THE LIFE AND TIMES OF WILLIAM IV. INCLUDING A VIEW OF SOCIAL LIFE AND DURING this interval it may be conceived that nothing was omitted to work up the feelings of the populace, so as to furnish support to the ministry in the struggle. The populace had long been ripe for tumult and agitation under the instruction of proficient agitators of a curiously coarse but vigorous type, conspicuous specimens of which were Mr. Cobbett and Mr. "Orator" Hunt. To analyse the character of the lower couches sociales, which were now germinating, would require a deeper philosophy; but one is struck by the greater earnestness and violence which marked their conduct whenever a political question was concerned. Whether this was owing to the absence of efficient police control, the difficulty of communication, or to the pressure of political grievances it is hard to say; but it at least contrasts curiously with the quiet indifference or moderation with which the same classes regard a question of Reform nowadays. Much of this violence was, of course, owing to personal oppression and the injudicious tyranny of the officials, like Lord Sidmouth, VOL. II. B |