hat always takes time."

So Mr. Harcourt presented himself to the electors of the Battersea
Hamlets as a man very anxious in their behalf in all things, but
anxious in their behalf above all things for free trade in corn. "Is
it credible, that now, in this year of grace 184--,--" and so on.
Such were the eloquent words which he addressed to the electors on
this subject, and so taken were they by his enthusiasm that they
returned him by a large majority.

Mr. Dod, therefore, in his remarkably useful little parliamentary
compendium, put down Mr. Harcourt as a liberal: this he had an
opportunity of doing immediately after Mr. Harcourt's election: in
his next edition, however, he added, "but supports the general policy
of Sir Robert Peel's government."

Mr. Harcourt had altogether managed this little affair so well that,
despite his youth, despite also those nine political seniors of his,
men began to talk of him as one who might shortly hope to fill high
places. He made himself very useful in the House, and did so in a
quiet, business-like, unexciting manner, very pleasant to the leading
politician of the Treasury bench.

And then there came the Irish famine, and all the bindings of all
the Tories were scattered to the winds like feathers. The Irishman's
potato-pot ceased to be full, and at once the great territorial
magnates of England were convinced that they had clung to the horns
of a false altar. They were convinced; or at least had to acknowledge
such conviction. The prime minister held short little debates with
his underlings--with dukes and marquises, with earls and viscounts;
held short debates with them, but allowed to no underling--to no
duke, and to no viscount--to have any longer an opinion of his own.
The altar had been a false altar: it was enough for them that they
were so told. With great wisdom the majority of them considered that
this _was_ enough; and so the bill for the repeal of the corn laws
was brought before the House, and the world knew that it would be
carried.

And now there was a great opportunity for Mr. Harcourt. He could
support the prime minister and merit all manner of legal generalships
without any self-unbinding. Alas! such comfort as this can only
belong to the young among politicians! Up to this period he had
meddled only with law questions. Now was the time for him to come
out with that great liberal speech, which should merit the eternal
gratitude of the Tory leader. Just at t