never came at all
than came against his will, or came to meet the least pain, the shadow
of disgrace. And he was contented and prosperous in the western world,
leading an active and useful life, earning an honourable name. He had
taken a partner, he told us; there was real friendship between them,
and they were doing well; perhaps might make, in a few years, one of
those rapid fortunes which clever men of business do make in America,
and did especially at that time.

He was also eager and earnest upon other and higher cares than mere
business; entered warmly into his father's sympathy about many
political measures now occupying men's minds. A great number of
comparative facts concerning the factory children in England and
America; a mass of evidence used by Mr. Fowell Buxton in his arguments
for the abolition of slavery; and many other things, originated in the
impulsive activity, now settled into mature manly energy, of Mr. Guy
Halifax, of Boston, U.S.--"our Guy."

"The lad is making a stir in the world," said his father one day, when
we had read his last letter. "I shall not wonder if when he comes home
a deputation from his native Norton Bury were to appear, requesting him
to accept the honour of representing them in Parliament. He would suit
them--at least, as regards the canvassing and the ladies--a great deal
better than his old father--eh, love?"

Mrs. Halifax smiled, rather unwillingly, for her husband referred to a
subject which had cost her some pain at the time. After the Reform
Bill passed, many of our neighbours, who had long desired that one of
John's high character, practical knowledge, and influence in the town,
should be its M.P., and were aware that his sole objection to entering
the House was the said question of Reform, urged him very earnestly to
stand for Norton Bury.

To everybody's surprise, and none more than our own, he refused.

Publicly he assigned no reason for this except his conviction that he
could not discharge as he ought, and as he would once have done, duties
which he held so sacred and indispensable. His letter, brief and
simple, thanking his "good neighbours," and wishing them "a younger and
worthier" member, might be found in some old file of the Norton Bury
Herald still. Even the Norton Bury Mercury, in reprinting it,
commented on its touching honesty and brevity, and--concluding his
political career was ended with it--condescended to bestow on Mr.
Halifax the usual