REPORT OE' THE MEETINGS EOR 1899 69 



which is related by Edgeworth in his "Memoirs" respecting 

 the contest for Andover at the general election in 1768, 

 when Sir J. B. Griffin was returned at the head of the poll 

 with seventeen votes ; the second member was B. Lethieulier, 

 with fifteen votes ; and the defeated candidate was Sir F. B. 

 Delaval, who only polled seven. Sir Francis, moreover, found 

 himself at loggerheads with his attorney, an acute practitioner, 

 whose bill had been running for years; althougli considerable 

 sums of money had been paid on account, a prodigious 

 balance was still claimed as unsettled, which Sir Francis 

 disputed at law. When the case came before the Court of 

 King's Bench, in an exorbitant bill of charges, the following 

 item excited amusement : — "To being thrown out of the 

 George Inn. Andover ; to my leg being thereby broken ; to 

 the surgeon's bill; to loss of time and business — all in the 

 service of Sir F. B. Delaval— £500." 



This charge requires explanation. It appeared that the 

 law agent, by way of promoting the interests of his principal 

 in the borough, had sought to propitiate the mayor and 

 corporation — important potentates at electioneering times — in 

 whose hands was vested so much of the local influence. A 

 pretext being necessary to decoy these worthies to a banquet, 

 where they might be conciliated, the attorney sent cards of 

 invitation to the mayor and corporation in the name of the 

 colonel and officers of a regiment in the town ; and at the 

 same time invited the colonel and staff, in the name of the 

 mayor and corporation, to dine and drink the king's health 

 on his birthday — an ingenious ruse — but the diplomatist had 

 literally " reckoned without his host." The two parties 

 met, were mutually courteous, ate a good dinner, toasted 

 His Majesty's health, and proceeded to other post-prandial 

 compliments before breaking up. Then came the acknow- 

 ledgements. The commanding officer of the regiment made 

 a handsome speech to Mr Mayor, thanking him for his 

 hospitable invitation and entertainment. "No, Colonel," 

 replied the mayor, "it is to you that thanks are due, by me 

 and my brother aldermen, lor your generous treat to us." 

 The colonel replied with as much warmth as good breeding 

 would allow. The mayor retorted in downright anger, 

 vowing that he would not be choused by the bravest colonel 



