The Election of March, 1857.
| Lord Viscount Bury (L.) | 2238 |
| Henry Wm. Schneider (L.) | 2247 |
| Sir S. Bignold (C.) | 1636 |
The seventh Reformed Parliament assembled April 30th, 1857. On Feb. 19th, 1858, Lord Palmerston, who commenced the session with a large majority in his favour, was defeated on the Conspiracy to Murder Bill, by 234 to 215 votes. Lord Palmerston accordingly resigned, and was succeeded by Lord Derby. An election took place on April 30th, 1859, and another severe contest ensued between the Liberals and Conservatives, with the following result:—
The Election of April, 1859.
| Lord Viscount Bury (L.) | 2154 |
| Henry Wm. Schneider (L.) | 2138 |
| Sir S. Bignold (C.) | 1966 |
| C. M. Lushington (C.) | 1900 |
The eighth Reformed Parliament assembled May 31st, 1859; and Lord Derby, being defeated on an amendment to the address, resigned. Lord Palmerston again came into power, and Lord Bury was appointed Treasurer of the Household. This occasioned a vacancy in the representation, and the election took place on June 29th, 1859.
The Election of June, 1859.
| Lord Viscount Bury (L.) | 1922 |
| Sir S. Bignold (C.) | 1561 |
| Colonel Boldero (C.) | 39 |
The election of Lord Bury and Mr. Schneider, on April 30th, 1859, having been declared void on the ground of bribery (which had been shamefully resorted to on both sides) by a committee of the House of Commons, on July 30th, 1859, and the subsequent election of Lord Bury, on June 29th, having been also declared void, writs were ordered, on March 23rd, 1860, to be issued for the election of two members. This led to a grand trial of the strength of the two parties here on March 29th, 1860, with the following result:—
The Election of March, 1860.