r sufferings with exemplary patience; but
the manufacturing labourers in the midland and northern districts, as
well as in some parts of Scotland, exhibited a contrary spirit. Secret
combinations and seditious assemblages became the order of the day in
these parts; nor could all the efforts of parliament put down their
factions. At this time a party, which had denominated themselves
"Radical Reformers," obtained much notice by their active exertions,
and acquired much influence from the sedulity which they propagated the
notion that such a reform of parliament, as would make its members true
representatives of the people, would be the surest means of putting an
end to present and future sufferings. One of the most notorious of the
demagogues was Henry Hunt, a man whose only merit consisted in bold
daring and mob oratory. The first step of this association was to apply
to the Manchester magistrates to convoke a meeting for the alleged
purpose of petitioning against the corn bill. This request was refused;
and in consequence the meeting was held without authority. Hunt was the
hero of the day; and it was not his fault that the assemblage dispersed
without tumult. The example thus set by Manchester was followed by the
reformers of Glasgow, Leeds, Stockport, and other places; and many were
the dangerous doctrines broached by the orators. The strong measures of
precaution, however, taken by the local authorities, in most instances,
had the effect of preserving order and tranquillity; but it was feared
that if these meetings were allowed still to be held, the inflammatory
harangues of their orators would one day stir up the multitude to acts
of mischief. Government, indeed, resolved to interfere. At a meeting
held at Birmingham the reformers hazarded a bolder experiment than any
before displayed. This was the election of a member to represent that
great and populous town in the house of commons. Sir Charles Wolseley
was put in nomination, and instantly chosen by show of hands. Soon after
this Sir Charles attended a meeting at Stockport; and he was taken
into custody on account of seditious expressions used at that meeting.
Subsequently a meeting took place at Smithfield, when a man named
Harrison was arrested for the same offence; and both were tried next
year at the assizes, convicted, and sentenced to imprisonment. The
officer by whom they were apprehended narrowly escaped assassination at
Stockport; and government immediatel