The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-07-01 00:00:00

SOMERSETSHIBE ELECTION.

THUIISDAY,

'uxt

The voters came in this morning rather more briskly than yes.
tad'', but still very tardily. About two o'clock the gentry of the
neighbourhood pressed to the hustings, in expectation of the poll
being closed at there; and Sir Thomas Lethbridge and Mr. Dick-
inson took their stations on the platform. A little before three Mr.
Bunt, attended by his friend Mr. Hayward, and by his sons, also
pressed through the crowd, and came up close to the other Candi-
dates.
The Rev. Mr. CRESWELL offered himself to take the bribery
oaths, and after they been administered, lie said he had come
from some little distance, and wished, before he polled, to take
some refreshment. as he had several questions to ask Mr. Dickin-
son, Sir Thomas Lethbridge, Mr. Stuckey, and Mr. Plielips, all
of whom were. be hoped, present. Sonic hesitation being mani.
fisted, he said lie did Eel know with what propriety the Sheriff
could close the poll, as there were great numbers of freeholdent
who had not polled ; for instance, there were 200 voters coming, as
he hear.% to-morrow, and there were at least 2,000 votes not yet
polled. who, if they voted, would vote for Mr. Hunt. There were
et least 70 men in his own parish who would poll for him, and he
did not see how the poll could be closed under such circumstances.
At all events, there could be no objection to keeping open the 10111
for a quarter of an hour, whilst an elector took refreshment.
111011 SHERIFF—The Pull Clerks are ready, Sir, to ieceive
your vote.
Mr. CastswELL-1 think i am rot obliged to poll instantly ; I
have not polled, 1 wish to poll, but I do not intend to do so until
1 have sskel some questions el' the Candidates. I have already
asked Mr. Ilunt, anti I mean now to be satisfied by Sir Thomas'
Lethbridge. I wish to take a glass of snela water, but that may be
brought to me here, it there is no time for me to withdraw.
Sterol Pr —You do not roll here, Sir. The Pull Clerks are in
the booths.
Mr. CRESWt LL-51'd'. then, i will proceed. itsfore I poll, I
wish to ask Sir Thomas Lrilthridge and Mr. Dickinson whether
they ever rated. as I understand they did, that any freeholder who
voted for Mr. Hunt was either a dishonest or a deluded man ?
Sir T. LET nu nIDGE-1 410 not choose to answer you.
Mr. Ca F.SIT El. I. —it S a freeholder of thin county I have • right,
Sir, to dearand an answer. I wish to know whether the reprenerta-
tons to this effect in the Times newsy 'pie, which at my own
houseond whilst engaged in the Taunton Electim, I have seen, ore
true or false. I understand that you have either until these winds,
or words tamantonnt burets. 1, and ether freeholders, who have
seen a report of these representations, consider ()unwires insulted
by them. Who is the Candi:late who has dared to oily ti: at the
frieholiiire of this county are either deluded or dishonest ? I ant one
of those who. it was well known, intended to vote fir Mr. Hunt,
and I most he included. of course, amongst this rmiuticr.
'flue riIiFISIVE.III a very kind manner, expressed has doubts if
this were the proper t me to ask these qutstions.
Mr. CnEiWEI.L—Sir. I ask the question now. I ask it before
you, .Mr. :•11crill•; nr:l if it is not answered, I will dune to say to
.Ir. Dickinson and :sir Thomas Lethbridge, that they have lost
vglit of what wa• due in their characters es men and as gentlemen,
if they have thus insulted the freeholders of this county.
The .Sheitit was preparing to speak, when there arose a cry of
" Sherif', Sltcrili!" and clamour.
31r. Creswell toltitil up his arms, and stood in a waiting posture.
Ilion SHERIFF—YOU shall be heard, Sir, by and by, I as-
auTl you.
Mr. li uxr h,i.g to speak to order. Mr. Creswell or any
Uet•holder has a right to lie heard, and to ask any question he
pleases. bettor he poll.. 'I he answer may eh tomine his tote.
The 111011 Silt:111r. r. having consulted the Under Sherd!' and
the Clerk of the Peace, said—" sir, I find I was in error; you are
quite right ; prectial, Sir, if you please."
Mr. Cu Esw Eht.-11 the papers have reported correctly whir has
passed here, the fiyelioldero hove a right to complain that they have
been insulted by the Candidates and their frieral.. I was engaged
at the election for Taunton, and could rot come in here be-
fore : if I could have 11011 C 101 I should have said then as I say
now. that if the term " blacking man" is to be applied to either of
the Candidates, Sir Thotms Letlibritl4e and i 1 r. Did:it:son dis.
serve it better than Mr. hunt. (Cheers.) Mr. Dickinson will
perhaps answer my que.tion, if Sir Thoinas Lethbridge in not man
enough to do it. (Mr. Dickinson rose. and stood up in a very
firm add u.alismay d position.) I ask you, Mr. Dickinson, whe-
ther you have or have not used language tantamount to this;—
•• Those who vote for Mr. Hunt arc either Belo led men, t:r they
arc rogues." 1 ask eon, Sir. as a gentlemen, for an answer.
Mr. DICKINSON-1 cl., not recallitt tnaking use of any such ex-
prtssion. lam totally at a loss to understand why 1 should utter
any suc't sentiment. I should have no tight to say so.
N:r. STECICEY (addressing liddself to Mr. ('r:swell)-11 you
tasked MC whether I considir.d you a &indict man or a rogue, I
bould ;are you a direct answer.
Mr. DICK I NSO I say to you, Mr. Creswell. that durirg for-
mer pacts it my lite I have trecieed great civility from you ; and
oast I need at the first, when you spoke on this subject, I repeut
ricv.r fee:let:Ll any incivility front you. Ido rot recol-
lect having uses) any such expressions as dime you allude to.
Mr. Cu, towELL—I ant ;;lad, Si',ou have had the candour tai
say this ; 1 ant glad to hind, too, that the agents and auto-taus are
beeume su public-spirited, and that they are willing to work
fur nothirg, because I Imp: it will b a precedent for the future,
and that they will he ready to do the same on other occasions ; unit
although this d'art slinuld fail, I hope it will produce some good
effect in future, and that the county of Somerset may, ere lung, be
properly represented.
Mr. N T.—l understoal Mr. Dickinson to use words to this
effect but I am glad that all parties, except Sir U'itomai, this-
claim
it.
Mr. Dicxissos—l never said it.

Mr. OLIVER HAYWARD—Sir. T. Lethbridge said no honest
man would vote for 31r. hunt. I look now in Sir Thomas Leth-
bridgi.'s face. I can show as linneat a tare as he can. I have polled
now, though I bad t.ot then (looking Sir Thomas fulliu the
; tell Ine so now, Lethbridge.
The SUERIFr called to order!

)Jr. HUNT IHooking to Sir Thomas).--The Pmallcst freeholder
las a tight to in.ikc any obseuvation, or to ask any question he
pleases 11,A.c.

TIIOMAS—I did rnt ran to Order.
Mr. HUNT (eOntellll)!UoU•iy).—VOn CA to order! I Fay
erity fretholtier, itowner humble, hit% n■ much right to be heard
here A% this poor creature (pointing to :tin Thos.) who auntie near
me at this moment.

Mr. ettEswEl.t.— I had an object, Sir, to asking these questions.
Them are (i 0 or 70 freeholders in my parch, who hove been kept
Sr:nt the pull, in eonsf quence of their understanateg that if they
came thee would he than insulted. They are ready to come here
Lew. and will come here to-morrow if it is wished they should do so.
Lut, if there were tidy ID poor honest voters who were
(hired in this way, I would ray the humblest freeholder is not to be
manner by any inati; and it is not proper that
a Candidate or his friend, shmila cAI any freeholder a tit:holed or
eislionest man, because lie exereisfd his own judgment against the
Will or caprice of another. l say the observation does not become
any Candidate ; for, if he is returned, it must be to represent the
freeholders ; aud Oust most he be shin represents rogues ? Let
any man read the reprof I have seen, and say if the freeholders
of the cot. y ..r: rut Ott:graced t.y what hos been said ?
Mr. ST U.:LEY-1 am glad to see the gentlemen here who re-
port for tae Lnbiie ratters • dry report of what I said is incorrect,
inasmuch us (I hope :he Tim., Reporter is here, that he may
notice what I say.) What I told was this: that the voter who
polled for Mr. Dent se is tither deluaed or disgraced, and not that
he was a rogue. (To Mr. Creswell.) And I think you, as a cler-
gyman, disgrace yoursflf by the part you take in this cL.ction.
CitESIVELL—DiAgraCe myself, Sir, who are you? who
was you, father, or your grandfather it (Cry, •• lie does not know
himself—) that you dare to tell nie that I disgrace myself ? hid not
you, Sir, say that if Mr. Hunt was returned, yt.o w. old leave the
county? Pity but you had done so boor ago; a poor man might
then tare eat his stilt without paying you a tax ; aid but for you,
we might have bad the finest canal in the world through this
county, bringing ships up to our very homes, and interchanging
the p-oducts of OUT ineurtry sit!) all the world. We could do very
well without you—you ere a coal merchant, and a monopolizer;
and you may leave the county as soon as you please; we shall
Lot lament it.
31r. area a: v. vrvilieg-1 do not say you are a mgue.

ample time has been given. After what the Sheriff has said and
done, they will not comet and I think it would be unfair towards
the other Candidates and Int, if the poll were kept open. I repeat
what I said last night, I will neither by myselfj our by my a...
sistanee or countenance, ambit any other person 111 a complaint t
and I am ready to ;Ave evidence, that atter the very honourable
conduct of Vie Sheriff; any petition against the return would be
most frivolous and vexatious. (Cheers.)
Mr BAYLEY—Notwithstanding what is said, I would not
elme the poll. _ _

Mr. Wu ITE.—I hope the Sheriff will not close the poll. Mr.
Hunt has cautiou.ly avoided saying he would give up the contest.
Any elector may feel himself di.satistied, and it has been decided
again and again, that no understanding between eseitlidates is era.
tual against electors. Not as an agent, but as a humble freeholder
of this county, I express my hope that the Sheriff sill not dose the
poll until three o'clock the fifteenth day.
Mr. II u I hope no advice, much less a threat, will operate
upon the mind of the Sheriff. I call on him to do his duty. I
know he will at t with honour and Sound discretion. It is true that
every elector has a right to petition, but I ant confident none will
do so. and if any one does, I shall be ready to give proof that the
Sheriff has acted with the utmost degree of fairness and impar-
tiality. I thilik the Sheriff might safely have closed the poll yes.
tcrday, or even before. At all events, when the poll is closed to.
night I shall leave the hustings, and bid you,, Mr. Sheriff, and
Gentlemen, good evening.

SIIEIIIFF-1 have made up my mind.
Mr. WHITE —Not one-third of the electors have polled and
after what Mr. Creswell has stated, I think it would be very indis-
creet to cline the poll.
A Von r came in to take the oaths—path admi isteved.
Air. II t:sT—After what has occurred, I h tve not the slightest
wish either way ; I will go or stay, as the sheriff pleases ; but I
must cay that 1 think it would be disgraceful to me, and to the
other candidates, to rernem here, whilst the freeholders discover
such an eat aordinary unwalingness to come to the poll.
Mr. t F:sw Ei.t.-1 think you can have nothing to fear from
any political liness?.

31r. WHITE—I see no evil and little expense in keeping open
the poll, find much danger in closing it. The Act of Parliament
ttquires that the pall be kept open 15 days, until it be finished,
that is, unto the theholders have all polled. The safest and the only
prudent course, in my humid:: judgment, is to stay till three o'clock
the 15th day.
3lr. tau—After what Mr. Creswell has said about voters,
Iwo

Mr. CitcswELL—They are rest!), to come if Mr. hunt wishes
it ; of course many of them will want conveyances. If the poll goes
On, I will sec that they are brought up; if you determine to close
the poll, of course they will not come.
Mr. liavt.gr—Mr. Hunt, I am going to propose a question to
you, to %chic 1 you can give me, and I thick you will give me, a plain
answer..' you decline the contest, and if it is closed to-Say, will
you consider yourself as a Candidate afterwards ?"
31,. lit' NT-310st unequivocally I nay, No; certainly not.
Neither directly nor indi:eclly wiil I either petition, or counien +nee
any person in doir,t so. agamst the determination of the Sheriff;
alter the very honourable way in which he has acted. In my opi-
nio', it would be 111041 disgraceful if I were to do no.
Mr. ”AYI.EY— If you did not consider yourself to be a Candi-
date, would it be because the poll was closed by the Sheriff, or be-
cause your own mind coccurred in such an arrangement ?
Mr. fluNT—That, Sir, is really a very curious question. I
have been crass-ixamined by older counselors than you, but that
is really a very odd ciu,stion for you to propose. I have pledged
my.,elr,.antl I can say no more than I have done.

, ......
Ps, or Montactite—l ant going to propose some-
thing which win, I think. tlcierve the suprort of r. Ilunt and his
warm: st friend.; that is, thanks to our Excellent II igh Sherif]; for
his very impartial and honourable conduct during the election.
Mr. llENT—Nobo,ty will he more ready than I shall he on a
proper occssion to think the High Sheriff; nobody more eager to
bear testimony to his honourable conduct but I think we must
wait until he has Ihislicd his work. When his duty is done, then
will be the time to thank him.

....
Mr. PH r I.II'S —Let me say one word to Mr. Creswell. What
I said rcfuive to him was this : that I hoped that both he and I
and a I persons who had pride in refetr-ng to a long line of virtuous
ancks:ors, should, in the exerei le of generous feelings, take tare so
to act as not to affix a blot on our fair escutcheon,.
Mr. CUT:SWELL—Sir, you will never find a Creswell blending
the IYhig and Tory interests together. (Cheers.) You take care,
sir. of sour escutcheon. and leave nie to take care of mine.
Sir T. LETIIBIIIDGE-1 don't disavow one word of what I base
utlereil

Air. fit:NT—No, no, you arc rot included in the listof those who
are niectit. When we 'poke of gentlemen, you were far from our
thoughts. (Laughter. and cheers.) 3;r. Stuckey says, that he
has been misrepresented when it was stated that he called the
electors dishonest men I trust say, that if the gentleman who re.
ported what he said misapprehended him. 1, and a great number
of others in Conn, have erns' also ; for I was positive that Mr.
Stuintey expi—ssed himself in these terms. lint Mr. Stuckey's
delivery is tit t of the most perf.i-t kind, and perhaps we are all
mistaken. laugh.) I ant, Itowev.:r, very glad to see that he is so
modest ns to endeavour to appear well before the freeholders.
The Sheriff then stated the numbers on the poll fur the day.
They were as follow :
..

Dickinson - - 341 Hunt
Lethbridge - 41
Mr. 11 uNr said he would take leave, before the poll was finally
closed, to put a question. Mr. Dickinson must be aware that there
were many freeholders who were not permitted to poll on Acton' of
not having their names tnureil as having paid the land-tax. Tl.at
was an evil tint was much to be lamented, and he wished to
know whether \lr. Dickinson (to the other he should say nothing)
would propose any measure in Parliament toremeuy so grievous an
evil ?

- - a

' DICKINSON said he certainly woo not prepared to say whe-
ther he should hriog in a Bill to effect dint objets, but he should
certainly he always ready to support any measure calculated to
' fat ilitate the business of elections. (Cheers.)
The SHERIFF then, with the accustomed formalities. closed the
poll ; declared tee numbers to he. i.e Mr. Dickinson 1812—for Sir
Thomas Lethbridge 1/18—and for Mr. Hunt 3tt9; and announced
that the two fernier Gentlemen were elected fit and discreet Knights
to represent the county of Somerset in Parliament. (Cheers and
hisses.)
Mr. DrceiNsox, in addressing the freeholders, admitted the
propriety of Mr. Crcsaell'e question to hint as a Candidate.
(Cheers.) Mr. Hunt had observed that his (Mr. Dickinson's) man-
ner was subdued. lle certainly regretted that he had used upon
any occasion a tone which was unbecoming; but if he had used it,
the irritation lie had received at Bridgwater was the cause of it. if
Mr. Hum thought that peace out to be the order of the dsy, he
would find him (Mr. Dickinson) ready to go more than half way.
If he wan attacked he should, he hoped, bear it, and net upon it
with spirit. Ile litetally could not find words with which to thank
those who had elected him. The sense of the obligation was en•
graven upon his heart. Ile had been called upon to offer himself
without encountering the expense of agents, voters, or treating,
and his expectations of the exertions of those who had invited him
had been more than realized. lint that wan not to be wondered at,
for he had depended upon the Gentry, the Clergy, and the Yeo-
manry of that independent and spirited county. (Lewd cheers.)
Sir THO SIAS LETHBRIDGE—II is my duty to follow the ex-
ample of my excellent friend, and I rejoice to have it in my power
to say, my colleague in the repr:s.,ntation. Ile has addressed to
you a speech full of the kindest WAing, end I must fall short of
the eloquent manner in which he has addressed you ; but I do not
yield to him in gratitude far the honour I extserience at your
hands. The county has done itself a splendid honour upon this
occasion, mid hue set an example to others, which God forbid that
they should be ever called upon to follow under similar cirettin-
stances. (laughter.) The freeholders have put their shoulders to
the wheel in earnest, in order to discomfit the strangest opposition
that ever could have been contemplated ; far surely it never could
have been expected that the wheel of time could have brought up
such an individual to the contest. (A laugh, evidently at the
figure.) I repeat it now, whatever vengeance may betel me : I say
be has no claim —that he is a foreigner to the county, to its wants
and its *Vies ; and there would be no consolation lett to these who
felt deeply for its interests, were it not for the manner in which the
county had pulled down the person who had presumed to offer
himself. (Hisses and cheers.) Title is not the business of the
elected but of the electors.

Mr. CRESW ELL—Where wool I you be if 1112 electors had polled
by ballot (Cheer., and cries of " He'd be at home.")
. .

'Sir T. LETHBRIDOE—There is no ballot yet, nor'is it likely
to be. (Cries of •• No, not if you OM help it, there will be no-

protect him, nr prevent me freak coining in immediate contact with
him in ski% Court.

All the A itorreen rove and hissed and groaned, and cried "Turn
him ot.t, turn himout."

Air. CRESWELL—No man shall dare to lay his hand on me.
An Attorney, who has been very active in hissing Air. Hunt,
and applauding Sir Thomas Lethbridge, front the commencement
of this contest, cried out. " Turn out that person."
Mr. OLIVER HAYWARD (to the Attorney)—Why don't you
turn him out yourself, you land shark ?
ATTORNEY, in a rage-1! not I indeed i that would be • breach
of the peace.
HAY WA R D —Why, you come here to Incite others to break
the peace, in order that you may fill your pockets. You wish to
see others do what you are afraid to do yourself, you attorney 1
(Laughter.)
Mr. CREswEr.r.—l have Sir Thomas Lethbridge upon this
point,'aud I'll pin him to it.
Sir TIIONAS—It would be as well if the Rey. Gentleman would
hold his tongue. If matters of this kind are to be carried by cla-
mour, good bye to public liberty.
Mr. CRESWELL—Have you spoken as the ?Imes reports you
have. I'll not stand personal abuse from any man bleathing, and
certainly not from a Candidate. I complain. that three hundred
honest men of this county hate been publicly insulted by a Can-
didate.
A LAITY En—qilence! Shame !

Mr. CRESIVELL—Mr. High Sheriff; deaire that lawyer not to
dart to interfere. The Baronet says he can lay him hand upon his
heart and state so and s% Now here are three hundred es honest
men as any its England, and two thousand more are ready to come
up to poll for Mr. Hunt. Dots Sir Thomas Lethbridge mean that
those are all dishnnest—that I am a dishonest man ? it he does,who
is the man, what is the authority that will keep me from his head ?
(Great uproar. The Sheriff intclered, and by his conciliating
manner abated the lure which appeared to threaten the assembly.)
Sir THOMAS LE•ritnntrioE said he would not give up his right
of aldressing the freeholders. He found that he was once more
their pure and dkiottrested Representative (laughter, hisses, and
applause). and nothing should shackle his operations in Parlia-
ment. He would act conscientiously and without fear. He would
take care to make himself master of all question* relating to their
interests. Ile returned thanks to all who had voted for him, and
particularly to his friend Mr. Plielips, who had ascended his bitty
hill and made his voice be heard front Clavertan to Exmore. That
voice was heard, and multitudes came forward as one man. My
Hon. Friend Mr. Dickinson, and I. re-cived the apontaneous as.
aistance of the sacred profession and of others, who united, as it
were, to put aside the foul stain which was attempted to be fixed
upon the county. (A cry of " What a good voice Sir Thomas has
for passing sentence of death I" and laughter.) I have no doubt of
your assistance in placing me again in this situation. (Loud hisses
and applause.) It has been said that there were but few voters.
Where was the necessity for more? and what number appeared
under the third name? He concluded by expressing his gratitude
to the freeholders who voted bar him.

Mr. CRF.SWEI.I.-1 should not have interrupted tl,is Candi.
date, Mr. Mich Sheriff, if he had been as candid as the other per.
sons who were questioned were. This, I say, is the time for him
to give an answer to the freeholders of the county. He has com-
plimented those who voted for him, and insulted those who have
not. I ask him, whether he considers us who have voted for Mr.
Hunt rogues, or vagabonds, or deluded men ?
Sir Tnos. LETHINIIIDOE-111 return the same answer I have
already given—I shall not answer. (Loud uproar, and vies of
•• You're afraid.")
Mr. IIAY WA nn—Then, Lethbridge, you have proved yourself
a blackguard, a liar, and a coward. I repeat it.
Here every one in Court rose, and nothing less than an engage.
most on the spot wan expected; but Mr. Hunt and Mr. Dickinson
stood between Sir Thomas and Mr. Hayward, the later of whom
seemed very anxious to come in contact with the Hon. Baronet.
Some of that respectable troop, the attorneys, began to take notes,
in expectation, no doubt, of a jnb, but they were disappointed.
Mr. CIIESViELL again called upon Sir T. IRtbbridge to avow
Of deny the use of the offensive words, but in vain. The Baronet
refused to say another word.
. .

Huai then rose, amidst the loudest cheers—l am. said he.
sorry that 1 li ire to address the freeholders at a time when some of
them appear to be in a state of fermented feeling. I regret much
that the comae which Mr. Dickinson adopted has not been followed
(cheers), and that there was any interruption to the good humour
which ought to prevail at the termination of a contest of this kind.
You have heard my friends, 3lr. Creswell and Mr. Hayward, ex-
press themselveewith ; but I appeal to you as Englishmen,
whether if you were told that you were all dishonest because you
+voted for me, you would not feel some indignation at the disgraceful
imputation ? (Cheers.) Certain it is, that never has this or any
other county been so much disgraced as by the language used by
Sir Thomas Lethbridge. You have had a specimen of what you
are to expect hereafter, in the foul slander he his cast upon you. I
asked you in vain, what you had ever experienced at his hands not
one of you was able to answer how, when, and where, he served, or
attempted to serve you. Ile has given you earnest of what he will
do hereafter—yon know how he has benefited the country, and he
tells you to-day. that he will do just the sante thing. (Laughter
and cheers.) But I repeat, that if he were to repent his former
conduct and become tin honest man, he has neither the talent nor
the power to add to the inclination. (Laughter.) Mr. Dickinson
has expressed his sentiments to you ; but I have told you, and I tell
you again, that I hare no mere hopes of him than I have of the
other desperate ease. With the exception of what occurred upon
the part of that gentleman, on the first day at !letterer,
he has conducted himself like a gentleman, but he was excused the
violation by saying that he was worked up to it on the day of nomi-
nation at Bridgwater; and at a contested election, those who were
concerned ought not to be too nice in their expectation of apology.
(Applause.) I have been long in the habit of appearing before
the public, and I have found it necessary to my constitution to
keep my temper. I therefore feel not the slightest personal resent-
ment towards lilt. Dickinson, and the feeling which I cannot but
entertain against Sir Thomas Lethbridge will soon be washed
away. I shall not condescend even to be offended with hint.
(Laughter, and mingled applause and hisses.) An expression of
rather an extraordinary nature has fallen from Mr. Dickinson.
He says, inspeaking of his freeholders, that he has not given even
a gluts of either to his freeholders, as it was against the law. Now,
I know of no law nor practice that makes it illegal. I am, however,
extremely „glad to find that lily. Dickinson has become an pure all
of a sudden, as to conceive that it was a crime in a Candidate to
give drink to those who were-disposed to vote for him. (Laughter.)
I suppose the Lawyers, of whom 1 see such multitudes, intend to
ant up in the same liberal and independent principle, and not take
one farthing for their labour and their amiable anxiety during the
contest. (Loud laughter.) I cannot, however, allude to this
purity of principle without recollecting something of rather a con-
tradictory statute. I should be glad to know whether the conduct
of the 3lagistrates uniformly accords with this declaration. I think
I can produce instances of very gross violations of the law. A
person who sells* quirt or a gallon of cider stands, it is known, no
chance of escaping from prison, and other penalties. Now look at
the two principal inns of this town—the Magistrates have prevented
the owners front taking up licenses, and yet not only winked at,
but openly sanctioned the violation of the law during the election.
It is the fact, that the whok troop of Magistrates, Clergymen, and
Attorneys, cat and drink in those houses ; but perhaps they pay
only for their bread and cheese, and their bottle of wine is
given in. (Much laughter.) Hut what chance would a farmer
have, who sold a gallon of cider to an informer ? Would it do
for him to say that the bread and cheese was paid for, and that the
cyder was a gratuity ? (Cries of " No !") f complain of the system
of making laws to set one individual to entrap another, and I hope
the time will come when such base things as spies and informers
will not be known. (Loud cheers from all aides.) Now, with re-
gard to Sir T. Lethbridge, if I was to search the whole vocabulary
of slang, I could find out no worse name than Sir Thomas Leth-
bridge. I therefore shall henceforward call him nothing else titan
that name, which will distinguish him from every other con.
temptible character. (Loud laughter.) Ile calls this a splendid
exhibition otlyour feeling and patriotism--look at his splendour!
Seventeen hundred and nineteen voters and four.fiftlis of them
the offsenurings of the oplittinga of' Mr. Dickinson, at whose tail,
if he had not been dragged in, his name would now be where mine
is. Look at him—there he is! He will find that I shall bear the
result of this contest with good humour and temper. 1 am more
proud of Vie honour conferred upon me by the spontaneous votes of
these 3,19 honest hectic/Mere, 274 of whom have voted for me alone,
than he can be of those who' polled for him upon compul-
sion.
Thom 274 are, of course, by his rule, incorrigible
rogues; but instead of being ashamed, they glory in that species of
dishonesty. In 1812 three hundred and fifty-three independent men

to lest night, doubtless some of these had polled on that d. but
they were comparatively few; they hail unpolled in the Kendal
Ward 318 vote'', in the East Ward UR, in the Lansdale Ward (13,
and is the West Ward 213, mekieg a tote! of U unpolled rotes,
some of whom they could see were just then peering in. . At Ibis
moment, a coach and four, loaded with Illos freeholders: rem up
by the hustings amidst the cheers of the Blite part .) Ile
was extremely Berry, as a friend to the trade and msnufeetires of
the country in all their branclies..--and it grieved him to influent
them that • considerable blow had been recently 'week at a branch
of manufacture which had hitherto been moat flourishing—such et
blow as it would be very difficult for it to recover—he meant thd
manufacture of mushrooms—di:rest cheering and laughter)—is
wea a painful thing to hear in times like the preeent, when all
branches almost of trade were labouring under great distress, when
so many deserving people engaged in the manufacture, of the
county were deeply involved, that instead of matters getting better.
the general tlistrese should have extended itself to anotherinanch of
trade, which had before been thriving.(Alaugh.)He wished well to all
branches of manufacture of a honest description, vas doubtless lie
ought to do; out if the trade which lie had pm mentioned was of
that deleripteon, he should hare heard of is destruction with a
much heavier Feast than he did at that moment. But how was it
possible to find words to express the feelings with which, not him-
self, but some pereoeset no great distance from him, weuld'hear of
the total bankruptcy, the absolute failure of that tradit-.4 allure
so complete, that he had been informed that the dealers newt shut
up shop, the manufacture being utte ly destroyed. (Great laughter.)
They could have no more kcchtip for the ensuing six-•e tenth*.
((Beat laughter.) He wished that this matter had been discovered
forty-eight hours sooner, for the fact was, that • flaw had
be en found in the tides by which these mushrooms voted. There
were therefore no more mushrooms to be grown, or at all events co
more could be brought to the poll, for if they were, they could only
be subjected to the ceremony of going round to the Aimessor'd
beoth, where they would be intmedia.ely rejected. (Cherie.) He
was, however, sorry to tell them, that before it wail discovered,
I forty or fifty of such votes hail been placed upon the poll. (Cries
of " Bolton end Sill's votes.") He entertained grist hopes, how.
ever, that the Blurs would hot render it necereary for him to go
elsewhere to have the matter set rigle,but enable him to carer hrough
the election successfully, without basing to apply to the House of
Commons to have these mushrooms removed from the poll. (Cheers.)
However, these mushrooms hail got upon the poU, and, he had no
&tuft, formed a Tel large proportion of their present MainTiti.
lie had already mentioned to them several persons as having been
engaged in the growth of these mushrooms, actuated by various yea-
s/ee and differeet moisce. He had, amongst other, mentioned is
Reverend Clergyman. and some persons said it was a pity to do we
1 because he was a clergyman, and that persons of hie cloth should
not hr drateged in 13:11.:111/ manner before the public. (Cries of " Pa-
' eon Sill.") It was very far from his wish, although he wan said to
be f n enemy to the Established Church, because he was an enemy
to Tiers Toil ei, and he:ause he wished to see its ulnae% redressed,
and the Ge•gy tel de etnong their flocks, and feed as well as take
their tithe, from them—he, who was one of the hest friend,' to the
Church, although he was said to be hostile to it, would not treat
the Ministers of that Church as the agents of their adversaries had
treated them in the Anterior', Court that morning. (Cheer.. I Such
treatment his friends never showed to the Ministers of the Church,
and to one could any that the Blues ever used a disrespectful
word towertle a pereem of that cloth. Ile was, however,
told that a Revereed Gentleman (the Rev. Mr. Leach, of Oak.
ham), under Yellow colours, had gone into the Assessor's Court,
not ler the purpose of ;Riling, for lie had already polled, but to
give evidence as to a diverted freehold. Upon giving that evi-
dence, it became necessary in ask him snore questions, which led
to worct, and some sty mg and disagreeable language that passed
between the Learned Counsel who examined him and the Re-
' verend Gentleman. He had not heed all that wearied, but ha
hod heard that the Learned Gentleman, also under Yellow co.
lour., had called hint a coxcomb. ( A laugh.) If the Reverend
Genii 'man had not already polled, he theted have liked to have
tree! an experiment of asking him civilly, as lie and but friends
always did Ministers of Ill.! Cnn-oh, for his vote. Unfree.
tunatly, the gentleman had already polled; but he was quite
sure th it, if their want of exertion upon that ocesieon should
render another content necessary, lie might securely r.ckon upon
the supecrt of him who had been called a coxcomb by his wive.
sary. (Cheers.) Ile had heard of one or two symptoms amongst
their adversaries which were rot of the most healthy dencripe
Con. He had been informed that they had polled some of their
Kendal Committee; and it was seed that they had also polled
sonic persons of great consequence in the East Ward. (Cheers.)
Ito had also heard that they had sent that morning fifty and odd
miles to bring back a single enter to Appleby. (Cheers.) Whoe
all this would le td to to-morrow, whether it was an indication
of the great exertions still to be made, since they had been driven
out of their mushroom bed, he would not predict. (A laugh.)
They had heard the Noble Lend predict yesterday. that he
(Mr. Brougham) would have been at the head of the poll that
evening, and se, hi. Lordship turned out a false prophet, he did
not like to imitate him, tend make a prediction for 1041/0170.,
lest it should turn out that lie should be equally as little endowed
with the gilt of prophecy. (Laughern He had, indeed, disco-
vered that some persons who usually sat on the Treasury Bench,
where also his lordship sat, were no conjurors. (Laughter.)
He (Mr. Brougham) did not pretend to much in that way, and
he was, therefore, t y no teem. eager to commit his character in
the wont way tts had been dune byithe noble Lord. Title muds,
however, he we uld venture to predct—if the freeholders of the
Blues exerted themselves that night and to-morrow morning
as they had done last night and that morning, with the help of
those who were yet unpolled in Kendal and the whey wards, they
would show to their ad verearies a much lees agreeable sight tomor-
row then they had seen that day. (Cheers) He had really hoped
that yesterday he had taken leave for good of that reverend and
illustrious person, the Bishop of Rome, or, as his adherents called
him, his Holiness the Pope. It seemed, however, that his Ho-
liness was to be dragged upon the hustings that day again,
whether he would or no. Upon that subject he would state to
them a material fact. Some Catholic freeholders, men of the
utmost respectability, and whose votes in every respect wen as
good as any in Westmorland, tendered their votes on that day
for the Blues, and for the other side also, and those who oared
to vote for him had the long oath tendered to them, which of
course they could not conscientiously take, and consequently
their votes had been rejected. (Great cheering.) He, hoWever,
had given directions that whenever a Cuticle freeholder came
up to poll for Lord or Colonel Lowther, that upon no account
should the long oath be tendered to them. (Great cheering.)
He would rather lose his election altogether, than have such an
oath put to them. (Continued cheers.) He wished them parti.
cularly to mark the conduct of their adversaries with reamed to
this long melt. They saw the horror which they had of con-
scientious Catholics voting nt that election ; but they hid not
always the same horror of them. He held in his hand a letter
written by a confidential agent of Lord Lonsdale, indeed, his
. most most confidential agent, his own solicitor, in 1802, to Mr. Ho-
ward, of Corby, a Catholic, requesting him as &great favour to
Lord Lowther, to put 31r. John Lowther in nomination for the
county of Cumberland. (Cheers.) Alr. Howard most liberally,
although the example had not been followed by their opponents ;
but it was not yet tan late, and his conduct might 'dill be imitated,
proposed Mr. Lowther, and lie was elected on that melon.
He was a Catholic, and yet, so far from making any objectioa to
him upon that ground, the letter stated that it would be meet grati-
fying to hoed Lowther (now Lord Lonsdale) if Mr. Howard would
propose Mr. bewther for Cumberland. (Cheers.) If Mr. Howard
should come forward at the present election, and tender hie. vote
for the Bluee, he would not believe it, unless he should see it with
his own eye!, that the arems of herd Lansdale would tender the
long oath, so as to deprive him in effect of his franchise. (Chem.)
lie should then take his leave of them. He would not teem, them
for their exertions, for they were fighting their own cause jointly
with him ; but he weld.] congratulate them in having made buck
exertions hitherto, and he gave them joy of their unabated' seal
and perseverance. fur without perseverance to temper antsassain
their zeal, is would be as t otiming—but with perseverance, it nanst
lead to 'MCC: s.. (Cheers.) ...

Me. WYMURGH ties e: me *. r 'aril and s id, he was sorry to
observe, that in the eery exc.llent speech which they had just
Iteanl from his friend, Henry Brougham, there had bean omaaed
one observa ion, which the ipsec'h of the Noble Lord called
forth. The Noble Lord (Lowther) had protestei against the in-
trahltiction of the Pupe into Engl and, and ilec'arzd, that he woul.l
not ssuifa hi:n to ride rough...hod through this coon'''. He
agreed with the Noble Lori, that. he OW W,Mltl ca'l d the Pope,
ought not.to be allowed to ride rough-sited through the county ;
but there was another person who ought not to be permitted to
ride rough-shots through.. that counts, end that v the Lord