When this book was just out of the press, I received the following letters from Mr. Cobden:—
"DUNFORD, NEAR MIDHURST, SUSSEX,
"6th January, 1852.
"MY DEAR WATKIN,
"When lately in Manchester I heard from S. P. Robinson that you had been to the United States; that you had been much struck with what you saw there; that we were being fast distanced by our young rival, &c. Since then I have seen an extract in a paper from a work published by you; but being in an outlying place here, have no means of informing myself further about it. Now, if the book be not large, and can be sent through the post, I wish you would let me have a copy. I know how unreasonable it is to ask an author to give away his works; for, as Dr. Johnson said to Thrale, the brewer, in vindication of his own rule never to make a present of his writings, 'You do not give away your porter, Sir;' but I feel very anxious to know what you think of the United States.
"I have long had my notions about what was coming from the West, and recorded my prophecy on my return from America in 1835. People in England are determined to shut their eyes as long as they can; but they will be startled out of their wilful blindness some day by some gigantic facts proving the indisputable superiority of that country in all that constitutes the power, wealth, and real greatness of a people.
"Hoping that you are quite well after your holiday, which you would not allow to be a holiday.
"I remain, very truly yours,
"R. COBDEN.
"EDWD. WATKIN, Esq."
In reference to a paragraph in the following, I should mention that in
my letter transmitting the book, I had written about my meetings with
Kossuth, the Hungarian patriot, and had referred to his visit to the
United States.
"DUNFORD, NEAR MIDHURST,
"8th January, 1852.