PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.

MANY indications having been received that the Memoirs of Mr W. H. Smith should be published in such a form as to be easily within the reach of general readers, the present edition has been prepared accordingly. Bulk has been reduced by cutting out much of what is not essential to consecutive narrative or the illustration of motives and character; and of contemporary political history only so much has been retained as seems necessary to understanding the actions of one who bore a leading part in public life.

HERBERT MAXWELL.

LONDON, June 1894.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

1784-1846.

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Introductory - The brothers Smith — Their parentage — The

house in Duke Street-They set up a branch office in the

Strand-The junior partner buys out his brother-Letter

from Leigh Hunt-Birth of a son, William Henry-His boy-

hood-Goes to Tavistock grammar-school-His aversion to

Methodism-Desires to enter Holy Orders-Defers to his

father's wishes and enters the business-His indifference to

games and his love of music-Correspondence with William

Ince,

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CHAPTER II.

1846-1854.

Disappointment in choice of a profession—Residence at Kilburn

House-Young Smith enters the business, and on coming of

age becomes his father's partner-His influence in the office

--Beginning of the bookstall business-Acquires monopoly

of the North-Western Railway stations-His dealings with

employés Expansion of the business-Work on the Com-

mittee of King's College Hospital,

25

CHAPTER III.

1854-1893.

Effect of the repeal of the newspaper stamp-duty-Growth of

the business-Smith & Son become sole agents for the

'Times'-Failing health of the senior partner-Increasing

work-Its effect upon young Smith-The firm become con-

tractors for railway advertising-Extracts from letters and

journal-The principles of private life carried into business

affairs-The lending library set on foot-Publication of cheap

novels-Its success and abandonment-Present aspect of the

Strand office-Early morning work-Despatch of newspapers,

CHAPTER IV.

1855-1865.

Smith is elected to Metropolitan Board of Works-His marriage

in 1858 to Mrs Leach-Old Mr Smith retires from business-

Philanthropic work-The Bishop of London's fund—Friend-

ship with Lord Sandon-Smith contemplates standing as a

Liberal for Boston-And for Exeter-Is blackballed for Re-

form Club--Becomes Conservative candidate for Westmin-

ster-His address to the electors-The election-And its

result,

CHAPTER V.

1865-1868.

Death of Lord Palmerston-And of the elder Smith-Earl Rus-

sell's Reform Bill--And Mr Disraeli's-Dissolution of Parlia-

ment-Smith is elected for Westminster,

CHAPTER VI.

1868-1869.

Petition against Mr Smith's return-The trial and verdict-

Smith's maiden speech- -Debate on pauperism - Smith's

mistrust of charitable donations-Anecdotes illustrating his

principles of giving-The Telegraph Bill-Debates on dises-

tablishment of the Irish Church,

39

62

80

90

Visit to Paris-State of parties in Parliament-The smoking-

room of the House of Commons-Irish Land Bill-Elemen-

tary Education Bill-Smith's motion on the Thames Embank-

ment-Defeat of the Government thereon-Smith elected

to first London School Board-Religious difficulty arising

there settled on his motion-Assists emigration to Canada

--Debates on Army Bill, Budget, and Ballot Bill-Damaged

position of the Government-Irish Home Rule-Mr Glad-

stone's speech at Aberdeen,

100

CHAPTER VIII.

1872.

Meeting of Parliament-Unpopularity of Ministers—The Ballot

Bill-The Thames Embankment Scheme again-Smith sails

for America-Journal of travel,

114

CHAPTER IX.

1873-1874.

Increasing unpopularity of Ministers-Irish University Bill—

Defeat and resignation of the Government-Disraeli declines

to form a Cabinet-Mr Gladstone resumes office-Debate on

Budget Resolutions-Dissensions in Cabinet-Dissolution of

Parliament-General election-Conservative victory-The

poll in Westminster-Disraeli forms a Cabinet-Mr Smith

becomes Financial Secretary to the Treasury - Resigns

Treasurership of S.P.C.K.,.

125

CHAPTER X.

1874-1876.

Retirement of Mr Gladstone from lead of Liberal party-
Beginning of Smith's friendship with Northcote-He settles
to work at the Treasury-Visits Bournemouth-Lord Hart-