Cobden's Independence

A story is beíng told in England of Cobden when he refused office from Lord Palmerston. "On acriving in London he went to Cambridge house, and finding the prime minister sitting alone at breakfast, said to him: 'Lord Palmerston, before we come to business I ought to say that I conslder your having made the proposal you have made, to a man who has been attacking you so steadily for so many years, a proof of great magnanimlty; but don't you think that It would really be better that I should flrst change my principies and then go into your cabinet, than that I should flrst go into your cabinet and then change my principies?" Lord Palmerston struck his hand violently on the table and exclaimed, 'Mr. Cobden, what did you go into public life for?'