addressed to the peoples and the Governments of Europe and America, deprecating war, as condemned alike by justice and humanity, and urging the necessity of a simultaneous disarmament, and the importance of introducing into all Treaties clauses providing for the settlement of all differences by arbitration, and the adoption of an International Code as an effective means of promoting the peace of the world.

It was at this Congress we are able to read the first reported speech Mr. Richard publicly uttered on that question which, for an eventful life, has since absorbed his best energies, and to which he has consecrated his remarkable talents. As one reads it, after this interval of 40 years, one cannot fail to observe the ring of the genuine metal which has ever distinguished all his speeches, of his resistance to war, on the fundamental ground of its glaring outrage, to the spirit and genius of the Christian religion. It bristles too, as he was ever wont to interweave, with those apt illustrations, drawn from the pages of inspiration, and the endless store of his favourite and beautiful Milton. Nothing can be more vigorous than his closing words :

"We must exhibit war in its true colour, we must have the courage with a bold hand to tear the mask which it has thrown over its face, and regardless of the pomp and circumstance with which it is enshrouded, the sounding phrases of honour, patriotism and glory with which it is wont to conceal its true character, we must present it to the eye of the world, as it truly is-a gigantic murderer, drunk with ambition and lust, and hideously stained with the blood of its myriad victims."

A few months after this demonstration at Brussels, an influential Committee was nominated consisting of thirty-two gentlemen, of which but one survives, staunch and true, George Wm. Alexander, who were appointed to watch over and direct the operations of the Society, more especially in reference to the parliamentary campaign, and the proposed second Congress in Paris.

MR. COBDEN'S MOTION, 1849.

It was evident this successful Peace Congress had stirred to its depths the dormant spirit of peace throughout Europe, and Mr. Richard resolved to keep public attention well fixed on the coming question of the day, and with the co-operation of his colleagues, he actively organised meetings, colossal in

those days, in the great cities, beginning with the Metropolis, and thence embracing Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Hull, Rochdale, Bolton, Preston, Shrewsbury and Chester &c., which brought together triumphant demonstrations, rarely seen, proving the rapidity and power with which the principles of peace were taking hold of the public mind.

These series of public meetings throughout the country hada

practical object in view, being in support of the resolution of Richard Cobden to bring before Parliament, early in the session of 1849, the urgent necessity of entering into communications with Foreign Governments with a view to the establishment of a system of international arbitration. Into this great work of invoking for the first time the sympathy of Parliament and the sanction of the Crown of England in this principle, Mr. Richard threw himself with great ardour, and for a period of six months, laboured unceasingly on the platform before immense assemblages in England and Scotland, no less by the active wielding of his trenchant pen.

In this vigorous agitation he was greatly assisted by capable men, whose names are household words, one of whom is still spared to labour on in this holy peace crusade to which he has dedicated his life, venerable now by service and years, the bold champion, Arthur O'Neill of Birmingham, and some too, whose loss we deplore, who have entered long since into Rest-John Bright, Joseph Sturge, Edmund Fry, Charles Gilpin, William Stokes, and many others, clouds of witnesses of whom it may be said, "the world was not worthy."

One must not forget to refer also to the valued services rendered by one who was rapidly rising into public estimation, as an able and eloquent advocate, Alfred B. Stevens, whose voice some of us still remember, inspiring the hearers with the enthusiasm of his own soul stirred as he evidently was with an ardour and zeal which carried conviction to the people. It was not permitted to this valiant soldier to be spared to labour with his co-patriots as had been fondly hoped, for at an early age he was called up higher, but he has left an enduring monument, which will stand further into the dim future than marble or bronze, a record imperishable, by those who knew and loved him well.

The day was now approaching when for the first time in the Parliament of England the important subject of International Arbitration was to be submitted to the judgment of

the representatives of the people, and in the hands of Richard Cobden, who had become the acknowledged Apostle of Peace, no more fitting advocate could the cause have been confided. The night preceding the memorable debate, a demonstration of popular enthusiasm was witnessed in Exeter Hall, attended by many Members of the House, encircled with a number of the leaders of the movement, amongst whom stood the sturdy and resolute Henry Richard, all brimful of enthusiasm, which echoed and re-echoed over all that vast assemblage of peace reformers. Great was the cheering when honest John Bright, then in the zenith of his oratorical fame, thrilled his hearers with one of his most forcible and impressive speeches, and there is no doubt, conjointly with others, rendered good service to the cause and paved the way for its thoughtful consideration the following evening within St. Stephen's.

In the limited space of this brief memorial it will be only possible succinctly to refer to the course of this parliamentary effort of Mr. Cobden, intimately associated as it was with the labours of Mr. Richard.

On Tuesday, the 14th June, 1849, we have to chronicle this eventful page in the annals of peace. The speech of Mr. Cobden, in introducing the motion, was admirable, skilfully adapted to his cynical auditory, courageous nevertheless, trenchant with argument, and eminently practical. To his support in debate rallied some well-known men, William Ewart, Milner Gibson, John A. Roebuck, Joseph Hume, speaking with their characteristic boldness and sterling good sense. Opposing the resolution, were Lords Palmerston and Russell, who, honourably be it said, performed their chilling duty with courtesy, and plausibility common to statesmanship, eulogising the motive of the enterprise, and whilst desiring success to so humane an endeavour, yet regretting their intention to vote against it.

But though this resolution was defeated, the moral victory was great. Independent of the espousal of the question of

international peace by a statesman of Mr. Cobden's distinguished ability, and eminent political services a great accession in those early days of its unpopularity—the advocacy of the question for many months preceding its introduction in the British legislature had fixed its hold on the public mind, and though but 81 members voted in its favour, they represented a far larger constituency of electors, and non-electors, than the majority who voted against it, and as Mr. Cobden stated in a letter to his friend Joseph Sturge,

"I never knew a question make such rapid progress in the House," and as Punch observed in an article of keen satire, and lively but friendly humour, "the olive twig placed by Cobden in Westminster will flourish, despite the blighting wit of mess rooms, and will rise and spread into a tree that shall offer shade and security to all nations."

To Mr. Richard and his vigilant fellow-labourers, this advance may be largely due, and to them was given to realise twenty-six years later the partial fulfilment of the prophetic words of Punch, and let us hope, bye-and-bye, "to all nations."

THE PARIS CONGRESS, 1849.

The next important movement which Mr. Richard backed by his indefatigable Committee, addressed themselves to, and with the same practical energy, was the Peace Congress which assembled in the City of Paris. Great as were the difficulties and labours involved in the arrangements of the Brussels Congress, still greater were they in connection with the Congress at Paris. They were justly described at the time as months of anxious labour, and the difficulties, which those only who watched and toiled on in spite of them, can adequately appreciate. Into this conflict Mr. Richard threw himself with all his wonted ardour and strategy, and with such a leader it is no wonder a great success crowned the enterprise. Addresses followed addresses signed by himself