nn)
ABRIVAL AT LIVERPOOL.

603

Pence Society, all presented addresses, to which I was 1859.
Miged, without a moment's notice, and with my head still ar. 65.
imming with the motion of the sea, to deliver replies. It
3 really like killing one with kindness. I have come on
bere [to Manchester] to see my friends, and hear what they
bave 4 say. A deputation from Rochdale is over also.
dng 1 bave an address from a number of persons, including
Basle and H. Ashworth, wishing me to accept the offer of
® Beat in the (Cabinet. Indeed, almost without exception,
®verybody, Radicals, peace men, and all, are trying to perade
 me to it.
“Now it really seems to me that they must all have gone
nad, for with my recorded opinions of Lord Palmerston’s
Public conduct during the last dozen years, in which opinions
! hap experienced no changes, were I suddenly to jump ab the
“fer of & place under him, T should ruin myself in my own
self-respect, and ultimately lose the confidence of the very
"en who are in this moment of excitement urging me to
Chter his Cabinet. So great is the pressure put on me, that
it were Lord Granville, or even Lord John, at the head of
fair, I should be obliged, greatly against my will, to be a
Right Honourable. But to take office now, without a single
declaration of change of view regarding his public conduct,
Woulq be so monstrous a course, that nothing on earth shall
"duce me to do it. I am going to town this afternoon, and
Shall forward him my answer on my arrival. I listen to all
Qy friends and say nothing, but my mind is made up.”
On arriving a day or two later in London, Cobden lost no
lime in calling upon Lord Palmerston. He wrote a full
Account, of all that passed between them to Mr. Sale, his
brother-in-law in Manchester.
“London, 4th July, 1859.—I thought it best on my arrival
™ town to go first to Palmerston, and explain plainly and
frankly everything. On calling on him I was most plea-