a spirit of social improvement, at home, or aiding the progress of
liberal opinion abroad, we find Mr. Brougham exercising the same
uncompromising integrity and patriotic zeal. Spain, in 1823, became a
fitting subject for his masterly eloquence. His remarks on the French
government, on April 14, in the House of Commons, on the consideration
of the policy observed by Great Britain in the affairs of France and
Spain, will not soon be forgotten: "I do not," said Mr. Brougham,
"identify the people of France with their government; for I believe
that every wish of the French nation is in unison with those
sentiments which animate the Spaniards. Neither does the army concur
in this aggression; for the army alike detests the work of tyranny,
plunder, cant, and hypocrisy. The war is not commenced because the
people or the army require it, but because three or four French
emigrants have obtained possession of power. It is for such miserable
objects as these that the Spaniards are to be punished, because
they have dared to vindicate their rights as a free and independent
people. I hope to God that the Spaniards may succeed in the noble and
righteous cause in which they are engaged."

In 1824, (June 1), we find Mr. Brougham in the House of Commons,
moving an address to the King, relative to the proceedings at Demerara
against Smith, the missionary; but, after a debate of two days, the
motion was negatived.[2]

During the period of Mr. Canning's ministry, his liberality gained Mr.
Brougham's support: this is the only instance of Mr. Brougham's not
being opposed to the minister of the day; and, observes a political
writer, "he has been as much above the task of drudging for a party as
drudging for a ministry."