necessary measures to secure the return of Mr. Hobhouse," was carried unanimously. Thanks were then voted to the Chair, when

Sir F. BURDETT said he had the honour of returning his best thanks, and of expressing his gratification that he had been able to conduct the meeting in a manner, he trusted, satisfactory to all parties. (Great applause.)

The Meeting, which was excessively crowded during the whole time, broke up a quarter before five."

Such was the close of this meeting: and, apparently, nothing could be more satisfactory than the whole of the proceedings. The cause of freedom and Reform were now, it seemed, in a fit condition to contend against the ministerial influence in Westminster. The Reformers started with a single candidate, for it was distinctly understood, that Mr. Wishart had declared, that he should submit his nomination to the meeting with the intention of withdrawing it, if not supported by the majority. Even Mr. Hunt seemed inclined to promote the unanimity of the meeting, and promised his support to Mr. Hobhouse. Major Cartwright's friends did not interfere. On the contrary, they supported the nomination of Mr. Hobhouse, and Mr. Wooler was subsequently, by his own consent, placed upon the general committee.

According to the resolution of the public meeting, a committee was immediately formed, to carry into effect the determination of the Electors, and, having assembled, they

Resolved unanimously,

"I. That since the year 1807, when the Electors of Westminster took upon themselves to elect their Representatives, they have thrice returned Sir FRANCIS BURDETT, and twice returned Lord COCHRANE to Parliament, on independent principles, free from all expense whatsoever, to either of them.

"II. That this Committee will use its utmost exertions towards fulfilling the expectations of the Electors, in their endeavour to return Mr. HовHOUSE, on the same independent principles, free from all expense to him.

"III. That many Electors having expressed a wish that the most public declaration possible should be made by Mr. HOBHOUSE; and Mr. HOBHOUSE having not only made a declaration at the public Meeting, of a perfect coincidence of opinion respecting Parliamentary Reform, but also, that he should think it no desertion of the Purity of Election as practised in Westminster, if he 'should come to the Hustings, there to repeat that declaration, and to answer the questions of the Electors.' This Committee, in conformity to the wishes of the Electors, feel themselves bound on this occasion, to promote theirs and Mr. HовHOUSE's desire.

"IV. That to enable this Committee to carry into full effect the instructions they have received from the public meeting, it will be necessary that every friend of liberty should not only use his personal exertions to promote the return of Mr. HOBHOUSE, but that he should also consider it his bounden duty to contribute towards the expenses which must necessarily be incurred.

"SAMUEL BROOKS, Chairman. Subscriptions received by Mr. Brooks, 110, Strand; Mr. Robinson, 99, Dean Street, Soho; Edward Langley, Esq. 17, Edgeware Road; and Mr. King, 22, Charing Cross."

They also transmitted the following letter to Mr. Hobhouse:

"Tuesday, November 17, 1818.

"Sir, I am directed by the Committee appointed at the public Meeting of the Electors of Westminster, held at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, in the Strand, this day, to announce to you the following Resolution, passed at that Meeting by an immense majority.

"Resolved, "That JOHN HOBHOUSE, Esq. from his known 'talents and character, is a fit and proper person to represent the City of Westminster in Parliament.'

"I am further directed to assure you, that the most prompt and vigorous measures will be pursued to carry into effect the wishes of the Electors above expressed, to secure your Return to Parliament, for the City and Liberty of Westminster.

"I have the honour to be, Sir,

"Your most obedient Servant,

"John Hobhouse, Esq."

"SAMUEL BROOKS, Chairman.

To this Mr. Hobhouse returned the following answer:

"43, Clarges Street, Wednesday, November 18, 1818. "Sir, I am favoured with the communication, which, in the name of the Committee appointed to carry into effect the Resolution passed at the public Meeting of the Electors of Westminster, you have been good enough to transmit to me this morning. I hope I shall prove myself worthy of their preference, and of the zealous interest, which, you Sir! and the Committee are pleased to take in my behalf. I beg leave to inclose an Address to the Electors, to be circulated as you think proper.

"I am happy to hear that immediate steps have been taken to insure the object in view; and I wish to state, that I am in readiness to receive any such directions as the Committee may think serviceable to our mutual cause. Previously to any other communication, I hope I may be excused for explicitly stating, that I presume

that the Election is to be conducted upon the ancient principles, and that excepting the legal expenses attending the Hustings, I shall be indemnified from all pecuniary sacrifices. I am independent, both from my circumstances and from my moderate wishes: but I have no possible means of engaging in an Election contested upon the present corrupt system, or indeed upon any other plan, than that which has been adopted by the Westminster Electors, since the year 1807.

"With respectful Compliments to the Committee,
"I remain, Sir,

"Your obedient humble servant,
"JOHN HOBHOUSE.

"Samuel Brooks, Esq.

"Chairman of the Committee appointed at the public Meeting of the Electors of Westminster, held at the Crown and Anchor Tavern."

The Committee published the letter to Mr. Hobhouse, and his answer, chiefly for the purpose of shewing to the Electors, that the nomination of that gentleman was to be supported on the pure principles which had ever distinguished the Westminster Reformers. They also published a letter received from Mr. Douglas Kinnaird, who had opened the subscription, by transmitting 1007.

"Clarges Street, November 19, 1818. "Dear Sir, I beg you will receive the inclosed draft for One Hundred Pounds, towards defraying the necessary and lawful expenses of returning to Parliament, a Representative of the City of Westminster, pledged to use his best exertions towards effecting a RADICAL REFORM of the Commons' House of Parliament. If any thing could have increased my hearty sympathy with my Brother Electors, co-operating for this end, it is that their choice has been directed to Mr. HOBHOUSE, to whose integrity, and to whose talents, no cause, however sacred, may not with confidence be com

mitted.

"It will afford me much satisfaction to contribute any services which you may be pleased to think, that I, as an Elector of Westminster, can render to the Cause in which you are engaged, as I should have the additional gratification of satisfying the claims of private friendship whilst discharging a public duty.

"I have the honour to be,
"Dear Sir,

"S. Brooks, Esq. "Chairman of the Committee appointed by the Electors of Westminster, to conduct the Election of John Hobhouse, Esq.”

"Your very obedient servant,
"DOUGLAS KINNAIRD.

In consequence of a mistake in the report of Sir Francis Burdett's speech, Mr. Hobhouse thought it necessary to address a letter to the editors of several of the daily papers, respecting an alleged separation between himself and his father; and Sir Francis Burdett, a few days afterwards, transmitted a letter on the same subject to the editor of The Times.

"TO THE EDITOR OF THE MORNING CHRONICLE.

"Sir, I observe by the report of the speeches made at the Crown and Anchor on Tuesday last, that the defence kindly undertaken for me by a gentleman whom I have not the honour to know, was founded on a sort of domestic martyrdom, to which, thank God! I have no pretensions. I have to observe, that there must be also some error in the report of the words used by Sir Francis Burdett, who has occasionally honoured my father's house with his presence, and who knows that house to be my only home.

"Considering the character of Sir Benjamin Hobhouse, an estrangement from my family would be not only a misfortune, but a disgrace to me; and I own, that if there be any circumstance at all tending to diminish the satisfaction arising from the nomination of last Tuesday, it is that of my having been the innocent occasion of exposing to unfriendly comments a name, which I am bound by all the ties of duty and affection to honour and revere.

"Whatever political difference exists between a father and a son, their opinions may still have only one tendency-the honour and prosperity of the country to which they both belong. Futurity alone can decide which of the two has been mistaken the least. But an undeniable proof of the dignity of their object, and the sincerity of their opinions, is always afforded, when, in spite of that difference, the father preserves the same indulgence for the son, and the son the same veneration for the father. I may, without improperly intruding a private fact upon public notice, safely assert this to be the case in the present instance.

"I am, Sir,

"Your obedient servant,

"43, Clarges Street, Nov. 19."

"JOHN HOBHOUSE.

66 TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.

"Sir,-A mistake having gone forth in your generally judged impartial and widely circulated paper, in its report of the proceedings at the late Westminster Meeting, you will, I am certain, allow me to correct it. I am reported to have stated to the meeting, that Mr. Hobhouse had renounced his family, and to have approved such renunciation: now, Sir, I beg leave to say, that had Mr.

Hobhouse renounced his family, I should have been one of the first persons to renounce him; for I am no admirer of the morality which neglects immediate to fulfil remote duties, nor of the philosophy which teaches men to love the Chinese and not their neighbours, any more than of the philanthropy which excludes love of our country, or the patriotism which excludes love of our family. It is, on the contrary, because Mr. Hobhouse is warmly attached to his family, because I believe him to be a dutiful son, an affectionate brother, a sincere and generous friend, that I also believe he will prove a faithful trustee for the public, an undaunted advocate for truth and justice.

"My statement, Sir, was, that warmly as Mr. Hobhouse was attached to his family, he would not allow even those feelings improperly to interfere with his public principles and duty; and this was a pledge of his sincerity, &c. I might have safely added, that the liberality of his father was never likely to put him to the painful necessity of choosing between his public and private duties, or of disturbing the harmony which so happily subsists in the whole family.

"I will just observe, I am not surprised that reporters should frequently make mistakes; I am surprised, considering the difficulty of the task, that they are so frequently correct. I should be sorry to be supposed to impute any blame; but the fact and my own sentiments being so opposite to the statement, I thought it important not to remain so misunderstood.

"I remain, Sir, "Your most obedient, &c. "F. BURDETT.

"Kirby Park, Nov. 20, 1818."

On the Monday after the nomination, the following Address to the Electors of Westminster appeared in all the public papers, and was likewise dispersed by hand-bills, under the direction of the Committee:

-

"TO THE INDEPENDENT ELECTORS OF WESTMINSTER.

"43, Clarges-Street, Wednesday, November 18, 1818. "Gentlemen, I have received with gratitude and pride the intelligence of my having been nominated at a Public Meeting of the Electors of Westminster, as a fit person to represent this City in Parliament. With additional satisfaction I learn, that the requisite measures for carrying the Resolution of that Meeting into effect have been already adopted, and that preparations for an immediate canvas have been provided in the different parishes.