LADIES AND THE ELECTIONS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1216, 23 January 1886, Page 3

LADIES AND THE ELECTIONS.

We are not aware whether the osculatory example set by the beautiful Duchess of Devonshire in Fox's time has been actually followed during the present elections ; but the ladies have certainly been flying from the easy triumphs to be won over " five o'clock teas," and have engaged with ardour in the din and strife of politics. Iv Birmingham, Lady Randolph Churchill, accompanied by the Duchess of Marlborough, drove round the division contested by the Secretary for India, and aristocratic female influence was brought to bear for several days prior to the polling. It is said that many voters who were far from being impressed by the reckless oratory of Lord Randolph Churchill, fell victims to the bright eyes and personal blandishments of Lady Randolph. At Hastings, Sir Thomas Brassey had the assistance of his wife and eldest daughter. But at Chelsea we are told that lady partisans who may or may not hive been endowed by the Graces, have been bringing arguments to bear which are less innocent than bright eyea and bewitching smiles. Sir Charles Dilke has complained of distinctly illegal influence used by the ladies in tha Chelsea election. He mentioned the name of one lady, a dowager countess, whom it is intended to proceed against. Another lady had used language in regard to her political opponents which it was impossible to justify, and iv this case also it is really a serious legal offence. The question of lady influence will really become embarrassing, for if every candidate ia to set his wife and his sisters, and his cousins, and his aunts, cauvassing for him, England will become a battlefield for opposing beauties.

We see by the mail that Mr Spurgeon is compelled to leave London again in search of health, and that there is some probability of his health entirely breaking down. Ten years ago Mrs Spurgeon, who is a confirmed invalid, organised a book fund for supplying poor min<sters with some of the standard works of divinity necessary for the making of sermons. Last year more than nine thousand volumes were sent out, and since the fund was started upwards of seventy thousand have been distributed.