Mr. Henry Richard, M.P. for Merthyr Tydvil, and repre- senting
not only Welsh Nonconformity, but the principles of the Peace Society, died suddenly on Monday, at the age of seventy-six. He was, with the possible exception of Mr. Dillwyn, the most popular of the Welsh Members ; but he identified himself too much with political moonshine like the moral abstractions of the Peace Society. Nevertheless, he was so good and upright a man, so hearty a believer in the principles he advocated, so deeply convinced that ecclesiastical Establish- ments are founded on injustice, so persuaded that by preaching peace to the world at large you could prevent the cruelties and miseries of war, that he commanded a very great influence in Wales, and the hearty respect of the House of Commons. Such men are no more influential as politicians than popular lecturers on agronomy are influential as astronomers. Yet they popularise a political morality which they do not greatly assist us to apply. Still, their career undoubtedly renders it very much easier to settle dangerous questions like the 'Alabama' question, by peaceful means, without popular obloquy, than it would have been before their career had been ran.
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