122 MEMOIR OF ALFRED SMEE. [CHAP. X. 



by the imposing gathering. Red lights were burned all along the route, 

 and gave a romantic touch to the procession. Crowds of persons watched 

 the progress of the demonstration through the streets, windows were 

 thrown open, handkerchiefs were waved, and the cheering was immense. 

 The Corn Exchange was entered at about half -past eight, and was soon 

 entirely filled with Mr. Smee's warm-hearted supporters. The silver 

 articles forming the presentation lay upon a table on the platform. Mr. 

 G. "Watson, jun., hon. secretary to the presentation fund (a true, zealous, 

 and steadfast supporter of Mr. Srnee), read some letters from various 

 gentlemen who signified their gratification at Mr. Smee having a pre- 

 sentation. Major McCory was in the chair, and after an excellent speech 

 Mr. C. J. Carter, a working man, in appropriate terms presented the testi- 

 monial. Mr. Smee then rose to reply. 



A full report of his speech, as reported in the ' Kochester 

 Journal,' is in the Appendix, No. XXXY. 



Previous to this and immediately after the election, I received 

 this letter from my father : 



MY DEAR MARY, The Rochester affair is quite a romance, and too 

 long to tell you. I went down and had only half-an-hour to sign the 

 preliminary forms. 



I found that the party was so split up that I determined to return to 

 London ; but having called a meeting at about three hours' notice, when 

 the hotel was full and the whole street was full, I felt bound to address 

 them. I was received with extraordinary enthusiasm, and my voice being 

 much more than usual obedient to my will, I made a most elegant and 

 eloquent speech, which fetched the whole audience. 



At the end I told them that the party were not sufficiently organized, 

 and that I should go back to London. 



There was the greatest uproar you ever heard, and I believe, if I had, 

 some of the Conservative leaders would have been lynched. The whole 

 room called upon me to stand, but I replied that the money came out of 

 my pocket, and I could not, in justice to my family, permit it. 



I required half-an-hour for consideration, and the chairman was taken 

 by me from the working men. They appointed four delegates to wait 

 upon me, who said they wanted neither money nor beer, but wanted me to 

 be their member, whereupon a solemn compact was formed between us 

 that I should pay nothing for organization, that they would do all the 

 work for nothing, and I, on my part, should stand and pay the Act of 

 Parliament expenses. 



The most enthusiastic and exciting affair took place, and they kept 

 their word. They brought up eight hundred and thirty-five people, and we 

 had only thirty-six hours' notice. Carts and waggons and more remark- 

 able than all a donkey-cart decked out in pink ribbons stood before the 

 King's Head all day in case they should be required. 



Not one drop of beer or wine was given away, and not one shilling 



The election would have been secured by the distribution of a few 

 half-crowns among the very poor. 



We had two enormous meetings on the day before the poll, at one of 



