1,800 persons, was nearly
filled.

Mr Cobden and Mr Bright, who had been dining at the farmers' ordinary,
held at the Roebuck hotel, arrived shortly after two, and were
accompanied to the place of meeting by a large number of influential
farmers and leading agriculturists, who had met the honourable members
at the market table. They at once proceeded to the gallery, where, among
others at this time, were Lord Camoys, of Stonor hall, Oxon; the three
members for the county, Lord Norreys, Mr Harcourt, and Mr Henley; Mr
Langston, M.P. for the city of Oxford; Mr Thomas Robinson, banker; Mr
Charles Cottrell Dormer, Mr J.S. Browning, Mr W. Dry, Mr W. Parker,
Captain Matcham, Rev. Dr Godwin, Rev. W. Slatter, Mr Richard Goddard, Mr
H. Venables, Messrs Grubb, Sadler, Towle, Weaving, Harvey, &c.

On the motion of Lord Cambys, seconded by Mr Langston, M.P., Mr Samuel
Cooper, of Henley-on-Thames, under-sheriff for the county, was, in the
absence of the high sheriff, called to the chair.

The Chairman said he regretted very much that the high sheriff was
prevented from attending the meeting, which had been convened in
consequence of a requisition presented to the sheriff by several
freeholders of the county. Having read the requisition, he introduced

Mr Cobden, who proceeded for some time to address the meeting on the
fallacy of the present corn law as a protection to the farmer, amid
frequent cries for adjournment, in consequence of the crowded state of
the hall, and

Mr Sadler having intimated that several hundred persons were waiting at
the Castle green, at which place it had been generally expected the
meeting would ultimately be held, moved its adjournment to that spot,
which was immediately agreed to.

Several waggons had been brought to the green, for the purpose of
forming a temporary platform, and the meeting being again formed,

Mr Cobden resumed, and, in his usual powerful manner, explained the
influence of the corn law upon the tenant, farmer, and farm-labourer,
urging the necessity of free trade as the only remedy for agricultural
as well as manufacturing distress. The honourable member was loudly
cheered during the delivery of his address, which evidently made a deep
impression on the large proportion of his auditory.

Mr Sparkhall then came forward. Mr Cobden having kindly interceded to
obtain him a hearing, and having duly arranged his books and papers, he
at once commanded the serious attention of the meeti