political meetings in Dublin. At the general election in 1826 he became a candidate for the constituency of Dublin City, but after a severe and expensive contest lasting fourteen days was defeated by a small majority.

In 1830 and 1832 he again unsuccessfully contested the seat for Dublin. At the close of another election for Dublin in January 1835 the numbers were: O'Connell 2,678, Ruthven 2,630, Hamilton 2,461, West 2,455. A petition was, however, presented; the commissioners