144

LIFR OF COBDEN, {CmAR:

1% invitation to take one of the humblest posts in the ministerial
Air, 41, hierarchy sees

" Ohaham Place, Deo, 19, 1845.
“Drak Bre,—I donot expect that T shall be able to form
an Adwinistration. If I should, however, on this occasion
or a future one, I shall ask you to assist me by accepting the
office of Vice-President of the Board of Trade, Lord Clarendon
 being the President, and the Vice-President having
bo represent the department in the House of Commons.
I remain, yours faithfully,
J. Rosser”

The reader will smile at this proposal, when he thinks of
the composition of Liberal Governments since the death of
Lord Palmerston. The difference between then and now
marks the decay of Whig predominance within the five-andthirty
 years that have intervened. Cobden’s reply to the
unflattering offer might have been foreseen. There is little
doubt that it would have been the same, even if the offer had
been of a more serious kind.

* Manchester, Dee, 20, 1845.
“Dear Lorn JorN,—I feel greatly honoured by the offer
of the office of Vice-President of the Board of Trade, in the
event of your being able to form an Administration, . In
preferring to remain at my post as the out-of-doors advocate
of Free Trade, I am acting from the conviction that I can
render you more efficient assistance in carrying out onr
principle by retaining my present position, than by entering
your Government in an official capacity. Again assuring
you how highly I esteem this expression of your confidence,
I remain, dear Lord J ohn,
Most faithfully yours,
Bierary Corpry”