[28] League Circular, No. 10. [29] Ibid. Nos. 26, 29, 44, 50, 71, 83, 94, 99, 100. Still, we say, the whole thing was really a failure--the "steam," even yet, could not be "got up," in spite of all their multiplied agencies and machinery, incessantly at work--the unprecedented personal exertions of the members of the league--the large pecuniary sacrifices of the Lancashire subscribers to its funds. One more desperate exertion was therefore felt necessary--and they resolved to attempt getting up a _sensation_, by the sudden subscription of splendid sums of money, by way of starting a vast fund, with which to operate directly upon the entire electoral body--in what way, it is not very difficult to guess. Accordingly, they began--but where? At the old place--Manchester!--Manchester!--_Manchester!_ Many thousands were subscribed at an hour's notice by a mere handful of manufacturers; the news came up to London--and the editor of the _Times_, in a transient fit of excitement, pronounced "the existence of the League" to be a GREAT FACT. Upon this phrase they have lived ever since--till somewhat roughly reminded the other day, by Mr Baring, that "great _facts_" are very "_great follies!_" Now let us once more ask the question--would all these desperate and long-continued exertions and sacrifices--(all proceeding, be it ever observed, from _one_ quarter, and from the same class of people--nay, the same individuals of that class)--be requisite, were there any _real movement of the public mind and feeling_ against the Corn-laws? Are they not requisite solely because of the _absence_ of any such movement? Nay, are they not evidence that the public feeling and opinion are against them? And that, perhaps, they will by and by succeed in rousing the "stubborn enthusiasm of the people" against themselves? Where has there been called one single spontaneous public meeting of any importance, and where exhibited a spark of enthusiasm, for the total repeal of the Corn-laws? Surely the _topic_ is capable of being handled in a sufficiently exciting manner! But no; wherever a "meeting," or "demonstration," is heard of--there, also, are the eternal Cobden, Bright and Wilson, and their miserable fellow-agitators, who alone have got up--who alone harangue the meetings. Was it so with Catholic Emancipation?--with the abolition of Negro Slavery?--with the Reform Bill? Right or wrong, the public feeling was then roused, and exhibited itself unequivocally, powerfully, and spontaneously; but _here_--bah! common sense revolts at the absurd supposition that even hundreds of thousands of pounds can of themselves get up a real demonstration of public feeling in favour of the object, for which so much Manchester money has been already subscribed. "'Tis not in _thousands_ to command success."