ENGLISH POLITCAL MEMORANDA.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1183, 9 June 1874, Page 2

ENGLISH POLITCAL MEMORANDA.

There is a strong traditional element in English politics, which has outlived many Beforin Bills, and will survive the bolder ideas of our time. The steady channels in which the national life ilows on are curiously illustrated in a passage found in one of our popular magazines. It will surprise many readers to be told that, " though upwards of 230 years have elapsed since the opening of the famous Long Parliament, yet many of its original members have been represented, by direct lineal descendants at every subsequent ceremonial of the kind, not uufrequently returned by the same places for which their ancestors were elected." Examples arc given from the muster roll of the new House of Commons.

Long Parliament, 1610. Ashton (Assheton), Ealph, sat for Clitheroe. Biddulph, Michael, eat for Lichfield. Edwards, Richard, sat for Christchurch. Knightley, Richard, sat for Northampton. Lloyd, Waller, sat for Cardiganshire Noel, Hon. Baptist, sat for Rutland. Onslow, Sir E. sat for Surrey. New Parliament, 1574. Assheton, Ealph, sits for Clitheroe. Biddulph, Michael, sits for Herefordshire. Edwards, Richard, sits for Weymouth. Knightlay, Sir E., sits for S. Northhamptonshire. Lloyd, Sir T., sits for Cardigan. Noel, Hon. Gerard, sits for Rutland. Onslow, Deii7.il, sits for Guildford. It is justly observed that such instances, amounting altogether to from •10 to 50, illustrate the hereditary influence of the gentry iu largely determining the representation in their respective localities, notwithstanding the more popular character of the constituencies, and the establishment of secret voting.