Yatton was doomed to utter extinction: a circumstance which shows the signal vigilance, the accurate and comprehensive knowledge of local interest and capabilities, evinced by those great and good men who were remodelling the representation of the country. How little did my hero suspect that his political opinions, as newly-installed owner of Yatton, formed a topic of anxious discussion at more than one Cabinet council, previous to the passing of the Great Bill! Upon such considerations did it--in fact--depend whether Yatton should be at once deposited in the sepulchre of "_Schedule A_;" or added to the dismal rank of surviving, but _maimed_ ones in "_Schedule B._" As its boundary was extended, so the constituency of Yatton was, as I have said, enlarged; the invaluable elective franchise being wisely given to those most in need of the advantages it could _immediately_ procure; and the fleeting nature of whose interest naturally enhanced their desire to consult the welfare of those who had a permanent and deep stake in its prosperity. Though, however, the change effected by the new act had so considerably added to the roll of electors, it had not given ground for serious apprehension as to the security of the seat of the owner of the Yatton property. After a very long and private interview between Gammon and Titmouse, in which something transpired which may be referred to hereafter, it was agreed that--(the New Writs having been issued within one week after the calmed and sobered new constituencies had been organized--which organization, again, had been wisely effected within a week or two after the passing of the act which had created them)--Mr. Titmouse should instantly scare away all competition, by announcing his determination to start for the borough. As soon as this was known, a deputation from a club of the new electors in Grilston waited upon Mr. Titmouse--to propose the pecuniary terms on which their support was to be obtained. Hereat he was somewhat startled--but Gammon saw in it the legitimate working of the new system; and--nothing was ever better managed!--nobody was in any mischievous secret--neither party compromised; and yet the happy result was--that _one hundred and nine_ votes were in a trice secured in Grilston alone for Mr. Titmouse. Then Gammon appointed Messrs. Bloodsuck and Son the local agents of Titmouse; for whom he wrote an address to the electors--and, Titmouse promising to have it printed forthwith, Mr. Gammon returned to town for a day or two. Nothing could have been more skilful than the document which he had prepared--at once terse, comprehensive, and showy; meaning everything, or nothing--(_dolosus semper versatur in generalibus_, was an observation of Lord Coke's on which Gammon had kept his eye fixed in drawing up his "Address.") Yet it came to pass, that on the evening of the day of Gammon's departure, a Mr. Phelim O'Doodle, a splendid billiard-player,