COBDEN, Richard (1804-1865). Manufacturer and politician.
Group of thirteen Autograph Letters Signed to various correspondents, 1846-1862 where dated. In generally good condition, some showing traces of former mounting. From Manchester, London (various addresses), Midhurst, Dunford and France.

Declining to be president of the Manchester and Salford Early Closing Association, whilst supporting its aims - to A. Megson, the Hon. Secretary, 11 April 1846; to Henry Hogan, asking to borrow 500 francs - from Hotel Wagram, 12 August 1846; to his friend S[alis] Schwabe, describing his holiday and his wife's recovered health - from Hotel de France, Pau, 20 September 1846; to J. Ellis MP, asking for a copy of Montgomery's poem ' in reference to our Colonies, where he draws the simile of a tree whose wide spreading Branches will tear up its roots', 14 January 1850; to C[harles] De la Pryme agreeing to subscribe to an edition of the poems of Richard Realf (1832-1878), and giving his personal views on the usefulness (or lack of it) or poetry, 12 March 1852; to Francis Draper of the Fitzroy Teetotal Association, thanking him for his support, 21 December 1852; to R. White, declining to re-enter the House of Commons ('I think Milner Gibson is the very best candidate for Finsbury. He has large property there ... it is always an advantage with a constituency to be identified with it by property relations.), 19 November 1857; to C.E. Macqueen, telling his that he had written a letter meant for publication to Gladstone, and giving his views on the economy, 22 April 1862; to Charles Sturge agreeing to accompany him to view the statue of 'your honored brother' (perhaps the memorial to Joseph Sturge (1793-1859) by John Thomas unveiled in Birmingham on 4 June 1862), ('at Mr Paultons, 15 Cleveland Square, Hyde Park') undated; to Mrs (?Julie) Schwabe, agreeing to see her either in the House of Commons, Streatham or the Athenaeum, (Victoria Street, Westminster, undated); to W. Ingram asking him to call and see Cobden's brother 'who is suffering terribly' (rather soiled, Dunford, undated); to 'John' about a printing project, and to Mrs Strutt expressing the hope of seeing her.

Together with the final page of a letter (with corrections, perhaps a draft) to a journal, numbered '4' in the upper right hand corner, signed at the foot, 1 page 4to, dated Midhurst, 12 November no year, contrasting the British and American systems of education.

'... I will not be tempted to touch upon the arguments in your articles, based up on assumption of my incorrectness which I do not admit. Nay, I presume that, if the truth be spoken, whether with respect to Education or the government expenditure in America, it will be admitted on all hands to be advantagious to us to know it. . ... but every argument which can be used to stimulate us to emulate transatlantic education is equally available, with a free-trading nation in favor of state economy.'

To Charles De la Pryme, 12 March 1852: '... As a general rule, I do not think we promote the best interests of young people by encouraging them to cultivate, as a means of subsistence or advancement in life, a talent for versification. ... the talent which is expended upon a volume of poems might often be more beneficially employed in less showy performances. ...'

To C.E. Macqueen, 22 April 1862: '... it seems to me that now for a year at least the chief attention of the public will be given to the amount of expenditure with a view to economy. This is always the case during seasons of commercial depression. ... I think you overrate my influence in your kind remarks on the value of my endorsement of your objects. ...'

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