Page:Australian views of England.djvu/16

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for Birmingham himself occupies, affords the most forcible illustration of all of the political scepticism that has grown up. By his wonderful power of oratory, John Bright can, at any time, collect an audience of thousands which he can work into a transitory enthusiasm; but there is no man, occupying the same space in the public mind, of whom you hear so many persons speaking slightingly. This is particularly the case among the manufacturers; and in Manchester this great apostle of the Manchester School is really unpopular. Among all the political ovations of the recess, where the names of Russell, Palmerston, Carlisle, Stanley, Lytton, Pakington, and others have been the ascendant stars, it is remarkable that not one of the "men of the people" has been the object of public adulation. To my mind there is something of glaring injustice towards the men who have sprung from the people's own ranks, and of degrading fickleness of opinion in the people themselves, in this apparent neglect and mistrust of their old friends. But the fact is so. A fortnight ago I heard a Staffordshire manufacturer, at a private dinner-table, speaking of Cobden in the bitterest terms of reproach, and no one present