OLD-TIME ORATORY 195 
the indomitable promoter of an enterprise the success of 
which will link me, though far away, to my English home.” 
George Peabody wrote from “Castle-Connell by Limerick,” 
to which Irish retreat John Bright had brought an account 
of the banquet, expressing his pleasure at Field’s honors. ‘The 
American minister to France, General John A. Dix, whom 
Field had entertained in New York, wrote to Sir James An- 
derson regretting his inability to pay his respects in person. 
Everything considered, the affair was a striking tribute of 
England’s gratitude to Field and of his personal popularity 
among a people not inclined to praise Americans indiscrimi- 
nately. 
There was a desire among many people in the United 
States that John Bright, who had defended the North during 
the Civil War, might cross the Atlantic and pay a visit to the 
American friends of his liberal policies. ‘The Americans ad- 
mired his reforms as a champion of the democratic classes 
and his advocacy of the free importation of grain into Eng- 
land. Field, who was anxious to entertain Bright in New 
York, was the bearer of an invitation signed by many Ameri- 
can notables which said: “Your presence at this time would 
tend to strengthen the ties between your country and ours.” 
But Bright was deeply involved in the prospects of a Brit- 
ish election to defeat the Tories and make Gladstone prime 
minister. He replied to Field as follows: 
Torquay, Devon, October 13, 1868. 
My dear Mr. Field,—Your letter has been sent on to me, and 
has followed me in my journey in Cornwall. . . . I rejoice at the 
patriotism of your countrymen, many of whom have gone or are 
going home to take part in the great election; and I hope most 
earnestly that the Republican candidates may be elected by a 
grand majority. 
In this country the elections seem likely to go strongly against 
the Tories; they deserve to be well beaten. 
As to the invitation from New York, I can say nothing except 
that I am deeply indebted to your friends for their kind invita- 
