One of the other speakers--Mr. Martin, manager of the works at New Craighall--mentioned that the miners of Niddrie, who had supported the Colonel with loyal devotion, were going to work on till they had returned him as member for Midlothian. And as an evidence of their admiration, on the 17th December they also in their own humble way honoured him with a banquet. It was given in the schoolroom of the village, and about a hundred and fifty warm sympathisers were present, presided over by Mr. Martin. It was in every way a demonstration creditable to the gratitude of the men for many acts of kindness shown to them in the past, and a manifestation of {129} their personal esteem, which the Colonel was not slow to recognise and appreciate. [Sidenote: Wauchope and Gladstone] A noteworthy feature of this contest between Colonel Wauchope and Mr. Gladstone was the entire absence of personal animosity. Both candidates treated each other, as they were entitled to do, with the utmost respect. This is not always so in the heat of political warfare. But Wauchope had the good sense to avoid any reference to his opponent, and for long Mr. Gladstone did not condescend to reply to any strictures upon his policy. When Wauchope had decided to become a candidate for Midlothian, he went to Sir Robert Biddulph, afterwards Governor of Gibraltar, and told him he would have to canvass regularly until the next general election. Sir Robert's advice was wise:--'I told him,' said he, 'that he should never make any personal attack on Gladstone, nor ever mention his name in his public speeches. I said, "Gladstone is so strong a man, and so powerful a speaker, that he can tear you to pieces. You should not, therefore, give him the least opening for attacking you, but just act as if no such man existed." Some time after,' continues Sir Robert, 'he reminded me of that advice, and said he had scrupulously acted upon it, so much so that Mr. Gladstone had never attacked him, and had even spoken of him as a worthy and estimable man!'