show of hands being in favour of Mr. Dodson, a poll was demanded by Viscount Pevensey. The nomination was on March 2nd, and the polling at Hastings was on March 5th. The numbers polled at Hastings were 189 for Pevensey and 187 for Dodson; thus the candidates running each other at a very close distance. The total result, however showed a greater disparity, the numbers as known in Hastings on the following night, being 2,300 for Pevensey, and 2,211 for Dodson, thus giving the former a majority of 89.
The General Election
This election soon followed the bye-election occasioned by Mr. Frewen's retirement, and caused the two rivals, Pevensey and Dodson, once more to enter into a contest, together with Col. Cavendish and Mr. Fulller for the other vacated seat. The result, as shewn in Chapter LVII was 2,524 for Liberal Dodson, 2,447 for Conservative Pevensey, 2,286 for Liberal Cavendish, and 2,216 for Conservative Fuller. The election thus fell to one Liberal and one Conservative. The old member, Mr. A. E. Fuller, not having regained his seat, a meeting of his supporters was held at the Star Inn, Lewes, on the 14th of April, when on the proposition of W. D. Lucas Shadwell, Esq., of Hastings the following resolution was carried:- 'That in order to show our respect and gratitude to our late member, Augustus Elliot Fuller, Esq., as a country gentleman, as well as for his honest and straightforward Conservative political career, as our Representative, and for his constant attendance in Parliament for the last fifteen years, a subscription be entered into to purchase a piece of place, as a lasting testimonial of our gratitude and esteem. Whether the testimonial was ever presented is not within the writer's knowledge, but (as shewn on page 175) only four months elapsed ere Mr. Fuller died, the testimonial might not have been completed.
The Borough Election
Whilst the General Election was approaching, the prevailing opinion appeared to be that on this occasion it would be unwise to disturb the quiet of the borough by provoking a contest. There were, as may be imagined, a few fervent spirits among the members of the H.I.P.S. who would like to have seen Mr. Robertson ousted from his Parliamentary set, but the severe castigation that had not long since been administered to that overbearing faction, even by Radicals as well as the more moderate Liberals, had, to some extent, divided their ranks and made it possible, if not probable, that there was likely to be a loss rather than a gain to the Liberal cause. They did not doubt for a moment, that Mr. North's seat was secure, under any condition, his local connection as a Hastings-born -
