arranged that I should make my appearance by a specified
afternoon train on a particular day in the week (apparently to be set
apart as a public holiday), so that I had little time for preparation.
By the next day's post I received a kind of official communication
from "our committee," stating that a very substantial deputation from
the general body would have the honour to meet me at the station, and
accompany me to the committee-rooms for the purpose of introduction.

Down, therefore, I went by the Great Western line, and in due time
arrived at my destination, as I thought.

I found, instead of the "influential body of gentlemen" who were to
have the honour of conducting me to the headquarters of the Liberal
party, there was only a small portion of it, almost too insignificant
to admit of counting. But he was an important personage in uniform,
and dressed somewhat like a commissionaire.

After much salutation and deferential hemming and stammering, he said
I had better proceed to a _little station only a few miles farther
on and dine_, "and if so be I'd do that, they would meet me in the
evening."

Not being a professional politician, nor greatly ambitious of its
honours, I was somewhat disconcerted at such extraordinary conduct on
the part of my committee, and would have returned to town, but that
the train was going the wrong way, and by the time I reached the
little station I had argued the matter out, as I thought. It _might_
be a measure of precaution, in a constituency so respectable as
Barnstaple, to prevent the least suspicion of _treating_ or corrupt
influence. Had I dined at Barnstaple it might have been suggested
that some one dined with me or drank my health. Whatever it was, the
revelation was not yet.

I was to return "as soon as I had dined." Everything was to be ready
for my reception.

All these instructions I obeyed with the greatest loyalty, and
returned at an early hour in the evening. But if I was disappointed at
my first reception, how was I elated by the second! All was made up
for by good feeling and enthusiasm. We were evidently all brothers
fighting for the sacred cause, but what the cause was I had not been
informed up to this time.

At the station was a local band of music waiting to receive me, and
to strike up the inspiring air, "See the conquering hero comes;" but,
unfortunately, the band consisted only of a drum, of such dimensions
that I thought it must have been built for the