Page:Manners and customs of ye Englyshe.djvu/134

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MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.

out with Ribbons! In the Streets, Horſemen did keep galloping to and fro, to tell the State of the Polls, and the Mob cheering and bantering them, was mighty droll. 'Squire Callow did put up at the Barley-Mow, and Mr. Fairport at the Riſing Sun over the Way, and between the two Inns, with a few plump roſy Farmers in Top-Boots, was a noiſy Rabble, quarrelling and fighting, with Skins unwarned, and unſhorn Muzzles, whom the Candidates' Committee-Men, ſpeaking to them from the Windows, did call Free and Independent Electors. To ſome that harangued them, the Mob did cry, "Go Home," and "Who cheated his Waſherwoman?" or, "How about the Workhouſe Beef?" yet liftened to a few that were familiar and cracked old Jokes with them. Preſently they addreſſed by the Candidates in Turn; and naſty to ſee them pelt each Speaker with bad Eggs. But to hear, as well as might be for the Shouting and Hilling, 'Squire Callow promiſing the Farmers to reſtore the Corn Laws, and laying the Potato Blight and late Sickneſs to Free Trade; while Mr. Fairport did as loudly charge all the Woes and Grievances of the Country on the Landlords. By-and-by, Mr. Fairport, the Poll going ſo much againſt him, did give in, and then 'Squire Callow come forward, and make a brave Speech about our Glorious Inſtitutions and the Britiſh Lion, and ſo away to have his Election declared, to the Town Hall, in a Carriage and Four, and the Rabblement after him. Then the Mob left behind did ſet to on both Sides to fling Stones, and 'Squire Callow's Party did break the Windows of the Riſing Sun, and {small-caps|Mr. Fairport's}} the Windows of the Barley-Mow; which the Townſmen did ſay would be good for the Glaziers, and Mr. Wagstaffe do obſerve that the Conſervative Squire Callow hath deſtructive Conſtituents. What with Publicans, and Lawyers, and Damage, the Election will coſt the Candidates £6000, or £7000 a-Piece, and to think what a good Motive one muſt have to become a Parliament-Man, that will ſpend ſo much Money for the Chance of a Seat.