have a
few crotchety people in the House of Commons. The game of life, whether
social or political, is not played by only two sets of black and red
men--like chess or backgammon."

"I have met a gentleman at Miss Thomson's pretty frequently," said
Francis, "who struck me as having the most remarkable qualifications
for a member of Parliament. He has a habit of recurring to first
principles which is rather startling, but which always forces you to
give a reason for the faith that is in you, and which either confirms
your opinion satisfactorily, or changes, or modifies it. He has retired
from business on about 700 pounds a year--which he has made in America,
principally--has no family, no cares, and plenty of leisure--is the
most upright of men, and knows more of the principles of jurisprudence,
and the details of commercial matters than any one I ever knew; but no
constituency would choose him, and he cannot afford to throw away a
thousand pounds for the privilege of having his say out. He is one of
the electors of Swinton, and particularly anxious that I should contest
the burghs. His own vote he can answer for, but he boasts of no large
following; though he is a man who ought to exert mental influence, he
is too far ahead to be popular. If I were to stand, and were to
succeed, I will find him a most useful prompter; and with you to
inspire enthusiasm for the public service, and this Mr. Sinclair to
suggest principles and details, I ought to distinguish myself."

"I am quite sure that you will," said Jane; "so my advice is to lose no
time in seeing Mr. Freeman. I cannot believe that people who call
themselves liberal can act so illiberally as to endeavour to stifle
independence. You will tell me a different tale tomorrow."

Francis did as Jane advised him, and as he himself thought he should
do, and waited on Mr. Freeman. It happened to be a time of a lull in
party politics; there was no question strongly before the public mind
on which Whigs and Tories were so equally pitted that one vote was of
extreme importance; there was no near prospect of a change of Ministry,
and the great Whig houses had been much baited lately about their
family selfishness and their party selfishness being quite as bad as
that of the old Tory set. So it appeared to Mr. Freeman at the present
crisis to be a very wise and expedient thing to offer support to an
independent man like Mr. Hogarth, for it was very questionable if the
duke, who h