wn where business methods are better understood. The
late member having resigned, the chairman and agent for one party,
greatly exercised as to the means of providing for the expenses of
attending to the register and maintaining local interest in the
principles of the party, and in the "great cause" which it supports,
wisely communicated with "headquarters." As to what passes there,
religious silence should be observed. There is no evidence available,
and to pry into such mysteries were profane, but shortly afterwards it
is announced that Mr. X., with the highest recommendations, will address
the association. The local managers are quietly informed that he is
willing to pay all expenses of the local organisation, to subscribe to
the party clubs, and to spend money freely in the constituency. X.
appears from Weissnichtwo with a bevy of carpet bags and some heavy
cheque books. He is a man of business, has "made money"--meaning usually
acquired money of other people by any means not forbidden by law. The
oratorical arts which served to influence prospective shareholders are
sufficient to fill the prepared caucus with at least an appearance of
enthusiasm, and the open-minded candidate has sufficient democratic
sentiment to adopt every plank in the party programme, or "any other
damned nonsense" that he thinks will be agreeable. The virtuous
Dyeborough yields to the golden shower, and embraces the charming
stranger. It takes his subscriptions with content, and watches his
career with pride. A far-seeing sporting man offers two to one that in
three years the new member will be recognised by a title--of course a
"marketable title" suggests a lawyer--but no one is rash enough to take
up the bet. (No wonder that Proportional Representation or any other
proposal which would interfere with the working of such a convenient
system is rejected by the party politicians.) Everyone has been
satisfied. The local party managers have been relieved from all anxiety,
the local charities and political clubs add handsome subscriptions to
their lists, headquarters and the whips have--to put the case
mildly--not diminished their funds, and can reckon on a safe seat and
steady vote. X. has entered on a career of public service marked at each
step by successive honours. The only drawback is that if he should be
translated to "another place," it would be found that the borough had
become accustomed to such a scale of expenditure from its member that