Extract of a Letter from Petersfield, dated Oct. 30.
“On Friday last being the day appointed for a ball given here by the Hon. Captain Luttrell, a very large body of the independent freeholders and inhabitants on horseback, with favours in their hats, assembled four miles off (on the road leading from the Captain’s country seat) to meet him and his company; twenty-four men dressed in white jackets, black velvet caps, and pink scarfs, with a like number in white caps, and anchor thereon, and white bands, accompanied by a groupe of select musicians, attended the procession with frequent cheers, and well-timed chorus, ‘Britons never will be slaves.’ The horses were then taken from Captain Luttrell’s carriage, and he was drawn into town amidst the acclamation of above 2000 people, ringing of bells, &c. &c. The Captain was accompanied by the carriages of most of the neighbouring gentry, who emulous to demonstrate on this occasion their attention to their friend, and to the glorious cause in which he was embarked—that of rescuing an ancient and very respectable Borough from the fetters of tyrannic usurpation. After the ball (which was the most brilliant ever remembered in Petersfield) an elegant supper was served up to above 150 persons, who retired in the greatest good humour and cordiality. The day following, Captain Luttrell gave a large turtle and a genteel entertainment to the independent freeholders, who continue to espouse his cause with that zealous attachment which results from a true sense of the Captain’s intentions, and a proper feeling for their own situation. Captain Luttrell (in a speech that carried with it great propriety and spirit) pledged himself, under their auspices, to urge with the utmost efficacy the petition against the returned Candidates.”