aker in the amplitude of rhetorical form in which,
juvenile though it may be, a commonplace is cast. 'Is human grandeur so
stable that they may deny to others that which they would in an humble
situation desire themselves? Or has human pride reached such a pitch of
arrogance that they have learned to defy both right and reason, to
reject the laws of natural kindness that ought to reign in the breast of
all, and to look on their fellow countrymen as the refuse of mankind?...
Is it morally just or politically expedient to keep down the industry
and genius of the artisan, to blast his rising hopes, to quell his
spirit? A thirst for knowledge has arisen in the minds of the poor; let
them satisfy it with wholesome nutriment and beware lest driven to
despair,' et cetera. Crude enough, if we please; but the year was 1826,
and we may feel that the boyish speaker is already on the generous side
and has the gift of fruitful sympathies.

In the spacious tournaments of old history, we may smile to hear
debating forms and ceremony applied to everlasting controversies. 'Sir,'
he opens on one occasion, 'I declare that as far as regards myself, I
shall have very little difficulty in stating my grounds on which I give
my vote for James Graham [the Marquis of Montrose]. It is because I look
upon him as a hero, not merely endowed with that animal ferocity which
has often been the sole qualification which has obtained men that
appellation from the multitude--I should be sorry indeed if he had no
testimonials of his merits, save such as arise from the mad and
thoughtless exclamations of popular applause.' In the same gallant style
(Jan. 26, 1826) he votes for Marcus Aurelius, in answer to the question
whether Trajan has any equal among the Roman emperors from Augustus
onwards. Another time the question was between John Hampden and
Clarendon. 'Sir, I look back with pleasure to the time when we
unanimously declared our disapprobation of the impeachment of the Earl
of Strafford. I wish I could hope for the same unanimity now, but I will
endeavour to regulate myself by the same principles as directed me
then.... Now, sir, with regard to the impeachment of the five members,
it is really a little extraordinary to hear the honourable opener
talking of the violence offered by the king, and the terror of the
parliament. Sir, do we not all know that the king at that time had
neither friends nor wealth?... Did the return of these members with a
triump