Star.
London, England, 1826-07-01 00:00:00

ELECTION INTELLIGENCE.

DUgFRIES, JUNE 27.

Friday evening last the news reached Craigdarroch
of the election of R. C. Fergusson, 'Esq. to represent in
Parliament the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright, and we
question much if the announcement of the victory at
Waterbo was anywhere more joyfully received, than
is the above piece of intelligence at Mr. Fergusson's
family mansion. A general turn-out was the Instant
consequence, and Mr. Waugh, of this town, who has
there a number of men engaged in a piece of work at
present, suggested the idea of ascending the high crag
hich so majestically overhangs the house of Craig.
damsel', and there lighting a bonfire, and holding
something like a Bacchanalian Orge around it. The
proposer of 'his motion accordingly dispatched some of
his myrmidons to Minni!live for a sufficient quantum of
liquor, and proceeded with the rest to the top of the hill,
scaring many a hawk, owl, and mor rc•rck in their way,
Ant) there erected so huge a fire that its light glared
over a great part of the parish, while the cheers and
merriment ef about fifty people encircling it—uf whom
about twenty were of the softer sex—were heard in the
village of Minnihive, a distance of fully two miles. The
health of Mr. F.-rgusson, and that of the freeholders of
Kirkcudbright, were respectively drank with high en-
thusiasm ; and after revelling for a while among the
rocks and heather, the elude, in high spirits, yet per-
fectly correct and sober, " descended into the plain,"
to re-enjoy in their dreams the happy scene which they
bad enacted.—Dumfries courier.
WESTMORELAND ELECTION.—Sisru Day.
AMWAY, W EDNUDAY.
One of the first things which attracted public atten-
tion this morning, was the following placard from
Mr. Brougham
" To the Freeholders of WestmorelanJ.
" Independent Freeholders,—Your cause is safe, if you will exert
yourselves for it. Your friends have already Foiled, within seven
votes, as many as they did on the sante day of the list election, and
much less exertion bas been made to bring up the voters. Your ad-
versaries have made the greatest exertions ; and they cannot head
you upon the poll any longer unless you are inactive and disregard
your own interest and the success of the cause. lam doing every-
thing in my power to win the day for you ; but if you do not come
to my assistance, it most be in vain. The cause is you own; let
every man reflect that upon his own conduct at this moment, it de-
pends whether the County shaU be free for ever, or for ever depend-
ent on a single family. Each honest man has the welfare of West-
moreland in his keeping. lam your faithful servant,
" 11. BROUGHAM."
You will see from it that Mr. Brougham has thought
it necessary not only to excite his tliends to greater ac-
tivity, but also to admit that either himself or his com-
mittees have made much less exertion to bring up voters
than they did at the last eisKtion. I heard several of Mr.
Brougham's friends two or three days ago complain,
that adequate means of conveyance to Appleby had ry,r
been provided for the voters; and that very great mis-
chief had been indicted on the blue cause in consequence.
The town is now very quiet, and such arrangements
have been made between the Committees on both sides
as are likely tepsecure its tranquillity during the election.
The bands are allowed to play during the early part of
the day ; but as the crowd begins to assemble about the
hustings to hear the speeches, the music and the banners
disappear till the next morning. In revenge for being
thus cut short in their musical labours in the evening,
the bands begin playing and parading as eat ly as four
and five o'clock in the morning) to the great discomfi-
ture of those who wish to enjoy the blessings of sleep in
this sultry weather.
At four o'clock this afternoon the poll closed, and a
dens* crowd, for a country town like Appleby, assem-
bled in front of the hustings. Mr. James Wiggins, who
has been parading the streets to-day and yesterday with
a broom decorated with blue ribands, made an oration
to them on the beauty of the colour, which the free-
holders did not hear with that attention which this petty
dealer in politics arid poetry thopght it deserved. Per-
haps this want of taste was oceasioned by the transitory
prospect of a battle among themselves, which passed
off, however, almost immediately, without producing
any other effect than that of driving all the country
girls of the neighbourhood from the midst of the crowd,
in which they had undoubtedly no business. When the
bustle thus occasioned had subsided, several of them
indulged in the usual electioneering witticisms on the
candidates and.their respective friends, and thus whiled
away the time till the poll was declared.
At half past five o'clock the Under Sheriff came for
ward, and declared the day's poll to be as folio ors :
Lord Lowther . 1391
Colony' Lowther 1329
Mr. Brougham - 1143

Lord LOWTHER said, after thanking the freeholders
for keeping him still first upon the poll, that he had told
his friends yesterday not to be too confident of a great
majority, as he was sure there would be a great rush on
the other side; but. as this particular exertion of the
enemy was over, still leaving him in the mionrity, he
(Lord Lowther) wound venture to speak more confi-
dently of to-morrow, and predict that Mr. Brougham
Would soon be con,picuousiy behind. He had been told
yestet day that one of their topics was taken away from
them, that he had been silenced with respect to the Pope.
IsL-o.v be had no hostility to that po r old gentleman the
Pope'; but Popery, as far as he cauld prevent it, should
never be allowed to tide rough-shod over the institu-
tioas of England—(Loud cheering) —and for that reason
he would always resist any proposal to give its votaries
political pow er. By way of supporting the Pope, Mr. B.
had adduced the instance of the liberality of the Duke
of Norfolk towards a Ptotestant Church.. This proved
nothing,or, rather, it was but an exception to the general
rule of Roman Catholic illiberality. He had no doubt
that there were many, very many, resiteccable Gentle-
men among the Roman Catlavlics, but that had nothing
to do with their general system. As for the poll, Mr.
B. would, in all probability, favour his hearers Pith
some more nice arithmetical calculations, to prove that
he was at the head of it ; and he did not wish to deprive
them of the amusement of such ingenious speeches.. But
he had no fear, that if they continued to support him,
all these pleasant pieces of mathematics would go for
; and he would, on the last day of the election,
have to thank them for being in the same situation as
he was now—(Clamour/ram the Blues.) As the Gentle-
men were getting impatient, he would not trouble them
farther at present, but wish them good evening.
Colonel Lew: HER said, notwithstanding the boasts
which. they had heard-from the other side as to what
they would perform that day, he was still a-head of
their opponent on that day's poll. He exhorted them
to keep up their spirits, and is proceed onwards in the
same path in which they had already walked; and no
matter What their majority on each day's poll might be,
still if it were a majority of either 10, 20, or 50 votes at