was another voice. There were found many who although perhaps possessing Liberal opinions, hesitated and objected when they heard or read strong personal language used by the Liberal adherents. They were thus repelled by the very vehemence of the very men with whom they would otherwise have sympathised. The Liberals invoked a spirit of antagonism which did more to overwhelm themselves than it did to cripple their opponents. It is a question whether all the personality of Mr. Locke, of Mr. Moore, of Mr. Cooper, of Mr. Smith, or even of Mr. Andrews [the chairman at the St. Leonards meetings] gained so much as one vote for the Liberals; whilst, on the other hand, by these intemperate manifestoes, not a few voters were alienated from the cause thus injured by its professed friends. . . . . Even since the contest, the Liberals have continued their unwise manifestations. I need only refer to the uproar and insults of the chairing day. What kind of principle sanctioned the throwing of filth on the dresses of respectably attired and quiet females? What moral or political truth was conveyed in the pomatum pot which was thrown at Mrs. Brisco, but which, happily, struck some one of the rougher sex? What line of rectitude was developed by the ruler which was projected from the Liberal committee room at a Conservative carriage? What new light was thrown upon the question by the cloud of lime which flew into Mr. Brisco’s face? Who penned the recent bill against the clergy — was that written by one of the rabble or by one of the leaders? Who was the Liberal who, belonging to a party requiring all to enjoy liberty of conscience, yet maligned a body of men because they happened to vote against the interest which he had thought fit to advocate? Alas, alas! If a cause be good, the more need is there for goodness in its supporters. If Liberalism be right, assuredly its illiberal adherents are its greatest foes. I write conscientiously. I desire to see both parties carry on their warfare in an honourable spirit, being assured that truth is propagated in the same ratio as are kind and generous sentiments.”
Excessive Heat
The remarkably high temperature (over 90 degrees) which prevailed in the summer of 1852, gives interest to the following account of previous hot summers: — in 1132, the earth opened and the rivers and springs disappeared in Alsace; the Rhine was also dried up. In 1152 the heat was so great that eggs were cooked in the sand. In 1160, at the battle of Bela, a great many soldiers died by the excessive heat. In 1678 the heat was also excessive, and for the first three years in the 18th century, the temperature was abnormally high. In 1718 there was no rain from April to October, and the crops were burnt up, the rivers were dried up, and the theatres were closed, the thermometer having registered 113 degrees in the shade. In 1723 and ’24 the heat was extreme, and in 1746 it calcined the crops. Abnormal temperatures also prevailed in the years 1748,’54,’60,’67,’78 and ’79. In 1811 (the great comet year) the summer was hot and the vintage of that year exceptionally good. In 1818, the theatres remain closed for nearly a month, the maximum -
