offensive sense. I make every allowance for the state of the country at the time, and for the eagerness of the desire, which I admit to be a laudable one, that existing abuses should be reformed. All I mean to assert is, that this was a revolution, if revolution means a public measure which is carried through in defiance of existing laws. For, in order that the result of the general election might be favourable to the progress of the Reform Bill in the Parliament about to assemble, coercion was not only preached up, but practised. The use of the bludgeon and the brickbat was openly recommended by the press; threats of the most atrocious description were levelled against all who dared to oppose the popular voice; mobs were organised and paraded; and that without the slightest remonstrance being made by the Government, or any steps being taken by the law authorities for the preservation of the public peace. Under such circumstances of frightful intimidation, the electors for each county and burgh were called upon to make their several returns.

At a very early hour, according to appointment, I repaired to the room of Mr Shearaway, whom I found already occupied with his papers. However prolonged may have been the orgies that followed the vocal exertions of the Laird of Stoupiewa's, it was evident that my employer had not participated therein, for his eye was clear, his hand steady, and no huskiness in his tone.

"You may copy that list, Norman," he said. "It's best to have it, though it may not be of much use.-Hang the fellows!" he continued, as if to himself, "I think they will beat us; but I don't know, after all, that it's worse than a victory."

The last observation, though probably intended for a soliloquy, excited my curiosity greatly; and as Mr Shearaway was always very friendly, I ventured to ask

"Do you think, sir, there is danger of our losing the election ?"

66 Between you and me, Normanbut on no account breathe a syllable of this," replied Mr Shearaway, "I suspect we shall lose it by three. I thought otherwise last night, but

since eleven they have brought up seven men, whereas we have only two additional, and I cannot count on any more. I must do Butt and Benn the justice to say that they have managed very cleverly. Not that I was jockeyed, mark ye, but they made capital play with their reserve. Yes-I think I would take an even bet that they have a majority of three."

"What a sad disappointment!" said I, with the zeal of the office upon me.

"Disappointment? Yes-no doubt old Carrabas will be disappointed. He's always wretched if he cannot work the county, like putty, between his finger and his thumb. But it's his own fault. I wanted to split twelve superiorities for last headcourt, which would have made everything secure; but the Marquis, as usual, boggled about the expense. Penny wise and pound foolish! He's an obstinate old ram; but that's neither here nor there. Egad! if it were not for the discredit of the thing, I can't say that I shall be sorry if we lose the election."

I suppose that my countenance betrayed some surprise at this frank admission, for Mr Shearaway continued

"The fact is, Norman, that this is no ordinary time. You young lads never look to consequences; but I can see with half an eye that if this Bill is carried there will be an end of our profession. Conveyancing will be knocked up altogether, and we shall lose those pretty pickings that make up, as I can tell ye, the best half of the profits of the business. You may call that a selfish view if you please; but I am much of the same mind as Demetrius the silversmith, who stood up for his craft; ay, and would have carried the day too, if that gowk the town-clerk of Ephesus had not interfered. But get on with your list, for I hear somebody coming.'

There was a knock at the door; and a tall gentleman, muffled in a greatcoat and comforter, entered.

"I daresay you did not expect to see me here, Shearaway," said the visitor, with a familiar nod. "But who is this swankie?"

"My clerk-all right; he's close as wax. Faith, Butt I did not expect that you would venture into the lions' den."

"Call it den of thieves, Shearaway," replied the Tory agent, "for hang me if ever thieves' house presented such a spectacle in the morning as your public room below. Why, the fellows are absolutely lying in layers, not to say heads and thraws:" Were your men much more discreet!" said Shearaway.

"Why, yes. We flatter ourselves that we can carry our liquor like gentlemen. But to the point. I suppose you know pretty well by this time how the election will go

"I have my own notions, certainly. But come-what's the use of fencing? Tell me honestly, Butt-are you on the square!"

"Yes, upon my honour. We carry the day by either three or four."

“I will not contradict you," said Shearaway.

"Well, then, I have not the slightest doubt that there will be an awful row. The mob here are the worst in Scotland; and I have received a broad hint that they intend to attack us after the election. There has been wild work elsewhere-little short of murder, I am told.”

"Confound liberalism!" said Shear

away.

Amen!" said Butt; "I believe you are no more a liberal than my self. Now, you know very well that not a man of us will be deterred from voting by any amount of intimidation; but I confess the look out afterwards is anything but pleasant."

"There can be no doubt about the pluck of your party," replied Shearaway. I believe they would go through fire and brimstone rather than give in. But how can I help you!"

In this way. After the election is over, try to keep the crowd from leaving the court-house until we get to the hotel. After that we shall do well enough. What I want to guard against is an attack in the street; so, like a good fellow, get somebody to address the mob-some one who can humbug them, you know, for ten minutes or a quarter of an hour."

“That's easy said, Mr Butt," replied Shearaway, "and I think your notion is by no means a bad one, if we could only find an orator. But the fact is that most of our men who can speak at all are such bletherers that they would clear a kirk in no time. There's old Sir Gilbert Mounthooly would have no objection to try it, for he likes nothing better than to hear his own voice; but the body is so wearisome with his pompous twists and twirls, that before he got through half a sentence the mob would be upon you, like a pack of terriers after a cat. As for Sholto Linklater, between you and me, he's little better than a born idiot. Jamie Pitlearie might do; but no-though he can write a funny song, he's but a haveril when he tries to speak. Hang me, if I can think of any one likely to answer the purpose :

"Why, you have half-a-dozen advocates with you, at least. There's

Jawbone.”

"Jawbone! It's little you know Jawbone! He'll not speak a word without a fee. And, to tell you the truth, I don't think any advocate from the Parliament House would be listened to. Since they began attempting to speak fine English, it's difficult to make head or tail of what they say. Jeffrey has been the ruin of them. They keep shipping and snapping at their words like a pair of tailor's shears."

"Well; but, really, Shearaway, you must help me at this pinch. Surely you must know some fellow who is accustomed to address a mob."

"Egad: I think I have hit upon the man at last. There's George Gash, him that was editor of the Renfrew Regenerator—he's a firstrate hand at a harangue; but then he's a dour Radical, and has small love for your party; and no wonder, for he has been pulled over the coals before now. But Gash is not a bad fellow after all, and he owes me a day in harvest. I'll try what I can do, Butt; I will indeed-for, hang me, if I like this rising of the mob. I say-if the worst comes to the worst, I suppose you know where the sheriff is to be found?"

"Trust me for that, old boy!" replied Butt. "And now it's time I

should be off. Many thanks, Shearaway; you have behaved as you always do, like a perfect gentleman, and I won't forget it." So saying, he muffled himself in his coat and comforter, and took his departure. "Three or four!" said Mr Shearaway, musingly; "humph-I reckoned on three, but who can the fourth be Some stray liferenter, I suppose. But what is the use of bothering about it? One is as good as a dozen for a majority. You may tie up the papers, Norman, and go down-stairs. Remember, mum's the word. Breakfast will be ready presently for those who can eat any; but, my word! if I had sat like some of them till three o'clock this morning, I should be sorry to look a beefsteak in the countenance."

The greater part of our friends, however, being accustomed to copious potations, falsified Mr Shearaway's prognostic, by displaying much aptitude in the use of the knife and fork; but I observed that each man, before applying himself to the discussion of the solid delicacies with which the board was spread, fortified his stomach with a large glass either of bitters or brandy.

Meanwhile the hour appointed for the election drew nigh, and we proceeded in long column to the courthouse, Sir Gilbert Mounthooly leading the way, with our hopeful candidate on his arm.

It was so arranged that we should arrive before our rivals, in order, I suppose, to lessen the chance of a collision; and I must admit that a glance at the crowd, which already thronged the galleries, amply justified the precaution. Never had I set eyes upon such a collection of ruffians as roared, whistled, whooped, and yelled above our heads. There were colliers from the mines, carters from the villages, weavers from the streets, and cobblers from their stalls, all in their working clothes, swarthy and begrimed, gesticulating like madmen, wrestling for the foremost seats, and uttering diabolical howls for no apparent reason except the exercise of their hideous voices. Nothing like it was ever witnessed within the walls of a lunatic asylum-it was a frightful hall of Abaddon.

Our men were impressed with the notion that they were very popular; and Sir Gilbert, as our ostensible chief, thought it his duty on entering to make one of his most elaborate bows, by way of homage to the majesty of the people. A hoarse bray of scorn was the reward of his politeness.

"Tak' aff yer hat, auld Mounthooly!" "Gosh! is that him they ca' Sir Gilbert? What a fushionless body he is! What are ye girning for at huz, ye wizened jackanape? "Wha's that ane wi' the muckle whuskers? Is that Linklater? De'il be in me, if I wadna as soon send a cuddie as that man to Parliament !" "I say, Linklater! gie's a sang !" "Gudesake! there's Gibson o' Slag! Eh, wow, Johnie Gibson, but ye think yoursel' braw amang the gentles!" "What about the wages, Johnie Gibson? Ye'll mind ye are awin' us money!" "Three groans for Slag!" " Huzzay! there's Geordie Gash! Geordie's a kent freend o' the people; huzzay for Geordie!" "Gie him the sow's tail! that will suit him better." "Wha's yon? an admiral, did ye say? Losh keep us, man-he's no fit to steer a barge on the canaw!!" "Whigs! Whigs! rotten trash! "Doon wi' the areestocrats!" "Bide a wee, chields; there's the Tories!"

99

Such were some of the intelligible fragments that caught my ears amidst the universal din; but when our opponents entered, such a storm arose as utterly baffles description. I have read somewhere the narrative of a traveller, who had the misfortune to encamp for the night in a forest inhabited by howling monkeys; but appalling as was his account of the brutal serenade, I cannot believe that it was half so frightful as the yelling of that excited mob. It was a horrid and a sickening spectacle. Here were gentlemen blameless in their private life, indulgent landlords, liberal in their charities, and just in all their dealings, exposed to the vituperation, insult, and ridicule of an obscene and ignorant rabble; and for what? Simply because they were using, according to the best of their judgment, that privilege which was given to them by the laws of

the country! Talk of religious intolerance-talk of regal tyranny! There is no tyranny or intolerance like that exercised by a mob. The business of the day went on in dumb show. A preses was elected, and after calling the roll, with all the necessary formalities, it appeared that there was a majority of three in favour of the Tory candidate, Major Lindores. Then pandemonium opened. The beasts in the gallery-for I will not dignify them by the name of men-spat down indiscriminately upon all below. Missiles were thrown, one of which cut the forehead of Major Lindores to the bone; but the sight of the blood of the veteran, who had fought like a hero at Waterloo, brought no compunction to the miscreants-it rather gave them a thirst for further outrage. I will say this for our party, that they behaved uncommonly well. In the first access of indignation, Sir Gilbert Mounthooly started up, and shook his fist towards that quarter of the gallery from which the stone was thrown; and Sholto Linklater stupid as he was, no doubt, poor fellow-almost shed tears as he wiped the blood from the brow of his successful antagonist. One might have expected that the rabble would be touched by such an incident. Not they! The infernal clamour was continued; and it became evident that, unless some diversion could be effected, the riot in the street would be terrible.

At this juncture Mr George Gash, prompted by Shearaway, arose. I must confess that I had not the slightest expectation that he would gain a hearing. The attempt seemed utterly hopeless, nevertheless he succeeded. It is wonderful how fond the populace are, even in their most excited moods, of oratory, when it is of a kind that suits their understanding and appeals to their prejudices; and how completely they can be controlled, for a time, by the demagogue who gains possession of their ear. But in order to do this no ordinary talent is required. The best parliamentary speaker, the most subtile logician, and the most expert debater, would probably fail; be

cause none of those could identify themselves with the passion that is surging in the minds of the audience, and so control it that it shall either gradually subside, or expend its violence harmlessly, according to the will of the orator who exercises a magic power. Some men there have been in our day largely endowed with this faculty, among whom the late Daniel O'Connell was certainly the most remarkable, for often di he realise the fable of Orpheus, by restraining brutal nature, and arresting in full flow the torrent of popular frenzy. Though not gifted in the same degree, Mr Gash could exercise a wonderful influence. Tall, burly, and broad-chested, with an expressive countenance and a fine eye, his appearance riveted the attention. His gestures, without being violent, gave the impression of considerable power; and his voice, naturally a deep bass, had been exercised and trained till it was capable of every kind of intonation. Above all, Gash possessed the invaluable secret of appearing thoroughly in earnest, so that his audience never for a single moment doubted of his sincerity. A man so endowed ought unquestionably to have attained a higher position than that of editor of an obscure newspaper; and so he would, had his lot been cast in any other country but Scotland. It is with regret and even shame that I make the avowal, but nevertheless it is true that, in Scotland, apart from the regular professions, talent of any kind, if unsupported by connection, has received neither recognition nor encouragement from the chiefs of parties, who are usually too much occupied in providing for their own relatives and satellites to bestow any attention upon merit, or to enlist it in the public service. This wretched practice forces into Radicalism men who might otherwise have done the State good service; and brings into disrepute administrations that appear to bestow their whole patronage upon imbeciles. Talent, when overlooked, or kept down by those who ought to use and foster it, will break ground in some other direction; and proportionate to the depressing

weight will be the energy of its new outburst. Neglect is the nursing mother of the Gracchi.

"Men of Slockendrouth!" said Gash, and his voice filled the courthouse, like the sudden peal of an organ, enforcing silence where all before had been confusion-" Men of Slockendrouth, listen to me! I take heaven and earth to witness that what we have seen to-day is the last outrage that ever shall be committed in Scotland against the sovereign rights of the people, roused at length to indignation, and determined no longer to submit to the rule of a selfish oligarchy. I tell you this-I who have suffered in the people's cause, I who have been dragged to prison for their sake! I tell you this-but I tell you further, that it is far better for the great cause to which all of us are sworn, that we should sustain a partial defeat today, than be lulled into security by a temporary triumph, which, after all, is but of a party nature. Do not deceive yourselves. This is no real battle for you or for your rights. It is but the struggle of two great factions for political power; a struggle which, were it ended now, would leave the working classes no better than they are, would not redeem you from your degrading thraldom, would still leave you in the base condition of serfs, toiling and labouring with your sweat that others may reap the precious harvest of your industry!

I have voted this day with the Whigs, because I cannot conscientiously set my face against any measure of reform, however limited or poor. I honour the Whigs for having conceded even this little, because I know that they feel it to be a sacrifice. But do you think that this Reform Bill of which we have heard so much, and which I am willing to accept, but only as a mere instalment do you think that it will give you, the working men of the country-you who are the creators of the wealth which you are not permitted to enjoy-do you think that it will give you that power and predominance which is your birthright, which you must have and shall have if you are only true to yourselves, and sternly refuse to be hoodwinked or cajoled by states

men who are ready enough now to avail themselves of your might, but who would cast you from them the moment that they could dispense with your aid? Believe it not! This Bill does but palter with the evils that beset and oppress the countryit does not try to cure them. It would leave intact the Church, that monstrous structure of superannuated bigotry, with its brood of sable cormorants preying upon the vitals of the land! It would perpetuate the House of Lords, that nest of a degraded aristocracy, where men too effeminate to labour meet to apportion the taxes wrung from labour among themselves and their children, and to pass laws for riveting more deeply the fetters which bind us to the earth! It would continue to maintain an army levied for no other purpose than to prevent you from asserting your liberties-an army which you must pay for, in order that it may trample and shoot you down, should you dare so much as murmur against the tyranny of your oppressors! And what does it profess to do for you, that you should so clamorously insist upon having it? Which of you men up there in the gallery will have votes should this Bill become law to-morrow? Not one! And who will have votes ? Why, the very men who are your immediate pillagers, the detested owners of the truck-shops, the pawnbrokers, and the publicans! I say not that they should be excluded from the franchise, but I say that if the franchise is given to them, you should have it too. It is by your custom, your necessities, your hard-won earnings, that they live. You have to dig in the mine, or swelter at the furnace, or slave at the loom, whilst the shopkeeper sits in his comfortable apartment, weighing out groceries, which is his heaviest toil, and charging you perhaps twice as much for the paltry article as he gave for it himself. The profits wrung from you enable him to pay for that ten-pound house of which we have heard so much; and he, forsooth, is to have a vote for a member of Parliament, while you are utterly unrepresented!

"Men of Slockendrouth! are you