28 THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION. 
it is said doorkeepers and policemen carry books in their 
pockets into which they have been for weeks gathering lke- 
nesses of new members from illustrated papers pasted in to 
identify by. After by-elections there anew member must be 
introduced by two members who ‘‘ stand sponser’’ that he is 
the man, and the member elect has to present to the Clerk at 
the table his certificate of election from the Returning Officer 
before he can be sworn in. 
It is told that a distinguished member of the House of 
Lords, formerly in the Commons, found on reaching the table 
to take the oath that he had not the essential blue paper. He 
searched his pockets on the spot, and in his hurry and confusion 
to the no small amusement of the watching House threw out 
a number of letters, then a purse, next some silver and coppers, 
a bunch of keys, and finally a pipe, on the sacred table. But 
no certificate. He had to retire without taking the oath. 
Later, outside the bar of the House, he found the essential 
certificate in his hat, and returning again to the table amidst 
cheers and laughter got safely through his initiation. In 1874 
Dr. Kenealey was elected for Stoke-upon-Trent, and owing to 
his conduct in the Tichborne case was unpopular and could not 
find two members to act as his sponsors. He advanced to the 
table alone carrying with him his huge umbrella which he 
irreverently hung by its crook on the mace, and armed with 
his certificate claimed the right to take the oath, but the 
Speaker refused to permit him without the two sponsors and 
he was obliged to withdraw. Later on motionof Mr. D’Israeli, 
who was then leader of the House, the formality was dispensed 
with, and he took his seat by resolution of the House, a 
lonely member without two friends. 
Formerly this practice after by-elections did not exist 
with us, but since the year 1876 it has become the standing 
custom ; but the certificate of election is sent direct by the 
Returning Officer and the oath is administered in the Clerk’s 
office. In that year the member for Centre Wellington, (Dr. 
Orton) being unseated during recess and re-elected, returned 
to the House and inadvertently sat and voted during the next 
