The labours of Messrs. Cobden and Bright procured the recognition of Free Trade principles, and, with Sir Robert Peel, extorted from a reluctant Parliament the repeal of the Corn Laws.--1846. No. 1.] [Illustration: CARTOON.--NOVEMBER 17, 1849. A _BRIGHT_ IDEA. THE PEACE RECRUITING SERGEANT TRYING TO ENLIST THE DUKE. Mr. Bright’s peace principles were embodied in the plan proposed this year to settle all international differences by arbitration. The scheme was not viewed with much favour.--1849. No. 2.] [Illustration: CARTOON.--FEBRUARY 21, 1852. “NOT QUITE SUCH A FINE CHILD AS THE LAST!” Lord John Russell’s second Reform Bill was coldly received by Mr. Bright and other ardent reformers. The Ministry fell shortly after its introduction, and the measure was never discussed.--1852. No. 3.] [Illustration: CARTOON.--NOVEMBER 13, 1852. EATING THE LEEK. FLUELLEN ... MR. COBDEN. PISTOL ... MR. DISRAELI. FLUELLEN. “_I pray you fall to; if you can mock a leek, you can eat a leek._”-HEN. V. The Derby Ministry declared their adherence to the Free-trade Policy of Messrs. Cobden and Bright, which they had formerly resisted.--1852. No. 4.] [Illustration: CARTOON.--APRIL 18, 1854. PET OF THE MANCHESTER SCHOOL. “_He shall have a little Turk to pull to pieces--that he shall._” Messrs. Bright and Cobden incurred much odium by their persistent opposition to the Anti-Russian feeling of the nation at the outbreak of the Crimean war.--1854. No. 5.] [Illustration: CARTOON.--OCTOBER 27, 1855. THE NEW COALITION. Messrs. Bright, Gladstone, and Disraeli were, at this time (though for different reasons) in accord in their opposition to Lord Palmerston’s Government.--1855. No. 6.] [Illustration: CARTOON.--APRIL 11, 1857. RECOIL OF THE GREAT CHINESE GUN-TRICK. Mr. Bright was rejected at Manchester on Lord Palmerston’s appeal to the country after his defeat by Mr. Cobden on the China Question. He was shortly afterwards returned for Birmingham without opposition.--1857. No. 7.] [Illustration: CARTOON.--JUNE 19, 1858. ORESTES PURSUED BY THE FURIES. Mr. Bright and Mr. Roebuck supported the Conservative Ministry, then threatened by a vote of censure, mainly to prevent Lord Palmerston’s return to office.--1858. No. 8.] [Illustration: CARTOON.--NOVEMBER 6, 1858. “IT WILL SOON BOIL!” The constituencies at this time were apathetic on the Reform Question. Mr. Bright had been addressing numerous Meetings to elicit popular support.--1858. No. 9.] [Illustration: CARTOON.--DECEMBER 18, 1858. MR. BRIGHT OFFERS TO GIVE SATISFACTION TO THE LIBERAL PARTY. Mr. Bright rejected the timid Reform proposals of the Whigs, and demanded the widest extension of the franchise.--1858. No. 10.] [Illustration: CARTOON.--JANUARY 29, 1859. A VERY GREASY POLE. Mr. Bright had been addressing large Meetings in the manufacturing districts to agitate for an extension of the franchise to all rated householders.--1859. No. 11.]