horsemen was heard in our streets; and this was Mr Galore, the great
Indian nabob, that had bought the Beerland estates, and built the
grand place that is called Lucknoo House, coming from London, with
the influence of the crown on his side, to oppose the old member.
He drove straight to Provost Picklan's house, having, as we
afterwards found out, been in a secret correspondence with him
through the medium of Mrs Picklan, who was conjunct in the business
with Miss Nelly, the nabob's maiden sister. Mr M'Lucre was not a
little confounded at this, for he had imagined that I was the agent
on behalf of my lord, who was of the government side, so he wist not
what to do, in the morning when he came to me, till I said to him
briskly -

"Ye ken, bailie, that ye're trysted to me, and it's our duty to
support the nabob, who is both able and willing, as I have good
reason to think, to requite our services in a very grateful manner."
This was a cordial to his spirit, and, without more ado, we both of
us set to work to get the bailie made the delegate. In this I had
nothing in view but the good of my country by pleasuring, as it was
my duty, his majesty's government, for I was satisfied with my
situation as dean of guild. But the handling required no small
slight of skill.

The first thing was, to persuade those that were on the side of the
old member to elect Mr M'Lucre for delegate, he being, as we had
concerted, openly declared for that interest, and the benefit to be
gotten thereby having, by use and wont, been at an established and
regular rate. The next thing was to get some of those that were
with me on my lord's side, kept out of the way on the day of
choosing the delegate; for we were the strongest, and could easily