Star.
London, England, 1818-06-24 00:00:00

LAST DAY.

Never was public curiosity, nor the anxiety of
Candidates, wound up to a higher pitch than on the
commencement of the Poll yestercl sy. At the close
on the preceding evening, Sir WM. Ccnris was 129
a-head of Alderman Timm.; and the contest was
exclusively between these two. The other Candidates
having such a decided majority, as to render their
return a moral certainty : but the indefatigable in-
dustry of Mr. Alderman THORP'S Committee turned
the scale in a manner never experienced in the annals
of Elections; as every minute increased the triumph
of his friends, and equally depressed the spirits of
those of Sir WtunAst. At half-past eleven, Mr.,
THORP had brought his numbers on the gross poll to
an equality with those of his antagonist. At twelve'
o'clock he was 35 ahead of CURTIS. A placard was
then exhibited, announcing this intelligence to the
spectators in the Hall. The most unbounded accla-
mations followed. Every Elector; who now came
forward with his vote in favour of the popular cause,
was received with thunders of applause, and the
name of THORP was every moment hailed with an
unanimous shout. Cuiris's business was done.—
THORP advanced above CURTIS 51 at one o'clock, 61
at half past one, 76 at two, and 81 at half-past two.
' SirWmtnAsis, who had sat down frequently during
the day from fatigue, now thought proper to retire.
Re was attended through the Hall by Alderman
WOOD. A great deal of hissing and laughter follow-
ed him, and he went away laughine himself. Ile
declared upon retiring, that his brotlier Candidates
had acted tcwards him with the greatest courtesy,
and that the contest had. been carried on in the fair-
est manner. When the Baronet retired, a placard,
which had been staring him in the face all day, dis-
appeared. It contained the following words--part
of Sir Ws:. CURTIS'S speech upon Reform :--" I am
well satisfied that things should stand as they are."
Then followed the numbers which Tuofte was every
moment advancing above him.
At the final termination of the contest the follow-
ing numbers were displayed :
Aiderman Wood - -571 S
Mr. Wilson - 4846
Mr. Waidiman . 4647
Alderman Thorp - 4349
Altllrman Curtis - 4236
Alderman Atkins 1C93
The public feeling again burst forth in acclamations.
Alderman WOOD came forward to return thanks
for the great honour conferred on him. The day
was, he said, a glorious one for the people of thi.
country, in whose opinion the most wonderful change
had taken place. He did not mean to triumph over
those Candidates who had been unfortunate. They
had to his knowledge, as far as he had been capable
of observing, been attentive to those things which
regarded the local interests of the City of London—
(applasue). But there were other duties, of a para-
mount order, to which their attention should have
been given, and upon which be had been left to act
alone. He meant those intimately connected with
the interests of the community—(applause). His
name stood at the head of the poll, an honour which
many had declared he never could attain ; but which
from the assurances of his friends, he had always ex-
rested, for upon their word he was always bound to
rely. He had now to repeat his solemn declarations
to these who had returned him, that nothing should
induce him t. swerve from his duty, which, when
he was unable to perform, he should never attempt
to compromise in any other way than by the resigna-
tion of his seat. If they should at any time be dis-
appointed with his conduct, he trusted they would
remind him of his error. He called upon the Livery
to mark every vote he gave, and that would enable
them to decide whether he was influenced by public
principle or not--(loud applause).
Mr. WiLsme, in addressing his Constituents, said,
he was placed in a most enviable situation on the
poll, and the Livery was entitled to his most grateful
acknowledgment. Words could not express his gra-
titude ; but acts, he hoped, would confirm the good
opinion entertained of him. He should endeavour
to do more by acts than by words. His duty was
of the most serious description. It was not only to
represent the civil and commercial interests of his
Constituents, but to support the Constitution in
Church and State, and do the best he could at all
times to serve his fellow-citizens, whose opinions he
should, upon all occasions, take the opportunity of
consulting--(applause). It would, he declared, afford
infinite pleasure to him, that there should at all times
exist a coincidence of opinion betweea him and those