The Sun.
London, England, 1826-06-23 00:00:00

SONIERSETBIIIIIE, JuNN 21.

This morning the polling commen►;ed, and continued during
the day, without spirit. But few of the voters for Mr. Hunt mule
theirs appearance. His bands were no longer heard in the town,
^hut the, other candidates supplied the lounging country people
with ►music upon the same terms.
Soon after the Court-house opeUed, and the Sheriff took his
seat, Mr. Hunt and Sir T. Lethbridge entefed.
Sir THOMAS addrested the Sheriff in these words (looking at
Mr. limit) Mr. Sheriff, I have a question to propose to that
individual, who stands at the table, of the utmost importance."
not answer any question now. It is an inter-
ference with the busineas of the Sheriff.

Sir T. LICTILIMIDUZ—I wish to say a few words to that person
who has presumed to stand as a candidate for the representation
of the county.
Mr. HUNT.—WeII, I'll answer any question at the proper time,
if it, be a proper question. If it is not a proper question, I'll
know how to comment upon it,
Sir T. LZTtIBRIDGE again appealed to the Sheriff—l trust that
you will allow me, Sir, to put the question. It may put an end
to this contest altogether.
Mr. Hino.,—'llll, question must be a very queer one if it have
that effect, But perhaps you are disposed to cut and run. That,
certainly, will put ail and to the contest altogether.--(Laughter).
The sHretre.—There are many persons waiting to have the
oaths administered to them. It is better not to put any question
now, as a discussion is likely to follow.
Here there was a pause. A voter, upon being sworn, said to
t
Sir T. Lethbridge, that lie came to vote for Dickinson and Leth-
bridge, and—
i
Sir Immo took occasion then to call the atteotion of the She-
riff to a communication which be wished to make lo the voter on
the subject to which he had been just alluding..
Mrpi :i
fronti
Sir T. Ltrunuttna—(lookitig with the greatest contempt. at
Mr. Hunt, who folded Ins arms, and stared in the Hon. Baronet's
r.
fiteo_o 1, eay, Mr. Sheriff, , that if. I were heard to the extent I
tr.tol lnu l
yourC aalru business;tntelidtteM.r which Sheriff',
ir, against this improper in-
terferenceought to meet with 110 in-
er
.be 11° disPositiOn to interrupt me, I
of this contest, if contest it can be called, which has so dreadfair
wl.iiiissith,tOl aknl:lo.7"wthheett:r7:lAjdwill give me liberty to speak
my ideas

harassed this greet county ? If you do, lam of opinion that it is
likely to terminate immediately."
The SHERIFF, rising—" I decide that the, business proceed
now, and you can avail your:elf of an opportunity of speaking to
the effect you intend at the close of the poll for the day."
Sir THOMAS immediately bowed to the Sheriff, offering as an
apology for the interruption, his wish to save the county an unne-
cessary trouble.
7'he Bribery Oath was then administered, and the voters were
sent to the booths, to undergo examination as to their qualifications.
Mr. Hunt ran from booth to booth, and was as revere in question-
ing the voter* for Sir Thomas Lethbridge, as if (to use his own
language) the representation of the county was a ton up between
them. He was sometimes to be seen in the Court-house, arguing
before the Sheriff in favour of the, qualificatione of his own voters
and against Owe of the friends of the Baronet, and 'sometime* he
was to be seen waving his hat amongst the crowds about the prin-
cipal street.
At five o'clock the poll-boob were closed and brought in to
the Sheriff; but the speaking was delayed in Consequence of the
;numerous objections made by Mr„ Hunt to some votes, and his
elaborate defence of others.
The Sheriff declared that the state of the poll was as follows
The day's
Dickinson
Lethbridge -
Ilunt
Aggregate poll—
Dickinson -
Lethbridge -
Hunt
Sir T. LETHBRIDGN then turning towards Mr. Hunt, who had
got up close to Now, Sir, do you wish to say any thing?
YOu shall have the opportunity."
Mr. HUNT—No, no ; you are as yet above me on the poll, and
an avail yourself of your situation.—(Laughter and hisses.)
Sir T. Lrritenttiot declared that be was highly gratified at
the state of the poll. As far as they had taken the sense of the
eounty, that sense had been most energetically expressed. The
freeholders had done their duty in a manful, honourable, and
splendid manner.—(Cheers and hisses, with cries of " Hunt for
ever," and roars of laughter.)—There existed no doubt that the
sense of the whole county had been manifested in the votes which
had already been given, and he was aware of the great inconve-
nience to which the freeholders would be put by a protraction of
the contest. Such, indeed, woold be the inconvenience, that he
should be astonished even if the individual who had so unneces-
sarily caused it, would persevere in the vain attempt.—(Cheers
and bisects, and cries of " Hunt for ever.")---Every hotly who had
aspark of feeling in hiS bosom must feel for the labour, the toil, and
the inconvenience to which the industrious freeholders were put by
what had already taken place. Never had there been any occasion
upon which the freedom of suffrage had been snore brilliantly dis-
played than within the last three days.—( Cheers' from all side*. )
From the Sheriff and two of the candidates the electors had met
with such treatment as they had a right to expect. The county
had most honourably expressed itself, And the mdividual to whom
he now particularly alluded could not dare to entertain a hope of
rising to an equality with either of those whose conduct had received
so unequivocally the need Of 'approbation. (Cries of " Hunt for
ever!" which excited bursts of laughter.) With respect to
those electors who had voted for that person, he found no fault
with then,. He gave them credit for examining the propriety of
voting where they conceived the interests of the community were
most likely to be protected ; but' he' begged leave to ditter with
them tau coda as to the judgment they had formed, and the indi-
vidual upon whom they hatl fixed their dependence.--(Chiters,
and cries of " Hunt for ever," and hisses.) A little time, how-
ever, would teach them how mistaken they were.---(Criers of
" We're not deceivest; Hunt's the lad for u5."),.-4le would not
address himself to' that individual, but to all the other persons
before him, and ' ask whether that person was net in delaying
the contest, adding to the gross delusion which he hisd already
practised upon the county ?--(Cheers and hisSes, cunt loud cries
of " Hunt, Hunt !" " Clive us no blacking man !" " Lethbridge
for ever!")—efe ronchh4l by congratulating the voters upon
the Nuceesstltl telbrte they had made in turning aside the stigma
which had licon attempted to be ethicists, to the roomy.
Mr. Dreesssoss expressed in a fete w‘irds, I'4 the
strong prise& of approbation he, had reeeiVetl.
Huser congretulated.the county 14/011 the tone inn winch the
Other two candidates had, just addressed the electors, different as
it was from that in which they, Gad thought proper to speak on
former occasions on the same subject. They had suddenly turned
from a torrent of abusse into a current of mildness; and, with the
exception of the reeetition of the words individual and peroon,
not one word borderogNen the ungentlemanly had been uttered.
—How was this metamorphosis of tone to be accounted for ?
At Bridgwater, and on the day of nomination at Ilchester, they
bad set their toupee to work in a manner highly unbecoming
the character of candidates fur the representation of that county.
.:.....(Laughter, cries of " Hunt for ever !" and hisses.)---He did
not, he asatred those around iutend to rake up old 6661'
anews. Ho heti, he declared, in all he had said that might be cal-
culated to hurt the feelings ot' any one, merely acted upon the
principle of retaliation., Mr. Dickinson had quoted extract*
from newspapers, eight or ten years old, as intallible against
lint, ascribing to him the ,host cowardly and base conduct, and
bad not thought it worth while to bring forward an atom of proof.
That Gentleman had also declared, that no honest would
vote for Hunt. (Cries of " Hunt for ever !")—Now, this coin-
liment was 110 doubt intended for the freeholders, who would,

226
X 42

979
974
179

10.4004, take it as ii. was intended. He considered himself quite
ut of the question on the occasion.—(Laughter.)—As for Sir
T. Lethbridge—(Cries of " Lethbridge for ever !" " Hunt for
ever,!")—that worthy' person had totally altered his phraseology,
and talked actually like a roll, steady, sensible tuan—(roars of
laughter, and hisses)—although he was mistaken in supposing
that the hint he had so kindly given, about putting an end to the
contest, would be ut all uttended to. That honourable person
had said he would be astonished if the person would not decline
,
any further attempt to get up on the poll. it was not the first
time Sir Thomas had been astonished at what he (Mr. Hunt) was
disposed to do, nor ahould it be the last.—(Laughter and biases. )
—lie (Mr. Hunt) should consider that lie would be acting
disgracefully to the county of Sonteraet and to hintself, and
that he would deserve to be loanded as the wearer of the
white feather, if he listened for u stunneut to Sir Thome
Lethbridge upon such a oubjeet. Ile then Advents., to the mete
of the poll DU a former occasion, When Mr. Dickinson pfdleil SOO
in one day—a number as great nearly ae he had polled in the
three days just expired; and he again called the attention of the
freeholders to the insult vaned upon 179 'of their body, who
had already voted fur him, but whom UOIV the other candi-
dates thought proper to designate as deluded men—a phrase
adapted in the place of 'the respectable epithet of " rogues."—
(Cheers and hissee.)—How did it happen that no blank wee at-
tached to them to-day ? Well, he would excite the astonishment
of the worthy persons a little more, by bringing up hundreds of
other poor deluded men to the poll.--(Laugbter).--Not more
than a sixth or seventh part of.the county had already polled, and
unless more was dope by both of the old Members, by the bless-
ing of God lie would not only gallop up to them, but pass
,hy
them, in less than tea days.--(Cheers, hisses, and roars of latigh-
ter).--lle admitted that moans respectable persons bed polled for
them. He bad teen attornies, and magistrates, and clergymeno
run to the poll. Indeed, of eighteen voteis who polled At tote
booth, he counted eight of the clargy, a preference upon which
Sir Thomas LIMA have prided himself not a little. Mr. Hunt
then stated that if, in the heat of retaliating, ens thing ntitusi'e
had escaped hint, lie felt bound to apologise to the Sheriff and
Mr. Dickinson. Of the latter he had erroneously said something
about mortgaging estates ; but this wi-u the only circumstance
about which he thought an apology necessary. He tin' alwaysy
obliged to fight the devil with hat' own wespons.--(Laugh,tl3'
hisses, and applause).-..-1, atmcked the pohlir eotv:
public Wilk, and he agent asked the electors wheututi
Diekinsott or b;r T. Lethhtritig:e (It"' gttg7.),
community ' .3,4..140; "VLUg rePrtaiiohv7it,,,„---,:i data .% fin,
tat a flamer day list
stating that lie wits
.
ilf°Urn'at !fo°rrc'elvtgel:.!---")(L::6.
„titer, WU iiVieb, itig. 4; it.,,ers, and
and
a fair i'ltaui, of
words, as wreathing heti
eutk,nau Dees-
.4.4,::lileeMaY:wriissil:Plin'tdllluHCrpo°:turi:;;lll:ol4llbll4lrelistrigielgiAtesl:,Viti)(:E:olBC;;lio.-.lll:4;n44:l)tyl:lbt'iAe'lliethal:x.qsV
teal tilt ulwlogy
made by that Genthninino d'l"6l
by the perion4tica to whichlte alluded, to adopt the course of

attack described. He thought it necessary to declare now that he
had in his possession documents relating to the private and publia
character of that Gentleman, and that he should make use of them
in case he considerect"himself called upon to do so.-.-(Cheers and
hisses, and cries of " Hunt for ever !").—He then defended hil
conduct in Parliament. He had not spoken, on presenting the
petition from Chard against the slave trade, because there were
such multitudes of petitions daily presented on the subject, that
the House would not listen to speeches on the subject.—(Cries of
" true, true," and cheers.)—As to Mr. Denman's motion respect-
ing female slaves, he- had not voted at all; but'if he had been in
the House at the tithe the.propositionAvai made, -he should have
voted against it, as calculated to excite jealousy, .add prevent the
operation of the benevolent measures adopted by Parliament.—
(Cheers.) • -
Sir T. Lerusitime--MY worthy friend has alluded to a weapon
which he has in store, With Which to chastise this individual.
Mr. Hun (to Sir Thornite)—Be, ba, be, boo. (Laughter
and hisses.)
Sir T. Lerusittnett assure my honourable friend that,
whatever may be the'Weapon, this animal (pointing to Mr. Hunt)
will not feel it. (Laughter, and cheers and hisses.)
Mr. HUNT...-4 say, Sir Thomas.
Sir T. Lermntinoe—Well, Sir.
Mr. littler (pointing at him with his finger)--Bow, wow, wow.
(Roars of laughter, and great tumult.)
Sir T. LITHIMIDGE—if 'any other person In this Court had
said one word of what this extraordinary animal has uttered, I
would at once have taken notice of it.
Mr. Hurer—l only said Bow, wow, wow, Sir 'Thomas.
Sir T. Lersinetnoa—When this animal has been attacked
with his own weapons he has flourished ; when mercy lies been
shown him, he has acted with the basest ingratitude. It is im-
possible to deal with him, therefore, as, with other men. It was
my object to cave great labour and inconvenience, but as he is
determined to cause as muck trouble us possible, I hope you will,
Gentlemen, redouble your exertions in my favour. _(Cheers and
hisses.)
Mr. Hust----Nou say I am an extraordinary animal. I'll prove
it to you before I stop ; that hair of your's shall stand on eml, " like
quills upon the fretful porcupine." They call you the. animal
railed the porcupine; Fit make you look like one.—(Uproar and
laughter, amidst which the Sheriff adjourned the Hall.) -

WESTMORELAND.—APPL7:BY—TvZSDAT.
The first real synytoms of electioneering bustle manifested
themselves here to-defy. This little village, which only yesterday
evening was as tranquil as any insignificant place of the same vise
in the empire, is now alive with all the excitement arising from
the anticipation of an obstinately contested ele,:tion. Banners are
floating, bands playing, the shout of exultation is raised, and the
uproar of ruff. in jollity disturbs the peaceful echo. In vain the
laughing sky invites to serenity--the lesson of the passive rill
which meanders through its bosom is lost. Uscord has flung clown
her apple, and even to the meanest member cf social life, the pre-
judices and passions of all are enlisted in the eventful struggle which
is about to take place upon this arena.
The approaching contest for this County kapires an interest for
more reasons than one. Appleby is a niemter of a family which
has ever been, and ever will be deer to the lovers of the Pictu-
resque. Associated with these latitudes are the images of rippling
brooks, glassy lakes, hanging woods, and mountain dells. The
odour of poetry is every where diffused, and the genius of I omance
owns perched upon the pinnacle of, thou, craggy heights. Calm
contemplation and tranquil enjoyment beat harmonise with such
scenes, and it jars upon our feelings to see the leafy copse agi-
tated by the rough whirlwind of human ambition, or the even
bosom of the lake broken by the hot breath of interested conten-
tion. Appleby itself is not unworthy its neighbourhood; situated
in a delightful vale, of which the commanding eminence on which
its castle stands, on one side bounds the horizon, it give, anima-
tion to a coup d'eeil which embodies all the graces of highly culti-
vated scenery with the bolder features of the projecting eminences
in the distance. Upon first looking down open it one would
rather expect to be sainted by, the blithsome song of some village
bridal procession, gaily moving on to the altar, than by the noisy
clamour of political combatants. Yet within the bosoM of this
peaceful retreat will be shortly enacted a drama to which the eyes
of the empire may be turned.
At en early hour in The day, a band of music marched into
town, preceded by yellow flags and bellow* Lord Lowther's co-
lour* and took up their head-quarters at the King's Head Inn.
They were followed by a group of freeholders, wearing yellow
cockinies and hatbands. Occasionally, during the day, this body
paraded the town, and many a cheer did they give in defiance to
their opponents' who answered them not from the vasty deep.
The paucity of flue supporters was very remarkable ; there was
scarcely a 114411 to he seen sporting that colour. Lord Lowther
ittrta in town, and ictively occupied in stimulating the seal of his
"Maas. He is said repeatedly to have expressed his wish that
svery thing should he done with the greatest vial.
Kou.r of
.
Isis Learned Counsel are down here, Messrs. Harrison, .
tug s
Counsel, Pelt, Baincock,, and Jeffcott. Mr. Bronghain was
yesterday canvassing at Kirby-Stephen, and, we understand,
dderstand ,
with considerabl4 sm'cirs. In addition to the fifty freeholders
who have withdr&wn their support 'from him because of his
Catholic predilections, are twenty-nine more, who have pub-
licly declared that to be the grounds for their secession.
Carpenters were bnsity engaged in erecting booths for the
ncon-
can-
didates and electors in the Alatket-place, which appear i
veniently placed with respect to the sun, and considerably too
small. In the meantime, every hiding-place for, one's bead in
the town is put into requisition. Booths and tents have been
!sleeted along the road-side for the freeholders and poet-boys ; and,
one place, were to be seen'same hundreds of freeholders dining
psi a public table. Those who leave beds to let do not know what
to ;ark for them, and we have heard of fifteen and twenty shillings
helot offered for sorry accommodations enough. in fact, this is
their ha:Neat-time, anti they seem determined to mgke the most of
it. Mr. Brougham has not been in town to-day. Various spe-
culations are afloat is to the probable degree of obstinacy with
which the county will be contested, and the time to which it will
extend. The most reasonable conjecture of those best informed
is, that it may not be over till the beginning of July. It seems to
be
understood tltst both parties will hold out to the last extremity,
and, indeed, they are enlemnly pledged to do so. The day of no-
!lunation is fixed for Thursday. A second band has just come
in, and ranged themselves under the colours. It is doubtful, how-
ever, whether all these musical preparations will at all enhance
the harmony of this place. Mr. Brougham's band marched into
the place at two o'clock this
bodyof morning, supported by a considerable
tiptoe. freeholder.. AU wexpectation bustle, and is on the

ar;oilttn AtCOUNtt.•
,A my lavish expenditure of riband* is at this moment suffered
44 ill the candidates. Vella* is the colour of the Lowther*, and
L
blue that of Alt% Btougharri's partisans.
A.s voattir of curiosity, I snbjoin the numbers polled for each
the election in 1820
animism wt 2d day. 3d day, 40 day. gith day eth day* 7th day
Lord Lowther
Col. Lowther 214
468 74) Ihitl 1140- 41474- 46, efst gal 403 4,274, 1412
MBrougham 1141-1-0 177 gat 412(4 4261 1349
Tilt is confidently asterlec
114 the election this time will last ten
'
days instead of seven. Mr. ser,, *,,au„t Heywood is to act as asses-
sor to the High Sheriff. Mr. itart.lioil, Icing's counsel, Mr.
Bolt Ur. Raincock, and Mr. Jeitheott, are employed as counjel
for the Lowther" ; and Mr, Aldersork--a host in hitteelfi....ls ern-
ido).4,l as monsel for Mr. Brougham,
The election placards which have hitherto appeared .on both
tides art too dull for transmission to London! There is one
which,hears pour Mr. Gourlay's signature, calling on the electors
of Westmoreland not to elect a man as their representative who
has submitted to the disgrace of horsewhipping. It is a mere
reiteration of the charges against Mr. litoughern, which have been
refuted en often thet the public is tired with and nauseates the
subject.