Page:History of the Anti corn law league.pdf/429

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case, proved that the prophet was not without honour in his own country. He reminded his townsmen of their former service in this noble cause, of their having sent a staunch free trader to Parliament, and of the high character they had gained with their countrymen; and he assured them he should be ashamed of them if they came second to any town in the kingdom in the great contest now waging with the accursed monopoly, which was destroying their commerce. The subscriptions then commenced, and the following were announced: The Chairman gave £100 James King and Sons, £100; the workpeople employed by Bright and Brothers, £12 3s.; John Hoyle, £50; Thos. Booth, 50; John Petrie & Co., £50; James Midgley, 50; E. G. Kay, £50; Robt. Kelsall, £50; Leech, Tweedale, and Co., £50, and others raising the amount to £1,320 6s. 6d., in addition to £375 subscribed by five individuals at the Manchester meeting.

Two meetings were held, at Leeds, on the same week, the object of both being the promotion of the great fund. The first was preliminary and consisted of merchants, manufacturers, tradesmen, and other employers of labour. Mr. Baines, M.P., was in the chair; and Mr. Cobden, Dr. Bowring, Mr. Aldam, and Colonel Thompson, were present. The second and most important meeting was a soirée, held in the saloon of the Music Hall, its object being, to use the language of the Leeds Mercury, designed to promote the abolition of the Corn Law, and of all restrictions on the trade in food, in connection with the splendid and benevolent efforts then being put forth by the National Anti-Corn-Law League. The same organ goes on to say, that the demand for the tickets on and prior to the day of the festival was unprecedented the prudent issue previously determined upon,—which, however, was only limited by the accommodation of the spacious hall itself,—was consequently exhausted before the day of the soiree, and, of necessity, great numbers of applicants had to ex-