formation of
the league and its final triumph, he devoted himself wholly to the work
of promulgating his economic doctrines. His labours were as various as
they were incessant--now guiding the councils of the league, now
addressing crowded and enthusiastic meetings of his supporters in London
or the large towns of England and Scotland, now invading the
agricultural districts and challenging the landlords to meet him in the
presence of their own farmers, to discuss the question in dispute, and
now encountering the Chartists, led by Feargus O'Connor. But whatever
was the character of his audience he never failed, by the clearness of
his statements, the force of his reasoning and the felicity of his
illustrations, to make a deep impression on the minds of his hearers.

In 1841, Sir Robert Peel having defeated the Melbourne ministry in
parliament, there was a general election, when Cobden was returned for
Stockport. His opponents had confidently predicted that he would fail
utterly in the House of Commons. He did not wait long, after his
admission into that assembly, in bringing their predictions to the test.
Parliament met on the 19th of August. On the 24th, in course of the
debate on the Address, Cobden delivered his first speech. "It was
remarked," says Miss Martineau, in her _History of the Peace_, "that he
was not treated in the House with the courtesy usually accorded to a new
member, and it was perceived that he did not need such observance." With
perfect self-possession, which was not disturbed by the jeers that
greeted some of his statements, and with the utmost simplicity,
directness and force, he presented the argument against the corn-laws in
such a form as startled his audience, and also irritated some of them,
for it was a style of eloquence very unlike the conventional style which
prevailed in parliament.

From that day he became an acknowledged power in the House, and though
addressing a most unfriendly audience, he compelled attention by his
thorough mastery of his subject, and by the courageous boldness with
which he charged the ranks of his adversaries. He soon came to be
recognized as one of the foremost debaters on those economical and
commercial questions which at that time so much occupied the attention
of parliament; and the most prejudiced and bitter of his opponents were
fain to acknowledge that they had to deal with a man whom the most
practised and powerful orators of their party found it hard t