occupations. He is
not fit for them; he is too sentimental a man for us. The men of Newcome want a
sound, practical person; the Liberals of Newcome have a desire to be
represented. When we elected Sir Barnes, he talked liberally enough, and we
thought he would do; but you see the honourable Baronet is so poetical we ought
to have known that, and not to have believed him. Let us have a straightforward
gentleman. If not a man of words, at least let us have a practical man. If not a
man of eloquence, one at any rate whose word we can trust, and we can't trust
Sir Barnes Newcome's; we have tried him, and we can't really. Last night when
the ladies were crying, we could not for the souls of us help laughing. We hope
we know how to conduct ourselves as gentlemen. We trust we did not interrupt the
harmony of the evening, but Sir Barnes Newcome prating about children and
virtue, and affection and poetry - this is really too strong.
    The Independent, faithful to its name, and ever actuated by principles of
honour, has been, as our thousands of readers know, disposed to give Sir Barnes
Newcome Newcome, Bart., a fair trial. When he came forward after his father's
death, we believed in his pledges and promises as a retrencher and reformer, and
we stuck by him. Is there any man in Newcome, except, perhaps, our twaddling old
contemporary the Sentinel, who believes in Sir B.N. any more? We say no, and we
now give the readers of the Independent, and the electors of this borough, fair
notice, that when the dissolution of Parliament takes place, a good man, a true
man, a man of experience, no dangerous Radical or brawling tap orator - Mr.
Hicks's friends well understand whom we mean - but a gentleman of Liberal
principles, well-won wealth, and deserved station and honour, will ask the
electors of Newcome whether they are or are not discontented with their present
unworthy member. The Independent, for one, says we know good men of your family,
we know in it men who would do honour to any name; but you, Sir Barnes Newcome
Newcome, Bart., we trust no more.«
 
In the electioneering matter, which had occasioned my unlucky interference, and
that subsequent little coolness upon the good Colonel's part, Clive Newcome had
himself shown that the scheme was not to his liking; had then submitted as his