The South Northumberland election has resulted either in a tie,
or in something which will have the legal effect of a tie. On the declaration of the poll, each candidate had 2,912 uncontested: votes. The Liberal candidate, Mr. Grey,—the heir presumptive- of Earl Grey,—had, in addition, two balloting-papers on which the voters bad written "Grey," instead of having marked them with a cross against the name of Grey. These votes, it seems, ought not to have been counted for Mr. Grey, and were ulti- mately rejected. The presiding officer, the High Sheriff, had still a casting vote, and would have given it for Mr. Ridley, had not Mr. Ridley,—with a good deal of honourable feeling, for whieh, under the circumstances, he deserves great credit,—requestedhim to withhold it, and send the double return to the House of Com- mons. Though the result is at present indecisive, there is Ile doubt that it means a very great check for the Conservatives. The county is one in which the representation has been divided for a generation back,—indeed, there has been no contest shift 1852,—while it was the Conservative seat, Lord Eslington's seat,. which in this instance was contested. In such a case, the in- fluence of the Government and the influence of all who like to see a balance of parties maintained in the county, being on the same- side, there must have been a very considerable reaction against the Government, to produce the tie.
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