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THE death of Col. Watkins, M.P. for the boroughs of Brecon and Ltywol, and Lord-Lieu- tenant of the county of Brecon, which occurred last week, was not altogether unlooked for. He had for a long while been suffering from severe illness, which it was feared would prove fatal. But in such cases hope is not easily crushed, and at the general election he was again returned by his old constituents, whom he had well and truly served for many years. Disease had, however, taken fast hold of him, and on the 28th of Sep- tember he died in his sixty-third year. 'I he melan- choly intelligence was heard with sorrow in Brecon, where he was exceedingly popular. He had lived all his days in close proximity to th J town, and had so thoroughly identified himself with the people as to gain their confidence and respect. He was one of themselves, associated with them in the manage ment of local affairs, and the foremost in pro- moting the prosperity of the town. He was born at Pennoyre, in 1802, and was the eldest surviving son of the tiev. Thomas Watkins. He received his early education at Harrow, and afterwards entered Christchurch, Oxford. In 1832 he was first re- turned to Parliament for Brecon as an advanced Liberal. He was defeated in 1835, and did not succeed in regaining the seat until 1847, when he was also appointed Lord-Lieutenant of the county of Brecon. In July, 1352, he was defeated by the Hon. G. Morgan, but was again returned in 1854, and has ever since continued to represent the borough.. He was a consistent Liberal, always voting for what are termed advanced measures." He was pledged to this course, which he adhered to with remarkable fidelity even at the risk of dis- pleasing the more moderate constituents. But he owed nothing of his popularity to the representation of the borough in Parliament. It was at home, where politics are forgotten in the common welfare of his own county and borough, that he distinguished himself. Here he was in truth the servant of the public. He was a member of various local bodies, the Lord-Lieutenant of the county, the Colonel of the Militia, an active magistrate, the leader in every movement for the good of the county. He did not stand by in listless inaction, but vigorously put his shoulder to the wheel. Whatever he could do was done cheerfully and without any restraint. His memory will long be cherished with affection by those who were associated with him in public and in private life. It is useless to ask who will succeed Col. Watkins as Lord-Lieutenant and Colonel of the Breconshire .Militia, for no definite answer can possibly be given. All sorts of conjectures are made, but they are nothing more than conjectures. We know that the Government usually bestows its patronage on poli- tical supporters, and there seems no reason why, in this case, there should be any departure from the rule so generally observed. The Marquis of Camden has, however, been named with some confidence, although he is a Conservative. Bat this is a matter in wiiich the public take very little interest, compared with the election of the Colonel's successor in the repre- sention of the borough. The Earl of B recknock was the first candidate in the field. He is the eldest son of the Marquis of Camd m and is said to be a Liberal-Conservative. Why his supporters describe him as a Liberal-Conservative is not apparent, ex. cept it is to disarm opposition. The noble Earl himself is more honest and declares himself in favour of Lord Palmerston's Government. "I am," he says, a firm supporter of the Established Church, and should regret to see any change which would "impair her power, at the same time, I think there "are strong objections to our present system of "church rates, and should vote for such a measure as would, in my opinion, equitably adjust the ques- tion. I should support such a measure of reform "as would extend the franchise, while preserving to property and education their due share of in- fluence. The financial policy of the present Minis- try has met with deserved success. They have increased the revenue, while diminishing taxation, and have effected large economies while providing amply for all branches of the country's service their foreign policy has, in my opinion, kept the "nation from war during times of difficulty without "any sacrifice of dignity. 1 am prepared, for these reasons, to give Lord Palmerston's Government a "firm, but independent support." Judging from this address, which, we have no reason to doubt fairly expresses the political tendencies of the Earl of Brecknock, he would if returned sit on the Libe- ral side of the House. That is, too, the feeling in Brecon, and the Conservatives have determined to oppose him. At first it was thought that the Hon. Mr Morgan, son of Lord Tredegar, would permit himself to be put in nomination, but he has declined, and the Conservative candidate is Me. Howel Gwyn, who at one time represented Penryn and Falmouth, and at tho last general election un- successfully contested Barnstaple. At the moment we write he had not issued his address, but there is no uncertainty as to his political views. He is a Conservative, and would on all party questions vote with Mr Disraeli. He will have the support of the Tredegar interest, which is very considerable in the borough. Mr Savin, an eminent railway contractor, was named as a probable candidate, but he will not divide the Liberals. The contest will be between the Earl of Brecknock and Mr Gwyn, who repre- sent the two great parties, backed by the personal influence of two families. It must be a hard fight, for apart from the interference of the Tredegar and Camden families, the political parties in the town are pretty evenly matched. It should not be over- looked that on two previous occasions Col. Watkins with all his local influence and popularity was defeated, and at times, too, when political parties were more widely separated than they are at pre- sent. And Brecon is not a bit more Liberal now than it used to be in fact, like most small agri- cultural towns, its sympathies go with those who are averse to great organic changes ill the constitu- tion. \Ve assume, of course, that it will be a party struggle between Liberalism and Conservatism and not between a Conservative and a Liberal-Con- scrvative. Mr Gwyn's political opinions are un- j equivocally Conservative, and the Earl of Brecknock, to satisfy his supporters, must accept the Liberal programme, which he in part avows in his address. Whatever its result may be the contest is regarded with much interest by observant politicians through- out the country, but more especially in Wales.

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