THE ORIGIN OF THE SUEZ CANAL. 313 



eloquence all the more admirable because it was with- 

 out pretence or ornament it is the name of Eichard 

 Cobden.' 



" To you it now belongs, armed with the expe- 

 rience of the last ten years of progress and pros- 

 perity, which have been assured to the British Empire 

 by the triumph of your system, to maintain the prin- 

 ciple of free competition abandoned by some of your 

 former companions-in-arms, and to place before your 

 fellow-countrymen once more the alternative of pro- 

 gress or retrogression. The force of your convictions 

 and of public opinion will not fail to secure for you 

 a success in which the honour and profit of England 

 are alike involved. 



" I have no doubt that the question will be brought 

 before Parliament. If you will consent to take up its 

 defence, my friend and fellow-worker M. Barthelemy 

 St. Hilaire, a Member of the Institute, will give you 

 all the information which you may desire. He will 

 shape his course as you may advise, and, at the time 

 you may think proper, he will put himself in concert 

 with you and other friends. I have asked him to hand 

 you this letter, and to establish with you the relations 

 which you will, I am sure, be happy to form with so 

 distinguished and honourable a man." 



END OF VOL. I. 



PRINTED BY J. 8. VIRTUE AND CO., LIMITED, CITY ROAD, LONDON. 



VOL. I. Y 



