ited his destiny with the new favourite, and such an
involution of parties took place that "Stukely and Cave" joined hand
in hand and heart to heart, while poor Howell Gwynne and myself were
abandoned as useless candidates. At one o'clock it was clear that I
must be defeated by a large majority.

The Cave party then approached me with the modest request that, as it
was quite clear that I could not be returned, would I mind attending
the polling places and give my support to Cave?

This piece of unparalleled impudence I declined to accede to, and
did nothing. The election was over so far as I was interested in its
result; but I was determined to have a parting word with the electors
before leaving the town. I was mortified at the unblushing treachery
and deception of my supporters.

I was next asked what I proposed to do. It was their object to get
me out of the town as soon as possible, for if unsuccessful as a
candidate, I might be troublesome in other ways. Such people are not
without a sense of fear, if they have no feeling of shame.

I said I should do nothing but take a stroll by the river, the day
being fine, and come back when the poll was declared and make them a
little speech.

The little speech was exactly what they did not want, so in the
most friendly manner they informed me that a fast train would leave
Barnstaple at a certain time, and that probably I would like to catch
that, as no doubt I wished to be in town as early as possible to
attend to my numerous engagements. If they had chartered the train
themselves they could not have shown greater consideration for my
interests. But I informed them that I should stop and address the
electors, and with this statement they turned sulkily away.

At the appointed hour for the declaration of the poll I was on the
hustings--well up there, although the lowest on the poll. Stukely and
Cave were first and second, Howell Gwynne and myself third and _last_!

When my turn came to address the multitude, I spoke in no measured
terms as to the conduct of the election, which I denounced as having
been won by the most scandalous bribery and corruption.

All who were present as unbiassed spectators were sorry, and many of
them expressed a wish that I would return on a future day.

"Not," said I, "until the place has been purged of the foul corruption
with which it is tainted."

I had resolved to leave by the mail train, and was actually
accompanied to the station b