regular attendance, the boldest conjecturer would not have dared to define his political principles. It was a rule with Stapylton Toad, never to commit himself. Once, indeed, he wrote an able pamphlet on the Corn Laws, which excited the dire indignation of that egregious body, the Political Economy Club. But Stapylton cared little for their subtle confutations, and their loudly expressed contempt. He had obliged the country gentlemen of England, and ensured the return, at the next election, of Lord Mounteney's brother for the county. At this general election also, Stapylton Toad's purpose in entering the House became rather more manifest; for it was found, to the surprise of the whole county, that there was scarcely a place in England—county, city, town, or borough—in which Mr. Stapylton Toad did not possess some influence. In short, it was discovered, that Mr. Toad had "a first rate parliamentary business;" that nothing could be done without his
