Memoirs of Henry Hunt, Esq., vol 3 | Page 9

words were
meant to convey an impression that I really suspected that the Baronet
would ever stand still. God is my witness, I had not at the time the
slightest idea of the sort; for Sir Francis Burdett, in his professions and
conversation, if not in his actions, always appeared to desire for the
people the full extent of that liberty for which I was contending,
namely, the representation of the whole of them in the House of
Commons. Sir Francis Burdett drew up instantly, and I perceived that I
had, without meaning it, cast a damp upon the cheerfulness that had
previously prevailed. There was, however, no room for explanation. I
looked grave myself, and my mind was occupied with such thoughts as
had never obtruded themselves before; not created by what I had said,
but by the impression which it appeared to have made upon my hearers.
Whether it was imagination, or whether there was any just ground for it,
I do not know, but I always fancied, from that time forward, that the
Baronet was not so familiar as he was before; and, although we
continued upon the best of terms, that he manifested a degree of reserve
that I had never previously observed.
The other blunder which I made was as follows:--one evening, when
there was a large party, and Mr. Cobbett had been keeping us in a roar
of laughter by his wit and vivacity, the very life and soul of the
company, which he always was when he chose, all at once, in the midst
of our mirth, he exclaimed, addressing himself to me, "Hunt, I have a
particular favour to ask of you; will you promise to grant it me?" This
was said with great earnestness, and with peculiar emphasis. I replied,
"if it is any thing in reason and within my power, I will; but let me

know what it is, and I have no doubt that I shall gratify your wish." He
urged me again and again to promise him before-hand--all eyes were
fixed upon me, and Mrs. Cobbett appeared by her looks to desire that I
should comply with her husband's request, evidently indeed shewing
that she anticipated what it was he wished me to promise him. This
earnestness made me press him to explain, and at the same time I
repeated my assurance that I would comply with his wish, if within my
power. I own I expected that he was about to get me to promise him, in
the presence of our mutual friends, that I would accomplish something
of importance; as he knew if I once gave my word, that nothing would
deter me from endeavouring to carry my promise into effect.
Expectation was upon the tiptoe, every one seeming anxious to know
what was the object of such a serious and almost solemn request.
"Well," said he, "promise me then that you will never wear white
breeches again!" Every one appeared thunder-struck, that the mountain
had brought forth such a mouse. I had on a clean pair of white cord
breeches, and a neat pair of top boots, a fashionable, and a favourite
dress of mine at that time. There was a general laugh, and as soon as
this subsided, all were curious to hear my answer. It was briefly this: "I
certainly will, upon one condition." "What is that?"--"Why, that you
will promise me never to wear dirty breeches again." Cobbett at the
time had on a remarkably dirty pair of old drab kerseymere breeches.
The laugh was now turned against my friend, and I instantly felt sorry
for the repartee. I saw that my friend was hurt. He thought it unkind,
and dropped his under lip. Mrs. Cobbett's eyes flashed the fire of
indignation, and she was never civil to one afterwards. Nothing could
be farther from my intention than to hurt the feelings of my friend; it
was an ill-natured and thoughtless, although a just retaliation. At all
events I was very sorry for it, and it called to my recollection an old
saying, which was very commonly used by my father, "a fool's bolt is
soon shot."
In consequence of Mr. Cobbett having given me the support of his able
pen previous to the Bristol election, every exertion was made to induce
him not to write upon that occasion in my favour. On the day that I was
going down to Bristol, I was sitting with Mr. Cobbett, in his room in
Mr. Newman's house, in Newgate, and consulting with him about the
best plan of operation, when a gentleman was introduced; he was a

stranger to me, and Mr. Cobbett rose hastily, and said, "walk this way,
my Lord," and instantly took him into the next room. After having
remained with him some