him that the club were all good men and true-stanch-game to the backbone; but Gammon had obtained some information as to the political sentiments of several of the members, before they had acquired the new franchise, and become banded into so sudden and formidable a confederacy, which led him to specu late rather apprehensively on the effects which might follow any bold and skilful scheme resorted to by his enemies. Now, as far as the club were concerned, its members were all quiet respectable men, who made the affair a dry matter of business. They justly looked on each of the candidates as equally worthy of the honour they coveted of representing the borough, and considered that things would always go on right, at headquartersi. e. that the country would be properly governed-without the least reference to the quality or complexion of the House of Commons. They saw the desperate and unceasing fight amongst their betters for the loaves and fishes; and imitated their example, with reference to the crumbs and fragments. First they divided themselves, as near as their number would admit of, into tens, giving one to the odd nine, equally with each body of ten, and thus produced a body of eleven representatives. These eleven, again, in the presence of the whole club, chose five of their number for the purpose of conducting the negotiations between the club and the two candidates; and these five again selected one of themselves-Ben Bran-to be the direct medium of communication: the actual state of the market never went beyond the first body of eleven; and in the exercise of an exquisite dexterity, Mr Crafty had contrived to inspire these eleven, through their deputy and mouthpiece, Bran, with a determination to exact fifteen pounds per head more from Titmouse, before recording their votes in his favour: and this untoward state of things was duly intimated to Gammon, by Ben Bran, by silently outstretching both hands, and then one hand. That would make a total of two thousand seven hundred and twenty-five pounds disbursed among that accursed Quaint Club alone!-thought Gammon with a shudder: and suppose they should even then turn tail upon him, seduced by the splendid temptations of Lord De la Zouch? Just to conceive the possibility, for one moment, of Mr Benjamin Bran having

been bought over to betray all his companions, and Gammon and his party also, into the hands of Lord De la Zouch? Saith the immortal author of Hudibras

But Gammon was disposed to make an exclamation in a similar tone, though of a different sort

What pen his troubles shall describe,

Who voters once begins to bribe!

"Oh!" thought Mr Gammon, a thousand times, "that cursed Quaint Club!-That cursed Crafty!

The very first person on whom Delamere waited, in order to solicit his support, was little Dr Tatham, who, I need hardly say, gave it promptly and cordially; but he added, shaking his head, that he knew he was giving huge offence to the people at the Hall, who had already been several times very urgent indeed with him. 66 'Well, rather, sir, than sow dissension between you and Mr Titmouse, your neighbour,” said Delamere spiritedly, "I at once release you from your promise."

"Ah! indeed?" cried Dr Tatham briskly-"Do you? Can you? Ought you to do so? I look upon the exercise of my franchise to be a sacred duty, and I shall discharge it as readily and as conscientiously as any other duty, come what may." Delamere looked at him, and thought how often he had heard Miss Aubrey talk of him with affectionate enthusiasm, and he believed the little Doctor to be every way worthy of it. myself," continued Dr Tatham, "I care little; but I have reason greatly to apprehend the effects of his displeasure upon those who are disposed—as such I know there are—to go counter to his wishes. He'll make them rue the day'

66

"For

Ay?-Let him!" exclaimed Mr Delamere, with an eye of bright defiance; but it kindled only a faint momentary spark of consolation in the breast of Dr Tatham.

The rivals, Mr Delamere and Mr Titmouse, encountered one another, as it were in full state, on the second day of the former's canvass. "Twas in the street. Mr Delamere was

attended by Mr Parkinson, Sir Percival Pickering, Mr St Aubyn, Mr Aylward Elvet, Mr Gold, and one or two others. Mr Delamere looked certainly very handsome. About his person, countenance, and carriage, there was an air of manly frankness, refinement, and simplicity; and a glance at his aristocratic cast of features, told you that a certain latent tendency to hauteur was kept in check by sincere good-nature. He was tall and well-proportioned, and his motions had a natural ease and grace; and as for his dress, it combined a rigid simplicity with an undoubted fashion and elegance. Though the air was very cold and frosty, he wore only a plain dark-coloured surtout, buttoned.

"Delamere! Delamere!" whispered, with a smile, Mr St Aubyn, (one of the former members for the borough,) on first catching sight of the enemy approaching them on the same side of the street, at about twenty yards' distance-" Here comes your opponent; he's a little beauty, eh?"

Mr Titmouse walked first, dressed in a fine drab-coloured great-coat, with velvet collar of the same hue, and sable near a foot deep at the wrists. It was buttoned tightly round a pinchedin waist, and a white cambric handkerchief peeped out of a pocket in the breast. He had a red and green plaid waistcoat, and a full satin stock, glistening with little pins and chains. His trousers were sky-blue, and very tight, and covered almost the whole of his boot; so that it was a wonder to the vulgar how he ever got into, or out of, them. The little that was seen of his boots, shone wonderfully; and he wore spurs at his heels. His span-new glossy hat was perched aslant on his bushy hair; he wore lemon-coloured kid gloves, and carried a delicate little ebony cane. Following this pretty figure were- -the sallow insolent-looking "Reverend" Smirk Mudflint, (such was the title he assumed,) Mr Centipede, Mr Grogram, Mr Bloodsuck, junior, (who had approached as near, in point of personal appearance, to his illustrious client, as he knew how,) and Mr Gammon. As the hostile companies neared each other, that of Delamere observed some one hastily whisper to Titmouse, who instantly stuck his chased gold eyeglass into his eye, and stared very vulgarly at Mr Delamere-who, on passing him,

VOL. III.

B

with the courtesy which he conceived due to an opponent, took off his hat, and bowed with politeness and grace, his example being followed by all his party. Titmouse, however, took not the least notice of the compliment; but, without removing his glass from his eye, throwing an odious sneer into his face, stared steadily at Mr Delamere, and so passed on. Mr Barnabas Bloodsuck ably seconded him. Mudflint, with a bitter smirk, touched his hat slightly; Centipede affected to look another way; Grogram blushed, and bowed as to his very best customer. Mr Gammon came last; and filled with disgust at the reception given to Mr Delamere, coloured all over, as he took off his hat, and with an expression of very anxious and pointed politeness, endeavoured to satisfy Mr Delamere and his party, that there was at all events one in the train of Titmouse, who had some pretensions to the character of a gentleman.

"Who can that last man be? He's a gentleman," enquired Sir Percival with an air of much surprise.

"Mr Gammon-a man who is lord-paramount at the Hall," replied one.

66 Gammon !-Is that Mr -"echoed Delamere, with much interest; and as he turned round to look at Gammon, observed that he was doing the same; on which both hastily turned away.

As the important day approached, each party professed complete confidence as to the result. The Yorkshire Stingo declared that it had authority for stating that Mr Titmouse's majority would be at least three to one over Mr Delamere— and that, too, in glorious defiance of the most lavish bribery and corruption, and the most tyrannical intimidation, which had ever disgraced the annals of electioneering. In fact, it was presumptuous in Mr Delamere to attempt to foist himself upon a borough with which he had no connexion; and was done with a wanton and malicious determination to occasion expense and annoyance to Mr Titmouse. The York True Blue, on the contrary, assured its readers that Mr Delamere's prospects were of the brightest description-and though by perhaps a small majority, yet he was sure of his election. He had been every where hailed with the greatest enthusiasm. Many of even Mr Titmouse's tenantry had nobly volunteered their support to Mr

Delamere; and at Grilston, so long regarded as the very focus and hotbed of democracy, his success had surpassed the most sanguine expectations of his friends, and so forth. Then there was a sly and mischievous caution to the electors, not to be led away by the ingenious and eloquent sophistries which might be expected from Mr Titmouse at the hustings, on the day of nomination!! All this might be very well for the papers, and probably produce its impression upon those who, at a distance, are in the habit of relying upon them. But as for the actorsthe parties concerned-Mr Delamere was repeatedly assured by Mr Crafty that a decent minority was the very utmost that could be expected; while Titmouse and his friends, on the other hand, were in a very painful state of uncertainty as to the issue: only Gammon, however, and perhaps one or two others, being acquainted with the true source of uneasiness and difficulty— viz. the abominable rapacity of the Quaint Club.

At length dawned the day which was to determine how far Yatton was worthy or unworthy of the boon which had been conferred upon it by the glorious Bill for giving Everybody Everything which was to witness the maiden contest between the two hopeful scions of the noble and ancient houses of Dreddlington and De la Zouch-on which it was to be ascertained whether Yatton was to be bought and sold, like any other article of merchandise, by a bitter old boroughmonger; or to signalize itself by its spirit and independence, in returning one who avowed, and would support, the noble principles which secured the passing of the Great Bill which has been so often alluded to. As for my hero, Mr Titmouse, it gives me pain to have to record-making even all due allowance for the excitement occasioned by so exhilarating an occasion—that during the canvass, there were scarcely two hours in the day during which he could be considered as sober. He generally left his bed about eleven o'clock in the morning-about two o'clock, reached his committee-room-there he called for a bottle or two of soda-water, with brandy; and, thus supported, set out on his canvass, and never refused an invitation to take a glass of ale, at the houses which he visited. About the real business of the election-about his own true position and prospects-Gammon