"Just ae word mair. Promising is a cheap thing, and ye needna be very sparing of it. If onybody speaks to ye about a gaugership, or a place in the Customs or the Post-office, just gie ye a bit wink, tak out your note-book, and make a mark wi' the keelavine pen. It aye looks weel, and gangs as far as a downright promise. Deny or refuse naebody. Let them think that ye can do everything wi' the Ministry; and if there should happen to be a whaup in the rape, let them even find it out theirsells. Tell them that ye stand up for Dreepdaily, and its auld charter, and the Whig constitution, and liberal principles. Maist feck o' them disna ken what liberal principles is, but they like the word. I whiles think that liberal principles means saying muckle and doing naething, but you needna tell them that. The Whigs are lang-headed chiells, and they hae had the sense to claim a' the liberality for themsells, ever since the days o' the Reform Bill."
Such and suchlike were the valuable maxims which Provost Binkie instilled into my mind during the progress of breakfast. I must say they made a strong impression upon me; and any candidate who may hereafter come forward for the representation of a Scottish burgh, on principles similar to my own, would do well to peruse and remember them.
"Do I carry your good wishes along with me, Miss Binkie, on my canvass?"
"Most cordially, Mr Dunshunner; I shall be perfectly miserable until I learn your success. I can assure you of my support, and earnestly wish I was an elector."
"Enviable would be the Member of Parliament who could represent so charming a constituency!"
Directed by the Provost's list, I set forth in search of my constituency. The first elector whose shop I entered was a draper of the name M'Auslan. I found him in the midst of his tartans.
"Allow me to introduce myself, sir. My name is Dunshunner."
"You are probably aware, sir, that I am a candidate for the representation of these burghs?"
"I hope and trust, Mr M'Auslan, that my principles are such as meet with your approbation?"
"I am a friend, sir, to civil and religious liberty,--to Dreepdaily and its charter,--to the old Whig constitution of 1688,--and to the true interests of the people."