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credulity and superstition got the better, and slaugh- 

 ter was proclaimed. This time only the pocket 

 has suffered. But curious thing's happen in America. 

 "Why should they not in England some day? For 

 instance, suppose the case of a Chancellor of the 

 Exchequer, uttering* in an unguarded moment some 

 sentiments unpopular amongst the uncultivated 

 classes; in derision, let us suppose by way of 

 example, of spirit rapping. Are English and 

 American natures so absolutely different that it is 

 impossible to imagine tarring and feathering* ever 

 taking place in this country ? I do not agree with 

 Mr. Gladstone j I am sadly afraid he is one of the 

 kind of men Archbishop Whately alluded to when 

 he saidj " The cleverer a man is the more harm he 

 does, unless he has wisdom to match." I am afraid 

 he is one of those men who can prove to themselves 

 the truth of anything whatever, of which some in- 

 fluence makes them wish to prove the truth. I am 

 afraid he is always liable to be subject to any 

 stronger mind than his own, under whose influence 

 he may at any time come. I say stronger, not 

 more active, for that I should think must be im- 

 possible; I also say mind, meaning the whole mind, 

 not mere intellect. Then he has evidently got the 

 strangle idea that breathing smoky air and propin- 

 quity to tall chimneys, and to numberless red-brick 

 houses, in some mysterious way tits a man to take 

 part in legislation. No doubt it is an involuntary 

 influence exercised over him by his parentage and 



