“Cobbett’s Reflections on Religion,” and “Cobbett’s Reflections on Politics” (Sunderland, _circa_ 1820-1), were “loyal” selections from his early writings. “The Gridiron; or, Cook’s Weekly Register.” First number, March 23, 1822. Here are specimens of it:-- [“Our present intention is, principally, to exterminate Cobbett from the political world. The time required to effect this, of course, cannot be distinctly defined.… “In our immediate attacks upon Cobbett, we request our readers to excuse the coarseness of the language adopted.” “Farmers’ wives.--It is now but a few years since that an old shameless, wicked fellow rose up from his bed to pray for your husbands’ destruction. This wicked fellow’s name is no other than Cobbett,” &c.] No. 2 speaks of the increasing demand for the first number. No. 3 is reduced to sixpence, for the purpose of affording a more general circulation. No. 4, ????? All this anonymous rubbish did more good than harm, as obvious hypocrisy always will, under similar circumstances. A more respectable opponent was Henry White, a well-known Whig writer of the day. People said he was jealous of Cobbett. He was a very able man, and had himself been well abused by the _Times_ and other papers, on account of his strict partisanship. After many years of animadversion, he produced “A Calm Appeal to the Friends of Freedom and Reform, on the Double Dealings of Mr. Cobbett, and the baneful tendency of his Writings. With a vindication of the Whigs, and the Patriots of Westminster and the Borough of Southwark, against his Scurrilous and Malignant Aspersions. By Henry White, late editor of the _Independent Whig_, the _Charles James Fox_, the _Independent Observer_, the _Sunday Times_, the _Public Cause_, &c., &c.” (London, 1823). Referring to his own party, White says, “What virtue, what wisdom, what real patriotism there is in the country, he knows _they_ possess.” CHAPTER XXIV. “THEY COMPLAIN THAT THE TWOPENNY TRASH IS READ.”