MISCELLANEOUS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 7069, 15 February 1893, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS.

The following story of Beaconsfield is said to be thoroughly characteristic. Lord Reacone field always had an eye to the effect of his own appearance, and on one occasion, when an important farmers’ association was to meet at Aylesbury, be determined to “ dress the character.” He had discarded the traditional top boots, but appeared in a brown velveteen shooting coat with a flapping waistcoat, and over his black trousers he had drawn a pair of long dark brown leather gaiters with wooden buttons, covered with leather, up the side, reaching from his dandy Wellington boots to hia hips, and fastened with leather straps to bis brace-buttons. His head was covered with a black “ billycock ” hat, a blue birJsoyo silk handkerchief was tied loosely round his neck, and be carried a big stick with a spud at the end. In fact, he looked like a well dressed gamekeeper. Everyone was screaming with laughter. The good old times have vanished in the matter of Parliamentary elections. To day a member is unseated because his technical agent presented a man with a hat-card or invited him to a repast served at less than cost price. It is not very many years ago sinco a Parliamentary election at Home was conducted in this manuer : -Ealing and drinking were continuous, and on certain nights of the week each of the agents appeared at hcadquaners with a bowl of sparkling punch before him, and another bowl of guineas ; the former was ladled out to ail who choose to come for it, and those who wero thought staunch bad from one to five guineas handed to them. It was fixed that the meetings should not clash, and they wero held on different nights, so that it was no uncommon thing for a ce»tiin number of electors to call at each committee-room and receive the bribe and treating from all three candidates. Innumerable fights took place, and on the day of the nomination one huge orgie prevailed. ... At the conclusion, and after the declaration of the poll, the chairing took place round all the principal streets in the town, the members, for their personal security, being surrounded by at least a hundred man carrying staves made out of the handles of hayforks. The members having alighted at their respective inns, a free fight ensued, heads were cracked, and a scene of trouble and excitement terminated the election.