1888.
A=128



LIFE OF COBDEN. [omAf

But we shall never obtain even an approach towards such
a change, except by one of two paths—Revolution or th?
Schoolhouse. By the latter means we shall make permanent
reform; by the former we shall only effect convulsive and
transient changes, to fall back again like Italy, or Spai®
into despotism or anarchy.” *
In August, 1838, Cobden again started for a month’s tof
in Germany, partly perhaps to appease that spirit of restles®
ness which made monotony the worst kind of fatigue, snd
partly to increase his knowledge of the economic condition of
other countries. What nonsense,” he once exclaimed, “1
uttered even by the cleverest men when they get upon tha!
least of all understood, and yet most important of all topic
the Trade of this country! And yet every dunce or arist?”
cratic blockhead fancies himself qualified by nature ¥
preach upon this complicated and difficult question.” * He
was careful not to lay himself open to the same reproach o
trusting to the light of nature for wide and accurate kno®
ledge, and he turned his holiday in the countries of the Elb®
and the Rhine to good aceount by getting together, as b
said, some ammunition about the corn laws. This subject
was now beginning definitely to take the chief place in his
interests.
There remains among his correspondence with his brothe
during this trip, one rather remarkable letter, the doctrine of
which many of my readers will certainly resent, and ib is
indeed open to serious criticism. The doctrine, howeve’
is too characteristic of a peculiarity in Cobden’s gocis)
theory, for me to omit this strong illustration of it; chara”
teristic, I mean, of his ruling willingness, shown particularlf
in his dealings with the Emperor of the French in 1860
and on some other occasions, to treat political co¥
® To W. Twit. Aug, 17, 1888,
?P To W. Tadt. May 5, 1837.