IXx1v.] ON THE POLITICAL, TORPOR CF THE DAY. 881

funkies, and nothing else could be expected from them. 1863.
But there is no doubt that the demonstration was largely Ar. 59.
shared by the working class, which is certainly one of the
most singular and inexplicable of public incidents. It brings
to my mind the saying of our librarian, ——, who, when
Speaking of the old Premier, called him ¢ the most successful
impostor since Mahomet | ?
“There is a remarkable fact in the political movement, or
rather political torpor of our day, that the non-electors, or
working men, have no kind of organization or organ of the
Press by which they can make their existence known, either
to help their friends or prevent their body being used as
was done in Glasgow, to strengthen their enemies—for the
latter effect has no doubt been produced by the address
from the working class presented to the Premier.
“I observe what you say about Bright's powers of elos
quence. That eloquence has been most unsparingly used
since the repeal of the Corn Laws—now going on for nearly
twenty years—in advocating financial economy and parlia~
mentary reform, and in every possible way for the abasement
 of privilege and the elevation of the masses. If he
could talk till doomsday he would never surpass the strains
of eloquence with which he has expounded the right and
demolished the wrong cause. Yet see with what absolute
lack of success !
“Now if you have ever the chance of bringing your
influence to bear on him in this connexion, let it be, I
entreat you, to urge him to take any opportunity that the
working class may offer him to tell them frankly that nobody
 can help them until they are determined to help themselves.
 Let the responsibility be thrown back on them in a
way to sting them into an effort, if self-respect fail to
excite them. They should be told plainly that old parties
have coalesced on the ground that no further parliamentary
21,