The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-06-17
TAKING A PRIME MINISTER AT HIS WORD.

Newcastle. Prime Minister in the reign OF
George III. This nohIcman, with many
good points, and described by popular
contemporary poet as almost eaten up bv
his zeal for the House of Hanover, WAS re-
markable for being profuse of his promises
on all occasions, and valued himself par,ic.
ularl y on being able to anticipate the words
and the wants of the various persons who
attend hi> levecs, before they uttered sy-
liable. This weakness sometimes led him
into ridiculous mistakes and absurd embar-
easements.
At The election for a certain borough in
Cornwall, where the ministerial and opp>i-
ton Interests were almost equally poised,
Il single vote was of the highest Importance;
this object the Duke, by certain well-nppIie,
arguments. hy the force Of urgent perscver-
ance and personal application at length at
tanned, and the gentleman recommended by
the treasury gained his election:
In the warmth Of gratitude for signal
triumph, and in a quarter where the min
lister had generally Experienced defeat aud
disappointment, his grar" poured forth &C.
acknowledgements and promises, without
ccasing, on the fortunate posscssor Of the
casting vote; called him his best and dear
est friend protested that he should con>il-
er himself n, forever indebted to him that
lie could never do enough for him !; that he
would serve him bv night and ley DAY.
The Cornish, voter in the main an honest
fellow, las things went" ard alrcad Y sufi-
cien,ly paid. l.ut for surl, Il torr"ut Of nc,
knowledgemcnts, thanked the Duke for his
Kindness, and told him, that the supervisor
Of excise was old and intirn, and if he
would have the goodness to recommend his
son-n law to the the commissioner in case
of The old mans death, lie should think
himself and family bound to render govern
ment every assistance in lis power on any
future occa>ion."
"Mv dear friend" exclaimed his grace,
"your relation shall lave it the moment il
| is vacant"
"But how shall get to see my lord for
in Lohlon, understand j, is very difficult
thing to ge, to you great folks, though yon
are SO kind and compasant TO US in the
country"
"Thc instant the man dies" replied the
premier FUSED TO, and prepared for the free
,!oms Of a contested elcction.) "the moment
he dies, set ont ros,.haste for London drive
directly to my house I; by night or by day,
scepiug or waking, dead or alive Thunder
at the door; I will leave word with my lor-
ter to show you up stairs directly, AMI the
situation shall he disposed Of according to
your wishes, without fail.
The parties separated the duke drove TO
a friends in the nei ighborhond where he was
visiting, without thought Of seeing his
new acQuantaRces till that day seven years
but The memory Of the Cornish clecior. not
being loaded with such a varieny of Objects
was..yet more retentive. The supervisor died
a few months afterwards, and the minis,e.
rial partisan, relying on the word Of a peer,
was conveyed to London hy tue mail, aud
assembled the steps Of large house. now
divided into three in Lincoln's lnn Fields, at
the corner Of Great Queen street.
The reader should be informed that pre-
cisely AT the moment when the expectations
of Il considerable party ola borough in Corn
wall were reused by the Death Of snpervi-
sor, no less person than the king Of Spain
was hourly expected to depart an event il,
which all Europe, and particularly Great
Britain, was concerned.
The Duke Of Newcastle, on the very
night that the proprietor Of the decisive
vote was at his door had sat up. anxiou>lv
expecting dispatches from Madrid. Wcari.
ed by official business and agi,a,ed spirits, he
retired to rest, having previously given par
ticular instructions 10 his porter not to 60
TO bed, as he expected every minute mes
seuger with advices Of the greatest impor.
tsnce, and desired he might be shown up
stairs the moment Of his arrival.
His grace was sound asleep. for with
thousand sngnlaritIes and absurdities, Of
which, the rascas about him did not forget
to take advantage. his worst enemies could
not deny him The merit Of good design, the
best solace, in solitary hour; the porter
settled for the night in his chair, had hardly
commenced sonorous nap, when the vigor
ous arm Of the Cornish voter reused him
efectnally from his slumbers.
To his first question, '.Is the duke at
home:" the porterrepIied, "Yea, and in bed
but he left me particular orders that come
when you will, you are to 30 up to him
directly" ~
"God for ever bless him a worthy and
honest gentleman" said orr applicant for