they stood there all the members who passed in were saluted with the cries of "total repeal" and "cheap food." It was a striking sight to observe the real representatives of the productive classes from every part of the kingdom, country and town, waiting outside of what ought to have been the people's house imploring justice for the suffering millions. Finding that their applications for admission were treated with as little ceremony as their request for an interview with the Premier had been, the delegates drew off from the doors of the house and congregated in Palace Yard, where I briefly addressed them thus: "The doors of the very lobby of the house are closed against us by order of those in power. It is impossible for us to get in to speak to the members as they pass. The Corn Laws were passed under the protection of the bayonet, and its supporters now ensconce themselves under the truncheons of the police. But the time is fast coming when the voice of the people will be heard, and their oppressors will quail before it. Let us give three hearty cheers for the cause of free trade." The cheers were given with a voice that might be heard within the house. It was a strange scene of excitement amongst sober-minded persons—an indication of the stronger and more dangerous excitement of the masses, if not counteracted by a confident hope that the League would ultimately prevail. The delegates proceeded up Parliament-street. Just at Privy Gardens they met Sir R. Peel proceeding in his carriage to the house. He seemed to think at first that they were going to cheer him, but when he heard the angry shouts of "No Corn Law;" "Down with the monopoly;" "Give bread and labour," he leaned back in his carriage, grave and pale. When he lay on his death bed, after according the full measure of justice, I thought with some compunction of that scene; but that expression of disapprobation might not be without its effect in hastening the change in his opinions and course. When he met those men that day he had matured
