previous day's record of three and two, respectively.
On the very day that the Rye tumult ended the Hastings Election was peaceably effected in the choice of Messrs. North and Warre - two candidates who had pledged themselves to vote for measures of Reform. Thus, whilst Rye was in the throes of revolution in consequence of the attempt to elect two pronounced anti-Reformers, Hastings was pacified by the choice, even by the old means of two candidates of professedly advanced views.
Death of the first local newspaper - The Rye Riot - Bristol do.
At this time, and for some weeks before, Mr. Townshend's new journal, The Iris, laboured assiduously to kill Mr. North's chance of election, but almost immediately after that gentleman's success, the Iris itself became defunct.
In returning thanks for his election, Mr. North saidMr. Warre also published his address of thanks in which he said;Gentlemen,
Accept my warmest thanks for the honour you have this day conferred on me in sending me to Parliament as the representative of my native town. The important change that has thus by your kindness devolved upon me is one that I will at least spare no pains adequately to fulfil. To the local and peculiar interests of Hastings my habits and inclinations will alike lead me to attend. My constant aim will be honestly and steadily to promote the real interests of the country. These are times when more particularly England expects every man to do his duty; I will endeavour to do mine, and when the course of events shall send me back amongst you to give an account of my stewardship, I trust that your confidence will not be found to have been misplaced.
And, upon the whole this last sentence in Mr. Warre's address of thanks was very fairly realised, as was shown a month later by the harmonious enjoyment at a ball given by the new members. The rhymster of Brett's Gazette referred to it thus:-I beg to repeat those assurances which I have already given of its being a very gratifying fulfilment of my wish to enter the House of Commons as your independent representative. You are acquainted with my attachment to the great principles of civil and religious liberty and of my unalterable desire to obtain for the people of this realm the constitutional benefit of a full, fair and free representation in Parliament. That object will be attained by the revival of the Bill lately introduced by Lord John Russell, and to that Bill I shall give my cordial support. The election, gentlemen, has been conducted in a manner which is honourable to all parties; and I am sure that its termination will lead to harmony and tranquility of the town and tend to the promotion of its welfare.
In Eighteen-thirty-one the Swan Hotel
Was graced by many a Hastings beau and belle,
And wives and husbands - fourteen times in all-
To dance and sup at an election ball.
That the same harmony and good feeling did not prevail at other places has already been shown in one instance of the riotous proceedings at Rye; but a more lamentable riot was that which occurred in the same year at Bristol; and as it was said to have been mainly caused by a gentleman who was previously one of the Hastings representatives, it may not be inappropriate to give here some account of that terrible affair, which resulted in the destruction of thousands of pounds worth of property and the loss of 500 human lives.
Sir Charles Wetherall was a Tory of the first water, and was elected for Hastings in 1826, but a sketch of his life will give the reader a clearer perception of his character as fomenting the riots at Bristol. He was a son of Dr. Nathan Wetherell, master of the University College, Oxford, and was born in that city in 1770. His father was a friend of Dr. Johnson, and Charles is said to have retained a lively recollection of the doctor's appearance and manners. Charles's early education was superintended by his father. He took his B. A. in about 1790, entered as a student of the Inner Temple, and was called to the Bar in 1794. For a considerable period his practice was inconsiderable, but as he received a liberal allowance from his father, he could afford to bide his time for better things. At the death of his father he inherited a large fortune, but still clung to his profession. His first opportunity of distinguishing himself was in being retained as counsel for Thistlewood and his associates. His Toryism was of a thorough type, yet even when pitted against those of his own political views, he could indulge in the fullest latitude of professional personality. After -
