The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-06-15 00:00:00

SFVENTII DAT.

We yesterday observed that the Erength of both parties engaged
in the contest in thetliorough was nearly exhausted; but as Mr. Pol-
hill hail tinit,wroly (Inland his intention to prolong the contest anions
as possible, so speedy a termination of the election was not antici-
pated. No doubt can be entertained but that Mr. Polhill was
pressed forward to continue the struggle, by the hopes of success
which were held out to him by his friends, and the injudicious
sarcasms of his opponents. Mr. Calvert's taunts were bad in point
of judgment, taste, and good feelings end we think it would be
as difficult lot the herald to decide to which of the two gentlemen
the right of precedency belonged, as for a chymist to ascertain
which possessed mote gravity. the froth of potter or the smoke of
tobacco. These ridiculous backsringi remind us of the inimitable
sarcasm of Horace., who introduces an individual claiming pre-
cedency for himself in the following line—
•• At osmium college gratin post me sedet min."
These angry feelings are now, however, consigned, with Vie termi-
nation of the contest, to the tomb of the Copullets •," and Mr.
Polhill may recline on his pillow without danger of those dismal
dreams which Shakspeare described, and which Sir Robert
Wilson asserted were the companions of Mr. Polhill's nightly
slumbers.

At nine o'clock this morning, the Digit Bailiff advanced to the
front of the hustings, and proceeded to read a letter, which he acid
he luel received front one of Mr. l'olhill's agents, to intima'e that
Gentleman's Intention of nut confirming the contest any longer.
At ten o'clock tile proclamation was rital in the usual form, to
close the election ; but. u two persons, who appeared crthitsiastie
admirers of Mr. Poibill's politics, demanded to he polled. in order
to r,:cord in the archives of the lioroogla their sentiments in
fervor of that gentleman, the proclamation was in consequence

read • second time, and though there appeared several voters on the
hustings in favour of Sir Robert Wilson, they rere not polled.
The Irma BAILIFF then declared the state of the Poll
C. Ca:v rt, Esq. - IPO7 I Edward Polhill, Esq, . 1342
Sir Robert Winton . 1712
Majority in favour of Sir Robert Wilson 370.
Sir Robert W dson nod Mr. Calvert were then declared duly
elected, to represent the Borough of Southwark. This announce-
ment was reeeited with the nitro enthusiastic plaudits by the a•sem.
bled multitude. We heard it asserted by some of the agents of Mr.
Polhill on the hustings, on Tuesday last, that should Mr. Polhill
be in a minority on the last day's poll, that that gentleman would
demand a scrtiOny ; but this we believe to be all aortae.
Mr. Ca hv FAT then came forward, amidst enthusiastic
cheerings. Ile said, he had to offer them the meat belittle!' con-
gratulations on the termination of the contest, in which they had
given hint such dcci proofs of their regard. He begged to re-
them his most Mere thanks fur the honour they had dune
flint, in placing him in the exalted station to which he had aspired,
11 that of being the Representative in Parliament of the Borough of
Southwark. He could assure them that, in that situation, lie would
use his best endeavours to do his duty to their entire iumisfaction,—
in such a ccurse labour was a pleasure. (Cheers.) Ile derived great
eatisfaction fruit the reflection that the contest had throughout been
conducted with good feeling. It was now brought to a conclusion,
and hr thought Mr. Polhill would have better consulted his own
interest and the feelings of the inhabitants had t.e sooner retired
from the contest, when he must hive been convinced that he had
no chance of success by protracting it so long.
Sir ROBERT WILSON theft carne forward, and was received
with loud cheers of approhutioo. Ile said, he knew the knell of
his adversary's politie,.l existence was rum; (a laugh) ; had, how-
ever, that existence been as long as Methtesalciu's, he would never
have overcome them by empty sounds, as the walls of Jericho had.
been destroyed by sound of trumpet. (Cheers ) lie had attempted
an Herculean task without possessing the power to accomplish it ;
he wished 'lr. committee had had the courtesy to intimate
Mr. Polliid's intention of retiring from the contest sooner. Had tha
intimation been yen nuoicatcd to him, or his cdleague, the preceding
evening. it would have considerably lessened the exrense and
iu-
convenience to which lie had been exposed ; he was, however, now
anxious to forgive anti frget, to shake hands and forget all angry
provocations. (Cheers.) The morning sun at length ushered in the
day, gildirg th.yhonourable course of the electors of Southwark wish
beams of victory. lie could not de•crihe the strain of feeling which
then animated him ; he felt a kind of chivalry which he thought it
would then be im ; roper to indulge. fl e would not give the reins to his
iinagination, but would aniline himself to that species of address
which became a newly elected Member of Parliament to express on
such on occasion. By the issue of the present contest the elesnors had
a hieved their independence, and formed a bond of confederacy
with thou of Westminster, and proved that they were resolved to
preserve their rights, and secure their independence. Indeed that
spirit had always influenced the electors of Southwark. On former
occasion+ they had triumphed over wealth, as they had done in the
present instance. In the contest which had just terminated, they
had great difficulties and disadvantages to contend with; a host of
prejudices was raised against them, to impede their course, and to'
ensnare them in their honest efforts. The enemy had en-
deavoured to overturn their liberties, but had failed; and
they had triumphed, and had erected a watch-tower in
Southwark, on which they could unfurl the flag of free.
(loin as long as their inclination prompted them to do so, and
wh'ch would warn the enemy not to approach. He did not use
these words in the language of adulation, which it would be as
improper fur him to address to them as for them to hearken to:
his wish was to excite a love of freedom, which, if cherished among
an enlightened people, was of the greatest value to a powerful
country. Ile would again express his wish for union and organiza-
tion, and hoped they would not suffer their liberties to be
trenched upon. Ile never would Wish them to act far any one in-
dividual from personal considerations, but for the most worthy, as
Alexander had disposed of the successi in to his empire. The ad-
vantages of union and organization were great: but that was not
the dine to enter into details how that might be accomplished, that
would be better discussed by themselves In their social meetings ;
but if they thought they could derive any benefit from his assist.
ance, he would be ready to render it on that and all other occasions.
Wall regard to the number of votes which had been polled, he could
have procured more had he been willing to make a Nacrifice of hie
principles: But he scorned to act such a part, and valued only
those votes which were given him with good wishes, and them he
obtained. (Cheers.) In his canvass he had only met with one
individual who behaved with any degree of incivility; and he un.
derstood his opponent had experienced similar urbanity in the
course of his canvass. Ile hoped the electors would on all occa-
sions act on the princple to do unto others as they would be done
unto tnemselves, end mitigate, as far as possible, the asperity incl.
din: to a contested election, and learn to bear and forbear. He
hoped they would cultivate knowledge, which lie considered the
most secure preservative of their rights. That would be a work of
time, and if they did not immediately reap the benefit of their la-
bours, he hoped they would not act like the child who planted a
bran, but, as it did not spring up and grow without delay, he dug
it up and raked it out. Human nature was influenced in the same
way as our common mother the earth. Time was essential for the
product;on of plants, which could not suddenly put forth their
fruit. He begged to renew all the pledges he had already given,
and would conclude by returning them his sincere thanks fur the
continued support they had given him in the contest.
Mr. lima, on the part of Mr. Polhill, said he regretted the duty
of returning thanks to the electors on the part of Mr. Polhill had
not devolved on some person inure competent than himself to per.
I form it. In reply to what had been said by the gallant General
with regard to the protraction of the contest. he had to assure him
that the committee did not know until late last evening *Mr. Pol-
hill's intention of discontinuing the contest; had they had earlier
intelligence of the fact, they would have communicated it to the
opposite party. Ile had a few remarks to make on the state of the
poll. The whole number of votes polled at the present election
were 3,112, of which 2.041 were split votes, and the remaining
1,030 were plumper% Mr. Polhill had 1.342 votes, of which 829
were plump ers, which proved that a very large proportion of the
electors were in his interest. The committee had very great dif-
' acuities to combat in consequence of the imperfect state of the poll.
books ; and in one parish, which he should not name, the books
were refused. As the poll stood, under the circumstances, Mr. Pol-
hill had a right to consider it a majority. One word with respect
to Mr. Calvert. When that Gentleman and Mr. Barclay contested
the Borough, they were at constant variance, and it was natural
enough that two of a trade could not agree. (A laugh.) A mixture
of beers was not good for the constitution, but there could not be
any objection to the union of beer and tobacco. Mr. Polhill and
he might have gone well together; the one exerting himself to re-
duce the duty on malt, and the other that on tobacco. He begged
to thank the electors, on the part of Mr. Polhill, for their exertions
to secure a return on a future occasion, when, should he offer him-
self, he might be sure of victory.
Mr. CALVERT next proposed three cheers for the High Bailiff,
for the impartial and gentlemanlike manner in which he presided
over the proceedings.
Sir It. WI csoar seconded the proposition, and eulogised the con-
duct of the High Baliff, who, he said, he would be happy in future
to consider among his friends.
The electors then gave three hearty cheers for the High Bailiff;
upon which,
The HIGH BAILIFF (Mr. Holmes) came forward. lie said he
felt exceedingly grateful for the testimony of approbation which
they had given of his tonduct. They had a right to expect his
Bermes, and he would on all occasions be ready to afford them.
He thanked them for the honour they had conferred upon him,
and concluded by wishing them health anti happiness.
The assembly then dispersed, and in a short time not a vestige of
the hustings were to be seen.