142 THE EXETER ROAD 



XX 



Cobbett, that sturdy Radical and consistent 

 grumbler, had an adventure at Andover, at the 

 ' George Inn.' It was in October 1826, on returning 

 from Weyhill Fair, that he took occasion to dine 

 here. Of course he had no business or pleasure at 

 the ' Georo-e,' for he had secured a lodoino; elsewhere : 

 but with that obsession of his for agitation he must 

 needs repair to the inn and dine at the ordinary ; less 

 we may be sure for the sake of the meal than to 

 embrace the opportunity of addressing the farmers, 

 the cattle-dealers, cheese and hop factors, and bankers 

 whom he knew would be dining there at Fair-time. 

 It was an opportunity not to be missed. 



He must have been sadly disappointed at first, for 

 there were only about ten people dining ; but when 

 it was seen that this was the well-known Cobbett, the 

 diners increased, and, after the meal was over, the 

 room became inconveniently crowded ; guests coming 

 from other inns until at length the room door was 

 left open so that the crowd in the passage and on the 

 stairs, which were crammed from top to bottom, 

 mio-lit listen to the inevitable harano^ue on the sins of 

 kings, and governments, and of landowners, and the 

 criminal stupidity of every one else. 



At this stage of the proceedings, just as the dinner 

 was done, one of the two friends by whom he was 

 accompanied gave Cobbett's health. This, naively 

 adds the arch-agitator, ' was of course followed by a 

 speech ; and, as the reader will readily suppose, to 



