Old Jabber

‘By Jove! an excellent idea. Here's one of the free and independent electors of G--writes to ask what my views are on the subject of compulsory vaccination. Do pen a reply and I'll sign it.’

‘But what am I to say?’

‘The ghost of Jenner alone knows…’

George Gissing - A Life's Morning (1888)


The first speaker is a wealthy young Conservative MP. A principled man, but willing enough to admit that he has no genuine interest in people below him in the social hierarchy.