The other candidates had spoken in a hesitating way about the attitude that England should hold towards the American Civil War. Fawcett began the political part of his speech by saying: ‘Gentlemen, I am an uncompromising Northerner,’ a statement that greatly pleased the meeting. [Sidenote: Sir Leslie helps.] Then the hard work of electioneering began. Fawcett set himself vigorously to the task, speaking effectively and often. His father and sister came to him to inspire and help as they could. His friend Leslie Stephen buckled on his friendly armour, and with all his love and great abilities did much to help in the brave campaign. He began by writing an article urging Fawcett’s qualifications. It was refused in all the local papers, but this difficulty was gallantly surmounted. The editor of the _Morning Star_, who had supported Fawcett in his Southwark campaign, lent sufficient type; a room was taken, and the _Brighton Election Reporter_ started a brief but brilliant career. Leslie Stephen became editor and moving spirit in chief. The publication was sold at a halfpenny a copy. Was it shrewdness or love for boys—for both were in Fawcett in full measure—that determined that the newsboys should keep the halfpence for themselves? Certain it is that the paper had a wide and speedy circulation, and though Stephen modestly refuses it a permanent place in the world of letters, it played a very important and effective part in Fawcett’s candidature. When the conflict was at its highest the inaugural lecture as Professor of Political Economy took place. Fawcett delivered the lecture at Cambridge in the morning, and the same evening was back in Brighton addressing a meeting. [Sidenote: Nomination Day.] [Sidenote: Political Eggs.] On nomination day the candidates duly drove to the Town Hall. In the sixties this was an occasion for much rowdiness. The blind candidate did not shrink from rough contacts, and doubtless enjoyed the commotion as much as any. The varying notes in the discordant shouts of the mob told his sensitive ears every subtlety of friendly greeting or enmity. The rattle of pebbles against the window panes, or their thud as they struck a victim, the squelch of an ancient egg against the side of the carriage—all bore their message to the man from whom sight was withheld. And the sense of smell brought him knowledge too—of the hot, unwashed crowd, of the dust-trampled road, of the stale vegetables and ‘political eggs’ that hurtled through the air. Every phase of the day’s emotion was present to him and shared by him, thanks to his imagination, alertness and genial power of good fellowship. The election took place on February 15. Fawcett headed the poll in the early hours, when the working men voted, but he was finally defeated by one hundred and ninety-five by Moore, the Conservative candidate. Had the votes not been so split up by four candidates, the Liberal triumph would have been secured and Fawcett elected.