then, for the first time, was the turn given to Mr. Cobden's language that he had invoked the hand of the assassain against Sir Robert Peel.
"Sir Robert Peel said: Sir, the honourable gentleman has stated here very emphatically, what he has more than once stated at the Conference of the Anti-Corn-Law League, that he holds me individually— (these words which were pronounced with much solemnity of manner, were followed by a loud cheer from the ministerial benches, of a very peculiar and emphatic kind. It lasted a considerable time, and while it continued, and for some time afterwards, the House presented an appearance of extreme excitement, the members in the galleries standing up, and many of those below whispering eagerly to each other)—individually responsible for the distress and suffering of the country; that he holds me personally responsible. (Renewed cheering of the same character.) Be the consequences of those insinuations what they may cheering renewed, with great vehemence)—never will I be influenced by menaces—(continued cheering)—to adopt a course which I consider—(the rest of the sentence was lost in renewed shouts from the ministerial benches).
"Mr. Cobden rose and said: I did not say that I held the right hon. gentleman personally responsible. (Shouts from the ministerial benches of 'yes, yes; 'you did, you did;' mingled with cries of order,' and chair.') I have said that I hold the right honourable gentleman responsible by virtue of his office—(renewed shouts from the same quarter, cries of no, no, and confusion)—as the whole context of what I said was sufficient to explain. (Renewed cries of 'no, no,' from the ministerial benches.)"
"When Sir Robert," says the Morning Chronicle, "in the opening of his speech, in a manner peculiarly his own, gave the signal for this new light, then, and not till then, the sense so obtained burst forth with a frantic yell which would better have befitted a company of savages, who first saw and scented their victim, than a grave and dignified assembly, insulted by conduct deemed deserving of condemnation. For all this disorder, and for all the discredit which it is calculated to bring on the House of Commons, Sir Robert Peel is responsible. Mr. Cobden, as will be seen by the report, rose instantly, and disavowed having used the word 'personal.' Sir Robert Peel, from his seat
