Mr. Roebuck is more delighted with himself than ever, if
it is possible to find a comparative degree for a state of mind which appears to be always one of political ecstasy over his own virtues and achievements. In his speech at Sheffield on Monday night, however, he really had something good to tell of himself. When requested by the Home Secretary, Mr. Cross, to serve on the Labour Laws Commission, he accepted, but urged at the same time that at least two distinct representatives of the work- ing-men should be on it, and he suggested Mr. Mac- donald, Mr. Burt, Mr. T. Hughes, and Mr. Frederic Har- rison,—two of whom were nominated, Mr. Disraeli having quite agreed with Mr. Roebuck, and addressed him in these remarkable words, which Mr. Roebuck records :—" My dear Roebuck, it's the very thing I said to Mr. Cross. You and I have come to the same conclusion." No doubt it was a just conclusion, but it is meagre justifi- cation for the ecstasy with which Mr. Roebuck regards his own merits. He declares that he would say to Mr. Halli- day, and any other accuser among the working-men, "Look at what I have done, and for what I have done it. I have never been a paid agitator. I have never lived on the hard earnings of my fellow-workmen. I have never gone forward to spread dis- content among working-men against masters whom they ought to respect. I have done none of these things, and therefore perhaps you dislike me. I am not like unto you. My life has been dedicated, such as it is, to my country." Perhaps his country might be more impressed if Mr. Roebuck had not " dedicated " even greater energies to reminding her of the obli- gation, and warning her against any mistaken gratitude to rival politicians. " Codlin's your friend, not Short," has been Mr. Roe- buck's constant cry to the country. But his country, like little Nell in the " Old Curiosity Shop," probably remains incredulous.
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