The Sun.
London, England, 1827-07-17 00:00:00

KING'S BENCH 'PRISON.

For some days past, a great deal of fun and mer-
riment have been going forward within the walls of
the -fling's Bench prison, in consequence of a mock
election for • the newly created " Borough of Ten
terden." Amongst the individuals confined, a Lieu-
tenant Meredith has been no small source of amuse-
ment to his fellow-prisoners, from his eccentricities
and peculiarity of manners since his confinement.
On Wednesday last, it was " officially" communi.
cated to that gentleman, that two members from
their body were to be elected to represent the above-
named borough in Parliament, for the purpose of
redressing all grievances which the inmates of the
gaol laboured under, and assisting the Marshal in
the performance of the various duties connected
with the prison. It was at the same time intimated
to- Mr. Meredith, that if he felt inclined to become
a candidate, he then had a glorious opportunity. The
moment he heard the news, he was delighted; he
said that he was extremely desirous of becoming a
member of Parliament, and, to lose no time in the
business, he immediately proceeded to canvass the
electors, and went from room to room in the prison,
collecting votes. The joke having. succeeded so far
to the wishes of the originators, a temporary
hustings were raised, it having, been announced that
Mr. Stanton' (the unsuccessful candidate for Penryn)
and a Mr. Birch, were to start for the borough of
Tenterden. Those gentlemen also, in order to
carry on the joke, commenced their canvass with
great spirit in opposition to Mr. Meredith, who V 4113
to be seen running about in all directions for -the
purpose of securing his election. On Thursday a
sheriff, scrutineers, poll clerks, and other officers re-
quired in a contested election having been appointed,
the candidates commenced addressing the electors
from the hustings in speeches fraught with humour.
Mr. Stanton particularly distinguished himself in the
frolic, and appeared on each of the days dressed up
in the most grotesque manner imaginable. The fol-
lowing words were repeated by each of the electors
on giving their vote :—" The debt for which I am
confined is under 10/. I have paid my chummage,
and have regularly paid up all dues to the Marshal."
The poll clerk then, putting a piece of wood in the
voter's hand, says, " All this is true so help your
Bob—kiss your tibby." Electioneering squibs have
been circulated all over the prison; and it is truly
ludicrous to behold the eagerness with which M.
Meredith solicits the suffrages of the electors, and
the chagrin and mortification he manifests when
there is a majority against him, and either of the
rival candidates' names appears at the head of the
poll. During the bustle and fun, one of the priso-
ners, who had been acting the part of Pantaloon on
the hustings, fell from them, and broke his thigh-
bone : this has been the only accident that happened
since the commencement of the " election." And
to show the mirth that has been going forward
amongst the inmates of the gaol, nothing will give
a better idea than the following occurrence, which
took place on Saturday
amusement
enoelitiiilt:tact goingnanda forward,
,s h
inee the
height of the contest,iuch m
smiling a
creditor
ai called at the gaol,
anre-
marked
(( l i observing
meeting none so n
but
marked that it was no punishment to put a man
there ; and having sent for the individual who was
indebted to him, he had him released immediately,
adding, that he thought he should have a better
chance of getting his money than before. The
" election" is not expected to close before to-mor-
row, when it is supposed a scrutiny will take place.

LITURGY OF Joss Xxox.—The Duke of
Argyle's library contains the only complete copy
of Knox's Scottish Liturgy, printed in the Gaelic
language, A.D. 1565.—Scotsman.
rilililvdedennftaaiootei utnrbfluoel
lyn..
NEWPORT, JULY 14.—0 n Monday morn-
ing the daughter of Mr. Love, cabinet-maker, hi
this town, went into her father's bed-room, at,
eaer.
ittoi rnitele.ltletileeas:
enetwi
y,,dgel
anretaoshif;
found
sauoautul
about nine o'clock, and was horrified by the sight
the name of
of an immense viper, extended at full length
csceeceudreedthitel
deadly
I,3leililigoeoool(ilbifnuegltoysrpitattdaloieibidef,ilriitelsbi‘atiiirt:er,eeeaert(iprille,Bscdientrpskdieeeiletdrciev,:t,i;agoiwcotvtgkaaini,itreii:epillinloceetiirtleld)
mea-
surese venomous
securing rfilg sixteen
x.
sicniceeh.es,latnids
iiisowonine otilethemost
posses-
sion of Mr. Buckley, the apothecary, who has
preserved it in spirits, and will gratify the'curious
with a sight of it. As the resideneelsf 'Nfr.
Love is nearly in the centre of- this 'la'rge and
populous town, the circumstance is truly myste-
qous, and some folks might be anxious to ascer-
tain what so unusual a visit may forebode.—
Southampton Paper.