PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION IN TRURO, 1832. 349 



great stillness^ he announced to be as follows: Sir R. H. Vivian, 

 291 ; Mr. Tooke, 203 ; Mr. J. E. Vivian, 196. He then declared 

 General Vivian and Mr. Tooke duly elected. 



The scene vt^hich follovs^ed was a fitting climax to the years 

 of political strife into vt^hich the borough had been plunged. The 

 majority of the Tories, knovi'ing that their candidate was defeated, 

 and chaling under the bitter disappointment, were not present at 

 the declaration of the poll 3 but the enthusiasm of the crowd knew 

 no bounds ; they sent up a shout which could be heard from end 

 to end of the town ; grave and reverend seigniors caught the 

 ardour of the younger folk, and almost thought themselves young 

 again j from the richest among them to the poorest, there were 

 handshaking and interchange of congratulations ; but none were 

 more vigorous in their expressions of joy and gladness than the 

 ladies who had been the recipients of Mr. Tooke' s bounty at the 

 famous tea drinking in Pydar street. 



During the hubbub it was announced that the "chairing" of 

 the successful candidates would take place on the following 

 Monday 3 but having regard to the excited state of public feeling, 

 and wishing to avoid any further collisions between the rival parties. 

 Sir R. H. Vivian declined the honour. Mr. Tooke, however, had 

 no scruples about the matter, so to the delight of the juveniles, and 

 to the satisfaction of his supporters, he was borne in triumph 

 through the principal streets of the town. His opponents rather 

 spitefully declared that it was " a dismal looking train, who could 

 scarcely raise a cheer," and whose appearance resembled " a pro- 

 cession carrying a Guy Fawkes to execution." Each of the candi- 

 dates invited his supporters to dinner, and Sir R. H. Vivian gave 

 ;^ioo to be distributed in coal and provisions to the poor. 



