Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 38.djvu/385

 take interest in the agitation then beginning for the repeal of the corn laws. George Thompson [q. v.] introduced him to John Bright, with whom and with Cobden he soon became intimate, and he joined the Anti-Cornlaw League. Bright in after years stated on several occasions that a large share of the success of the agitation was due to Moore's lucid exposition of economical principles, and to the illustrations of them by which he convinced masses of people in all parts of Great Britain that free trade would lead to national prosperity, and protection to continued arrest of trade. Bright and George Thompson visited Ireland in December 1841, and Moore's first important public speech on free trade was at a meeting held at the Mansion House, Dublin, on 23 Dec., when he moved a resolution in favour of the total and immediate repeal of the corn laws. From this date till the repeal in May 1846 he devoted his whole time and energy to the cause, speaking repeatedly as the representative of the league at meetings held in the chief towns of England and Scotland. With both Bright and Cobden he spoke several times at Salisbury, and often supped there with the father of Henry Fawcett (, Life of Fawcett, p. 4). At Cupar in January 1844 the freedom of the burgh was conferred upon Cobden and Moore after they had addressed a meeting in the town (, ii. 152). A month later Moore spoke at the great series of meetings in Covent Garden Theatre, and was invited to be a candidate for the representation of Hastings. In March 1844 he contested that borough at a by-election, but was defeated, receiving 174 votes (, Imperial Poll Book). He was presented with a silver inkstand by his supporters, and an enthusiastic elector, Benjamin Smith, M.P. for Norwich, had a list of the 174 free-trade electors printed in letters of gold, and distributed as a record of the contest. The working men of Exeter in 1845 presented him with a piece of plate, with an inscription commemorating their admiration for his speeches in favour of free trade.

On 1 Jan. 1845 Moore married Rebecca, daughter of B. C. Fisher, and soon after took a house near Manchester, as the most convenient centre for his work in relation to the league. He gave much aid to J. L. Ricardo [q. v.] in the preparation of a book published in 1847, 'The Anatomy of the Navigation Laws' (Preface). When the corn laws were repealed he found it difficult to resume the work of his profession, in which his prospects of success in Ireland were secure. He remained in England, visiting Ireland occasionally, and withdrew altogether from public life. The constant exertion of oratory, and of travelling in the league agitation, had broken down a not very robust constitution. In the latter years of his life he wrote a volume of fables in rhyme for children, but they were not published. He went to Bath, and there died 6 Aug. 1864, of angina faucium. He was buried with his father in Mount Jerome cemetery, Dublin, and left an only son, the author of this biography. His portrait by C. A. Duval, to whom many of the supporters of the league sat, is in the possession of his son, and medallions of his head in relief were sold at the Anti-Cornlaw League bazaar held in Covent Garden Theatre in May 1845. He had inherited from his father a taste for literature, and had, besides a love of every kind of learning, an excellent memory. In speaking he excelled in lucid exposition, and in illustrations which came home to his hearers. He never drank wine, and was with difficulty persuaded to swallow some in his last illness. He gave his whole abilities and the flower of his life, without any prospect of personal advantage, to the spread of doctrines which he firmly believed would relieve misery and extend happiness.  MOORE, SAMUEL (fl. 1680–1720), draughtsman and engraver, appears to have held some post in the custom-house, London. He is known by some engravings of historical interest, done from his own drawings. Among these were two of the plates to Sandford's 'History of the Coronation of James II, 1685,' and the plates in the 'Coronation Procession of William and Mary.' According to Vertue he drew medleys of various things, one of which he presented to Sir Robert Harley when speaker of the House of Commons (1701-4). He also engraved some costume plates.  MOORE, THOMAS (d. 1735), playwright, said to have been a native of Surrey, is probably the Thomas, son of Adrian Moore