"Now, my good dear woman," says he, "be
advised, and get out of the way for a day or
two, as there's a lawsuit at stake upon the
winner of the election races, and no harm
will happen to you, if the jockey does not
see you." "The jockey!" says I; "what
jockey?" "The Speaker," says he. "Oh, what
is all this to me?" says I, "a poor innocent
woman!" But before I knew where I was,
Dick Spelt and Mr. Vick hurried me into
the donkey-cart, with money put into my
hand, and the silver all dropping about over
the wheels and into the straw, and my cloak
was hustled over my head, to keep off the
rain; and Mr. Vick pulled me to sit on his
knee, as there was no room for three on the
seat; and away went the donkey clappering
over the stones, and round the first corner,
and off into the green lanes. John Vick then
got up and jumped out, and I seed him
scramble up a bank and get through a hedge,
and run across a turnip-field on t'other side.
I wanted to get out and follow after him,
thinking he was a good judge of what was
safest, and I didn't like to be left to be
caught; but Dick Spelt lashed on the donkey
so suddenly, that I tumbled back'ards into
the straw behind, and lost my senses. When
I came to, I saw I was sitting in a little
cottage on the road-side, and a gentleman
standing in front of me a-stirring a hot cup
of tea. "Drink this, my good woman," says
he, "and make your mind easy, and put on
your shawl and clothes a little better, and
then we'll take a little quiet drive home
together." This was the officer as brought
me here— the Speaker— who wanted to catch
John Vick, and took an innocent widow
woman in mistake of him, so please your
Worships." Does not know how she got
into the copper where the officer says he found
her.

The Hon. Chairman. Jane Higginbottom,
you may retire. [The witness retired, stepping
backward, with a courtesy at every
step.]

Richard Spelt. Lets out donkeys. Deposed
to having carried off John Vick and Jane
Higginbottom on the morning in question,
for a little country air. Had been engaged
to do so by Mr. M'Squinney, who had
given him thirty shillings and a new hat
for the job; and told him, if lie did it well,
and kept it all secret, Mr. Yellowboys would
perhaps get him a commission in the Horse
Guards. Had intended to put a brown
cob in the cart 'stead of a donkey; but Mr.
M'Squinney suddenly came, and took it away
for himself. Had never seen him nor the
cob since. Hoped to gracious goodness he
should, though. Was a hard-working man,
with a large family. Had a wife and six
donkeys to keep. Does not know why he
was apprehended for doing his ordinary work.
The Parliament gentlemen was nothing to
him, nor the Speaker neither, 'cept as they
had a call for donkeys.

The Hon. Chairman. Has no intelligence
been yet obtained of M'Squinney?

William Hook. None whatever, at present;
nor of John Vick.

Mr. Serjeant Battledore. The evidence already
obtained from most of the witnesses, is so
clear and conclusive, that I think no doubt can
exist in the mind of any one who has heard
such evidence, of the fact of bribery and
corruption having been used, in order to obtain
the election of the successful candidate, Mr.
Plumptree Yellowboys.

Mr. Serjeant Racket. By whom has bribery
and corruption been used? By the witnesses
just examined?

Mr. Serjeant Battledore. By some of them.

Mr. Serjeant Racket. Then, prove it by other
witnesses against them, and punish them.

Mr. Serjeant Battledore. Chiefly by M'Squinney,
the agent of Mr. Yellowboys, and, so
deeply is M'Squinney implicated, that he may
be said to be the chief party who is legally
responsible for the whole affair.

Mr. Serjeant Racket. Then, make him
responsible.

The Hon. Chairman. But we can't get hold
of him! (Laughter.)

Mr. Serjeant Racket. You cannot, therefore,
take any proceedings in that direction.

An Officer here entered the Committee
Room, and announced that M'Squinney had
been found, and was now in waiting outside.
Order was given for him to be brought in.

The Witness entered with a grave
countenance and a respectful bow. His face and
hands had evidently not been washed for
some days, and his clothes were covered with
small grey and blue feathers and white down.
His face looked feverish, though he evidently
made a firm effort to keep himself calm and
collected.

Thomas Day, the officer. Had traced M'Squinney
to a farm-house belonging to one of the
tenants of Mr. Yellowboys. Had searched
the house for him in vain, and the yard, and
barns, and pigstyes. Had found him at last
up in a pigeon-house. M'Squinney had got
up there by a ladder, and then had the
ladder carried away. He had a fishing-line
with him, by means of which he hauled up
his supplies of food. He had been there two
days and nights. M'Squinney was very polite
when he was got down, and said he was not
sorry he was took, as he had been driven half
frantic by the fleas up there.

By Mr. Serjeant Pike. Did not know where
John Vick was, nor anything about his
intentions. Had not heard that he was gone for a
trip to New York. It was possible, not
improbable. These persecutions made men do
foolish things.

[Mr. M'Squinney is now examined.]

By Mr. Serjeant Battledore. Was the agent
of Mr. Plumtree Yellowboys. Had been his
agent for the purchase of furniture, and had
done various things for him. Took the house
at No. 17, Leapfrog Street during election