Page:Eminent English liberals in and out of Parliament.djvu/108

 returned as one of the members of the School Board of Birmingham; and in 1873, when the Secularists, so called, secured a majority on the board, he was elected chairman. In 1870 he was likewise unanimously elected mayor, and in 1874 and 1875 a similar honor awaited him. At the general election in 1874 he contested Sheffield in the Radical interest; but the town of Roebuck, Broadhead, and "The Sheffield Telegraph," knew itself better than to seek the services of so reputable a representative. He was at the bottom of the poll, the "frightful example" to all Radicals, Roebuck being at the top. An army of one thousand five hundred publicans worked night and day for this result. The whole town was given over to indescribable riot; and Mr. Chamberlain, who exhibited the greatest personal intrepidity and good humor, was oftener than once exposed to serious risks. Roebuck, singularly enough, was supported by "The Daily News." Not many months elapsed, however, before Mr. Dixon retired from the representation of Birmingham, and the mayor took his place in Parliament unopposed.

One event that occurred in Mr. Chamberlain's mayoralty I must not forget. In November, 1874, the Prince of Wales practically invited himself to Birmingham, and much curiosity was felt as to the manner in which the mayor would receive the heir-apparent. Mr. Chamberlain has never concealed his preference for republican institutions, and the visit was necessarily of a somewhat embarrassing character. Nay, more, the court party probably intended it to embarrass. They had scored an immense triumph, and they were determined to follow it up by bearding Radicalism at headquarters. They had succeeded in cementing the