Over and above these, there was hardly a house in the parish of
Framley, outside the bounds of Framley Court, except those of
farmers and farm labourers; and yet the parish was of large extent.

Framley is in the eastern division of the county of Barsetshire,
which, as all the world knows, is, politically speaking, as true
blue a county as any in England. There have been backslidings even
here, it is true; but then, in what county have there not been such
backslidings? Where, in these pinchbeck days, can we hope to find
the old agricultural virtue in all its purity? But among these
backsliders, I regret to say, that men now reckon Lord Lufton. Not
that he is a violent Whig, or perhaps that is a Whig at all. But
he jeers and sneers at the old county doings; declares, when
solicited on the subject, that, as far as he is concerned, Mr
Bright may sit for the county, if he pleases; and alleges, that
being unfortunately a peer, he has no right ever to interest
himself in the question. All this is deeply regretted, for, in the
old days, there was no portion of the county more decidedly true
blue than the Framley district; and, indeed, up to the present day,
the dowager is able to give an occasional helping hand.

Chaldicotes is the seat of Nathaniel Sowerby, Esq, who, at the
moment supposed to be now present, is one of the members for the
Western Division of Barsetshire. But this Western Division can
boast none of the fine political attributes which grace its twin
brother. It is decidedly Whig, and is almost governed in its
politics by one or two great Whig families. It has been said that
Mark Robarts was about to pay a visit to Chaldicotes, and it has
been hinted that his wife would have been as well pleased had this