The general, finding his L3000 declined, did not go to the poll; but a Mr.Purling and Mr.James did, the latter polling only four votes, the former only thirty-seven.

What bribe Mr.Purling had given was never revealed; but by some means or other he had contrived to render himself the most acceptable of all the candidates to Mr.Roberts, the returning officer.

Roberts had himself been a member of the Christian Club, but had quarrelled with it, and on the day of the election, as Rumbold's voters came up, he administered to each of them the oath against bribery.

They took it without scruple; but he took it on himself to pronounce seventy-six of them disqualified, and to refuse their votes; and, having thus reduced Mr.Rumbold's voters to eleven, he returned Mr.
Purling as duly elected.
Mr.Rumbold, not unnaturally, petitioned against such a return; when Mr.
Roberts admitted the facts alleged against him, but pleaded that he had acted under the advice of counsel, who had assured him that it was within his own discretion to admit or to refuse any votes that might be tendered, and that he might lawfully refuse any "which in his own mind he thought illegal." It is a striking proof of the laxity which prevailed on every quarter in electioneering practices, that the House, to a great extent, admitted his justification or excuse as valid.

By a strange stretch of lenity, they gave him credit for an honest intention, and contented themselves with ordering him to be reprimanded by the Speaker.