f02 RISEN BY PERSEVERANCE. 



their own abodes, to look at the crops, to survey the modes 

 of husbandry. The 'agricultural interest' was beginning to 

 suffer smartly by this time, and the gridiron was adorning 

 every number of the Register. Politics mingle largely in the 

 journal of the Rural Rides, but only to increase their vivacity 

 and render them more piquant; and, when Cobbett leaves 

 Bolt Court and rides abroad to air his notions, he always 

 becomes mellow in spirit — gay, and good-humoured. 



The remainder of Cobbett's career, which was so full of 

 inconsistencies, may be briefly summed up. On his return 

 to England in 1800, he had published the Foraipine and 

 Weekly Register, the latter of which was continued up till 

 the time of his death. It appeared at first as a Tory, but 

 became eventually a Radical publication. It abounded in 

 violent personal and political attacks on public men. He 

 was, as has already been noted, twice fined and prosecuted 

 for libel; and in 1809, for the publication of a libel relating 

 to the flogging of some men in the local militia at Ely, he 

 had been sentenced to two years' imprisonment in Newgate, 

 to pay ;^iooo to the king, and on his release to give security 

 for his good behaviour for seven years, himself in ;^3oo, 

 and two securities in ;^ioo each. As already mentioned, 

 he went to America, and returned in 1819. Two sepa- 

 rate attempts made to enter Parliament in 1820 and 1826 

 both failed. In 1831 he was again tried for libel, when 

 he acquitted himself with a memorable speech, and 

 the jury being equally divided on the case, he was dis- 

 charged. In 1833 he entered Parliament as member for 

 Oldham, but found the late hours and stifling atmosphere 

 of Parliamentary life unsuited to his simple tastes. His life, 

 which had been one of unceasing literary industry, was 



