as
said to have 6000 people. They were in unbounded enthusiasm. I
spoke for 1-1/4 hr., and when the meeting concluded went off to
Liverpool.... Another meeting of 5000 at the Amphitheatre, if
possible more enthusiastic than that at Manchester.

In the fine hall that stands upon the site made historic by the militant
free-traders, he used a memorable phrase. "At last, my friends," he began,
"I am come among you, and I am come among you 'unmuzzled.' " The audience
quickly realised the whole strength of the phrase, and so did the people
of the country when it reached them. Then he opened a high magnanimous
exordium about the Oxford that had cast him out. The same evening at
Liverpool, he again dwelt on the desperate fondness with which he had
clung to the university seat, but rapidly passed to the contrast. "I come
into South Lancashire, and find here around me different phenomena. I find
the development of industry. I find the growth of enterprise. I find the
progress of social philanthropy. I find the prevalence of toleration. I
find an ardent desire for freedom. If there be one duty more than another
incumbent upon the public men of England, it is to establish and maintain
harmony between the past of our glorious history and the future that is
still in store for her."

_July 20._--Robertson and I went in early and polled. He was known,
and I through him, and we had a scene of great popular enthusiasm.
We then followed the polls as the returns came in, apparently
triumphant, but about midday it appeared that the figures of both
parties were wrong, ours the worst. Instead of being well and
increasingly at the head I was struggling with Egerton at 1 P.M.,
and Turner gaining on me.... Off to Chester. In the evening the
figures of the close came in and gave me the second place. The
volunteers in the park cheered loudly, the church bells rung, the
people came down with a band and I had to address them.

_To the Duchess of Sutherland._

I am by far too sorry about Oxford to feel the slightest
temptation to be angry, even were there cause. I only feel that I
love her better than ever. There is great enthusiasm here,
stimulated no doubt by the rejection. I have just been polling
amid fervid demonstrations. The first return at nine o'clock--but
you will know all when this reaches you--is as follows.... This of
course says little as to