being the lowest on the poll, was of course the last to return thanks. This he did in the midst of less tumult than the rest, which clearly proved that most of the previous discordance had emanated from the political extremists. But even Mr. Locke’s utterances did not all float on smooth water. He said he stood before them as a defeated candidate, but he was not going to be angry. The state of the poll was [too much for you!] such that he had a right to congratulate himself upon it. He had polled 386 independent votes, but he regretted to say he had 39 broken promises [Yes, bought up]. His two opponents had the enjoyment of those; but taking them away from the highest on the poll and 44 others of which Mr. Robertson had made Mr. Brisco a present [No, no!]. He stated that, not because he was angry [Oh, no, not at all!], But because he had told them he was sure of being successful [Laughter]. If the Conservatives would consult Cocker, and take the numbers he had given [Where did you get them?], they would find him justified. They had returned by some means those gentlemen [Don’t trust again to a rotten stick]. The men who had voted for him had done so without the inducement of bribery [Time’s up!]. He hoped the time would come when instead of having two supporters of the Derby administration, they would have [Here the rest was lost in complete uproar]. The hustings was then cleared and the Conservatives immediately prepared for the ceremony of
The Chairing.
Before getting clear of the ground, Mr. Robertson was fiercely assailed with hooting, hissing and pieces of turf; also with a shout of “Tear him up!” His party took the lead in the procession, and though somewhat imposing both as a display as well as for numbers, it was excelled by the colours, banners and decorated carriages in Mr. Brisco’s party. The united procession was of so great a length as to entirely reach round the two main streets of the old town and something to spare. All, and more than all, the musicians forming the bands were engaged, and every available vehicle was requisitioned. But the pageant was received with ill-favour and reprehensible conduct by partizans of the defeated candidates. Some bags of flour and other materials were thrown at the carriages before leaving the Priory, and when the immense cavalcade passed the Liberal committee-room at Breeds place, both water and flour were cast upon it. At the foot of High street a disorderly mob assembled on the Oak Pavement and showered quantities of dirty substances as well as flour into the carriages. The rest of the way through High street the cheering and waving of kerchiefs predominated, but on descending All Saints street there was much hooting and molestation. Mr. Polhill, of Robertson street, was specially marked out for abuse and for pelting with missiles. Also when passing through the Fishmarket, his horse was seized and thrown upon its haunches, to the imminent danger of its rider. The flag-bearers were also molested, and a bag of flour [Why not have made it into a large loaf?] was thrown into the carriage where Mr. Robertson was sitting. The offender in this instance was -
