CHAPTER XIX,

LECTION FOR THE WEST RIDING.—PURCHASE OF DUNFORD.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Dornyg Cobden’s absence in the autumn of 1847, a general 1847.
“lection had taken- place. While he was ab St. Potersburg Zr. 43.
to learned that he had been returned not only for his former
Sorougl, of Stockport, but for the great constituency of the
West Riding of Yorkshire. He wrote to thank Mr. Bright
for his powerful and friendly servicesat the election. ““ Bub
cannot, conceal from you,” he went on to say, “that my
*eburn for the West Riding has very much embarrassed and
oyed me. Personally and publicly speaking, I should
have preferred Stockport. It is the greatest conupliment
*ver offered to a public man; but had I been consulted, I
Should have respectfully declined”! After the compliment
iad actually been conferred, it was too late to refuse it,
ud Cobden represented the West Riding in two parlia-Yents,
 until the political crash came in 1857. The
turaph of Cobden’s election for the great Yorkshire con-Wtuency
 was matched by the election of Mr. Bright for
Yanchester, in spite of the active and unscrupulous efforts of
ome o)d-fashioned Liberals. They pretended to find bim
} Sept. 18, 1847.