Lxx1m.} THE ENGLISH WORKING OLASS. 829

ence between the sun and shade makes it difficult to avoid 1861
getting a chill. It is this, too, that prevents vegetation r.67.
coming on before its time; for although we have green peas
and flowers in abundance, and the almond-trees and others
are showing young fruit, yet the vines and other trees have
not yet begun to shoot. You must not, however, suppose
from this that the nights are cold. Such a thing as a
white frost is not known. Fogs are equally unknown. If
called on to say, I should be of opinion that the air is too
sharp and clear for active consumptive cages. But for a
person without organic disease, but with a tendency to
asthma or pulmonary weakness, I should consider it excellent.


“ My friends advise me to remain till after Easter, which
happens very early this year, and I think I shall do so.
There is certainly nothing in the House to tempt one to
return. The tone of the leading, or rather misleading,
members is just of that hollow mocking kind which would
worry me into bad health. I wonder the working people
are go quiet under the taunts and insults offered them.
Have they no Spartacus among them to head a revolt of the
tlave class against their political tormentors? I suppose
it is the reaction from the follies of Chartism, which keeps
the present generation so quiet. However, it is certain
that so long as five millions of men are silent under their
disabilities, it is quite impossible for a few middle-class
members of Parliament to give them liberty, and this is the
language I shall hold when called on to speak to them.
1t is bad enough that we have a political machine which
will not move till the people put their shoulders to the
wheel. But we must face things as they are, and not live
in 5 dreamland of our own creating. The middle class
have never gained a step in the political scale without long
labour and agitation out of doors, and the working people