The Statesman.
London, England, 1815-07-22 00:00:00

NEW‘;AsTLE ELECTION.

A vacancy having occurred in the representation
of the borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stafford-
shire, by the vacation of Lord GOWER, who is gone
for the county, two Candidates have started, Mr.
WILMoT and Sir JOHN CHETWODE, Bart. The
Matteis of STAFFORD possesses great influence in
the borough, and it is now more than a century since
a Member was returned fur the borough in the inde-
pendent interest, with the exception of Mr. Law-
TJV'S election, in the year 1734, and his seat was
yawed by pPtition ; and the election of Sir Jonsr
Fes cox BououEY, Bart. in 1812, the present Mem-
ber. On the present occasion, Mr. WILMOT is COH•
SiderPd in the 1 renthata interest, and he is supported
by the Marquis's known friends ; but, as an elec-
tioneering stratagem no doubt, has actually hoisted
the blue (lag (instead of the red, the blue being the
colour of the independent party), and played the
tune of Freedom and Liberty—this attempt at cast.
ing a veil over the eyes of the independent party,
has, in a great measure, failed.
Sir JOHN CHETWODE is father-in-IHW to Sir J. F.
Boucecr, the present Member, and though he came
very late to canvas the town in the independent in-
terest, yet met with great encouragement. The poll
commenced at nine o'clock no Wednesday last, and
the contest was carried on during the day with ex-
treme rancour on both sides ; on casting up the first
days' poll, Mr. Wztstox was 23 a-head ; but per-
ceiving (luring the evening that his cause was losing
ground, at two o'clock on Thursday morning he left
the town; and at 4 o'clock the same morning the
Stafford Militia, who had only left the town
in the early part of the week, returned with flints,
and eight rounds of hall cartridge each.—At seven
u'elock the same morning Mr. Witatoes fare-
wel Address was out of the Press, and a great
selovion was spread through the town ; party spirit
was never known to have run so high. Sir Jowl
CHETwone refused to resume the poll until the mili-
tia were marched out of the town again, which took
place at nine o'clock : the contest was then resumed,
and Mr. Wituox's Mends carried on the poll in his
eame, While four of them set out to fetch him back,
and about 12 at anon lie arrived at the hustings, and
told the electors that his frie•ttls had promised not to
put him to any more expence, as he declared it was
impossible for him to bear it.

At the close of the roll the second day the num-
bers were—Sig. CIIETWODE 183, Mr. Wilmot 143,
giving the independent candidate a majority of 40
votes. At the last election in 1812, the contest was
extremely severe; yet during the two first days of
that election, the whole number polled was 300 ex-
actly ; but during the two first days of the present
election, 326 have polled; the whole number of
burgesses who polled at the last election was 645.
The independent party have no doubt of success, and
that the election will finally close this day.
The town retrained very noisy so late as half-past
ten on Thursday evening, and the militia remain in
the neighbourhood.

• LYCEUM THEATHE.—III the Opera of Frederick
the Great, Mr. FAWCETT last night mad- his first
appearance the present season at this Theatre. His
performance of Brandt was distinguished by all that
ricnne... h9mner, and knowledge of nature, which
first gave the character importance on the English
at tie, and the satisfaction of the spectators was com-
plete.. Mr. RAYMOND, as Frederick, oas all that
,u1(I be wished, as wos Miss KELLY, in Matilda.
KNIGHT was very diverting in Stock, and COOKE and
PYNE in their respective characters, contributed
largely to the success of the whole performance. A
Mr. Iltumsw, as Rolf, obtained considerable ap-
plause for his voice, which made a greater impression
on the audience than his taste. The Opera, alto-
gether, was well acted; and the afterpiece of Bark-
gain Hoax, closed the amusements of the evening,
with oft re- 'ed bursts of laughter, and shouts of
unifiers-'
11

:EVTRE.—The Bold Stroke for a
.t night repeated. As on the first night,
..nce afforded the highest gratification to the
NIissGRF.?IviLLF. was throughout eminently
.essful; and Mrs. BEISIELI), though still wanting
n confidence, failed not to find her way to the heart.
'he farce of '° Darkness Visible" followed, in which
OEELY appeared to great advantage, and the other
new pet formers (aided by some of our old favourites)
ill further developed their talents with the happiest
ifect.
Picstroctims.—A few evenings since, Mr. James
haw, of St. Saviour'?, had his pocket cut off whilst
•alking in Vauxhall Gardens, and his pocket.book,
mtainiiig a considerable sum in Bank-notes, was
;ken away.—On the same evening, Mr. Edward
'olland, of Lower Eaton-street, Pimlico, also had
s cost-pocket cut off whilst walking with a party
the Gardens, and his pocket-book, containing 121.
Bank-notes, was taken away. In cutting his
'cket, it appeared, the villain most have cut his
vn hand, as the remaining fragment of Mr. Box-
nd's pocket, and the cost near it, were much stain.
with blood.