CHAPTER XXXIV.

THE AMERICAN WAR—FORTIFICATION SCHEMES— INTERNATIONAL

TAW.

1861. IN one of his last letters before leaving Algiers, Cobden had
Zr. 57, Written to Mr. Hargreaves in rather a depressed vein. The
truth must be told,” he said; “though one does not like
publicly to shelve oneself—my work is nearly done. I am
nearly fifty-seven and not, like you, of a long-lived family:
Since I passed my meridian a few years ago, I have found
my powers sensibly waning and particularly those organs
of the voice which I exercised so rudely whilst in their
prime, and which were naturally but a weak inheritance from
my father. If, however, I could pass the remainder of my
days with only the labour of an average person of my years,
I could, I dare say, nurse myself into a good old age. The
question is whether I ought rather to content myself with 8
briefer span and the satisfaction of trying to do something #
little beyond my strength ? It is a nice question for casuists,
for the home duties affecting one’s young children intrude.”
When Cobden returned to England his public position
bad more than recovered the authority and renown which
had been seriously impaired by his unpopular attitude on
the Russian War, and his devotion to the thankless questions
of Retrenchment and Peace. It was felt that the reproach
of sentimental statesmanship could not well be applied to 8
man who had conducted so tough and laborious an undertak-