bitants. What mystery then is there in friends and neighbours joining together in promoting any object of which they mutually approve?-Surely Mr. Benett would not expect the Family to tell their neighbours-you must not vote with us. The answer would be-we will vote as we please, and we will not be dictated to.

I will strengthen this argument by appealing to Mr. Benett's preceding letter, dated the 4th of July, which contains the following sentence:

"Thus defeated I may still triumph in reflecting that in that district in Wiltshire in which I have passed my life, where my character is well known, and my qualities can be most justly estimated, I have been honored with almost unanimous support."

What is this but friendly attachment and good neighbourhood?-and can Mr. Benett justly attack a family because it is placed precisely in the same situation as himself, with this difference only, that greater numbers exist in one district than the other? Inspect the Poll Book, and it will appear that Mr. Wellesley has been supported in every quarter of the county, and therefore family influence, though it may help, can secure to no man, however great his pretensions, a certain return of the representation of this great county.

I hope that I have removed the impression which Mr. Benett's letter is meant to convey, and that this Gentleman's "rotten borough" is well timbered, and will remain for ages unimpaired, free, uncorrupted, and honourably represented. I am, Sir, your obedient Servant,

July 15, 1818.

ONE OF THE FAMILY.

At a meeting of the Committee for securing the independence of the county and conducting the interest of JOHN BENETT, Esq. as a Candidate for the representation of the County of Wilts in the Parliament to be holden on the 4th of August next, held pursuant to public advertisement at the White Hart Inn at Salisbury, on the 22nd day of July, 1818,

WILLIAM WYNDHAM, Esq. in the chair: The following Resolutions were unanimously adopted by that meeting;

1st. That the result of the late Election is regarded with the deepest regret by this meeting.-2nd. That from many circumstances which occurred previous to the Election and during its continuance, we are of opinion that the final result of the poll was not the expression of the free and unbiassed sentiments of the freeholders at large; that a system of intimidation was established in many districts, and other means inconsistent with the freedom and purity of election were pursued, by which many independent freeholders were restrained

from presenting themselves at the poll, or were otherwise prevented from giving their votes, according to their unbiassed judgment in favour of Mr. Benett.-Srd. That by such system, and in the pursuance of such means, the independence of the county has been violated.-4th. That we will use our utmost endeavours, whenever a fit opportunity shall occur, to reestablish that independence.-5th. That we earnestly expect our brother freeholders to concur with us in whatever measures shall be conducive to an end so honourable to the county, and so important to our dearest interests.-6th. That the thanks of this meeting be given to John Benett, Esq. for his firm and temperate conduct during the late arduous contest, for his strenuous though unsuccessful efforts to maintain the independence of the county and purity of election, and for the pledge which he has given to persevere in maintaining the common cause.-7th. That it is earnestly recommended to the freeholders at large to cherish those principles of independence upon which the honour of the county must ever essentially depend.-8th. That this committee be permanent, under the name of "A Committee for securing the Independence of the County."-9th. That this meeting do adjourn to the Wednesday in the week of the Summer Assizes, 1819, at the White Hart Inn at Salisbury, to consider what may then be necessary to further the common object: that in the mean time any five members of the committee, of whom the chairman to be one, be requested to convene a meeting of this committee, for the furtherance of its great object, whenever occasion may require; and that every friend and well-wisher to the independence of the county be admitted a member of the committee.-10th. That the members of the committee be requested to adopt from time to time, such measures in their several districts of the county, by establishing local meetings and otherwise, as they shall deem most conducive to the object of this meeting.11th. That the proceedings of the local meetings of the committee be from time to time transmitted to Mr. Tinney, the secretary of this committee, to be reported to the general meetings.-12th. That these Resolutions be published in the Salisbury and Winchester Journal, the Courier, the Times, Cruttwell's Bath Paper, and the Reading Mercury, and be otherwise circulated through the county; that they be engrossed on parchment and signed by the chairman, and that copies on parchment be prepared for the several districts of the county to be signed by such as approve them.-Lastly, That the thanks of this meeting be given to those gentlemen in several districts of the county who have borne, or expressed an intention of bearing, a portion of the expenses of the Election, by bringing the voters in Mr. Benett's interest to the hustings, without charge to that gentleman or otherwise.

(Signed)

WILLIAM WYNDHAM.

MRS. WILTSHIRE'S WEDDING.

Tune-"From the County of Cork."

MOTHER Wiltshire, good woman, some few years ago

Advertis'd for two husbands, for one wouldn't do! They met her at Wilton, and had some chit chat, When the banns, Johnny Benett read out of his hat. Tol de rol, &c.

As no one forbad, they were married of course,
And took one another, for better for worse;
The old lady pleas'd, and expecting a treat,
Took both of the gentlemen up to her seat.

Tol de rol, &c.

One, thoughtful and steady, ne'er troubled her much,
Never look'd at what husbands may lawfully touch;
The other, a thoughtless, and wanton young blade,
Turn'd his back on his wife, and fell foul of the maid.

Tol de rol, &c.

Separation was talk'd of, the deed was prepar'd,
The old one gave up, but the young one declar'd,
Though lately he'd acted too much at his ease,
He would try her again, and endeavour to please.

Tol de rol, &c.

A lover came forward, who promis'd his friends,
That he'd marry the lady, to serve his own ends;
He proffer'd his love, and she laid him a bet,
That he courted her hand, just to pay off his debt.

Tol de rol, &c.

He talk'd of his honour, his wealth, and his blood,
And then of the Corn Bill, that did so much good;
Though he never could hammer it into her head,
That by raising the corn, he should lower the bread.

Tol de rol, &c.

The Sages of law and divinity met,
And the honest old lady threw into a pet,
So flaming their zeal, they got into a scrape,
And committed, what's known by the name of a rape.

Tol de rol, &c.

They told him about Johnny's sheep and his tythes,
His kindness to Fisher, his letter on tythes,
His learning and knowledge, and then of his parts,
Of his newly made ploughs, of his second-hand carts.

Tol de rol, &c.

She refus'd him, when shortly another appear'd,
To herself and her relatives justly endeared,
She pronounc'd him at once the man that would suit,
He was young, he was wealthy, and gallant to boot.

Tol de rol, &c.

The Sages by party and prejudice led,
Resolv'd he should never the old lady wed,
Fill'd her ears with their tales, but it was of no use,
Her affection increas'd, with increasing abuse.

Tol de rol, &c.

There is a certain " native," that travels through the shire,
He says his name is Benett-a name some do know here,
And know it to their cost, for sure as I'm a man,

That Benett we must not elect-Independence is our plan.

That Benett we must, &c.

The Reader is referred to an incomparably liberal and clever Song, published and distributed in behalf of Mr. Benett. As proof of my admiration of some of its sentiments, I have pretty extensively borrowed its materials.

From Pyt-House, 'tis reported, this "gentleman" is bound, To seek more friends elsewhere-than near at home are found, But yet he'll not our Member be; he shall not us trepan, For we will Poll for Wellesley-his cause is "Freedom's plan." For we will, &c.

Some say he's independent, it may or may not be, The man some Clubbists think so,-is never so with me, Resist him then, my neighbours-for there's enough that can Uprear their crest for Wellesley,-Independence is our plan. Uprear, &e.

As Wiltshiremen, as Englishmen, as Freeholders, our voice Shall be for him who seeks no help from Coalition's choice, And e'en a Stranger," prudence owns, may be a better man, Than many a native wonder-brag how and much he can. Than many, &c.

Though prejudiced supporters, and vile dependents swear, By help of means both foul and fair "long Benett" shall reign here, The little wealth their Idol has, shall ne'er our hearts trepan, We will have none but Wellesley-Independence is our plan.

We will, &c.

Sometimes of family John talks-but better would it be To hold his tongue about the thing-but that's 'twixt you and me, But this you know that some of us have long'd to see the plan, That mark'd this Hero out at once an independent man.

That mark'd, &c.

What if from Kings or titled blood Long Well'sley dates his race, 'Gainst Kings and titles noble, can Wiltshire set her face; Why Wellesley sprung from England-there's Wellington, great man! Did England hate his race because in Ireland it began?

Did, &c.

Then let this clever Benett his "local" talents trim, And talk of Independence-I think 'tis new to him, But never let him, Wiltshiremen! by usurpation's plan, Claim all our freedom for himself, for Wellesley is our Man. Claim all, &c.

I take a bumper-so will you-to Wellesley good success, "I would not give a halfpenny for him that would do less ;" We know his love of Freedom, his sentiments we scan, And find that they are current here-Oh-Well'sley is our Man. And find, &c.

Tune-" Fidelity once took a fancy to roam."

As soon as I heard the folks talk of Election,
For Long Wellesley I felt a strong predilection;
To Wellington's nephew let us all now be true,

And with Benett's HARD Corn-Bill have nothing to do.
Such Election as this was there never before,
The people divided, the rich and the poor,
The Quorum for Benett are in such a taking,
The Old Swindon fool set them all a moon-raking.
But now a new whim we've got into our head,
We don't rake for cheese, we are raking for bread;
Now to speak disrespectful, my friends, I am loth,
But, if Benett succeeds, he'll deprive us of both.