday last ; declines answering if he has the deeds ; declines answering if he gave any consideration for the property ; has had pos- session some years ; declines to say when he was put in possession ; declines to answer who has the deed ; declined to say if he received the rents ; does not remember the date of deeds, or who offered the property to him ; declines to answer who he delivered the deeds to ; declines to say if he ever saw the property, or where it is. Allowed by the Port. reeve on behalf of Mr. Lyons. Protested against on behalf of Mr. Att- wood, on the ground of not having property in the borough.

" Rev. Coryndon Luxmore, Brideslamv, Devon, clerk, claims to vote as paying burgess-rent of three-pence, &c. Has had possession some years ; says the deeds are in safe custody; declines to say if he ever gave security to deliver up the deeds ; declines answering if they are now in Lord Beverley's possession ; declines to answer if the property was made over to him for the sole purpose of voting. Has paid the burgess-rent lately; Won't answer when, if in last week, if on Friday, or before ;'won't an swer if he paid burgess-rent to-day for the first time; won't answer where it is situate ; has, seen it, but won't say what it consists of; re- fuses to answer whether he repaired it, or the lord of the manor.

"Allowed by the Portreeve for Mr. Lyons.

" Christopher Harris, Esq., Plymouth, Devon, banker, claims to vote as a household burgess, &c. The freehold is in Pepper Street ; has had possession sixteen years; had had the deeds ; won't answer what consi- deration he gave ; the deeds.were not made before an election ; declines to say whet asked him to buy the property; he did not apply to buy ; declines to say when he received rents ; the tenant can best inform you about the payment of rent; declines to say when he was first put into possession ; if ten Tears ; if fifteen years ; if in poisession now; deelinpa to say if Lord Beverley's agent halt, the deeds ; declines.to say when he paid burgess-rent ; has paid some within fifteen years ; won't say when; if in a month, three days, or when he received those deeds ; he gave no security to deliver them up ; had given no pledge to any one ; declines to say who repairs the property ; never has repaired it himself ; declines to say who his tenant is. Voted for Mr. Lyons.

" Allowed as before."

All this was, of course, protested against on behalf of Mr. Attwood ; and we understand, that a petition will be presented against Mr. Lyons's return.

The following seven persons voted for Mr. Lyons :

William Foot—Devonport, solicitor Christopher Harris—Plymouth, Devlin, George Bowden Adams—Bowden, near banker

Totness, Devon, a major-general Joseph Dawe—Buckland, Monachorum,

John Bastard—Sharpharn, Devon, cap- farmer, and a bankrupt in 1824 tarn Royal Navy Jonathan Luxmore—Plymouth, Devon, Rev. Coryndon Luxmore—Brideslaw, De- solicitor von, clerk

Thirty-one persons, having the same pretensions as the voters for Mr. Lyons, tendered their votes for Mr. Attwood, but were uniformly re- jected by the Portreeve. These persons are free burgesses, and inhabit- ant householders, paying scot and lot; some are also freeholders. Among them was one clergyman, one surgeon, ten farmers ; the rest were carpenters, masons, miners, blacksmiths, and labourers. It is said that the seven voters who elected Mr. Lyons are strangers to the place ; that they were never known before to have any property within the borough, and did not even know where the property, through which they pretended to claim, was situated.

.Bosrosr.—A correspondent thinks we do this place injustice, in attri. buting Mr. Wilks' return to money. Does it cost him nothing ? Do the voters bear the charges, and, without parade, feasting, or other elec- tioneering costliness, return their member, neither receiving nor hoping for reward ?

BRISTOL.—There is no end to the anecdotes of this place. A new correspondent gives us one, as to the manner in which the privilege of voting arising from marrying a freeman's daughter (" ugly or hand some ") has been exercised. Some women would be married half-a-- dozen times a day—qualify each husband—then run up into St. James's Churchyard, shake hands over the grave, swear " death " had parted them, and never see each other more.

CHRIST CHURCH.—The corporation of Christ Church consists of ten persons only. There are about forty out-burgesses, but the inhabitants of the town do not know either who they are, or where they reside. It is said that the strength of Sir G. Rose lies in the non-resident bur- gesses, and that, as owner of property, he could not command the influ- ence of more than a sixteenth part of the inhabitants.

GUILDFORD—The number of votes is about 180. We learn that Lord Grantley's interest is not sufficient to return a member. At the last election, Mr. Wall, Mr. Sumner, and Mr. Norton, Lord Grantley's brother, were candidates : Lord Grantley exerted all his influence on behalf Of his brother, but he could only obtain 60 votes ; Mr. Wall had 117, and Mr. Sumner 82. It is said, therefore, that the two latter gen- tlemen are returned by the independent suffrage of the electors, in oppo- sition to the nominee of Lord Grantley. His Lordship, with a view to strengthen his interest, has formed a Norton Club, which meets every fortnight, for the purpose of feasting, &c. The corporation consists of 38 individuals, eight of whom are Aldermen. The Mayor is annually elected by the-body from the Aldermen. The remaining thirty are called Bailiffs ; Lord Grantley is High Steward to the body ; his brother, the late member, is Recorder. Mr. Beckley, an attorney, and Lord drant- ley's steward, is Town Clerk. Yet, with all this influence, Mr. Norton obtained his election, as Recorder, by a majority of one only. The office was, on the resignation of Mr. Sergeant Onslow, in abeyance for nearly nine months, in consequence of some of the Bailiffs wishing to elect Sir James Scarlett, instead of Mr. Norton; but the voting on that occasion was equal.

MALmEsnunv.—The corporation of this snug little borough receive annually fifty guineas, or more, and one guinea per quarter, at a court- leet, nominally for a supper. Our correspondent says he has seen six- pennyworth of gin-and-water substituted for the more substantial fare, whilst the constable, from whom they had just received their wages, was openly treating them with derision. He adds that these persons pos- sess so much local influence, that it would be madness for an honest tradesman to attempt business in this once flourishing town, without abandoning, at the same time, his political independence.

NEwArts.—We are requested to state, that the number of electors here is 1700 and upwards ; and that the Duke of Newcastle, and Mr. Williams and Mr. Handley enjoy the prevailing influence. Lord Mid- dleton owns only 24 houses. Mr. Handley, by joining the Duke of New- -castle, under the denomination of Reds or united interest, virtually returns his particular friend Mr. Willoughby. • Our correspondent adds, that the expenditure of considerable donations (left to the Church) among the Duke of Newcastle's party, causes many of the tradesmen to join that combination. The Blues, or opponents to the Duke of Newcastle, are gaining the ascendency. They can at any time win the election,.

without the slightest bribe from the candidate, now the united interest is broken up. The Blue, or independent party, within the last two years have been joined by many influential gentlemen, tradesmen, and artisans, and they have the best wishes of many of the opposite party, who dare not vote in a similar manner under fear of a discharge. The Duke of Newcastle owns the principal situations for trade, but only under a lease (which expires in 1835) from the Crown. He holds like- wise, on similar terms, nearly the whole of the land surrounding the town. The election of Churchwardens at Newark is contested with the same earnestness as that of, a member. The last election continued five days, and more parishioners polled:than at-a general election.

NORTHUMBERLAND.—A correspondent states, that though Mr. Lid- dell's expenses at the election of 1826 reached 32,0001., they were ex..

ceeded by Mr. Beaumont's, which amounted to -50,000/. The latter gen- tleman was returned at the last election, Mr. Liddell being scared from the contest by the fear of the cost.

ROXBURGHSHIRE.—A correspondent complains that we were not sufficiently severe on the Scotch representation.; and in "particular, that we have not stated " hiAi the Duke of Buccieuch rides rough shod with his nominees over the counties of Roxburgh and Selkirk." He *stuff,' that Mr. Scott was forced upon the freeholders, not one of whom (ex. cept his own father) would have voted for him, but for the express desire and command of the Duke of Buccleuch ; that Mr. Scott does not reside in the county; and that other gentlemen of independent prin. ciples were ready to offer themselves, had not the controlling influence of his Grace prevented them.

SELKIRESHIRE.—Another correspondent wishes us to state, that Mr. Pringle, the member for this county, is not the same gentleman who formerly represented the burgh of Selkirk on the independent inte- rest : he is the nominee of the Duke of Buccleuch, and an advocate at the Edinburgh bar. Mr. Pringle voted with the late Government on the Civil List.