First Published in 1968. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

CHAPTER I. 1843.-Opening of the Free Trade Hall-the £50,000 fund-meeting of deputies and their names. CHAPTER II. The great gathering-M. Kohl's description of the League-the workers of the League-opening of Parliament-Lord Howick's motion for inquiry-Graham's principle of common sense. CHAPTER III. Sir Robert Peel's fear of assassination-mournful scene in the Commons-doctrine of responsibility-Lord Howick's motion for inquiry-refusal of inquiry-Thomas Carlyle on the Corn Laws-Free Trade Hall meetings-addresses to Cobden. CHAPTER IV. Meetings in Drury Lane Theatre, and a witness* description of them-Cobden,-James Wilson, W. J. Fox, Joseph Hume, and Dr. Bowring-opinion in London. CHAPTER V. Movement in the agricultural districts-Mr. Ricardo's motion-Sir Robert Peel's admissions-Mr. Villiers' motion for a committee-the Commons a bear garden-Cobden's speech--the division. CHAPTER VI. Meetings of deputies in London-county meetings-monopolists defeated-meeting in Scotland. CHAPTER VII. Blight's return to Parliament-the prorogation-deputation to the agricultural districts, and their triumphant progress-address of the League to the people of the United Kingdom-first Covent Garden meeting-meeting at Liverpool. CHAPTER VIII. Mr. Pattison's election for London-adhesion of Mr. S. J . Lloyd and the monied interest-Earl Fitzwilliam-the £100,000 fund-the League " a great fact"-the Post and the Herald-signs of progress at the end of 1843. CHAPTER IX. 1844.-The Marquis of Westminster's adhesion-a League deputation in Scotland-West Riding demonstration-Morpeth's speech-the whig shibboleth-meeting of Parliament-the address. CHAPTER X Meetings in Covent Garden Theatre-Mr. Cobden's motion for inquiry-the debate-Covent Garden meetings-South Lancashire election. CHAPTER XI. Mr. Villiers' resolution for repeal, and the debate thereon, CHAPTER XII. The debate continued-Sir R. Peel-Mr. Bright-the division, and list of the minority - condition-of-the-country debate - Lord John Russell. CHAPTER XIII. Incendiarism in the agricultural districts-rick-burners' logic-Northampton meeting-defeat of O'Connor. CHAPTER XIV. Dudley election-Mr. J. B. Smith at Walsall-occupations of the people-registration movement-forty-shilling freeholds. CHAPTER XV. Covent Garden meeting-the Norwich Weaver Boy to Sir R. Peel -Free Trade Hall meeting. CHAPTER XVI.1845.-Preparing for Parliament-annual meeting of the League-agriculturists prophecy of ruin-meeting of Parliament, February 4th. CHAPTER XVII. The budget-Cobden's motion for inquiry into alleged agricultural distress-the grease and lard debate. CHAPTER XVIII. Death of Sir Thomas Potter-Covent Garden Theatre meetings-the great bazaar-the periodical press on the bazaar. CHAPTER XIX. Lord John Russell's resolutions and his fixed duty shibboleth-the debate-the weather becoming bad. CHAPTER XX. Mr. Villiers' motion for repeal-the debate-the evasions-the division-the progress made. CHAPTER XXI. The harvest prospects-meeting of farm labourers-Covent Garden meeting-Free Trade Hall meeting-Mr. Ewart's motion on butter and cheese-review of the session-alarming prospects of the weather-the potato rot. CHAPTER XXII. Lord John Russell's letter to the citizens of London-Lord Morpeth's letter to Mr. Baines-startling announcement by the Times-resignation of Peel's ministry-return of Peel to office-£250,000 fund. CHAPTER XXIII. 1846.-The new measures-the debate on the motion to go into committee. CHAPTER XXIV. The bill in committee-Mr. Villiers' motion for immediate repeal-the division-list of the minority-the bill passed-the League conditionally dissolved-the final triumph.