Page:Eminent English liberals in and out of Parliament.djvu/127

 height of the Tory re-action, resulted in 3,332 votes being recorded for Mr. Burt, against 585 for his amiable Tory opponent, Major Duncan. Never was there such unbounded enthusiasm. The prophet of Choppington was indeed honored in his own country. His election expenses were defrayed by public subscription. He had nothing to do but address the electors, and prepare to draw his parliamentary salary, which, if not large, is perhaps amply sufficient for his modest wants and limited desires. At the late general election the Conservatives dared not even challenge his seat.

Well may Morpeth, the borough of the derided "Howkies," with their short lives,—computed to reach an average of only twenty-eight years,—their sore toil and pitiable pay, say to the most virtuous constituency in the kingdom, "Go thou and do likewise."

And, as for the fortunate member for Morpeth, he has in Parliament, I think, redeemed all the legitimate expectations that were formed of him. His speeches on the County Franchise Bill, on the Employers' Liability for Injury Bill, on the grants to Wales and Connaught, and, above all, his hearty denunciation of the Afghan war, leave nothing to be desired.

With regard to the Medical Bill, he showed somewhat too great a confidence in quack doctors and unlicensed bone-setters; but that is a small matter.

For the rest, as I have said before, his conduct in the House has evoked the praise of all parties. The worst