LIFE OF THE RIGHT HON. JOHN BRIGHT, M.P. CHAPTER I. BIRTH, YOUTH, AND EDUCATION. Introduction. The Brights a Wiltshire Family-Migration_Northwards.Mr. Bright's Father-In Business at Rochdale.-His Family.-Childhood of John Bright.-Early Education.--Favourite Pursuits.-Interest in Political Questions.-His Ancestor, John Gratton.-A Remarkable Character. Mr. Bright's earliest efforts at Speech-making.—Anecdotes.— The Reform Agitation of 1831-2. LANCASHIRE enjoys the distinction of having given birth to four of the most eminent English statesmen of the nineteenth century. Early in the year 1788, there was born at Chamber Hall, near Bury, the future repealer of the Corn Laws, and of the disabling statutes against the Roman Catholics, Robert Peel; in 1799, Edward Geoffrey Stanley, afterwards Earl of Derby, first saw the light at Knowsley; ten years later, William Ewart Gladstone was born at Liverpool; and finally, on the 16th of November, 1811, John Bright was born at Greenbank, then near and now within the town of Rochdale. From north to south, and from east to west, the county which claims these distinguished men has long been conspicuous for its political energy and activity. Manchester, Oldham, Bolton, Rochdale, and other towns, have been especially famous for their zeal since the days of the Reform Bill of 1832. Manchester, indeed, has furnished the title for a school of politicians of whom the subject of our biography is the most celebrated living representative. Once member for that city, his relations with it have always been of a cordial and intimate 1 |