desty and all his assurance to make the least way. But, to his honour be it said, he surmounted all. It became known that De Vere did not mean to return until he had completed a plan of travel on a most extended scale. The north (then not much known) was visited as well as the south. In fact, he remained full three years, which gave ample time for a manoeuvring spirit. With his own adroitness, therefore, Clayton during that interval had conciliated the most jealous, and we may imagine that his talent for progression had not been inactive. He did not attempt to be a speaker, but his tact exerted itself, and if he was mute as a debater, he was an excellent cheerer. De Vere, on his return, found him in full possession of all the rights and privileges, in regard to notice, acquaintance, and other agreeable et cæteras, which belong to a regular subaltern in the army of government. He had become even useful in what was called the management of the House, and was noticed by Mr. Wentworth for his knowledge of the members, and the frequency and zeal of his reports. Such a notice he well knew how to turn to profit, and the main chance had been so well pursued, that during these three years he had made a greater

advance to his object than others during whole parliaments. In short, through the mist of futurity, gleams of hope had excited fresh expectations, and visions of brightness flitted before his eyes.

CHAPTER XIV.

POLITICAL LECTURES.

I have been politick with my friend, smooth with mine enemy.

SHAKSPEARE.

THE advance and success of Clayton were necessary to re-kindle in De Vere, interests in regard to official objects and party politics which had been almost laid asleep. It is neither necessary to the views of this biography, nor is it the intention to give any account of his travels. Our objects are at home. It is enough to say that, though general politics, and statistical inquiries, were zealously pursued by him, he was equally, if not more bent upon an examination of the manners and customs of his fellowcreatures with a view to that moral philosophy, which he always preferred to political, though the last was by no means undervalued. Of party politics he could acquire nothing abroad,

and of these, when he returned home, it is inconceivable, considering his accomplishments in every thing else, how great was his ignorance Clayton beat him far behind in this most ne- . cessary qualification for rising; but Clayton knew nothing else.

This want of information, or absence of feeling on points so much the life and soul of an Englishman's excitements, made De Vere at first more indifferent than he ought to have been to the possession of the seat in parliament which had been held for him. Had his assistance been wanted upon questions of public, and particularly of foreign policy, he would have been eager enough. But having watched for these questions, he was surprised to find how seldom they seemed to be considered, and how comparatively absorbing was every thing that regarded local interests of which he knew nothing, or the power and influence of particular parties of which he knew little more. He, therefore, without much difficulty acceded to his uncle's request to allow Clayton to sit out the session, at the commencement of which he found him, nor was he sorry to pass the first month of his return in visiting his mother, and the favourite

seat of his childhood at Talbois, for favourite it still was, spite of all the adversity of which it had been the scene.

His friend the President told him he was wrong in this arrangement, and advised his instant entry into the House; but he thought he had time enough before him. He, however, on his return to London acquired, or recovered, so much of his former spirit of curiosity, that he began to visit both Houses as a spectator, and soon became so much interested in the contemplation of what was passing, as to regret that he had consented not yet to be an actor.

At first, he was delighted, and even astonished, by the abilities of the leaders. He was fascinated by the force, the beauty, and the variety of their eloquence. The Premier had been used to speak in thunder, and the thunder still rolled, though only at a distance, while Lord Oldcastle (Lord Eustace's father) calmed his hearers by the smoothness of his periods. But Mr. Wentworth fixed every body, by a flow of language and ideas, which alike charmed the imagination and convinced the understanding. In the Opposition, one great leader was rapid in invective; another dazzled by his wit; a third by the