WILLIAM THE THIRD.

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decidedly superior m intelligence and knowledge to tlie chap.

xxi v.

provincial electors. I«aai -

Montague and Secretary Vernon were tlie ministerialcandidates for Westminster. They were opposed by SirHenry Colt, a dull, surly, stubborn professor of patriotism,who tired everybody to death with his endless railing atstanding armies and placemen. The electors were sum-moned to meet on an open space just out of the streets.

The first Lord of the Treasury and the Secretary of Stateappeared at the head of three thousand horsemen. Colt’sfollowers were almost all on foot. He was a favourite withthe keepers of pothouses, and had enlisted a strong body ofporters and chairmen. The two parties, after exchanginga good deal of abuse, came to blows. The adherents of theministers were victorious, put the adverse mob to the rout,and cudgelled Colt himself into a muddy ditch. Thepoll was taken in Westminster Hall. From the first therewas no doubt of the result. But Colt tried to prolong thecontest by bringing up a voter an hour. When it becameclear that this artifice was employed for the purpose ofcausing delay, the returning officer took on himself theresponsibility of closing the books, and of declaring Mon-tague and Vernon duly elected.

At Guildhall the Junto was less fortunate. Threeministerial Aldermen were returned. But the fourthmember, Sir John Fleet, was not only a Tory, but wasGovernor of the old East India Company, and had dis-tinguished himself by the pertinacity with which he had