Colchester, and that from what he had seen in the united press of the county and in all parts, the agricultural body would feel it their duty to attend." Six thousand people assembled, with but very few mechanics among them. A chairman was appointed, who confessed that he entertained very strong feelings in favour of protection. Mr. Cobden, after an address more than usually effective, deviated, at the request of his adversaries, from his usual custom, and proposed a resolution attacking in direct terms the Corn Laws and all class legislation. Sir John Tyrrell, the friend of the agricultural labourers, did not wish somehow to wait for the hour at which those labourers could attend, but took a division, without the help of the chairman, upon an amendment of his own, which was not fortunate enough to be seconded, and was beaten by such a majority that he thought it prudent to withdraw his proposition upon the ground of its admitted irregularity. The meeting proceeded. Sir John Tyrrell harangued, and the notorious Mr. Ferrand howled, but an overwhelming majority—there being but twenty-seven dissentients—scouted protection; and, smarting under the most signal defeat which they had yet sustained, the monopolists went discomfited from their chosen field. The Hon. C. P. Villiers accompanied Mr. Cobden, and made an admirable speech, his sarcasm telling most effectually on Sir John Tyrrell.
Mr. Bright was also in the field, carrying into the north the principles which had been so successfully urged in the south. The following is a brief account of a meeting at Kelso, surrounded by the finest agricultural district in the whole island:—
