movement has been a failure. Our
answer is, it has been nothing of the kind. It is true, and we state the
fact more in sorrow than in anger, that Messrs. Newdegate and Spooner
still represent North Warwickshire; but it is also clear that whilst at
the election previous to the last Mr. Spooner had, in the Birmingham
district, a majority of 196, at the last election, in consequence of the
operation of the Freehold Land Societies of that district, he was
actually in a minority of 395. But let us look nearer home. At the
recent election for Middlesex, Bernal Osborne was returned, after a
severe struggle, by a majority of 195. Now, when we recollect that the
National alone has purchased 152 acres in Middlesex, and that each acre
is capable, on an average, on subdivision, of making five votes--when we
also remember that the remaining London societies have purchased between
them another hundred acres in the same county--it is impossible not to
feel, even supposing all the allotments have not been taken up, that out
of the 250 acres thus cut up into allotments came the majority which
returned Bernal Osborne as the champion of Liberalism and Free Trade. We
repeat, it is impossible not to feel that if it had not been for the
Freehold Land Societies, to the disgrace and shame of the county, Lord
Maidstone would have misrepresented Middlesex. Then we remember that Mr.
Locke King was but 400 ahead of Mr. Antrobus at the Surrey election last
summer--we must also feel that that gentleman has some reason for
thankfulness to Freehold Land Societies. If we pass to Herts, we shall
feel that it sadly failed in its duty by returning three pledged
Protectionists; but when we recollect that the National has purchased 300
acres in that county, we cannot but be persuaded that there is "a good
time coming" for our friend Mr. Lattimore and the Herts Reformers. At
the last election, the lowest of the Protectionist candidates--the
quondam Reformer, Sir Bulwer Lytton--had 2,190 votes: the highest of the
Liberals had 2,043. It is thus as clear as anything can be that a very
little effort will make Hertfordshire for ever safe. It is in the power
of any two hundred persons desirous of a good investment to do so at
once. Essex, the home of Sir J. Tyrrel and the delight of W. B., we
regret to write, is not so easily liberalised. North Essex at present is
impregnable. Its squires, as Barry Cornwall ironically writes,

"With brains m