te FEELING IN THE COUNTRY. 265

Overdone from all parts with letters and congratulations, bw
and ean hardly find time to say a word to my friends.” ® &r, 39

The enemies of the League made the most of what had
happened, They spoke of Cobden as politically ruined,
“nd ruined beyond retrieval. Brougham, with hollow pity,
Wrote shout the © downfall of poor Mr. Cobden.” It soon
Wppeared that there was another side to the matter.
Meetings were held to protest against the treatment which
Cobden had received from the Minister and the House ;
SYmpathetic addresses were sent to him from half the towns
W England, and ell the towns in Scotland ; and for many
Wecks afterwards, whenever he appeared in a public
“88embly, he was greeted with such acclamations as had
Seldom been heard in public assemblies before. We may
believe that Cobden was perfectly sincere when he said
% one of his friends :— I dislike this personal matter
for any good reasons, public and private. We must
0id any of this individual glorification in the future.
Yy forte is simplicity of action, hard working behind
the Scenes, and common sense in council; but I have
Reither taste nor aptitude for these public displays.” *
At Manchester some eight thonsand men and women
Wet to hear stirring speeches on the recent affair. Mr.
Brighs moved s resolution, for an address to Cobden, in
Words that glow with noble and energetic passion, while
they keep clear of hero-worship. “I do not stand up,”
be said, «to flatter the member for Stockport. I believe
big 4 be 4 very intelligent and very honest man; 1 believe
that ho wil) ach with a single eye to the good of his country ;
! believe that he is firmly convinced of the truth of the
Beat principles of which he is so distinguished an advocate.”

8 To F. Oobdon, Fah, 88, 1842,
» To E. Busnes, March 8, 1848.