38 WILLIAM CUMING, M.ft. 



approach, and to whose piety and benevolence there is a warm 

 tribute in " Hutchins' History of Dorset." A third candidate 

 was Robert Browne, of Frampton, an elder brother of the 

 deceased member. " Mighty Browne " (says Sappho) was 



Huzza'd by Mobbs, a Calithumpian crew. 



An explanation of this mysterious epithet involves a glance at a 

 shady side of political alliance which, as we shall presently see, 

 was not peculiar to Dorchester. 



In November, 1770, there was a contest at New Shoreham, 

 Sussex, which led to a sham charitable association, composed 

 of electors of that borough and called the " Christian Club," 

 becoming the subject of Parliamentary enquiry. Its real 

 purpose was, as a witness who had once belonged to it deposed, 

 "To bring Members of Parliament into the borough without 

 the assistance of other voters." The club offered its united vote 

 to candidates' competition and shared the proceeds of the sale. 

 Among the Cuming papers are (i) a draft (written and corrected 

 in his hand) of a resolution framed against the " Gallithumpian 

 Club"; and (2) a printed list of the members composing the 

 club, with his MS. additions. The terms of the resolution 

 premise that "■ Sundry persons of the lowest of the people 

 Voters in this Borough have within these few Years associated 

 themselves together by the Name of the G. Club upon principles 

 of opposition to y^ (corporation) and many of y^ principal 

 Inhabitants, have avowedly let themselves out to hire at 

 Elections to the highest bidder, and arrogate to themselves 

 the power of determining y^ Choice of Representatives." The 

 resolution bound its subscribers not to "Countenance or 

 Support deal with or employ any person or persons who now 

 are, whose Names (in the printed list) are hereto subjoined, or 

 hereafter shall be Members of the s'^ G. Society during y^ time 

 yt he or they continue to be Members of y^ Same." The 

 subscribers would also engage not to vote for any candidate who 

 used means to "bribe or promise to reward the said society for 

 their Votes." The " List of the Gallithumpian Clubb Dorches" 



