Tinker Æsop and his little lessons for the age - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1869 Excerpt: ... LESSON 51. The Unpopular Pastor. DURING the Russian war, Richard Cobden, who was then member for the West Riding, laboured with all his might to allay the storm of passion which had been excited all over the country by the English newspapers. He made able speeches both in Parliament and out, and wrote many letters to convince his unreasoning constituents of the folly of the war and of the urgent need of a restoration of peace. But he laboured in vain, and, with all the reputation of his free-trade teaching, could hardly get a hearing from the maddened people, who even regarded the benevolent Prince Albert as a traitor, because he dared to advise them for their good. When this war--which inflicted much loss and injury on all parties--was at length brought to an end, without affording satisfaction to any, our infatuated and impenitent countrymen still believed in their multitude of false prophets, and disregarded those who told them the truth. And as soon as the next general election arrived, the men of the West Riding turned their backs on their good and faithful member, Richard Cobden, and sent to Parliament in his stead one who was a pliant follower of Lord Palmerston. It was not long after this manifestation of folly and ingratitude that we arrived in the town of Leeds; and while working near the Corn Exchange, my master reasoned with a party of electors respecting their unwise decision. They excused their rejection of Cobden on the ground that they considered him a crotchety man, and not a good patriot, following steadily the guidance of the popular Prime Minister of England. "It is true that Lord Palmerston is popular," said Tinker, "far above Gladstone, Cobden, Lowe, and Stanley; but how has he acquired his popularity 1 Just because he is not a reform...