Bolton was then represented in the House of Commons
by Dr. Bowring, an intelligent, active, enthusiastic
and indefatigable political economist, who unceasingly
brought the deplorable condition of his constituency
under the notice of the House, urging it as an argu-
ment in favour of free trade, of which he was one of
the most zealous advocates, and sustained in his
philanthropic ardour by his taste for the pleasure of
making a noise in the world by doing good. The
evil continued; no remedy was brought to bear on it.
An old physician, Dr. Birney, one day gave notice
that he would deliver a lecture in the theatre at
Bolton, on the corn law and its effects. A large
crowd assembled to hear him; the house was filled;
but, when the speaker rose to address his audience, he
became so confused and embarrassed that it was im-
possible for him to proceed. The disappointment and
ill-humour which this occasioned in an assemblage
already sufficiently out of spirits, soon turned into
active irritation. A formidable riot was about to
ensue, when a young surgeon, named Paulton, sprang
upon the stage, and suddenly improvised an eloquent
invective against the corn laws, and the sufferings
which they inflicted on the working classes. The
meeting listened to him and applauded him with
enthusiasm. He was requested to repeat his lecture
on another evening. He did so, and adduced in sup-
port of his views an additional array of facts, argu-
ments, and motives for indignation. Dr. Bowring
happened at that moment to be in Manchester, where
a committee had just been formed among the princi-

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