The polling took place on the following day, and this description is given of
The very general expectation that prevailed as to the severity of the contest drew early together large numbers of persons, who thronged the vicinity of the polling places and the streets throughout the day. The polling from eight to nine o’clock was very rapid, both parties striving their utmost to bring up men so as to head the poll. The popular feeling, which manifested itself unmistakeably in favour of the Liberal cause, was sadly damped between the hours of nine and ten o’clock by the appearance of a placard bearing the state of the poll, and showing that the Conservatives, notwithstanding the activity displayed by the other side, had stolen a march upon them, and meant winning. The result of the next hour’s polling had considerably increased the Conservative majority, and, as a large proportion of the electors had voted, it became evident that the battle, as far as Liberal interests were concerned, was all but lost. As the day advanced, the position of the Liberals on the poll became worse, and all chance of retrieving their position was hopeless. The excitement was very great in the town, but the crowd continued to conduct themselves pretty quietly, contenting themselves with venting their disappointment by groaning heartily at every vehicle bearing placards of “Vote for Lacon and Goodson.”
State of thePoll. | |
Nineo’clock. | |
Lacon | 298 |
Goodson | 294 |
Brogden | 235 |
Vanderbyl | 226 |
Teno’clock. | |
Lacon | 541 |
Goodson | 526 |
Brogden | 447 |
Vanderbyl | 425 |
Eleveno’clock. | |
Lacon | 608 |
Goodson | 574 |
Brogden | 506 |
Vanderbyl | 481 |
Lacon | 746 |
Goodson | 712 |
Brogden | 595 |
Vanderbyl | 557 |
Oneo’clock. | |
Lacon | 758 |
Goodson | 708 |
Brogden | 610 |
Vanderbyl | 571 |
Twoo’clock. | |
Lacon | 798 |
Goodson | 757 |
Brogden | 618 |
Vanderbyl | 573 |
Fouro’clock. | |
Lacon | 828 |
Goodson | 784 |
Brogden | 634 |
Vanderbyl | 589 |
The following detail is given of the polling in the various Wards.
| Lacon. | Goodson. | Brogden. | Vanderbyl. | |
| St. Nicholas’ | 91 | 86 | 78 | 74 |
| Market | 146 | 140 | 120 | 109 |
| Regent | 152 | 146 | 106 | 99 |
| St. George’s | 104 | 100 | 96 | 91 |
| Nelson | 189 | 173 | 138 | 130 |
| Southtown | 146 | 139 | 96 | 86 |
| Total | 828 | 784 | 634 | 589 |
July 19th.—At the Nomination for East Norfolk, Sir T. B. P. Beauchamp (failing to satisfy the Malt-tax Repeal party), Mr. Clare Sewell Read was proposed as a candidate for the Division, as also were Colonel Coke, Mr. Howes, and Sir Thomas; the show of hands being in favour of Howes and Read, a poll was demanded for the Whig candidates (the Hon. Colonel Clarence Wenman Walpole Coke and Sir Thomas Brograve Proctor-Beauchamp, Bart.,) who proceeded to Yarmouth, where their agent (Mr. F. Danby-Palmer) at once organised a meeting of 6,000 persons in the Market-place, Mr. R. Hammond presided, and General Sir Charles A. Windham, Colonel Coke, Viscount Bury, and Sir Thomas Beauchamp addressed the assembly.
The Tories also held a meeting in front of the Crown and Anchor Hotel, which was addressed by the Mayor (R. Steward, Esq.), Mr. C. S. Read, and Mr. E. H. L. Preston; the crowd then, however, gave “three cheers for Brogden and Vanderbyl, and as many groans for Howes and Read.”
July 22nd.—The voting in the town of Yarmouth had been, with regard to this contest, as follows:—
| Coke | 340 |
| Beauchamp | 314 |
| Howes | 297 |
| Read | 267 |
But the general return was—
| Howes | 3,100 |
| Read | 2,985 |
| Beauchamp | 2,150 |
| Coke | 1,994 |