No. XXXV.] APPENDIX. 381 



looking forward for that money and who has put forward that insinuation. 

 (Hear, hear.) It has been insinuated that the people who asked me down 

 here wanted my money. Who asked me down here ? Messrs. "Watson, 

 father and son. I declare upon my honour that I have never paid them 

 one shilling, I never have promised them one shilling, I never intended to 

 give them one shilling. (Applause.) Moreover, they have given me good and 

 safe counsel in every part of this election, and advised me not to waste my 

 money amongst prodigals who would not be benefited by it, but to trust 

 entirely to your probity and sense of right to return that candidate whom 

 you may think fit. (Applause.) Now I am speaking very perspicuously 

 upon this point, because it is on this a great deal will turn in future 

 elections. If you wish me after giving me this magnificent testimonial 

 to retire to London, I shall retain that ever afterwards as a sense of your 

 kindness and as a proof that the doctrines I have spoken have affected 

 properly your minds ; but I say emphatically I will not come here to be a 

 party to giving 2000 for myself, or 4000 for two candidates to be distri- 

 buted amongst I don't know who. (Applause.) The moment it was announced 

 I had set my foot into Rochester it was communicated to me through a 

 friend that your late lamented member, Sir William Bodkin, wished me 

 to call upon him at the Sessions House in Clerkenwell. I did call there* 

 and the burden of his song was, " Beware !" " Beware of whom ?" I said. 

 " Of what I can't tell you." I named every person up the High-street of 

 any pretensions. " I can't tell you, but I sent for you and beg you to 

 beware." Not only that, but I have seen other persons connected with this 

 city and they have told me also to beware. I have had I cannot tell you 

 how many letters from parties I have been associated with in relations of 

 business telling me to " Beware." But what am I to beware of ? (A laugh.) 

 I have spent nothing here but what the law imposes upon me according to 

 the contract I made with you at the King's Head before the last election ; 

 and instead of being fleeced as it was represented, I am almost ashamed 

 to say I fleece you by taking this magnificent testimonial. (No, no, and 

 laughter.) I will say but little more, but if you wish me to come forward 

 it must be upon that basis. I am prepared to fight with you as long as 

 you are prepared to fight (applause) ; but I am not prepared to pay this 

 money, and upon this it will greatly turn, although nobody, as I have said 

 before, could ever tell me who received it. (A voice : We don't want pay.) 

 Now I again, for the last time, thank you from the very bottom of my 

 heart for the very kind manner in which you have made this presentation 

 to me ; and I tell you fairly that the moment it was presented to me it 

 passed partly out of my hands, because my son and myself have made a 

 compact to devote our time, whether literary, whether politically, or 

 whether professionally, to our mutual benefit, and therefore this present 

 goes at once not only to myself but to my son after me. (Applause.) It has 

 already become half his property, and I feel confident he will transmit it to 

 his sons and grandsons to show in how very kind a manner the people of 

 Rochester received me. (Applause.) You nobly supported Church and 

 State. May that State, by good government and the administration of fair 

 laws, contribute to your perpetual comfort here ; and may the Church lead 

 to your eternal happiness hereafter. (Loud cheers followed the conclusion 

 of Mr. Smee's speech, and a call for " One for the son " was warmly 

 responded to.) 



