Felix Holt, the Radical by George Eliot
CHAPTER XVI.
_Trueblue._ These men have no votes. Why should I court them?
_Grayfox._ No votes, but power.
_Trueblue._ What! over charities?
_Grayfox._ No, over brains: which disturbs the canvass. In a natural state of things the average price of a vote at Paddlebrook is nine-and-sixpence, throwing the fifty pound tenants, who cost nothing, into the divisor. But these talking men cause an artificial rise of prices.
The expected important knock at the door came about twelve o'clock, andEsther could hear that there were two visitors. Immediately the parlordoor was opened and the shaggy-haired, cravatless image of Felix Holt,which was just then full in the mirror of Esther's mind, was displacedby the highly-contrasted appearance of a personage whose name sheguessed before Mr. Jermyn had announced it. The perfect morning costumeof that day differed much from our present ideal: it was essential thata gentleman's chin should be well propped, that his collar should have avoluminous roll, that his waistcoat should imply much discrimination,and that his buttons should be arranged in a manner which would nowexpose him to general contempt. And it must not be forgotten that at thedistant period when Treby Magna first knew the excitements of anelection, there existed many other anomalies now obsolete, besidesshort-waisted coats and broad stiffeners.
But we have some notions of beauty and fitness which withstand thecenturies; and quite irrespective of dates, it would be pronounced thatat the age of thirty-four Harold Transome was a striking and handsomeman. He was one of those people, as Denner remarked, to whose presencein the room you could not be indifferent; if you do not hate or dreadthem, you must find the touch of their hands, nay, their very shadows,agreeable.
Esther felt a pleasure quite new to her as she saw his finely-embrownedface and full bright eyes turned toward her with an air of deference bywhich gallantry must commend itself to a refined woman who is notabsolutely free from vanity. Harold Transome regarded women as slightthings, but he was fond of slight things in the intervals of business;and he held it among the chief arts of life to keep these pleasantdiversions within such bounds that they should never interfere with thecourse of his serious ambition. Esther was perfectly aware, as he took achair near her, that he was under some admiring surprise at herappearance and manner. How could it be otherwise? She believed that inthe eyes of a well-bred man no young lady in Treby could equal her: shefelt a glow of delight at the sense that she was being looked at.
"My father expected you," she said to Mr. Jermyn. "I delivered yourletter to him yesterday. He will be down immediately."
She disentangled her foot from her netting and wound it up.
"I hope you are not going to let us disturb you," said Harold, noticingher action. "We come to discuss election affairs, and we particularlydesire to interest the ladies."
"I have no interest with any one who is not already on the right side,"said Esther smiling.
"I am happy to see at least that you wear the Liberal colors."
"I fear I must confess that it is more from love of blue than from loveof Liberalism. Yellow opinions could only have brunettes on their side."Esther spoke with her usual pretty fluency, but she had no sooneruttered the words than she thought how angry they would have made Felix.
"If my cause is to be recommended by the becomingness of my colors, thenI am sure you are acting in my interest by wearing them."
Esther rose to leave the room.
"Must you really go?" said Harold, preparing to open the door for her.
"Yes, I have an engagement--a lesson at half past twelve," said Esther,bowing and floating out like a blue-robed Naiad, but not without asuffused blush as she passed through the doorway.
It was a pity the room was so small, Harold Transome thought: this girlought to walk in a house where there were halls and corridors. But hehad soon dismissed this chance preoccupation with Esther; for before thedoor was closed again Mr. Lyon had entered, and Harold was entirely benton what had been the object of his visit. The minister, though noelector himself, had considerable influence over Liberal electors, andit was the part of wisdom in a candidate to cement all politicaladhesion by a little personal regard, if possible. Garstin was a harshand wiry fellow; he seemed to suggest that sour whey, which some say wasthe original meaning of Whig in the Scottish, and it might suggest thetheoretic advantages of Radicalism if it could be associated with a moregenerous presence. What would conciliate the personal regard of old Mr.Lyon became a curious problem to Harold, now the little man made hisappearance. But canvassing makes a gentleman acquainted with manystrange animals; together with the ways of catching and taming them; andthus the knowledge of natural history advances amongst the aristocracyand wealthy commoners of our land.
"I am very glad to have secured this opportunity of making your personalacquaintance, Mr. Lyon," said Harold, putting out his hand to theminister when Jermyn had mentioned his name. "I am to address theelectors here, in the Market-Place, to-morrow; and I should have beensorry to do so without first paying my respects privately to my chieffriends, as there may be points on which they particularly wish me toexplain myself."
"You speak civilly, sir, and reasonably," said Mr. Lyon, with a vagueshort-sighted gaze, in which a candidate's appearance evidently went fornothing. "Pray be seated, gentlemen. It is my habit to stand."
He placed himself at a right angle with his visitors, his worn look ofintellectual eagerness, slight frame, and rusty attire, making an oddcontrast with their flourishing persons, unblemished costume, andcomfortable freedom from excitement. The group was fairly typical of thedifference between the men who are animated by ideas and the men who areexpected to apply them. Then he drew forth his spectacles, and began torub them with the thin end of his coat tail. He was inwardly exercisinggreat self-mastery--suppressing the thought of his personal needs, whichJermyn's presence tended to suggest, in order that he might be equal tothe larger duties of this occasion.
"I am aware--Mr. Jermyn has told me," said Harold, "what good serviceyou have done me already, Mr. Lyon. The fact is, a man of intellect likeyou was especially needed in my case. The race I am running is reallyagainst Garstin only, who calls himself a Liberal, though he cares fornothing, and understands nothing, except the interests of the wealthytraders. And you have been able to explain the difference betweenLiberal and Liberal, which, as you and I know, is something like thedifference between fish and fish."
"Your comparison is not unapt, sir," said Mr. Lyon, still holding hisspectacles in his hand, "at this epoch, when the mind of the nation hasbeen strained on the passing of one measure. Where a great weight has tobe moved, we require not so much selected instruments as abundanthorse-power. But it is an unavoidable evil of these massive achievementsthat they encourage a coarse undiscriminatingness obstructive of morenicely-wrought results, and an exaggerated expectation inconsistent withthe intricacies of our fallen and struggling condition. I say not thatcompromise is unnecessary, but it is an evil attendant on ourimperfection and I would pray every one to mark that, where compromisebroadens, intellect and conscience are thrust into narrower room.Wherefore it has been my object to show our people that there are manywho have helped to draw the car of Reform, whose ends are but partial,and who forsake not the ungodly principle of selfish alliances, butwould only substitute Syria for Egypt--thinking chiefly of their ownshare in peacocks, gold and ivory."
"Just so," said Harold, who was quick at new languages, and stillquicker at translating other men's generalities into his own special andimmediate purposes, "men who will be satisfied if they can only bring ina plutocracy, buy up the land, and stick the old crests on their newgateways. Now the practical point to secure against these false Liberalsat present is, that our electors should not divide their votes. As itappears that many who vote for Debarry are likely to split their votesin favor of Garstin, it is of the first consequence that my votersshould give me plumpers. If they divide their votes they can't keep outDebarry, and they may
"I hope not, sir--I hope not," said Mr. Lyon, gravely; finally puttingon his spectacles and examining the face of the candidate, whom he waspreparing to turn into a catechumen. For the good Rufus, conscious ofhis political importance as an organ of persuasion, felt it his duty tocatechise a little, and also to do his part toward impressing a probablelegislator with a sense of his responsibility. But the latter branch ofduty somewhat obstructed the catechising, for his mind was so urged byconsiderations which he held in danger of being overlooked, that thequestions and answers bore a very slender proportion to his exposition.It was impossible to leave the question of church-rates without notingthe grounds of their injustice, and without a brief enumeration ofreasons why Mr. Lyon, for his own part, would not present that passiveresistance to a legal imposition which had been adopted by the Friends(whose heroism in this regard was nevertheless worthy of all honor).
Comprehensive talkers are apt to be tiresome when we are not athirst forinformation, but, to be quite fair, we must admit that superiorreticence is a good deal due to the lack of matter. Speech is oftenbarren; but silence also does not necessarily brood over a full nest.Your still fowl, blinking at you without remark, may all the while besitting on one addled nest-egg; and when it takes to cackling, will havenothing to announce but that addled delusion.
Harold Transome was not at all a patient man, but in matters of businesshe was quite awake to his cue, and in this case it was perhaps easier tolisten than to answer questions. But Jermyn, who had plenty of work onhis hands, took an opportunity of rising, and saying, as he looked athis watch--
"I must really be at the office in five minutes. You will find me there,Mr. Transome; you have probably still many things to say to Mr. Lyon."
"I beseech you, sir," said the minister, changing color, and by a quickmovement laying his hand on Jermyn's arm--"I beseech you to favor mewith an interview on some private business--this evening, if it werepossible."
Mr. Lyon, like others who are habitually occupied with impersonalsubjects, was liable to this impulsive sort of action. He snatched atthe details of life as if they were darting past him--as if they werelike the ribbons at his knees, which would never be tied all day if theywere not tied on the instant. Through these spasmodic leaps out of hisabstractions into real life, it constantly happened that he suddenlytook a course which had been the subject of too much doubt with him everto have been determined on by continuous thought. And if Jermyn had notstartled him by threatening to vanish just when he was plunged inpolitics, he might never have made up his mind to confide in a worldlyattorney.
("An odd man," as Mrs. Muscat observed, "to have such a gift in thepulpit. But there's One knows better than we do----" which, in a ladywho rarely felt her judgment at a loss, was a concession that showedmuch piety.)
Jermyn was surprised at the little man's eagerness. "By all means," heanswered, quite cordially. "Could you come to my office at eighto'clock?"
"For several reasons, I must beg you to come to me."
"Oh, very good. I'll walk out and see you this evening, if possible. Ishall have much pleasure in being of any use to you." Jermyn felt thatin the eyes of Harold he was appearing all the more valuable when hisservices were thus in request. He went out, and Mr. Lyon easily relapsedinto politics, for he had been on the brink of a favorite subject onwhich he was at issue with his fellow-Liberals.
At that time, when faith in the efficacy of political change was atfever-heat in ardent Reformers, many measures which men are stilldiscussing with little confidence on either side, were then talked aboutand disposed of like property in near reversion. Crying abuses--"bloatedpaupers," "bloated pluralists," and other corruptions hindering men frombeing wise and happy--had to be fought against and slain. Such a time isa time of hope. Afterward when the corpses of those monsters have beenheld up to the public wonder and abhorrence, and yet wisdom andhappiness do not follow, but rather a more abundant breeding of thefoolish and unhappy, comes a time of doubt and despondency. But in thegreat Reform-year Hope was mighty: the prospect of Reform had evenserved the voters instead of drink; and in one place, at least, therehad been "a dry election." And now the speakers at Reform banquets wereexuberant in congratulation and promise: Liberal clergymen of theEstablishment toasted Liberal Catholic clergymen without any allusion toscarlet, and Catholic clergymen replied with a like tender reserve.Some dwelt on the abolition of all abuses, and on millennial blessednessgenerally; others, whose imaginations were less suffused withexhalations of the dawn insisted chiefly on the ballot-box.
Now on this question of the ballot the minister strongly took thenegative side. Our pet opinions are usually those which place us in aminority of a minority amongst our own party:--very happily, else thosepoor opinions, born with no silver spoon in their mouths--how would theyget nourished and fed? So it was with Mr. Lyon and his objection to theballot. But he had thrown out a remark on the subject which was notquite clear to his hearer, who interpreted it according to his bestcalculation of probabilities.
"I have no objection to the ballot," said Harold, "but I think that isnot the sort of thing we have to work at just now. We shouldn't get it.And other questions are imminent."
"Then, sir, you would vote for the ballot?" said Mr. Lyon, stroking hischin.
"Certainly, if the point came up. I have too much respect for thefreedom of the voter to oppose anything which offers a chance of makingthat freedom more complete."
Mr. Lyon looked at the speaker with a pitying smile and a subdued"h'm--m--m," which Harold took for a sign of satisfaction. He was soonundeceived.
"You grieve me, sir; you grieve me much. And I pray you to reconsiderthis question, for it will take you to the root, as I think, ofpolitical morality. I engage to show to any impartial mind, dulyfurnished with the principles of public and private rectitude, that theballot would be pernicious, and that if it were not pernicious, it wouldstill be futile. I will show, first, that it would be futile as apreservative from bribery and illegitimate influence; and, secondly,that it would be in the worst kind pernicious, as shutting the dooragainst those influences whereby the soul of a man and the character ofa citizen are duly educated for their great functions. Be not alarmed ifI detain you, sir. It is well worth the while."
"Confound this old man," thought Harold. "I'll never make a canvassingcall on a preacher again, unless he has lost his voice from a cold." Hewas going to excuse himself as prudently as he could, by deferring thesubject till the morrow, and inviting Mr. Lyon to come to him in thecommittee-room before the time appointed for his public speech; but hewas relieved by the opening of the door, Lyddy put in her head to say--
"If you please, sir, here's Mr. Holt wants to know if he may come in andspeak to the gentleman. He begs your pardon, but you're to say 'no' ifyou don't like him to come."
"Nay, show him in at once, Lyddy. A young man," Mr. Lyon went on,speaking to Harold, "whom a representative ought to know--no voter, buta man of ideas and study."
"He is thoroughly welcome," said Harold, truthfully enough, though hefelt little interest in the voteless man of ideas except as a diversionfrom the subject of the ballot. He had been standing for the last minuteor two, feeling less of a victim in that attitude, and more able tocalculate on means of escape.
"Mr. Holt, sir," said the minister, as Felix entered, "is a young friendof mine, whose opinions on some points I hope to see altered, but whohas a zeal for public justice wh
"I am glad to see Mr. Holt," said Harold, bowing. He perceived from theway in which Felix bowed to him and turned to the most distant spot inthe room, that the candidate's shake of the hand would not be welcomehere. "A formidable fellow," he thought, "capable of mounting a cart inthe market-place to-morrow and cross-examining me, if I say anythingthat doesn't please him."
"Mr. Lyon," said Felix, "I have taken a liberty with you in asking tosee Mr. Transome when he is engaged with you. But I have to speak to himon a matter which I shouldn't care to make public at present, and it isone on which I am sure you will back me. I heard that Mr. Transome washere, so I ventured to come. I hope you will both excuse me, as mybusiness refers to some electioneering measures which are being taken byMr. Transome's agents."
"Pray go on," said Harold, expecting something unpleasant.
"I'm not going to speak against treating voters," said Felix; "I supposebuttered ale, and grease of that sort to make the wheels go, belong tothe necessary humbug of representation. But I wish to ask you, Mr.Transome, whether it is with your knowledge that agents of yours arebribing rough fellows who are no voters--the colliers and navvies atSproxton--with the chance of extra drunkenness, that they may make aposse on your side at the nomination and polling?"
"Certainly not," said Harold. "You are aware, my dear sir, that acandidate is very much at the mercy of his agents as to the means bywhich he is returned, especially when many years' absence has made him astranger to the men actually conducting business. But are you sure ofyour facts?"
"As sure as my senses can make me," said Felix, who then brieflydescribed what had happened on Sunday. "I believed that you wereignorant of all this, Mr. Transome," he ended, "and that was why Ithought some good might be done by speaking to you. If not, I should betempted to expose the whole affair as a disgrace to the Radical party.I'm a Radical myself, and mean to work all my life long againstprivilege, monopoly, and oppression. But I would rather be alivery-servant proud of my master's title, than I would seem to makecommon cause with scoundrels who turn the best hopes of men intoby-words for cant and dishonesty."
"Your energetic protest is needless here, sir," said Harold, offended atwhat sounded like a threat, and was certainly premature enough to be inbad taste. In fact, this error of behavior in Felix proceeded from arepulsion which was mutual. It was a constant source of irritation tohim that the public men on his side were, on the whole, notconspicuously better than the public men on the other side; that thespirit of innovation, which with him was a part of religion, was in manyof its mouthpieces no more of a religion than the faith in rottenboroughs; and he was thus predisposed to distrust Harold Transome.Harold, in his turn, disliked impracticable notions of loftiness andpurity--disliked all enthusiasm; and he thought he saw a verytroublesome, vigorous incorporation of that nonsense in Felix. But itwould be foolish to exasperate him in any way.
"If you choose to accompany me to Jermyn's office," he went on, "thematter shall be enquired into in your presence. I think you will agreewith me, Mr. Lyon, that this will be the most satisfactory course."
"Doubtless," said the minister, who liked the candidate very well, andbelieved that he would be amenable to argument; "and I would caution myyoung friend against a too great hastiness of words and action. David'scause against Saul was a righteous one; nevertheless not all who claveunto David were righteous men."
"The more was the pity, sir," said Felix. "Especially if he winked attheir malpractices."
Mr. Lyon smiled, shook his head, and stroked his favorite's armdeprecatingly.
"It is rather too much for any man to keep the consciences of all hisparty," said Harold. "If you had lived in the East, as I have, you wouldbe more tolerant, for example, of an active industrious selfishness,such as we have here, though it may not always be quite scrupulous: youwould see how much better it is than an idle selfishness. I have heardit said, a bridge is a good thing--worth helping to make, though halfthe men who worked at it were rogues."
"Oh, yes!" said Felix, scornfully, "give me a handful of generalitiesand analogies, and I'll undertake to justify Burke and Hare, and provethem benefactors of their species. I'll tolerate no nuisances but suchas I can't help; and the question now is, not whether we can do awaywith all the nuisances in the world, but with a particular nuisanceunder our noses."
"Then we had better cut the matter short, as I propose, by going at onceto Jermyn's," said Harold. "In that case, I must bid you good-morning,Mr. Lyon."
"I would fain," said the minister, looking uneasy--"I would fain havehad a further opportunity of considering that question of the ballotwith you. The reasons against it need not be urged lengthily; they onlyrequire complete enumeration to prevent any seeming hiatus, where anopposing fallacy might trust itself in."
"Never fear, sir," said Harold, shaking Mr. Lyon's hand cordially,"there will be opportunities. Shall I not see you in the committee-roomto-morrow?"
"I think not," said Mr. Lyon, rubbing his brow, with a sad remembranceof his personal anxieties. "But I will send you, if you will permit me,a brief writing, on which you can meditate at your leisure."
"I shall be delighted. Good-bye."
Harold and Felix went out together; and the minister, going up to hisdull study, asked himself whether, under the pressure of conflictingexperience, he had faithfully discharged the duties of the pastinterview?
If a cynical sprite were present, riding on one of the motes in thatdusty room, he may have made himself merry at the illusions of thelittle minister who brought so much conscience to-bear on the productionof so slight an effect. I confess to smiling myself, being sceptical asto the effect of ardent appeals and nice distinctions on gentlemen whoare got up, both inside and out, as candidates in the style of theperiod; but I never smiled at Mr. Lyon's trustful energy without fallingto penitence and veneration immediately after. For what we callillusions are often, in truth, a wider vision of past and recentrealities--a willing movement of a man's soul with the larger sweep ofthe world's forces--a movement toward a more assured end than thechances of a single life. We see human heroism broken into units andsay, this unit did little--might as well not have been. But in this waywe might break up a great army into units; in this way we might breakthe sunlight into fragments, and think that this and the other might becheaply parted with. Let us rather raise a monument to the soldierswhose brave hearts only kept the ranks unbroken and met death--amonument to the faithful who were not famous, and who are precious asthe continuity of the sunbeams is precious, though some of them fallunseen and on barrenness.
At present, looking back on that day at Treby, it seem to me that thesadder illusion lay with Harold Transome, who was trusting in his ownskill to shape the success of his own morrows, ignorant of what manyyesterdays had determined for him beforehand.