[3] The misunderstanding between Burdett and Paull culminated in a duel, in which both were wounded. The affair was a rather silly one, and brought out some wit. Mr. Paull was a little, fiery man, or he would have succeeded better as a politician. Mr. Horne Tooke said to him one day, “You are a bold man, and I am certain you’ll succeed; only, as Cobbett says, _keep yourself cool_.” [4] “The Learned Languages” was the title of a controversy which arose in the _Register_ early in 1807. Mr. Cobbett was out of his sphere on this topic, and his correspondents (who were at all humorous) saw a ready application of the fable concerning a fox who had lost his tail. Others were more serious, and thought that the knowledge of the Latin and Greek classics “kept together the higher orders of society, and separate from the lower orders.” [5] Afterwards Earl Grey, who carried the Reform Bill of 1832. [6] Otherwise John Gifford. Cobbett had made an allusion to his change of name, parenthetically adding, “for cogent reasons, no doubt.” [7] Mr. Robson’s renewed motion on the Barrack-office. Cobbett prepared and wrote out these motions for him. [8] “Seat in a Certain Assembly.--Any gentleman having the disposal of a close one may apply,” &c., &c.--_Morning Post_, May 1, 1807. “A Certain Great Assembly.--Fourteen hundred guineas per annum will be given for a seat in the above Assembly. Letters addressed to,” &c., &c.--_Morning Chronicle_, May 21, 1807. [9] Even Mr. Wilberforce, busied with the wrongs of distant races, had remarkably low and narrow views concerning the _lower orders_ of his own country, as he called them. In 1801, he “nearly resolves” to move in Parliament for a grant of one million for their relief! At another time he thinks Government should relieve, privately, some of the distress, “and afterwards allege that they did not do so publicly for fear of producing a mischievous effect abroad.” And one’s patience is almost exhausted at hearing him call the people “tainted” with disaffection, when everybody knows they are starving. _Vide_ his “Life, &c.,” iii., 3, 6, 13. [10] Samuel Whitbread (1758-1815) had entered Parliament in 1790, and became an adherent of Mr. Fox, after whose death he was one of the principal leaders of opposition. A genuine philanthropist, guided by deep religious impressions, he spent a large portion of his wealth in endeavouring to ameliorate the condition of the poor, in and around his Bedfordshire estates.