in
the wrong, and particularly so in the bestowal of patronage, which, I
suppose, is a very important matter among party politicians. The
appointments which the Whigs have made of late years have often been
most shamefully actuated by family or party reasons, and not with a
single eye to the public service. Many times the Conservatives are
really more liberal than the Whigs--sometimes the Whigs are more
Conservative than the Tories. It is of the first importance that there
should be many men such as you in Parliament, who will watch over both
parties; and, if this determined dualism is at work everywhere, how are
such men to get into the legislature? But, surely, you could carry the
burghs--you can speak, can you not?"

"I don't know, I never tried; but I dare say I could beat Mr.
Fortescue, the duke's candidate. He has never opened his mouth in the
House, but to give his vote, and on the hustings he made no figure."

"Try the independent course, by all means; you may be beaten, but then
if you succeed, you will be so much more useful."

"It will probably cost me a thousand pounds."

"It is shameful that the duty of serving one's country for nothing
should be so dearly bought. If you get in, you must try to introduce
some measure to reduce election expenses."

"A difficult matter. The object of the Parliament, when once assembled,
is to make it difficult and expensive to get in. To keep the
candidature within the limits of a privileged body is considered a
great safeguard."

"Not by me, or by you," said Jane. "I want you to get in because you
know the feelings and the wants of the people who have no votes better
than ninety-nine out of a hundred, who are members of Parliament. Oh!
Francis, I feel quite sure that if you exert yourself you can get in.
And what is a thousand pounds?--you have it to spare."

"I am doubtful," said Francis, shaking his head, "if I can afford to go
into Parliament."

"Have you not two thousand a year? and do not lawyers who can scarcely
make a living go into Parliament? I am sure there is some perjury on
the subject of property qualification--but as, perhaps, the latter is
unnecessary, it is the less matter."

"They go to increase their means, or their practice, or their
influence, and generally take the first opportunity of accepting
something better than the Chiltern Hundreds under Government," said
Francis.

"There must be something very wrong somewhere, if a country gentleman