TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE: Volume II is available as Project Gutenberg ebook number 49845. WILLIAM COBBETT. A BIOGRAPHY. VOL. I. LONDON: GILBERT AND RIVINGTON, PRINTERS, ST. JOHN’S SQUARE. [Illustration: _J. R. Smith pinxit._ _F. Bartolozzi R.A. sculpsit._ MR. WILLIAM COBBETT.] WILLIAM COBBETT: _A BIOGRAPHY_. BY EDWARD SMITH. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. London: SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON, SEARLE, & RIVINGTON, CROWN BUILDINGS, 188, FLEET STREET. 1878. [_All rights reserved._] “It is not by his faults, but by his excellences, that we measure a great man.” G. H. LEWES (_On Actors, &c._). “Fear never but you shall be consistent in whatever variety of actions, so that they be each honest and natural in their hour. For of one will, the actions will be harmonious, however unlike they seem.” R. W. EMERSON (_Essay on Self-reliance_). “My good blade carves the casques of men, My tough lance thrusteth sure, My strength is as the strength of ten, Because my heart is pure!” TENNYSON (_Sir Galahad_). NOTE. The following pages need no Preface, with regard to their subject. I am unwilling, however, to let the work go forth to the public without a renewed word of thanks, to those who have given me any sort of encouragement or assistance. My acknowledgments are especially due to the venerable daughter of Mr. James Swann, for the use of some letters; to the author of the “Handbook of Fictitious Names,” without whose apt teaching in the art of Bibliography, the work might have wanted the interesting appendix; to Mr. Job Swain, one of the last survivors of Cobbett’s personal friends, for some reminiscences; and to Mr. Ellis Yarnall, of Philadelphia, for copies of several letters, and for some suggestions which have enabled the author to throw additional light on the “Porcupine” days. E. S. London: _November, 1878_. CONTENTS. PAGE CHAPTER I. 1762-1784. “I LOOKED BACK WITH PRIDE TO MY WAGGON-DRIVING GRANDFATHER” 1 CHAPTER II. 1784-1791. “WHEN I HAD THE HONOUR TO WEAR A RED COAT” 30 CHAPTER III.