During the six weeks the scrutiny lasted, sixty covers were daily spread at Spencer House, St. James’s, for those concerned in the case. The results were no less eccentric: the number of votes being finally found equal, the election was referred to chance, and decided by a toss, which Lord Spencer won, and nominated a man out in India. The cost of this escapade then had to be counted. It is said Lord Spencer expended one hundred thousand pounds; his antagonists are credited with having wasted one hundred and fifty thousand pounds each--an incredible sum, considering this represents at least double the equivalent amounts at the present day. Earl Spencer came off lightest, and appears to have been in no way involved; Lord Halifax was ruined; Lord Northampton cut down his trees, sold his furniture at Compton Winyates, went abroad for the rest of his days, and died in Switzerland. Canon James, who has related the story of the famous “Spendthrift Election” in his “History of Northamptonshire,” mentions that at Castle Ashby is still preserved a sealed box, labelled “Election Papers,” the evidence of this insane contest--one of no political moment; but none of the present generation has had the courage to open the dread receptacle of bygone folly. A whimsical anecdote is related by Edgeworth, in his “Memoirs,” respecting the contest for Andover at the general election in 1768, when Sir J. B. Griffin was returned at the head of the poll with seventeen votes; the second member was B. Lethieulier, with fifteen votes; and the defeated candidate was Sir F. B. Delaval, who only polled seven. The latter was a celebrity, both in fashion and in the politics of his day, and the story which is connected with his electioneering experience properly belongs to the traditions of the subject. Sir Francis found himself at loggerheads with his attorney, an acute practitioner, whose bill had been running for years, and, though considerable sums of money had been paid “on account,” a prodigious balance was still claimed as unsettled; this Sir Francis disputed at law. When the case came before the Court of King’s Bench, amongst an exorbitant list of charges the following item excited general attention:-- “To being thrown out of the George Inn, Andover; to my legs being thereby broken; to surgeon’s bill, and loss of time and business; all in the service of Sir F. B. Delaval £500.”