All England heard the question: it is the first practical form of our Sphinx-riddle.

England will answer it; or, on the whole, England will perish;--one does not yet expect the latter result! For the rest, that the Manchester Insurrection could yet discern no radiance of Heaven on any side of its horizon; but feared that all lights, of the O'Connor or other sorts, hitherto kindled, were but deceptive fish-oil transparencies, or bog will-o'-wisp lights, and no dayspring from on high: for this also we will honour the poor Manchester Insurrection, and augur well of it.

A deep unspoken sense lies in these strong men,-- inconsiderable, almost stupid, as all they can articulate of it is.

Amid all violent stupidity of speech, a right noble instinct of what is doable and what is not doable never forsakes them: the strong inarticulate men and workers, whom _Fact_ patronises; of whom, in all difficulty and work whatsoever, there is good augury! This work too is to be done: Governors and Governing Classes that _can_ articulate and utter, in any measure, what the law of Fact and Justice is, may calculate that here is a Governed Class who will listen.
And truly this first practical form of the Sphinx-question, inarticulately and so audibly put there, is one of the most impressive ever asked in the world.

"Behold us here, so many thousands, millions, and increasing at the rate of fifty every hour.