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COBDEN' 3 TNFLUTNCOR ON “HL,

323

heads, he once said, who cannot comprehend and master
* Proposition in political economy, for 1 believe that that
“udy is the highest exercise of the human mind, and that
the exact sciences require by no means go hard an effort.’
i, bowaver, Cobden’s economic language was a desperate
Brgon to the country gentlemen, it came with the power of
“Volation to heir leader. “Sir Robert Peel,” said Mr.
Disras;, in his subtle and striking portrait of his great
emy, “had a dangerous sympathy with the creations of
“thers, He was ever on the look-out for new ideas, and
When he did go he embraced them with eagerness and often
With Precipitancy. Although apparently wrapped up in him-~
Self ang supposed to be egotistical, except in seasons of rare
®Xaltedneys, as in the year 1844-5, he was really deficient in
Self-confidence, There was always some person representing
Some theory or system exercising an influence over his mind.
In hig “sallet days’ it was Mr. Horner or Sir Samuel
Romig ; in later and more important periods it was the
Duke of Wellington, the King of the French, Mr. Jones
Loyd, some others, and finally Mr. Cobden.””
I Was in this session that Mr. Disraeli first opened his
faking fire upon the Prime Minister. In 1842, as has been
thready seen (p. 239), he declared that Peel’s policy was
0 exact, permanent, and perfect consistency with the prin-“Pley
 of Free Trade Inid down by Mr. Pitt. But clonds
had risen on the horizon since then. Things had happened
Which made the rising gladiator change his mind, not as
bo the national expediency of Free Trade, but as to the
Persona) expediency of carrying his sword to the opposite
mp, Sir Robert, soon after coming into power, observed
% & friend that he knew too little of the young men of the
Party, and expressed a wish to know more. The friend
WVited him to dinner, and among the men of promise who
Spsochas, § 288. Feb. £7, 1048. 7 Lord Qeerge Bontinck, p. 201

1848.
need)
Ar. 41.