The playwright, Herman Merivale, tells an anecdote about Henry Labouchere, in connection with the Windsor election, which it is very probable he heard from the whilom member himself. "Lord Taunton," writes Merivale, "uncle and precursor of our more famous Labby, is fabled to have lived in a general state of alarm at the strange proclivities of that unchastened heir, who has furnished the world with more amusing stories of a curious humour than any public man of his time. It is said that when Lord Taunton heard that his nephew contemplated public life, and proposed to stand for one of the county divisions in the district, he was much pleased at such a sign of grace, and asked if he could do anything for him. 'Really I think not,' replied the younger Henry, 'but I don't know. If you would put on your peer's robes, and walk arm-in-arm with me down the High Street of Windsor, it might have a good effect."[6] Another opportunity soon occurred for Labouchere to {83} re-enter the House of Commons. On the death of Mr. Robert Hanbury, one of the members for Middlesex, he presented himself to the electors, and was returned without opposition, on April 16, 1867. An extract from his address to the electors, dated March 29, is not without interest, as in it he unblushingly gives expression to the democratic principles to which he remained so faithful throughout his career. "Should you do me the honour," he said, "to return me to Parliament, it would be my first duty to co-operate with those who desire to effect the passage of an honest and straightforward measure of reform--such a measure as would prove to the large body of artisans and working men, whom I hold to be entitled to the franchise, that the House of Commons is not afraid of the people, nor averse to the free extension of political privileges, nor disposed to deny to the intelligent operatives a share in the government of the country to whose burdens they are called upon to contribute. If the Reform Bill proposed by the Tory Ministry is not capable of adaptation to such an end, I should not hesitate to give my adherence to any cause which may seem the most calculated to attain the desired object."[7] While he was member for Middlesex, Labouchere was assiduous in his parliamentary duties. He spoke frequently and to the point, on such subjects as the "Expenses of Voters,"[8] on "the Sale of Liquor on Sundays Bill"[9] (a characteristically amusing speech), on "Licences" (Brewers'),[10] on the "Military Knights of Windsor attending Church,"[11] on "Appeals in the House of Lords."[12] He objected to a vote to complete the sum of £2135 for building new Embassy houses in Madrid and Paris,[13] and offered some practical suggestions as to the building (or buying) of new Embassy buildings at Therapia.[14] {84}