"It is very possible, sir, that there may exist irregularities, _eccentricities_, ha! ha! of that description; but upon the whole, sir, I am disposed to think that there are many very decent persons engaged in trade. I have had the happiness, sir, to assist in passing measures that were calculated, by removing restrictions and protective duties, to secure to this country the benefits of free and universal competition. We have been proceeding, sir, for many years, on altogether a wrong principle--that of protecting native industry and enterprise; but, not to follow out this matter farther, I must remind you, sir, that your acquaintance with the principles and leading details of mercantile transactions--undoubtedly one of the mainsprings of the national greatness--may hereafter be of use to you, sir." "Yes, my Lord, 'pon my soul--when I'm furnishing my houses in town and country, I mean to go to market myself--please your Lordship, I know a trick or two of the trade, and can't be taken in, my Lord. For instance, my Lord, there's Tag-rag--a-hem! hem!" he paused abruptly, and looked somewhat confusedly at the earl. "I did not mean _that_ exactly," said his Lordship, unable to resist a smile. "Pray, fill your glass, Mr. Titmouse." He did so. "You are of course aware that you have the absolute patronage of the borough of Yatton, Mr. Titmouse?--It occurs to me, that as our political opinions agree, and unless I am presumptuous, sir, in so thinking--I may be regarded, in a political point of view, as the head of the family--you understand me, I hope, Mr. Titmouse?" "Exactly, my Lord--'pon my soul, it's all correct, my Lord." "Well--then, sir, the family interests, Mr. Titmouse, must be looked after"---- "Oh! in course, my Lord, only too happy--certainly, my Lord, we shall, I hope, make a very _interesting_ family, if your Lordship so pleases--I _can_ have no objection, my Lord!" "It was a vile, a disgraceful trick, by which Ministers popped in their own man for our borough, Mr. Titmouse." [Lord Dreddlington alluded to the circumstance of a new writ having been moved for, immediately on Mr. Aubrey's acceptance of the Chiltern Hundreds, and, before the Opposition could be prepared for such a step, sent down, without delay, to Yatton, and Sir Percival Pickering, Bart., of Luddington Court, an intimate friend of Mr. Aubrey's, and a keen unflinching Tory, being returned as member, before the Titmouse influence could be brought for even one moment into the field; the few and willing electors of that ancient and loyal borough being only too happy to have the opportunity of voting for a man whose principles they approved--probably the last they would have of doing so.] "Yes, my Lord--Sir What-d'ye-call-him _was_ a trifle too sharp for us, in that business, wasn't he?"