The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-19
The story OF RomarkabIs Man.

just six years ago there died, az a little town
by the seaside In Sussex, England, member of
the bnghsh Parliament, who united in himself
some OF the most opposite and one would
imagine, conflicting characteristics. He was
the nephew of an earl; his mother was the
daughter OF bishop; be was the descendant
ol ,ind s,sHmon Ilne Oh Tory ancestry; associated
families In the Peerage. He had been the
leader in the world of fashion, and the darling
OF singers and actresses; and yet, with these
qualities, he was, at the same time. the leader
OF the extreme Chartist operatives; the pet Of
even the physical force agitators who at one
time contemplated insurrection for the five
points, since conceded in peaceable ways. He
was at once q contidant and friend of Louis Ma
poleon and ohamptoa of Mazzini. THIS re-
markaOle man left no enemy behind, and despite
ms extraordnaIy pursuits and companions, lett
the prehX OF honest" to his name, To this
hour the memory of Honest Tom Duncombe"
is treasured, not only in the immense metro
politan constituency which he represented, but
in all the large cities of England.
Mr.. Thomas Slugsby Duncombe, M. P, had
all the advantages of birth and fortune. He
was at Harrow, one of the best public and aris-
tocratic schools; he was in the crack regiment of
"Guards," and rose from an ensign TO cap
tancy, and all the paths of fashionable HE we're
open to him. He was one of the handsome5t
young men ABOUT Town, as wen as tne pest
dressed, and was the heir to considerable landed
estate. There was about him an indefinite charm
OF grace and refinement. He went in for dress,
and became as perfect dandy as London ever
became familiar to every West End lounger. He
went in for horses, and with as much spirit rode
the best hack in the Park as he backed the
fayorite at Newmarket His vote and interest
were sought as patron of the drama, and he
became constant in his attendance on the
nightly assemblies OF the principal performers,
behind the scenes and before. In all these
qualifications he associated with the aristo-
CTacy, and nothing could have been less antici-
pated than his undertaking. the advocacy of
extreme radical opinions, and yet he was for
" nj ,tttVx l. yircr
representative par excellence. 1t is singular
story.
Duncombe began life rich man and ended it
poor, though he was still in Parliament and
4 lived in ease. He was the soul of good nature
. and be gambled. He went on the turf, and lost
heavily. He was fond of the society of &C.
tressess and opera singers, and they bled him
teaIfully. At Drury Lane Theatre not mauy
years ago chosen few of the London lions in
public llie, including poets, painters, and some
five or six leading men of the public press, were
favored with sort OF ca te blanche to mingle
with the actors and actresses IN what is termed
, the FIRST green ROOM" and iG was there Tom
Duncombe las he was always called) was OF all
the most most, conspicuous. In play, one OF his
trived to win sum which, of itself, caused a
millstone of debt to hang round his neck for
the rest OF his life. II was no less than 8l00 200
His horses were such splendid animals that the
West End t1adesmen were in delight when they
were stopping at the shop DOORS His company
was courted with ayidity by marquises and
. uuhSs, anu men WOulQ lave IOOkeu on nlm Win
envy, had not his courtesy disaTmed them.
But there is now the really extraordinary
part of his life to tell. All the time he was out
4 Of doors this "glass OF fashion and mould oi
H form," he was In Parliament the vehement
" advocate of universal suffrage, the enemy ol
K the State Church, and the political associate OF
men like Feargus 0'Conuor, the Chartist chief.
Il In l841 he was elected to present the great
+ Chartist petition, signed by 1900, 900 persons.
u He was one of the most popular speakers in the
House of Commons. He spared no one In his
N defense of the masses against the ruling class,
f and said things which from the lips of others
E would have brought the speaker into the custody
" of the sergeant alarms. He had a way OF
" going straight to the heart of topic, and q
Il dashipg, winning air which was irresistible.
In the midst OF the gayest part of his career,
he was constantly presiding at public dinners,
= attending Chartist meetings, meeting deputa-
n tions, and attending committees. Days OF labor
and nights of amusement broke up his consti-
tuition at last, and for the concluding ten years
N of his life he rarely accepted an invitation to
E parties of any kind. He was, during this
period, always fighting off his obligations. His
father died in 1910, leaving him an estate. Thi'
he had to sell, and the amount realized, namely
&130. 900, went at once to his creditors. ALI thi
was known to his constituents, but they woulC
have forgiven him anything.-LondJn CORES
pondence Chicago Tribune.