On Saturday last, being the first day permissible under the statute,
the nomination of a Knight to serve in Parliament for the Shire of
Barks, was held in the county town. The proceedings were marked by
a pleasing unanimity, and an outburst of popular enthusiasm which
seriously tried the resources of the local police. There was only one
candidate--TOBY once more M.P. The nomination paper was signed by _Mr.
Punch_, Mr. GLADSTONE, Lord SALISBURY, and most of the Crowned Heads
of Europe.
The Sheriff inquired if it were desired to nominate any other
Gentleman. (_A Voice_--"_I should think not!_") There being no other
response, the Sheriff declared the Hon. Gentleman duly elected, and
said he would like to be permitted to forego his fees, if indeed any
were due.
[Illustration]
In response to loud calls from the assembled crowd, _Mr. Punch_
said he had great pleasure in recommending his young friend to the
suffrages of this important constituency. (_Cheers._) He called him
young, for though he had been on his (_Mr. Punch's_) establishment for
over fifty years, he was very little altered. There were some people
who never grew old (_A Voice_--"_Bully for you, Mr. Punch!_") and
amongst them he might include his faithful follower, whom they had
just unanimously re-elected Member for Barks. He trusted that in the
future, his young friend would pursue the course honourably followed
by him in the past. ("_Hear! Hear!_") This was the fourth Parliament
to which he had been elected, and he trusted it would not be the
last. (_Cheers._) He might perhaps allude to a rumour current in
the ordinary channels of information, which seemed to point to their
friend's transference to another place. He had the authority of TOBY,
M.P., to say that, as far as his freedom of action is concerned--and
_Mr. Punch_ thanked Heaven this is still free England--(_loud
cheers_)--that prognostication would never be realised. The highest
honour ever done to his friend, was the selection of him by the men of
Barks to represent them in the Commons House of Parliament. (_Renewed
cheering._) His fullest pleasure was to retain their confidence and
to serve them and posterity to the utmost extent of his power and
opportunity. (_Disturbance at the rear of the hall; cries of "Put him
out!" "Sit on 'is 'ead!"_) _Mr. Punch_ begged they would do no such
thing. It would be sure to give way under pressure. (_Laughter._) In
conclusion, he begged to thank them for the honour they had done his
friend, and he might add, themselves.
There were loud cries for TOBY, M.P., but the Hon. Member begged to
be excused from making a speech on this occasion. For one reason he
shrank from coming into competition in the lists of platform-speaking
with his revered friend and Leader. Another thing was, he was really
so overcome by the honour just done him, that he could not trust
himself to speak. He would write--as soon as the new Parliament met.
After the customary votes of thanks had been carried by acclamation,
the new Member was hoisted shoulder-high by the enthusiastic mob, and
carried off to his country residence, The Kennel, Barks, where he will
remain during the Recess.
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[Illustration: THE IMPORTANCE OF EXTERNALS.
"BUT WHY DON'T YOU SEND FOR DR. MASHER, AUNT JANE? HE'S THE CLEVEREST
DOCTOR IN THE WHOLE COUNTY!"
"OH, MY DEAR, I COULDN'T! HE _DRESSES_ SO IRRELIGIOUSLY!"]
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