Page:History of the Anti corn law league.pdf/92

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76
SECOND LECTURE.

tions. Mr. Paulton was a big-loaf man, but if any of the little-loaf men, or any of the noble lords who occasionally came amongst us on visits of humanity, to inquire into the condition of the poor factory children, or the wretchedness of the hand-loom weaver, would favour us with a lecture to make us sensible of the benefits we derive from little loaves, as friends of free discussion as well as free trade, he thought he could promise them from the meeting a fair and patient hearing." The lecture occupied more than two hours in the delivery, but there was not the slightest appearance of weariness on the part of the audience, and Mr. Paulton retired amidst loud and long-continued cheers.

The second and concluding lecture of Mr. Paulton took place at the Corn Exchange, on Thursday evening, November 1st, to a still more crowded audience than before. Mr. J. B. Smith, in again introducing Mr. Paulton, said it was gratifying to notice the increasing interest which was manifesting itself on this question, as shown by the application of other towns soliciting his services to give lectures there on the Corn Laws. The committee were endeavouring to effect an arrangement with him for this purpose, and hoped to obtain his powerful aid in thus spreading the knowledge he was able to impart on this question. He reminded the audience that these lectures were given gratuitously, and said it was gratifying to observe that Mr. Paulton was actuated by no mercenary motives. Mr. Paulton again excited the enthusiasm of his auditors. At the conclusion of his lecture he quoted the following lines which have been frequently used by other speakers since:

"For what were all these landed patriots born?
To hunt, and vote, and raise the price of corn.
Safe in their barns, these Sabine tillers sent
Their brethren out to battle. Why? For Rent!
Year after year they voted cent, per cent.;
Blood, sweat, and tear-wrung millions. Why? For rent!
They roared, they dined, they drank, they swore, they meant