will get Mr. Hunter, and Mr. Thirlstane, and a few
others, to speak in a quiet, taking way, and you need not say too much
yourself, and do not make it too distinct. I have been agent here ever
since the passing of the Reform Bill, and I should know what
electioneering for these burghs is. Our people admire fine speaking--a
few flowers of rhetoric. A little oratory and enthusiasm are very
telling, but you need not pin yourself down to any definite course of
action."

"I am, perhaps, too much disposed to an indefinite course of action; my
principles I wish the electors to confide in, and I will act up to them
as the occasion may offer," said Francis.

"But if you are too broad and direct in your assertion of principles,
you may offend a third part of our sure votes. Nothing like a few good
large words, with not much meaning, for these burghs. By the by, there
is a deputation from Ladykirk come to wait on you, before you speak at
this meeting. It is nearer for them to come here than to Swinton, so it
is more convenient."

In fact there were two deputations awaiting the Liberal candidate--one
from the electors of Ladykirk, headed by Sandy Pringle, a man who had
risen by the fabrication of woollen yarn from a weaver into a
millowner, though not in a very large way; and the other from the
non-electors of Newtown, who, though they had no legitimate right to
take up Cross Hall's time, wanted a few words with him before election.
Their spokesman was Jamie Howison, of the class called in the south
country, in common parlance, a CREESHEY WEAVER, who had not risen, and
was not likely to rise.

Both deputations appeared at once, which to a man less honest and
direct than Francis, would have been inconvenient. He might have
requested one to retire while he gave audience to the other, but he had
so little the fear of Mr. Prentice before his eyes, that he really
wished every elector and every non-elector to hear his sentiments and
opinions as fully and openly as possible, and he received both of the
deputations together.

He first heard what his own would-be constituents had to say, and
satisfied them as to his perfect independence of the great Whig
families, and that he meant to keep his judgment unbiassed by party
politics.

"Then what about the extension o' the suffrage?" asked Sandy Pringle;
"we want five-pound voters at Ladykirk."

"That is a question likely to be kept in abeyance during the sitting of
this parliament,"