de
and good humour. It is not necessary to my happiness that I should
sit in Parliament; but it is necessary to my happiness that I should
possess, in Parliament or out of Parliament, the consciousness of having
done what is right."

Macaulay had his own ideas as to the limits within which constituents
are justified in exerting their privilege of questioning a candidate;
and, on the first occasion when those limits were exceeded, he made a
notable example of the transgressor. During one of his public meetings,
a voice was heard to exclaim from the crowd in the body of the hall:
"An elector wishes to know the religious creed of Mr. Marshall and Mr.
Macaulay." The last-named gentleman was on his legs in a moment. "Let
that man stand up!" he cried. "Let him stand on a form, where I can see
him!" The offender, who proved to be a Methodist preacher, was heisted
on to a bench by his indignant neighbours; nerving himself even in that
terrible moment by a lingering hope that he might yet be able to hold
his own. But the unhappy man had not a chance against Macaulay,
who harangued him as if he were the living embodiment of religious
intolerance and illegitimate curiosity. "I have heard with the greatest
shame and sorrow the question which has been proposed to me; and with
peculiar pain do I learn that this question was proposed by a minister
of religion. I do most deeply regret that any person should think
it necessary to make a meeting like this an arena for theological
discussion. I will not be a party to turning this assembly to such
a purpose. My answer is short, and in one word. Gentlemen, I am a
Christian." At this declaration the delighted audience began to cheer;
but Macaulay would have none of their applause. "This is no subject," he
said, "for acclamation. I will say no more. No man shall speak of me as
the person who, when this disgraceful inquisition was entered upon in an
assembly of Englishmen, brought forward the most sacred subjects to be
canvassed here, and be turned into a matter for hissing or for cheering.
If on any future occasion it should happen that Mr. Carlile should
favour any large meeting with his infidel attacks upon the Gospel, he
shall not have it to say that I set the example. Gentlemen, I have done;
I tell you, I will say no more; and if the person who has thought fit to
ask this question has the feelings worthy of a teacher of religion, he
will not, I think, rejoice that he has called me forth."