Self-Government, and all enjoying it amazingly. Of course our lady
candidate, Mrs. Carclew, had the first few questions; but these were
mostly jocular and domestic, and I am bound to say the lady gave as
good as was brought. The only sensible question came from Old Pilot
James, who asked if she believed in the ballot. For his part he had
never given a vote for anybody since Forster brought in the ballot in
'seventy-one. He favoured peace and quiet; and he liked to walk up
to the hustings and give his vote, and hear 'em say, "Well done!" or
"You '--' old scoundrel!" as the case might be. He didn't mind being
called "a '--' old scoundrel," provided it was said to him by a
gentleman who weighed his words. Since Forster brought in the ballot
he had always gone to the poll regular. He always took his paper and
wrote opposite the names: "_Shan't say a word. Got my living to get.
Yours obediently, Matthias James_"--and would advise everybody else
to do the same.

After him, Renatus Hansombody, carpenter, rose at the back of the
hall and announced that he had a question to put to the Doctor.
The Doctor, by the way, is one of the most popular of the candidates.

"I should like," said Mr. Hansombody, "to ask the Doctor if he will
kindly explain to the company Clauses 5, 6, and 13 of the new Act?"

The Chairman protested that this would occupy more time than the
meeting had to spare.

"In that case," said Mr. Hansombody, "I will confine myself to a test
question. The Act provides that the Chairman of a Parish Meeting is
to be elected by the Meeting. Now suppose the votes for two
gentlemen are equal. In such a case what would the Doctor advise?