prejudiced in any way by joining us forthwith in this agitation."
The adhesion of Mr. Loyd was really important at the time. The monied class of London had been tardy in its movements, It needed an example. A subscription of £50 from one of Mr. Loyd's enormous wealth was nothing; but it was a great thing that a man of such cold caution and of so instinctive prudence should have given name and money to promote the object of the League, abused as it was for going too far and too fast. Natures the driest, hardest, and most calculating, might follow when Mr. Jones Loyd led the way, without the fear of being called impulsive and rash.
Earl Fitzwilliam's adhesion had an influence on another class of persons—those who desired that justice should be done, even if the doing were to be injurious to their own interests. His lordship took the field along with Cobden and Bright. The open-air arena was on the Vicarage Croft, Doncaster. By invitation from Earl Fitzwilliam, Mr. Cobden slept on Friday night at Wentworth House (Mr. Bright, having been detained in London, was obliged to travel all night to the place of meeting); and on Saturday forenoon, accompanied by his noble host, they passed through Doncaster to the seat of J. W. Childers, Esq., M.P., of Cantley, where they lunched. A little before two o'clock, Earl Fitzwilliam, with the deputation, and John Parker, Esq., M.P.; W. B. Wrightson, Esq., M.P.; and J. W. Childers, Esq., M.P., arrived in Doncaster. The meeting was formally constituted in the Town Hall, whero Thomas Johnson, Esq., the late mayor (in consequence of the illness of the then mayor), was called to the chair. Mr. Milner then moved the adjournment of the meeting to the Vicarage Croft, which was seconded by Mr. Childers, and carried. After able speeches had been delivered by Mr. Bright and Mr. Cobden—the former expounding the principles of free trade generally, and the latter applying
