low ebb just now in England. The case in favour of an extension of the franchise, as put in Mr. Bright's letter, has a logical force almost irresistible. Nevertheless, it is resisted with successful ridicule, and the recent Reform Conference at Leeds proves that little earnestness is felt on the subject even among the 5,000,000 unenfranchised men whose cause is so powerfully supported by Mr. Bright The Conference sat on the 18th and 19th, and on the evening of the latter day, after Leeds had been stirred by the debates of the assembled delegates, a public meeting to set on foot an agitation in favour of Reform was held in the Victoria Hall, and at this meeting the attendance, estimated by the leaders of the movement, did not exceed 2000, though the hall will contain 5000 people. The proceedings at the Conference were barren and unanimated; the only warmth arose from differences of opinion carried almost to the length of quarrelling. Earl Russell, Earl de Grey, the Earl of Carlisle, Sir Charles Wood, Mr. Cobden, Mr. Bright, Mr. Roundell Palmer, Mr. Edward Miall, and other leading Liberals were invited, but every one of them found some reason or other for absenting himself from the Conference.
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II.]
OF ENGLAND.
11
