25be Vrobinres.
Abingdon has been visited by Mr. Thesiger ; who has successfully canvassed the electors, and is alone in the field. The nomination is fixed for today.
The death of Mr. Bootle Wilbraham, the eldest son of Lord Skel- utersdale, at his father's house in Portland Place, on Sunday last, creates a vacancy in the representation of South Lancashire. The Council of the Anti-Corn-law League has been busy ; and the Conservatives have not been passive; meetings having been held on both sides. Several candidates are named : Liberals—Mr. Jones Loyd, Lord Morpeth, Lord Milton, Mr. Charles Townley, Mr. Charles Grenfell, the first being the favourite ; and Mr. Cobden being held in reserve, should others hil: Conservatives—Mr. Pemberton Leigh, Colonel Wilbraham (bro- ther to the late Member), Mr. William Ewart Gladstone, Mr. Egerton, Mr. Townley Parker, Sir John Gerrard, Mr. W. Garnett, Mr. Robert Gardner (a Free-trader). No decision was known on Thursday. On Saturday, Mr. Cobden and Mr. R. R. R. Moore, as a deputation from the Anti-Corn-law League, attended a public meeting at West- bury in Wiltshire, to explain the principles of the League. The Earl of Radnor presided, and several gentlemen of local influence were pre- sent. Mr. Cobden having expounded his principles, a Free-trade reso- lution was moved. Mr. Webb, of Trowleidge, then appeared as an antagonist; observing, that of the whole woollen trade of the country, valued at 24,000,0601., but 6,790,232/. is exported—which showed the greater importance of the home trade; instancing his own loss of 2,000/. ma goods sent to America, as illustrating the value of the foreign trade ; and ascribing the want of employment to machinery. Mr. Cobden said, that the smallness of the foreign trade was the very thing to be ex- plained by those who restricted it ; and he bantered his antagonist on being "caught" by keen Jonathan. Mr. Moore pointed to Ireland as exhibiting want of employment coincident with absence of machinery. The Free-trade resolution was carried, with two dissentients.
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