their votes could be legally recorded。 I remember a piteous letter from a gentleman who had travelled all the way from Cornwall； reaching Norwich somewhere about 7 P。M。； only to discover that he must vote at Yarmouth within an hour； which of course he was unable to do。 When one considers how paratively small was the number of votes necessary to turn the scale in my favour； it is easy to understand what this blundering meant to me。 Still； for reasons that I have already given； I do honestly believe that all was for the best。
Although I might have done so more than once； never again have I stood for Parliament。 To tell the truth； the whole business disgusts me with its atmosphere of falsehood； or at the least of prevarication； and its humiliating quest of support。 In such struggles in Britain there is； it is true； little actual corruption； but of indirect corruption there is still a great deal。 From the moment a candidate appears on the field he is fair game； and every man’s hand is in his pocket。 Demands for “your patronage and support” fall on him； thick as leaves in Vallombrosa。 I remember that I was even pestered to supply voters with wooden legs！ Why should an election in a county division cost； as this one did； something over 2000 pounds in all？
Some years before this time my brother Alfred conceived the plan of obtaining some great concession of land and minerals from Lobengula。 He was； I recollect； angry with me because I would not enter into his schem