SCOTLAND.
Lord William Bentinck has accepted the invitation of the Glasgow Reformers, and is now a candidate, with the certainty of being elected, for the representation of that city. His address to the electors is important enough to merit a place in our columns even in a crowded week.
.. London, 4th February 1836. " Gentlemen—It is only in consequence of the very numerous requisitions which I have had the honour to receive, that 1 could have ventured to aspire to the high dis- tinction of representing you in Parliament. Eecouraged by this invitation. I shall at once proceed to state. frankly and exult citly, my °aloha' upon the various topics and measures that are likely to be brought bet on. rarliament in the ensuing session; w ith confideut hope, that in this exposi ion thMg will be found at variance with the as principles which, for many rites of my e, l have professed and practised, and upou which alone. autl to no particular coati e• t .IICV Of my own I can found a claim to your suffrages. " mit me, then. in the outset, to give my wilwrence to the now happily established 0 .5 iction among all Reformers, that by firm union. by the abandonment of all se? - r to :Ind minor views, and by a steady support of Lord Melbourne's Ministry, thy p - s :and future CALM! or Herm m can alone he supported. ith respect to expected measures. 1 should decidedly support the Ministerial plan of Irish Church Return', imperfect and insufficient as I must consieer that measure to be " I. of course, am a decided friend to complete Reform of the Irish Municipal Cor n • I am favourable to the Shortening of the duration of Parliaments; but without hay ng Inul occasion seriously to consider this subject. I should prefer, as a present measure. the Quinquennial to the Trienuial term. With respect to the Extension of the.' uff age, into the details of which I have nei r r entered. 1 can only generally state my firm belief, that the b 0 ,der tha Anthem , all the intelligent classes to the government of the country, the grater wit be the semi. t:tv (dour existing institutions. ant opposed to the Vote by Ballot : i consider it a complete illusion. It will rot destroy the exercise of undue influence, but it will give rise to another influence still ntore pernicious—that of money and conniption. against which there is no accurity Lac in publicity. At the same tittle, as the Vote by Ballot affects no existing right, I should willingly acquiesce in the general wishes of my constituents to vote for it as an isperimental and temporary measure. " I am profoundly penetrated with the indispensable necessity, that the two branches of the Legislature should be brought into harmony with each other ; and I ant opinion I hat the result may be advantageously accomplished through the constitution: X exercise or the prerogative of the Crown, wit hoot any organic change. " I need not promise my support to all measures regarding freedom of trade. and economy and retrenelitneut in every department of the State, consistently, of conrse, with efficiency and safety. '• The Corn-law s are a difficult question. I am for their abolition. I f Railways, as I bdieve, may become nee. ss try in the race of competition that we have to run with 0 Ina countries. the price of subsistence must in a still greater degree contribute to sue. cgs. I should hope that an equitable compromise between the Agricultural and Manufacturing interests might not be found impracticable: " I shall advert, in the last place, to the application ter a grant of 10,0001. towards fire e !flowment of additional chapels and places of worship tor the Established Church of Scotland. I ant entirely averse to this grant. The event of all others that, in my humble judgment, wetild best establish peace mot goodwill and concord among all. classes of men, weal he a perfect equality of civil awl religions rights. lint as IUD [Inca at present be, at least let us be caret nut to aggravate an obnoxious distinc- la 1. Let the Established Churches retain what they possess • but let nothing in 0 ire taken from the publ c funds. The same religious seal which exclusively maintai a all the places of worship and the ministers of Dissenters, cannot tail to supply these additional aids ,,r which the Established Churches of England and Scutlaud may stead in need. " i will now conclude with the expression of my very deep 'egret, that the effects t the long and severe illness which drove me from India, will not allow me. t positive risk. to :tppear ut the election. But if I an so fortunate as to obtain tl ea honour to which I aspire, I shall take the earliest opportunity, after the session, of visiting Glasgow ; and shot Id it then be the opi,iou of the majority of my constituet that the generous COD 'deuce which they have been pleased to place in me has leant a any degree disappointed, I ,h .1I be most ready to resign the trust confided to me. "I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your most obedi. a servant.
W. BENTINCIC."
[There is scarcely any thing in this address to which the most deter- mined Liberal can object. Lord William Bentinck is a thorough Reformer of abuses in Church and State. He is for the extension of the suffrage; and will support the Ballot, as an experiment, in com- pliance with the wishes of his constituents. At present lie has no hope of its being stn instrument for the destruction of undue influence. 1Iiirly, vitro are now in favour of the Ballot, held the same opinion a few years ago; and we have no doubt that when Lord William Ben- thick skill have given the subject, in all its bearings, due attention, be will see in the Ballot the chief' and only effectual security for the inde- p trident exercise of the franchise. 11e are surprised that Lord 1111- In shor,td here nicked up the Quinquennial heresy : he says that he La` not seriously PM idered this subject; we entirely believe him, and feel assured that further consideration will induce him to reject this silly and very modern innovation of the half-and-half Liberals.' Free trade, in corn as well as in other things, economy and retrenchment, Lord William is pledged to support. His opinions in Church Reform are what may be even deemed latitudinarian : he is for " a perfect equality in civil and religious rights." A steady support of Lord Mel- bourne's Ministry he deems essential to the promotion of Reform at present. Lastly, if his constituents, at the end of the session, should be dissatisfied with his Parliamentary conduct, be promises to resign his seat. There is not, we are persuaded, the most remote chance of such dissatisfaction. Lord William is no backslider ; and the Re- formers of Glasgow are capable of duly appreciating his character and services. 1
Mr. Nichol, whose excellent character and qualifications we recently alluded to, has been appointed Regius Professor of Astronomy in Glasgow University. From a perusal of Mr. Nichol's testimonials, we are warranted in affirming that no Government ever made a better choice.
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