CHAP. IX.] ELECTION AT ROCHESTER. 99 



at the station, tremendous cheering, a great procession of torches, with red 

 fire, with a boy dressed in pink, typifying Conservatism, with a band pre- 

 ceding. We marched through the town, all the people calling out, " There 

 he is, he has come at last," till we got to the King's Head, where the 

 crowd was so great that policemen had to keep order, and the pressure so 

 tremendous that the windows were broken. I gave my speech, a pretty 

 violent one. 



I told the people that they must do the work, as I could not, and read 

 my parody on Longfellow. It is reported that Kinglake has resigned on 

 the strength of it, but that is improbable. I must see on Monday, 

 and am to see Elliot to-morrow. Mary would have enjoyed the fun. 

 KING'S HEAD HOTEL, Rochester, 

 October 29th, 1868. 



MY DEAR ELIZABETH, Great meeting this evening "to protest 

 against recent attempts to stir up class feelings in the city." The whole 

 meeting called for Smee, and I was sent for, and entered the room amidst 

 the most uproarious cheering. I got up on the platform, and shook Martin 

 warmly by the hand (with such a scene as you never saw), but after waiting 

 for two hours neither of us could be heard, so we agreed to leave the 

 meeting quietly, when the police rushed in and cleared the hall. I was 

 enthusiastically cheered, and all is now quiet, the Blue magistrates being 

 furious. Promises pour in to me, and we have a good chance. 

 KING'S HEAD HOTEL, Rochester, 



November 13th, 1868, 10 o'clock. 



Overwhelming show of hands in favour of Smee; all going on 

 gloriously. 



ROCHESTER, November 17th, 1868. 



This telegram was sent to us after the nomination, and the 

 day before the poll. 



In a letter he wrote after the election he says : 



SIR, I have lately contested Rochester in the Conservative interest 

 and although not successful, from special reasons appertaining to that 

 city, yet I think that I have found the key to obtain the enthusiastic 

 support of the masses for the Conservative cause from the following 

 principles : 



1. Conservatives desire a step by step progression from that which is 

 good to that which is better ; in fact Conservatism is a continual growth 

 and improvement. 



This doctrine always flashed in the people's minds, and when illustrated 

 by natural phenomena, always delighted and enchanted them. 



2. The interests of the working men have a natural affinity with those 

 of the gentry and aristocracy, and both should act together. 



This always stirred up marked enthusiasm. 



3. The Church belongs to the people, the clergy having ever de- 

 fended the people against oppression, and is the source of England's 

 freedom. 



This carried conviction, but I did not find it desirable to say too much 

 upon Church questions. 



H 2 



