LIFE OF COBDEN.

Tomar.

882. children, as ever he did afterwards into great affairs of
ax. 26. State. His partner was a worthy colleague.
«You have ground,” Cobden wrote to him, “ for very
great and just self-gratulation in the movement which you
announce to have begun in behalf of infant schools ab
Sabden. ‘There is never the possibility of knowing
the extent to which a philanthropic action may operate
usefully—because the good works again multiply in like
manner, snd may continue thus to produce valuable fruits
long after you cease to tend the growth of them. I have
always been of opinion that good examples are more
influential than bad ones, and I like to take this view of the
case, because it strengthens my good hopes for general and
permanent ameliorations. Look how perishable is the practice,
 and therefore how little is to be dreaded the eternity
of evil; whilst goodness or virtue by the very force of
axample, and by its own indestructible nature, must go on
increasing and multiplying for ever! I really think you
may achieve the vast honour of making Sabden a light to
lighten the surrounding country, and carrying civilization
into towns that ought to have shed rays of knowledge upon
your village; when you have furnished a volunteer corps of
gour infant troops to teach the tactics of the system to the
people of Clitheroe, you should make an offer of a similar
service gratis to the good people of Padiham. Let it be done
in a formal and open manner to the leading people of the
slace and neighbourhood, who will thus be openly called
apon to exert themselves, and be at the same time instructed
how to go about the business. There are many well meaning
people in the world who are not so useful as they might be,
from not knowing how to go to work.”*
His perception of the truth of the last sentence, coupled
ag it was with untiring energy in coping with it, and showing
8 To Mr. George Foster, Apri wh i538.