Mew England legend decrees that votes were bought in exchange for this loaf. You may not win an election, but you will get an overwhelming vote of confidence if you serve this bread to the poll watchers gathered in your home on election night.

In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Add 2 tsp sugar and 1 1/2 cups flour. beat well, about 150 strokes. Cover the bowl tightly and set in a warm, draft-free place for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, sift the remaining flour with the salt, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg on a piece of wax paper. In a small bowl, cream the butter and sugar. When the yeast batter has only 5 more minutes to rise, add the eggs to the creamed butter.

Beat well. Stir down the yeast batter. Spoon in the butter mixture and blend well. Add the sifted dry ingredients a spoonful at a time, beating after each one until the mixture is smooth. Dredge the raisins, nuts and citron in the tbsp of flour and stir into the batter. Pour the batter into a greased 10 inch tube pan. Make it level by using a spoon dipped in cold water. Cover the pan with wax paper and place in a warm, draft-free spot for about 1-1/2 hours, or until a wooden tooth-pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Check halfway through baking time; if the top gets too brown, cover loosely with foil or brown paper. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes before turning the bread onto a wire rack to cool.

Spread on the icing while the bread is still warm. Makes 1 loaf.