This is how the Western Daily Mercury describes "the fight"—before it began. "The electoral battle continues, but it is a most unequal contest. The Tories have been out-generalled, outmanœuvred, and outclassed. They are like the Chinese fleet at Yalu, stolid and uncertain, whilst the Liberals are sailing round them, pouring into them a withering fire from quick-firing guns, sweeping away masts and signal-yards, and scattering their crews in confusion. The fire from the Tories is intermittent, insufficient, and badly directed. It is doing very little harm."
This is quite a gem of nautical description. Such as might justly be expected from a great naval port like Plymouth, which is the home of the Mercury. The chief beauty of it, moreover, is that it will serve again to describe the battle—when it is finished ("after the poll"), the only alteration necessary being a transposition of the two words Tories and Liberals.
Cornwall.—Excellent programme, including Two Macs. As usual, when one "scores," the other doesn't. McDougall beaten, while McArthur of course held whip-hand in St. Austell's division.
Love's Local Option.—"Drink to me only with thine eyes."
SCRAPS FROM CHAPS.