3 "ey

Ld OF OOBDFEN.

FRAP

1848. to be made the most of, even at the risk of being
Ar, 89. egotistical”?
“The meeting at Taunton was a boné-fide farmers
gathering from all parts of the division of Somerset, and
there was but one opinion in the town amongst all partie?
who attended the market, that the game of the ¢ politics
landlords’ is all up. I find our case upon agricultw
grounds far stronger and easier than in relation to the
trading interests. Now, depend upon it, it will be. just 2°
we have often predicted, the agricultural distriets of £ho
south will carry our question. They are as a community
in every respect, whether as regards intelligence, morality’
politics, or public spirit, superior to the folks that surround
you in Lancashire. I intend to hold county meetings every
Saturday after Easter.”*

The year 1843 was famous for a great agitation in each
of the three kingdoms. O’Connell was rousing Ireland bY
the cry of Repeal. Scotland was kindled to one of its most
passionate movements of enthusiasm by the outgoing of
Chalmers and his brethren from the Estabhshment. In
Bngland the League against the Corn Law was rapid'y
growing in flood and volume. If ever the natural history of
agitations is taken in hand, it will be instructive to compar
he different methods of these three movements, two of
which succeeded, while the third failed.
Cobden never disdained large popular meetings, to be
sounted by thousands. These gatherings of great multitud®®
were useful, not merely because they were likely to stir ?
certain interest more or less durable in those who attended
them, but also because they impressed the Protection’
party with the force and numbers that were being arrayed

! To F. Cobden, March 11, 1843,
f To F. Cobden, Avril 10, 1843,