as not inclined to
ask his colleague for counsel. Griffenbottom had obtained a name for
liberality in Percycross, and had shown symptoms,--so thought Sir
Thomas,--of an intention to use his reputation as a means of throwing
off further burdens from his own shoulders. "I have spent a treasure
in the borough. Let my colleague begin now." Words spoken by Mr.
Griffenbottom in that strain had been repeated to Sir Thomas; and,
after many such words, Sir Thomas could not go to Mr. Griffenbottom
for advice as to what he should give, or refuse to give. He doubted
whether better reliance could be placed on Mr. Trigger;--but to
some one he must go for direction. Were he once to let it be known
in Percycross that demands made would be satisfied, he might sign
cheques to the extent of his whole fortune, during his first session.
He did write to Mr. Trigger, enclosing the various Percycross
applications; and Mr. Trigger duly replied to him. Mr. Trigger
regretted that money had been given to Mr. Pabsby. Mr. Pabsby had
been of no use, and could be of no use. Mr. Griffenbottom, who knew
the borough better than any one else, had understood this well when
on one occasion he had been "a little short" with Mr. Pabsby. Sir
Thomas ought not to have sent that cheque to Mr. Pabsby. The sending
it would do infinite harm, and cause dissensions in the borough,
which might require a considerable expenditure to set right. As to
the other clerical demands, it seemed to Sir Thomas that Mr. Trigger
was of opinion that they should all be gratified. He had, in fact,
sent his money to the only person in Percycross who ought not to have
received money. The L50 for the old women was a matter of course,
and would not be begrudged, as it was the only payment which was
absolutely annual. In regard to the schools, Sir Thomas could do
what he pleased; but the sitting members had always been liberal to
the schools. Schools were things to which sitting members were, no
doubt, expected to subscribe. As to the question of French boots, Mr.
Trigger thought that there was something in it, and said that if Sir
Thomas could devote his Christmas holidays to getting up the subject
in Lille and Amiens, it would have a good effect in the borough, and
show that he was in earnest. This might be the more desirable, as
there was no knowing as yet what might be done about the petition.
There no doubt was a strong feeling in the borough as to the Cobden
treaty, and Sir Thomas wou