had held up their hands for Lord Enfield, while, on the other hand, all the {91} Liberals had held up both their hands for Mr. Labouchere. The sheriffs, after consultation, accordingly declared that the show of hands was in favour of Lord Enfield and Lord George Hamilton. The election took place on November 24, and the result of the poll was as follows: Lord George Hamilton 7638 votes Lord Enfield 6387 " Mr. Labouchere 6297 " Before the declaration of the poll, two cabs with placards of "Plump for Enfield" were seen in the streets, which were followed by others bearing "Plump for Labouchere." This was believed to have been a ruse of the enemy, but there were some who thought it was a joke of Labouchere's. He however vehemently denied any knowledge of it. There was huge excitement at the official declaration of the poll. Henry Labouchere, "the real Liberal candidate," as he was called, had been met by his friends at Kew Bridge, who had accompanied him to the meeting. He was evidently the favourite,[21] and the populace took out his horses and insisted upon dragging his carriage through the town. Enfield was hissed and hooted. Labouchere made a dignified speech, in which he referred to the practical disenfranchisement of Middlesex, by its election of a Conservative and a Liberal, and he insisted strongly and ably upon the necessity of organisation in all electioneering work. Mr. Labouchere published the following absurd reminiscence of this election in an early number of _Truth_: "A candidate knows very little of the details of his election, but, so far as I could make out, dead men played a very important part, on both sides, in this contest between Lord George and me. No sooner were the booths open than men long {92} removed from party strife rose from their graves, and hurriedly voted either for him or for me."[22]