CHAPTER XXVII. MR. BRIGHT'S PRIVATE LIFE, His Second Marriage-Home Life-His Children-His Study-His Pets-Llandudno his favourite Resort - Death of his beloved Child - St. Tudno's Churchyard-Out-door Service. A MAN of Mr. Bright's genial and social nature, who had felt so severely the loss of the sun of his domestic sphere-or, as he has recently expressed himself when speaking of the death of his young wife, when "the light and the sunshine of his house were extinguished -was not likely soon to surmount his sorrow; but fortunately دو "There is no grief which time does not lessen and soften." Some years after, in the same town, Leamington, where his wife had sunk to rest, he had the pleasure of meeting with a lady in whom he found a suitable substitute for the dear departed one. This young lady was no other than Miss Margaret Elizabeth Leatham, daughter of Mr. William Leatham, of Heath House, the banker of Wakefield and other towns. The marriage ceremony was performed according to the usual mode of the "Friends," in their homely Meeting House, George Street, Wakefield, on the 10th of June, 1847. There was a large assembly of ladies and gentlemen to witness the marriage of such distinguished persons, and many of Mr. Bright's political friends formed the majority of the congregation. In accordance with the extreme simplicity and deliberation of this sect, the marriage party sat in silence as Mr. Bright rose, and taking the right hand of Miss Leatham, pronounced in a low but distinct voice the Friends' formula :-" Friends, I take my friend, Margaret Elizabeth Leatham, to be my wife, promising through Divine assistance to be unto her a loving and faithful husband until it shall please the Lord by death to separate us." While still holding hands, Miss Leatham, in a low and tremulous voice, pronounced words of similar import as regarded Mr. Bright, promising to be "unto him a loving and faithful wife." After this a space of some minutes occurred, when one of the congregation offered up prayer, the whole assembly standing. There was another period 1847.] HIS SECOND MARRIAGE. 255 of silence, which was broken by Mr. George Bennington who read the certificate or declaration. This was signed by the bride and bridegroom, by their relations, friends, and afterwards by a large number of the congregation. The wedding party consisted of the bride and bridegroom, Mrs. Leatham (mother of the bride), Mr. Jacob Bright, of Rochdale (father of the bridegroom); Mr. and Mrs. Leatham, Miss Priscilla Leatham, Miss Priscilla Bright, Mr. C. Albert Leatham, Miss Esther Bright, Mr. Edward A. Leatham, Mr. Jacob Bright, jun. (the present member for Manchester), Mrs. M. W. Barclay, Mr. Joseph Gurney Barclay, Miss J. M. Barclay, Miss Ann F. Barclay, Mr. J. Priestman, jun., and Miss Elizabeth Thornhill. The whole ceremony lasted about an hour. The congratulations of those present were hearty and sincere, and the union proved a happy one. "Meantime a smiling offspring rises round, For on the 18th March, 1848, at 51, Wimpole Street, Marylebone, London, Mr. Bright was presented with a son and heir, to whom was given the name of John Albert. On the 30th September, 1849, at "One Ash," a daughter was born, and named Mary Harriet; on the 12th August, 1851, a son-William Leatham; on the 1st March, 1854, a daughter-Anna Elizabeth ; on the 27th May, 1856, a daughter-Margaret Sophia. On the 24th February, 1859, a son was born, named Leonard; and on the 23rd of April, 1863, a fourth son, who received the name of Philip, thus completing the number of seven children. Mr. Bright is a gentleman of quiet domestic habits, and when at home, free from the harass of public duty, he would accompany Mrs. Bright in the carriage, or go for a stroll, and during the evening he would sit reading or conversing with her. He was relieved by Mrs. Bright of any anxiety on domestic matters, so that he could devote his whole attention to the patriotic work he had undertaken. No father could be more attached to his children, and it was to him true pleasure to be in their midst. His mind was of that happy cast which can unbend and recreate itself in the simple play of his offspring, and in his speeches touches of tenderness about children break out occasionally, as well as advice to the unruly who "make their sires stoop." So he is "In private amiable-in public great." In such amusements great minds have often found much relief, for it transports them back to the innocent days of child hood; thus their minds secure mental refreshment and escape serious thought. Agesilaus diverted his children and himself with riding on a stick; Scipio, for a change, picked up shells on a sea-shore; Dean Swift amused himself by driving his friends, the Sheridans, before him through all the rooms of the deanery; and thus we frequently find men taking pleasure in pursuits which appear entirely foreign to their usual habits and occupations. This seems to be the reason why our poets do not carry their poetry into life, and why such a discrepancy exists between their biography and their verses. Young, in private life, possessed nothing of the sombre character which appears in his poems. The rambling speeches delivered in the House of Commons by some members must be somewhat irksome to the ears of more accomplished orators, and provocative of nodding, for what they want in depth they give in length. The idiosyncrasies of some are truly amusing; as Churchill says— "Adepts in the speaking trade Keep a cough by them ready made." Mr. Bright, in delivering his speeches, has none of the drawling mannerism of many of the speakers in the House of Commons, but marches right on in a free, fresh, direct current of remark, nothing equalling his straightforward plainness, and condensed expression. His diction is drawn from the pure wells of English undefiled. "The use of Scriptural imagery is a marked feature of his orations, and no imagery can be more appropriately employed to illustrate his views; for Mr. Bright, in all his grand efforts, rises far above the loaded, unwholesome atmosphere of party politics into the purer air and brighter skies of patriotism and philanthropy. We may differ about his means or measures, but no one can differ about his aims when he puts forth his strength to raise Ireland and India in the scale of civilisation, to mitigate the evils of war, or to promote the spread of toleration and Christian charity throughout the world." Mr. Bright's study, or library, is situated in the western part of his residence, and he repairs to the privacy of this room, when at home, to consider the subject of any approaching speech that he is called upon to deliver. When in such deep study it has been his habit, after being tired of the room, to stroll into the dining-room-which is opposite, and has a south view-and there resume his mental labour. No one enters this room, there being a tacit understanding amongst the members of his household that he should not be interrupted. He very carefully examines the 1817.] HIS PRIVATE LIFE. 257 points upon which he is to express opinions, and deliberates long before coming to a conclusion. He examines the subject from all points of view, and after he has arrived at a final decision, he writes out the heads of the different thoughts, to recall the various views he intends to enumerate, and trusts to his command of language in the expressing of them. He is careful never to make a statement without assuring himself of its correctness, and never draws an inference from facts which he does not believe to be sound. He is most conscientious, and what he believes to be right he will maintain with the unflinching spirit of a martyr. Although he has a strong moral tone, it is mellowed and tempered largely by kindness. Hence follow the worth, weight, and importance of all his opinions; and this is the secret of his success as a statesman, and how it is that the opinions he has expressed have ultimately been found to be correct, and have been embodied in Acts of Parliament of constitutional utility. From an early date in his public career he has prepared only a few notes, even for his lengthened speeches; but the subject has been so thoroughly mastered, that he is able coolly and collectively to express his views clearly in his own rich and elastic language as he proceeds. At one of the great meetings in the Birmingham Town Hall a few years ago an incident occurred, which was watched by the vast multitude present with curious interest. As was his custom, Mr. Bright placed his notes on his hat, which early in his speech he overturned by a slight gesticulation. The notes were wafted below the platform and found their way to a crevice, where they could not then be recovered. The whole audience at once became more interested, for they knew that the power of the orator would undergo a severe test. He, however, merely smiled, and proceeded without hesitation, seeming to be less concerned than any one else about the event, which did not prevent him from delivering a powerful and eloquent speech. A common vice of public men is that they appear in a twofold character: one phase is seen at home, the other is acted before the public; but in John Bright, the statesman, the husband, the father, are all centred, and are but varied aspects of one pure, great, and harmonious life. In him there are no extremes. He is unostentatious, and no man was ever farther removed from vanity. He loves simplicity, and is gentle and affable to those about him. Many years ago a Christmas tree was prepared for the entertainment of Mr. Bright's children. At that time a few intimate friends were spending the Christ Ꭱ دو mas at "One Ash," and during the evening the servants of the household were called in by Mrs. Bright to inspect the tree and receive their Christmas presents. Mr. Bright, noticing the absence of an elderly person, named Ann Sladen, who had for many years been employed to assist the servants, enquired where "Ann was. She was called, but declined to come, her excuse being that she was in her working attire. Whereupon Mr. Bright politely requested the company to retire for a short time to allow Ann to inspect the tree and receive her gift, and the guests readily complied. Ann felt grateful for this kind consideration; and this is only one of the many benevolent acts done for the poor by Mr. Bright, who ever acts on the principle that “Happiness seems made to be shared." Footmen in gaudy trappings and with pretentious grimace are never seen at "One Ash;" but "neat-handed Phillis," with simple mien and unaffected air, admits the visitor. In fact, the illustrious head of that establishment requires but little attention from his servants. The early training inculcated by his excellent mother has never been eradicated. She always impressed upon her children the duty of self-reliance and systematic arrangement, and so well has this early training been acted upon, that even up to the present time of his advanced life Mr. Bright packs up his own travelling requisites; and before his declining years commenced, he was in the habit of walking from his residence to the railway station, as any humble pedestrian doesalthough a carriage and pair awaited his bidding. Never during the busiest time of his public career has he employed any regular amanuensis. Throughout Mr. Bright's life he has been fond of dogs, and as many as three or four are to be seen at his home. It may be remembered that during the Reform Bill debate in the House of Commons, Mr. Bright, in alluding to Messrs. Lowe and Horsman's opposition, said that they reminded him of a Scotch terrier, which was so covered with hair that it was difficult to tell which was the head and which was the tail. The comparison was so true that it caused an outburst of hearty laughter in the House of Commons, and it became a traditional joke, but it was not generally known that the homely illustration was suggested by the appearance of the shaggy Tiff, whom he had left behind him at "One Ash." This Tiff, a Scotch terrier, was a great favourite of Mr. Bright's, and would scarcely allow any person to intrude upon the privacy of his master without receiving permission in unmistakeable language. Tiff in the course of time died, and, with other predecessors of the canine |