"THE GOOD OLD DAYS"

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 151, 27 June 1914, Page 15

"THE GOOD OLD DAYS"

SELLING PARLIAMENTARY BOROUGHS. By common consent the Duke of Marlborough — who acted for himself lately in selling portions of his estate — played the part of auctioneer as if to the rostrum born (says a London scribe). But his opportunities were limited as compared with those of his ancestors. The rotten boroughs have disappeared that once enriched the Marlborough demesnes. The sale of such boroughs was the coveted prize of every ambitious auctioneer. When Gatton, with its rental,' its mansion, and the^power of nominating two Parliamentary representatives for ever, was put up for auction the auctioneer concentrated upon the right ,of nomination to Parliament. "Need I tell you, gentlemen," he began, " that this elegant contingency is the only infallible source of fortune in this happy country? That it leads to the highest situations in the State? And that, _ meandering through tho ' tempting sinuosities of ambition, the purchaser will find the margin strewed with roses, and his head quickly crowned with_ those precious ' garlands that flourish in full vigour round the fountain of honour? On this halycon sea if any gentleman who has made his fortune in either of the Indies chooses to embark he may repose in perfect quiet. No hurricanes to dread, no tormenting claims ( of insolent electors to evade* no tinkers' wives to kiss, no impossible promises to make; none of the toilsome, and not very clean paths of canvassing to drudge in; but. his mind at ease and his conscience clear, with this elegant contingency in his pocket, the honours of the State a^vait his plucking, and with its emoluments his purso will overflow."