The Sun.
London, England, 1844-06-10 00:00:00

A CONTESTED ELECTION.

We quote the following clever sketch of a con-
tested election from the second edition of " Co-
ningsby," just published :
" It was the end of a sultry July day, the last ray
of sun shooting down Pall-mall sweltering with dust ;
there was a crowd round the doors of the Carlton and
the Reform Clubs, and every now and then an express
arrived with the agitating bulletin of a fresh defeat or a
new triumph. Coningsby was walking up Pall-mall.
He was going to dine at the Oxford and Cambridge
Club, the only club on whose list he had retained his
name, that he might occasionally have the pleasure of
meeting an Eton or Cambridge friend without the an-
noyance of encountering any of his former fashionable
acquaintances. He lighted in his walk on Mr. Tadpole
and Mr. Taper, both of whom he knew. The latter did
not notice him, but Mr. Tadpole more good-naturedly
bestowed on him a rough nod, not unmarked by a slight
expression of coarse pity.
" Coningsby ordered his dinner, and then took up the
evening papers, where he learnt the return of Vere and
Lyle; and read a speech of Buckhurst denouncing the
Venetian Constitution to the amazement of several thou-
sand persons apparently not a little terrified by this un-
known danger, now first introduced on their notice.
Being true Englishmen, they were all against Buck-
hurst's opponent, who was of the Venetian party, and
who ended by calling out Buckhurst for his personali-
ties.

" Coningsby had dined, and was reading :in the
library, when a waiter brought up a third edition of The
Sun, with electioneering bulletins from the manufactur-
ing districts to the very latest hour. Some large letters
which expressed the name of Darlford caught his eye.
There seemed great excitement in that borough; strange
proceedings had happened. The column was headed,
Extraordinary Affair ! Withdrawal of the Liberal
Candidate ! Two Tory Candidates in the field !! !'
His eye glanced over an animated speech of Mr.
Millbank, his countenance changed, his heart palpitated.
Mr. Millbank had resigned the representation of the
town, but not from weakness; his avocations demanded
his presence; he had been requested to let his son sup-
ply his place, but his son was otherwise provided for ;
he should always take a deep interest in the town and
trade of Dartford; he hoped that the link between the
borough and Hellingsley would be ever cherished—
(Loud cheering)—he wished in parting from them to
take a step which should conciliate all parties, put an,
end to local heats and factious contentions, and secure
the town an able and worthy representative. For these
reasons he begged to propose to them a gentleman who
bore a name which many of them greatly honoured; for
himself, he knew the individual, and it was his firm
opinion that whether they considered his talents, his
character, or the ancient connection of his family with
the district, he could not propose a candidate more
worthy of their confidence than Harry Coningsby, Esq.
" This proposition was received with that wild.enthu-
siasm which occasionally bursts out in the most civilised
communities. The contest between Millbank and Rigby
was equally balanced, neither party was over confident.
The Conservaties were not particularly zealous in behalf I
of their champion; there was no Marquess of Monmouth
and no Coningsby Castle now to back him; he was
fighting on his own resources; and he was a beaten.
horse. The Liberals did not like the prospect of a de-
feat and dreaded the mortification of Rigby's triumph.
The moderate man who thought more of local than poli-
tical circumstances liked the name of Coningsby. Mr.
Millbank had dexterously prepared his leading sup-
porters for the substitution. Some traits of the charac-
ter and conduct of Coningsby had been cleverly circu-
lated. Thus there was a combination of many favour-
able causes in his favour. In half an hour's time his
image was stamped on the brain of every inhabitant of the
borough as an interesting and accomplished youth, who
had been wronged and who deserved to be rewarded.
It was whispered that Rigby was his enemy. Bully
Bluck and his mob offered Mr. Millbank's Committee to
throw Mr. Rigby into the river; or to burn down his
hotel, in case he was prudent enough not to show. Mr.
Rigby determined to fight to the last. All his hopes
were now staked on the successful result of this contest.
It was impossible if he were returned that his friends
could refuse him high office. The whole of Lord Mon-
mouth's reduced legacy was devoted to this end. The
third edition of The Sun left Mr. Rigby in vain attempt-
ing to address an infuriated populace."