The advent of the ballot was not ardently desired by the Tories, and it was hinted that the consequences of its introduction would entail such inconveniences as are figured in the two illustrations here given, rather implying that violence and coercion would henceforth be unavailing, and that, as bribery would be in vain also, administrative corruptors would prefer to make a more legitimate use of their money.
A ballad of the “broadside” order appeared upon “The Windsor Election” of 1835. As a genuine rough-and-ready production, called forth by the circumstances of the contest, and embodying the names of the candidates, it is worth preserving as typical of thousands of similar ballads, which have in all probability perished from the bills of mortality.
“What a wonderful thing’s an Election!
It sets all the people alive;
And makes them all busy and nimble,
Like so many bees in a hive.
’Tis then the nobs learn to be civil,
And get all their lessons by rote;
With ‘How do you do? Honest friend,
I’m come to solicit your vote.’
“There’s enough of that humbug just now,
To be seen in a neighbouring town,
Where the voters don’t scruple to say
The whole will be dear for a Crown.
They’re professing to canvass for truth,
Which all honest folks must deny,
For ’tis plain as the nose on your face,
They’ll gammon you all with—a-lie.[72]
“Then, to think of that corporate body,
All their mind on the thing is agog;
They’ll be gammon’d as surely by him
As they formerly were with their hog.
Just fancy that day at the hustings,
You see that comical crop,
The old soldier playing first fiddle
To the tune of the Bachelor’s Hop.
“When they’ve scrap’d and fiddled away,
And find little company come,
The Fiddler will soon bag his kit,
And then the day’s work will be done.
The people may think this is wise (Vyse),
But the thing will be well understood,
For a man to fiddle all day
Should be made of cast iron or wood (Col. Wood).
“Now to see the phizogs of this crew,
As they travel away cheek-by-jowl,
Led on by old Dot-and-go-one,
A-scratching the head of his poll.
At the warmints he’s storming and raving,
And wishing ’em all at the Devil,
Whilst Sir John,[73] and the rest of his staff,
Are cursing the Bachelor’s Revel.
“Success to Sir John de Beauvoir,
He’s a man that is loyal and true,
He’ll strangle that monster—corruption,
And live to bury him, too.
Whilst the ghost of old Elley, in pity,
To the Corporate body will come,
In a vision, with two bags of money,
On the back of old Dot-and-go one.”
INCONVENIENCES THAT MIGHT HAVE ARISEN FROM THE BALLOT. BY G. SEYMOUR.