"As to the hint about _irritating_ and _misleading_ the people, the charge can apply only to the enemies of Parliamentary Reform; for we deal in soothing language, in the inspiring of hope, and in the promulgation of useful political truth, and, therefore, the charge cannot apply to us. But, when the Prince is advised to talk of the TRIED _wisdom_ of the _Parliament_, he compels us to fix our eyes on those '_distresses and difficulties_,' of which he is graciously pleased to speak at the same time, and which, at any rate, have grown into being under the existence of that 'TRIED _wisdom_.' "I have just received from America the most authentic accounts of the happy state of the people there. _English goods_ were selling at auction for a _fourth_ of their _prime cost_; and the Americans say, that they are, in this way, _getting back_ what they lost by our Orders in Council, under which their ships were seized and condemned. The _ruin_, in America, is wholly confined to the _agents_ and _merchants_ connected with _England_. The country at large is in the most flourishing state; no beggars, no paupers, no distress, and their newspapers are filled with true accounts of _our_ distresses. Still, let us cling to the _Old Ship_, and let us try, in spite of all opposition, to make our own country as happy as America. But, here is another mark of our distresses not being of a _temporary_ nature. The market of America is gone _for ever_ as to most articles of manufacture. I shall, however, treat more fully of this another time. "I am, with the greatest respect, "Sir, "Your most obedient and most humble Servant, "WM. COBBETT." When the reader has perused this letter, he will be able to form a pretty correct opinion of the state of the public mind in the metropolis upon this occasion; and, as it was written at the time when Mr. Cobbett was divested, of prejudice, it will be read with considerable interest at this period. The plot that had been laid for the purpose Of SPILLING MY BLOOD, had been completely frustrated. I returned to the country, where I received invitations to attend public meetings for Reform, which the inhabitants of Bath and Bristol wished to hold. I went to spend a fortnight with a friend at Newton, near Bath, and, as I was a freeholder of both those cities, I drew up requisitions and signed them first, to be presented to the Mayors, requesting them to call meetings, to petition for Reform. They both refused to comply with the request of their fellow-citizens, and we, the requisitionists, therefore advertised and called them ourselves.