be dragged down by a section of the aristocracy? He must take sides, and that instantly; and should he, by doing so, displease his political supporters, there was an answer ready for them. He might say he found the country in distress, and he gave it prosperity; that he found the people starving, and he gave them food; that he found the large capitalists of the country paralyzed, and he made them prosperous." Sir Robert did say something to that effect—four years afterwards. On the 22nd July, 1842, the time was not come for a triumph over a selfish party. It was resolved by the votes of 156 against 64, that the distressed condition of the country should not be taken into consideration.
The Anti-Corn-Law Conference closed its sittings on Monday, August 1st; Parliament was prorogued on the 12th of August. The members of the latter body were released from the business of the nation in time to devote themselves to partridge shooting; the members of the former to carry into effect, in their several localities, the resolution they had passed, "to labour incessantly for the great object of the League—the total and unconditional repeal of the Corn Law, prepared to re-assemble at such time and place as the Council, in Manchester, might determine." They said that Providence had given plenty, but a few men of title and landed estate had opposed their mandate to the will of Heaven, and they asked, "Shall mortal man be more just than God?" A fearful state of things awaited both.
