My proposal therefore is this. In consideration of the fidelity with which the old corporation have performed their duty, I should propose that twothirds of them should be re-elected. (hear, hear!) I consider it would be but a proper mark of respect to them; but seeing that it is now the law of the land that one-third should go out each year, I intend myself, together with three of my colleagues who have been longest in office, to withdraw from the corporation, and not to offer ourselves as candidates; and in order to fill up their places, let the two first names be taken from each of the lists of candidates. (hear, hear! from all sides.)

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Gentlemen, in making this proposal, I trust that you will perceive that I have no other motive but the peace and quiet of the town. My sole object is to prevent those heartburnings and jealousies which I foresee will be the inevitable consequence of the annual appointment of the municipal officers being made a subject of contest and canvass. We have hitherto lived in good fellowship together; we are all good friends with each other; and I pray that nothing may occur to disturb our harmony."

God

The high respect in which Mr. Walton's character was held, the manliness of his address, and the reasonableness of his views, conciliated the goodwill of almost all who heard him. Very few dissentient voices were raised, and these chiefly from people who hoped to make a harvest by the money spent at the election. However, their influence was so small that they did not venture to make an opposition, and Mr. Walton's proposal was agreed upon. Four new counsellors came into the corporation; and on subsequent years a similar mode of election was adopted; and so it continues, and so it is likely to do, as long as Mr. Walton, or men like him, shall exert their active influence.

It is where the Conservatives are men of doubtful character, or indolent habits, or arrogant temper, or where some old party-jealousy exists, or where the business has been sadly mismanaged, that Radicalism has gained the upper hand, and produced the evils before adverted to. And such evils will not be removed until the lovers of peace and order shall again, by their activity and discretion, regain the influence which in too many places they have lost.

CHAPTER XVIII.

MR. WALTON PROVES HIMSELF TO BE A GOOD POLITICAL ECONOMIST.

Land and trade are knit together, and together must wax or wane: so that it shall never be well with land, but trade shall be the better for it; nor the trade shall suffer, but land shall feel it.

SIR JOSHUA CHILDE.

In consequence of the amicable arrangement of the municipal elections, the town of Churchover enjoyed a remarkable freedom from political excitement; for though there were, of course, persons of all parties in the place, and all sorts of opinions were discussed, and petitions on all subjects were sent up to the legislature, yet the absence of personal conflict tended greatly to prevent asperity, and to soften the general tone of feeling. In most places it is impossible for people to meet together on any disputed ground, without a scene of uproar and confusion, and the excitement of violent and unchristian passions. The consequence is, that different parties have come, by mutual consent, to prefer meeting by themselves; the speeches are printed in the papers, and the public may judge between them. Under existing circumstances, this is the most sensible mode of proceeding. No good object is gained by quiet and peaceable persons entering into the lists with popular demagogues, and appealing to the judgment, or rather the passions, of an excited mob. In such cases it is much better to let the democrats have the satisfaction of speechifying to their hearts' content.

The press, well employed, will relieve the people of the trash which they have swallowed.

Things, however, were better managed at Churchover. On any subject of general interest, the people used to meet together and listen,-really listen to the speeches and arguments on both sides. Thus, when the question of the repeal of the corn-laws agitated all our great towns, and the most violent and disgraceful meetings took place, the town-hall of Churchover presented a highly interesting scene; for though crowded to excess, there was not the least anger or bitterness of feeling; and the great body of the people evidently came for information on the subject.

Of course there were advocates of both opinions; addresses to the legislature were prepared on each side, and placed on the table; and it was agreed that each party should state their reasons for recommending the adoption of their respective petitions.

The mayor briefly opened the meeting, by expressing his hope and confidence that the inhabitants of Churchover would maintain on this occasion their usual character for good-sense and good-nature, by listening attentively to the speeches of the different gentlemen who were about to address them. He then called upon Mr. Raffles, who, it was understood intended to move the petition for the repeal of the corn-laws.

It is not necessary that I should trouble my readers with this gentleman's speech: it was dull, prosy, and perplexed, at least so it appeared to those who heard it; though it is surprising how much better it read when it was printed next week in the Churchover Observer. Many people could hardly believe it was the same.

The next speaker to Mr. Raffles was Mr. Junius Brutus Wiggins, formerly hair-dresser, but now editor

of the aforesaid newspaper;- -a situation for which he was eminently qualified by his manifold attainments. Mr. Wiggins could write a smart leading article in a bold, confident tone, which passed for profound wisdom with his provincial readers. He could laugh at serious things, pass over all the sound arguments of his opponents with the greatest coolness, and shew up any weak point in their position with considerable dexterity. Mr. Wiggins was generally supposed by his admirers to have more political wisdom in his head than the whole House of Lords, and more theology than the bench of bishops; at least, when his opinion on these subjects happened to differ from theirs, his readers always thought him in the right. It is true, that Mr. Wiggins was not very conversant with the rules of logic, or with history or classical literature; but then, as he assured his friends, such things were of very little use, fit only for the schools, and not for the business of life. In addition to his high editorial qualifications, Mr. Wiggins possessed the enviable talent of being able to make a speech at any given moment, on any given subject, in a bold, off-hand sort of way, which some mistook for eloquence.

On the present occasion he rose to second Mr. Raffles' resolution. Having stated the diffidence which he felt in addressing them after the able speech of the gentleman who had just sat down, he began by declaring that it was the undoubted right of all free-born Englishmen to buy their food where they could procure it cheapest. (hear, hear!) Trade, he contended, ought to be free and unshackled. It was by her commerce and manufactures that England had risen to her present greatness. The government ought to give every encouragement and protection to the industry and wealth of the country; (hear, hear!) and therefore the interests of the agriculturist must give