Denzil Quarrier

ercury, the remark was now a commonplace on the lips of good Conservatives, and the liberals themselves were not unwilling to smile an admission of its truth. At the founding of th

actory, that of Quarrier & Son's sugar-refinery, and, higher still (said, indeed, to be one of the tallest chimneys in England), that of Thomas & Liversedge's soap-works. With the character of Polterham itself, the Literary Institute had suffered a noteworthy change. Ostensibly it remained non-political: a library, reading-room

n such an atmosphere? It was clear that the supporters of law and decency must bestir themselves to establish a new Society. Mr. Mumbray, long prominent in the municipal and political life of the town, had already made the generous offer of a large house at a low rental-one of the ancient buildings which had been spoilt for family residence by the erection of a mill close by. The revered Member for the borough was willing to start the new library with a gift of one hundred volumes of "sterling literature." With dissolution of Parliament in view, not a day should be lost in establishing this centre of intellectual life for right-thinking inhabitants. It was a strange thing, a very strange thing indeed,

's vacant house was secured by a provisional committee o

ivious of the change that was affecting his constituency, denying indeed the possibility of mutation in human things. Yet even now the Literary Institute was passing into the hands of people who aimed at making it something more than a place where retired tradesmen could play draughts and doze over Good Words; already had offensive volumes found harbourage on the shelves, and revolutionary periodicals been introduced into the reading-room. From time to time the Mercury uttered a note of warning, of protest, but with no echo from the respectable middle-class abodes where Polterham Conservatism dozed in self-satisfaction. It needed another five years of Libe

effervescent, or enthusiastic, eager to hear their own voices raised in declamation, and to get spoken of in the town as representatives of public opinion. Such a group had gathered early one afternoon in this month of October. The hour was unusual, for between one o'clock and four the reading-room was generally abandoned to a few very quiet, somnolent persons; but to-day

Staple on his way there. He'll never survive it. We sh

te side ended at the elbow. None the less he moved with much activity, gesticulated frequently with the normal arm, and seemed always to be in excellent spirits. He was a Cambridge graduate

coal-merchant; and Mr. Murgatroyd, dentist. The draper-tall, bearded, with goggle eyes and prominent

assurance that it was only a fall over a footstoo

s quite correct, it'll be a warning. A fall at that age generally dates the

marked Mr. Vawdrey, in deep tones, which harmonized with his

ykes

oubt-between Tobias Livers

idate. I am in a position to assure you that many of our most reliable men are not at all satisfied with t

yd, the dentist, "it's rather

ation were interrupted by a s

ibility-that the advanced section of the Liberal party is the essence of the Liberal party, and must be recognized as such, if we are to fight this campaign in union. I personally-I speak for myself-do not feel prepared to vote for Tobias Liversed

ade it vibrate in the air, his head vibrating in company th

ay that I should regret to be called upon to vote for a really advanced man. But I may say-I really must say-and I think Mr. Wykes will support me-I think Mr.

a Christian man. I don't know whom you would set up in preference to Liversedge; but Liversedge suits me well enough. If the Tories are going to put forward

uld not rest

does his son. And I suppose the Rev. Scatchard Vialls calls himself a Christian! Let us have done with this disgusting hypocrisy! I say with all deliberation-I affirm it-that Ra

ey, stolidly, "What I meant to say was that w

hown, "that such men are ha

ey're hard to find

ttention, and was about to speak, when a

ell, well, how very annoying! Our lecturer of to-morrow evening can'

laimed Chown. "This is most

oung lad bent over an illustrated paper. "There is some one," he continued, subduing his voice, "who might possibly be willing to stand if Mr. Liversedge isn't finally adopt

much for or against

believe?" questi

rain yesterday; he was coming to spend a few days with his relatives. It

young man was of late become wealthy, that he was closely connected with people in high local esteem, that his views were those of a highly cultured Radical. Mr. Chown, distrustful reg

of studied inoffensiveness, "whether Mr. Quarrier i

s, "he mustn't expect my vote and interest. We've se

etail, beyond the range of practical politics, is an enemy of popular progress. What I should desire to know is, whether Mr. Quarri

" began the dentist, "

Wykes interrupte

morrow we must have, and I think he can be persuaded to help us. If so, we

r and the dentist were each reminded of the calls of business. In a minute