Vranintint.
The seat vacated by Lord Glencorse has not been filled up by the elec- tion of Mr. Bernie as was anticipated. Stamford has not been requested to elect another Lord Advocate. On Saturday, Sir Stafford Northcote, rejected for Dudley in 1857, was elected at Stamford without opposition. In his speech to the electors, he said he regarded the prospects of the Conservative party as hopeful. Hitherto they have been merely the balance-weight obstructing hasty progress.
Now, there is nothing whatever in the spirit of conservatism that is op- posed to progress; on the contrary, it is an essential part of the true con- servative spirit that it should be progressive with the times and with the wants of the times. It is absurd to suppose that there can be any danger in promoting well considered and judicious changes. The danger rather lies in neglecting to make them at the proper time, and thereby causing the de- mand up-stream to burst its bounds and to create havoc and ruin, where it ought to be introducing fertility and improvement. In two things we should be cautious. We should take care in the first place that we did not allow the great mass of thepeople merely by their numerical strength to gain a direct relationship with the House of Commons ; and on the other hand we must not let the House of Commons take upon itself functions for which it was really not well fitted—he meant executive functions. He was the last to say that the liberty of the people ought to be restrained. He maintained that it ought to be very much greater than it was ; for the people ought to be encouraged to take a share in the government of this country. But how ? Why, by giving them an actual interest in the management of those of their own local affairs which they really did under- stand—which they really could manage better than a parliament sitting at Westminster could manage for them. It was because he desired to see carried out a system which would give fairer play to local and municipal government, that he hailed with confidence the accession of the present ministry to power, because he believed that they would introduce measures tending in that direction. Again, he would say that we should endeavour to strengthen as much as possible the power of the executive government— not by leaving it unfettered to conduct this or that business in its own manner ; but by enabling it to get the best men, and to employ them in the best manner. We ought to get the best men the country could afford, and we ought above all things to utilise the great power and intelligence which was to be found in our middle classes, and to bring them out to take a proper part in the management and business of the country. The middle classes had done a great deal for themselves and for England of late years in extending our natioual wealth and prosperity. Let them also do their part towards strengthening the country in every way, by cementing other classes together, by taking their own part in sueh matters as local management, and by bringing a sensible and discreet influence to bear upon theAreek* of our public affairs. (Cheers.) Mr. Thomas Barley and Mr. Thomas Fairbairn are both Maned as probable candidates for the representation of Manehestepo _dholdd thing befall Sir John Potter. Mr. Cobden is to start for Roandele at the next election.
It is stated that Mr. Tatton Egerton will shortly retire from the re- presentation of North Cheshire in consequence of his failing health. His son, Mr. Wilbraham Egerton, is to be the family and Conservative candidate for the vacant seat.
In the event of a general election Mr. Philip Oxendon Papillon is to be the amend Conservative candidate for Colchester
The Association for the Promotion of Social Science, encouraged by their success last year, have issued their programme for another autumn session. They will meet this year at Liverpool in the noble hall of St. George. Lord John Russell will preside, and Lord Carlisle, Mr. Wil- liam Cowper, and Lord Brougham, will take prominent part in the pro- ceedings. They will assemble on the 11th October, and sit for a week.
The Royal Agricultural Society has held its annual show at Chester this week. It has been one of the most remarkable exhibitions of the kind ever held. A larger quantity of cattle-308 against 258 exhibited last year—and a splendid display of implements of every kind, charac- terize the show. It is described as generally better than any ever known before, though containing no specimens of those noble animals which stand out in distinctive excellence as marvels of perfect form, quality, and appearance. Among those who have carried off prizes are Lord Feversham, Lord Hill, Mr. Price of Pembrige, Mr. Quartley of Mol- land, Lord Southesk, Lady Pigott, Mr. Badham, Ipswich, -Mr. T. E. Pawlett of Beeston Sandy, Colonel Pennant, and the Prince Consort, who only won second prizes this year. The attendance has been un- usually large. No less than 8001. was taken on. Wednesday, the five shilling day, and upwards of 3001. on Thursday, when half-a-crown was charged for admission.
The dinner took place in the Shire-hall on Thursday evening, Lord Berners in the chair. Among the guests were the Duke of Malakoff, Mr. W. E. Gladstone, and the Marquis of Westminster.
The people of Warwickshire have adopted an useful and graceful mode of commemorating the visit of the Queen to their beautiful county. At a meeting held in Leamington, on Saturday, Lord Leigh in the chair, it was resolved to found a society for promoting the establishment of Royal Victoria Self-supporting or Provident Dispensaries, and especially in those districts where the inhabitants will subscribe towards the outfit and contribute towards the support"
During the thunder-storm last week the Reverend J. W. S. Powell, Rec- tor of Abinger, was, when driving home, struok from the box. His wife and eldest son' travelling with him were not injured. As Mr. Powell fell into the road the carriage drove on without him. When he was missed search was made ; he was found, and instant remedies applied ; but in two hours the poor gentleman died.
John Oppey, a mason employed on the Admiralty pier at Dover, has been suffocated while acting as a diver. He went to the bottom with a comrade for the first and last time on the 15th. All went well for some time and Oppey seemed to be " getting on famously" as a diver. But suddenly be desired to go up. His comrade, Isaac Smale, gave the signal to those above, but it seems to have been misunderstood for he was not pulled up. Smale was taken up. When he found Oppey not there he returned to the bottom, and as he could not see him was once more hoisted up. Still Oppey had not been elevated. Stade went down once more. Oppey was found lying down clutching a rope. His hands were unclenched, lus weights cut off, and he was hoisted at last. But he was dead. The unfortunate man had opened a valve, probably hoping to relieve himself from pains in the head that afflict young divers, and the water got into his helmet, and suffocated him.
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