The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-06-23 00:00:00

TH E DINNER.

At nine o'clock about 2110 gentlemen sat down to dinner at the
Grove House, Camberwell, to celebrate the re-election of Sir R.
Wilson. It was announced that Sir Robert Wilson would take
the Chair, but in consequence of the domestic affliction before al-
luded to, he did nut atterd. In his absence, John Cant ilobhouse,
.I;:sq., presided.
The cloth having been removed.
The Custemax gave, " The King, and may he never forget
the principles that seated his family on the throne." Three times
three. Tune—" God save the King."
This was followed by—" The People, the only legitimate source
of power."
The CHAIRMAN expressed his confidence that the next toast
would be received with the greatest satisfaction by the electors of
Southwark. As a We..minster man, he confessed he conceived it
the most important of all toasts. lie nerd say nothing further,
but should content himself with proposing. " A full, fair, and
free representation in the Commons House of Parliament."
The CHAIRMAN said, the next toast he was about to propose he
was convinced would go to the hearts of all present, for it must call
to mind the glorious struggle they had lately made to rescue the
liberty of Southwark. It was too trite that every one could put
foiVt sensible and rational maxims, but that few made a proper or
rations; 'tee of them. People did not always know that when ad-
vocating a pt:eslic principle in one place they were supporting it in
every other. The; all must reflect how the sentiment he was about
to give had been receffly brout,:ht into play, so that he should
trouble them no longer than by proposing, Civil and religious
liberty all over the world."—Thfs toast was followed by a song from
Mr. Mantua
_ _

The next toast wzii "The Liberty of the Press ;" three times
three.—To which fuflo,red a comic song by Mr. Werner.
The CHAIRMAN then Tn.:. Ile said that, very unfortunately
for him and for those he addressei:
Friend, he had to propose a toast addresses, in the absence of his Gallant
At ;.:`,Sohis hand by those who .
conducted this auspicious celebration. had to propose " The
health of their gallant, tried, faithful, and beloes„)..Representative,
Sir R. Wilson.' (Great applause.) There were sevre,Zoilter toasts
drank before, in the very course which their Gallant -14ePre-
sentative would have wished—that was, before his own ; becm.,<
these toasts were connected with public principles, which proved
their attachment to the great cause for which they fought and were
victorious. They had received, with the usual formalities and the
usual favour, the " Liberty of the Press," " The Causeof Civil and
Religious Liberty all over the World," and above all, the greatest
of all:causes, that of " Relom) in Parliament," which cause, he
might be allowed to say, brought him amongst them ; for, how-
ever estimable they might be in public and in private, he
was drawn amongst them only by attachment to that prin.
elide of Reform, which, amidst so many struggles and chili-
cultic', was still triumphant, and would continue to flourish amidst
the records of civil discord. (Cheers.) It was impossible ade-
quately to express the delight he felt in meeting them ou this occa-
sion, and far more impoealble, If there were gradations in impossi-
bilities, to express the feelings of him whose place he (Mr. II.)
now attempted to fill. Their generous feelings, and his untold
gratitude, must speak for his feelings. It was a triumph not ro
much to him as to the great cause which called him forward into
public life. They had called him (Sir R. Wilson) to speak their
sentiments, and to redeem that great portion of the metropolis from l
the degraded state into which it was originally sunk. (Applause.)

When truth was spoken it should be spoken fearlessly and
neither he nor they should enter Into any compromise of 9facts.
Before Southwark was represented by the Gallant Officer whole
place he filled, it might have affiliated a gratification to individual
ivnaWitY' positionbut toit iselanddbeetwno iinnsdrvimduealntsatiotothone dinlitubinligcubeiZfiLhonitttrW'ol
representing it io Parliament, hut it was not in the position it hwd
a nee been raised to, when the electors-hail 'hewn that they knew the
real and only value of representation. it was not good that they
should send two Representatives, one speaking one way, and
another the other way—one swearing white was black, and the
other that black *as white. (Laughter.) Doi they had done right
to call forth one who knew what the real colours of the day were
who was acquainted with the light of day, and who had courage,
consistency, and virtue, perpetually and undeviatingly to spark test
truth. (Applause.) The electors of Southwark ought to be else:sew
Or they ought not they Ought to send two Representative* to Paella.
ment, or save theinielves from the anxiety, inconvenience, and use.
pense of a contested election, and send to Parliament two Represents.
Lives wham they disclaimed. and timed the country would dladabia.
Without presuming to interfere in domestic concerns, he milk say
that in no place should he visas to ace anything like a diGreasce of
opinion between the friends of liberty and independence. They
who opposed the sunportera of those great principle's, did not
know the respectability and atreng It with Which they had to
combat ; they did not know how the great cause triumphed ire
the city he had the honour to represent, when they laughed to
scorn all the trashy nonsense about coalitions, and determined, tf
they did not choose two Members to speak their sentiments,
that they would ebonite none at all: He spoke thus, because
what they met to celebrate was the cause of England, of
R•form . of principle, and not of Mr.thia, nor Al r. that, nor any other
individual. (Applause.) He could not bear to hear that electors
were convened in the interest of Mr. this or Mr. that; it was their
own interest they were convened to support. Ile might be allowed
to repeat, that in giving the health of Sir It Wilson he was giving
the independence and prosperity of Southwark, and therefore he
could not be silent on this festive. occasion. The opposition which
was got up against the present Members was only known to thaw
a day or two before the election, and it was impossible they could
have had a more powerful opponent,which was proved by the circum-
stance that he ( Mr. Polhill) was comparatively successful, having
polled a great number of votes. Brit the Reformers of Southwark
proved their attachment to Sir R. Waxen; they were partially
surprised, but they were at their posts, and 'hewed that. though not
organized, they were individually formidable. With nothing more
than their own virtues and principles, they chewed they were too
much for the patrons and propagators of corruption. ((ontinued
cheers ) With pride and pleasure he beheld them enjoy their
triumph. They " had done the deed." and ought to be thanked
forit ; it was not the success of an individual, but of a great cause_
Long might they have to congratulate themselves' on this triumph.
lie uelieved it would be long; but whenever the events of huma-
nity, or the hand of time, swept away their present excellent Re-
priseata ire', he was certain the great principle had taken root,
and would flourish for ever. The seed they had sown had
grown up into trees, under whose shade not only themselves.,
tut their children, and their children's children, might repose,
and be still protected from the meridian heat of Power, whilst
they enjoyed those privileges to which freemen were alone en.
titled. Nothing could be greater than their triumph, and that of
h• it beloved Representative; but, in the moniewt of exultation,
on- of those cruel and unexpected events, which neither fortune nor
virtue could avert—one of those events which nerved, like the slave
tr•a• folios/NI the car of the Roman Emperor, by whispering in the
e-r to rescind us that we were still men—the death of Sir Robert
Wilson's iughter—made it impossible for him to be anione.:
them. True, he (Sir 11. Wilson) might have forced himself there,
and decked his face in smile.. whilst sorrow was cieep-moted
in his heart; but they were men and fathers, and would nut
hat: thanked him for such Stoicism. They knew that Phil.isophy
did not sanction what Reason forbade. His presence, under such
circumstances, would not have cheered him ; it would have sad-
dened them. But, though abaent, he was not forgotten. (Ap-
plause.) lie was not forgotten by his confiding constituents, when
separated by the waves of the Atlantic, nor at that time when he
sought by his courage and vigour to revive the spirit of expiring
freedom in Spain. (Cheers) Nor should he now be unremem,
tiered, though he had changed that festive scene for the house of
mourning and the bed of death. He hoped the lemon would nor
be lost on him or them. Death was called the great tencher, and ap-
plied to public men. He hoped and believed this would he a warning
to their Gallant Represent's:hit...Sir die remainder of Iris life,to spare
no pains to contribute to the public benefit. He had every possible
exci ement—gratitudelto them, attachment to his country, and that
loy: of fair fame, which some called •• the last infirmity of noble
minds," but which, in his (Mr. H.'ft) opinion, was no Infirmity at
all, but a proof of the existence of a spark of that celestial tire
which escaped to heaven, its natural sear, and mingled with the
Gods. If it were not for the love of fair fame, who would undertake
the trouble and turmoil which we meet in this world ? He wa•conft.
dent those who were regardless of the opinion of their contemporaries.
were unworthy of the station they were called upon to fill. They
themselves hail acted upon this love of fair fame, when they formed
such an honourable and salutary connexion between their repre-
sentative and his constituent,. He would not detain them longer,
dear as the theme was to him and to them. in the midst of
theme, Time, which no man could read, was flying, and reminded.
them to look rather to what was ro he done than to what had been
dote. M'i.h all the congratulation which such an occasion called for.
he should conclude by giving the health of their gallant and faithful
Representative, Sir Robert Wilson, with three times three.
—•

The toast was received with unbounded acclamation.
The CHAIR MAX, in proposing the health of Mr. Calvert, took
occasion to observe, that he was absent that day presiding at a din-
ner of his own supporters. In the House, however, he was always
at his post, voting at the right aide. (Applause.)
Mr. BLACIETT then rose to propose the health of the Chair-
man. He commented upon the great advantage which the assembly
derived from having in the chair a gentleman so distinguished b
supporting in Parliament the principles of their gallant Represen-
tative. and especially by his opposition to what was so universally
obnoxious in the neighbourhood of the metropolis—the Apanied
Tates. (Applause.) To the union of able and enlightened HIM
the country could alone look fur benefit. The worthy Chairman had
truly observed that this was not the triumph of Sir H. Wilson, for
WWI' R. Wilson had not done his duty he would not be their Re.
p-esentative. (Cheers) They were not tied by parties, but said
to Sir Robert. " Whilst you do your du.y we shall place you freely
and fairly in Parliament.' In conclusion, he Legged to propo.c
" The health of John Cam Hobhouse, Esq., the enlightened ad.
vocate of the people's rights."

Mr. HODIIOIISE returned thanks. Their kindness gave hint
heartfelt gratitude and pride. From the period when they rescued
the Borough f,orn its partial thraldom, he had always been present
st their triumphs, not to gratify them, but to please himself. It
was at meetings like this he felt the greatest satisfaction in feeng
that he belonged to the greatest nation on earth. Whatever (err
success might have been in arts or in arms, the useful results of that
success were connected with our representative system. They might
he embarrassed to get that great system to perfection, it was true.
That they might arrive at perfection, he did not say ; but he slffould
say, that they might pursue it, and ought never be laughed out c:
attempting what was the best in its kind. Ile thought it a high
distinction to be called on to fill that chair. Then his hum-
ble efforts were required, he never asked who was to accompan.
him, nor who were absent that ought to be present. (Arg,dause.l
He looked for the sympathy of the people, and when he found
that, he aspired to no greater reward. Something had been said
of the Reformers of Southwark having been taken by surprise, and
DO doubt they were in some degree; but to use a very common.
hut very intelligible expression, their opponents had caught a
Tatty. (Laughter and applause.) 'rite opposition band. learnt
what the people could do for themselves, when they supported not
the interests of individuals, but public principles. The electors of
Southwark had done themselves flumortal honour by the struggle.
and I'ying out of account the trouble and labour which they en-
dured. he thought they ought to feel undea deep obligations to tilt
instrument of the opposition. He thought he should be warrahted
proposing the health of the g,:ntlernen who called forth those exertions.
Ile was not insulting those re::o were r).ft successful on the cot-
teary, he recommended the total ob:lvion of air %illidisc:ofds. He
thought they should forget that they were nut until:.-'444 Ina
that they should exert themselves to become so. Mr. Polhill
taught the Reformers of Southwark what they would have beers
ignorant of, but for him. He taught them that they could poll u
great many more votes now than in IWO. He sheaved, too, that
they were not to be duped by a senseless cry, which he would not
mention, because there were some things as impure in morals as i•.
physics. {Laughter.) %'ithout Mr. Polhill, it would not have
been known how much the electors of Southwark valued Sir Robert
Wilson, nor how useless the arts of corruption must ever be in that
borough. For these reasons, if it would not be considered a piper
of pleasantry, he should propose the health of their defeated an-
tagonist—Mr. Polhill.

This toast was drank with animation by a few of the company.
but was received with silent indifference by far the greater part.
Several other toasts were subsequently given, ;:n 1 the put). Irak'
up at an advanced hour, after an evening speat in uni iterrupted.
harmony.

ELECTION INTELLIGENCE.

STATE C
BEDEOIIOIIIHINE.
3I acqueen 12114
Tavisiock - 947
t:i3u - 758

lIER
Deresford - - 509
Gladstone - 469
Make • 467
LEIC ESTER. •
Hastings . . 2213
Cave
-
`ll.ll

)F POLLS.
GUMMI.
Belgian 8114
Grosvenor - 73/
Egerton -1 73s
i ownshend - 704
WCYMC TH•
Thos. F. Buxton, Esq. Urn
Right Hon. I'. Wsllace 119
Colonel Gordon I - 119
Mastetton Ure. EN. 112
James Wm. Farrel. Egii. 97
HEREFORD.
I ESStOOt - 996

MALDON.
. .

IMO
1666

-----
Clive -
lilakemore 4.77
Blakemnee declined.

COUNTY OF KILICLNNY.
C. H. B. Clarke 21
-.annoll - 11
. a

'. itytltt

931
711

CITY OF [mum.
Dogherty . - 19
Bolton . . 14