Certain things are obvious, but how many see what is below the surface?
Let me suggest a case and a series of circumstances; the more pointed the case, the more interesting.

I will suppose a particular mayor is an old Fenian: let us see how for him a web is finely woven, and in the end how securely he is netted.

First a mayor is a magistrate, and must take the judicial oath, but the old Fenian has taken an oath of allegiance to Ireland--clash number one.

It is not simply a question of yes or no; there are attendant circumstances.

Around a public man in place circulates a swarm of interested people, needy friends, meddling politicians, "supporters" generally.