at. If I could
sit there, in your heart, and be chosen by you, not for a
short seven years, but for life, I should be prouder and
happier of that honour than of any other. It ought not,
perhaps, to be so, but it is. I have to speak here to
the people very often; but I never open my mouth without
thinking that if I had you to hear me I could speak with
more energy and spirit. If I could gain your love and the
seat for this borough together, I should have done more
then than emperor, or conqueror, or high priest ever
accomplished.

I don't know whether you understand much about elections.
When I first came here I was joined with a gentleman
who was one of the old members;--but now I stand alone,
because he does not comprehend or sympathise with the
advanced doctrines which it is my mission to preach to the
people. Purity and the Rights of Labour;--those are my
watchwords. But there are many here who hate the very name
of Purity, and who know nothing of the Rights of Labour.
Labour, dear Polly, is the salt of the earth; and I hope
that some day I may have the privilege of teaching you
that it is so. For myself I do not see why ladies should
not understand politics as well as men; and I think that
they ought to vote. I hope you think that women ought to
have the franchise.

We are to be nominated on Monday, and the election will
take place on Tuesday. I shall be nominated and seconded
by two electors who are working men. I would sooner
have their support than that of the greatest magnate in
the land. But your support would be better for me than
anything else in the world. People here, as a rule, are
very lukewarm about the ballot, and they seemed to know
very little about strikes till I came among them. Without
combination and mutual support the working people must be
ground to powder. If I am sent to Parliament I shall feel
it to be my duty to insist upon this doctrine in season
and out of season,--whenever I can make my voice heard.
But, oh Polly, if I could do it with you for my wife, my
voice would be so much louder.

Pray give my best respects to your father and mother. I am
afraid I have not your father's good wishes, but perhaps
if he saw me filling the honourable position of member of
Parliament for Percycross he might relent. If you would
condescend to write me one word in reply