inal the benefit of it, as a man who admires
our glorious constitution should do, and kept my own counsel, sir."

"At least," remarks Mr. Tucker, "enough is proven to show that Sir
Barnes Newcome Newcome, Baronet, is scarce a fit person to represent
this great borough in Parliament."

"Represent Newcome in Parliament! It is a disgrace to that noble
institution the English House of Commons, that Barnes Newcome should
sit in it. A man whose word you cannot trust; a man stained with
every private crime. What right has he to sit in the assembly of the
legislators of the land, sir?" cries the Colonel, waving his hand as if
addressing a chamber of deputies.

"You are for upholding the House of Commons?" inquires the lawyer.

"Of course, sir, of course."

"And for increasing the franchise, Colonel Newcome, I should hope?"
continues Mr. Tucker.

"Every man who can read and write ought to have a vote, sir; that is my
opinion!" cries the Colonel.

"He's a Liberal to the backbone," says Potts to Tucker.

"To the backbone!" responds Tucker to Potts. "The Colonel will do for
us, Potts."

"We want such a man, Tucker; the Independent has been crying out
for such a man for years past. We ought to have a Liberal as second
representative of this great town--not a sneaking half-and-half
Ministerialist like Sir Barnes, a fellow with one leg in the Carlton and
the other in Brookes's. Old Mr. Bunce we can't touch. His place is safe;
he is a good man of business: we can't meddle with Mr. Bunce--I know
that, who know the feeling of the country pretty well."

"Pretty well! Better than any man in Newcome, Potts!" cries Mr. Tucker.

"But a good man like the Colonel,--a good Liberal like the Colonel,--a
man who goes in for household suffrage----"

"Certainly, gentlemen."

"And the general great Liberal principles--we know, of course--such
a man would assuredly have a chance against Sir Barnes Newcome at the
coming election! could we find such a man! a real friend of the people!"

"I know a friend of the people if ever there was one," F. Bayham
interposes.

"A man of wealth, station, experience; a man who has fought for his
country; a man who is beloved in this place as you are, Colonel Newcome:
for your goodness is known, sir--You are not ashamed of your origin, and
there is not a Newcomite old or young, but knows how admirably good you
have been to your old friend, Mrs.--Mrs. What-d'-you-call'-em."

"Mrs. Mason," from F. B.