=Source.=--_Cowper’s Letters._ Thomas Wright. London: Hodder and
Stoughton. 1904. Vol. ii., pp. 194-197.
_To Rev. John Newton, April 26, 1784._
... The candidates for this county have set an example of economy,
which other candidates would do well to follow having come to an
agreement on both sides to defray the expenses of their voters, but to
open no houses for the entertainment of the rabble; a reform, however,
which the rabble did not at all approve of, and testified their dislike
of it by a riot. A stage was built, from which the orators had designed
to harangue the electors. This became the first victim of their fury.
Having very little curiosity to hear what gentlemen could say who
would give them nothing better than words, they broke it in pieces,
and threw the fragments upon the hustings. The sheriff, the members,
the lawyers, the voters, were instantly put to flight. They rallied,
but were again routed by a second assault, like the former. They then
proceeded to break the windows of the inn to which they had fled; and
a fear prevailing that at night they would fire the town, a proposal
was made by the freeholders to face about and endeavour to secure them.
At that instant a rioter, dressed in a merry-andrew’s jacket, stepped
forward, and challenged the best man among them. Olney sent the hero
to the field, who made him repent of his presumption. Mr. Ashburner
was he. Seizing him by the throat, he shook him,--he threw him to the
earth, he made the hollowness of his skull resound by the application
of his fists, and dragged him into custody without the least damage to
his person. Animated by this example, the other freeholders followed
it: and in five minutes twenty-eight out of thirty ragamuffins were
safely lodged in gaol....