One or twice I fancied I heard sounds in the distant parts of the ruin, like a step on the pavement, and again like a faint cough :-it was, doubtless, only imagination. There was no noise, not even the hooting of an owl, nor the flitting of a bat: it was silent as the grave.

I had not sat long, however, before I heard a real sound-the striking of the Abbey clock, which, as I before described, had been attached to the old bell at the top of the wall. Slowly it tolled-one -two-three-on to eleven. As this sound broke

Just

upon the stillness of the night, and reverberated among the hollow arches of the ruin, my blood curdled. It was enough: it completed and perfected the romance and solemnity of the scene. I rose slowly, and moved towards the gateway. then the moon went into a cloud, and for a few moments it was nearly dark; but presently it broke out again, and the weird light streamed once more through the windows. Reaching the gate, I turned to take another look at the scene, and then departed. My last glimpse of the venerable pile, was the sight, from a distance, of the lofty tower, and the stars twinkling through its broken arches.

A SCOTTISH ELECTION.

Unless Corruption first deject the pride
And guardian vigor of the free-born soul,
All crude attempts of violence are vain.
But soon as Independence stoops the head,
To vice enslaved, and vice-created wants,
From man to man the blackening ruin runs,
Till the whole state unnerved in slavery sinks.
THOMSON'S "LIBERTY."

I WAS glad to have the opportunity of witnessing an election for Members of Parliament. As the manner of proceeding differs much from ours, I may give a short description of it.

As soon as it was known that there would be a dissolution of parliament, placards appeared upon the walls signed by individuals offering themselves as candidates for the new parliament. This unshrinking putting of one's self forward for a public office, was something novel to me: in America, a candidate assumes at least the semblance of modesty, and waits to be called forward by his friends or fellow-citizens. Indeed, it is a maxim with us, that one office, at least,—that of President - ought neither to be sought for by any good citizen, nor declined when it is imposed upon him. But here there are no such scruples: if a person wants an office, he must boldly ask for it. This

may be straightforward, but it did not strike me as altogether delicate. These things, however, are very much matters of custom.

I used to wonder at hearing of the great expensiveness of the British elections,—it being said to cost a member sometimes ten or twenty thousand pounds to obtain his seat but I understand this better now. The cumbrous machinery of a British election is astonishing. After having announced himself for the office, the next thing the candidate has to do, is to appoint a committee for each ward in the city, to look after his interests. In addition to the considerable remuneration which these parties must, I presume, receive, there is the expense of hiring apartments generally public halls or other large rooms for a week or two, where these various ward committees hold their meetings.

The business of these committee-men is to go through the city, and call on each elector individually, and ask his vote for their candidate: this is called "canvassing" the city. Promises being thus obtained from the great majority of electors, a tolerably correct idea may be formed, some days before the election, as to who will be the successful candidate.

In addition to these expenses, vast sums were formerly expended in treating and bribery; but this is now forbidden under heavy penalties.

In the meantime, placards are seen posted on the church-doors, signed by the sheriff of the county, declaring that he has received notice to hold an election for a member or members of parliament (as the case may be), and naming a place and time

The

at which he will proceed to hold the election. place thus appointed is called "the hustings," or perhaps this term may more properly signify the occasion itself. A scaffolding is erected in front of the court-house or in some public square; and at the hour appointed, the sheriff appears upon it, attended by the several candidates with their friends, and proceeds to read aloud the writ commanding the election. Persons then come for

ward to nominate their respective candidates, each making a short speech in favor of his nominee; after which the candidates themselves address the assembled crowd. The speakers, as they successively appear, are greeted with shouts and hurras, or with groans and moans and various outcries, according as they may happen to be popular favorites or otherwise. This part of the proceedings is not unlike the course of our own popular assemblages on political occasions, and reminds the American observer of his British origin: he feels then that we are essentially one people in our love for political liberty, and for maintaining the right of cheering or groaning at whom we please.

The speeches being concluded, the sheriff steps forward and declares that he will now proceed to take the vote by "show of hands," which being done, he pronounces the decision to be in favor of this or the other candidate. This was, probably, the only mode of election in primitive times, and would, I presume, be legally binding even now, if the unsuccessful candidate did not come forward and "demand a poll," as it is termed, that is, a regular election by each individual giving his vote singly.