They never even expressed an idea
that he ought to have come, alluding even to their past convictions
as to the futility of hoping for such a blessing; but spoke of him as
a personage made almost sacred by the sufferings which he had been
made to endure. As to the election, that would be a matter of course.
He was proposed by Mr. Ruddles himself, and was absolutely seconded
by the rector of Tankerville,--the staunchest Tory in the place,
who on this occasion made a speech in which he declared that as an
Englishman, loving justice, he could not allow any political or even
any religious consideration to bias his conduct on this occasion. Mr.
Finn had thrown up his seat under the pressure of a false accusation,
and it was, the rector thought, for the honour of the borough that
the seat should be restored to him. So Phineas Finn was re-elected
for Tankerville without opposition and without expense; and for
six weeks after the ceremony parcels were showered upon him by
the ladies of the borough who sent him worked slippers, scarlet
hunting waistcoats, pocket handkerchiefs, with "P.
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