m all quarters repaired to that place with all
possible despatch, and used all their influence with the people, in
remonstrances, threats, and all the other arts they could devise, not
only to discountenance the claimant upon his arrival, but even to spirit
up a mob to insult him. Notwithstanding these precautions, and the
servile awe and subjection in which tenants are kept by their landlords
in that part of the country, as soon as it was known that Mr. A--
approached the town, the inhabitants crowded out in great multitudes
to receive and welcome him, and accompanied him into town, with
acclamations, and other expressions of joy, insomuch that the agents
of his adversary durst not show their faces. The sovereign of the
corporation, who was a particular creature and favourite of the usurper,
and whose all depended upon the issue of the cause, was so conscious of
the stranger's right, and so much awed by the behaviour of the people,
who knew that consciousness, that he did not think it safe even to
preserve the appearance of neutrality upon this occasion, but actually
held the stirrup while Mr. A-- dismounted from his horse.

"This sense of conviction in the people manifested itself still more
powerfully when he returned to the same place in the year 1744, about
which time Lord A-- being informed of his resolution, determined again
to be beforehand with him, and set out in person, with his agents
and friends, some of whom were detached before him to prepare for his
reception, and induced the people to meet him in a body, and accompany
him to town, with such expressions of welcome as they had before
bestowed on his nephew; but, in spite of all their art and interest,
he was suffered to pass through the street in a mournful silence; and
though several barrels of beer were produced to court the favour of the
populace, they had no other effect than that of drawing their ridicule
upon the donor, whereas, when Mr. A--, two days afterwards, appeared,
all the inhabitants, with garlands, streamers, music, and other ensigns
of joy, crowded out to meet him, and ushered him into town with such
demonstrations of pleasure and goodwill, that the noble peer found it
convenient to hide himself from the resentment of his own tenants, the
effects of which he must have severely felt, had not he been screened
by the timely remonstrances of Mr. M--, and the other gentlemen who
accompanied his competitor.

"Nor did his apprehension vanish wi