exclaiming at the fame moment, No Fox! Has Secret Influence lo entirely fubdued her Ladyfhip, that decency and good manners is no longer to be attended to?

Mrs. Hobart and Lady Southampton have lately addreffed each other in language fo plain and fincere, that it is expected they will not renew the tete-a-tete for fome time. In the above altercation the titled Lady refcued the plume of feathers and Fox's brush. from the odium her competitor endeavoured to lay on thofe enfigns of party!

May 7. Yesterday afternoon the independent Electors of Westminster dined together at Willis's great room, King-street, St. James's; the Right Honourable Charles James Fox in the chair. This meeting, like all the preceding ones in the fame glorious caufe, was fpent with the most cordial feftivity. To the standing patriotic toafts the following were defervedly added, viz.

1. The Duke of Bedford; and may he purfue, through a long life, those principles which brought one of his ancestors to a glorious death!

2. The Livery of London.

3. The worthy Electors of Stafford....

4. Mr. Byng, and fuccefs to his ferutiny.

5. Mr. Sheriff Skinner; and may the city of London never want able, independent, and impartial men to guard their freedom.

6. The Electors of Kirkwall; and may the independent Electors of Westminster foon give them an opportunity of re-exercifing their franchife in the cause of liberty.

7. Lord North; and may the perfecution of the Court ever recommend the object of it to the protection of a generous people!

8. The Ducheffes of Devonshire and Portland, and all the Ladies in the interest of Mr. Fox.

Mr. Fox, in thanking the company for drinking his health, and for coupling his name with the rights of the people, faid, that they had feen what perfeverance in a good caufe had produced in Weftminster, and he trufled it would animate them, and give the happy prefage of what perfeverance in the caufe of popular privileges would. bring about in the country at large.

The company broke up about eight o'clock, and proceeded, as ufual, on a fpirited. canvass through their refpective divifions.

The yell of No Fox-No Coalition-No North, has died away upon the furface of that corrupted river, which gave it exiftence, Common fenfe returned from the pure fpring of reafon now flows again; and in that limpid ftream of the Conftitution, the people begin to tafte their own beverage, the nectar of liberty. Court liquor is laurel water to British freedom.

The Minifter intends to TAX Small Beer in compliment to the ancient Baronet of this new malt water title; and all the prerogative Ladies will have double locks to the Back Stairs, to prevent this diabetean liquor from making an afcenfion in cans and cups, and bottles and mugs, to the private committees of the mop-fqueezing fifterhood, at their Saturday night revels, in the fky bed-chambers of the attic ftory.

The amiable Duchefs has retired for fome Sundays paft to her feat at Chifwick, to enjoy, in the enchanting fhades of Burlington, the retrofpect of a well-fpent week, engaged in the best interests of her country.

Minifterial influence has been prevalent in Weftminfter during the whole of the conteft, though the first mover affects to keep at a distance. Letters of denization have likewife been granted, to qualify foreigners to vote in oppofition to the Man of the People

Mr.

Mr. H. Dundas, early on Tuesday morning laft, polled for Lord Hood and Sir Cecil Wray.

Mr. Fox's celebrated Whig toaft, refpecting the illuftrious Houfe of Bedford, has been moft indecently and bunglingly perverted; it is fimply this,The Duke of BED"FORD; and may be, through a long life, fupport that caufe for which his illufirious an"ceftor died on the fcaffold!"

To afk the friends of fecret influence a few ferious queftions :-In what part of his character dos Mr. Fox refemble Oliver Cromwell? Was Oliver a fluent, elegant, univerfal speaker? No. Was Oliver an open, manly-hearted man? No. Was Oliver a pleafant, facetious man in temper? No. Was Oliver fo infenfible to his own interests as to attempt to ferve the people at the rifque of power, wealth, influence, and every private confideration? Surely not. In what then does Mr. Fox refemble a Republican, who is in his heart fo attached to monarchy, as to defpife every other form of Government? In what does Mr. Fox refemble a tyrant, whofe enemies allow him to have generosity and liberality in the extreme? In what does Mr. Fox refemble a hypocrite, who is fo frank, fo open in his carriage? Or, in what does he deferve to be compared with a notorious enemy to the Conftitution of his country, who has paffed fo many years in Parliament in defending it upon every occafion?

Yesterday afternoon a gentleman, in his paffage through King's ftreet, Covent Garden, picked up a paper, of which the following is an exact copy, with this indorfement, Copy of a Letter to the Duke of Nd."

My good Lord Duke,

Wood's Hotel, May 7, 1784.

"Perinit me, among all the troubles, vexations, and tumults, of this long contefted «Election, to thank your Grace for the vast support you have afforded me.—It is to be "lamented that your Grace's perfonal influence, ftrong as it is, has not been more "effectual; for now not the flighteft hope of fuccefs can remain in the mind of the "moft fanguine friend to the caufe of prerogative; yet I fhall ever reflect with admira"tion on your Grace's wifdom, in the fingle inftance of your Grace's yearly adinini"ftration of alms to fo many poor inhabitants of Weftminster. The policy and fore"fight of this ftep has fhone to our party with the moft fplendid luftre. Some, we "knew, had received thefe donations from the noble houfe of Nd during a long "feries of years. This circumftance, coupled with the influence which your Grace "immediately exercifed upon it, we knew would operate as a complete difqualification; "yet all this was managed, and we polled 535 perfons in this predicament. Indeed till within thefe laft ten days, we polled whom we pleafed, and what we pleafed-but, fad reverse "of fortune! force could then no longer fetter the inclinations of men; the fire of freedom, which we thought had been extinguifhed, broke forth with redoubled fury; "and though both your Grace and myfelf efcaped roafting, we have, at least, been fe "verely fcorched by the flame. We have induftrioufly held out to the public, that the "majority of bad votes is certainly on the other fide. How far we have fucceeded in making the neceffary impreffion, it would be difficult for me to determine; though "this notion, I am convinced is generally enough received by the public, to found in "them a belief of the affertion we have made in the newspapers, That we shall certainly "demand, and go through a rigid fcrutiny. We have advertifed, as your Grace has "doubtless perceived, the names of banking-houfes, at which fubfcriptions for carrying "on this fcrutiny will be thankfully received. This manœuvre was thus kept up to "bring forth any friends that might remain; but we are now convinced that none do re"main. We fhall take the liberty to pocket the few mites which have been subscribed," fuppofing reasonably, that thofe who had not penetration to difcover our artifice in "pre-engaging ourselves to fcrutinize, will not be more difcerning as to the pocket in Z z 2

"which

"which the fcrutiny cafh will finally ftick. My notions of your Grace's generous and "dignified way of thinking make me perfectly eafy upon this fubject, as far as your "Grace is concerned.

"I have the honour to be, &c. &c."

N. B. It is a ftanding toaft at Wood's-The Duke of Nd, and his 535 beggars.

May 10.] It is neceffary to inform the unpolled Electors of Westminster, in the intereft of Mr. Fox, that the High Bailiff intends, if poffible, to close the poll this day, at three o'clock, after which time they will not poffibly have the power of giving their fuffrages in fupport of the Conftitutional Guardian of the People's Rights.

A correfpondent is at a lofs to learn, and wifhes to know, how a fcrutiny is to be fupported throughout, that depends on contingencies and the precarious iffue of subfcriptions, and to reconcile a fpirit becoming Englishmen, with the humiliating applications of needy beggars. The knight of the pefile and mortar, or the prating peer froin the banks of the Liffy, are requested to explain these jarring productions.

A correfpondent obferves, that at the clofe of the poll, it is ufual for the Court Candidates to come forward to the front of the Huftings, and to fhow their inviolable attachment to the caufe, to take each other by the hand. They were on Saturday fo clofely linked, that, what with the cadaverous countenance of the lofing Candidate, with the multitude of fpectators gathered around them, it brought to his recollection the melancholy spectacle of the unfortunate convicts taking leave of each other at the place of execution.

Kirkwall, Wick, &c. for which Mr. Fox is returned, are principally in the interest of Sir Thomas Dundas. Wick is a fmall fea port on the eaft fide of Caithnefs; Kirkwall is the principal place in the Orkneys.

The mean attempts made to injure the reputation of thofe virtuous female characters, who have patriotically efpoufed the caule of the defenders of the liberties of their country, are furely as ridiculous as they are unmanly and unbecoming. Ancient ftates and governments, remarkable for their wifdom, fortitude, integrity, and fuccefs, very judicioufly encouraged a spirit of public virtue among their women. As then illuftrious Princeffes and diftinguifhed patriots have not been wanting in England as much as in other nations, as they have fhown abilities equal to the task of policy and government, and as they are or ought to be like the men, the moft free in the world, what man that loves the fex, or refpects liberty, can object to being canvaffed by a British beauty?

"I can create, faid a King of England, a thousand lords at my pleafure, but I cannot "make one honest man." The prerogative Minifter is engaged in manufacturing the first mentioned clafs of men; and a future Premier, it is hoped, will ere long, fhow us one of the latter!

A blunt political writer fays, it was much more honourable to be a Member of Parliament in former than in prefent times; but it was not fo profitable. Does any man buy without a view of felling? and how are the buyers of feats in Parliament to reimburse themselves, but out of the plunder of a wretched and almoft bankrupt nation?" D—n you and your inftructions (faid a worthy Member, in answer to fome requifitious from his conftitucnts) I have bought you, and I will fell you by G-." The cultivation of the Belles Letters feem to belong to the Wrays of England, just as the Polite Sciences have been foftered by the Rouffeau's in France. And although Sir Gecil is admitted to be a firft rate fcholar, yet in the expreffions of Lingo, there is a name fake who takes the lead of the Baronet, and is a mafler of fcholars."-In proof of this we

fubjoin

fubjoin the following fign infcription, nailed on a tree at the corner of a lane, near Kenfington:-" I teeches larning at Sics pence a Weak, eache Parfon.-Nick. Wray."

A certain Great Perfon was very much against diffolving, but the influence of the Secret Committee carried the day, and the effects are what the people have woefully experienced.

Many a tradefman rues the day the Parliament was diffolved-and many a ftatute of Bankruptcy will that fame diffolution occafion.

Should Mr. Pitt come over before the meeting of Parliament, and that Mr. Fox in confequence had a majority, Parliament will no doubt be again diffolved, and the fenfe of the people taken on the change.

May 11. After the clofe of the poll yesterday for Weftminster, an affray happened at Covent Garden. It seems, there had been fummoned an extraordinary number of Conftables, from the Tower Hamlets, to keep the peace. At three o'clock all was peaceable and quiet; but in half an hour afterwards, when the bufinefs of the day was finished, a violent conflict took place between the conftables and the mob; the former of which were driven out of the Garden down King-ftreet. At four o'clock, Mr. Justice Wilmot brought up a detachment of the guards, who, after twice or thrice parading from Wood's Hotel to the corner of Henrietta-street (headed by a few conftables) feized on the butchers who attend with marrow-bones and cleavers, and conducted them to Hood and Wray's Committee Room. Mr. Elliot, the High Conftable, feveral of the peace officers, and many of the mob, were very much bruifed and wounded. The Guards were attending late last night.

Every friend to humanity muft undoubtedly feel the deepeft regret at the fatal confequences of the riot of yesterday in Covent Garden. The lofs of a fellow creature by popular violence, ought to fufpend every operation of party attachment, and induce all people to unite in the moft zealous endeavours to prevent fuch dreadful exceffes in future. But, however deeply we may lament a circumftance fo dreadful, we ought not to fupprefs the dictates of indignation, or remain deaf to the demands of juftice, when we find that these fhocking events are not the natural effects of public affemblies, but the confequences of a fettled plan to disturb the peace, foment mifchiefs of the most alarming kind, and familiarize a fpecies of interference which the people of this country have always beheld with a jealous eye. That occafions may arife, in which military interpofition may be abfolutely neceffary for the prefervation of peace, and the fecurity of government, no man can deny; but furely the moft venal abettors of Court defpotifin can never have the hardinefs to fay, that there was any thing in the complexion of the people who were affembled round the Huftings yefterday, that could juflify the appearance of Juftice Wilmot with his furious band of legal ruffians, and the confequent reinforcement of the guards! The bufinefs of the day was conducted in the ufual manner, and no other buftle attended the poll than night naturally be expected, till the above Magiftrate and his corps appeared, who, the moment of their arrival, evidently fhowed, that the fole purpofe for which they came was to pick a quarrel, in order to call in the military, for what end it is not difficult to conceive, fince the whole proceedings of the Miniftry, during the Election, have been to effect the moft arbitrary meafures, and to leave no effort unexerted that might tend to counteract the wifhes of the people. Let us, however, hope, that now murder has been the confequence of their indecent interference, they will fuffer the Election to terminate quietly, and not mark their defeat with characters of blood.

A correfpondent, who was prefent at the riot yeflerday, affures us, that there never was a more audacious and unprincipled plot to deftroy the freedom of Election, and ftrike at the liberties of this country, as this will come out to have been. The poll was proceeding

proceeding peaceably, though triumphantly, for the popular Candidate, no appearance of riot has exifted for days paft; yet this is the time chofen by the courtly Lord L—t of the county, to convene together the Magiftrates of Weftminster, and they are directed to take vigorous meafures to keep the peace; in confequence of this, a body of defperate men are hired, and conftable's ftaves put into their hands, notwithstanding the remonftrances of the real peace officers, who declare that no fuch affiftance is neceffary, and that nothing but riot can follow. Thefe men accordingly attack and infult Mr. Fox's friends;-an affray enfues, upon which they fly like cowards. The third regiment of guards kept in readiness with loaded mufkets, are then brought forward. The houfes of Mr. Fox's friends are forcibly entered, and after an indifcriminate feizure, a complete military government is establifhed on the spot which has ever been held facred to the exercite of our dearett franchifes. But let the plotters and abettors, of this fcheme of tyranny, beware. A prerogative Admi-ft-n may dare much, but there are things which Englithmen will not endure.

The poll, fay the Court fycophants, was expected to be closed yesterday, and therefore fome precautions were neceffary for the prefervation of the peace. This, no doubt, very pacifically accounts for the independent Electors in the intereft of Mr. Fox being knocked down, in the front of the Huftings, by Juftice Wilmot's new levied banditti, which he calls conftables, taking up fixteen innocent men for a riot, thofe very conftables themfelves fet on foot; and all this, for the fole purpofe of introducing the bayonets of the military with a better grace!

It is not a little remarkable, that the maffacre of young Allen in St. George's Fields, in the year 1768, happened on the 10th of May the murder was perpetrated by the third regiment of guards; the officer who commanded, was a Scots gentleman, of the name of Murray. A letter, encouraging the troops to act with vigour and effect, was written by Lord Weymouth, then Secretary of State, now Groom of the Stole to his Majetty. Yefterday, the 10th of May, a letter was written by the Duke of Northumberland, Lord Lieutenant of the county of Middlefex, to the magiftracy of Westminster, to defire and beg they would act with vigour and effect. Accordingly, a party of the third regiment of guards were under orders the whole day; and on the pretence of any exifting riot, were to be marched into Covent Garden, under the command of a Scots gentleman, of the name of Johnfione. Without the flighteft provocation on the part of the people, a mufquet was difcharged; but here, fortunately, the parallel ceafes, as there appears to have wanted a victim to this inhuman and barbarous outrage; Mr. Juftice Wilmot therefore, muft yield in point of authority to Mr. Juftice Gillam, of notorious memory, though every one muft do him the juftice to believe that his intentions were equally laudable, although his exertions were not attended with equal effect!

It is known to be a facred principle in the British Conftitution, if we have yet a free conftitution to boat, that no troops fhould be fuffered to remain in any city or borough during the time of Election; the city of Weftminster is alone an exception to this rule, from the circumftance of its being the royal refidence, and that the King's Guards are a neceffary appendage to the Royal Perfon. But is this circumftance to authorize fo palpable, fo infamous, fo outrageous, and fo unconftitutional an invafion of the freedom of Election, as was yefterday perpetrated by the Magiftracy of Westminster? The Magiftracy of this city has long been a reproach to the very name of juftice, and unless fome gentlemen of character will ftep forward, upon the prefent occafion, and undertake the function of Magiftracy; it is poffible that we fhall foon fee the inhabitants of this city delivered over to the controul of military power, by a set of the most abject mifcreants under the denomination of Juftices of the Peace, who have too long, under the prefent Lord Lieutenant of the county, difgraced the city of Westminster!

Lieutenant