The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-07-10
4 DAY WITH RICHARD GOBDEN.
BY HON. JAMES NJ. soovBr


wbv the philosopher of the Tribune, indignant
0 ~ being shown the inside of Clichy because he
had once the ill-fortune to be elected director
of the New York Crystal Palace, shook the
dust off his feet as he left the "godless, selfish
egotistical city"
London gives one an impression Of stability
and of power. Paris is France, and in Paris
all France seems to look down upon you, not
'from the Pyramids, - but from the shop win
dows
Gallo civilization seems to have left a trace
behind for the "1f06iiitas dc leUitas" of which
Caesar speaks are still characteristic of the
French.
An anecdote related by Mr.. Golden will
illustrate what l mean. A Frenchman once
saw in London not far from MoTley's Hotel,
sboemaker busy at his last Twenty years
later he returned again to London, and at the
same corner of the street, in the same estab-
lisbment, there sat the identical cnbbler still
at his last. "Mon Dieu," said the French
gentleman chow can we ever think to com
pete with these English They neUer CHANGE"
My friend Preston and l spent two weeks at
that most delightful of hotels, Morey's, 'front.'
ing ON Trafalgar Square, and enjoyed every
thing, excepting, perhaps, the English guide,
well dressed in swallow-tail coat, white gloves,
and irreproachable necktie, spotless as that
mory Preston insisted that he should be
introduced to the american Consul" as he
called the owner of the spotess necl1tie, and
reluctantly yielded only when he heard the
ancient guide accost me, before supper, say
ing. "Please Sir and would you like to see
the habits OF the people at seven shilings
day" We respectfully declined.
At twelve the next day, breakfasted with
George Washington Wilkes, the American
editor, so called, of the London Star, a morn
ing and evening paper, which was then, as
now, the organ of the Golden Brig ght-Liberal
party Wilkes, for / must pause to honor, if
imperfectly, the memory of one of the bright
est minds, and one of the gentlest spirits liv-
ing, with mind and heart and soul in perfect
accord with the unwritten laws of humanity
Wilkes was, perhaps, the most youthful of the
brave band of Liberals (amOng whom to-day
we find Mill, and Vincent, and Hughes) who
spoke for America in England in the dark days
succeeding the Trent affair. He died in the
summer succeeding my visit, in the midst of
brilliant speech upon the American question,
and his last words were ''the American Re-
public" In answer to Richard Cobden's
message, that he ought to seek rest and relaxa-
tion, he said to me, '"Tell him / had rather
wear out than rust out.''
Of the many bright mornings that passed
with Wilkes, as he traced for me the history
OF English liberty, as we sat where Shake
ppodI6 Iedu Lu6 Il 6Htp6SL W eIu66u EllZdD6Lu,
or wandered in front of st. James down the
same path where Charles ii trifed with
the wealth of an empire - of these days
and starry nights nothing is left but their
memories; for they were bright and beautiful
exceedingly, and can only sigh as say
80, the tender grace of day that is dead,
Can never come back again."
We sat at breakfast, looking through the
low window at the surging crowd below, when
in
three in number, and placed them on the
table: one from over the water, another from
Rochdale, and still another, in a plain COM
mercial hand.
81 know that hand, 4" said Wilkes.
'Richard Cobden'sG'
eyes"
Among my letters of introduction was one
from Mr.. Lincoln, and one from the philoso-
pher of the Tribune l had sent the latter to
Midhurst, and this was the reply
"DUNFoRD, NEAR MIDHU RsT, SUSSEX, Dec. II,
1863-Dear Sir:-I have received your letter
1 am in an inaccessible place, owing to the
want of railway communication.
"If you will take the trouble to come and see
me, shall be happy to receive you, and shall
have bed at your service.
II send, on the other side, particulars of the
railway trains. The train which leaves Water
loo station for Hazelmere, at P. M, is in con-
nect1on with an omnibus which comes on
direct TO Midhurst, at which place you will find
fly to bring you TO my house, which is a mile
anu udll from bnb labIer place. \ Ou take your
ticket for Hazelmere. Yours, very truly,
"RICHARD Golden"
The other letter, which | am tempted to
quote here was from the friend and com
panion of Mr.. Golden, on the hustings, in
Parliament or at the freside.
Their communication was constant, and
think there was scarcely a day in the week
when they had not some tidings of each other
If John Bright had more of the fire and vervc
of the Cromwellian period, Mr.. Golden did
not fail to move and mould the world around
him by his sincerity, his force of character, as
well as by his winning and womanly delicacy
of soul. Richard Cobden too, was re-
markable for the keenness of his per
ceptions and tenacity of purpose. Once Crap
Plng fairly with question, he never let GO
TILL he had vanquished his adversary and
saved his cause. Richard Golden was an ex-
emPIlncatlon OF the truthful saying attributed
10 Oolendge, that he never knew 'truly
great man that had not more or less of the
feminine element in him.
John Bright's letter, written in hold vet
delicate business hand, read thus
December l5, lS6S-Dear Str. "a -,
convenient to us for you To come be ~ pg mos
day of next week, the 3st instant or 80 Fri,
the first day of the New Year w bar ~ - - = tiuay ~
fixed your plans, will thank YOU toiafS 0 90 naNs
when may expect you. ' NS Aho"
"If you are intending TO sail on sot,~s ,
hope you Will be able to come mere on ~ 10y, ttS,
day. The news from the States This rnornSS 1IEI .
is satisfactory, but am anxious to zee the ts
of the message. ''N'
ssThe winter will sorely try the sort.o
armies and / suspect they Will not be stron tnerl
in the spring than they are now. -eS