t was properly
observed. He was tremendously fierce against allotments and analysed
the system with merciless sarcasm, Indeed he had no inconsiderable
acquaintance with the doctrines of the economists, and was rather
inclined to carry them into practice in every instance, except that of
the landed proprietary, which he clearly proved "stood upon different
grounds" to that of any other "interest." There was nothing he hated so
much as a poacher, except a lease; though perhaps in the catalogue
of his aversions, we ought to give the preference to his
anti-ecclesiastical prejudice: this amounted even to acrimony. Though
there was no man breathing who was possessed with such a strong
repugnance to subscriptions of any kind, it delighted Lord Marney to see
his name among the contributors to all sectarian institutions. The vicar
of Marney, who had been presented by himself, was his model of a priest:
he left every body alone. Under the influence of Lady Marney, the worthy
vicar had once warmed up into some ebullition of very low church zeal;
there was some talk of an evening lecture, the schools were to be
remodelled, certain tracts were actually distributed. But Lord Marney
soon stopped all this. "No priestcraft at Marney," said this gentle
proprietor of abbey lands.

"I wanted very much to come and canvass for you," said Lady Marney to
Egremont, "but George did not like it."

"The less the family interfered the better," said Lord Marney; "and for
my part, I was very much alarmed when I heard my mother had gone down."

"Oh! my mother did wonders," said Egremont: "we should have been beat
without her. Indeed, to tell the truth, I quite gave up the thing the
moment they started their man. Before that we were on velvet; but the
instant he appeared everything was changed, and I found some of my
warmest supporters, members of his committee."

"You had a formidable opponent, Lord Marney told me," said Sir Vavasour.
"Who was he?"

"Oh! a dreadful man! A Scotchman, richer than Croesus, one McDruggy,
fresh from Canton, with a million of opium in each pocket, denouncing
corruption, and bellowing free trade."

"But they do not care much for free trade in the old borough?" said Lord
Marney.

"No, it was a mistake," said Egremont, "and the cry was changed the
moment my opponent was on the ground. Then all the town was placarded
with 'Vote for McDruggy and our young Queen,' as if he had coalesced
with her Majesty."

"My mother m