Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-12-31
The Story of a Remarkable Man.

Just six years ago there died at q little
town by the seaside in Sussex. England,
member of the English Parliament, who uni
ted iu himself some of the mos, opposite and
one would innagine, conflicting characterist-
ics. He was the nephew of an earl his mo-
ther was the daughter Of bishop; he was
a descendant of n staunch line of Tory an
cestry; associated in marriage connections
with dozen leading families in the peerage.
He had been the leader in the world of fash
ion, and the darling of singers aud actresses;
aud yet with these qualities, he was Mt the
same time the leader of the extreme Char
tist operatives the pet Of even the physical
force agitators, who at one time contemplated
insurrection for the FIVE points, since conce-
ded in peaceable ways. He was at once a
eonidant aud friend Of Louis Napoleon and
a champion of Mazzin. This remarkable
man left no enemy behind and despite his
extraordinary pursuits aud companions, left
the prefix 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 Siugsby Duncombe. NJ. p,
had all the advantages OF birth and fortune.
lie was at Harrow, one of the best public
aud aristocratic schools he was in the crack
regiment Of Guards" and rose from an en-
sign TO caPtaincy aud all the paths of
fashionable life were open to him. lie was
one OF the handsOmeSt youug men about
town, as well as the best dressed, aud 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
saw. He went in for equipage, and his car
rlaSe became familiar with every West End
lounger. He went in for horses, and with
rs much spirit rode the best hack in the
Park as he backed the favoritc at Newman
Eet His vote and interest were sought as n
patron OF the drama and he became constant
in his attendance ouH the nightly assemblies
OF the principal performers. behind the scenes
AID before. In all these qualifications he as
sociutcd with the aristocracy, and nothing
could have been less anticipated than his un-
dertaking the advocacy of extreme radical
opinions; and yet he was for nearly quarter
OF century the workingman's representa-
tive par eTceHeTce. 1t is u singular story
Dunconbe began life a rich man and end
cd 1t poor, though he was still in Parliament
aud lived i'll ease. lie was the soul Cf good
nature, aud he eamblcd. He went on the
turf. and lost heavily. He was fond of the
society Of actresses and opera singers. and
they bIed him fcarfuliy. At lrury Lane
Theatre not many years ago II chosen few Of
the London lions in public life, including
poets, painters, and some five or six leading
men OF the public press, were favored with
sort Of carte Gidmche to mingle with the
actors and actresses in what Is termed the
first green ROOM" aud it was there Tom
Duncombe las he was always called) was of
all the most conspicuous. In play. one of
his aristOcratic associatcs-Lord Chesterfield
-cOntrived to win "A sum which of itself
caused milestone Of debt to hang round his
neck for the rest of his life. 1t was no less
than GSUO 600. His horses were such splen-
did animals that the West End tradesmen
were IN delight when they were stopping at
the shop doors. His company was courted
with avidity by marquises and dukes, and
men would have looked on him with envy
had not his courtesy disarmed them.
But there is now the extraordinary part of
his life to tell. All the time he was out of
doors this glass of fashion and mould of
fern he was in Parliament the vehement
advocate of universal suffrage, the enemy Of
the State Church. and the political associate
OF men like Feargus O'Connor, the Chartist
chief. In 1871 he was elected to present the
great Chartist petition, signed by l $50 600
persons. lie was Que of the most popular
speakers in the House of Commons. lie
spared no Que in his defence of the masses
against the ruling class, and said things which
from the lips of others would have brought
the speaker into the custody of the scrgeant>
alarms. lie had way of going straight to
the heart Oi topic. aud u dashing, winning
air which was irresistible.
In the midst of the gayest part Of his ca
reer he was constantly presiding at public
dinners, attending Chartist meetings. meet
ing deputat;ons, and attending committees
Days OF labor and nights of amusement broke
up his constitution at last and for the con-
ciud'ng ten years OF his life he rarely accept
ed an invitation to PARTIES of any kind lie
was during this period always fighting off his
obligations. His father died in 1910, leav-
ing him an estate. This he had TO sell. AID
the amount realized-uamely, GI3O.OOU-
went at once to his creditors. All this was
known TO his constituents, but they would
have forgiven him auything-London C9r-
resPO"deace Chicago TiiJ,ne
y PULPIT INCIDENT-Some time ago.
the Kew Mr. SDurUpon ,ro,cbaJ . or,.,,,.