334 



and all the circumstances of this " almost painfully 

 interesting event," as she justly termed it while it 

 was in suspense ; and this day brought my wife a 

 most delightful letter from her*. Yet I assure you 

 all this intelligence was by no means equal to our 

 anxiety. What with telling and inquiring, and 

 seeking every day and almost every hour for the 

 most probable, authentic newspapers, where we 

 might find the poll or any mention of you, my house 

 has been turned topsy-turvy. Now we have enough 

 to do to give and receive congratulations. No 

 other event than this could have consoled us in any 

 degree for the loss of Mr. Win. Smith. He, good 

 man ! bears it with the equanimity and dignity 

 worthy of himself. 



But, my dear Friend, your election seems like a 

 dream. I say frequently to myself, " Can this be r" 

 and during the contest I have endeavoured to think 



* Inclosing the following lines, written by Mrs. Martin, 



On the Election of Mr. Roscoe for Liverpool. 



Unstain'd is the glory of him, who, elected 



By the voice of the people, with honour is crown'd ; 



The oak shall wave o'er him, the rose shall bedeck him, 

 And the loudest applauses be echoed around. 



From Arno's sweet vale with the Muses retiring, 

 Where Painting and Poetry hail'd him their son ; 



Now greater his glory, midst senates haranguing, 

 To plead for humanity's cause as his own, 



Give the shout, O his townsmen ! o'er France let it echo ; 



Through the valleys of Tuscany loud let it roll ; 

 But soft let it float o'er the far-spreading waters, 



And whisper sweet peace to the African s soul. 



