of some others (a very small number) who
were advocates of the League, that they were as eager to set on foot
subscriptions for themselves, as the public were for those who had
really earned them. One individual, who hung about "the League
rooms," and made speeches often undesired by the committee, and
when inconvenient to their arrangements, was very indignant that a
subscription was not raised for him. Without eloquence in speech,
temperance in council, or discretion in action, he became prominent only
by overbearing boldness, and an ever-meddling officiousness.

AGITATION CONCERNING THE NAVIGATION LAWS.

Early in the parliamentary session, the government indicated an
intention to repeal the navigation laws. In this they were supported
very ardently by Mr. Hume, Mr. Ricardo, Mr. Cobden, Mr. Bright, Mr.
Milner Gibson, and by many other ardent friends of the Manchester
school. The time was ill-chosen for any movement on this subject,
because the seamen as well as the shipowners were opposed to any
alteration, and the disturbed state of continental Europe, and indeed of
the British Isles, made it extremely unwise for government to irritate a
class whose physical energy, peculiar position, and popularity with the
people, gave them, if disposed, peculiar capacity to disturb the peace.

The party which desired the repeal of the navigation laws maintained
that free-trade in ships and seamen was as necessary as in other
matters, and the cotton districts called loudly for the change. The
leader of the shipping interest was James Mather, Esq., of South
Shields, a gentleman not connected with ships or shipowners, but moved
by patriotic feelings alone. Mr. Mather possessed all the qualities
necessary for a leader in the agitation of a great political and
politico-economical question. With a highly cultivated intellect,
conciliatory address, fearless spirit, and astonishing physical energy,
he was just the man to please at once the educated mariners, and the
rough, bold, hardy tars. The gentlemanly bearing of Mr. Mather was
also calculated to impress his opponents favourably, and a graceful
persuasiveness of mien and language, aided in qualifying him for that
object. Mr. Mather grappled with the arguments of Cobden, Bright, and
the other leaders of the cotton districts, whose influence at that time,
fresh from their victory over the corn interest, made it important to
confute the arguments they addressed to the public. Mr