of office-seekers. All who are acquainted with the way in which Mr. Cowen has worked in public affairs in his own district, all who know anything of his distinguished abilities as an administrator, will feel that the Government which included him among its members would have reason to esteem itself fortunate. It will be curious to observe, when the next Liberal Ministry is formed, whether the merits of Mr. Cowen or the clamour of his self-interested detractors will have most weight with the leaders of his party. [THE Right Hon. JOHN BRIGHT was born at Rochdale, in 1811, and married, first, Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. Jonathan Priestman, of Newcastle-on-Tyne; and secondly, Margaret, daughter of Mr. William Leatham, of Wakefield. He is a partner in the cotton-spinning firm of John Bright & Brothers, Rochdale. Elected for Durham July 1843, and became member for Manchester in July 1847. Unsuccessfully contested that city in April 1857; and has sat for Birmingham since August of the same year. Was President of the Board of Trade from December 1868 to December 1870, and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster from October 1873 till February 1874.] MR. BRIGHT. N the noble hall of the Reform Club, IN on any afternoon during the session of Parliament, there may generally be seen a figure which is certain to attract attention even on the part of the stranger. It is that of a man of middle height, bowed not so much with age as with work and trial, on whose thickset shoulders there is poised a massive head, the pure white locks of which are scantier now than of yore. The lines of the figure itself are sufficiently characteristic to deserve notice, even from the chance passer-by; but when the face, with its marked features, clear but tender eyes, and clean-chiseled mobile lips, are seen, no one can doubt that this sturdy Englishman, who has passed the prime of manhood, and upon whom the weight of years and of labours manifold have begun to tell so heavily, is no ordinary person. To every one in the Reform Club, nay, to most people acquainted with the streets of the West End, the face and the figure of John Bright are sufficiently familiar. But to those who do not know the great oratorstatesman, to those who have never heard him as he thrilled the House of Commons with his stately speech, or played upon the sympathies of a great assemblage of his fellow-countrymen, like the skilful musician who draws a hundred different tones and harmonies from the strings of the harp; to those, in short, to whom the name of John Bright is a name and nothing more, I should |