improvements, as
well as a determined redress of grievances which should on no account
be longer delayed. ("Orkins for ever!")

Then Cave stood up--an imposing man, with a good deal of presence and
shirt-collar--who invited any man--indeed, _challenged_ anybody--in
that hall to question him on any subject whatever.

The challenge was accepted, and up stood one of the rank and file of
the electors--no doubt sent by the Howell Gwynne party--and with a
voice that showed at least he meant to be heard, said,--

"Mr. Cave, first and foremost of all, I should like to know _how your
missus is to-day_?"

It was scarcely a political or public question, but nobody objected,
and everybody roared with laughter, because it seemed at all political
meetings Cave had started the fashion, which has been adopted by many
candidates since that time, of referring _to his wife_! Cave always
began by saying he could never go through this ordeal without the help
and sympathy of his dear wife--his support and joy--at whose bidding
and in pursuit of whose dreams he had come forward to win a seat in
their uncorruptible borough, and to represent them--the most coveted
honour of his life--in the House of Commons.

Of course this oratory, having a religious flavour, took with a very
large body of the Barnstaple electors, and was always received with
cheers as an encouragement to domestic felicity and faithfulness to
connubial ties.

When this gentleman put the question, Cave answered as though it was
asked in real earnest, and was cheered to the echo, not merely for his
domestic felicity, but his cool contempt for any man who could so far
forget connubial bliss as to sneer at it.

For a few days all went tolerably well, and then I was told that a
very different kind of influence prevailed in the borough than that
of religion or political morality, and that it would be perfectly
hopeless to expect to win the seat unless I was prepared to purchase
the large majority of electors; indeed, that I must buy almost every
voter. (That's what they meant by "Give it 'em, Orkins! Let 'em 'ave
it!")

This I refused to believe; but it was said they were such free and
independent electors that they would vote for _either_ party, and you
could not be sure of them until the last moment; in fact, _if I would
win I must bribe_! to say nothing of all sorts of subscriptions to
cricket clubs and blanket clubs, as well as friendly societies of all
kinds.

I de