“The Laws against Bribery provision may make, Yet means will be found both to give and to take; While charms are in flattery, and power in gold, Men will be corrupted and Liberty sold. When a candidate interest is making for votes, How cringing he seems to the arrantest sots! ‘Dear Sir, how d’ye do? I am joyful to see ye! How fares your good spouse? and how goes the world wi’ ye? Can I serve you in anything? Faith, Sir, I’ll do’t If you’ll be so kind as to give me your vote. Pray do me the honour an evening to pass In smoking a pipe and in taking a glass!’ Away to the tavern they quickly retire, The ploughman’s ‘Hail-fellow-well-met’ with the Squire; Of his company proud, he ‘huzzas’ and he drinks, And himself a great man of importance he thinks: He struts with the gold newly put in his breeches, And dreams of vast favours and mountains of riches. But as soon as the day of Election is over, His woeful mistake he begins to discover; The Squire is a Member--the rustic who chose him Is now quite neglected--he no longer knows him. Then Britons! betray not a sordid vile spirit Contemn gilded baits, and elect men of merit.” [Illustration: THE KENTISH ELECTION, 1734.] A realistic version of the hustings appeared under the title of “The Kentish Election, 1734.” The locality of the gathering here represented is probably Maidstone in Kent. A large open space on the outskirts of the town is the scene of action. The candidates and their numerous supporters are raised above the multitude, and standing on the hustings. Round this erection is a great crowd of electors, many of whom are on horseback.