A  "  faint  heart"  is  no  more  calculated  to  charm  a  free  constituency
than  to  win  a  fair  lady.  Mr,  Leader's  political  success  affords  a
striking-  example  of  what  may  be  accomplished  by  a  bold  spirit  evinced
in  a  good  cause.  He  has  not  been  afraid  to  risk,  and  his  reward  has
been  prompt.  He  has  not  hesitated  to  make  a  sacrifice,  and  he  has
been  honourably  and  triumphantly  repaid.  Three  years  ago  he  was
simply  a  young  gentleman  of  fortune,  pursuing  a  course  of  wise  plea-
sure, and  storing  up  practical  knowledge  as  fast  as  he  could  gather
it,  by  travelling  in  other  countries,  without  dreaming  of  immediate
distinction  in  his  own.  Two  years  ago,  although  a  member  of  parlia-
ment, his  name  had  scarcely  been  heard  of  beyond  the  limits  of  the
borough  of  Bridgewater.  A  twelvemonth  since,  although  he  had  then
attracted  some  observation  in  parliamentary  circles  both  by  his  talents
and  independence  of  character,  distinguishing  himself  from

"  The  mob  of  gentlemen  who  vote  with  ease,"

at  the  beck  of  the  minister  or  the  bidding  of  the  opposition-chief,  yet
nothing  appeared  less  likely  than  that  the  youthful,  inexperienced,
and  untried  representative  of  a  small  constituency  should  all  of  a
sudden  shoot  a-head  in  the  race  of  distinction,  obtain  possession  of  a
post  of  high  honour,  and  stand  prominently  forward  in  the  first  rank
of  popular  reformers.  No  event  could  have  occurred  more  fortunately
for  Mr.  Leader,  than  the  opportunity  which  was  afforded  him,  in  the
spring  of  the  present  year,  of  signalising  his  political  courage,  his
patriotic  enthusiasm,  and  his  personal  gallantry  and  "  contempt  for
costs,"  by  fighting  the  good  fight  of  principle  in  the  city  of  ^\'est-
minster,  against  the  fine  old  English  Renegade,  who  had  done  his
utmost  (the  personification  of  Falstaff's  "  Forcible  Feeble,")  to  render
morality  a  mockery,  and  sincerity  a  jest.
