Memoirs of Henry Hunt, Esq., vol 3 | Page 8

being a bad master; but, on the contrary, I was always
proverbial for being a good one. The fact that I was so, is abundantly
proved by one circumstance. When I left my farm in Wiltshire, and
went to reside at Rowfant, in Sussex, my old servants followed me
there, a distance of nearly one hundred miles, so that in Sussex I had
the same servants, the whole time I remained there, that had lived with
me and my father for, from ten to thirty years before; they all followed
me into Sussex at their own risk, and they remained with me as long as
I lived in that county; and when I left it to go into Hampshire, they also
all left it, and accompanied me. This is the best evidence that can be
given of my being a good master; yet I have no hesitation in saying,
that there never was a better master living than Mr. Cobbett. I was,
however, more fortunate than he was in my domestic servants; for in
twenty years I have only had three cooks, three housemaids, and three
men servants, each of them having lived seven years, and none of them

having left us till they married and settled; and, thank God, it is a great
satisfaction they have all done well, improved their situation in life, and
got up in the world. The man servant and two maid servants, whom I
have now remaining with me, to take care of my cottage, have lived
with me, I think it is now nearly eight years.
During the whole time that Mr. Cobbett was in Newgate, I was in the
constant habit of visiting him; there was never a month, and seldom a
fortnight passed, that I did not go to London to see him. Up to this
period I had always received from Mrs. Cobbett the greatest civility
and attention, in return for my attention to her husband. I was never an
evening in London but I passed it with my friend who was in prison,
and very delightful and rational parties we used to have in Mr.
Cobbett's apartments; these parties consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Cobbett,
Sir Francis Burdett, Col. Wardle, Major Cartwright, Major
Worthington, Mr. Peter Walker, Mr. Samuel Millar, and a few other
select friends, all staunch assertors of the cause of Liberty. I will relate
two circumstances which occurred at these meetings, because I have
always considered them to have had a very important share in creating
the political hostility that has since existed between Sir F. Burdett and
myself, and to have ultimately led to that coolness which has been so
visible in the conduct of Mr. Cobbett towards me, during the last two
years. There is no breach of confidence in my mentioning them, and the
narrative will shew by what trifles important results may be produced.
One evening, Sir Francis and Mr. Cobbett were speaking in very warm
terms of my exertions in procuring a Requisition which led to the first
County Meeting held at Wells, in Somersetshire; and the former was
giving me great credit for having roused such a large, long, dormant
county, and for having made such a favourable impression upon the
Free-holders, in the cause of Reform. With the intention of putting an
end to such overwhelming praise bestowed on me to my face, I replied,
that I was a zealous and devoted political disciple of the Baronet, that I
would continue to follow his praiseworthy example, and never would
desert the cause in which we were embarked. "But," said I, "remember,
Sir Francis, that at the same time that I promise you never to withdraw
my zealous and faithful support to those principles which you advocate,
and of the partizans of which principles you are deservedly the leader;
yet, if ever you should stand still, so far from promising you, that I also

shall halt, I assure you that nothing shall deter me from proceeding;
then, and only then, shall I leave you." What induced me to utter this
speech, I cannot tell; I certainly had not the slightest opinion or
suspicion that the Baronet would ever stand still. It was the farthest
thing in the world from my intention to say any thing to create surmises,
or to give the slightest offence. My words were merely a sort of
involuntary, random-shot effusion of the heart, meant only to evince
my sincerity, and to silence the praises which were bestowed upon me
to my face. It certainly had the latter effect; it immediately put a stop to
the conversation altogether. I saw that I had unintentionally committed
a blunder; I saw, or thought that I saw, Mr. Cobbett look at me with a
most inquiring eye, endeavouring to discover whether my