occasion, and a
clarionet.

Before the band struck up, however, I was greeted with such
enthusiastic outbursts that they might have brought tears into the
eyes of any one less firm than myself. "Orkins for ever!" roared
the multitude. It almost stunned me. Never could I have dreamt my
popularity would be so great. "Orkins for ever!" again and again
they repeated, each volley, if possible, louder than before. "Bravo,
Orkins! Let 'em 'ave it, Orkins! don't spare 'em." I wish I had known
what this meant.

I must say they did all that mortals could do with their mouths to
honour their future member.

Hogarth's "March to Finchley" was outdone by that march to the
Barnstaple town hall. An enormous body of electors, "free and
independent" stamped on their faces as well as their hands, was
gathered there, and it was a long time before we could get anywhere
near the door.

Again and again the air was rent with the cries for "Orkins," and it
was perfectly useless for the police to attempt to clear the way.
They had me as if on show, and it was only by the most wonderful
perseverance and good luck that I found myself going head first along
the corridor leading to the hall itself.

When I appeared on the platform, it seemed as if Barnstaple had never
seen such a man; they were mad with joy, and all wanted to shake hands
with me at once. I dodged a good many, and by dint of waving his arms
like a semaphore the chairman succeeded, not in restoring peace, but
in moderating the noise.

I now had an opportunity of using my eyes, and there before me in one
of the front seats was the redoubtable Cave--the great canvassing
Cave--who instantly rose and gave me the most cordial welcome, trusted
I was to be his future colleague in the House, and was most generous
in his expressions of admiration for the people of Barnstaple,
especially the voting portion of them, and hoped I should have a very
pleasant time and never forget dear old Barnstaple. I said I was not
likely to--nor am I.

Of course I had to address the assembled electors first after the
introduction by the chairman, who, taking a long time to inform us
what the electors _wanted_, I made up my mind what to say in order to
convince them that they should have it. I gave them hopes of a great
deal of legal reform and reduction of punishments, for I thought
that would suit most of them best, and then gladly assented to a
satisfactory adjustment of all local requirements and