Mr. Raikes, who followed Sir Stafford Northcote, did not imitate
his moderation,—a quality which the not very amiable politician who represents the University of Cambridge does not understand. He said of the Corrupt Practices Bill passed in the recent Session, he feared that "the predominant party in Parliament passed that Bill using hypocrisy as a. cloak to cover their real intentions. He was afraid that the Government had passed that measure rather in the interests of persons who were not likely to be a credit to any constituency, and who were thereby to be introduced as candidates for Parliament." That remark strikes us as not only politically malicious, but as very silly too. Can a motive be conceived why the present Goverument should wish to get discreditable candidates into the House? Is not the number of anarchical elements in the House already the greatest difficulty of the Government ? And how can the discouragement of bribery and corruption tend to the maltiplication of discreditable candidates ? Mr. Raikes's spleen is greatly in excess of his intelligence.
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