The GLIO Site

     COBBETT'S DINNER. —The friends of this remarkable man, celebrated the anniversary of his birthday by a public dinner at the Crown and Anchor on Friday. Upwards of 150 persons were present; Mr. Fielden, M. P. for Oldham, in the chair, supported by Mr. Hector, M. P. for Petersfield, who was for many years the private friend and ardent political admirer of Mr. Cobbett. The honourable chairman, who, for a long series of time, had been the steady friend of the deceased, eulogised his memory and his merits in that simple strain of unaffected eloquence which at once bespoke his own sincerity and their truthfulness as it regarded the object of his remarks. He contrasted Mr. Cobbett's. consistent adherence to the interests of the labouring classes with the late acts of a person who at one time called himself "their Attorney-general." He did not wish to speak harshly of Mr. O'Connell, but he thought that gentleman had not acted consistently in his public professions. Mr. Fielden dwelt at great length, and in pointed bitterness, upon the conduct of the Whigs, whom he charged with frittering away the liberties of the people—declared that their aim was despotism—and that he was looking with eagerness and satisfaction to their speedy downfall. The sentiments of Mr. Fielden upon this and other subjects were rapturously received by the meeting. Dr. Wade was not backward in his tribute of hostility to what he termed the Whig faction; and, in a poetic flight, concluded with the following extemporaneous offshoot of his own brain— 

As all the company present seemed to think it was impossible to say a good thing in a better spirit, with one accord they retired.