X
TL] MR. BRIGHT'S ELECTION AT BIRMINGHAM. 663

he seems bent upon undertaking without much more for- 1857.
bearance, If he break down again, the chances are that he Zr. 53.
by shelved for life, and may lose even the powers which he
Snow in secure possession of. I very much fear he allows
himself go he pushed forward by others who are interested,
from enjoying a reflected share of his greatness, in seeing him
"gain in the House. But I have no reason to suppose that
this is the cage with his wife and family. I have said as much
% I could to urge him to be quiet, but I doubt whether he
has the power to divert his mind from politics. He seemed
bh e to be watching or speculating on the details of politica]
 movements whilst he was in Algiers or Italy, pretty
Much the same as when he was at home. The honest and
"dependent course taken by the people at Birmingham,
their exemption from aristocratic snobbery, and their fair
"Ppreciation of a democratic son of the people, confirm me
0 the opinion I have always had that the social and political
Sate of that town is far more healthy than that of Man-Chestey
 ; and it arises from the fact that the industry of the
hardware district is carried on by small manufacturers,
“mploying a few men and boys each, sometimes only an
“Pprentice or two; whilst the great capitalists in Man-Chester
 form an aristocracy, individual members of which
"eld an influence over sometimes two thousand persons.
The former state of society is more natural and healthy in
% moral and political sense. There is a freer intercourse
between all classes than in the Lancashire town, where a
Seat and impassable gulf separates the workman from his
®mployer, The great capitalist class formed an excellent basis
for the Anti-Corn-Law movement, for they had inexhaustible
Purses, which they opened freely in a contest where not
“uly their pecuniary interests but their pride as ‘an order’
Was ab stake. But I very much doubt whether such a state
of society is favourable to a democratic political movement,