Pabsby was simply the first. Before Christmas had come, it seemed
to Sir Thomas that there was not a place of divine worship in the
whole of Percycross that was not falling to the ground in ruins. He
had not observed it when he was there, but now it appeared that funds
were wanted for almost every such edifice in the borough. And the
schools were in a most destitute condition. He was informed that the
sitting member had always subscribed to all the schools, and that if
he did not continue such subscription the children would literally be
robbed of their education. One gentleman, whose name he did not even
remember to have heard, simply suggested to him that he would, as
a matter of course, continue to give "the L50" towards the general
Christmas collection on behalf of the old women of the borough. The
sitting members had given it time out of mind. Mr. Roodylands had a
political project of his own, which in fact, if carried out, would
amount to a prohibition on the import of French boots, and suggested
that Sir Thomas should bring in a bill to that effect on the meeting
of Parliament. If Sir Thomas would not object to the trouble of
visiting Amiens, Lille, Beauvais, and three or four other French
towns which Mr. Roodylands mentioned, he would be able to ascertain
how much injury had been done to Percycross by the Cobden treaty.
Mr. Spiveycomb had his own ideas about Italian rags,--Mr. Spiveycomb
being in the paper line,--and wrote a very long letter to Sir Thomas,
praying the member to make himself master of a subject so vitally
important to the borough which he represented. Mr. Spicer also
communicated to him the astounding fact that some high official
connected with the army was undoubtedly misbehaving himself in regard
to mustard for the troops. The mustard contracts were not open as
they should be open. The mustard was all supplied by a London house,
and Mr. Spicer was very anxious that Sir Thomas should move for a
committee to inquire of the members of that London firm as to the
manner in which the contracts were obtained by them. Mr. Spicer was
disposed to think that this was the most important matter that would
be brought forward in the next session of Parliament.

Mr. Pabsby had got his cheque before the other applications were
received; but when they came in shoals, Sir Thomas thought that it
might be well to refer them to Mr. Trigger for advice. Sir Thomas had
not loved Griffenbottom during the election, and w