ory and strength of the Eatanswill Blues. There was
a regular army of blue flags, some with one handle, and some with two,
exhibiting appropriate devices, in golden characters four feet high,
and stout in proportion. There was a grand band of trumpets,
bassoons, and drums, marshalled four abreast, and earning their money,
if ever men did, especially the drum beaters, who were very muscular.
There were bodies of constables with blue staves, twenty committee men
with blue scarves, and a mob of voters with blue cockades. There were
electors on horseback and electors on foot. There was an open
carriage and four, for the Honourable Samuel Slumkey; and there were
four carriages and pair, for his friends and supporters; and the flags
were rustling, and the band was playing, and the constables were
swearing, and the twenty committee men were squabbling, and the mob
were shouting, and the horses were backing, and the post-boys were
perspiring; and everybody, and everything, then and there assembled,
was for the special use, behoof, honour, and renown, of the Honourable
Samuel Slumkey, of Slumkey Hall, one of the candidates for the
representation of the Borough of Eatanswill, in the Commons House of
Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Loud and long were the cheers, and mighty was the rustling of one of
the blue flags, with "Liberty of the Press" inscribed thereon, when
the sandy head of Mr. Pott was discerned in one of the windows by the
mob beneath; and tremendous was the enthusiasm when the Honourable
Samuel Slumkey himself, in top boots, and a blue neckerchief, advanced
and seized the hand of the said Pott, and melodramatically testified
by gestures to the crowd his ineffaceable obligations to the
_Eatanswill Gazette_.

"Is everything ready?" said the Honourable Samuel Slumkey to Mr.
Perker.

"Everything, my dear sir," was the little man's reply.

"Nothing has been omitted, I hope?" said the Honourable Samuel
Slumkey.

"Nothing has been left undone, my dear sir--nothing whatever. There
are twenty washed men at the street door for you to shake hands with;
and six children in arms that you're to pat on the head, and inquire
the age of; be particular about the children, my dear sir,--it has
always a great effect, that sort of thing."

"I'll take care," said the Honourable Samuel Slumkey.

"And perhaps, my