The Welshman

THE PROGRESS OF THE ELECTIONS. [From the limes of iuesday.J When France was quietly rotting under the Grand Monarque and his immediate successors, it was the common observation of her political writers that the affairs of this country were not so much a history as a romance. The tables, however, have long been turned, and when her present Majesty came to the throne our less fortunate neighbours could not help casting a wish- ful eye at the uninterrupted certainty of our Royal succession and the even tenor of our domestic annals. Yet it is not to be imagined that the spirit of political chivalry and the vicissitudes of social romance are extinct on this soil, Where are they, then, to be found? Their scene is a general election. The hust- ings are the lists of a periodical tournament, where a great game is played, where fortunes and characters are staked, where prizes are lost or won, where a hair's breadth divides victory and ruin, where knights of the greatest and most unblemished renown roll in the dust before the lance of unknown or stripling adventurers, where the event of one hour, or rather of a second, introduces a new reign, and a fortnight sees the begin- ning and the end of a bloodless revolution. We must go back to medieval warfare for a parallel to the won- derful passage through which at this moment we are rapidly hurrying. Two or more confederacies of sove- reigns and barons have long rested in grim repose behind the walls of their castles and towns. The truce is suddenly dissolved. In an instant the whole country is studded with war. Every valley is ravaged, every city is besieged and it is only by a decided prepon- derance in the sum of local triumphs that the general peace is eventually restored. Considering that it is not a real revolution, or a real campaign but only a political passage of arms, a process arranged by book, marshalled by heralds, and witnessed by curious spectators, one can hardly conceive a more startling crowd of results than what one short week has brought forth. There is all the excitement of a battle. Triumphs balance defeats, till congratulations and disappointments become the mere feelings of the instant. The interest of units is lost in the sum. Great men are swamped in the common crowd. Particular contests, which, at any other time, would occupy the attention of the country, are only the items of a Dr. and Cr. account and, instead of deploring the casualties we ask for the balance. What that balance is at this moment, on the lesults of the first few days, we are now prepared to state with. tolerable correctness. Thus far there appears to be a considerable gain to the Ministerial cause. No county election has yet taken place. The cities and boroughs from which returns have been made are in number 192. These place,, have already elected 325 members of the new House of Commons. In the Parliament recently dissolved, the Protectionists formed nearly one-fourth of the whole number, and the Peel party were of almost equal strength; whereas up to this period of the election proceedings, the Liberal party form three-fifths of the number, the other parties constituting respectively one-fifth. Mr. Macaulay has lost his insecure hold on the fickle democracy of the modern Athens. A candidate w ho contributes less directly to the wants of literature has supplanted the most brilliant writer of the day. Besides grievances of a more general nature, the'quarrel of the Free Church has told in this instance. The expulsion of a Cabinet Minister from his seat is the first in- st alment of that wild revenge which so many hundred relinquished kirks and niances will surely enact. A not very respectful sense of security, together with reasons of a more personal and extraordinary nature, have tost another Cabinet Minister from his seat for Nottingham. ¡ For Mr. MacauJav, we presume, another seat wil] be found but whether it will be thought necessary to ransack the three kingdoms in order to retain Sir John Hobhouse in the Board of Control, we leave to those who are better able to appreciate his services. Bath has dismissed Mr, Roebuc k to the pleasures of repose, unless some other constituency should desire to see its name associated with the interesting and critical debates, and perhaps the most gratuitous squabbles of the Legis- lature. Mr. Gisborne is again seatless unless an Irish borough is in the market, or an O'Connell to be found, Tottering virtue and incontrovertible currency have lost tlfft tedious and untoward advocacy of Mr. Spooner. Mr. Fielden has sunk himself in his own lake at Oldham by tying to himself a millstone of a colleague Sir Fitzroy Kelly is again without that success he too ardently courts, and top nearly attains, Winchester has wiped out Mr. Escott. Mr. Manners Sutton has been sacrificed on the altar, of Protectionism at Cam- bridge. Colonel Fox has been thrown upon the Govern- ment resources. Perhaps the most wanton and most deplorable act of mere folly has been the deposition of Mr. Ila%% cs from his seat, for, as we believe, the emptiest and most fantastical reasons. The new iii)portatiois are of a very mixed character. At first sight one is disposed to apprehend a serious additional inroad on the time, attention, and forbearance of the House but the danger diminishes on reflection. Ml. O. 'ILouipsoi;. like mai.) other Uikatite gentlemen. will find his tether in the Senate. 1IIr. C. Pearson was once very formidable, but is now tame. Mr. Feargus O'Connor is not a very tedious demagogue, and is more imprudent than ill-tempered. Mr. Urquhart may be safely left in Lord Palmerston's hands. Serjeant Talfourd will probably be taught the need of that terseness, brevity, and point, which public dinners and juries do not require. As a set off against the genera- tion of talkers, there are some able and eloquent men introduced or restored to the State. Lord Ashley, the new member for Bath, rests, we hope, on a firmer basis than the cupidity or the pride of the Dorsetshire agri- culturists. Mr. Fox will contribute to the Legislature some of his Covent-garden eloquence, without the alloy of bad temper and revolutionary yearnings, more excusable on that stage. Plymouth has returned, in Mr. Roundell Palmer, one of the most able and most promising young lawyers 0' his day. Mr. Macgregor, long known as the Egeria of our Numas, the chief source of the economical and statistical lore which Ministers interpret to the House, aims, by the favour of Glasgow, to be his own interpreter for the future, with what success we shall see. At least, he will no longer fret under the mortification which a Sic vos non vobis is sure to inspire. The railway interest is now strong in the house, though not really stronger perhaps thau when the chairmen and directors canvassed, but could not speak or vote. Cubitt, Locke, Peto, Glyn, Jackson, Mangles, Ricardo, Sir J. Walmsley, Cobbold, and Lacy, represent their several lines. The Cnairman of the Great Western alotie has sustained an unac- countable defeat, and the broad gauge laments its greatest hero. If there is no great controversy to be settled by the present election, if the people have not been appealed to as the umpire of two eager competitors, the interest has hitherto been made up by the singular character of the contests, and the strangeness of the results. Seldom have the parties been more oddly matched, or the races closer run. At Reading a dramatist and lawyer, with no influence beyond that of his tongue and his pen, has beaten the chairman of some three or four hundred miles of railway passing by the town. At Edinburgh, a man of transcendant genius yields the palm to a rival unknown to fame. At the University of Cambridge an ex-Chancellor of the Exchequer, and another man of remarkable abilities, are threatened with defeat by an almost nameless foe; though, as far as Goulburn is concerned, matters now look rather more promising. At Oxford the buckram candidate is fast sinking to his level. Maldon has read a lesson to wealth, in the person of Mr. Quintin Dick and in Wallingford the son of a mil- lionaire succumbs to a very unequal antagonist. The results of the election for the city of London are perhaps still open to correction. When two persons can be found in the metropolis of commerce to agree in a simple ad- dition sum extending to four places of figures, it will be time to remark on the return of Mr. Masterman and the defeat of Sir G. Larpent. This week the counties will come on. They do not usually afford so much matter of interest, or so much strangeness and variety of fortunes, as the boroughs.

I INDIA. I We have received despatches in anticipation of the I Overland Mail from Bombay, of the 20th of June. The intelligence thus received is of considerable interest. It is the more so, as two attempts to send letters from Bombay to Europe via Madras had failed. The express from Bombay was robbed on the Bhore Ghaut on the 3d of June; and a second express, of the 5th of June arrived too late in Madras for the Bentinck steamer on her voyage from Calcutta to Suez. From the Punjab we learn that an exchange of terri- tory had been effected between Gholab Singh slid the Lahore Government. The territory given up by Gholab consists of certain mountain (Hazareh) districts, the chiefs of which were by no means inclined to submit to his rule. He had obtained a slice of territory Kurree Kurreealee. Gho!ab had taken up his residence at Cashmere, and appeared to wish to be called the Maha- rajah of Cashmere rather than of Jamoo. He had received Colonel Steinbach into his service. His system of taxation was not calculated to render his government popular. In Lahore there had been talk of a conspiracy, the details of which were not exactly known. Its object was said to be to avenge the insults received by the Ranee (Queen-Mother) on Tej Singh. Runjoor Singh (the Chief Justice of Lahore), having been dismissed, had threatened to excite a fanatical war; but the British officers were on the alert. A rumour was in circulation that some serious disturbances might be expected in Lahore after the next Dussera. At Peshawur, the return of Sultan Mahommed Khan, which was effected by the influence of the English, had produced the best impression on the inhabitants, and even on the neighbouring Affghan tribes, the chiefs of which had proposed terms of friendship and alliance. Major Lawrence, who acts for the Governor-General of Peshawur, had ordered Aspar Singh, the late ou- ^ismor, to return to Lahore. From Afighanistan there is no news of importance. Dhost Mahommed, having settled the disputes in the neighbourhood of Jellalabad, had returned to Cabul. His son Hyder Khan had been appointed Governor on the frontier near the Khyber pass. The death of the late Wuzeer, Akhbar Khan, had brought about a cessa- tion of hostilities in that part.of Afighanistan, and there was a chance of peace during the lifetime of the old Dhost. He had allowed agents from the Governor- General to take up their stations, under the name of news-writers, at various places in his dominions. In Scinde the utmost tranquillity prevailed. The road by the Indus was likely to obtain soon a remark- able increase, for the Bombay authorities had, by orders of the Supreme Government, issued a notification declaring that goods coming by way of Scinde shall be admitted free into Bombay. This is a great advan- tage to the trade of the Indus. Sir C. Napier was at Kurrachee. The Governor-General was at Simla, where he in- tended to remain during the rainy season. Lord and Lady Gough were also there. The robber Dhongur had recommenced his depre- dations he had plundered some caravans. The disturbances which were lately apprehended in the Deccan had passed over. The reduction of the British troops in India is spoken of. Six regiments of Her Majesty's army were, as it was reported, to be sent to Europe at the close of this year. 40,000 sepoys had been removed from the army within the last six months, which diminution, toge- ther with that of the Royal regiments, will lighten the burdens on the Indian finances. The Five per Cent. Loan still continued open, but as it was already at a discount, very little was then being sub- scribed to it. No later intelligence from China was known in Bom- bay than that which came by the last mail.

MIDDLESEX ELECTION. The nomination of members for the county of Middle- sex took place on Wednesday at the hustings erected on Brentford Butts, near the old market place. The Sheriffs (Mr. Alderman Challis & Mr. Kennard,) arrived precisely at 10 o'clock, when the usual prelimi- naries having been gone through, Wm. Paynter, Esq., proposed Col. Thomas Wood, as a fit and proper person to represent the county of Middle- sex in Parliament. The gallant colonel had served them faithfully for ten years; he was a firm and steady sup- porter of Church and State he was a strong adherent of the constitution as it now existed, viz., Queen, Lords, and Commons. Colonel Wood was opposed to vote by ballot (hear, hear), and to the extension of the suffrage (hear, hear.) He was opposed to education merely of a secular character, as he believed it would sap the foun- dation of the Established Protestant Church (hear). In these particulars Colonel Wood was opposed to Mr. Os- borne. He had no doubt the gallant colonel would be placed at the head of the poll (cheers and hisses). J. Davis, Esq., seconded the nomination of Col. Wood. Sir Walter Stirling, Bart., proposed Lord Robert Grosvenor. He was a sincere and honest Reformer a persevering philanthropist, and would prove a safe guar- dian to their dearest rights (hear, hear.) Robert Hanbury, Esq., seconded the nomination of Lord Robert Giosvenor, during which he puid a high eulogium on the private and political character of the noble lord. Sir W. Molesworth, M.P., then proposed Mr. Ralph Osborne as a fit and proper person to represent them in parliament (loud cheers.) The electors of that great county had a most important duty to perform, viz., to elect the most fitting and able individuals as their members. If they elected Col. T. Wood, and Lord R. Grosvenor, they would be dividing their interests, and therefore he called upon them to support the nobie lord and Mr. Osborne (hear.) The proposer of Col. Wood told them that he was opposed to the ballot, and an ex- tension of popular rights (cheers.) Would that county, therefore, which contained the first and greatest city in the world,send such a man to represent themin theassem bly of the Commons of England (cheers)? It would be political death to elect the gallant colonel when such a candidate as Mr. Osborne, an honest, a determined Li- beral, presented himself. (Cheers ) Henry Hull, Esq., seconded the nomination of Mr. Osborne; that gentleman was on the side of the people; he was favourable to a repeal of the malt tax and the window tax, and in all respect a true friend to the people. After all the candidates had in turn addressed the electors, The Sheriffs then called for a show of hands, which having been taken, they declared the majority to be in favour of Lord Robert Grosvenor and Mr. R. Osborne. (Loud cheers.) The friends of Col. Wood immediately demanded a poll. Col. Thomas Wood proposed, and Lord Robert Gros- venor seconded a vote of thanks to the sherifls, which was carried with acclamation. The fcyperiffs returned thanks and announced that the polling would take place on Monday and Tuesday next, the 9th and 10th of August.

PUNISHMENT OF DEATH. The following gentlemen who were candidates for the representation of the City of London, or the Metropolitan Boroughs, signified their determination to vote for the Aboli Lion of the Punish- ment of Death. John Masterman, Esq., James Pattison, Esq., the Baron Lionel Rothschild, Sir George Larpent, J. W. Freshfield, Esq., William Payne, Esq., George Thompson, Esq., Charles Lushington, Esq., C. Tenny- son D'Eyncourt, Esq., Charles Pearson, Esq. Sir Ben. Hall, candidate for Marylebone; and J. Humphrey Esq., candidate for Southwark, have always voted in favor of this measure, BRISTOL SCGAR MARKET, AUGUST 4.—The trans- sactions in all kinds of Sugar have been extremely li- mited during the past week, which may be attributed in some degiee to the elections. There has been more en- j quiry to-day, and a few good Sugars, which are very scarce, ha.e realised full prices. Hum and Molasses coutiuu-j neglej'.ed. — Br-stol Gazette.. BUSINESS OF PARLIAMENT.-The private business alone, which, within our recollection, was all transacted by one or two committees sitting a few weeks in the session, now occupies the whole session and many com- mittees. As an index to the increase, we may mention that the number of local, personal, and private bills passed last session was 453, being nearly four times as many as the average of the private acts passed per annum during the reign of William IV. Some time ago Lord John Russell was described as not equal to hij place, and this union of the legislative with the executive functions in the same hands, and the extension of legislative duties, explains why he is not equal to it. The iron frame and the clear views of the Duke of Wellington, the vast industry and capacious under- standing of Sir Robert Peel, were alike unequal to it, as well as the calm, firm, unitupassioned intellect of Lord John Russell. The place, so enlarged is its duties, is too great for human faculties, and there in a greater probability of the government breaking down under the ever-increasing load, than of finding men capable of supporting it.—Economist. THE OPERATION OF MR BORTHWICK'S CLAUSE.— The following is a summary of the return to an order of the House of Lords, dated June 28, 1847, for a return of the number of married couples above the age of 60 years each now in the several union workhouses in England and Wales (so far as the returns have been received at the Poor Law Commission-office up to the 19th of July) :-In the county of Bedford there are 8 couples; in Berks, 10; in Bucks, 6; in Cambridge, 13; in Chester, 4; in Cornwall, 17; in Cumberland, nil; in Derby, 6; in Devon, 11 in Dorset, 4; in Durham, 6; in Essex, 19 in Gloucester, 23 in Here- ford, 2; in Herts, 14 in Huntingon, nil; iu Kent 44; in Lancaster, 50; in Leicester, 4 in Lincoln, 3 in Middlesex, 138; in Monmouth, 1 in Norfolk, 30; in Northampton, 1 in Northumberland, 3; in Not- tingham, 7 in Oxford, 3 in Rutland, 1 in Salop, 7 in Somerset, 10 in Southampton, 6; in Stafford, 10; in Suffolk, 11 in Surrey, 31 in Sussex, 2.5; in War- wick, 11; in Westmoreland, 1 in Wilts, 3; iu \Vdl cester, 6; in York, East Riding, 1; in York, North Riding, 9; York, West Riding, 12 in Anglesey, nil; in Brecknock, nil-, in Cardigan, nil; in Carmarthen, nil; in Carnarvon, nil; in DeTIbigh, I in Flint, nil; in Glamorgan, nil; in Merioneth, nil; in Montgomery, nil; in Pembroke, 1 and ilf Radnor, 1. Totals of 368 Unions, &c., in England and Wales, 574. STRANGE DEATH IN A CORN-MILL AT NORTH- MOLTON.—On Friday night a woman in decent cir- cumstances, dressed in disguise, having an empty sack in her hand made, an attempt to enter the corn-mill of Air. Ley, situate in this town. She had been seen in the village about eleven at night but nothing further appears to be known of her until the next morning (Saturday), soon after five, when the miller's man entered the mill, and his attention was attracted to a pair of shoes lying by the wheel; on looking more narrowly, he was terrified at observing between the inner wheel of the mill and the wall, a human arm stretched out. He summoned his master, and fetched the constable, who found a body pressed betwixt the wheel and the wall, but so tightly that it required the assistance of nine men to lift the wheel before the remains could be extricated. The body was at length got out, and proved to be that of a woman named Westcott, aged 55, wife of a decent man in the village, a schoolmaster; her neck was broken, her person fearfully torn and mutilated, and she must have been dead for several hours. It appeared that the miller had latterly missed corn from his mill on several occasions, and had watched a few nights previously, but without detecting the depredators. An inquest was held, and a verdict returned of Found dead between the wheel and the wall. Voolmel"s Exeter Gazette. DREADFUL SHIPWRECK.—THeMoreton Bay Courier Extraordinary of March 17th announces the tota wreck of the Sovereign steamer, with the loss of pasi sengers and a cargo of wool. She grounded on the bar at Amity Point (New South Wales,) and afterwards foundered in four fathoms water. The pecuniary loss is estimated at £ 20,000. SUICIDE OF THE REV. WHITWORTH RUSSELL.—On Tuesday afternoon a highly respectable jury was impan- nelled in the board-room of the Millbank Prison, before Mr. Bedford, Coroner for Westminster, to inquire into the circumstances attending the death of the Rev. Whitwovth Russell, one of the inspectors of prisons, who had committed self-destruction. Several witnesses gave evidence which left no doubt that the fatal act had been committed by the* hand of the deceased gentleman him- self. Mr. Molton, the medical attendant of the deceased, was examined, and stated that at certain periods the deceased suffered greatly from pains in the head, and- he had cautioned him not to labour too much, as it would have an injurious effect on the brain. Eventually the Jury returned a verdict That the deceased destroyed himself, being at the time of unsound mind." THE LATE IR O'CONNELL.—DUBLIN, AtiG. 2,— ess of Kent steamer, having on board the re- mains of Mr. O'Connell, reached the lighthouse at the Southwall about. 2 o'clock this afternoon Here the steamer lay-to until half-past three p. m., when she slowly entered the river, with fhgs half-mast high, and anchored exactly opposite the Custom-house. A pro- digious crowd was collected at this point. Precisely at half-past 4 the remains were disembarked, and placed in a hearse drawn by six horses, which proceeded amid the most sepulchral silence, and followed by the Trades Unions in procession, to the Church of the Conception in Marlborough-street, where the body will lie in state until Thursday next, the day appointed for the funera obsequies. MURDIJRS AND OVTRAGES,- The Limerick Chronicle of Sattirlay contains the following Between 8 and 9 o'clock last night as David Connell, servant of Mr. John J. Jones, of Clina Cottage, was returning on horseback from this city to his master's house, he was met a short dis- tance outside the Blackboy-pike, on the high road, by four men, whom he saluted, and rode on, but did not proceed more than 50 yards, when he came up with five orsix other fellows, who were armed. The unsuspecting man accosted them in a civil manner, wsien one of the ruffians struck him on the head with a club so forcibly as to knock him off the horse, and the unoffending man fell to the ground almost lifeless. They then robbed him of some money he had in his possession, and decamped. He was removed to his father's house, where he lingered in great agony until death put an end to his sufferings in abo,ut 2 hours. A young gentleman, son of Mr. Rd. White, of Abbey- ville, in this county, was shot dead yesterday at Greenhal, near Granalier, county of Tipperary, while making a seizure of cattle from a relative and namesake of his own. We much regret to have to record au attempted outrage on the faithful steward of the Rev. William Waller, Castletown. In the afternoon of Tuesday last, 15 armed men, with their faces blackened, entered this gentleman's demesne, and proceeded to where some labourer were at work, and inquired for the steward. Not finding the object of their search, they ordered the labourere to lie down with their faces on the ground, and postmg a notice, commanding the steward to quit Mr. servic?, or lie would be shot, they then fired some shots and departed. The steward fortunately per- ceived the gang approaching, and, knowing it could be for no good purpose ran to Castletown-house. One of Mr. W aller's sons arnied the steward, butler, and some other domestics, and joined in pursuit of these ruffians, but we regret to say they could not discover the slightest trace of their route. We understand that Mr. Waller, with a manly determination for which we give him credit, has discharged the labourers in his service, as the whole matter was evidently got up by them. The steward not being in the least afraid is determined to retain his situation." "fHE FEMALE Fop.EREAD.-Tliere are fashions in beauty as well as dress. In some parts of Africa no lady can be charming under twenty stone. In Shakspeare's time it was the fashion to have high foreheads, probably out of compliment to Queen Elizabeth. They were thought equally beautiful and indicative of wisdom and, if the portraits of the great men of that day are to be trusted, wisdom and high foreheads were certainly often together. Of late years physiognomists have declared for the wisdom of straight and compact foreheads rather than high ones. We must own we have seen very silly persons with both. It must be allowed, at the same time, that a very retreating forehead is no accompaniment of wit. With regard to high ones they are often confounded with foreheads merely bald; and baldness, whether na- tural or otherwise, is never handsome, though in men it sometimcs takes a character of simplicity and firmness. According to the Greeks, who are reckoned to have been the greatest judges of beauty, the high forehead never bore the palm. A certain conciseness carried it. A forehead," says Junius, in his Treaties on Ancient Art, should be smooth and even, white, delicate, short, and of an open and cheerful character." A large bare fore- head gives a woman a defying and masculine look. The word effrprter comes from it. The hair should be brought over such a forehead as vines are trailed over a wall. li THE DUKE" AFTER WATERLOO.—I have already said thut it was late, long past midnight, when the DÙkl: lay down. He had not found*'time so much as to- wash his face or his hands but, overcome with fa- tigue threw himself after finishing his despatches, on his bed. He had seen Dr. Hume, and desired him to come punctually at seven in the morning with his reports and the latter who took no rest, but spent the night beside the wounded, came at the hour appointed. He knocked at the Duke's door. but received no answer. He lifted the latch and looked in, and seeing the Field- Marshal in a sound sleep, could not find i, in his heart to awake him. By and bye, however, reflecting on the importance of time to a man in the Duke's high situa- tion, and being well aware that it formed no article in his Grace's code to prefer personal indulgence of any sort to public duty, he proceeded to the bed-side and roused the sleeper. The Duke sat up in his bed; his face, unshaven, and covered with the dust and smoke of yesterday's battle, presented a rather strange appear- ance; yet his senses were collected, and in a moment he desired Hume to make his statement. The latter produced his list and began to read. But when, as he proceeded, name after name came out-this as of one dead, the other as of one dying—his voice failed him and looking up he thought that the Duke was in an agony of grief. The tears chased one another from his Grace's eyes, making deep visible furrows in the soldier's blackened checks, and at last he threw himself back upon his pillow and groaned aloud, It has been my good forune never to loose a battle, yet all this glory can by no means compensate for so great a loss of friends," he cried; what victory is not too dearly purchased at such a cost ?"-Gleig's Story of the Battle of Waterloo. A LESSON LEARNED AT HOME.-The Rev. George Heator, chaplain of Gloucester Gaol, relates that when he was examining a juveniie ortender in the Scriptures, he said to him, As many as had plaques came to Jesus what do you mean by playves ?" The lad-mindful; n" doubt, of what he had tilicu heard his mother say-re- doubt, f )?e ha(! • ■' "i""1 We cannot insert or notice in any way, any commu- I nication that is sent to us anonymously; but those who choose to address us in confidence will iind their con- fidence respected. Neither can we undertake to return any manuscripts whatever.

Great Britain, at this moment, presents a spectacle to the civilized world from which mankind may learn several most important lessons. A great and a free people are exercising one of the most important privileges which it is possible for them to possess-a privilege which we hesitate not to alfirm forms the basis of that unparalleled superstructure of national greatness which this country presents to the astonished gaze of countless millions of human beings. Centuries hence the enlightened and reflecting natives of China, India, Siam, Birmah, Cabul, and Persia, when they ponder the page uf universal history, and bend their minds to the task of extracting its philosophy and the lessons which it teaches, will not fail to trace in that portion of it which records the rise and progress of the British community the preponderating influence which constitutional freedom and liberal institutions exerted in raising a small and remote portion of the earth's surface to the most commanding position that ever nation held. Yes, Britons, great, glorious, aId free as is the land of your birth, cause and effect are clearly to be traced in the steady onward progress of that land towards the achievement of all that really constitutes national greatness. And yet from A. D. 1215, when Henry III., in consequence of the intestine wars in which, during a large portion of his long reign, he was unhappily involved, saw meet to summon a national assembly of barons and representatives of counties, cities, and boroughs, till the present moment, how steady and onward has that progress been Many a member of Parliament has since that time sat in Westminster and elsewhere, many have been the phases which the national council has exhibited, and many have been the vicissitudes which have marked its history; but with its history are associated the expansion of the popular mind, and the development of those mental and physi- cal resources the possession of which give such a pre- eminence to the Anglo-Saxon race. In the present year, for the first time during the pre- sent century, Parliament died a natural death, the full period of seven years for which the popular branch of it was, or by law, may be elected, having expired, and the whole of the electoral body, during the last fortnight' has been engaged in the important work of choosing and returning six hundred and fifty six Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, to represent them in the na- tional Senate. Never, perhaps, since we were a nation did a general election of members of Parliament take place under circumstances of a more exciting and ab- sorbing nature. During the last forty years, or so, nearly every aspirant to Senatorial honours ranged himself under the banners of one or other of the three great parties of Whigs, Tories, (latterly Conservatives) and Radicals and when he was called upon for a pub- lic. profession of his political creed, the masses were seldom at a loss to guess to which of these parties he belonged. For Sir Robert Peel was reserved the coup d'etat by which, in a great measure, the once powerful and formidable Tory or Conservative body was shattered to fragments, and the line of policy adopted which did much towards the formation of a numerous, and influ- ential, but somewhat nondescript phalanx, in which, while Whiggism, Conservatism, and Radicalism may be said to be fully represented, Monopoly, class-legislation, and all the more repulsive features of genuine Eldonian Toryism are abjured and repudiated. The lists of mem- bers who stand as candidates for the various counties, cities, and boroughs, or who have already been elected, are not, as heretofore, headed Liberal, Conservative, Radical; Oh, no; the headings now are Liberal, Peelite, and Protectionist; and perhaps it 'may be taken as one of the signs of the times that in several instances, as at Liverpool and Canterbury, those who voted for the Liberal candidates also voted for the adherents of Sir R. Peel. The present elections, as far as they have yet pro- ceeded, have elicited some remarkable traits of popular feeling. London, (city) Westminster, Marylebone, Southwark, Greenwich, and Finsbury, have welh per- formed the duty that devolved on them; but whether the electors of Lambeth and the Tower Hamlets have done well and wisely in rejecting General Fox and Mr. Hawes it is for the public voice through the medium of the press to declare. The selection of such a man as Mr. Hawes by Lord J. Russell to hold the office of Under Secretary of the Colonial office was generally hailed by the liberal portion of the community as a proof of the desire of the noble Lord to identify his Cabinet with the body of the people, and to vindicate his partyJrom the charge of being too aristocratic in their leanings. Of Mr. Hawes's aptitude for business, and of his powers as a general debater, we believe there never has been but one opinion and yet this talented and much-respected gentleman is now cashiered by one of the largest con- stituencies in the kingdom—for what—for belonging to and giving his general support to a ministry at the head of which is the man to whose Parliamentary labours the good people of Lambeth mainly owe it that they possess the franchise, and whom the City of London, a few days previously, had, by several hundreds, placed higher on the poll than it had the highest of his opponents We earnestly hope that, for the future, large constituencies will be cautious in following the example now set them by Lambeth, otherwise a day may come when statesmen may have serious cause to reflect on the wisdom of the policy which gave such length and scope to SCHEDULE A of the Reform Bill. Of the real causes which have led to the unseating of the Right Honourable T. B. Macaulay, and Sir John Hobhouse, both Cabinet Ministers, it would, as yet, be difficult to speak with certainty. The power of the Mohocracy of Nottingham has long been proverbial; and we are much mistaken, if, when cogitating on his defeat, Sir John Hobhouse shall feel disposed to grieve over the fact that he has been deprived of the honour of having Feargus O'Connor as his colleague. The good folks of the MODERN ATHENS are no doubt a wise and sagacious race but a learned countryman of their own admits that, acting under religious feelings and pre- judices, they often enact the part of fanatical maniacs. Mr. Macaulay lays no claim to saintship, but as a scholar, an historian, a poet, an orator, and a statesman, he is second to no man in the House of Commons, and sorry should we be to see him long excluded from it. Up to Wednesday evening 387 members had been elected of whom 224 are Liberals, 70 Peelites, and 93 Protectionists. To that date very few County returns had been received. Previous to the disfranchisement of Sudbury, 658.

The rejection of William Williams, Esq., for the re- presentation of Coventry has caused unmitigated sur- prise and grief to all Welshmen who have a sincere regard for the welfare of their country. Mr. Williams's services in the House of Commons were in the most eminent degree cosmopolitan, and his intense applica- tion to business matters and unceasing anxiety to pro- mote the welfare of his native country rendered it highly desirable that he should still fill the senatorial office. We learn however that his vote in favour of the Go- vernment Education scheme offended some of his con- stituency who raised an outcry against him which too late they would fain have allayed, and they now bitterly regret the consequences of their uncalled-for conduct. His committee at the last election too did him an un- witting but not the less certain injury. They held back 100 voters for the purpose of afterwards plumping them for him, in order to put him higher on the poll than Mr. Ellis. This caused Mr. Ellis on the present occasion to decline coalescing with Mr. Williams, and thus in addition to the mortification of a defeat the honourable gentleman has the dissatisfaction of finding that this last election has been more expensive in bring- ing in the out-voters than the former ones in which he was a successful competitor for popular honouis.

CARMARTHENSHIRE. I The election of two members of Parliament for this county takes place at Llandilo to-day. There can be no doubt that the Hon. Col. Trevor and D. A. S. Davies, Esq., will be unanimously re-elected. AWFULLY SUDDEN DEATH.—On Tuesday last, an awful instance of the uncertainty of the duration of human life occurred. A man named David Davies, formerly in the army, and for some years past a pen- sioner, was attacked by fits early in the morning, from which however he recovered. About ten o'clock he was crossing the open space which once formed the site of the old Cross, and on approaching Mr. Mortimer's shop, he appeared to be seized with a sudden vertigo, for he was observed to stagger, and fell striking his head against the stone post erected at the edge of the curb stone. He never moved afterwards, but was picked up dead. An inquest was held at the Green Dragon, before George Thomas, Esq., coroner, when a verdict of died by the visitation of God" was returned. A lengthened report of the proceedings at the election for this Borough will be found in the 4th page of this day's impression. ESCAPE FROM CARMARTHEN COUNTY GAOL.—It will be recollected that in our last we duly chronicled the committal for trial of Thomas Da-, ies alias Evans, for horse stealing. A second charge for a similar offence was preferred against the same prisoner on Tuesday, before IJ. Prytherch and T. Jones, M.D., Esquires. He was charged with having on the first of July stolen a grey mare, the property of Mr. W. Thomas, of Llwyndu, in the parish of Llangadock, and after evidence had been adduced he was committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions. On Wednesday evening as Mr. Williams was proceeding to lock up the cells for the night, he missed Davies, whom he had seen near the Gaol Chapel a few minutes previously, and he immediately searched the whole Goal, but discovered he was not to found. An al,irin was given and messengers dispatched in different directions, but no clue could then be ob- tained of the prisoner's whereabouts. The Visiting Justices met yesterday to inquire into the circumstances of his escape, and it is supposed that as the back door of the Gaol was opened for a few moments shortly after 7 o'clock, the prisoner must have taken that opportunity of effecting his escape. After due delibera- tion, Johi, Thomas, assistant turnkey, who is suspected to have connived at the transaction, was commited for further examination, by D. Prytherch, T. Jones, M. D., and H. Lawrence, M. D., Esquires, for aiding and abetting Davies to effect his escape. WANTON MISCHIEF.—During the night of Wed- nesday last, a number of scamps amused themselves, and injured others by wrenching off many of the knockers and bell-pulls in Picton- Terrace and elsewhere. Whatever may be theyquality of the cloth in their coats, we can call them nothing better than dastardly mis- creants, who under cover of the darkness perpetrate acts they dare not think of doing in the face of the mid- day sun. They may probably indulge in their propensity once too often. THE TRIP TO TEN BY in behalf of the Widows and Orphans' Fund of the Odd-Fellows in the Carmarthen District came off on Monday last, and was altogether a most successful affair. Not less than 400 passengers were on board, and this freight caused considerable delay in clearing the fords in the river. However, happily no accident resulted, and all went merry as a marriage bell." BENEVOLENCE.—Mrs. Nicholls, of the Parade, Car- marthen, presented on Saturday, the 31st ult., 20 Winchesters of wheat and barley, to the poor of the village of Llanddewi-brefi. It was distributed at Pant, the residence of her niece, Mrs. Jones. FAIRS have been held at Kidwelly on the 3rd, and at Llangendeirne and Maenclochog on the 5th inst. The show of store cattle at those places was below an average one very few sales were effected, the owners refusing to sell at lower rates than they would fetch at previous fairs. Fat beasts were in demand. Horses and colts are lower also. Store pigs move off slowly. Porkers sell briskly at about 5d. per lb., dead weight. LAUGHARNE.-ON Tuesday last, the brethren of the Albert Lodge of True Ivorites—celebrated their anni- versary at the Globe, Commercial Inn. This Lodge although only established but a few years back is one of the most prosperous in the district, there are 130 mem- bers, a considerable fund has been accumulated, and the candidates for admission into the Lodge daily increase. On this occasion the members began to assemble at 10 o'clock, and were all neatly attired the Laugharne band was in attendance, and at 11 the whole body walked in procession to Saint Michael's church where divine service was performed and a sermon preached by the Rev. J. N. Harrison,—from the 3rd chap. 2nd Cor. verse 5. Mr. W. N. Traherne, presided with his usual ability at the organ. The Rev. Gentleman preached a most excellent sermon pointing out the objects the society have in view, and the blessed work of reliev- ing each other in time of sickness; after the pro- cession returned parading the principle streets and upwards of 100 sat down to a sumptuous dinner prepared by the worthy host and hostess, Mr. and Mrs. Pepler. W. M. Thomas, Esq., Portreeve, was unanimously called to the chair, supported on the right by the Rev. J. N. Harrison, and Charles William Montgomery, Esq., and Ion his left by Mr. W. N. Treharne, &e. &c. Mr. John Hugh, Secretary, ably discharged the duties of vice- chairman, supported on his right by Mr. S. P. Lewis, Recorder, and on his left by Mr. R. Brooks. The usual loyal toasts and national songs took precedcnce, and the day was passed in the most agreeable manner; many eloquent addresses (which were highly applauded) illus- trating the praiseworthy and philanthropic objects of the institution were delivered by the worthy Chairman, Rev. J. N. Harrison, C. W. Montgomery, Esq., and others. The proceedings were altogether such as to in- duce many of the visiting gentlemen to express an intention of immediately joining the order, and the party separated at an early hour. LLANDOVERY NATIONAL SCHOOLS.—On Tuesday last, a public examination was held at the above schools when the children acquitted themselves well, and shewed that the utmost care and attention had been paid to their instruction during the 5 months since the schools were opened. They were examined in reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, and grammar, and the correct- ness and promptitude of their answers to questions was the theme of admiration, and every one appeared highly pleased with their progress. LLANDOVERY. -Monday last was a grand day of rejoicings with the good people of Cilycwm, and neighbourhood, on the occasion of the marriage of William Davys Harries, Esq., of Noyadd-fawr, to Miss Campbell, of Askanill, in the county of Argyle- The day which proved beautifully fine had been looked for- ward to with great interest by the inhabitants who were aroused early in the morning by the discharge of cannon, and the bells of the village church which continued to j ring-merry peals throughout the day. The village pre sented a bustling appearance from the great influx of visitors who flocked in fron^ all quarters to enjoy th0" amusements of the day. Several hundreds partook o<< tea and caka while others delighted themselves with rustic sports, such as foot racing, jumping in sacks, &c. Bonfires were lighted on the tops of the surrounding hills in the evening, two of them were very large, one at the hill at the back of Noyadd-fawr, consisting of no less than 90 cartloads of timber, j\nd another in the village of Llanwrtyd. A large party of gentlemen sat down ,LO a most excellent dinner provided by the worthy host and hostess, Mr. and Mrs. Owen, Belle Vue Inn, Llanwrtyd, which gave great satisfaction and the party did not separate until a late hour. At Llandovery all the shops were closed and old and young turned out to join the festivities. In the evening a brilliant display of fireworks took place in the Market Square, which were deservedly admired. About half past 12 o'clock a very large fire balloon was sent up to the delight of some hundreds collected to witness the ascent, and thus ter- minated the day's amusement. AN INQUEST was held on Monday last before W. Bon- ville, Fsq., Coroner, in the parish of Llanarthney, on the body of Thomas Williams, a farmer, who, on Friday last, died in consequence of a fall from a cart load of hay in the field. It appeared that the deceased was standing upon the load of hay tightening the rope pre- vious to its leaving the field for the hayguard, when, unfortunately the rope broke, and be fell on his head to the ground, and expired immediately. Verdict, "Died J frc:n dislocation of the neck." An itiquwt was held on the 3rd inst., at Glanrhydy- gwiel, in the parish of Llanybyther, before Daniel Price, Esq., Coroner, on view of the body of Rachel Thomas, a child between one and two years old, the daughter of a farmer living at that place. On the previous day her mother being ill in bed, the deceased was with the other children about the farm yard where her father was at work, but he lost sight of her from 10 to 15 minutes, and during that time she unfortunately fell into a vessel containing some whey and was drowned before any one discovered her. Verdict accidental death." In the Llanelly police news last week, it is said that David Morgan, Llanelly, licensed victualler, was charged with assaulting P.C. James Gahagan, but not while in the execution of his duty. We learn that P.C. James Gahagan was in the execution of his duty at the town- hall, and the words but not" should therefore have been omitted.

Wp E M D R 0 K Ji: S H IRE. PEMBROKESHIRE. I HAVERFORDWEST TOWN COUNCIL. A quarterly meeting of the Town Council was held at the Council Chamber on Monday last. The following members were present:—Messrs. G. Parry, Mayor, J. Griffiths, W. Owen, W. Rees, Aldermen; James Owen, Walter Reynolds, O. E. Davies, John Phillips, T. Rowlands, Councillors. The meeting was chiefly occupied With the investigation of accounts and other routine business. Mr. Alderman Owen moved, and Mr. O. E. Davies seconded the motion, that in the event of her Majosty visiting Pembrokeshire as anticipated this month, that the Mayor be requested to convene a special meeting of the Council to attend with him on her Majesty, to pre- sent an address of congratulation on that occasion, and that such address be prepared by the Mayor and To\\n Clerk. Mr. Jardine, the corporation surveyor, de- livered in his report on the state of the water works, and the cause of the deficient supply of water, which he attributed partly to the pipes being improperly laid down, and their calibre being too small. After some conversation on the subject, the ieport was referred to the Water Commissioners. Mr. Jardine's salary was increased from £2.5 to 30 guineas per annum, in conse- quence of his duties being extended to the surveillance of the Portfield roads, and all other property belonging to the Council. I

THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO MILFORD HAVEN. All doubt as to the certainty of this auspicious event is now removed. It is an acknowledged fact inasmuch as the Board of Admiralty have given the necessary directions to the officers of Pembroke Yard for the occasion. Coals are to be in readiness by the 10th inst., and orders have also been received for supplying them with all possible celerity, for which purpose a steamer has been expressly despatched to Plymouth for a great number of coal bags. These will be filled and kept afloat in the Saturn receiving ship, so that on the Queen's landing from the royal steamer, the bunkers will be filled immediately. A guard of honor furnished by the marine depot will receive Her Majesty, and the happy event will be announced by a royal salute from the adjacent fortifications. Great preparations art, making in the dock yard for the royal reception, and at Stackpole court also. The Earl of Cawdor hastily returned to the country on Saturday last, together with the Countess, &c., having placed that family mansion entirely at Her Majesty's disposal during the royal visit. The excitement it is causing throughout the neighbour- hood is beyond conception. Already apartments are taken at the Victoria as well as at many private lodging houses, and it is calculated from present appearances that not a lodging house will be attainable on any terms. This becomes the more necessary as the exact day and hour of the arrival of the royal squadron cannot possibly be known. A signal at St. Ann's lights would indicate the approach of the squadron to a person put on the look out at Pembroke barracks if necessary, the latter commanding a full view of the former station. There is a rumour of a petition to Her Majesty being presented to give a new name to the town.

HAVERFORDWEST RACES. These races came off on Tuesday and Wednesday last, and excited less interest amongst the sporting community than on any former occasion in our recol- lection. The Steward, Sir William Philipps, Baronet, was indefatigable in his exertions to cater for the public amusement; but it appears his efforts did not receive the support they merited. Another cause of so little interest being felt in the sport might be attributed to a report that no races would take place. FIRST DAY. Tbe PEMBROKESHIRE STAKES of 10 sovereigns each, with half forfeit, 2 miles, second horse to save hill stakes. Mr. Bullen's Faith. 1 1 Mr. James's Maid of Lawrenny 2 dr. Mr. Henderson's Stackpole. 3 dr. First heat.-Faith kept the lead and won in a canter. Second heat.-Faith walked over. The DISSOLUTION STAKES of 3 sovereigns each with E15 added. Mr. Bullen's Faith. I 1 1\Ir. Henderson's Stackpole. 2 First heat.-The mare took the lead to the top of the hill, when the horse took it up to the distance, where the mare came up again, and a splendid race en- sued, the mare winning by a length. The horse pulled up lame. Second heat.-Faith walked over. > SECOND DAY. The weather was extremely unfavourable, the rain descended heavily all day, and the attendance on the course was exceedingly meagre. The j CONSOLATION STAKES of 3 sovereigns each with E 15 added. Mr. Bullen's Faith walked over. A SWEEPSTAKES of 2 sovs. each with E15 added. Mr. Bullen's Faith, 1 1 Mr. James's Maid of Lawrenny 2 dr. First heat.-Faith took the lead and won as she liked, and walked over for the second. Thus ended the day's amusement.

HAVERFORDWEST ELECTION. The election of a member to serve in Parliament for the borough of Haverfordwest and the contributory boroughs of Narberth and Fishguard took place at the Shire-hall on Friday last, pursuant to notice given to that effect. The Sheriff, Mr. Francis Lemon, entered the court at 10 o'clock, and was soon afterwards followed by John Evans, Esq., Q.C., attended by a large party of friends amongst whom were George Roch, J. Harding Harries, G. W. W. Davis, Thomas H. Davis, J. Higgon, George Augustus Harries, G. H. Fownes, J. J. Briaton, J. J. Summers. John Summers, J. R. Powell, Charles Prust, G. P, Lewis, (Henllan) Thomas Edon, John Lloyd, Thomas Lloyd, William Warlow, William Owen, Esquires, and others. The learned gentleman was received with vociferous cheers, after which the sheriff proceeded to read the writ, took the bribery oath and public ly read the act against bribery at elections. George Roch, Esq., of Butter Hill, then rose amidst great applause and addressed the meeting as follows. Mr. Sheriff and brother electors, having been re- quested to nominate John Evans, Esq., one of her Majetsy s counsel, as a fit and proper person to repre- sent you in parliament, I have great pleasure in doing so. (Cheers.) Though not a resident among you, and though the connexibn which formerly existed between me and this town, as one of the town councillors, has been severed by law, I beg leave to say I feel as lively an interest in all that concerns the welfare of the town as ever. (Cheers.) I am sensible of the gr £ m* res- ponsibility resisting upon me in proposing a person to represent you in parliament, but my knowledge of Mr. Evans induces me to feel satisfied that he will not only support those measures which will conduce to the benefit of the country, and that lie will earnestly oppose all those which are likely to effect any injury. (Cheers.) I Understand that since Mr. John Evans has been among you, he has courted all enquiry into his political opinions, and has readily answered all questions put to him on those points, very much to the satisfaction of the electors, this will therefore save the necessity of my referring to them. I therefore beg leave to nominate Mr. John Evans, Queen's counsel, as a fit and proper person to represent you in parliament. (Loud cheers.) Mr. O. E. Davies then rose and said, that it was usual, on occasions similar to the present, for a gentle- man of the town or neighbourhood to propose the candidate, and for a tradesman of the town to second the nomination. He had only that morning been requested to second the nomination of Mr. Evans, and. therefore had had no time to prepare anvthinsr in the shape of a speech for the occasion, even if it were at all necessary. But Mr. Ruch had left him nothing further to add. He therefore felt very great pleasure in simply seconding the nomination of Mr. Evans. It was known to all present that Mr. Evans was a native of the town, and must feel a strong interest in all its local affairs; and however much the retirement of our late member, who had* served the constituency ably and faithfully, and with so much satisfaction, for 20 years, Mwas to be regretted, it was pleasing to find that another Ml about to succeed him, who wonld fill the office !t? equ&l ability, and discharge all its duties to the  E tisfaction of the electors. Cheers.) The Sheriff then inquired 3 several times if there was any other candidate to be proposed. This question was each time answered by Mr. Wm. Evans, x>f St. Thomas's Green, in a very emphatic and amusing manner Not one." The Sheriff then rose and said, I declare John Evans, Esq., one of her Majesty's counsel, duly elected to serve in parliament, for the town and county of Haver- fordwest and the boroughs of Fishguard and Narberth. (Loud cheers.) Mr. John Evans then arose, amidst loud and pro- tracted cheers, and addressed the electors to the fol- lowing effect: Gentlemen, you have just conferred on me the highest honor which can be conferred on a British subject-to represent in parliament the opinions, wishes, and interests of a free constituency (cheers.) Gentlemen, such a return from any free constituency would be to every honorable mind a cause of pride and satisfaction but to me, who am so returned by those who have known my career through life—the play- mates of my early days-aniong whom I have been struggling on in a profession, with few advantages other than those which many of your own sons have possessed, —to have this tribute of your esteem paid to me is more than I can express (cheers.) Gentlemen, I would have been well contented to have continued in the sphere in which I have hitherto moved, and to have further prosecuted, for my own advantage and that of my children, the profession in which I have gained an independency. But as I heard, with regret. that the hon. baronet, who has represented you for 20 years, intimated his intention of not again offering himself for re-election, and, as I stated to you in my address, being told by many of the electors that I could serve you efficiently, that my political opinions coincided with yours, and that I ought not to shrink from the labours and responsibilities of the office, I was induced to offer myself to supply the place of your late member, and if I act as consistently as he has done, and bear as fair a character as he has received at the end of my career, I shall have no reason to be sorry for the step I have taken (cheeis.) I shall never forget the kind- ness with which you received me when I came among you, and saw you individually. I asked not for your votes on personal grounds but only if you approved of my political principles (cheers), and the answers I then received I shall never forget, and am now gratified to find that what you stated to me individually, you have acted upon this day, by the position in which you have placed me. (Loud cheers.) Gentlemen, I repre- sent you on liberal principles. (Cheers.) The Shib- boleth of the party to which I am attached is civil and religious liberty." (Cheers.) They advocate freedom of thought and freedom of action. It is well known to you how much this country is indebted to the liberal party. I recollect the time when it was con- sidered a part and parcel of the British constitution to hold our fellow men in bondage, and the man was treated as an infidel and every thing that was bad, who, doubted the propriety of trafficking in human flesh but the liberal party came into power for a short time in 1806, and by their exertions the slave traqe Was abolished. After they then left office they advocated tice same humane principles, until at length they suc- ceeeed in utterly abolishing slavery throughout the British dominions. That was one of the results of liberal opinions, and to those opinions I am attached. (Cheers.) Not many years ago, some of the best men of this country were not allowed to rise in the professions they had chosen, and were forbidden to enter many others on account of their religious opinions, but the liberal party did not rest until they obtained the repeal of the unjust and unequal laws which affected those men. (Cheers.) And the result of liberal principles is to