We have been at considerable expense in procuring the subjoined account of the election which has just terminated in the borough of Ballinafad, in Ireland.  Our readers may rest assured that our report is perfectly exclusive, being taken, as the artists say, “on the spot,” by a special bullet-proof reporter whom we engaged, at an enormous expense, for this double hazardous service.

BALLINAFAD, 20th JULY.

Tuesday Morning, Eight o’clock.—­The contest has begun!  The struggle for the independence of Ballinafad has commenced!  Griggles, the opposition candidate, is in the field, backed by a vile faction.  The rank, wealth, and independence of Ballinafad are all ranged under the banner of Figsby and freedom.  A party of Griggles’ voters have just marched into the town, preceded by a piper and a blind fiddler, playing the most obnoxious tunes.  A barrel of beer has been broached at Griggles’ committee-rooms.  We are all in a state of the greatest excitement.

Half-past Eight.—­Mr. Figsby is this moment proceeding from his hotel to the hustings, surrounded by his friends and a large body of the independent teetotal electors.  A wheelbarrow full of rotten eggs has been sent up to the hustings, to be used, as occasion requires, by the Figsby voters, who are bent upon

[Illustration:  “GOING THE WHOLE HOG.”]

A serious riot has occurred at the town pump, where two of the independent teetotalers have been ducked by the opposite party.  Stones are beginning to fly in all directions.  A general row is expected.

Nine o’clock.—­Polling has commenced.  Tom Daly, of Galway, the fighting friend of Mr. Figsby, has just arrived, with three brace of duelling pistols, and a carpet-bag full of powder and ball.  This looks like business.  I have heard that six of Mr. Figsby’s voters have been locked up in a barn by Griggles’ people.  The poll is proceeding vigorously.

Ten o’clock.—­State of the poll to this time:—­

Figsby          19
Griggles        22

The most barefaced bribery is being employed by Griggles.  A lady, known to be in his interest, was seen buying half-a-pound of tea, in the shop of Mr. Fad, the grocer, for which she paid with a whole sovereign, and took no change. Two legs of mutton have also been sent up to Griggles’ house, by Reilly, the butcher.  Heaven knows what will be the result.  The voting is become serious—­four men with fractured skulls have, within these ten minutes, been carried into the apothecary’s over the way.  A couple of policemen have been thrown over the bridge; but we are in too great a state of agitation to mind trifles.

Half-past Twelve o’clock.—­State of the poll to this time:—­

Figsby          27
Griggles        36

You can have no idea of the frightful state of the town.  The faction are employing all sorts of bribery and intimidation.  The wife of a liberal greengrocer has just been seen with the Griggles ribbons in her cap.  Five pounds have been offered for a sucking-pig.  Figsby must come in, notwithstanding two cart-loads of the temperance voters are now riding up to the poll, most of them being too drunk to walk.  Three duels have been this morning reported.  Results not known.  The coroner has been holding inquests in the market-house all the morning.