166 A FARMER'S YEAR 



tically it is a command, since he can well guess what will be the 

 result if he declines or is unable to pay. 



From this state of affairs it would appear that our election 

 system, which purports to be pure, is in reality tainted, since, 

 although votes can no longer be bought openly, they are, in 

 fact, bought, and largely, under cover of social and charitable sub- 

 scriptions ; further, that unless he is young, ambitious, wealthy, 

 and not too squeamish, the man is rash who allows himself 

 to be put up to fight a seat in an agricultural division in our 

 parts of England. That this is becoming widely recognised 

 is shown by the growing difficulty of obtaining suitable candi- 

 dates on the Unionist side who reside or have any considerable 

 stake in their own divisions. Among the other party, the candi- 

 dates are in most instances gentlemen quite unconnected with the 

 district; though why this should be so I do not know, seeing 

 that in these counties it is by no means difficult for any one of 

 sufficient means and a humble modicum of ability to contest and 

 win a seat in the Radical interest. Indeed, given the money 

 plenty of it and the ability may be dispensed with, let the candi- 

 date's party badge be red or blue. Why should we wonder ? A 

 people to whom wealth is an object of such heartfelt homage can 

 scarcely object to the wide dominion of King Cash. The hypo- 

 thesis may be denied, but if we do not serve Mammon, or 

 money, which is the same thing, how does it chance that we so 

 much admire those who contrive suddenly to acquire it in great 

 heaps? Although there may be exceptions, an especially suc- 

 cessful speculator, in drinkshops for instance, would not in general 

 be sought out simply for the charm of his conversation or the 

 graces of his mind, but set him in a palace in Park Lane with the 

 appropriate accessories, and how delightful he becomes ! 



Again, there arise people whom the financial Press speaks of 

 respectfully as Magnates. Sometimes the observer knows their 

 past. He knows by what means Mr. Magnate's fortune has been 

 created : how the market was ' beared,' that is depressed, and 

 hundreds ruined or impoverished that he might buy in cheap ; how 



