Mr. Langston, M.P. for Oxford, died on Monday, and the
Liberals have, as usual, made a considerable mess in their arrange- ments. Mr. Cartwright, who had been announced as the Liberal candidate, and than whom, as we formerly explained, it would have been difficult to find a better man,—earnest, moderate, and deeply versed in foreign politics,—has been persuaded to retire, to make room for an old favourite of the Oxford constituency, Mr. Neste, who up to the last moment had given Mr. Cartwright all his support, and announced his own firm intention not to stand. We fear this sudden change at the last moment will play into the hands of the Tories, by strengthening the Radical candidate, Mr. Serjeant Gazelee, who is pledged to the worn-out Radical formulae, and who cannot possibly win. We fear Mr. Cartwright's sup- porters may, some of them in disgust, vote for Mr. Gazelee, and so weaken the hands of Mr. Neate. If so, the Tories will probably win. Mr. Neate is in every respect a man worthy of hearty Liberal support ; but he should know his own mind a little sooner. There is also a vacancy at New Windsor by the death of Mr. Hope, and Captain Hayter, son, we believe, of Sir William Hayter the late Liberal Whip, is to stand on the Liberal side.
