d that
they were at the very time the discussion was going forward, and with a
certainty of the repeal of the corn-laws in prospect, taking farms at
a higher rent, and engaging to drain lands at great cost. Speaking
of public opinion on protection, he said:--"What is this boasted
protection? The country has come to regard it as they regard
witchcraft--as a mere sound and a delusion. They no more regard your
precautions against free-trade than they regard the horse-shoes that
are nailed over stables to keep the witches from the horses. They do
not believe in protection; they have no fear of free-trade; and they are
laughing to scorn all the arguments by which you are trying to frighten
them. How can protection, think you, add to the wealth of a country? Can
you by legislation add one farthing to the wealth of a country? You may
by legislation, in one evening, destroy the fruits and accumulations of
a century of labour: but I defy you to show me how, by the legislation
of this house, you can add one farthing to the wealth of this country?
That springs from the industry and intelligence of the people of this
country." In conclusion, Mr. Cobden called upon the protectionists
cheerfully to make concessions for the good of the community. The debate
was closed by Lord George Bentinck, who condemned the proposition of
government as vicious in principle, and likely to be deeply injurious,
not only to agriculturists, but to all the great interests of the
country, On a division, the amendment was negatived by a majority of
three hundred and seven against two hundred and forty.

This great fact was now apparent to all men. The Conservatives, however,
did not yet give up the struggle, though they fought as men in despair.
Having failed in defeating the measure in the whole, they sought to
defeat it in its details. On the house resolving itself into committee
on the customs' acts, amendment after amendment was moved by them; and
when these were all negatived, they commenced another struggle to defeat
the second reading. A division on the second reading took place on the
28th of March, which was carried by a majority of three hundred and
two against two hundred and fourteen. Nor yet was the battle won. As if
exhausted by the struggle, both parties rested awhile from the strife;
but it recommenced on the 5th of May, on a motion that the house resolve
itself into a committee of the whole house on the corn-importation bill.
This was oppo