Election for a Member of Parliament.

The cities of London and Westminster send, the one four, and the
other two, members to parliament. Mr. Fox is one of the two members
for Westminster. One seat was vacant, and that vacancy was now to
be filled. And the same Sir Cecil Wray, whom Fox had before opposed
to Lord Hood, was now publicly chosen. They tell me that at these
elections, when there is a strong opposition party, there is often
bloody work; but this election was, in the electioneering phrase, a
"hollow thing"--i.e. quite sure, as those who had voted for Admiral
Hood now withdrew, without standing a poll, as being convinced
beforehand their chance to succeed was desperate.

The election was held in Covent Garden, a large market-place in the
open air. There was a scaffold erected just before the door of a
very handsome church, which is also called St. Paul's, but which,
however, is not to be compared to the cathedral.

A temporary edifice, formed only of boards and wood nailed together,
was erected on the occasion. It was called the hustings, and filled
with benches; and at one end of it, where the benches ended, mats
were laid, on which those who spoke to the people stood. In the
area before the hustings immense multitudes of people were
assembled, of whom the greatest part seemed to be of the lowest
order. To this tumultuous crowd, however, the speakers often bowed
very low, and always addressed them by the title of "gentlemen."
Sir Cecil Wray was obliged to step forward and promise these same
gentlemen, with hand and heart, that he would faithfully fulfil his
duties as their representative. He also made an apology because, on