xi POLITICAL LIFE 261 



Though a strong Churchman, he was throughout a 

 consistent Liberal, and when the split of the Liberal 

 party came, he consistently supported me in all my 

 elections. On the first occasion I was also warmly 

 supported by most of my colleagues, Dr. Williamson, 

 Dr. Wilkins, Dr. Leech, and others. 



For some time no candidate appeared on the Con- 

 servative side, and, indeed, I think there was some diffi- 

 culty in obtaining one. At last Dr. Peter Royle, a local 

 medical man with an extensive practice as a club doctor, 

 came forward. On a fly-sheet printed by Dr. Royle's 

 committee it was stated that for forty years he had been 

 member and past officer of the " National Independent 

 Order of Oddfellows," and for a similar period a 

 "Dryad," an " Ancient Forester," and a " Shepherd." 

 It also stated that as a Freemason he had obtained 

 provincial honours in the craft, and in the " Royal 

 Arch"; further, that he had held high rank as a 

 "Knight of St. John," a "Knight of Malta/' and 

 "P.M.W.S. Rougecroix," and had been the "Grand 

 Standard-bearer of England." His membership, it 

 was added, was of the " thirtieth degree." It will, 

 perhaps, be wondered why, when a gentleman posses- 

 sing such titles and uniting the offices of a local club 

 doctor with that of the Grand Standard-bearer of 

 England came forward, I did not at once retire in his 

 favour. But Fate in other words, my constituents- 

 willed it otherwise, and the result of the election 

 (1885) was that I was returned by a majority of 670. 



I shall never forget the scene in the large room 

 in the Reform Club in Manchester on the evening 

 of the election. I was the only Liberal Member re- 

 turned for Manchester, and when I had to stand on 

 the table in the midst of a roaring and excited 

 .audience and acknowledge .their greeting, I felt com- 



