portion to the
constituency that the bitterness and humiliation of defeat must have
been felt with more than ordinary poignancy. It seemed at that time as
if the Conservatives would never have another chance of lifting their
heads above water. There were few constituencies in Scotland on which
they could place perfect reliance, and the Universities of Glasgow and
Aberdeen they regarded as a special preserve--as their own inalienable
and chartered possession; but this confidence was scarcely justified by
the result, and they were not permitted even the satisfaction of
recording of the most intelligent constituency in Scotland that--

"Amid the faithless, faithful only they."

The appointment of Mr. Moncrieff to the Lord Justice Clerkship in
November, 1869, caused a new writ to be issued for Glasgow and Aberdeen
Universities, and Mr. Gordon again came forward as a candidate. On this
occasion, however, he was opposed by Mr. Archibald Smith, who appeared
in the Liberal interest. Mr. Smith had neither the influence nor the
abilities of James Moncrieff; he was a comparatively untried man, and
almost his sole claim to the support of the Universities was his Liberal
promises and proclivities. Such a candidate was evidently no match for
Mr. Gordon, whose defeat in the preceding year, after a severe and
plucky fight, had drawn towards his interest the sympathies of not a few
who differed from him on political questions. Hence Mr. Gordon was
triumphantly returned at the head of the poll, which stood at the
close--

Edward S. Gordon 2120
Archibald Smith 1616

The result of this election was looked forward to with eager expectation
by men of all shades of politics throughout the length and breadth of
the land. In Glasgow, as we can well remember, the excitement was
intense, although the proceedings were, upon the whole, of an orderly
character.

Mr. Gordon has voted with his party on all the great questions that have
come before Parliament since he entered the House of Commons. During the
last two sessions he was very regular in his attendance to legislative
duties, and made several telling speeches on Scotch questions, in which
he is, perhaps, better informed than any other man in the House. He is
always listened to with respect, if not with admiration, for he exhibits
a mastery of details, and a perfect apprehension of the subject in hand,
which enables him to speak with effect, when others, who possess greater