Defeat at Cambridge and Brighton—Routing a Chimæra—Elected the Member for Brighton—The House of Commons. Fawcett’s day was no more free from political chicanery and wire-pulling than our own. Like all aspirants, he was sorely pressed to compromise with the underworld of politics, but he kept himself clear of the political mire, and made no promise which he could not justly fulfil. [Sidenote: The Flutter.] While waiting for his next chance his life was as usual busy and happy, labouring over papers for _Macmillan’s Magazine_, editing his books, lecturing, and generally leading the honest, frugal life of a man of letters. This quiet was diversified by Fawcett’s one and only ‘flutter’ in mining shares. His father had been for some years working to retrieve the fortunes of a big mining undertaking in Cornwall. The son had been much interested, and accompanied his father on several business journeys to the mine. The elder Fawcett at last pulled his undertaking to a successful issue; this success gave a sudden fillip to mining shares. The son ‘plunged,’ and plunged with success—so much so that he was seriously advised to give up politics, for the time at least, and go on the Stock Exchange. But he was not to be tempted by the lure of quick monetary success. ‘I am convinced,’ he said once, ‘that the duties of a member of the House of Commons are so multifarious, the questions brought before him so complicated and difficult, that if he fully discharges his duty, he requires almost a lifetime of study.’ And again, ‘If I take up this profession, I will not trifle with the interests of my country. I will not trifle with the interests of my constituents by going into the House of Commons inadequately prepared, because I gave up to the acquisition of wealth the time which I ought to have spent in the acquisition of political knowledge.’ The sacrifice was unquestionable, and it emphasises his firm adherence to his ideals, and his willingness to sacrifice great personal interests for the still uncertain career on which he had set his heart. In 1863 a vacancy occurred in the representation of Cambridge. Fawcett’s friend, Macmillan, now came forward, begging Fawcett to issue an address, which was circulated broadcast. [Sidenote: ‘Anybody’s Candidate.’] ‘If I am anybody’s candidate,’ Fawcett said, ‘I am Macmillan’s candidate,’ but he tried to be nobody’s candidate. His friends helped him vigorously, presiding or speaking at his meetings, or acting as his election agents.