346 PAELIAMENTAEY ELECTION IN TEUKO, 1832. 



funds, and in a short time £,igS were subscribed. August 24th 

 was fixed as the day for the rejoicings, and right merrily did the 

 townsfolk enter into the proceedings. Seventy cwt. of beef, with 

 an abundance of other good things were distributed, not merely to 

 the poor, but to all whom the committee recommended, to the 

 extent, it is said, of 5,000 persons. The town was decorated, 

 bands of music were engaged, the inevitable public dinner was 

 held in Sambell's timber yard, on the Back Quay, with 

 Mr. Humphry Willyams in the chair, and Mr. Bennallack in the 

 vice-chair 5 a huge bonfire was lit outside the yard, and the 

 festivities closed with a display of fireworks from a barge moored 

 in the river. 



But the most amusing celebration took place two months 

 before this official function. On a certain Tuesday evening in 

 June, the ladies of the town were invited to a public tea-drinking 

 by the supporters of Mr. Tooke. A long line of tables was spread 

 in Pydar Street, and it is supposed that 1,000 persons took tea. 

 During the repast, a band, perched aloft on a triumphal arch, 

 played national airs, and afterwards a display of fireworks was 

 made for the especial benefit of these ladies. The whole affair was 

 regarded as an elaborate joke by the enormous crowd which 

 witnessed it, and throughout the evening the highest good humour 

 prevailed, — Tories as well as Whigs entering heartily into the 

 spirit of the revelry. 



The great election was announced to take place at the close of 

 the year, and as the time approached, both parties girded 

 themselves for the final struggle. With the object of impressing 

 the new voters, Mr. Tooke made a public entry into the town. 

 He came in an open carriage drawn by four horses, accompanied 

 by Messrs. Willyams, Taunton, and Bennallack ; the carriage was 

 preceded by forty horsemen, a band of music, and a crowd of 

 people. The procession passed under triumphal arches, along 

 streets gaily decked with flags to Pearce's hotel, from the windows 

 of which Mr. Tooke delivered an oration to the crowd. 



The Mayor issued a notice that a meeting would be held on 

 Thursday, 13th December, to elect members to represent the 

 borough in parliament ; and that, in the event of a poll being 

 demanded, it would take place on the two following days. Hustings 



