The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-06-19 00:00:00

YORKSHIRE.

[From the 1.,...ed5.

The reason assigned by Mr. Bethell for his retirement is the e7,-.
pence incident to a contested election for this great county. This
gentleman had, we understand, no objection to embark a limited,
sum, not exceeding 40,0001., in the contest; but as twice this
amount would probably have been required, and as the wine-rip-
tions in his favour up to a late hour on Monday night did not
amount to more than 1'2,000/., he took the prudent resolution of
retiring till a more auspicious period, and communicated his inten.
tion by a circular addressed to the Committee of Lord Milton and
Mr. Marshall. and to the Committees of Mr. \Wilson and Mr.
Dunconibe, which notification was received about midnight on the
flay of nomination.
Mr. BeTiteta..—Some surprise was excited in this place on
Thursday afternoon, by the display of Mr. Bethell's flag front the
window of the White Horse Inn ; this surprise was increased by an
anonymous placard, posted in the rreets, inviting the frlendsof Mr.
Bethel! to meet at that inn, at six o'clock in the evening, to con.
eider of the best means of securing his return to Parliament. At
the hour appointed our reporter went to the White Horse, and, o
inquiring for the room where the meeting was held, he was shown
into the bar, where he saw several tradesmen of the town quietly
taking their glasses, some of whom afterwards adjourned into Mr.
Bethell's committee room. On repairing there we found halls
dozen, nay, not so many, only five persons assembled, which
number was increased to seven by the arrival of two other re-
porta,. The individuals assembled were not entirely inactive,
but amused themselves by throwing among the crown assembled in
front of the inn a great number of Mr. Bethell's cards. After
waiting about MI hour, and finding no increase of company, we '
ventured to inquire when the chair was likely to be taken,
which drew from Mr. bees, of Meanwood, the following
statement :—That Mr. Bethell's committee hail received pla-
cards and letters troll Wakefield, where n similar meeting
had been held the preceding evening, urging them to take
steps for bringing 31r. liethell forward again; he had seen Mr.
Dobson and Mr. Gott on the subject, who said that, being '
members of Mr. Bethell's committee, and having been consulted j
on his withdrawing front the contest, they could take no steps in
any farther proceedine, and that if any thing was done, it must he
done by new committee., as the former committees could not take
any measures to bring Mr. Bethel! forwsrd again. Mr. Lees added
he was Ignorant by whose authority the placard convening the meet-
ing had been issued. After giving this explanation Mr. Lees
withdrew. Several persons came afterwards rind looked into the
room, but seeing so slender an attendance withdrew. We remained
until all the persons,eweept a single individual and the reporters, had
left the room when, being the majority of the persons present, the
reporters adjourned the meeting sine die. We undentand that the
hill was published en the authority of a shopkeeper in Briggate in
this town ; we have not been able to learn by whose authority then
Hag was hoisted.
The friends of Mr. Bethel!, at Wakeirld, or rather, those who
wish for a contest, held a meeting on Wednesday, and passed re.
solutions expressive of their regret that he had retired. They also
opened a list of such as would go to York on their own charges to
rota for that gentleman, and upwards of two hundred names are
said to have been put down. 'flit. step, however, has not any
countenance from those gentlemen who were of Mr. Bethell's com-
mittee.

We are very credibly informed (says the ffiekejle/d.fonrna/)
that yesterday a deputation from the IVaketichl Blue Committees
set out in a chaise and Barr for York, having for their object the
calling forward of illr. Willoughby, the nephew of Lord Middle-
ton, to offer himself as a third candidate on the " No Popery" in-
terest. We cannot help surmising that this treasure has had its
origin principally with a few choice spirits, who are loath that the
goctl doings of a contested election should have so short a date, and
are willing to keep them up a little longer.
It k now finally lixed that the title of our late worthy Repre-
sentative will be Baron Stuart, of Wortley. The patent of nobility
has, we understand. been delayed merely to give that gentleman an
opportunity of taking leave of his late constituents, as a Commoner.
in the Castle-yard, at York, and this object being now attained, his
elevation to the peerage will take place without delay.