manner. He was sincere and pure, but he was vain, and therefore weak,
and the clever managers hit him in the heel.

Again, a man may be wholly free of weakness or vanity, and, without
the least personal wish or ambition in public life, may take part in
politics solely from a commanding sense of duty, and yet find himself
and his efforts not only unavailing for his own purposes, but
ludicrously and hopelessly perverted to serve those of others.
Honestus was such a man: in the truest sense a patriot in feeling, yet
he confessed that he had hitherto neglected his political duties, but
declared that henceforth he would lose no opportunity of correcting
his conduct. He saw with joy the notice of an approaching primary
meeting, and when the evening arrived he hastened to the hall with the
pleasing consciousness that he was discharging a great public duty. He
reached the hall, and was heartily welcomed by the observant managers,
whom, had Titbottom's spectacles been at hand, he would have seen to
be foxes--at least. They were very glad indeed to see Honestus and men
like him engaging in politics. They saw in that fact the augury of a
better day. It was a peculiar pleasure to co-operate with him, and
they trusted that this was but the beginning of a good habit upon his
part. Honestus could not help thinking how easy it was to exaggerate,
and to suppose men to be a great deal worse than they are, and
wondered that he had never before taken the trouble--or, rather,
fulfilled the duty--of attending the primary meeting.

The proceedings began, and he was exceedingly interested. Officers
were appointed, and it was evident from their speeches that nothing
but honesty and economy was to be sought, and only men of the most
spotless character nominated. But it was necessary to have a committee
upon nominations; and to his surprise and gratification Honestus heard