Political Campaigns 



active political career only lasting from December, 1894, when 

 he took his seat amid cheers in the House of Commons, to 

 July, 1895, when, as Mr. Walter Long remarks in his letter, 

 the people of Brigg stultified themselves. 



My brother was offered seats in other counties, and safe 

 ones, too, so that he would have had no difficulty in re-entering 

 Parliament, but remaining true to his beloved Lincolnshire, he 

 firmly refused, saying, " If I am not good enough to represent 

 the county in which I was born and bred, I will represent no 

 other." To that principle he adhered ; although often urged 

 to return in easy fashion to the House of Commons, where 

 he would have undoubtedly done good work for his country, 

 he held to his determination. 



That many of his constituents were not only grateful for 

 his services, but grieved beyond measure at the loss of his 

 seat, the presentation portrait of himself that figures as an 

 illustration in this book speaks more eloquently than any 

 words. 



This valuable oil-painting by Mr. Ouless, R.A., and 

 justly considered one of his best examples, was exhibited 

 at the Royal Academy of 1897, an< ^ lis presentation to my 

 brother took place at the Angel Hotel, Brigg, in August, 

 1897. 



Mr. Carey- El wes, the Chairman of the Presentation Com- 

 mittee, at a very large and representative meeting, including 

 many ladies, amongst whom were Victoria, Countess of Yar- 

 borough, Lady Eleanor Heneage, Lady Adela Larking, Lady 

 Winifred Carey- El wes, Miss Amelia M. Barker, and others, 

 said : "Not only had they sympathized with Mr. Richardson 

 when the fates had been against him, but on one memorable 

 occasion they had rejoiced with him over a triumph, which in 

 that part of the world had no parallel. It was his duty and 



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