Markland and Matthiae have set right by a most obvious correction.  But, as nobody seems to have read his vindication, we can gain nothing by refuting it. ["Mr. Croker has favoured us with some Greek of his own.  ‘At the altar,’ say Dr. Johnson.  ’I recommended my th ph.’  ‘These letters,’ says the editor. (which Dr. Strahan seems not to have understood,) probably mean departed friends.’ Johnson was not a first-rate Greek scholar; but he knew more Greek than most boys when they leave school; and no schoolboy could venture to use the word thuetoi in the sense which Mr. Croker ascribes to it without imminent danger of a flogging.”—­Macaulay’s Review of Croker’s Boswell.]

Ever yours

T. B. MACAULAY.

CHAPTER V.

1832-1834.

Macaulay is invited to stand for Leeds—­The Reform bill passes—­ Macaulay appointed Commissioner of the Board of Control—­His life in office—­Letters to his sisters—­Contested election at Leeds—­ Macaulay’s bearing as a candidate—­Canvassing—­Pledges—­Intrusion of religion into politics—­Placemen in Parliament—­Liverpool—­Margaret Macaulay’s marriage—­How it affected her brother—­He is returned for Leeds—­Becomes Secretary of the Board of Control—­Letters to Hannah Macaulay—­Session of 1832—­Macaulay’s Speech on the India Bill—­His regard for Lord Glenelg—­Letters to Hannah Macaulay—­The West Indian question—­Macaulay resigns Office—­He gains his point, and resumes his place—­Emancipation of the Slaves—­Death of Wilberforce—­Macaulay is appointed Member of the Supreme Council of India—­Letters to Hannah Macaulay, Lord Lansdowne, and Mr. Napier—­Altercation between Lord Althorp and Mr. Shiel—­Macaulay’s appearance before the Committee of Investigation—­He sails for India.

DURING the earlier half of the year 1832 the vessel of Reform was still labouring heavily; but, long before she was through the breakers, men had begun to discount the treasures which she was bringing into port.  The time was fast approaching when the country would be called upon to choose its first Reformed Parliament.  As if the spectacle of what was doing at Westminster did not satisfy their appetite for political excitement, the Constituencies of the future could not refrain from anticipating the fancied pleasures of an electoral struggle.  Impatient to exercise their privileges, and to show that they had as good an eye for a man as those patrons of nomination seats whose discernment was being vaunted nightly in a dozen speeches from the Opposition benches of the House of Commons, the great cities were vying with each other to seek representatives worthy of the occasion and of themselves.  The Whigs of Leeds, already provided with one candidate in a member of the great local firm of the Marshalls, resolved to seek for another among the distinguished politicians of their party.  As early as October 1831 Macaulay had received a requisition from that