224 KIDDERMINSTER.

again enfranchised the place, when one Member was granted to a remarkably small constituency - something under 500. Mr. Godson, a barrister on the Oxford Circuit, who was highly popular with the weavers for having defended some of them at Worcester Assizes in a case of riot, was the first Member chosen. He advocated reform principles in the main, with free trade in corn. Mr. Phillips, a gentleman from Warwickshire, opposed him, but lost the election. In 1835, however, Mr. Phillips persevered and ousted his opponent, but retired in 1837, when Mr. Godson returned to his "old love," beating a Mr. Bagshaw. Successful again in 1841, he won the election over Mr. S. Ricardo ; in 1847 he was re-elected, but died in 1849. Mr. Best was then returned, on Conservative principles. Parties, however, were very nearly divided, and the equality of power has often led to much excitement and even bloodshed. Mr. Lowe next appeared upon the scene, and was returned in 1852, when he polled 246 votes to Mr. Best's 152 ; and he was re-elected in 1857, when he polled 234 to Mr. Boycott's 147. It was on this occasion that a most disgraceful riot occurred. Stones were thrown into Mr. Lowe's booth, whereby he and Mr. Pardoe and twenty other gentlemen were severely injured, Mr. Lowe narrowly escaping with his life, his skull being fractured. Eighteen of the rioters were tried at Worcester Assizes in March, 1858, and were allowed to enter into their own recognisances to appear whenever called on, a decision considered by many to be mistaken forbearance. It was not to be expected that Mr. Lowe would face such savagery again, and in 1862 he left the field to Colonel White and Mr. Huddleston. The latter retired, and Mr. J. G. Talbot came forward to oppose the Colonel, but was beaten, and at the next election the Colonel in his turn suffered defeat at the hands of Mr. Grant, the present Member for the borough.

Among the historical characters connected with Kidderminster, either by birth or other accident, are the following: Richard of Kidderminster, abbot of Winchcombe in the fifteenth century, a good scholar and rigid disciplinarian; he