48 ELECTION PROSPECTS. [1812. 



omitted to inform you, first, that I would write to 

 Lord Bathurst about Parke's ' Journal ' in the way 

 you suggested ; and, secondly, that there is a mistake, 

 and a very material one, in the statements respecting 

 the expenses of my great contest. These were not 

 above 26,000 or 27,000, at least under 30,000. 

 The whole sum subscribed was about what was stated 

 to have been spent, about .56,000 to 58,000. But 

 nearly oO per cent was returned to the subscribers, a 

 new phenomenon in the history of elections. It was 

 before nitlla retrorsum. 



" I doubt, also, if I expressed as strongly as I felt 

 it my sense of your kindness. I certainly did not 

 state what I now do, that I wish much you would 

 express to the Duke of Norfolk how greatly I feel 

 honoured and gratified by his friendly countenance. 

 I say it sincerely, not as words of course. I don't think 

 I mentioned that I was confirmed in my persuasion 

 that Lascelles intended to start for York, by his ofFer- 

 ing himself for Pomfret, canvassing the place, running 

 horses at the races all things very distasteful, and 

 therefore indicative of his being in earnest. In short, 

 I repeat it, I never believed he would offer for York, 

 and the fear of a contest had no share whatever in 

 making me resign. I will confess that I did once 

 think of asking my constituents, on the ground of long 

 service,, to grant me a dispensation from constant 

 attendance, authorising me to absent myself except 

 when county business or important questions should 

 claim my attendance; but this, though really very rea- 

 sonable for them to grant, might not have appeared 

 very decent for me to ask, so I laid aside the idea. 



" I have much to say to you, both about your affairs 



