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- clear: both; } - h1.pg { font-weight: bold; - font-size: 190%; } - h2.pg { font-weight: bold; - font-size: 135%; } - h3.pg { font-weight: bold; - font-size: 110%; } - hr.full { width: 100%; - margin-top: 3em; - margin-bottom: 0em; - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; - height: 4px; - border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ - border-style: solid; - border-color: #000000; - clear: both; } - </style> -</head> -<body> -<h1 class="pg">The Project Gutenberg eBook, A Beacon for the Blind, by Winifred Holt</h1> -<p>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States -and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no -restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at <a -href="http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you are not -located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this ebook.</p> -<p>Title: A Beacon for the Blind</p> -<p> Being a Life of Henry Fawcett, the Blind Postmaster-General</p> -<p>Author: Winifred Holt</p> -<p>Release Date: June 12, 2016 [eBook #52310]</p> -<p>Language: English</p> -<p>Character set encoding: UTF-8</p> -<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A BEACON FOR THE BLIND***</p> -<p> </p> -<h4>E-text prepared by Richard Hulse, Elizabeth Oscanyan,<br /> - and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> - (<a href="http://www.pgdp.net">http://www.pgdp.net</a>)<br /> - from page images generously made available by<br /> - Internet Archive<br /> - (<a href="https://archive.org">https://archive.org</a>)</h4> -<p> </p> -<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;margin: 0 auto;" cellpadding="10"> - <tr> - <td valign="top"> - Note: - </td> - <td> - Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive. See - <a href="https://archive.org/details/cu31924028315400"> - https://archive.org/details/cu31924028315400</a> - </td> - </tr> -</table> -<p> </p> -<hr class="full" /> -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<div> - <h1 class='c000'><span class='xlarge'>A BEACON FOR THE BLIND</span></h1> -</div> - -<div id='frp' class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/i_frpiece.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p> <i>Photo. Emery Walker</i><br /><br />PROFESSOR AND MRS. FAWCETT<br />From the painting by Ford Madox Brown, now in the National Portrait Gallery</p> -</div> -</div> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div><span class='xxlarge'>A BEACON FOR THE BLIND</span></div> - <div class='c003'>BEING A LIFE OF</div> - <div class='c003'><span class='xxlarge'><em class='gesperrt'>HENRY FAWCETT</em></span></div> - <div class='c003'>THE BLIND POSTMASTER-GENERAL</div> - <div class='c003'><span class='small'>BY</span></div> - <div class='c003'><em class='gesperrt'>WINIFRED HOLT</em></div> - <div class='c001'><span class='small'>‘He that is greatest among you</span></div> - <div class='c004'><span class='small'>let him be servant of all.’</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='figcenter id002'> -<img src='images/ilogo.jpg' alt='Logo' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div class='c003'>BOSTON AND NEW YORK</div> - <div><em class='gesperrt'>HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY</em></div> - <div>1914</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div>THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED</div> - <div class='c003'>TO THE FIVE ON TWO CONTINENTS</div> - <div class='c003'>WHO MADE ITS WRITING POSSIBLE——</div> - <div class='c003'>IN ENGLAND, B. T. AND F. DE G. E.</div> - <div class='c003'>IN AMERICA, E. H. B., H. H.</div> - <div class='c003'>AND R. H.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_vii'>vii</span> - <h2 class='c005' title='Forward'>FOREWORD<br /> <br /><span class='small'>BY</span><br /> <br /><span class='sc'><span class='large'>The Right Honourable Viscount Bryce</span></span><br /><span class='sc'>late British Ambassador to America</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c006'>There has been no more striking example in our -time of how self-reliance and strength of purpose -can triumph over adverse fortune than that presented -by the career of Henry Fawcett. The story -of his life as it is to be told in this book will give -ample illustrations of his fortitude and his perseverance. -All that I, an old friend of his, need -speak of is a quality hardly less remarkable than -was his energy. I mean his cheerfulness. It -was specially wonderful and admirable in one -afflicted as he was. Nothing would seem so to cut -a man off from his fellows as the loss of sight, nor -would it appear possible to enjoy the charms of -external nature without seeing them. Fawcett, -however, delighted in society. He never moped. -He loved to be among his friends, and found an -inexhaustible pleasure in talk wherever he was, -in his College (Trinity Hall, Cambridge), at London -<span class='pageno' id='Page_viii'>viii</span>dinner-parties, in the lobbies or smoking-room of -the House of Commons. If he had moments of -sadness in solitude we knew nothing of them, for -in company he was always bright. His greetings -were joyous; his good spirits proverbial at -Cambridge, and indeed in all the circles that knew -him, making his friends feel, in any moments of -depression that might come upon them, half -ashamed to be less cheery than one with whom -fate had dealt so hardly. Without this natural -buoyancy of temper, even such a resolute will as -his might have failed to achieve so much as he -achieved. He seemed determined to hold on to -every possible source of enjoyment he had ever -known before sight was lost. That determination -used to strike me most in his fondness for open-air -nature and physical exercise. He loved not only -walking but riding. I remember how once when I -was staying with him in the same country house -in Surrey, our host arranged a long excursion on -horseback through the lanes and woods of the -pretty country that lies on both sides of the North -Downs, to the south-west of London. Fawcett -insisted on being one of the party, and when he -approached a place where the bridle-path ran -through a wood of beeches, whose spreading boughs -came down almost to the height of the horses’ -heads, he said to me, ‘Tell me to duck my head -<span class='pageno' id='Page_ix'>ix</span>whenever we come to a spot where the branches -are low.’ I felt uneasy, for if he had struck against -one of the thick boughs, he might have been unhorsed -and would certainly have been hurt. However, -I went in front and warned him as he had -desired. He rode on fearlessly, stooping low over -the horse’s neck whenever I called out to him to -do so, and he evidently enjoyed the fresh scent of -the woods and the rustling of the leaves just as -much as did all the rest of us.</p> - -<p class='c007'>His love of nature, joined to his sympathy with -the masses of the people, made him eager to secure -the preservation of public rights in commons and -village greens and footpaths. He was one of the -founders of that Commons Preservation Society -which has done so much to save open spaces in -England from the grasp of the spoiler; frequently -attended its meetings, and was always ready to -vote and speak in the House of Commons when -any question involving popular rights in the land -arose there.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At a time when extremely few non-official -persons in Parliament interested themselves in -the government and administration of India, -Fawcett, though he had never visited the East, -and had no family connection with it, felt, and set -himself to impress upon others, the grave responsibility -of Britain for the welfare of the peoples of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_x'>x</span>India. He studied with characteristic thoroughness -and assiduity the facts and conditions of -Indian life, the financial problems those conditions -involve, the needs and feelings of the subject -population. His speeches were of the greatest -value in calling public attention to these subjects, -and his name is gratefully remembered in India.</p> - -<p class='c007'>His mental powers were remarkable rather for -strength than for subtlety. It was an eminently -English intellect, forcible in its broad commonsense -way of looking at things, and in its disposition to -pass by side issues and refinements in order to go -straight to the main conclusions he desired to -enforce. This was what chiefly gave weight to -his speeches in Parliament and on the platform. -Debarred as he was from the use of writing, he -formed the habit of thinking out fully beforehand -both what he meant to say and the words in which -he meant to say it, and thus he became a master of -lucid statement and cogent argument, making each -of his points sharp and clear, and driving them -home in a way which every listener could comprehend. -The same merits of directness and -coherency are conspicuous in his writings on -political economy, his favourite study. There -were no dark corners in his mind any more than in -his political creed, or indeed in his course of action -as a statesman. In practical politics, it was said -<span class='pageno' id='Page_xi'>xi</span>of him, to use a familiar phrase, that you always -knew where to find him. That was one of the -qualities which secured for him not only the confidence -of his political friends but the respect of -his political opponents. When he died prematurely -he had reached a position in the House of -Commons which would have secured his early -admission to the Cabinet, and the only doubt -I ever heard raised was whether his blindness, -which would have made it necessary that documents, -however confidential, should be read aloud -to him, would have constituted a fatal obstacle.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The force of his character and the vigour of his -intellect must have ensured him a distinguished -career even had he been stricken by no calamity. -That he should have been stricken by one which -would have overwhelmed almost any other man, -and should have triumphed over it by his cheerful -and persistent courage, marks him out as an extraordinary -man, worthy to be long remembered.</p> -<div class='c008'>BRYCE.</div> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_xiii'>xiii</span> - <h2 class='c005' title='Introduction'>INTRODUCTION</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c006'>‘I wish we had Fawcett here to-day. At this -crisis England needs him sorely.’ These words, -said with much feeling by the late Lord Avebury, -were spoken to the writer of this book only two -years ago.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett is not needed only in England. His is -the type of man needed sorely to-day and every -day in every empire and democracy under the -sun. His example of valour against odds is just -as necessary for America as for the Mother Country, -for the men who are now doing the world’s work -as for the lads who will be at work to-morrow.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Sir Leslie Stephen said that while writing the -biography of Fawcett, there was not a single fact -which he had to conceal, nothing to explain away, -nothing to apologise for, and he judged the best -way to do his subject honour was to tell the plain -story as fully and as frankly as he could.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Sir Leslie wrote with the reticent dignity of one -recently grieving for the loss of his friend; the -present writer will have executed her task if she -has succeeded in throwing a more personal light -on the heroic figure of Fawcett.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_xiv'>xiv</span>This little book has no pretensions. It endeavours -merely to preserve carefully and reverently -glimpses and flashes—which might have -otherwise been lost—of a great life, a life of deep -significance not only to those who see, but especially -to those who, like Fawcett, must depend for their -vision on that inner eye which no calamity can -darken.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When he lost his sight, Fawcett had his fixed -manner of life, his tastes and ambitions, and he was -painfully forced to readjust himself to altered -aspects. The tracing of the beneficent effect of -this necessity on a man of his strong mind, body -and will, is a psychological study of deep interest.</p> - -<p class='c007'>His attitude towards questions that are still -vital, such as the treatment of dependent peoples, -the widening of the suffrage and the perfecting of -its machinery, make his personality still unique, -modern and absorbing.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A nearer view of the man, seen through the recollections -and anecdotes of his friends, shows his -intense love of fun, his high ideals and bravery, his -tremendous industry and accomplishment.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The author is grateful for permission to use the -facsimiles of the letters of Queen Victoria and the -Prince of Wales (King Edward).</p> - -<p class='c007'>She is also deeply obliged for the help given -by reminiscences and anecdotes from the Right -<span class='pageno' id='Page_xv'>xv</span>Honourable the late Lord Avebury; Dr. Beck, -Master of Trinity Hall, Cambridge; Dr. Henry -Bond; the Right Honourable Viscount Bryce, late -British Ambassador to America; Sir Francis -Campbell; the late Robert Campbell, Esq.; the -Honourable Joseph H. Choate, late American -Ambassador to Great Britain; Lord and Lady -Courtney; Sir Alfred Dale; the late Sir Robert -Hunter; the late Sir William Lee-Warner, G.C.S.I.; -the Right Honourable Viscount Morley; Lady -Ritchie, Miss McCleod Smith; the Right Honourable -the late James Stuart, Esq., and Mr. Sedley -Taylor.</p> - -<p class='c007'>She is particularly indebted to Miss Fawcett, the -sister of Mr. Fawcett, and to Mrs. Fawcett, his -widow, for their assistance. Their interest in the -book was a great stimulus towards its writing. -Mr. F. J. Dryhurst, C.B., who from 1871 to 1884 was -secretary to Mr. Fawcett, has been a great aid in -preparing the book. The greatest assistance has -been given by Miss de Grasse Evans and Miss -Beatrice Taylor, without whose sympathy and help -in various stages of the work its completion might -have been impossible.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It has been inevitable that Sir Leslie’s biography -should be largely quarried. His arrangement of -facts has been followed as the simplest and most -logical framework for the story, and descriptions -<span class='pageno' id='Page_xvi'>xvi</span>of scenes which he and his friends witnessed, and -stories of Fawcett not elsewhere given, have been -used. The admiration and gratitude of the novice -for help from the master biographer is here humbly -recorded.</p> - -<p class='c007'>This book should enhance the interest of the -older biography, which perhaps may be reintroduced -after many years oblivion—as it has been -out of print—by its younger and less formal -companion.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The material to be had has been used and -adapted as it might best serve, and the narrative -has not been interrupted to give its source; it is -believed that this policy will be in accordance with -the wishes of those of Mr. Fawcett’s appreciators -who have so generously helped.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The more we know about this brave, patient and -humorous man, the more inspiration we get; -and to help us to achieve and to rejoice—never was -inspiration more sorely needed than to-day! It -is in the hope of supplying a little of this great -need that this brief story of a steadfast life is -written.</p> -<div class='c008'>WINIFRED HOLT.</div> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_xvii'>xvii</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xxlarge'>CONTENTS</span></h2> -</div> - -<table class='table0' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='94%' /> -<col width='5%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c009'> </td> - <td class='c010'><span class='small'>PAGE</span></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'><b><span class='sc'>Foreword by the Right Hon. Viscount Bryce</span></b></td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_vii'>vii</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'><b><span class='sc'>Introduction</span></b></td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_xiii'>xiii</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='large'>YOUTH</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<table class='table1' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='94%' /> -<col width='5%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter I. Waterloo, the Mayor and the Baby</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_3'>3</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Fisherman—The Battle of Waterloo—The Mayor of Salisbury—the Mayor’s Son—The Market-place—The Circus—Boarding-School and Fun—A Diary</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter II. The Boy Lecturer</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_11'>11</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>A Lecture on the Uses of Steam—Parliamentary Ambitions—King’s College—Politics in the Fifties—Cribbage and Cricket</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='large'>CAMBRIDGE</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<table class='table1' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='94%' /> -<col width='5%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter III. The Tall Student</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_25'>25</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Peterhouse—Quoits and Billiards—Trinity Hall—A Fellowship—Lincoln’s Inn</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter IV. A Set Back</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_35'>35</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>A Trip to France—Wiltshire French—A Discouragement</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_xviii'>xviii</span><span class='large'>WINNING BACK</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<table class='table1' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='94%' /> -<col width='5%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter V. Darkness</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_43'>43</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>A Shooting Accident—Blindness—Readjustment</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter VI. Happiness</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_54'>54</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The clear-sighted Man—A Scot’s Accent—Mountain Climbing—Skating—Riding, etc.</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter VII. Distraction</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_63'>63</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Fishing—In the House of Commons—Need for Distraction—What Helen Keller thinks—Sir Francis Campbell—Leap Frog—Despair and Cheer—Paupers and Political Economy</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='large'>CAMBRIDGE AGAIN</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<table class='table1' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='94%' /> -<col width='5%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter VIII. The Problem of the Poor</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_75'>75</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>A Prime Object—Lincoln—Leslie Stephen—Daily Life at Cambridge—Deepening interest in Social Questions</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter IX. The Good Samaritan</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_84'>84</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>‘Ask Fawcett’—The Ancient Mariners and the Diplomat—Christmas Exceedings—Fawcett as Host—A Bore Foiled—The British Association</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter X. The Young Economist</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_94'>94</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Championing Darwin—Darwin at Down—Salisbury gossip—Meeting Mill—Fawcett for Lincoln and the Union—John Bright’s Dog—Chair of Political Economy</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_xix'>xix</span><span class='large'>THE PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL ECONOMY</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<table class='table1' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='94%' /> -<col width='5%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter XI. A Programme of Helpfulness</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_111'>111</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Triumphing over Blindness—The Professor’s Audience—Free Trade and Protection—The Luxury of Light—The Malady of Poverty</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter XII. The Schools of the Poor</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_119'>119</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Need of non-secular Education—Charity and Pauperism—Friendship with Working-Men—The Voice that Linked</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter XIII. The New M.P. and the Club</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_127'>127</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Thackeray and the Reform Club—The Popular M.P.—The Assassination of Lincoln—Marriage</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter XIV. The Woman and the Vote</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_135'>135</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Home in London—Sympathy with Woman Suffrage—The Blind Gardener—Clubs—Hatred of Flunkeyism</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='large'>THE NEW M.P.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<table class='table1' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='94%' /> -<col width='5%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter XV. Blind Superstitions</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_143'>143</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Speech before the British Association—Mill again—Bright and Lord Brougham—The Mythical Committee Room—Defeat at Southwark</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter XVI. Pure Politics</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_151'>151</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Defeat at Cambridge and Brighton—Routing a Chimæra—Elected the Member for Brighton—The House of Commons</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_xx'>xx</span><span class='sc'>Chapter XVII. A Prophetic Question in Parliament</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_162'>162</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Blind and Silent M.P.—His First Speech—Protecting Cattle, neglecting Children—Industry earns Penury—Mill ‘out’</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter XVIII. Gladstone Prime Minister</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_173'>173</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Opposition to Gladstone—‘The Most Thorough Radical Member in the House’—Growing Dissatisfaction with the Government—The Irish Universities Bill—Helping to Defeat his own Party</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='large'>SAVING THE PEOPLE’s PLAYGROUNDS</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<table class='table1' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='94%' /> -<col width='5%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter XIX. The Stolen Commons</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_185'>185</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Disappearance of the English Playgrounds and Commons—Fawcett’s First Protest—The Annual Enclosure Bill stopped by his Energetic Action</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter XX. The Fight for the Forest</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_194'>194</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Commons Preservation Society—The Saving of Epping Forest—The Queen’s Rights—The Lords of the Manors’ Rights.—The People’s Rights</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter XXI. For the People’s Woods and Streams</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_203'>203</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Saving the Forests—‘The Monstrous Notion’—Walking with Lord Morley—The Boat Race—Safeguarding the Rivers</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='large'>THE MEMBER FOR INDIA</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<table class='table1' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='94%' /> -<col width='5%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter XXII. What India Paid</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_217'>217</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>India Pays for English Hospitality—Royal English Generosity to India paid for by India—How to Deal with an Angry Opponent—Indian Finance and the poor Ryot—Gratitude from India—How Fawcett Prepared his Speeches</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_xxi'>xxi</span><span class='sc'>Chapter XXIII. The ‘One Man who cared for India’</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_227'>227</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Defeated at Brighton—Spectacles and the Man—Elected for Hackney</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter XXIV. Famine, Turks and Indians</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_234'>234</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'><i>Punch</i> and Fawcett—The Indian Famine—Parliamentary Interest Aroused in India—Bulgarian Atrocities—Afghanistan War—Gladstone’s Faith in Fawcett—A £9,000,000 Mistake</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='large'>A NEW KIND OF POSTMASTER-GENERAL</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<table class='table1' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='94%' /> -<col width='5%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter XXV. Liberals in Power</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_249'>249</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>General Expectation that Fawcett would join the Cabinet—Importance of a Fish—Postmaster-General—Queen Victoria Interested—Post Office Problems—Scientific Business Management Anticipated—Women’s Work—A Likeness to Lincoln</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter XXVI. Fresh Air, Blue Ribbons and Postmen</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_262'>262</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>A Day with the Postmaster-General—How he Worked—Reform—The Parcel Post</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter XXVII. The Pennies of the Poor</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_275'>275</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Cheap Postal Orders—Savings Bank—Life Insurance—Two Post Office Pamphlets to Help the People—Cheap Telegrams—Telephones—‘The Man for the Post’—‘Words are Silver, Silence is Gold’</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_xxii'>xxii</span><span class='large'>A TRIUMPHANT END</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<table class='table1' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='94%' /> -<col width='5%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter XXVIII. At Home and at Court</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_287'>287</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Appreciating Opponents—Hackney Address—Proportional Representation—Justice for Women—A State Concert—Humble Friendships—Pigs—Salisbury again</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter XXIX. A Grave Illness</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_300'>300</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Illness—Convalescence—Musical Discrimination</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter XXX. Among the Blind</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_306'>306</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>A Leader of the Blind—Honours—His Last Speech</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <th class='c011'><span class='sc'>Chapter XXXI. Light</span></th> - <th class='c010'><a href='#Page_311'>311</a></th> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Passing—The People Grieve—Sorrow in Parliament—The Nation’s Loss—Letters from Queen Victoria, the Prince of Wales (the late King Edward) and Gladstone—The Railroad Men’s Tribute—The Significance of his Life—India’s Loss—Fawcett’s Message</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'><b><span class='sc'>Henry Fawcett, from ‘Punch’</span></b></td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_327'>327</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'><b><span class='sc'>Appendix</span></b></td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_329'>329</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'><b><span class='sc'>Index</span></b></td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#Page_335'>335</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_xxiii'>xxiii</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xxlarge'>ILLUSTRATIONS</span></h2> -</div> - -<table class='table0' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='70%' /> -<col width='29%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <td class='c012'><span class='sc'>Professor and Mrs. Fawcett</span></td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#frp'><i>Frontispiece</i></a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'><span class='sc'>Henry Fawcett’s Mother</span></td> - <td class='c010'><a href='#fp6'><i>Facing page</i> 6</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'><span class='sc'>Henry Fawcett before he was Blind</span></td> - <td class='c010'>„ <a href='#fp26'>26</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'><span class='sc'>Miss Maria Fawcett</span></td> - <td class='c010'>„ <a href='#fp50'>50</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'><span class='sc'>Henry Fawcett at Cambridge, 1863</span></td> - <td class='c010'>„ <a href='#fp102'>102</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'><span class='sc'>Henry Fawcett and Mrs. Fawcett</span></td> - <td class='c010'>„ <a href='#fp130'>130</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'><span class='sc'>Henry Fawcett</span></td> - <td class='c010'>„ <a href='#fp180'>180</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'><span class='sc'>Henry Fawcett and his Father</span></td> - <td class='c010'>„ <a href='#fp204'>204</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'><span class='sc'>Henry Fawcett</span></td> - <td class='c010'>„ <a href='#fp224'>224</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'><span class='sc'>Fawcett’s Signature and Seal as Postmaster-General of England</span></td> - <td class='c010'>„ <a href='#fp252'>252</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'><span class='sc'>The Man for the Post</span></td> - <td class='c010'>„ <a href='#fp272'>272</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'><span class='sc'>The New Stamp Duty</span></td> - <td class='c010'>„ <a href='#fp276'>276</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'><span class='sc'>Here stands a Post</span></td> - <td class='c010'>„ <a href='#fp282'>282</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'><span class='sc'>Facsimile of a Letter from Queen Victoria to Mrs. Fawcett</span></td> - <td class='c010'>„ <a href='#fp316'>316</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'><span class='sc'>Facsimile of a Letter from the Prince of Wales (King Edward VII.) to Mrs. Fawcett</span></td> - <td class='c010'>„ <a href='#fp318'>318</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c012'><span class='sc'>Memorial in Westminster Abbey</span></td> - <td class='c010'>„ <a href='#fp322'>322</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_1'>1</span><span class='xxlarge'>YOUTH</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_2'>2</span>‘Where the pools are bright and deep,</div> - <div class='line'>Where the gray trout lies asleep,</div> - <div class='line'>Up the river and over the lea,</div> - <div class='line'>That’s the way for Billy and me.’</div> - <div class='c014'><span class='sc'>James Hogg</span>.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_3'>3</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER I</span><br /> <br />WATERLOO, THE MAYOR, AND THE BABY</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>The Fisherman—The Battle of Waterloo—The Mayor -of Salisbury—The Mayor’s Son—The Market-place—The -Circus—Boarding-School and Fun—A Diary.</p> - -<p class='c006'>One midsummer day in 1815 a young draper’s -assistant was gently fishing in the Salisbury Avon. -William Fawcett was but lately come to Salisbury, -yet he already knew his river. While trying a deep -pool in the shadow of a bridge near the town he -was startled by shouts from the roadway above. -‘News from the army! A great victory! Boney -in flight!’</p> - -<p class='c007'>The fisherman forgot his fish, and hurried away -to join the rejoicing crowd gathering in the market-place. -There having been bustled to the roof of -a stage-coach, and had the gazette containing the -news thrust into his hands, he read out in his remarkably -clear and resonant voice the account of the -great battle of Waterloo.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Rejoicings.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Seventeen years later, when the shopkeeper had -become the Mayor of Salisbury, he again led the -town in rejoicings. The great Reform Bill had -become law. Salisbury townsfolk were henceforth -to have a voice in the councils of the nation, -and the barren hill on which stood the pocket -<span class='pageno' id='Page_4'>4</span>borough of old Sarum was no longer to mock them -with its political power.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The town joyously prepared to celebrate the -event. The houses were decorated. Elaborate -illuminations were set up. Victory, assisted by -Greek gods and goddesses, presided over a transparency -in which Britannia throttled the hydra -of corruption, while Wellington and Peel scowled -in the background. Meat and beer were given to -the poor; in the market-place, at great fires lighted -in the open air, whole sheep were roasted. The -smoke swirled blindly about the bustling crowd, -and then surged up past the latticed windows of -the Mayor’s house, to seek in ever thinning rifts -the spire of the wonderful cathedral that for -centuries has watched over the destinies of the -town. The next day was held in the market-place -a great banquet, at which the Mayor presided; -and after dinner all adjourned to the Green Croft -Cricket Ground, where his Worship led off the -dance with a prominent and elderly lady of the -town—the Mayor resplendent in plaited shirt frill -and high stock, the buckles on his shoes twinkling -as he cut ‘pigeon wings,’ the lady sedate in -her wide brocade gown, her poke bonnet, and lace -veil.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett’s heart was as light as his heels on that -occasion. All his life he had been a reformer, a -staunch Liberal, ardent for the extension of the -franchise. It says much for his personal charm -and worth that, in a close Tory borough such as -<span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span>Salisbury then was, he should have been chosen -Mayor by his political opponents.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Mayor and his Wife.</div> - -<p class='c007'>So dear to his heart was the spirit of freedom -that the Mayor had forsooth to fall in love with -the daughter of the solicitor who acted as agent -for the Liberal party. Miss Mary Cooper was a -good and clever woman, deeply interested in -politics, and as ardent a reformer as the man she -married.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The couple were sociable and humorous. They -kept a good table, laid in an excellent stock of -wine, and diffused such a pleasant atmosphere of -hospitality that they became immensely popular, -and many distinguished people sought their company. -But William Fawcett was not only a good -townsman, he was a good countryman as well, a -great jumper, a keen sportsman, a good shot, and -a renowned fisherman.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Brick-house Baby.</div> - -<p class='c007'>In 1833, when the Princess Victoria was fourteen -years old, when the negro slaves were being freed -throughout the British Colonies, when Stephenson -had completed his locomotive and the first railroads -had been started, when all things seemed -to be pushing and striving for independence and -progress, in the Mayor’s old low red-brick house -overlooking the market-place, in a wonderful Elizabethan -room, on 26th August, Henry Fawcett was -born.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The baby seems to have been singularly like -most other babies. He shared the uneventful -placidity of his nursery with an older brother, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_6'>6</span>William, and a sister, Sarah Maria. Six years -later there came another brother, Thomas Cooper.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Market.</div> - -<p class='c007'>When Harry was four years old Queen Victoria, -whom he was to serve in so distinguished a capacity, -came to the throne. But it was still too early to -find in Harry indications of the future statesman. -He was delicate, and much spoiled at home, had -a strong will of his own, and was on the whole -rather selfish. He was not an imaginative child, -though he loved at times, holding his sister Maria -tightly by the hand, to venture into the great -cathedral and see the coloured light as it filtered -through the high windows, or to thrill in response -to the thundering of the great organ. But more -often we find him, still very tiny, standing squarely -on his feet, inquiring with real interest the price -of bacon, how much sheep and wool brought; or -walking with his father and wearying him with -ceaseless economic questions as to ‘Why are things -cheaper to-day than last month?’ ‘Why does -butter cost more than milk?’ until that patient -man was heard to exclaim not too patiently, ‘Harry -asks me so many questions that he quite worries -me.’</p> -<div id='fp6' class='figcenter id003'> -<img src='images/i_006fp.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p>HENRY FAWCETT’s MOTHER</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>He went to a Dame’s school, where his first -teacher said that she had never had so troublesome -a pupil, that his head was like a colander; -but Harry puts the case more pathetically when -he tells his mother that ‘Mrs. Harris says if we -go on, we shall kill her, and we do go on,’ regretfully -adding, ‘and yet she does not die.’ A -<span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span>schoolmate of these days says that Harry lisped -very much, and that the boys used to tease him -about it. He was also so slow about his lessons -that they called him thickhead. But when school -was out Harry entered the realms he loved. From -his home on the market-place he had only to go -outside the door to be at once in touch with the -active world whose economic problems appealed -to him so keenly. He made friends among the -country folk, and talked of their crops and the -money they would bring, and noted in his childish -mind the rise and fall in the price of wheat.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Circus.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Then to the same open space came all sorts of -travelling shows. Sometimes the circus spread -its mysterious tents, and when the children were -dragged away from the wild beasts and the seductive -freaks and put to bed, the little Fawcetts -would stealthily creep to the bedroom window -overlooking the market and see the lights shining -on all the wonderful but forbidden marvels, and -hear the hurdy-gurdy and the band mix their -triumphal blare with the solemn striking of the -clock in the near-by cathedral.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Boarding-School.</div> - -<p class='c007'>In 1841 Harry’s father took a delightful farmhouse -at Longford, about three miles south of -Salisbury, with delectable streams full of fish. -Harry loved to fish every day, and hated lessons, -but, alas! grim fate backed the lessons, and sent -him ruthlessly to school. He went as a boarder -to Mr. Sopp at Alderbury, a few miles away.</p> - -<p class='c007'>There are many tales showing that Harry loved -<span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span>the fleshpots and that he had been much indulged -at home. He writes, ‘I have begun Ovid—I -hate it.’ ‘This is a beastly school—milk and -water, no milk—bread and butter, no butter. -Please give a quarter’s notice.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>And still more heartrending was the prayer to -his mother, ‘Please when the family has quite -finished with the ham bone, send it to me.’ Imagination -can supply the effect of this on the family -circle, and guess what a well-covered ham bone -was shipped to the starving Harry. Starving or -no, he grew immensely stronger and larger, and -though he never admitted that he got enough to -eat at any school, he became ultimately reconciled -to his exile.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He used to come home often for half-holidays, -and to go to Longford and revel in all country -delights. Then began the close friendships with -the cottagers about him which meant so much -to him and influenced all his life.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the summer that completed his tenth year -there came to Salisbury two men who also loved -the common people and sought to make their -lives easier. It was the year of the great Free -Trade campaign in the agricultural districts, and -the men were Cobden and Bright. They visited -Harry’s father, and perhaps Harry himself met -them then for the first time. Lord Morley has -said in his life of Cobden that ‘the picture of these -two men, leaving their homes and their business, -and going over the length and breadth of the land -<span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>to convert the nation, had about it something -apostolic.’ In a home where they and their teachings -were so reverenced, to even hear of their -journeyings would make a strong impression on -a boy of Harry’s interests, and perhaps helped to -give a definite aim to his ambitions.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At Mr. Sopp’s school he began a diary, of which -the penmanship is admirable. On some days the -only record is the startling fact, ‘It was a very -fine day.’ June 21st, 1847, however, is a very -eventful day, for he lists the capture of the first -fish that he took with a fly, which weighed ‘about -three-quarters of a pound.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Hedgehogs and Cake.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Again, he is transported with joy by the gift of -a hedgehog and four young ones, and he has a -glorious time in going on board H.M.S. <i>Howe</i>, of -one hundred and twenty guns. On one occasion -he goes to the theatre, on another he is in court -hearing a trial. He begins Greek, and this anguish -is modified by the arrival of a cake for one of his -schoolfellows, which Harry doubtless shares.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A change of scene is recorded in the diary when -on 3rd August Henry becomes the first pupil at -Queenwood College. In its previous career this -temple of learning had been Harmony Hall, built -by Robert Owen for his last socialist experiment. -In 1817 it was opened as a school by Mr. Edmonson, -a Quaker. Special emphasis was given to scientific -training and English literature. The school seems -to have been very congenial to Harry, and his -intellect now began to develop rapidly.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Editor.</div> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>To continue from the diary, we learn that ‘we -elected the various school officers. J. Mansergh -and I were elected without opposition editors of -the <i>Queenwood Chronicle</i>.’ He had been at Queenwood -but a fortnight, and was fourteen years old -when this great honour came to him. Mr. Fawcett -was delighted at this good news, and offered because -of it and because Harry had been ’studying -most determinedly’ to take the boy to Stonehenge. -His aversion to books had distressed his family, -and this new interest in his studies gave his father -great pleasure. On reading a composition which -Harry had sent home, Mr. Fawcett exclaimed to -his wife, ‘I really think, mother, after all that -there is something in that boy!’ His literary -performances at this time indicate an increasing -imagination, but in the main he never deviated -from the practical paths of thought shown when -as a tiny child he studiously investigated the -Salisbury market. His schoolmates report him -as ‘tall for his age, loose-limbed, and rather ungainly.’ -He had become much of a bookworm, -and though later good at games, at this time he -preferred to wander off by himself and read. He -was strongest in mathematics; languages did -not much appeal to him; but he liked to learn -long passages of poetry by heart. There was a -disused chalk-pit near Queenwood where he would -take refuge and declaim his lines. The extravagance -of his gesticulations might well cause unexpecting -passers-by to consider him the village loony.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER II</span><br /> <br />THE BOY LECTURER</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>A Lecture on the uses of Steam—Parliamentary Ambitions—King’s -College—Politics in the Fifties—Cribbage -and Cricket.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Fawcett was interested in the scientific lectures, -and he had a very good time. Professor Tyndall -took them out surveying. Harry comments on -a lecture at which he heard that there ‘is fire -in everything, even ice’; he also records some -chemical experiments in the laboratory.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In September the diary states, ‘I began writing -my lecture on phonography, on the uses of steam -without copying any of it.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>There is an error here, as these were two lectures, -not one. That on steam, in a blue marbled-covered -copy-book, lies before the writer. The -title, inscribed in tall, shaded handwriting, contained -within scrupulously ruled lines, is:</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>=================================</div> - <div>A Lecture delivered by H. Fawcett</div> - <div>On Uses of Steam</div> - <div>At Queenwood College</div> - <div>September 27, 1847.</div> - <div>=================================</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>The ink, which was black sixty-six years ago, is -now much faded; but the essay of the fourteen-year-old -schoolboy is still fresh and interesting, -and so prophetic of the man that it is like a simple -map indicating the chief features of the country -we are about to see.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Henry writes in his careful penmanship, for -which he must have been marked at least 9+ in a -scale of 10, ‘Things which appear simple to an -unobserving Person are to an observing Person -the most complicated and beautifully formed -... such a simple Thing as a blade of Grass, -has ever any Man been yet so wise as to tell what -it is?’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Essayist.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Here is another curious sentence written by the -bright-eyed youngster with the monumental dignity -of the lecturer:</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘What can be so beautifully contrived and -framed as the human Body, where there are innumerable -Parts, acting all in Unity?... if one -of the Parts go wrong, the whole Body is put out -of Tune ... is there any one Part of our Body -which we could dispense with?... I think the -Answer “No” must be evident to every one.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>It is curious that Fawcett should have been -called upon later by the loss of his eyesight to -contradict this childish statement, and to prove -not only that we can get along without some of our -most precious faculties, but that the law of compensation -so works that we may be able to accomplish -more by reason of the loss.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>The essay proceeds to deal with railways, and -contains all kinds of figures relating to tonnage, -trains, traffics, the cost of railroad construction, -etc., all with careful, correct figures; a complicated -study for a railroad expert. This schoolboy is -already coping with the figures and statistics of -which he had later such a marvellous control. -He dwells on the importance of the railroad to the -Wiltshire farmer, who can sell his cheese at sevenpence -a pound in London, when it is only worth -sixpence where it is made. In this and similar -statements we find the political economist foreshadowed: -he speaks of the nobility who selfishly -object to having railways, which he feels are the -greatest help to the common people; and he adds, -‘A Man should sacrifice a little of his own Pleasure -when he knows that by sacrificing that Pleasure -he will benefit the People at large.’ We must note -that pleasure is always spelt with a beautiful and -exceptionally large P.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Later there are some intelligent remarks on the -power of a railway to create traffic, so that ’some -Railways have been made between two Places -where there was not sufficient Traffic for a Coach, -and yet when they are made, a Trade springs up, -and they pay very well indeed.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Transporta-tion—Rich and Poor.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He further approves of the railway as a means -of cheap transportation, and remarks, ‘Many a -Person can avail himself of a Day’s Pleasure ...’ -or, ‘Enjoy the beautiful Air of some Country -Village.’ Here we have not only the keystone of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>Henry Fawcett’s character, but indications of the -political activities in which he was to be so pre-eminent. -His public career was one long, unbroken -effort to do away with the monopolies and prerogatives -of any class, and so to increase the independence -and rights of the poor.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The essay continues by quoting from an article -in the <i>Quarterly Review</i> written in 1825, which -considers it impossible that an engine could travel -eighteen miles an hour. With evident joy he -quotes, ‘The gross Exaggerations of the Powers of -the Locomotive Steam Engine, or to speak English, -the Steam Carriage, may delude for a time, but -must end in Mortification to those concerned. -We should as soon expect the People of Woolwich -to suffer themselves to be fired off in Congreve’s -Ricochet Rockets, as to trust themselves to the -Mercies of such a Machine going at such a rate.’ -Harry himself then tells of the M.P. who insisted -that the best possible locomotive could not compete -with a canal boat. The scribe seems fully to -appreciate the humour of this, and so foreshadows -the love of fun and the vibrant laugh of the man -to be.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Steam-engines lead to steamships. Our author -now invites us to cross ‘the wide heaving Ocean,’ -saying, ‘When you are on a Voyage in a Steam -Vessel you feel none of that Inconvenience of -having to remain at Anchor for two or three Weeks -waiting for a favourable Wind ... you can proceed, -for you are quite independent of the Winds, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>and the Speed of a Steam Vessel is very considerably -greater than that of any other Vessel.’ A -steam vessel went from Liverpool to Boston in -eleven days and nine hours, and yet when steam -navigation was struggling into existence ‘it struck -the minds of our brave Captains as a poor mean -mechanical Thing unworthy of the least Consideration.’... -‘I think you may almost remark’ (note -the conservative discretion) ‘that the greatest and -most useful inventions when they are struggling -into Existence receive the greatest Opposition, because -they make great changes, and most people, -especially the ignorant, are generally very adverse -to any changes.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Patriotism—Bonaparte and Babylon.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Now he boasts magnificently about the British -navy and merchant marine, approves of Bonaparte’s -wisdom in coveting the British sailors, and -yet prudently warns all against pride, citing the -lamentable consequence of lack of humility to -Babylon and Nineveh. We are asked to consider -the relative values of coal, diamonds, gold, and -silver, and are informed that ‘every Difficulty -can be overcome by steady Perseverance—some -Persons will never scarcely be overcome by Difficulties—they -say they will do it, and they will -never rest till they have performed what they want -to, and it is to Men like these that we are indebted.... -No Improvements or Inventions will run into -a Person’s Mind like Water will run into a Bottle, -but they come from Years of Study and Perseverance.’</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>We are asked, ‘Do you suppose that Sir Isaac -Newton established the Laws of Gravitation without -some trouble, do you suppose that such a Piece -of Poetry as Milton’s “Paradise Lost” was written -without a Moment’s Thought—or do you suppose -that Watt improved the Steam Engine without -some hard Labour?’ Our scribe then finishes his -masterpiece with a stupendous finale, by the help -of a bit of poetry culled from an American newspaper -and entitled the ’song of Steam,’ a verse -of which will be sufficient:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>‘I’ve no Muscle to weary, no Breast to decay,</div> - <div class='line in2'>No Bones to be laid on the “Shelf,”</div> - <div class='line'>And soon I intend you may go and play,</div> - <div class='line in2'>While I manage the World by myself.’</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>This <i>magnum opus</i>, being now successfully brought -to completion, is signed in full, no longer, as on the -title-page, with only the initial of his first name, -but by Henry Fawcett, writ exceedingly large and -clear, Queenwood College, October 12th, 1847. -Every page in the marbled copy-book has been -filled with various spellings, and only a very few -erasures, between 27th September and 12th October.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We have quoted this delicious essay as fully as -space would allow, not only on account of its -unique charm, but because every page is coloured -by a preoccupation with those subjects and a love -for those traits of human nature which were later -so characteristic of Henry Fawcett, the teacher and -statesman. In fact, we may accept this essay on -<span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>steam as his official debut. The lecture had an -encore at Salisbury in the family circle, when, as -Harry writes, all were ‘much pleased with it, and -Papa promised to give me a sovereign for it.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Phonography and simplified Spelling.</div> - -<p class='c007'>His lecture on phonography is much in the -spirit of to-day, when simplified spelling is causing -such ardent controversies. Harry comments that -‘out of fifty thousand Words in the language, only -fifty are written as they are pronounced.’ We -must note that in these writings his own inventions -in spelling tend to change these statistics.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The range of his composition at this period is -great. An article on ‘Angling and Sir Isaac -Walton’ is in happy contrast to the account of a -first visit to London. Another fragment contains -the acute observation that ’statesmen depend -upon their brains.’ In another essay called -‘Reflection’ an imaginary trip is taken past Spain, -during which the author ponders on people who -are ‘made poor by gold.’ Progressing to Egypt, -we are told that Mahomet was ‘in many respects -a worthy man.’ Arriving in India, our guide -tells us of a company of men who, ‘occupying a -house of no very considerable size in London, have -entirely from their enterprise and powers of mind, -got possession of many thousand acres of land.’ -Does this refer to the East India Company, and -had Harry seen the stately East India House in -Leadenhall Street on that first visit to London?</p> - -<p class='c007'>The breathless exuberant feat of imagination -and philosophy closes with quotations from Portia’s -<span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>lines to Mercy and Cicero’s oration on Verres, -both of which, the author truthfully says, ’show -powers of reflection.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Harry was writing and studying with a definite -end in view. Already the youth had determined -on a political career, and when the schoolboys -discussed their plans for the future he invariably -declared that he meant to be a Member of Parliament. -The statement was received with roars of -laughter, but Harry remained imperturbably sure.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Still at the foot of the Class.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He was at Queenwood for a year and a half, -and then went to London, where he first attended -King’s College School, and then King’s College. -A schoolmate described him as ‘a very tall boy -with pale whitey brown hair, who always stood -at the bottom of the lower sixth class.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>He attended the school in his fifteenth and -sixteenth years, and then went to lectures in the -college until the summer of 1852, when he was -nineteen years old.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Standing in the school was, in those days, -entirely determined by knowledge of the classics, -for which Fawcett showed a grand indifference; -but he gained the arithmetic prize in 1849, also the -class-work prize, the first prize in German, and the -second in French in the same term. His knowledge -of these languages was always so vague that we fear -his teacher was over-partial in the award, or that -the other boys were strangely deficient. In 1850 -he carried off another honour for mathematics, -and a first prize after that in the Michaelmas -<span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>term. The masters noted Fawcett’s unusual -mathematical power, and were also impressed by -his ability to write English prose.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>King’s College and Cricket.</div> - -<p class='c007'>At Easter in 1851 he left school and worked -only at the college for mathematics and classics. -We hear that he made no particular mark; but he -occasionally played billiards and cricket, and he -was already an interested spectator in the gallery -of the House of Commons.</p> - -<p class='c007'>During his stay in London he lived with some -family connections, a Mr. and Mrs. Fearon. Mr. -Fearon was a Chief Office Keeper at Somerset -House, and lived there. Somerset House adjoins -King’s College, and this was fortunate for Harry, -who, when he first went to London, had much -outgrown his strength. The hours spent in the -little parlour tucked away in the vast building -were not without charm for the home-loving boy. -Sitting on the corner of the horse-hair sofa, with -its relentless early Victorian back and its unyielding -springs, trying, mostly in vain, not to disturb -Mrs. Fearon’s best antimacassar, he would cheerfully -play cribbage by the hour with his hostess, -while his host expounded pungently on the questions -of the day. Harry had passed from the -Liberalism of the country home to the Liberalism -of the metropolis. For both, Bright and -Cobden were now leaders and standard-bearers, -though Lord Palmerston was the Party Chief. -Free Trade had been won, but neither Parliament -nor country had settled down to it as a policy, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>the need of another and more democratic Reform -Bill was looming up on the political horizon.</p> - -<p class='c007'>These were the days that followed the abortive -revolutions of ‘48. The battle for political independence -was raging everywhere, but both -leaders and rank and file were learning with -bitterness to make haste slowly. None the less, -hearts were glowing hotly for Freedom, and while -Fawcett was in London, Kossuth, the Hungarian, -was welcomed with enthusiasm. He followed -Carl Schurz, that valiant apostle of Liberty, to -America, where Garibaldi was already working at -his soap factory on Staten Island. There was no -doubt as to the heartiness of Kossuth’s reception -across the Atlantic. The fire of Freedom burnt -to high heaven there: was it not sufficient proof -of this that the dandies of that land reverently -encased their mighty brains in the Kossuth hat? -Talk of these great men, of their vain endeavours, -of the persecution of the poor, of the need of opening -cages and letting in the light of Freedom, made -its mark on Harry, and he often spoke afterwards -of Fearon’s ‘quaint and forcible’ phrases.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In 1851 was the great Exhibition in Hyde Park. -Did Harry’s tall head peer above the crowd that -lined the streets as Queen Victoria drove in state to -the opening of that proud achievement? One would -like to think that once with seeing eyes Fawcett -beheld the little lady who presided over England’s -destinies throughout his working life.</p> - -<p class='c007'>And now Mr. Fawcett, senior, conscientiously -<span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>counting his pennies, and the ability which his -son had already shown as a student, went to his -neighbour, the Dean of Salisbury. He showed the -Dean Harry’s mathematical papers, and asked for -advice about the next step. It was not customary -for one of Harry’s social standing to go to a university, -and the strain on the paternal purse to -send him there would be considerable, but the -Dean had no doubt that Cambridge offered the -proper opening. The sacrifice was cheerfully -made.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div><span class='xxlarge'>CAMBRIDGE</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> -<p class='c016'>‘I count life just a stuff to try the soul’s strength on<br /> -—educe the man.’—<span class='sc'>Browning</span>.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER III</span><br /> <br />THE TALL STUDENT</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>Peterhouse—Quoits and Billiards—Trinity Hall—A -Fellowship—Lincoln’s Inn.</p> - -<div class='c001'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>The new Under-graduate.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Harry knew that for his father’s sake it was -necessary for him to be self-supporting as soon -as possible, and therefore chose his college on -purely financial grounds. He went to Peterhouse, -where the fellowships could be held by laymen, -and were reported to be of unusual value.</p> - -<p class='c007'>His great friend, Sir Leslie Stephen, saw him -there for the first time. We cannot do better than -quote from Sir Leslie’s biography of Fawcett the -impression his subject then made upon him:</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘I saw Fawcett for the first time a few months -after his entrance (in October 1852).... I could -point to the precise spot on the bank of the Cam -where I noticed a very tall, gaunt figure swinging -along with huge strides upon the towing path. -He was over 6 feet 3 inches in height. His chest, -I should say, was not very broad in proportion to -his height, but he was remarkably large of bone -and massive of limb.</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘The face was impressive, though not handsome. -The skull was very large; my own head vanished -<span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>as into a cavern if I accidentally put on his hat. -The forehead was lofty, though rather retreating, -and the brow finely arched.</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘The complexion was rather dull, but more than -one of his early acquaintance speaks of the brightness -of his eye and the keenness of his glance. -The eyes were full and capable of vivid expression, -though not, I think, brilliant in colour. The -features were strong, and, though not delicately -carved, were far from heavy, and gave a general -impression of remarkable energy. The mouth -long, thin-lipped, and very flexible, had a characteristic -nervous tremor as of one eager to speak and -voluble of discourse....</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘A certain wistfulness was a frequent shade of -expression. But a singularly hearty and cordial -laugh constantly lighted up the whole face with -an expression of most genial and infectious good-humour.<a id='r3-1' /><a href='#f3-1' class='c017'><sup>[3-1]</sup></a></p> - -<div class='footnote' id='f3-1'> -<p class='c007'><span class='label'><a href='#r3-1'>3-1</a>. </span>Sir Leslie Stephen, speaking of the photograph reproduced to -face p. 26, says, ‘The rather peculiar expression of the eyes -results from the weakness of sight presently to be noticed which -made him shrink from any strong light.’</p> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>‘On my first glimpse of Fawcett, however, I was -troubled by a question of classification. I vaguely -speculated as to whether he was an undergraduate, -or a young farmer, or possibly somebody connected -with horses at Newmarket, come over to see the -sights. He had a certain rustic air, in strong -contrast to that of the young Pendennises who -might stroll along the bank to make a book upon -the next boat race.</p> - -<div id='fp26' class='figcenter id004'> -<img src='images/i_026fp.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p>HENRY FAWCETT BEFORE HE WAS BLIND</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>‘He rather resembled some of the athletic figures -who may be seen at the side of a north-country -wrestling-ring. Indeed, I fancy that Fawcett may -have inherited from his father some of the characteristics -of the true long-legged, long-limbed -Dandie Dinmont type of north-countryman. The -impression was, no doubt, fixed in my mental -camera because I was soon afterwards surprised -by seeing my supposed rustic dining in our College -Hall. I insist upon this because it may indicate -Fawcett’s superficial characteristics on his first -appearance at Cambridge.</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘Many qualities, which all his friends came to -recognise sooner or later, were for the present -rather latent, or, maybe, undeveloped. The first -glance revealed the stalwart, bucolic figure, with -features stamped by intelligence, but that kind of -intelligence which we should rather call shrewdness -than by any higher name.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Sports and Games.</div> - -<p class='c007'>At first the men of his own year were inclined -to estimate Harry as an outsider in sports and -games. His simple provincial ways gave little -sign of expert skill. But he won his way in -dramatic fashion. An undergraduate nick-named -the ‘Captain’ challenged him to a game of quoits. -Salisbury’s native game is quoits; Harry was well -trained, and won easily. Then the battle shifted -to billiards. Captain’s score pushed steadily -ahead until in a game of a hundred points he had -ninety-six to Harry’s seventy-five: four points -more for the Captain, twenty-five for Harry. The -<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>onlookers vociferously offered ten to one on the -Captain. Fawcett gravely took all the bets offered -at this rate, and any others that he could get, and -then calmly, in a single break, made the twenty-five -necessary points.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>A successful Game of Billiards.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett is quoted as having given this account, -‘Bets were forced on me; but the odds were -really more than ten to one against my making -twenty-five in any position of the balls, but I saw -a stroke which I knew that I could make, and which -would leave me a fine game.’ No matter by what -magic the feat was achieved, it filled his pockets, -and cleared for ever any doubts in his companions’ -minds as to the capacity and shrewdness of ‘Old -Serpent,’ as he was then dubbed, and by which -nickname he went for a brief time.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He never gambled again. The story is paralleled -in later years by an equally solitary financial -speculation. He then showed the same quickness -in seizing the facts and calculating the chances, -the same boldness in acting on his own judgment, -and the same restraint in not repeating the -adventure.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He disapproved of gambling, and had a wholesome -dislike of it. His sense of fun made it impossible -for him ever to have a holier-than-thou -attitude, but his common sense and natural goodness -kept him singularly free from the failings so -common among his associates. While anything -but a Puritan, he ‘was in all senses perfectly blameless -in his life.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Making Friends.</div> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>He had a rare talent for friendship, attracting -people to him as easily as he was attracted to -them, and his faculty of making friends and keeping -them held to the end. He was never known -to lose a friend.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Those who knew him well appreciated his strong -intellectual equipment. Perhaps his chief characteristics -were his absolute normality, his remarkable -freedom from self-consciousness, his -common sense, and his ever-present sense of fun. -These early years at the university, when the lank -boy was emerging into the statesman, were years -of great happiness and joviality. Fawcett found -many congenial spirits, and formed intimacies -among men destined to distinguished careers. -Most of his associates were good workers, but not -particularly given to intellectual subtleties. Music -made slight appeal to him, and he was flagrantly -ignorant of classics and modern languages, and -made no pretence to culture. The young Cambridge -men of this period were greatly afraid of -sentimentality, and devotees of the ‘God of Things -as they are.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>But there was one subject peculiarly attractive -to the men with whom Fawcett consorted—political -economy. And in those days political -economy meant Mill. His book, gathering together -all the last words of the science, had been -written a very few years before Fawcett went to -Cambridge. It had had a phenomenal success, -and it and its author were enjoying a phenomenal -<span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>authority. Edward Wilson, a brilliant Senior, -well represented the feeling of his day, when he -would confute all opposition by an apt quotation, -leaving Mill triumphantly supreme, and then close -his vindication with the cry, ‘Read Mill! Read -Mill!’ Fawcett did, from early till late, until he -knew the book by heart. As he was thoroughly -inoculated with this cult, his reverence for Mill -was one of his strong steadfast beliefs through -life.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett begrudged time taken from his books, -and never rowed in his college boat, although Sir -Leslie Stephen writes:</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Boating.</div> - -<p class='c007'>‘That he occasionally performed in the second -boat, I remember by this circumstance, that I can -still hear him proclaiming in stentorian tones and in -good vernacular from an attic window to a captain -of the boat on the opposite side of the quadrangle, -and consequently to all bystanders below, that he -had a pain in his inside and must decline to row. -I have some reason to think that he had felt bad -effects from some previous exertions, and had been -warned by a doctor against straining himself. I -have an impression that there was some weakness -in the heart’s action. Fawcett, like many men who -enjoy unbroken health, was a little nervous about -any trifling symptoms. One day we found him -lying in bed, complaining lustily of his sufferings, -and stating that he had dispatched a messenger -to bring him at once the first doctor attainable. -A doctor arrived, and his first question as to the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>nature of Fawcett’s last dinner resolved the consultation -into a general explosion of laughter, in -which the patient joined most heartily.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was characteristic of Fawcett that he treated -all men as equals, and took from them the best of -what they had to offer. He became intimate with -men of all ages. Mr. Hopkins, a Peterhouse man, -with whom Fawcett read, had received his B.A. in -1827, twenty-five years before Fawcett’s appearance -at Cambridge; but this difference in age did -not prevent a close bond. Fawcett never alluded -to Hopkins without great enthusiasm, and in the -days of his grave trial this friend was the most -helpful of all. He was of great service in the first -years at Cambridge, urging Fawcett to regard the -mathematical studies necessary for taking a good -degree as valuable intellectual gymnastics. Fawcett -with his usual keenness and common sense was -quite alive to the fact that a good degree was a -distinct commercial asset, and said that he would -rather be Senior Wrangler in the worst year than -second to Sir Isaac Newton. His definite aim in -life—a political career—made any wanderings into -study for its own sake of no interest to him. He -planned through life so to select that he might -obtain.</p> - -<p class='c007'>From the days of declaiming in the chalk-pit -at Queenwood, Fawcett had realised the value of -public speaking.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Debater.</div> - -<p class='c007'>The great Macaulay, Sir William Harcourt, and -other distinguished men had tried their oratorical -<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>pinions in flights at the Debating Club called ‘The -Union.’ Fawcett joined, and after some tentative -efforts, despite his friends’ amusement and discouragement, -boldly won his way, and became a -good speaker. He worked over his orations carefully, -and by great persistence gained an easy and -fearless manner of speaking, and we find that he -opened debates on National Education and University -Reform.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In these years the events which led to the -Crimean War provided the chief subjects of debate, -such as the foreign policy of Austria and Prussia, -the independence of Poland, and the character -of the Emperor Nicholas. On these questions -Fawcett did not share the views of John Bright, -who was then making his great speeches on behalf -of peace; but the undergraduate’s democratic -sympathies are clearly shown in his advocacy of -non-sectarian National Education, of a motion -that ‘the party called “Cobdenites” have done -the country good service,’ or in favour of a ‘considerable -extension of the franchise,’ and of ‘University -Reform.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Good-bye to Grand-iloquence.</div> - -<p class='c007'>It was during this period of careful self-training -that Fawcett gradually reduced his style of speaking -to that simplicity and directness which became -so marked throughout his career. There is a lingering -trace of grandiloquence and schoolboy rhetoric -in an essay written on the merit of Pope’s poetry, -but that seems to have been his swan-song to -elocution with frills.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Friend of Friends.</div> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>Fawcett left Peterhouse in his second year, and -went to Trinity Hall as a pensioner, thus reducing -the expense to his father. There chances for -scholarship were alluring, and several immigrants -from other colleges joined forces at Trinity Hall. -There also he met Leslie Stephen, his lifelong -friend and biographer, who speaks of this friendship -as ‘one of the greatest privileges of my life.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett set to work with a will to carry off the -Senior Wranglership. We are told that in the -Tripos, for the first and the last time in his life, -Fawcett’s nerve failed. Though he got out of -bed and ran round the college quadrangle to -exhaust himself, he could not sleep, and failed to -gain the success which meant so much to him. He -sank to seventh; but in spite of his comparative -failure he had shown marked ability, and made -so great an impression by his work, that he was -elected to a fellowship at Christmas 1856.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Pounds and Pence.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He adhered to his boyish ambition of entering -Parliament, but there were still great obstacles in -his way. Beyond his fellowship, which brought -him £250 a year, he had no income of his own. -His father was not a rich man, and the strain on -his purse to support his other three children was -sufficient. Harry resolved, therefore, to make his -way by a career at the Bar, and while still at -Cambridge entered Lincoln’s Inn. When he had -won his fellowship he settled in London, and set -himself to study law. No one who came in contact -with him at this time had any doubt that he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>would arrive at his goal by main force. A friendly -firm of solicitors had already promised that he -should have opportunities, and his great talent -for working well with all sorts of people, his genius -for friendship, and his real business ability bid well -for the success of his plan. His will was inflexible, -his good-nature chronic, and his acuteness of mind -and general ability far beyond the average.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the mimic legislature of the Westminster -Debating Society, which consisted of young -barristers and journalists, Fawcett soon became -the leader of the Radical party. The organisation -followed the form of the House of Commons. It -is said that Bulwer Lytton had once paid it a visit, -and said afterwards that he had entered in a fit of -abstraction, mistaking it for the House of Commons, -and only discovered his error upon finding that -there were no dull speeches and no one asleep, -which seems to prove that it must have been a most -remarkable society.</p> - -<p class='c007'>One of his contemporaries, who saw Fawcett in -the height of these pseudo-Parliamentary triumphs, -speaks of his ‘resonant voice, wild hair, and expressive -eyes.’ But just at this point, when he -seemed to be setting with full sail on the channel -towards success, his eyes began to trouble him.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER IV</span><br /> <br />A SET BACK</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>A Trip to France—Wiltshire French—A Discouragement.</p> - -<p class='c006'>In 1857 the great Critchett warned him against -making any exertion, and forbade his reading. -Though he appeared cheerful as usual with his -family, a friend recalls that during his entire -career he had never known him to be so -depressed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In 1857 he was glad to find occupation by taking -a pupil to Paris. Miss Fawcett went with them. -The pupil was to read mathematics and to learn -French, while it was hoped that the master’s eyes -might benefit under the care of foreign specialists, -as well as by the change.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The oculists gave him some slight encouragement: -one ordered low living, and the other high. -It was characteristic of Fawcett that he frugally -chose the former.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Ways of the French.</div> - -<p class='c007'>In Paris our long Wiltshire man seems to have -been much of a fish out of water. The Latin -morals and customs were naturally not sympathetic -to his uncompromising though uncensorious -nature. He could never cope successfully -with a foreign language. There was even a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>frequent strong Wiltshire flavour about his English -speech. The difference between ‘February’ and -‘Febuwerry’ never became apparent to him. At -Alderbury he had learnt French with a pronounced -English accent. In Paris he now delighted the -French ladies at the pension where he stayed with -his peculiar and unique speech. There was a -Madame Palliasse there whom, much to her joy, -he called Madame Peleas.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He came back from France with his eyes still in -bad shape and his spirit totally unresponsive to -the lure of Gaul.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On his return he was extremely tried by his -inability to work. His real feelings about life at -this time are well expressed in a letter to his dear -friend, Mrs Hodding:</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Confession.</div> - -<p class='c007'>‘I regard you with such true affection that I -have long wished to impart my mind on many -subjects.... You know somewhat of my character; -you shall now hear my views as to my -future. I started life as a boy with the ambition -some day to enter the House of Commons. Every -effort, every endeavour, which I have ever put forth -has had this object in view. I have continually -tried, and shall, I trust, still try not only honourably -to gratify my desire, but to fit myself for such an -important trust. And now the realisation of these -hopes has become something even more than the -gratification of ambition. I feel that I ought to -make any sacrifice, to endure any amount of -labour, to obtain this position, because every day -<span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>I become more deeply impressed with the powerful -conviction that this is the position in which I could -be of the greatest use to my fellow-men, and that -I could in the House of Commons exert an influence -in removing the social evils of our country, and -especially the paramount one—the mental degradation -of millions.</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘I have tried myself severely, but in vain, to -discover whether this desire has not some worldly -source. I could therefore never be happy unless -I was to do everything to secure and fit myself -for this position. For I should be racked with -remorse through life if any selfishness checked such -efforts. For I must regard it as a high privilege -from God if I have such aspirations, and if He has -endowed me with powers which will enable me to -assist in such a work.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>This is an interesting revelation of a pure -ambition. Fawcett wished to succeed for no -self-regarding purpose. His ideals were noble, -and his ambition their legitimate accompaniment.</p> - -<p class='c007'>About this time he shows a lively interest in the -social condition of the people. After an expedition -to some manufacturing towns he mentions an -investigation of ‘gaols and ragged schools,’ and -shows much interest in these sombre centres. He -describes a meeting with a good gentleman whom -he characterises as ’so fine and perfect an example -of a venerable Christian.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Palmerston, Disraeli, and Gladstone.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Even twelve hours spent in one day at the House -of Commons does not seem to have been for him -<span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>an overdose of politics. It did not tax his eyes, -and it delighted his ears, though he writes, ‘No -one need fear obtaining a position in the House of -Commons now; for I should say never was good -speaking more required. There is not a man in -the Ministry can speak but Lord Palmerston; -Disraeli is the support of the Opposition; but, -although he was considered to have achieved a -success that night, it was done by uttering a -multitude of words and indulging in a great deal -of clap-trap.</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘Gladstone made the speech of the evening, and -he is a fine speaker. He never hesitates, and his -manner and elocution are admirable; in fact, in -this he resembles Bright, but is, in my opinion, -inferior to Bright, in not condensing his matter.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Towards the close of this letter there is an -exceedingly interesting statement, prophetic of -his future interests. He says that he feels that -Australia must have in future a great effect on -England, and adds these significant words, ‘India -too is the land I much desire to see and know; and -it ought to be by any one who takes part in public -life.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>The doctor now forbade Fawcett all reading, for -fear that he might lose his sight. He took this -sentence philosophically, commenting that it came -at an extremely favourable time, when he could -best afford to take a holiday. He writes, ‘I cannot -be sufficiently thankful that it has occurred just -now, when perhaps I can spare the time with so -<span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>little inconvenience.... Maria will resign her -needle with great composure to devote herself to -reading to me. I shall thus get quite as much -reading as I desire, and I can well foresee that, far -from being a misfortune, it may become an advantage, -since it will perhaps for the next year induce -me to <i>think</i> more than young men are apt to do: -it will give me an opportunity to solidify and -arrange my knowledge, and <i>you</i> will know how -happy Maria and I shall be together.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Discouraged.</div> - -<p class='c007'>About this time a classmate writes of him: ‘We -recognised as fully as at a later period his energy -and keen intelligence. If we were still a little blind -to some of his nobler qualities, we at least recognised -in him the thoroughly good fellow, whose success -would be as gratifying to his friends as it was confidently -anticipated.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Yes, anticipated and ardently hoped for; but -could it be expected by Fawcett himself, doomed as -he was to idleness by the condition of his eyes, his -doctor’s warnings, and their orders for absolute -rest—and unfitted as he now was for work, and -able only to send an occasional letter to the papers -on matters of current interest?</p> - -<p class='c007'>He was staying at his father’s house at Longford -with such patience as he could muster. He, however, -enjoyed sitting in the fields near Salisbury -and listening to the sounds about him. The murmuring -streams, the songs of birds, and the hum -of drowsy insects seemed to bring him comfort and -rest.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div><span class='xxlarge'>WINNING BACK</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>‘If you can meet with triumph and disaster</div> - <div class='line'>And treat those two impostors just the same.’</div> - <div class='c014'> <span class='sc'>Kipling.</span></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c018'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>‘Life is sweet, brother.’</div> - <div class='line'> . . . . . .</div> - <div class='line'>‘In sickness, Jasper?’</div> - <div class='line'>‘There’s the sun and the stars, brother.’</div> - <div class='line'>‘In blindness, Jasper?’</div> - <div class='line'>‘There’s the wind on the heath.’</div> - <div class='c014'><span class='sc'>Borrow. </span></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER V</span><br /> <br />DARKNESS</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>A Shooting Accident—Blindness—Readjustment.</p> - -<div class='c001'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>A Shooting Accident.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Unfortunate as was the fate which condemned -him to so much trouble with his eyes, it was a -fortunate and strange preparation for what was to -follow. Obedient to his physician’s injunctions -to give up work, Fawcett remained with his family -near Salisbury. On 15 September 1858, he went -shooting with his father. Together they climbed -Harnham Hill. Fawcett turned to look back at the -glorious view, bathed in an autumn light, the trees, -already turning to gold, the village nestled in the -valley through which the river Avon wound, the -spire of the great cathedral touched with glory -by the setting sun. To Fawcett this was one of -the loveliest views in England: he looked on all -this beauty for the last time.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As they were crossing a field he advanced in -front of his father, who, suffering from incipient -cataract of the eye, did not see his son. A partridge -rose and the father fired, hitting the bird, but some -of the stray shot penetrated both the son’s eyes, -blinding him instantly. To protect his eyes from -the glare he was wearing tinted spectacles, both -<span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>glasses were pierced, but the resistance which -they offered to the shot prevented the charge -entering the brain, and so probably saved his life. -His first thought on being blinded was that he -would never again see the beautiful view which he -loved so dearly. There is a widely current story, -which, however, we have been unable to verify, -that after the accident his first words to his agonised -father were, ‘This shall make no difference.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Unflinching Bravery.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He was taken back to his father’s house in a -cart, and his first words to his sister as she received -him there were, ‘Maria, will you read the newspaper -to me?’ This way of taking his calamity sounded -the key-note of his heroic acceptance of it from the -first. His unflinching bravery gave the cue which -he wished his family to follow. His calmness -remained unaltered even when the doctors gave -little encouragement. All knew that there was -not much hope, though he was in such splendid -physical condition that he suffered very little -pain.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Mrs. Fawcett, whom her relations called ‘the -brightness of the house,’ was having tea with some -friends when her wounded son was brought in. -When she saw him she bravely tried to control her -grief, but it was so overwhelming that she took -refuge in another room, and only appeared in the -short intervals when she was able to master her -distress.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In this crisis his sister Maria was a tower of -strength. The poor father seemed more sorely -<span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>stricken by the accident than the son. But for his -daughter’s wisdom, he would probably have lost -his reason. All through the night Maria kept him -busy at small, useful tasks, and for several days -occupied both her mother and him as fully as -possible.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Blindness.</div> - -<p class='c007'>After a lapse of six weeks Fawcett was able for -three days to perceive light, but after that the -curtain fell for the rest of his life, and he remained -in total darkness. In the following June he suffered -some pain in one of his eyes, and later submitted -to an operation which was unsuccessful, and put -the final seal on his calamity. Perhaps the father -deserves as much sympathy as the son. Their -relations had been particularly affectionate, and -were, if possible, more intensely so after the -catastrophe. The elder Fawcett often said that -his grief at having blinded Henry would be less, -if ‘the boy’ would only complain. But this was -perhaps the only way in his life that the son refused -to gratify the parent whom he loved so tenderly. -He was never known to complain of his loss of -sight, and used to say that blindness was not a -tragedy, but an inconvenience.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The life-long ambition of Fawcett to lend a -hand in public affairs had been shared by his -father, and the hope and pride which he felt in -his son’s career added, if possible, to the tragedy -of seeing it so suddenly broken. The indomitable -pluck shown by more than one blind man which -makes out of his stumbling-block a mounting-stone -<span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>had yet to be proven. It did not then seem -possible for him to win even greater triumphs than -he might have won if he had not been forced to -sharpen his courage because he had to fight his -battle in the dark.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A friend who visited Fawcett a few weeks after -the accident found him serene and cheerful, -although his father was evidently heart-broken, -and his appearance gave abundant evidence of it. -Fawcett, though not much given to quotation, was -fond at this time of repeating the phrase of Henry <span class='fss'>V</span>. -at the battle of Agincourt:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>‘There is some soul of goodness in things evil,</div> - <div class='line'>Would men observingly distil it out.’</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>What Fawcett distilled from the evil thing which -had befallen him was an iron determination, which -triumphed over odds such as few have encountered -on any battlefield.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>A Cloud.</div> - -<p class='c007'>But the blind man’s horizon had not yet cleared. -His outlook, despite the loving care of his family, -was still sad, and though he gave no sign, there was -a fearful slough of despond still to be struggled -through. Ten minutes after the accident, he had -made up his mind to stick to his pursuits as much -as possible, but how nearly possible was it for a -blind man to succeed in Parliament, and to give a -helpful impetus to the affairs of nations? This -was still at Fawcett’s time in England untested -and remained for him to show. He lacked fortune -and social position to clear the road for him, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>the letters of condolence that poured in mostly -obstructed his path with futile sentimentality. He -said, ‘they give more pain than comfort,’ and -added that nothing pained him so much as these -letters. The writers counselled resignation to the -will of Providence, meekness, submission, and of -course all implied inaction. But Fawcett asked -what was the will of Providence. Why, without -trying, should he suppose that inaction would be -the nobler part for him to play. His sister read -to him all the missives from the Job’s comforters, -and he, though much saddened, listened, ‘in a fixed -state of stoical calm.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Message of a Friend.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Into this atmosphere, heavy with grief, came the -message of a friend. His dear old Cambridge -teacher, Hopkins, wrote admitting that blindness -is ‘one of the severest bodily calamities that can -befal us,’ yet added cheerfully: ‘But depend -upon it, my dear fellow, it must be our own fault -if such things are without their alleviation.... -Give up your mind to meet the evil in the worst -form it can hereafter assume. Now it seems to -me that your mind is eminently adapted to many -of those studies which may be followed with least -disadvantage without the help of sight....</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘I would suggest your directing your attention -to subjects of a philosophical and speculative -character, such as any branch of mental science -and the history of its progress; the Philosophy of -Physical Science, as Herschel’s work in <i>Lardner’s -Encyclopædia</i>, Whewell’s <i>Inductive Philosophy</i>, etc., -<span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>or any work treating on the general principles, -views, and results of physical science. Political -Economy, statistics, and social science in general -are assuming interesting forms in the present -day.</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘What a wide range of speculative study, full of -interest, do these subjects present to us! For any -part of which, if I mistake not, your mind is well -qualified.</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘The evil that has fallen upon you, like all other -evils, will lose half its terror if regarded steadfastly -in the face with the determination to subdue it as -far as it may be possible to do so.</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘Cultivate your intellectual resources (how -thankful you may be for them!) and cultivate -them systematically: they will avail you much in -your many hours of trial. Under any circumstances -I hope you will visit Cambridge from time -to time. I’ll lend you my aid to amuse you by -talking philosophy or reading an act of Shakespeare -or a canto from Byron. I shall certainly -avail myself of the first opportunity I have of -paying you a visit at Longford, and shall engage -you for my guide across the chalk hills. I may -then perhaps find the means of indoctrinating you -with a few healthy geological principles.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Hopkins had struck the right chord. He roused -his pupil from his depression and gave him new -hope and ambition. ‘Keep that letter for me,’ -he said to his sister, and from its arrival dated -his returning zeal and the spontaneous cheerfulness -<span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>which heretofore had been so skilfully -assumed.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>A Rigid Resolution.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Though the sanity and wisdom of this letter -aroused Fawcett as nothing had before, it is not -to be understood that his taking up life again -depended upon the spur given to his hope and -self-confidence by his old friend, but this did come -at the psychological moment. It enabled him to -shoulder his burden with more courage, and to -begin again climbing towards the ambitions he had -entertained before his blindness. Unhelped he -had planned to travel the road already begun, -deviating as little as possible from the course -before mapped out; and he would have done so -without the comfort from his friend’s advice. But -the letter was undoubtedly a first milestone on his -race towards the goal which he had set himself.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Much has been said of the philosophy which is -apt to accompany blindness, of the resignation and -calm of those afflicted with it. The unusual -feature in the bravery with which Fawcett met his -calamity was his almost instantaneous resolution -to disregard it, and to make good just as he would -have made good without it. Too much honour -cannot be given him for this extraordinary and -immediate courage.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Very soon after the accident he took up walking, -and at once showed his fearlessness while going -between his brother and a friend who has recorded -the brave adventure.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Walking.</div> - -<p class='c007'>On leaving the house, he struck out at once with -<span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>the long, quick strides of his old walking era, and -naturally stumbled almost at the first step. One -of the party caught him by the arm, and begged -him to pick his steps more carefully. ‘Leave me -alone!’ was his reply; ‘I’ve got to learn to walk -without seeing, and I mean to begin at once—only -tell me when I am going off the road.’ To say that -he knew not fear would be to give an impression -of callousness which would be entirely false; but -it can be truly said that fear never kept him from -carrying out his purpose.</p> - -<p class='c007'>An early glimpse of the hard conflict and longing -of his soul was given when walking with his dearly -loved sister. He turned to her suddenly as if he -had been thinking, and asked if she knew Southey’s -‘Hymn before Sunrise in the Valley of Chamounix.’ -When she replied that she did not, he astonished -her by reciting the poem with rare beauty and -fervour. The vibrant voice gathered intensity -as, with that wistful expression so often on his -newly blinded face, he repeated the last lines:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>‘Rise, O ever rise!</div> - <div class='line'>Rise like a cloud of incense from the Earth!</div> - <div class='line'>Thou kingly Spirit throned among the hills,</div> - <div class='line'>Thou dread ambassador from Earth to Heaven,</div> - <div class='line'>Great Hierarch! tell thou the silent sky,</div> - <div class='line'>And tell the stars, and tell yon rising sun,</div> - <div class='line'>Earth, with her thousand voices, praises God.’</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div id='fp50' class='figcenter id005'> -<img src='images/i_050fp.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p>MISS MARIA FAWCETT</p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class='sidenote'>Social Ways.</div> - -<p class='c007'>After his accident Fawcett took his meals with -his sister from a tray in the drawing-room. When -some weeks had passed, he was persuaded to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>venture out with her to a quiet supper at the home -of friends. Finding that it was not a formidable -undertaking after all, and that he had an extremely -interesting time, he determined to see as much of -people as possible, and resumed his social ways.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was inevitable that at first his merriment and -cheerfulness were a little bit laboured, but in an -astonishingly short time they became invariable, -and those closest to him detected no permanent -depression. About everything but his sadness -under his affliction, Fawcett was frank, but about -this sadness he remained bravely reticent.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He soon began candidly to enjoy life, and he -seems to have gotten infinitely more of its beauty -and happiness than the average person who is -without handicaps. He had only had one fear, -which he confided to his sister: it would be unbearable -for him if through loss of physical force -he should become useless.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Despite very great difficulty, Fawcett for some -time tried to keep up writing with his own hand, -and there are still several of his autograph letters. -But he found the effort so great that he soon gave -it up and depended entirely on dictation. He was -not entirely loath to do this, because he thought -the practice of dictation useful to him as a speaker. -He never mastered Braille or any other system -of printing for the blind, but depended on being -read to.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Catalogued Collars.</div> - -<p class='c007'>In many minor things Fawcett never acquired -the dexterity possible to those who are blinded in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>youth. When his catastrophe came his habits -were already too fixed, and he was too mature to -adapt himself readily in unimportant matters. -But his ingenuity in studying out scientific -management of all the little problems of daily -routine was marvellously practical and at times -even comic. For example, he had all his clothes -carefully and legibly labelled with numbers, placed -so as not to show during wear. In this way his -garments might easily be identified by any one not -familiar with his wardrobe. If he came home in -a great hurry to metamorphise his attire, directions -like the following to his family or an aide-de-camp -were not infrequent. He would call in his -clarion, cheerful voice, probably from the door as -he entered: ‘I must dress quickly. Please help. -Coat one, vest six, collar one, trousers three; -shoes and socks twelve and thirteen.’ The rest -we will leave to imagination, but there was no -detail, even to pocket-handkerchiefs, which did -not have its allotted place and catalogue number.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>A Hero to his Tailor.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He seems long to have remained faithful to his -Salisbury tailor, a charming person of the old -school who recently vouchsafed to the author the -following recollections of his distinguished client: -‘Mr. Fawcett was very matter of fact and -methodical. A very honest kind of man, a sterling -man. He was very susceptible to cold, and was -apt to carry changes of different underwear with -him. He was particular about the material -which he bought for his clothes, and always felt -<span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>of it. He wouldn’t be humbugged. You couldn’t -help liking him. He was that loose and easy in -his walk, his limbs didn’t seem to belong to him. I -often heard him at the hustings, he spoke to the -point—he made a thorough impression.’</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER VI</span><br /> <br />HAPPINESS</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>The Clear-sighted Man—A Scot’s Accent—Mountain -Climbing—Skating—Riding, etc.</p> - -<p class='c006'>His friends all testify to his spirit, his normal -view of life frequently making them forget the -fact of his blindness. A distinguished writer and -diplomat, who had known Fawcett, on being asked -what impression had been produced on him, replied -quickly and quite simply, ‘I think that he was -an extraordinarily clear-sighted man.’ Stephen -in his biography uses this sentence: ‘Fawcett -had come to <i>see</i> more distinctly the real tendency -of the proposal and to feel the full force of the -objections to which he had never been blind.’ -Such remarks illustrate Fawcett’s power of making -people utterly forget his blindness.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>How to be happy.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He was always grateful when his companions -paid no attention to his affliction, and would talk -to him about the scenery which they passed and -the people whom they met as if he too could see -them. He kept his resolve to be as happy as was -possible, and often said: ‘There is only one thing -that I ever regret, and that is to have missed a -chance for enjoyment.’ He told his friends that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>he intended to live to be ninety, and to relish every -day of his life. He deliberately set about cultivating -those tastes which would redound to -his happiness: he taught himself to smoke, he -patiently learned to listen to music, which had -never unfolded its full joys to him before he had -lost his sight. He so far succeeded as to be able -to enjoy concerts and the opera.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Doubtless, he systematically trained himself -to remember. It was often remarked of him that -if he had heard a voice once he would remember -it again years after. One day in the Cambridge -streets he was accosted by a Scottish professor. -Fawcett could not remember him, but encouraged -him to talk, and kept up his end of a long conversation. -After a good twenty minutes, a trick -in the Scot’s accent betrayed him, and Fawcett -enthusiastically grasped his hand, and said, ‘How -do you do, Clerk Maxwell?’</p> - -<p class='c007'>He never attempted to modify his vocabulary -to fit his infirmity, and though the effect was at -times strange he would greet people in the most -natural way in the world with: ‘How do you do? -how well you’re looking’; or ‘What’s the matter, -you’re looking pale to-day? Too much work, -eh?’ He commented on a friend’s looking old, -and added: ‘But when men with that colour hair -turn grey, they do look prematurely old.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was not unusual for him to mimic people, -whom he had only known since his blindness, -reproducing their gestures as well as their speech.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Games.</div> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>Later he learned to play cribbage and écarté with -cards pricked by his secretary with raised dots, -in the fashion used by the blind to produce tactile -prints. It took him but three days to conquer all -difficulties in this new system, and he played with -quickness and enjoyment. It is of no small interest -to those who have studied the psychology -of those blinded by accident in maturity to note -this successful development of card playing. -Shortly after his accident he had made an attempt -which proved a total failure and yet afterwards -he took it up without effort. This point should be -dwelt on, and may well give courage to many an -adult who is blinded. It shows that it is worth -while to repeat often, and to hope for success in -experiments which have been abandoned as futile.</p> - -<p class='c007'>His hearing developed great acuteness, so that -he could tell in towns by the pressure of the -atmosphere if he was passing an opening caused -by a cross street. When he walked in the country -he loved the sound of the leaves, the feel of -grass, the springing of the sod beneath his feet, -the note of a bird or the leap of a fish. He seems -to have tried to gather from his friends’ descriptions -an even deeper insight into the charm and -subtleties of Nature than before it was shut out -from his bodily vision. When, later, he enjoyed -driving, he would stop the carriage in order to -see the view at some favourite point. He was -so fond of the view at Brighton that he often -telegraphed a friend there to take him a walk to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>Rottingdean. He always enjoyed this intensely, -and spoke of the exquisite prospect as of one of the -most wonderful in England. A breath of the sea -stimulated him greatly. After a storm he loved -to listen to the booming and breaking of the waves -on the shore, and to feel the burn of the brine which -was cast in his face as he breasted the receding gale. -The little shells and the seaweed interested him, and -he liked to pass the latter between his fingers to -get the slippery gluey feeling, and to play with -their little pods and queer tentacles.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Enjoying the View from the Mountain Tops.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett loved great heights and mountains, a -fellow climber says: ‘I went up Helvellyn with -Fawcett. It was his first mountain since he was -blind—by no means his last. He held one end of a -stick and I the other, to direct his turns; and that -was all the aid he needed. But it warmed one’s -heart to see his hearty enjoyment. He would -have all the views described to him, what hills -and lakes he saw, what colours they were, where -the mist floated, and he anxiously asked of his -secretary who was with us whether he enjoyed it -as much as he expected.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Later he climbed the Cima di Jazzi, in order to -see the glorious array of snow-covered peaks. It -does not seem too much to believe that the highly -developed blind have a feeling of the beauty which -we say they cannot see, and a realisation of its -presence which we lack and which it is impossible -for them to explain. Though science has not yet -been able to classify this faculty it may before -<span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>long, and in the meantime there is sufficient evidence -that this unclassified vision of the sightless -to a great extent illumines their darkness.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Excepting cricket and rackets, he gave up none -of the sports of which he was already fond.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Giant’s Stride.</div> - -<p class='c007'>All his friends are agreed that it was almost -impossible to keep up with him in his walks. They -tried to modify his break-neck pace by various -devices, such as engaging him in absorbing discussions, -or stopping to talk to some one on the -road. But in vain. His long legs would shoot -out like relentless walking beams, and if his friend -happened to be small and holding on to Fawcett’s -arm before long he would be swept off his feet, -hanging on like a mere appendage to the rushing -blind man.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett’s recollection for the places that he had -known before his blindness was astonishing. He -could even remember in closest detail the country -where he had been as a child at school.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Skating.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Having before his accident been a powerful -skater he now took it up again, and after a few -strokes showed no hesitancy. He was known even -to accompany a skating race, leaving the course -clear for the competitors and himself unaccompanied -getting over the rough ice on the side. Of -his first attempt we read:</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘After a few strokes the only difficulty was to -keep his pace down to mine. We each held one -end of a stick, and as we were on the crowded -Serpentine, we came into a good many collisions. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>As, however, we were a couple, and one of us a -heavy man, we had decidedly the best of these -encounters, especially as the conscience of our -antagonists was on our side when they saw that -they had tripped up a blind man.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>In after years his recklessness became proverbial. -He had been on a long expedition on the -frozen Cam one cold winter, and was returning at -sunset, chatting gaily with his friends to the -accompanying click of their skates. They were -flying along at a good fifteen miles an hour when -they came upon a treacherous stretch of very -rough ice. Fawcett, who accepted ice baths as -part of the fun, urged them forward, zealously -calling out: ‘Go on—I only got my legs through!’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Riding.</div> - -<p class='c007'>In the early stages of his blindness, Fawcett’s -purse did not permit him to ride much. Moreover, -some narrow escapes from accident—he was at one -time nearly crushed at Salisbury by a cart—made -him for a short time hesitate as to its expediency. -But later he took it up with enthusiasm, at first -accompanied by a riding master, and later by -groups of friends. One of these tells how he would -often ride over to Newmarket to spend Sunday. -During the Sabbath he would nearly walk his -friend off his legs, and on other days contented -himself with walking his horse off its legs. With -a box of sandwiches provided for luncheon, Fawcett -would ride over from Cambridge at Christmas time -to feast on the sunny side of the Devil’s Ditch. -He loved the chalk downs, and often stopped at a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>cottage to ask for a draught of the sparkling, deep-well -water. He enjoyed, too, gossiping with the -shepherds about the flocks, for his early interest in -agricultural matters was through life a marked -characteristic. Once he came across the harriers, -and joined in their gallops, trusting entirely to the -prudence of his horse to select the most favourable -gaps in the hedgerows.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A frequent companion on these rides tells how -one day, going at a brisk pace, she was so interested -in something he was telling her that she did not -see until within a few feet of it that they were at -the edge of a precipitous gravel pit. Fearing to -alarm Fawcett she simply called out, ’stop at -once, please.’ Fawcett, always quick to act, -pulled up short, and but for his prompt response -to her call would certainly have been killed. -Fawcett was so reckless and enthusiastic an -equestrian that it is still a well-remembered tradition -in the livery-stables at Cambridge that -Professor Fawcett took so much vitality out of his -mounts that he was always charged extra. It -must not be gathered that he was inhuman to his -horses—they probably had just as good a time, -relatively, as he had, but whatever he did, he did -in a whole-souled and muscular fashion.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Fishing.</div> - -<p class='c007'>But for Fawcett, who had been trained from -childhood as a fisherman, the crowning joy of all -sports was a good fishing expedition. Very soon -after the accident, he took up his fishing again. -He remembered his native stream well, and to the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>end of his life he was always eager to run down to -Salisbury to fish. His letters to his father abound -in reference to angling parties, past and to come. -He gave directions about his fishing-boots (they -were so frequently in use that they must have had -a simple number in his catalogue of clothes) and -instructions to secure some expert angler to accompany -him, or framed some subtle tactics for way-laying -and ensnaring some particularly elusive -aquatic prey, who had perhaps been known to his -neighbours but had remained uncaught by them.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Trout and Political Economy.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Many friends urged him to try their waters for -trout, pike, salmon, jack-fishing, and he enjoyed -their hospitality greatly. His father who was -devoted to the sport, in which he excelled even -after his ninetieth year, was very fond of accompanying -him. Fawcett’s early practice enabled -him to throw a fly with great accuracy. He was -fond of combining his amusements, and would -wade in the stream while one of his great friends -often went with him, though walking on the bank -so as not to throw his shadow on the water, but so -that he could talk to his heart’s content without -disturbing the angler. Fawcett was wont to say -that trout hear very badly, and are not distracted -by political economy. So fond was Fawcett of -the study of his favourite subject that his first -secretary records how in moments snatched between -fishing he would accompany Fawcett to a -tea-house, where he would read to him Mill’s -<i>Political Economy</i>.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>Those who accompanied him fishing are agreed -that he was a much better fisherman than sighted -people generally are. This may have been due -to his extraordinary patience, or to his zeal in -learning from the experts with whom he associated.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A Salisbury friend who often fished with him -says: ‘He would make his way through anything. -He often walked along the river’s edge fishing, -and he never fell in. One day he was fishing and -caught his line in a tree overhead. He exclaimed -to his secretary, who came up, “Can’t you see it?” -then, with added impatience, “See it’s up there, I -can see it!”’</p> - -<p class='c007'>With his characteristic pluck he did not hesitate -to wade in the stream or to cross a narrow plank. -He enjoyed all the roughing incidents in fishing, -even bumping about in a donkey cart full of fish, -and he was particularly glad to meet the country -folk and have a chat with them.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER VII</span><br /> <br />DISTRACTION</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>Fishing—In the Commons—Need for Distraction—What -Helen Keller thinks—Sir Francis Campbell—Leap -Frog—Despair and Cheer—Paupers and Political -Economy.</p> - -<div class='c001'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>What Fishing meant for Fawcett.</div> - -<p class='c007'>It sometimes seems inconsistent that one so acutely -sensitive as Fawcett was to suffering of all kinds -should not have hesitated to get pleasure from a -sport involving the necessary cruelty of fishing. -In discussing this, Fawcett at times would maintain -the usual ground of the fishes insensibility to -pain, but again he would frankly justify it as the -best method of keeping himself employed and distracted -from the weighty problems which often -overburdened him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It must not be forgotten that, however clever in -adapting themselves to their misfortune the blind -are, they are relieved from the thousands of the -distractions which disturb the concentration of even -the best seeing worker. In his lecture-room the -sighted teacher is unconsciously drawn from the -monotony of his one purpose by seeing his mind -play on the sensibilities of his hearers.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Screened Bobbing Bonnets.</div> - -<p class='c007'>In the House of Commons the statesman’s mind -is unconsciously diverted by the lights, the expressions -<span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>of his opponents, the sympathy on the -faces of his partisans, the guests in the gallery, to -say nothing of his imaginings concerning those -hidden and gracious unseen personalities behind -the screen in the ladies’ gallery—that screen -which, perhaps more than anything else in the -House of Commons, piques the curiosity of the -beholder, and sets his thoughts aglow with the -mysteries of the Orient. If the indiscreet and -objectionable person who devised that screen had -left the wives and mothers and sweethearts of the -members to regale the combatants in the arena -beneath them with a smile of approbation, or a -glimpse of their spring bonnets, or even the pang -caused by the thought of the inevitable bill which -belongs to such plumage, the path of duty and -politics would have been less dull.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Then, think of the countless literary distractions, -the day’s paper, the illustrated magazine, the -picture posters, and even the advertisements which -to the hurrying business man unconsciously suggest -fresh trains of thought. Again, the sight of the -crowd, with its noble and curious personalities, or -the occasional patch of colour made by the passing -omnibus whose garish poster proclaims the -latest star at the theatre. All these, and countless -others, make up a kaleidoscope, which, however -taxing and at times palling to the man with sight, -are counter-irritants which make it difficult for -him to over-concentrate or to become exhausted -by harping continuously on one thought, to the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>exclusion of all else. To think without interruption -the seeing man sometimes closes his eyes. -The blind man’s eyes are always closed, and therefore -to keep his spirits bright, to prevent morbidity -and even insanity, occupations and amusement -are not only advisable, but imperative. In frank -recognition of this Fawcett felt that the larger good—his -usefulness to the community—justified his -‘going fishing.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>What Helen Keller thinks.</div> - -<p class='c007'>The great need of recreation brings as its corollary -the advantages for uninterrupted thought, which -are among the alleviations of the loss of sight. -Helen Keller, in answer to the question, What is it -to be blind? said joyfully, ‘To be blind is to see -the bright side of life.’ She is perfectly sincere in -this, and feels that in blindness, uncomeliness and -ugliness can never obtrude, while imagination is -free to paint the most sublime pictures. Not a -few blind people have said that they would prefer -not to see, because with sight would come many -disillusionments.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It is a question of great interest whether either -Miss Keller or Fawcett, without their spur from -blindness, without that need of iron determination -and unflinching pluck to win their race in the -dark, would, as seeing people, have attained -their respective distinction and have been -such great servants of humanity. Many fail on -account of the insurmountable barriers which -seem to accompany blindness, but not a few -heroic souls are developed and stimulated by -<span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>their blindness in a way that nothing else could -have equalled. To these ranks it seems that -Fawcett belonged.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He hesitated greatly to allude to his blindness, -and we find him doing so voluntarily, only to help -those similarly afflicted. It was a very painful -thing for him to speak on behalf of the blind, and -on one such occasion he confided to a friend that -he had never been so nervous in his life. He hated -to be put, or to place himself, in a position to evoke -pity, still more to seem to show what he had -achieved despite his handicap.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He said to the blind, ‘Act as if you were not -blind, be of good courage, and help yourselves.’ -He advised the seeing, ‘Do not patronise; treat -us without reference to our misfortune; and, above -all, help us to be independent.’ Also, he -emphasised that ‘home associations are for the -blind as important as for you’ (meaning the seeing); -‘you must not wall up the blind.’ ‘Do not -sever them from all the pleasures and fascinations -of home.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Sir Francis Campbell.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He was particularly interested in the work of -Dr. Campbell, later Sir Francis Campbell, the -intrepid American blind man who was knighted -by King Edward for the splendid work he had -done to emancipate the blind through education. -Fawcett spoke often for the benefit of Campbell’s -work at the Royal Normal College for the Blind. -The following quotations from Fawcett’s speeches -were written for this book by some of the blind -<span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>stenographers employed at the college, the work -of which was inspired by Sir Francis.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett, referring to the blind, said, ‘Nothing, -he found, was so hard to bear as to hear people, -when they spoke of the blind, assume a patronising -tone towards them, as if they were suffering from -something for which in some mysterious way they -should feel thankful. The kindest thing that could -be done or said to a blind person was not to use -patronising language, but to tell him, as far as possible, -to be “of good cheer,” to give him confidence -that help would be afforded him whenever it was required, -that there was still good work for him to do, -and the more active his career, the more useful his -life to others, the more happy his days to himself.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Fawcett Reminiscences.</div> - -<p class='c007'>To a blind and most responsive audience he said, -‘I did not lose my sight until I had reached manhood. -I was twenty-five years of age at the time, -and when I knew that my sight was gone, never to -return, many friends came forward and, prompted -by the kindest motives, advised me to adopt a -life of quiet contemplation. I very soon, however, -came to the resolution to live, as far as possible, -just as I had lived before, following the same -pursuits and enjoying, as well as I could, the same -pleasures. (Cheers.) I would strongly advise -those who may be similarly situated to try to pursue -the same course, for I have found that there is a -wide range of amusements in which I can take -just the same delight as I did in days of yore. No -one can more enjoy catching a salmon in the Tweed -<span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>or the Spey, or throwing a fly in some quiet trout -stream in Wiltshire or Hampshire. I can take -the greatest delight, accompanied by a friend, in -a gallop over the turf; a long row from Oxford to -London gives me the same invigorating exercise -that it used to do, and during the recent long frost -I do not think any one in the whole country found -more pleasure than I did in a long day’s skating -with a friend. Often in the Cambridgeshire fens I -have skated fifty or sixty miles in the day. (Cheers.) -It is a true remark that nature provides a wonderful -compensating power, but I am bound to say that -of all the compensations which I have found, the -greatest is the generous and cordial readiness with -which people are ever ready to come forward to -offer us that assistance without which we are often -powerless to do anything. (Cheers.) This with -regard to our lot is certainly a silver lining to the -dark cloud.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘There are at the present time some nine or ten -different systems of printing for the blind. Each -of these systems has its different advocates, and -as the cost of printing is very heavy, a great and -unnecessary outlay is incurred in printing the same -book in many different ways. If an agreement -could be arrived at to adopt one particular -system, with the same outlay the numbers of -books that would be brought within the reach -of the blind would be increased manyfold, and -an inestimable boon would be conferred upon -them by having brought within their reach -<span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>a greater number of the masterpieces of English -literature.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Leap-frog.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett spoke of an apparently hopeless blind -boy who had come to the institution. At last his -chance of making his way seemed assured, because -Dr. Campbell had induced him to play leap-frog. -Fawcett said that that seemed to him ‘the one -test which ought to be applied to any institution -devoted to the training of the youthful blind. -Notwithstanding,’ he said, ‘no one felt more than -he, or was more anxious to acknowledge, that, -however independent they might be made, they -still constantly required some assistance; and he -felt that whatever he might be doing at the present -time, he should be reduced to a state of entire -helplessness if it were not for the friendly arm and -helping voice which were always extended to him.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>An Apostle of Despair.</div> - -<p class='c007'>At a meeting to promote a scheme for the benefit -of the blind an apostle of despair began a prepared -speech; but Fawcett, who had preceded him, so -completely convinced his audience of the sanity of -a cheerful and useful outlook when helping the -blind that the apostle of despair found the wind -completely taken out of his sails, and was forced -to sit down with his speech unfinished. At the -end of the controversy, when the gloomy speaker -had retired, Fawcett said to Lady Campbell, ‘I -hope I didn’t hit him too hard!’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett was most generous to his opponents, -and feared lest his victories should have caused -them the slightest suffering.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>When Postmaster-General he was anxious to -bring deaf and dumb assorters into the Post Office.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When he heard that telegraphy was thought -of as a possible occupation for the blind, he sent -for Sir Francis Campbell, to talk the matter over -at the Post Office with the Comptroller-General. -‘For,’ said Fawcett, ‘if you think it is practical -for the blind to be employed in this way, I shall -give them a chance.’ The plan was not considered -practical, though Fawcett was eager for it.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Heartening the Blind.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He was zealous to do anything he could by his -energy and gaiety to help those afflicted as he was -but who took a more despondent view of their -condition.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The frank recognition which he gives of his -dependence in his blindness on the help of others -gives touching insight into one of the integral -qualities of his friendship. A friendship meant -for him the acceptance of countless little services -which it would be a privilege for his friend to -perform, and while tacitly accepting these aids -Fawcett felt deeply thankful, and sought automatically -to do what he could in return. His -kindness was not in the least of the give-and-take -type; he revelled in giving fully of his life and -strength where there could not possibly be any -return.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Wright of Salisbury.</div> - -<div class='sidenote'>Paupers and Political Economy.</div> - -<p class='c007'>An old fisherman and a delightful character, -Wright of Salisbury, was a great friend of Fawcett. -Wright was an ardent politician and a pronounced -Liberal; that he was a celebrated angler is proved -<span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>by Fawcett’s remark, ‘Why, Wright, I was in -Wales fishing and they knew you there, and when -I was in Scotland I asked if they knew you, and -they said, “Oh yes, quite well.”’ The two used -to go fishing together, and Fawcett would make -special request of his companion to tell him of -every blind person they met. He never met any -one afflicted with blindness without offering help. -On one occasion, Wright has chronicled, he was -greatly concerned after he had given a poor blind -person alms, and asked whether Wright had noticed -what coin he had given to the woman. When the -fisherman said he thought that it was a ‘florin or -half a crown,’ Fawcett exclaimed with a sigh of -relief, ‘Oh, I am so glad; I was afraid I gave her -a penny.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>His ear was wonderfully acute, and he would -detect the tapping of a beggar’s stick on the sidewalk -at a great distance, or in the midst of the -roar of London traffic. The distinguished political -economist, as soon as he heard this little progressive -noise, would let all his well-assorted theories of -economy and social justice fly to the winds and -hail the approaching beggar merrily, stop and have -a few cheery words with him, and before they -parted gave him some pence. His secretary -never knew him to overlook a beggar or to fail to -give him money. It is the only instance that I can -find in his life where he did not live up to his -principles.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div><span class='xxlarge'>CAMBRIDGE AGAIN</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>‘And ye shall know the truth,</div> - <div class='line'>and the truth shall make you free.’</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>‘Be swift to hear; and let thy</div> - <div class='line'>life be sincere; and with patience</div> - <div class='line'>give answer.’</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER VIII</span><br /> <br />THE PROBLEM OF THE POOR</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>A Prime Object—Lincoln—Leslie Stephen—Daily Life -at Cambridge—Deepening Interest in Social Questions.</p> - -<div class='c001'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>Prime Object of his Career.</div> - -<p class='c007'>When Fawcett first began to pick up the threads -of his life again he planned to continue reading -for the Bar, and obtained special facilities from the -Council of Legal Education. But about a year -after his blindness he decided to give up law altogether. -There have been successful blind lawyers, -but Fawcett’s goal was not law but Parliament, -and he shrewdly perceived that he might make his -way to the front as quickly by distinction as a -political economist as by good work at the Bar. -To live at Cambridge among the colleges and -streets that he knew and loved, and among the -many intimate friends he had there, appealed very -strongly to him in his first blindness.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He determined to avail himself of all that the -University had to give him. While continuing his -economic studies he took occasion to give lectures -and to attend and speak at meetings of learned -societies. Above all, he sought to find and win a -constituency.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Personality at twenty-five.</div> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>Let us try to realise what manner of man he -was when he went back to Trinity Hall. He was -a little over twenty-five years of age, and a little -over six feet three inches in height, not broad in -proportion, but lanky; of commanding presence, -he had a voice of such volume that his friends used -to say it ’scorned concealment.’ Frank and transparent -in all his relations with men and women, he -hated subterfuge of any kind. His quick kindness -saved him from hurting any one’s feelings, -though he was still somewhat rough in his ways. -Never stereotyped in appearance or manner, nor -really conventional, he had a distinction quite his -own. His pronunciation never became entirely -urbane, and his friends had much difficulty in -persuading him that Professor Tyndall might be -right in saying that glacier ice was a viscous fluid, -but that he had never asserted it to be ‘vicious.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett hated tyranny in every form. His -sympathies ranged from the smallest child forced -to work in the English mines to the American negro -enslaved, whose problems were then beginning -to shake the Western Hemisphere. Deeply interested -in America, Fawcett became an ardent -Federalist and a great admirer of Lincoln.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>English Fun, American Humour.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Not only by his build and love of justice does -he suggest the great emancipator for whom he felt -such interest. If Lincoln had lived in England it is -probable that he would have lent a hand in some of -the many problems which Fawcett helped to solve; -while if Fawcett had been born in a cabin in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>Kentucky instead of by Salisbury Plain, it is not -unthinkable that he might have been a great -fighter for the cause of freedom and integrity of the -Union. Another strong characteristic which these -men shared was an ever-present sense of humour. -In Fawcett it was akin to that of the big schoolboy; -practical jokes appealed to him and called forth -his ringing laughter. His fun was of a hearty -kind that suited his voice and his huge type. -Perhaps Fawcett’s humour would best be described -by the American as an English sense of -fun, and by the Englishman as not in the least -American.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Lincoln’s immortal wit, both in its defects as well -as its perfection, could only have been the outcome -of American conditions. But for the support and -relief afforded to Lincoln by his intense, unfailing -humour he would probably not have been able to -bear the strain necessary to accomplish his mighty -task; but for his present love of fun and his elastic -buoyancy of spirit Fawcett would not have been -able to master his great affliction and to have continued -in his struggle on behalf of the down-trodden, -ignorant, and afflicted of his country.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Grey Suits.</div> - -<p class='c007'>His Conservative Salisbury tailor said recently of -him, ‘He was a very great anti-slavery man, and -sympathised with the abolitionists in America.’ -We can imagine Fawcett holding forth in stentorian -tones about the rights of the negro, while his small, -gentle tailor tried in vain to make the new grey -suit fit his giant customer. By the same authority -<span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>we learn that Fawcett ‘was very partial to grey -suits.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Fawcett and Stephen.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He established himself at the Hall, as the college -is known in Cambridge, in rooms in the main court -that looked south and gathered all the sun grey -Cambridge had to give them. They were on -the first floor, and above them his attendant and -guide, Brown, occupied some garrets. Leslie -Stephen roomed on the same floor, and could -reach Fawcett by passing through a lecture-room. -The two men were always together, and Stephen -writes that Fawcett’s rooms seemed part of his -own.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Onlookers have said that Stephen’s care of -Fawcett at this time ‘was beautiful to see’; it -‘was almost womanly.’ The two men were curiously -different in temperament and traditions. -They seem to have shared little but their earlier -politics and their love of walking. Stephen, from -whom Meredith is said to have modelled his -character of Vernon Whitford, was a writer and -student, a descendant of writers and students. -Though he seems to have much enjoyed the -Cambridge society in which he was then living, -he was usually the silent member of a company -where Fawcett dominated by force of energy if -not always by the intrinsic value of what he said.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett’s room was gay with photographs and -the flowers which the blind man loved to have -about him. His fondness for them was a strong -and charming trait. In these days he usually -<span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>wore a flower in his button-hole. He loved having -them about him; through their fragrance and the -delicacy of their petals he took in their beauty so -completely that he seemed to lose little because he -could not see them with his bodily eye.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Fellows’ Garden on the Cam.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Trinity Hall is in the very heart of Collegiate -Cambridge, wedged in between the Senate House -and the Cam. Along the river lies the Fellows’ -Garden that Henry James has so warmly praised. -After Fawcett’s death Stephen spoke of this garden -and Fawcett’s love for it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘I always associated Fawcett with a garden. -He loved a garden because he could there take the -exercise in which he delighted without the precautions -necessary for a blind man in public places. -He loved it because he heartily enjoyed the sweet -air and the scent of flowers and the song of birds. -He loved it because he could ... enjoy even the -sights, the sky and the trees, through the eyes of -others. He loved it not least because a garden -is the best of all places for those long talks with -friends which were among the greatest pleasures -of his life. The garden where I oftenest met -Fawcett, and where I have talked with him for -long hours, never clouded by an unkind word, is the -garden of an old Cambridge College with a smooth -bowling green, and a terrace walk by the side of -the river, and a noble range of old chestnut trees -and the grand pinnacles of King’s College Chapel -looking down through the foliage.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Within the limits of his college Fawcett moved -<span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>freely and alone. He would cross the court and -find his way up and down stairs quite unattended, -verifying places with his cane. A Cambridge -friend tells how his coming would be heralded by -his well-known step and by the tapping of that -same cane. Announcing himself outside the door -with ‘Hello, are you there?’ he would come into -the room, waving his stick about to locate objects. -A hearty handshake would be followed by some -such comment as ‘How well you are looking,’ or -‘I am sorry you are not looking so well to-day,’ -this information probably reaching him from the -greeting of what was to him the tell-tale voice of -his host.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Sometimes he would wander in the court at -night, annoying the sleepers by his tapping on the -stone flags. Was it as a just retribution that one -night his sleep was hopelessly broken by the continuous -singing of a nightingale near his window? -At last he could stand it no longer, and sought for -a missile to drive the bird away; his soap proving -the only available ammunition, he hurled it at the -offending mistrel, and routed him completely. -But though the blind man achieved his purpose -without injury to the nightingale, later he had a -long and futile hunt for his cherished bit of soap, -and his lusty voice was heard echoing along the -historic Cambridge walls, ‘Oh, I say, who will -lend me some soap?’ until that essential was provided -by a neighbour.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He worked in the mornings, and between tea and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>dinner, the afternoons were given up to exercise, -and the evenings to conversations interminable.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Work and Walks.</div> - -<p class='c007'>His favourite walk was over the Gog Magogs, the -Cambridge Hills. They are perhaps the lowest -hills to be dignified with the name, but he insisted -that the air was purer on their summit than anywhere -else, because there was practically nothing -between him and the Ural Mountains. He would -call attention to the outlook towards the distant -towers of Ely Cathedral, and invariably -paused at certain points ‘to look at the view.’ -Through life he took the keenest joy in walking to -some place where the scenery was beautiful, and, -helped by his friends’ description, he would see -with their eyes. His love of Nature was intense; -he would often describe a sunset with such vividness -that he himself forgot whether he had actually -seen it before he was blind, or had only beheld it -in his mind’s eye.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The fascination political economy had for him -grew as he worked. To him it was never the dry -and impersonal science which freezes so many -enthusiasms, but the science which is necessary -knowledge for the statesman who wishes to better -the condition of the man furthest down. We have -seen how Fawcett’s interest in the market folk at -Salisbury began when he was a child. The sight -of many industrious, hard-working people unable -to support themselves in spite of the greatest -frugality, and having nothing better to look forward -to than the poorhouse, had left an indelible -<span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>impression; he wanted to free these people so that -they might have rational lives with a fair return -for their hard work. His father’s political example -and his own sympathetic nature and wish to serve -had made him from his youth a Radical. He had -a passion for justice and a zeal to redress wrongs -and to liberate the poor from the bondage in which -their ignorance kept them. He regarded political -economy and kindred studies as means to his end, -and Parliament as the ultimate stronghold, from -which he could direct his campaign. This was his -prime object, and while achieving it he gathered -on his way all the happiness and merriment that -was honourably to be had.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Freeing the Fellowships.</div> - -<p class='c007'>In the year that Fawcett was elected fellow of -his college the question of reforming the tenure -of the fellowships was newly opened, and at once -he took a hot and revolutionary part. When he -returned to Cambridge he continued to uphold a -policy which would leave the fellowships open to -the freest competition. He insisted that neither -religious opinions nor other disabilities, many of -which existed, should be any bar. The issues -involved by these reforms were intricate and came -up for discussion in the House of Commons when -Fawcett was a member; but all through their -varying phases he kept to the one view that fellowships -should be aids to poor men who desired -a university training and should be open to the -competition of the ablest.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But in 1858 fellowships could be held by unmarried -<span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span>men only. Cambridge society consisted -largely of young men before their departure into -those wider fields which permit of matrimony, and -a few belated seniors lingering behind, bachelors -by predilection or compulsion. The youthfulness of -the majority appealed to the youthful; sanguine, -buoyant, and sociable, they could boast of sufficient -ability to have won them places in open competition. -If they gave evidence of the truth of the -famous admonition of Dr. Thompson, the Master of -Trinity College, that ‘we are none of us infallible, -not even the youngest of us,’ their intercourse -was only the more lively.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Into this circle Fawcett came like a huge magnet, -drawing to himself all kinds of curiously different -people. He was most heartily welcomed everywhere, -and even when his hot Radicalism encountered -in some senior a wall of Conservative -opposition, the wall soon crumbled under Fawcett’s -unquestionable sincerity and good-will.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER IX</span><br /> <br />THE GOOD SAMARITAN</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>‘Ask Fawcett’—The Ancient Mariners and the Diplomat—Christmas -Exceedings—Fawcett as Host—A Bore -foiled—The British Association.</p> - -<p class='c006'>But if no respecter of persons, Fawcett unfailingly -took every opportunity to play the good Samaritan. -Were a friend in trouble, this great rough comforter -was the first at hand to help. If ill, he had -probably from the beginning been sitting daily at -the patient’s bedside, bringing good cheer, or aiding -in the thousand and one ways which his understanding -of suffering, through his own great suffering, -had taught him. Nothing gave him greater -joy than to help in this way.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He was sent for on one occasion by an old -gentleman on his deathbed.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>‘Ask Fawcett.’</div> - -<p class='c007'>The invalid had shared some of his guest’s -tastes, and before the interview ended the old man, -instead of dedicating his last hours to spiritual -things, became so cheered and animated by his -blind friend that he called from his bed for his -fishing-tackle and a bottle of his best port. This -sudden convalescence so scandalised the family -that the vitalising guest was not urged to call again. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>He was sure to give the heartiest, least morbid -cheer, and revelled in his great privilege of service -wherever it was needed, wherever he could enter. -Moreover, his helpfulness was not spasmodic, it was -continuous and unforgetting, and he was counted -on as the most faithful and, in a homespun way, the -most delicate of friends. It necessarily follows -that he became a connecting link to a large circle -of Cambridge friends. To the inquiry where any -Cambridge man was, and how the fates were treating -him, it was the usual thing to say, ‘Ask Fawcett.’ -Whether the man had drifted away or had been -wrecked financially, socially, or by bad health, the -blind man always knew all about it, and had -usually tried to set things right. He believed -firmly in the need of ‘keeping his friendships in -constant repair.’ He did not age prematurely and -had the happy talent throughout life of seeing -things from a youthful point of view. It was one -of his principles to make friendships with younger -men. Some of the most brilliant juniors found in -him a warm and loyal comrade.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Ancient Mariners and the Diplomat.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He joined a famous boat crew known as the -Ancient Mariners, an entirely safe body of athletes -not liable to over-exert itself. Fawcett’s rowing -was as vigorous as it was erratic. He could not -keep time with the others, so they wisely made him -stroke.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Ancient Mariners shockingly beguiled a -trusting diplomat sent by Napoleon III. to study -Cambridge sport. The young envoy had just -<span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>arrived at Cambridge and was taking in with close -scientific observation all its characteristics. He -paused while passing through the Backs as the -Ancient Mariners stroked by Fawcett, skying -horribly as was his wont, hove into sight. Full of -interest, the Frenchman studied their movements, -and was surprised when the learned body of professors -passed at their aged and intellectual appearance. -He spoke to two undergraduates standing -by. ‘<i>Pardon, messieurs</i>, is that the famous -Cambridge crew?’ ‘Yes,’ solemnly responded -one shameless youth. ‘But, monsieur, they are -very old.’ ‘Oh yes,’ came the answer, ‘the strain -in training makes them so.’ Pondering on this -shocking fact, the Frenchman industriously made -notes which were later digested by his compatriots. -Unfortunately history has not given us his report -to the Emperor on the Cambridge crew.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Trinity Hall.</div> - -<div class='sidenote'>Christmas Festivities.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Trinity Hall was founded in 1350 by the far-sighted -Bishop Bateman. He had been greatly -alarmed by the terrible black death, and wished to -provide against a scarcity of lawyers. A more -genial benefactor sought to leave a merrier bequest, -and provided for an annual Christmas festivity, -properly ushered in by chapel service and followed -by a Latin oration—a eulogy on Civil Law. These -Yule-Tide ‘exceedings,’ as they were gaily termed -by the fellows, had a picturesque historic reputation, -and are well described by Leslie Stephen, who -enjoyed them to the full. He writes: ‘It was almost -a religious ceremony. If we could not rival the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>luxury of a civic banquet, there was an impressive -solemnity about the series of festivities which -lasted some ten days at Christmas time. The -college butler swelled with patriotic pride as he -arranged the pyramid of plate—the quaint little -enamelled cup bequeathed by our founder, which -had, I think, a shadowy reputation for detecting -poison; the statelier goblet given by Archbishop -Parker, which made its rounds with due ceremony -that we might drink “in piam memoriam fundatoris”; -and the huge silver punchbowl, which -represented Lord Chesterfield’s view of the kind -of conviviality likely to be appreciated by the Fellows -of his own period. The Master ... beamed -hospitality from every feature as he presided at -the table, prolonging the after-dinner sitting till -the port and madeira had made the orthodox -number of rounds.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett loved these festivities, and rejoiced -greatly when he could succeed in bringing his -old friends back to Cambridge, where ‘midst the -clatter of forty pair of knives and forks and the -talk of forty guests his ringing volleys of laughter -would assert their supremacy.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>A friend adds: ‘We used to argue whether -Fawcett or one of his friends, whose lungs could -emit a crow of superlative vigour, was capable of -the most effective laughter; but if the single -explosion of his rival was most startling no one -could deny that Fawcett was superior in point of -continuous and infectious hilarity.’</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>These Christmas functions would be accompanied -by long expeditions, walking, riding, or when -weather permitted, skating. Fawcett would never -lose a chance of this last. A Cambridge companion -has told that ‘as soon as it was even frosty, Fawcett -wanted to go skating. Even if no one else risked -it he was glad to open the season. Once early in -the winter he insisted on skating on the river Cam -at Cambridge. We took a boy with us. It was -very rough. We skated below the lock, where -there is a long space of river with a strong current. -It wasn’t at all safe, and I was relieved when I -was able to persuade Fawcett to come ashore. -Scarcely had I succeeded when two undergraduates -appeared on the river. “I don’t see why I can’t -skate if they can!” said Fawcett. “They will be -in the river in a minute,” I replied, and so one of -them was, and the boy whom we had taken with -us and I were forced to become life-savers.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>He always remembered to carry pennies in his -pocket for the man to put on his skates, or oranges -for the children.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Fawcett as Host.</div> - -<p class='c007'>In 1859 Fawcett, who had recently opened a -correspondence with Mill, hospitably asked him -to the college Christmasing, but the great -economist did not come. At different times -Fawcett had many guests, notably Cobden, who -came to see Fawcett in the summer of 1864 and -charmed the Dons by his delightful urbanity. -The great agitator was himself glad to make the -discovery that Dons abate their political prejudice -<span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>to be hospitable. Professor Huxley was -also gladly welcomed by Fawcett, besides other -scientists, politicians, economists, and lawyers, -famous in their time, and who if not immortals -now at all events did their share to create that -great epoch of betterment in the English world, -the Victorian era.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett had now become a well-known figure, -and suffered the usual consequences. His strategy -in self-preservation is described by one friend -thus:</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>A Bore foiled.</div> - -<p class='c007'>‘I was walking with him one day when he was -stopped by the long conversation of a very uninteresting -Professor. A few days later, when we were -again walking, I told Fawcett of the approach of -the same old bore. “How far off is he?” asked -Fawcett. “About three hundred feet ... now -about a hundred and fifty.” Fawcett’s pace kept -quickening and quickening so that I could hardly -keep up; when about twenty yards off his legs -shot out like the huge pistons of an engine. I had -to run to keep up with him. Like a flash of -lightning we passed the Professor, Fawcett shouting -as he sped furiously by, “How do you do, Professor? -Very fine day. Good-bye”; and when -the Professor in a few seconds was left a marvelling -dot on the horizon, Fawcett turned to me and said, -“He’s even slower than he looks!”’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett revelled in Cambridge society, and -constantly compared it with London, to its great -disadvantage. He felt that no continuity was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>possible in the talk of London drawing-rooms, and -that an enormous amount of time was lost in unnecessary -pioneering before one could discover a -ground of common interest. At last when you -were established comfortably on this ground, you -were briskly whirled away to repeat the tragedy -in some other circle. He had no patience with the -early break-up of London dinner-parties, owing -to the custom of moving on to other functions, -and he staunchly refused to go to ‘At Homes.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Cambridge Society.</div> - -<p class='c007'>In Cambridge life was so much simpler, men knew -each other, so that no time was lost by preliminaries, -and one could still have ‘talk such as Johnson -enjoyed at the Turk’s Head.’ One had only to -walk across a court to meet old friends, to strike -at once into the vital things one cared about. -Here serious subjects were considered seriously, -and by men who were young enough to feel what -they had to say and hope that their opinions would -jog the old world a little from its hackneyed -course.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Stephen tells us how at Christmas time he -would rejoice with Fawcett in an early and conversational -breakfast; then discuss the newspaper -until luncheon; the long afternoon tramp and talk -would end just in time to prepare for dinner, and -after dinner more smoking and argument until the -wee hours of the next day. What a triumphant -test of friendship and fluency!</p> - -<p class='c007'>Much of the ability of Fawcett to entertain—and -be entertained—from morning until past midnight -<span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>was the result of his talent for accepting -the small and trivial things of life as legitimate -pabulum for talk. He would begin a morning’s -conversation with, ‘What did you have for breakfast -to-day?’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Anecdotage.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He had a surprising avidity for anecdotes, and -loved to hear certain lengthy ones repeated -numberless times. He would listen, his attention -glued to these worn tales, and would beg with an -infantile eagerness to have some hoary story -retold which he had heard over and over for a -quarter of a century. His friend, the late Master -of Jesus College, had a rare genius for mimicry of -voice and gesture. Fawcett revelled in his performances; -he would be on the <i>qui vive</i> with the -delight of anticipation, and ‘as the well-known -anecdote proceeded every muscle of his body -would quiver with enjoyment and he would end -with laughter-choked petitions for more.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Though Fawcett possessed a remarkably strong -and rugged mind, his training reflected the limitations -of the Cambridge curriculum of his day, in -which the development of brain fibre by mental -gymnastics and keen competition was the chief -object.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The undeniable charm which accompanies the -type of mind which is attracted by mystery or -the more subtle forms of the æsthetic was denied -to Fawcett. Though his biographers may feel -that he would have been more interesting if he had -possessed these qualities, the frank acceptance of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span>his limitations and the record of his achievement -make a story of such heroism that it requires -nothing more than what legitimately belongs to it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The short-sighted put him down as a Philistine, -an epithet well described as that name which a -prig bestows on the rest of the species; but between -Fawcett and a prig there was a natural lack of -harmony. He appreciated good work wherever -he found it. The novels of George Eliot, the -Brontës, or Jane Austen were a great delight to -him. <i>Esmond</i> and <i>Vanity Fair</i> were read to him -several times over, and he would ask for certain -sonorous passages from Milton or Burke.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The British Association Meeting.</div> - -<p class='c007'>In 1860 he visited Oxford, where the British -Association was holding its meeting. He read a -paper in which he had the hardihood to attack the -caustic Whewell, assailing his preface to the works -of Richard Jones. A large meeting gathered to -witness the encounter. ‘Fawcett had learned by -heart a sentence from Whewell’s preface. Whewell -replied and repudiated the phrases quoted. -Fawcett slowly and accurately repeated the words, -which Whewell again disavowed. Then Fawcett -called to his secretary to produce the volume in -which the unlucky sentence had been marked. -The Chairman read it out, when Fawcett’s quotation -appeared to be perfectly correct. He thus -gained an apparently conclusive triumph.’ ‘There -were not a half-dozen people in the room,’ Fawcett -observed afterwards, ‘who would have understood -if I had got the best of the argument as to the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>inductive method; but they all heard the passage -repeated distinctly three times.’ Though the -younger man had unquestionably routed this -senior, Whewell took his defeat magnanimously, -and was from that time on excellent terms with his -conqueror.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER X</span><br /> <br />THE YOUNG ECONOMIST</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>Championing Darwin—Darwin at Downe—Salisbury -Gossip—Meeting Mill—Fawcett for Lincoln and the -Union—John Bright’s Dog—Chair of Political Economy.</p> - -<div class='c001'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>Championing Darwin.</div> - -<p class='c007'>In consequence of that Oxford meeting Fawcett -entered another arena. Bishop Wilberforce, representing -the attitude of many not narrow-minded -men, took that occasion to attack Darwin’s recently -published <i>Origin of Species</i>. Fawcett, indignant -at the theological onslaught on the new theories, -published an article in <i>Macmillan’s Magazine</i> in -which he valiantly took up the gauntlet for -Darwin.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Now, when evolution has become so much a -part of our accepted and automatic thought, when -we realise that science can in no way disprove -religion, but if anything recommends it on a -scientific basis, making the wonder of creation -more real, it seems quaint to remember and difficult -to appreciate that in Fawcett’s day the great -evolutionist was hated as an iconoclast whose -teachings would undermine religion, that Darwin -was actually anathema to the orthodox and the -pious minded.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>Fawcett writes with his usual clearness, stating -the true and logical position of Darwin’s theory; -distinguishing carefully between a fruitful hypothesis -and a scientific demonstration; exhibiting -the general nature of the argument and the geological -difficulty with great clearness, and taking -some pains to prove that religion is in no danger -from Darwinism. In any case, he says, ‘life must -have been originally introduced by an act of -creative will.’ He restated these arguments at -the next year’s meeting of the British Association -in Manchester. Although this controversy for -his part went little further, it led to some correspondence -with Darwin, from whose letters it is of -interest to quote:</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>A Letter from Darwin.</div> - -<p class='c019'><span class='sc'>My dear Mr. Fawcett</span>,—I wondered who had so -kindly sent me the newspapers, which I was very glad -to see; and now I have to thank you sincerely for -allowing me to see your MS. It seems to me very -good and sound; though I am certainly not an impartial -judge. You will have done good service in -calling the attention of scientific men to means and -laws of philosophising. As far as I could judge by the -papers your opponents were unworthy of you. How -miserably A. talked of my reputation, as if that had -anything to do with it.... How profoundly ignorant -B. [who had said that Darwin should have published -facts alone] must be of the very soul of observation! -About thirty years ago there was much talk that -geologists ought only to observe and not theorise; and -I well remember some one saying that at this rate a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>man might as well go into a gravel-pit and count the -pebbles and describe the colours. How odd it is -that any one should not see that all observation -must be for or against some view if it is to be of any -service!</p> - -<p class='c019'>I have returned only lately from a two months’ -visit to Torquay, which did my health at the time -good; but I am one of those miserable creatures who -are never comfortable for twenty-four hours; and it is -clear to me that I ought to be exterminated. I have -been rather idle of late, or, speaking more strictly, -working at some miscellaneous papers, which, however, -have some direct bearing on the subject of species; yet -I feel guilty at having neglected my larger book. -But, to me, observing is much better sport than writing. -I fear that I shall have wearied you with this -long note.</p> - -<p class='c019'>Pray believe that I feel sincerely grateful that you -have taken up the cudgels in defence of the line of -argument in the <i>Origin</i>; you will have benefited the -subject.</p> - -<p class='c019'>Many are so fearful of speaking out. A German -naturalist came here the other day, and he tells me -that there are many in Germany on our side; but that -all seem fearful of speaking out, and waiting for some -one to speak, and then many will follow. The Naturalists -seem as timid as young ladies should be, about -their scientific reputation. There is much discussion -on the subject on the Continent, even in quiet Holland, -and I had a pamphlet from Moscow the other day by a -man who sticks up famously for the imperfection of -the ‘Geological Record’ but complains that I have sadly -<span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span><i>understated</i> the variability of the old fossilised animals! -But I <i>must</i> not run on. With sincere thanks and -respect, pray believe me, yours very sincerely,</p> - -<div class='c020'><span class='sc'>Charles Darwin. </span></div> - -<div class='sidenote'>Going to Darwin at Downe.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett was a great admirer of Darwin, and the -famous scientist had a whole-hearted admiration -for him, and thought most highly of his work on -political economy. While Fawcett was staying -with Lord Avebury they started on the tree-shaded -lane that leads uphill to Downe, where Darwin -lived, but Fawcett sped much too fast for his host, -who had taken his arm. The blind man said, ‘I -don’t need you to lead me; if you just keep close -enough to me to prevent my going into the hedges, -I am all right!’ ‘But I don’t do it to guide you,’ -replied Lord Avebury, ‘I do it to help myself, you -walk so quickly.’ Fawcett was hugely amused, -and the blind man continuing thus to lead the -sighted, they arrived at Darwin’s, where they had -a very merry time.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>At Salisbury.</div> - -<p class='c007'>It was a great relaxation and joy for Fawcett -when he was able to spend a few days with his beloved -family at Salisbury. He often took his work -with him, and was forced at times to deny himself -to visitors. One morning when he was at work -an old lady called who had been his sister’s schoolmistress. -When, at luncheon, he heard that she -had been there, and had asked for him, but that -they had refused to interrupt him, he exclaimed, -‘Oh, why didn’t you call me for a friend?’ -<span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>Although he knew the old lady but slightly, and -she had no claims on him, he was not happy until -he had called on her that same afternoon and told -her how sorry he was not to have seen her.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Joy of Gossip.</div> - -<p class='c007'>It is refreshing to find that he was devoted to -gossip, and in the home circle at Salisbury he would -often ask Mrs. Fawcett pleadingly, ‘Mother, -can’t you go out to hook a little news for me?’ -and the mother would sally forth in search of the -latest village excitement. She had a talent, -perhaps inherited by the son, of, to state it conservatively, -making the very best of any anecdote; -and when she returned to the picturesque stone -cottage in the close, where she found her long son -toasting himself before the fire in pleasant anticipation -of a good dish of fresh gossip, great was their -mutual satisfaction. Urged by him ‘to tell it -all without interruptions,’ she would relate what -she had absorbed with her neighbour’s tea. She -knew well how to give the flowery rendering that -delighted her son. As the story increased in picturesqueness -and interest, Fawcett, who had been -bending forward, his lips slightly parted in anticipation -of coming smiles, would rock back and forth -with sheer glee. As the narrator skilfully made -each point he would shout joyously, ‘Bravo, -mother! Bravo! go it, mother!’ He would -never let any one else retail the village talk. She -gave it so much more point.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He could also ‘hook news’ for himself, and had -a favourite tale culled from a Salisbury gossip. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span>An old dairyman who was a great friend of his -announced one day that they had ‘a new, beautiful -clergyman at Harnham.’ ‘What kind?’ asked -Fawcett. ‘Oh, fine—he goes so terrible high and -so terrible low!’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Though he retained his childlike curiosity, it is -notable that he was absolutely free from ill-nature, -and one of his intimates states that he never heard -Fawcett say an ill-natured thing or intentionally -spread a possibly mischievous rumour. Though -he had a splendid contempt for certain weaknesses, -he was always discreet, and tried his best to -promote kindly feeling. His love of talk was so -infective that it stimulated a flow in those who -without him would have been reticent or silent.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Meeting Mill.</div> - -<p class='c007'>In Cambridge he used to be teased about his -total lack of any embarrassment or shyness, but -he would answer these sallies with, ‘If you could -ever see me meeting Mill, you would see me -awkward enough!’ The meeting took place, but -not in the presence of these Cambridge cronies; -and what happened was never known, as Fawcett -kept this sacred mystery to himself.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the letter, already mentioned, written to Mill -in 1859, he says that he is ‘personally a stranger -to you,’ and then alludes to ‘the very kind -sympathy you have expressed to me,’ and continues:</p> - -<p class='c007'>[Sidenote: Correspondence with Mill.]</p> - -<p class='c019'>For the last three years your books have been the -chief education of my mind; I consequently have -<span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>entertained towards you such a sense of gratitude as -I can only hope at all adequately to repay by doing -what lies in my power to propagate the valuable truths -contained in every page of your writing.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He certainly was a deeply attached pupil.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He writes later:</p> - -<p class='c019'>Pray accept my most sincere thanks for your letter; -I cannot tell you how much I value your words of kind -encouragement. Often when I reflect on my affliction, -I feel that it is rash on my part to attempt anything -like a career of public usefulness; and again and -again, I am sure, my heart would fail me if it was not -stimulated by your thoughts and teachings. I can -therefore assure you that your kind words will remove -many an obstacle to my course.</p> - -<p class='c007'>This allusion to his blindness and to the depressing -effect that it had in making him doubt at times -the practicability of his having a ‘career of public -usefulness’ is as unusual for him as it is touching.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Even his iron will could not exclude the quiet -moments when his disaster weighed on him with the -force of its full burden, and he could not at all -times banish a wistful expression which his friends -grew to recognise when his face was not animated -by talk or the stimulus of debate. It is even -reproduced in some of the photographs, which -show on his features the calm acceptance of a -great tragedy.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Mill had not long lost the wife who had so -radiantly coloured an otherwise grey existence, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>and doubtless the cordial admiration and the open-hearted -friendship of the younger economist was -very pleasant to him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The pupil and master became great friends. -Fawcett appreciated the gentle charm of the -singular delicacy of feeling which he found under -Mill’s austere and aloof nature. At the unveiling -in 1878 of Mill’s statue, Fawcett said that Mill -possessed qualities supposed to be the peculiar -privileges of women, a gentleness and tenderness -such as no woman could exceed. He revered his -teacher so profoundly that it was sometimes -thought that he was less generous in listening to -the side of their common opponents.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In later years Professor Sidgwick, who ventured -to find some flaws in the crystal, met with scant -sympathy from Fawcett. Walking with a friend -in Cambridge, Fawcett’s attention was called to -the nearness of Professor Sidgwick, apparently -deep in conversation. ‘Oh yes,’ said he, ‘there -goes Sidgwick, carping on Mill.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>American Civil War.</div> - -<p class='c007'>While Fawcett was busying himself with the -theory of economics in the quiet courts of -Cambridge, its practice had given rise to a great -conflagration in the Western Continent. The -American Civil War raised many problems outside -the country where it raged. England was considering -where her sympathies lay. The Palmerstonian -instinct to support a small state revolting -against the possibly arbitrary insistence of a greater -power gave one impulse in favour of the South; -<span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span>the grudging desire to see a large country split up -gave another in the same direction. These were -the feelings of the aristocracy and the press. But -the Radicals and the common people had quite -other thoughts. To them the great country in the -West was the home and hope of freedom, and that -<span class='sni'><span class='hidev'>|</span>Lancashire<br/>Work People<br/>and Freedom.<span class='hidev'>|</span></span> -it should strive to wipe itself free of the stain of -slavery won the full sympathy of the freedom-loving -people in the mother country. The working -people of Lancashire stood by and starved that -they might help America to be free.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In 1863 Leslie Stephen crossed the Atlantic. -His letters to his mother were at his request all -forwarded to Fawcett, who helped his friend by -getting him letters of introduction.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Stephen writes, ‘The letter which Fawcett -got me from Bright to Seward proved very useful. -It brought Seward down completely. Bright’s -name is (as Fawcett may tell him) a complete tower -of strength in these parts. They all talked of him -with extraordinary admiration.’ And again, ‘I -also hear that old fox, Fawcett, with his customary -low cunning, speaks complimentarily of my letters -and suggests my writing a book on America.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Fawcett for Lincoln and the Union.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett from the first was a strong Federalist, -and both in public and in private spoke for the -North. At Cambridge he was one of a small -minority, and his rooms were the scene of many -a battle for Lincoln and the Union.</p> - -<div id='fp102' class='figcenter id006'> -<img src='images/i_102fp.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p>HENRY FAWCETT AT CAMBRIDGE, 1863<br /><br />From a contemporary painting in Trinity Hall<br /><br />The other figures from left to right are Fawcett’s guide, Professor Geldart and Leslie Stephen</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>We have already commented on the curious -resemblance, both physical and mental, between the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span>American and the Englishman. If we turn to the -Trinity Hall picture of Fawcett, Leslie Stephen, -and others, the blind man’s lofty top hat made in -England suggests the similar hideous head-gear -which was worn by the American President at his -inauguration, and which was humbly held by -his conquered adversary when the oath of office -was taken by the victor. Fawcett is like Lincoln -in his great wiry, lank length of six feet three inches -or against the American six feet four inches; in -their athletic force and power, as youths, they both -threw their adversaries in wrestling bouts; their -rusticity, simplicity, and felicity in ready speech; -their unfailing love of fun and affection for small -boys, animals, and all weak things in need of help. -In their slight characteristics and in their great -traits they had much in common; their sympathy, -honesty, phenomenal patience and courage. They -started on their careers with similar equipments—their -great hearts and tremendous energies. They -both, through vast suffering, found the road to a -deep happiness, and with all their love and power -they served their countries.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Hooking John Bright’s property.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett’s friendship for Bright has been referred -to. It may not be out of place to repeat a favourite -story Fawcett used to tell against himself of a -fishing exploit in Bright’s company. They had -had no luck, and Bright was walking ahead along -the river bank when Fawcett called out exultantly, -‘Oh, Bright, I’ve got a big one!’ He pulled hard. -Bright turned round and exclaimed, ‘Yes, indeed, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span>you have caught your hook in the long hair of -my dog,’ and went to the rescue of the mystified -collie, who was trying to extricate himself from -Fawcett’s vigorous fishing-line.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Friendship with Macmillan.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Largely at the instigation of his friend and future -publisher, Macmillan, Fawcett began to write his -first book on political economy in 1861. Alexander -Macmillan was a great friend of Fawcett and of his -circle. He often came to Fawcett’s rooms to ask -him and to persuade him to contribute some articles -to the early numbers of <i>Macmillan’s Magazine</i>.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It is possible that these two were drawn to each -other by their great differences—Macmillan to -Fawcett’s strong, dogged common sense, and -Fawcett to that esoteric vein in his friend’s -mentality. The following incident brings out -strongly this contrast. Macmillan was popular -with the graduates, who often spent interesting -evenings at his house. One day he in turn was -their guest in the Common Room. He held the -floor in an extremely metaphysical conversation. -Fawcett, who cared little for such talk and always -said that philosophy ran off him like water off -a duck’s back, showed scant interest in the -proceedings. Macmillan became more and more -introspective and transcendental, and finally exclaimed, -‘I often wonder, Fawcett, what I am -here for,’ to which Fawcett cheerfully replied, ‘O -Macmillan, we all know what you are here for—to -bring out another edition of Hamblin Smith’s -<i>Arithmetic</i>.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><i>Manual of Political Economy.</i></div> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>Fawcett’s <i>Manual of Political Economy</i> appeared -early in 1863, when he was in his thirtieth year. -He regarded his book merely as an introduction to -Mill’s larger work, which he said ‘will be remembered -as one of the most enduring productions -of the nineteenth century.’ The manual was very -well received, and opened the way for Fawcett to -succeed the then Professor of Political Economy, -Professor Pryne, who was in failing health. On -the death of this gentleman the choice for a successor -lay among four candidates. The great -ability of one of these, then Mr. Leonard H. -Courtney, now Lord Courtney, was already recognised. -As, however, residents were preferred to -strangers, the real contest was reduced to the two -local candidates, Fawcett and Mayor. Fawcett’s -book was his chief asset in the struggle, and it, -together with his discussion at the London Political -Economy Club, of which he was a member, -<span class='sni'><span class='hidev'>|</span>Candidate for<br/>the Chair of<br/>Political<br/>Economy.<span class='hidev'>|</span></span> -constituted the chief claims urged by his many -influential friends throughout the country. They -wrote the usual laudatory letters, but with perhaps -more than the usual heartiness. Nevertheless, his -blindness seemed a probable barrier to his ambition. -Even one of his dearest friends refused to uphold -his claims, feeling that a blind man could not -properly fill the post, and there was much sincere -doubt whether a man who could not see could keep -order in his lecture-room. In addition to this, -Fawcett’s frank Radicalism counted against him; -he had already, as we shall see in a later chapter, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>twice been a candidate for Parliament in the -Liberal interest, the last time in Cambridge -itself.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Such was the reputation for extreme opinions -Fawcett and Stephen had given by their connection -with Trinity Hall, that a certain country -squire of ancient lineage and Conservative principles -hesitated whether he dared send his son to -the college where his ancestors had gained their -learning. He decided to visit Cambridge, and -there interviewed Stephen and Fawcett. He told -them with unfeigned horror of the serious charges -of Radicalism against the college that made him -afraid to entrust his son to its keeping. The grave -fellows compared notes solemnly before answering -the father, then Fawcett reassured him, saying -that the rumours which he had heard had been -much exaggerated, and though at one time ’some -of us had been rather infected with extreme -opinions, now we have greatly moderated our -views, and shall be content simply with the Disestablishment -of the Church and the abolition -of the Throne.’ The immediate flight of the -horrified squire can be imagined.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Elected.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Undismayed, however, Fawcett and his friends -went to their electioneering with an astuteness and -enthusiasm that vanquished all opposition, and -on 28th November 1863 Fawcett was elected to -the professorial chair. A jubilant letter was -despatched by him to his mother the day after -the election on 28th November 1863:</p> - -<p class='c021'><span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span><span class='sc'>My dear Mother</span>,—I hope you duly received the -telegram. The victory yesterday was a wonderful -triumph. I don’t think an election has produced so -much excitement in Cambridge for years. At last -excitement was greatly increased by its being made -quite a church and political question. All the Masters -opposed me with two exceptions, but I was strongly -supported by a great majority of the most distinguished -resident Fellows. My victory was a great surprise to -the University. I thought on the whole that I should -win, but I expected a much smaller majority. Clarke -however was very confident. He managed the election -splendidly for me, and curiously predicted that I should -poll exactly ninety votes, and made a bet with Stephen -that I should beat Mayor by ten to twelve. We are -going to publish a list of the votes, which I shall send -to you. My great strength after all was in Trinity. -This says much for the independence of the College, as -the Master was one of my strongest opponents....</p> - -<p class='c021'>All my friends in town regard it as a great political -triumph. The Forsters [who had supported him in the -election at Cambridge] were in a wonderful state of -delight, and I have been overwhelmed with congratulations. -I must now conclude, as I have many more -letters to write. Give my kindest love to Maria, and -believe me to be, dear Mother, ever yours affectionately,</p> - -<div class='c022'><span class='sc'>Henry Fawcett</span>.</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div><span class='xxlarge'>THE PROFESSOR</span></div> - <div class='c003'><span class='xxlarge'>OF POLITICAL ECONOMY</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c013'> - <div>'A man may see how this world goes with no eyes.'</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c023'><span class='sc'>Shakespeare.</span></div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c024'> - <div>'He that hath light within his own dim breast</div> - <div>May sit i' the centre, and enjoy bright day.'</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c023'><span class='sc'>Milton.</span></div> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XI</span><br /> <br />A PROGRAMME OF HELPFULNESS</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>The Triumph over Blindness—The Professor’s Audience—Free -Trade and Protection—The Luxury of Light—The -Malady of Poverty.</p> - -<div class='c001'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>The Triumph over Blindness.</div> - -<p class='c007'>His election to a professorial chair meant much -to Fawcett and helped greatly to carry him successfully -forward in the career which he had mapped -out for himself. It proved two points of much -significance in his life as a blind man: first, that -his colleagues and the elder men in authority at -Cambridge thought that he had the intellectual -training and qualifications to develop the honourable -post to which he was elected; and secondly, -that they did not feel that his blindness would -hinder his making the most of his knowledge or -prevent his students reaping good results from his -lectures. Perhaps no less important was the added -buoyancy and confidence given to Fawcett by a -knowledge of his ability to control and lead men, -even if they were only his pupils at Cambridge. -This was a step, even if a very small one, on his -path towards his election to Parliament. From -that point of vantage he felt that he could -ultimately lead the hosts of the ignorant and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>oppressed and force great issues for the national -welfare.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The material advantages following his victory -were also important: his fellowship yielded from -£250 to £300 a year, which, with his professorship -worth £300 a year, was sufficient for his needs. He -rejoiced that his professorship compelled him to be -at Cambridge for eighteen weeks each year, and -for the rest of his life he continued to give his -annual course of lectures.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The attitude taken towards the duties of a -professor at Cambridge at that time seems to us -now almost comic and Gilbertian. It was not -expected that the professor should have a voluntary -attendance of enthusiastic pupils at his -lectures. When it was considered advisable for -him to have a larger audience, the lecture-rooms -were filled by forcing the ‘poll’ men, that is the -undergraduates taking the Ordinary Degree, to -attend a certain number of lectures; and whilst -this arrangement remained in force Fawcett had -a large share of these coerced auditors. In 1876 -the regulation was done away with, and his lectures -were nearly deserted, though in his later years he -had again a respectable audience.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Professor’s Audience.</div> - -<p class='c007'>A friend who saw Fawcett lecturing at Cambridge -after the repeal of compulsory attendance says -that the impression made upon him was grotesque. -On entering the lecture-room, which was practically -deserted, one saw the huge blind man holding forth -with his ringing voice to space. Fawcett, in answer -<span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>to condolences on this weird phenomenon, replied, -with a merry laugh, that it was quite all right and -he was used to it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett was practically the only professor who -objected to the withdrawal of compulsion; he -said that he had been convinced by experience that -his hearers profited more than he had anticipated. -Examinations showed that they had really acquired -useful knowledge. He did not share the objections -of his colleagues, who felt that they had to lecture -above the capacities of their enforced audiences. -He should not, he said, alter in any case the -character of his own lectures. There is something -sublime and adamantine in this attitude; with his -two feet planted firmly, the blind man proposed -not for a moment to lessen the height of his -intellectual stature, but by sheer force and determination, -derrick-like, to hoist even the lowest -members of his audience up to his own level. The -impracticability of this point of view is obvious, -but it is intensely Fawcettian. He felt that the -great truths embodied in political economy were so -simple and vital that he could graft them painlessly -and with good results on the most unfertile mind.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Science of Helpfulness.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He did not confine himself to elucidating the -essential elements of his science only, nor was he -content to reiterate what he had said to former -audiences. He loved political economy as a living -and helpful science. His lectures were always -fresh, earnest, and illustrated by the bearing of the -subject on history or current political events. He -<span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span>did not care to teach subtleties, but to drill his -pupils in a science which he firmly believed would -help them to deal intelligently and efficiently with -the great problems of inequality, poverty, ignorance, -and misery which were calling in vain to high -Heaven to be solved.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett’s critics among the younger men often -felt that he was too conservative. He idealised -Mill, and his friends maintained that he had read -no book except Mill’s <i>Political Economy</i>; it was -true that he had read no book so exhaustively. -He urged his hearers at one of his lectures to study -some good book until they were prepared to give -the substance and fully to analyse the argument of -every chapter, and then having acted conscientiously -on his advice himself, naïvely suggested Mill’s -<i>Political Economy</i> as excellent for this purpose.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Homely Political Economy.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He proved the teachings of Ricardo and Mill by -what he had learned from the conditions of the -country folk about Salisbury and Cambridge. He -was wont to base his arguments on some homely, -definite fact as illustration for his plain, home-made -reasoning; for instance, he objected to a certain -increased tax because it meant that every old -woman in England would have a lump of sugar the -less in her tea. That was the concrete thing on -which he based his policy; and surely it is not one -to be overlooked by a true statesman. He supplemented -his knowledge by studying inexhaustibly -the political, financial and economic movements of -his time, and delighted in spending a quiet Sunday -<span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>reading through all the newspapers he could collect. -His appetite for them was insatiable, and -he felt that he had been defrauded if his friends, -when reading the Parliamentary debates, skipped -any of even ‘the blow off,’ as they called the -peroration.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He enriched his mind less by a pre-occupation -with the abstract theory of Political Economy -than by keeping constantly in touch with the affairs -which were in actual course of transaction.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'><i>Free Trade and Protection.</i></div> - -<p class='c007'>He was keenly interested in all those questions -where political economy borders on finance. His -book, <i>Free Trade and Protection</i>, published fifteen -years after his first, assailed the tariff fetish dear -to his generation. Terse and masterly, his publication -became popular, and was regarded by many of -the critics of his day as conclusive. In it he limited -the problem to what he deemed its practical viewpoint. -To him this was purely a commercial one, -a question of profit and loss. Was protection profitable -or not? He found that, sporadic evidence -at times to the contrary, protection was not a -paying business, and that it would only be maintained -in the long run by a loss to the community, -and therefore he considered it an obstruction in the -way of progress, capital, and the general weal.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He was impressed by the fact that the evil of the -day was the hopeless poverty of the mass of the -people. He felt that the only way to help them -was to understand the principles that govern ‘the -conditions and consequences of money making -<span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>and money spending,’ and so discover how best to -make it possible for them to earn more money, -that is, to have more power in exchange. He felt -that men should be less content with their lot, and -that schools and savings banks to replace the -public-house would be great factors for regeneration. -<span class='sni'><span class='hidev'>|</span>The Luxury of Light.<span class='hidev'>|</span></span> -He used to tell the following anecdote, which -touched his friend Mill deeply. Fawcett knew a -Wiltshire man who was in the habit of going to -bed at dusk. The man explained that this was -his custom because he could not afford a candle, -and added that, even if he could, he could not read, -so why should he have the expense or luxury of -light? How was it possible to change this labourer’s -horizon, to lift him beyond the degrading pressure -of sordid poverty, and to fill him with ambition, -when he had to support his wife and himself -on nine shillings a week? ‘Let us endeavour,’ -Fawcett says, ‘to understand the true causes of -poverty. That is the vital problem.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Malady of Poverty.</div> - -<p class='c007'>As a Professor of Political Economy he tries, -like a careful doctor, painstakingly to study and -understand the symptoms of the malady of poverty -and misery, refusing to accept any superficial -diagnosis. He wants to discover the cause of -the disturbance which, like a malignant tumour, -vitiates the whole social system. While coping -with these problems he kept his mind cool, critical, -and impersonal, refusing all quack remedies, and -seized every detail that helped him to his goal. -In all simplicity he once asked Leslie Stephen why -<span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>Carlyle called political economy the ‘dismal -Science’—not a difficult question for the average -man! But Fawcett loved budgets and balance-sheets; -they brought to his mind vivid, concrete -pictures that could never be dull, and he studied -them industriously; industriously enough to realise -thoroughly the fallibility of figures and the old -truth so often quoted (can the reader bear it -again?) that there are three kinds of lies, ‘Lies, -Damned Lies, and Statistics.’ Though his respect -for his forerunners was great, his beliefs were fearlessly -his own.</p> - -<p class='c007'>His warm personal relations with country -labourers, many of whom he called his intimate -friends, never lessened. Once, after a day’s fishing -at Salisbury with Wright, he had some beer -with a farmer, who told him that the labourers’ -wages were to be lowered after the harvest. -Fawcett, after vainly protesting, refused more beer -and walked home. On his way he met one of his -labouring friends, who accounted for his best -clothes by saying that he was going to a harvest-home -celebration at the church. Fawcett fell -into a long reverie, and at last asked Wright how -he would like to give thanks for a bountiful harvest -when his wages were to be docked of a shilling a -week.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Co-operation.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Such facts touched him deeply and set him -pondering and writing on how best they could -be changed. Co-operation seemed to him to be -the cure for these ills; he felt that it would bind -<span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span>together the interests of the capitalists and the -working men, and would ultimately do away with -the friction between them. An article he published -on this subject attracted the notice of George -Eliot, and his proposals were put into practice -at a colliery near Leeds.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XII</span><br /> <br />THE SCHOOLS OF THE POOR</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>Need of Non-Sectarian Education—Charity and Pauperism—Friendship -with Working Men—The Voice that -linked.</p> - -<div class='c001'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>Need of Non-Sectarian Education.</div> - -<p class='c007'>But co-operation without intelligence and education -in all classes was impossible. Fawcett felt -keenly the need of non-sectarian national education, -especially for the rural population. Schools -would enlighten the workman so that he could learn -how to make his work more profitable to himself -and others, and how to make the best of his free -hours, and so work out his independence.</p> - -<p class='c007'>To the argument that compulsory school attendance, -when the schooling was not gratuitous, would -impose additional burdens upon the poor, he replied -that the wages of labourers were determined -not by open competition, but by what was -absolutely necessary to keep soul and body together. -The payment for schools would therefore -not come out of their pockets, but be made up in -their wages. The employer would be reimbursed -either by a reduction of his rent or, it might be -confidently hoped, by the increased efficiency of -labour. A man considers himself repaid for keeping -his horses in good condition, whilst he leaves his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>labourers in a state of semi-starvation. Fawcett -held that whatever would give and stimulate the -best in men was good, but he abhorred all that -tended to restrict the independence and freedom of -action of the poor. This latter principle made him -a strong opponent of any form of State regulation -<span class='sni'><span class='hidev'>|</span>Charity and Pauperism.<span class='hidev'>|</span></span> -of the lives and labour of the adult poor. It -seemed to him that charity unsafeguarded which -inevitably increases pauperism. He realised that -tyranny always tries to justify itself; his interest -in America made him familiar with the doctrine -that slavery is best for the slave. ‘Interference -may be tyranny in disguise even when it is really -based on the best motives.’ He wrote sternly -against State socialism and the nationalisation of -the land. These plans, he said, regarded the State -as a kind of supernatural milch cow, a body capable -of making something out of nothing, of directly -commanding supplies of manna from the heavens -and water from the rocks; whereas, in point of -fact, these were simply schemes for taking money -from the prudent and handing it over to the idle.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In his search for practical solutions to these -questions he put himself in close touch with the -individual workman and his conditions, as well -as with Trade Union officials. When at Bradford, -during a strike against the introduction of new -labour-saving machinery, the blind man went fearlessly -among the excited workmen and cautioned -the men against driving away their trade by their -methods. He strongly denounced violence, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>arguing calmly to these under-fed, discontented -men, he compelled their interest; they listened, -and were largely convinced by his logic and good-will. -Many working men regarded him as their -hero and champion.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Recently a London locksmith told the writer -that he was a member of the Henry Fawcett Club -for Workmen, and that one of their proudest -memories was that Fawcett had at one time -addressed the club and taught it great principles -of life and work.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Friendships with Working Men.</div> - -<p class='c007'>The working men and women appreciated what -his friendship meant, and felt that there was no -one who could better speak for them.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Odger.</div> -<p class='c007'>George Odger, a shoemaker, the first workman -to stand for Parliament, was a great friend of Fawcett’s. -He used to tell this tale of his candidature. -It was before the ballot, and it was the custom to -publish the state of the poll from time to time -throughout the day. There were two Conservatives -and two Liberals standing for two seats, and -Odger standing as an independent working-class -candidate. As the day went on it became clear -that one of the Liberals would be returned, but that -if the second Liberal and Odger held on a Conservative -would win the second seat. Fawcett and -some other Liberal politicians went more than once -to the Liberal Whip’s headquarters, and implored -him as the chief of the Liberal party organisation -to allow the second Liberal candidate to withdraw -from the contest, and thus both save a seat for -<span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>the Liberal party and allow a workman to get -in. Out of dislike to a working-class candidate, -the party leader refused. The result was that -both Odger and the second Liberal were defeated -and a Conservative got in; and also a lasting bitterness -on the part of Odger and his sympathisers -towards the wire-pullers of the Liberal party, and -apparently an enduring affection for Fawcett. At -one of his political meetings, years after, Odger -appeared to make a speech in defence of his friend, -about whom he said, that if he or any other working-class -leader went to see the professor in the House -of Commons or elsewhere to ask him for his support -for some Bill or proposal in which they were -interested, Fawcett would not keep them standing -in the lobby as some members would, but would -<span class='sni'><span class='hidev'>|</span>Frank Fairness.<span class='hidev'>|</span></span> -receive them in the most friendly and unassuming -manner. If he didn’t agree with their proposal -he would tell them so in the clearest and most direct -terms, so that they always knew where they stood -with him; if he agreed with them and thought -them right he would back them through thick and -thin, and if he thought their views unsound he -would with equal candour tell them so and oppose -them.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Odger had shown the same liking for plain speaking -when he was present at the extraordinary -meeting held during Mill’s election for Westminster. -In an essay in which he compared the -working classes in different countries, Mill had said -that in England the working classes were generally -<span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>liars. At this meeting Mill was publicly asked if -he had made the statement. Mill replied, ‘I did.’ -His courage was received with a great burst of -applause, and Odger, who spoke next, said that the -working classes wanted friends not flatterers, and -were truly obliged to any one who could treat them -so straightforwardly.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Friendship till Death.</div> - -<p class='c007'>When, years later, Odger lay dying in the slums -of St. Giles, Fawcett went to his bedside, giving -what comfort he could, and an unfailing sympathy. -When the old man died, Fawcett went to his funeral -in Brompton Cemetery. His secretary, who accompanied -him, gives this description, it was ‘a -long walk in a procession of many thousands, with -trade bands playing funeral marches, alternating -with the Marseillaise, and the banners of working-class -organisations flying. We joined the procession -in Knightsbridge and walked all the way -to Brompton, and the throng at the cemetery was -immense. Mr. Fawcett and I were dragged -through the crowd to the grave, where the leader -who had arranged the procession insisted on his -making a short speech in eulogy of their dead -comrade.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>A characteristic glimpse of Fawcett and his -surroundings at this time is given to us by one of -his sympathisers, who says:</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘The first time I saw Mr. Fawcett was at a -meeting summoned, as I understood, by himself, -for the purpose of hearing an address from him -on some subject connected with political economy -<span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span>and the interests of the working class. I was introduced -to Mr. Fawcett after the lecture. Neither -he nor anybody else had ever heard of my name at -that time, but he was as frank and friendly as if we -had met before and had known each other. He told -me he was determined to try for a seat in the House -of Commons, and he added cheerily, “I know I -shall get a seat there some time.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘I did not meet him again for more than a year, -it may have been two years, after. I happened to -sit next to him at a small meeting of politicians -and philanthropists. Mr. Mill was at the same -meeting. We had the Reform question to interest -us, the question between the Northern and Southern -States of America, the question of legislation affecting -the position of working men, the Irish question. -Radicalism was then at once curiously robust -and “viewy,” a combination of qualities which -politicians of a more recent birth find it perhaps -a little difficult to understand. Mr. Mill belonged -to some of our fraternities. Mr. Herbert Spencer -was at one of them, at least. Mr. Huxley rather -later came into one or two.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Voice that linked.</div> - -<p class='c007'>‘Some speaker got up who spoke well, and whom -I did not know, and I asked Mr. Fawcett who -it was. He told me promptly, and then to my -surprise addressed me by name, and reminded -me of the fact that we had talked together after -his speech in St. Martin’s Hall. His power of -recognising men by the sound of their voices was -something wonderful. Seventeen or eighteen years -<span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span>afterwards, I happened to sit two rows of benches -behind him in the House of Commons. The House -was nearly empty. Fawcett had spoken a few -words on some subject of interest in India. When -he sat down I uttered one quiet “Hear, hear.” In -a moment he turned towards me, and addressing -me by my name, asked me whether I had seen a -friend of his, the late Sir David Wedderburn, anywhere -in the House that evening.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Call of the Outside.</div> - -<p class='c007'>However great his absorption in political affairs, -Fawcett never forgot to satisfy his craving for fresh -air and exercise. His sanity of outlook on serious -things was largely due to his power of throwing -them aside to enjoy a long tramp, a ride or a wintry -skate. His nerve never failed him. One frosty -day he walked across the frozen fens from Cambridge -to Newmarket. The country is intersected -with dikes and at any moment it was -possible to plunge beyond one’s depth into a half-frozen -ditch. To Fawcett this was part of the -fun, but his companion was far more anxious, and -said that the Victoria Cross had been won by deeds -requiring no greater courage and strength than this -feat required of a blind man. Fawcett had learnt -his lesson that for him life without courage was -no life, and he habituated himself to hourly risks.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In company with a seeing confederate, he -would have made a good scout. His knowledge -of the country, of the mysteries of the woods and -fields, intensified as he grew older. In the Wilderness, -many an Indian path-finder would have lost -<span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span>the crackling of the branches under the swift hoof -of a distant hurrying deer, or the soft call of the -partridge to her young which Fawcett always -heard. The distinctive smells and sounds of the -seasons were clearly marked for him. The swish -of the rollicking crisp leaves dancing before the -wind along the roadways, and the thud of the -falling apples on the hard ground in the orchard, -made him laugh as it brought autumn to his senses. -Winter, with its clear-cut noises, cracklings of ice -and snow under foot, lost none of its sternness -because he could not see its long white robes. He -loved the smells of spring, and seemed to feel the -pushing and striving in the dank earth and to -divine the fragrance soon to burst forth. Like a -giant lizard he revelled and basked in the heat of -the summer sun, and rejoiced in the contrast of -the cool shadow beneath the heavy-laden trees, the -smell of the hot grass and of fully opened fragrant -flowers, and the sedate ‘brum’ of the bourgeois -bumble-bee.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Increasing Interests.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Though by his professorship attached for life to -Cambridge, Fawcett’s interests were deep in the -world of politics, in which he had already made his -début as the member of Parliament for Brighton. -To simplify our story we will take up the history -of his early political efforts in a new chapter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The new M.P. was extremely popular; his friends -were among the greatest men of the day—three of -them at least, Darwin, Mill, Thackeray, gave new -life to widely different callings.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XIII</span><br /> <br />THE NEW M.P. AND THE CLUB</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>Thackeray and the Reform Club—The popular M.P.—The -Assassination of Lincoln—Marriage.</p> - -<div class='c001'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>Thackeray as Champion.</div> - -<p class='c007'>As Fawcett was often in London, his friends were -anxious for him to belong to a club. He was put -up for membership at the Reform Club, but to the -chagrin of his friends, the committee was loath to -admit a blind man. It felt that he would be helpless -and in the way. It delegated a member to -tell Fawcett tactfully the feeling in the matter. -He received the news with entire good humour and -calmness, remarking quietly that ‘every club has -a perfect right to elect, or to refuse to elect, whomever -it chooses on whatever ground it pleases.’ -But the attitude of Thackeray, who was a member -of the club, was quite different; he felt the ruling -was outrageous, and said so, exclaiming ‘It is -ridiculous—if Mr. Fawcett is only brought into -the dining-room or the library every one of us there -will forget that he is blind, and he will find his way -about without any difficulty.’ Vigorously taking -up the cudgels, Thackeray routed all prejudice -against his friend, and Fawcett was enthusiastically -elected a member of the Reform Club. He received -<span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>this news of success with the same genial calm with -which he had before received that of failure.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was a great disappointment to him that -Thackeray, whom he had asked to the Christmas -dinner at Trinity Hall in 1863, was unable to come -owing to illness. Lady Ritchie remembers her -father’s desire to go to Cambridge for the famous -festivity, and his regretful shake of the head as he -said, ‘No, I must give it up.’ Lady Ritchie adds, -‘We were so sorry for him, and also because he -admired Mr. Fawcett very much.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Overwhelmed with invitations, he had a tremendously -good time wherever he went. If he -was dining out, he would sometimes arrive at his -host’s a little before dinner, and ask to be shown -to the dining-room and to have the places where -each guest was to sit pointed out to him; he never -forgot his lesson, so that during dinner he was able -to speak quite naturally, turning as if he saw to -any one at the table, addressing them by name. -His conversation was delightful, and he had a -marvellous faculty of putting people at their ease. -On one occasion his hostess was absent when her -guests arrived; a general formality and stiffness -pervaded the circle until Fawcett arrived and at -once broke up the ice and substituted a genial and -comfortable glow of friendliness.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The popular M.P.</div> - -<p class='c007'>We have noted how he remembered people instantly -by their voices, even if many years had -elapsed since an only hearing. To him every -woman seemed both charming and unforgettable. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span>A friend tells how his wife, who had not seen -Fawcett for many years, entered the drawing-room -at a large reception. Although Fawcett was at the -other end of the large room, he at once disentangled -the lady’s voice from the web of the general conversation, -and threaded his way through the crowd -to speak with her.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It is worth pausing a moment to think what an -exquisite sense of hearing this story implies. What -must the roar of a political mob have been to an -ear of such delicacy?</p> - -<p class='c007'>At this time, all who saw Fawcett were not only -drawn to him by his delightful and frank personality, -but arrested by his strikingly interesting -appearance. Like Saul, his fine head towered far -above the people, his commanding height dominated -any gathering. A great shock of blond hair at this -time added picturesqueness to his strong face, and -his vibrant voice roused all by its very earnestness; -in intimate talk he spoke rapidly, riveting -attention by his complete sincerity.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Though truly a mighty talker, Fawcett had the -rare accompanying grace of absorbing himself in -the conversation and interests of others. Furthermore, -his blindness, by quickening all his remaining -faculties, enabled him to hear without effort everything -going on around him.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Lure within.</div> - -<p class='c007'>The chatter in the brilliant drawing-rooms, the -swish of silks, the trailing of velvets on silken -carpets, the rustle of starch and frills on the parquet -floor, the perfume used by the women, the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span>smell of furs, candles, lamps and the warm air -heavy with fragrant flowers, the murmur of distant -fountains and music—everything touched the sensitive -nervous organism. Transmitting quickly -hundreds of impressions to his swift brain and -wonderful imagination, they created for the blind -man vividly the scenes in which he moved, and in -which he delighted with greater keenness than the -usual seeing person, and probably even more intensely -than if he had seen them actually with his -bodily eye.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Lincoln’s Assassination.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He must have been in a listening mood one -evening at a reception in London, when he suddenly -heard a girlish voice, vibrant with tense emotion, -say, ‘Oh, it would have been better if every -crowned head in Europe had been shot, than -Lincoln!’ The voice belonged to Miss Millicent -Garrett, a girl of eighteen, who had just heard of -Lincoln’s assassination. Fawcett, too, was deeply -moved by this news, and asked to meet Miss -Garrett. He found himself at once with her on a -common ground of sympathy, not only in the loss -of the great emancipator, but in a deep admiration -for the lofty principles of liberty for which Lincoln -had given his life.</p> - -<p class='c007'>This meeting was the beginning of a rare understanding -between two strangely harmonious and -independent natures, and in the autumn of 1866 -Fawcett became engaged to Miss Garrett, whom -he married on April 23, 1867. Mrs. Fawcett was -the daughter of Mr. Newson Garrett of Aldeburgh. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span>The following notice of the event is taken from the -<i>Suffolk Mercury</i> of the day:</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘The commanding figure of the bridegroom, -which towered above the surrounding gentlemen, -bespoke him one of the tallest as well as one of the -most distinguished of his countrymen.</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘Amongst the most interesting of the wedding -presents were a massive repeating chronometer, -sent by the Fellows of Cambridge University, and -a beautiful silver inkstand, the gift of one of Mr. -Fawcett’s constituents at Brighton.’</p> - -<div id='fp130' class='figcenter id007'> -<img src='images/i_130fp.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p>HENRY FAWCETT AND MRS. FAWCETT</p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class='sidenote'>Marriage.</div> - -<p class='c007'>The marriage of Fawcett did more to help him -realise his ambitions and develop his intellectual -abilities than any other event in his life. He used -to say that he fell in love with his wife’s mind, but -from this we must not imagine that she lacked -personal charm and a vivacious sense of humour. -Their affection rested on a strong foundation of -common principles and interests and of the love of -freedom and justice.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A vivid impression of this unique and romantic -couple is sketched for us in the accompanying -story told by Lord Avebury.<a id='r1' /><a href='#f1' class='c017'><sup>[1]</sup></a></p> - -<p class='c007'>Sir John Lubbock, as he then was, was waiting at -the Railway Station on his way to Wiltshire, when -his attention was called to a reserved compartment -decorated gaily with flowers. On asking the -station-master to explain this unusual phenomenon, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span>he was informed that the compartment was reserved -for Professor Fawcett and his bride, who -were about to start on their wedding trip.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>A Trio and a Wedding Trip.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Just then Fawcett loomed in sight, his little -girlish bride hanging on his arm. Sir John tried -to vanish, but Fawcett’s marvellous intuition had -already detected his presence, and the blind man -cried out in that voice which scorned concealment: -‘Hello, Sir John, I want you to meet my wife. We -are going on our wedding trip; you must come -along!’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Willy nilly, Sir John was seized by the giant and -hustled after the bride into the beflowered compartment. -Much embarrassed, he protested as -best he could, and tried to extricate himself, but -Fawcett would not hear of it, and insisted on -his accompanying them upon their wedding -trip. Sir John made another heroic effort for -flight, but just then the guard slammed the door, -and he was forced to form a third for a part of the -honeymoon.</p> - -<p class='c007'>This cordiality to his friends on all occasions was -one of Fawcett’s chief characteristics. He could -not imagine any one whom he liked being in the -way; and his wife’s sense of fun always managed -to make what might have been otherwise a difficult -situation amusing and acceptable.</p> - -<p class='c007'>For the honeymoon Fawcett had taken a small -cottage at Alderbury. The country had been -familiar to him when he was there as a schoolboy. -Each day he took his bride on some new and lovely -<span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span>drive, stopping on the way to show her the views -which he loved and so well remembered.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Mrs. Fawcett.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Mrs. Fawcett had been before her marriage -deeply interested in the questions of social interest -which absorbed Fawcett. She had his entire -sympathy both in her independent work as a -political economist and in her championship of -woman suffrage.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After their marriage, they published together a -collection of essays and lectures. Mrs. Fawcett’s -<i>Political Economy for Beginners</i> appeared shortly -after, and quickly won its way to popularity. -Fawcett was always eager in acknowledging his -wife’s help, and not only as his literary critic and -editor. He valued her judgment in political -matters more than his own, and would leave important -questions unsettled until he had discussed -them with her.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He gave a touching proof of his devotion and -belief in her ability when a sudden accident -threatened Mrs. Fawcett’s life, and shook him out -of his usual reserve. They had been riding together -at Brighton, when Mrs. Fawcett was thrown -violently from her horse. The fall knocked her -senseless, and she did not regain consciousness for -some time. The blind man could not be convinced -that her stupor was not death, and that his friends, -were not deceiving him. The grief and uncontrollable -weeping of the big man were infinitely -touching. He was so completely overcome that -he had to give up an election meeting which he had -<span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span>expected to attend in the evening. On the following -day, at a great assembly, he referred to his -absence, and thanked the constituency for its -previous support, saying that whatever difficulties -he had met had been surmounted with the aid of -others, and because he had ‘a help-mate whose -political judgment was much less frequently at fault -than his own.’ This was his attitude to his wife -and her opinions throughout his life.</p> - -<div class='footnote' id='f1'> -<p class='c007'><span class='label'><a href='#r1'>1</a>. </span>The above was given to the writer by the late Lord Avebury at -his home in London in 1911; it is taken directly from the notes -made at the time.</p> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XIV</span><br /> <br />THE WOMAN AND THE VOTE</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>The Home in London—Sympathy with Woman Suffrage—The -Blind Gardener—Clubs—Hatred of Flunkeyism.</p> - -<div class='c001'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>The Home in London.</div> - -<p class='c007'>His belief in Woman Suffrage probably began before -he met his wife. It was but a month after his -marriage that he voted for Mill’s motion in favour -of extending the suffrage to women, the first time -the question was introduced into the House of -Commons.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The hampered and restricted position of women -industrially was a condition that stirred Fawcett -strongly. He felt that to bring the necessary -pressure upon legislation, women should have votes, -and that much of the injustice from which they -suffered was due to their political powerlessness.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He loved a fight, and believed in competition -to determine merit, but his spirit revolted at the -unjust restraint of the rights of mind and virtue -by brute force. He found that many paupers -were women, and that their chance to support -themselves was often negligible. So few wage-earning -opportunities were open to them that their -employers were able to make what terms they -pleased with these impoverished seekers for work. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span>Poor women often gladly accepted wages which -were insufficient to hold soul and body together. -Fawcett enthusiastically advocated that women -should be given a fair chance to do what work they -could do well. He spoke and worked to have -women admitted to the examinations at Cambridge. -He did not attempt to dwell on the equality or -inequality of man and woman, but consistent with -his lively sense of fairness, he felt that they should -be given at least an equal chance to develop whatever -powers they had. The sad fate of the -hundreds of women whose lives were forced into -useless inactivity depressed him: he did what he -could all his life to open many new fields to them.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Zeal for Fair Play.</div> - -<p class='c007'>His single-handed fight against a Bill restricting -the work of adult women was in the same direction. -In this he took a very independent position. He -considered that restrictions on adult women were -an infringement of their liberty, and that it would -probably have the effect of lessening their already -narrow chances of employment. His quickness -to consider this second point was evidenced also in -his treatment of a question arising out of the bill -for the compulsory registration of teachers. A lady -quite unknown to Fawcett wrote that it would tend -to prevent many a young woman who was not -regularly employed in teaching from adding to, or -temporarily earning, her livelihood: he at once -answered that that side of the question had not -struck him, but that he would call upon her -immediately to hear her statement of facts. Mrs. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>Fawcett, of course, augmented and shared her -husband’s natural enthusiasm for the enfranchisement -of women. When she was asked to speak at -Brighton on Woman’s Suffrage some of his constituents -objected, fearing that it would react -unfavourably on Fawcett’s political position, but -he would not hear of preventing her carrying out -her plan, and did then, as always, everything to -help her in her cause.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Sympathy with Woman’s Suffrage.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Since these pioneer efforts Mrs. Fawcett has been -and is one of the strongest and most successful -workers in a rational and dignified campaign for -obtaining the suffrage for women. She and her -daughter have effectively made great sacrifices -for the cause which they have so much advanced -by their eloquent enthusiasm and disinterested -and legitimate efforts.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A most unusual honour has been accorded to -Mrs. Fawcett. The portrait of Fawcett with his -wife now hangs in the National Portrait Gallery, -and is at this time the only portrait of a living -woman, not of royal blood, in that historic collection.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Blind Gardener.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett took his wife to live at 42 Bessborough -Gardens. Later they went to live in The Lawn, -Lambeth, where they stayed during the sittings -of the House until his death. Despite the additional -griminess due to the vicinity of Vauxhall -Station, the Political Economist at once turned -farmer on his estate of about three-quarters of an -acre. He sent the asparagus which he raised -<span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span>within fifteen minutes’ walk of the House of -Commons, and which he insisted was a peculiarly -good variety, to his father in Salisbury as proof -of the excellent climate of London. Two small -greenhouses furnished opportunity for raising -flowers. These were an unfailing source of pleasure -to the blind man, always keenly conscious of their -beauty and gratified by their perfume. He knew -them all by name and took pride in showing them -to his guests. The old-fashioned house was made -delightful by the artistic sense of Mrs. Fawcett. -The happy couple were unmindful of the lack of -social distinction inherent in their neighbourhood, -and felt that the nearness to the Houses of Parliament, -which were within pleasant walk along the -river and over Westminster Bridge, as well as -the horticultural opportunities, compensated their -slender purse for any other shortcomings.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Radical Club.</div> - -<p class='c007'>A most fantastic incident occurred shortly after -Fawcett’s marriage which might have seriously -affected his political career. His most sociable -instincts had prompted him to found a club about -the beginning of his first Parliament. It was called -the Radical Club, and it consisted in equal numbers -of politicians in and out of the House. Of course -Mill joined. The club gathered influence. It -met at weekly dinners, when the topics of the day -were discussed. Soon afterwards Fawcett and -his friends founded at Cambridge a new club, -with the fearful name of Republican. It defined -the name Republican as ‘Hostility to the hereditary -<span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span>principle as exemplified in monarchical and aristocratic -institutions, and to all social and political -privileges dependent upon difference of sex.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Republican Club.</div> - -<p class='c007'>The Republican Club was the means of promoting -many delightful and charming dinners and -evenings among a circle of brilliant and interesting -friends. It was not a dark centre of conspiracy -or revolution, and its members were not concocting -a nineteenth-century version of the Gunpowder -Plot. Unfortunately a weird and garbled account -of the Club appeared in the papers and struck -terror in the hearts of Fawcett’s constituents. -To them republicanism meant revolution and all -the horrors depicted by Dickens in his <i>Tale of -Two Cities</i>. One of Fawcett’s best friends talked -of making an amendment to the usual vote of -confidence at the next Liberal meeting in Brighton. -Though the proposed motion was given up, Fawcett -profited by the opening to state clearly his principles; -he said that he adhered to ‘merit, not birth,’ -and denied any revolutionary predilections for his -friends or himself, or any sentiment of disloyalty.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Hatred of Flunkeyism.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett was essentially a peace-loving citizen -when peace and progress could go hand in hand. -He had no plans for upsetting the monarchy, -though he alone objected to the dowry voted by -the House to the Princess Louise. He abominated -flunkeyism as an aping of loyalty, and had no more -regard for distinctions of rank than for differences -of creed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It is characteristic of him that while a democrat -<span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>to democrats, he did not fall into the mistake of -many broad-minded people, and forget that tact -and congeniality are essential in bringing people -together socially. He was very keenly alive to -the differences in individuals, and took care that -the gatherings at his house should be congenial -and harmonious. When a proposed party was -being plotted out he would say, ‘Oh, don’t ask the -So-and-so’s, they are such frumps.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>His very own Salt Cellar.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Mrs. Fawcett and he were delightful hosts; -they liked having people at their house, and he -greatly enjoyed his own as well as other folks’ -dinners. He was abnormally fond of salt, and to -ensure an unfailing and adequate supply, carried -a little sprinkling salt cellar with him, which he had -carefully filled before dinner. He appreciated his -food very much, and though not in any way a -gourmand, paid full tribute to the high art of the -cook.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span><span class='xxlarge'>THE NEW M.P.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XV</span><br /> <br />BLIND SUPERSTITIONS</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>Speech before the British Association—Mill again—Bright -and Lord Brougham—The Mythical Committee -Room—Defeat at Southwark.</p> - -<div class='c001'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>Blind Superstitions.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett never deviated from his school-boy longing -for a political career. But despite the recognition -which he had obtained as a speaker and -thinker, even his best friends felt that his dream -of a political future was worse than impracticable. -They tried to dissuade him from his purpose, and -make him content with a writer’s life of study, -thought and theory.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Opposition, the breath of life to this dauntless -man, only added another stimulating obstacle to -those he rejoiced to overcome—blindness, lack of -money, and lack of distinguished origin. He had -made up his mind to be a statesman before his -accident; and he would in no wise falter. In the -wonderful crucible of his genial kindliness, the -opposition of his friends was distilled into a warm -co-operation. He forced them to believe in his -powers and future, and changed them into his -enthusiastic political backers. His blindness, -which appealed to the gentleness and pity of many, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span>with him became a recognised force to help him -to great feats of memory and prodigies of concentration. -His very inability to read books and -newspapers compelled him to cultivate his memory -and tirelessly to think over the problems he wished -to master. As a result of constant practice, he -became able to memorise statistical information -and use it in debate in a way which utterly baffled -men of average ability. Even the most brilliant -men of his day would have to use notes where -Fawcett could trust to his memory alone.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>A Telling Speech.</div> - -<p class='c007'>As we have said, a year after his blindness, -with Brown to guide him, he went to Aberdeen, -and spoke before the British Association. His -paper there on the ‘Social and Economical Influence -of the New Gold’ made a profound impression, -and won him his first public recognition as an -economist and statesman. He was much pleased -with the result of his first effort in public, and the -cordiality with which he was personally received.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But his sociability was not, as we know, confined -to learned persons. During a journey he found -himself in a small Scottish inn with a lonely dinner -in prospect; he was cheered to hear voices in the -next room. He sent for the landlord and asked -who was there. ‘Some commercial gents,’ was -the reply. Fawcett asked the landlord to take his -compliments to the ‘commercial gents,’ upon which -he received an invitation to dine with them. He -accepted with alacrity, and passed a most jovial -evening in their company.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>He next spoke at the Social Science Association -at Bradford on the Protection of Labour from -Immigration, and also on the theory and tendency -of strikes. He made several loyal friends there, -and his manifest ability led some of them to wish -he might become a parliamentary candidate for a -northern Borough.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The next year he acted as the member of a -committee appointed by the Social Science Association, -to investigate the problem of strikes. Lord -Brougham and others of distinction were very -friendly to him, though the veteran Reformer -made some remarks about the American War -which, Fawcett said, ‘drove me half wild.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Mill and a Political Opening.</div> - -<p class='c007'>In 1860 Fawcett was greatly encouraged by a -meeting with Mill, who congratulated him on his -choice of a political career. Mill considered -that the blind man’s loss of sight could only -injure his prospects of political success if with -sight zeal had also gone. The affliction could -be turned into an asset which would arouse sympathy, -and soften jealousies. Fawcett felt elated -and stimulated by the older man’s interest and -belief in him, and lost no time in hunting for a -political opening.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He interviewed Lord Stanley, but without -results, for, as he reported to a friend, Lord -Stanley ‘thought me, I fancy, rather young.’ -And, after all, he was young—only twenty-seven—but -he was determined. He watched for every -chance of a bye-election, and knocked at the door -<span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span>of any borough where candidates seemed likely -to be in requisition.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Bright and Lord Brougham.</div> - -<p class='c007'>When he asked Mr. Bright about some Scotch -burgh, he was kindly but firmly advised to -wait until his star had risen a little more above -the public horizon. But Fawcett refused to lose -time, and made his own opportunity. An article -appeared in the <i>Morning Star</i> which stated that -Southwark, then in need of a representative, had -revolted against the control of its paid agents, and -that a committee had been appointed to look for -an independent candidate who would stand upon -‘principles of purity.’ The following morning -Fawcett appeared before the committee. Bringing -with him a letter from Lord Brougham, he introduced -himself as ‘of Norfolk Street, Strand, and -a Fellow of Trinity Hall, Cambridge.’ His declaration -of principles was so satisfactory that the -chairman of the committee consented to preside -at a meeting.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>First Political Meeting at Southwark.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Two good stories are told about this election. -There is evidence to show that Fawcett himself -set them in circulation. They curiously illustrate -both his sense of fun and his shrewdness. One -tells of his first meeting. This was held in an inn, -and only one reporter came to it. Fawcett began -chatting to him, asked him if he had anything -special to do that evening, and then, as there was -no audience, suggested to him to go home. He -offered to send on a résumé of his speech. The -reporter gratefully left, Fawcett then asked the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>landlord if there was any one in the ‘parlour.’ -There were only a few commercial travellers, but -Fawcett sent his compliments to them and asked -them to come in. They joined him and all started -a joyful evening together. In course of time, -Fawcett asked one of the travellers if he would mind -taking the chair, which he did. Fawcett then -made a brief speech, and after drinks and a very -merry time the party broke up, whereupon Fawcett -wrote an account of the evening to his friend the -reporter, giving the speech from the chair, which -he of course made up, and his own oration.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As there was nothing particular doing, to -Fawcett’s surprise, the next day the London papers -came out with a full account of the meeting at -Southwark.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett went promptly to see the chairman of -the previous evening, whom he found absorbed in -the account of the great meeting. ‘Why,’ he -exclaimed to Fawcett, ‘I had no idea I made this -speech last night. I have made speeches before, -and I usually remember them! I only had a glass -or two! I cannot see why I should have forgotten -this one.’ To which Fawcett replied quietly, -‘You certainly have been well reported,’ and left -the bewildered orator to revel in his eloquence.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Lord Avebury said of this tale, which he had -repeated to the writer: ‘Tyndall was much -shocked by this story, but I thought that the -cleverness far outweighed the wickedness, and the -humour of it appealed to me greatly.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Mythical Committee Room.</div> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>The other story tells of Fawcett’s mythical -committee room. It is to be remembered that he -was quite unknown, and put himself up without -support and with no possibility of winning.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He engaged a very small room and a very small -boy to open its door. The candidate was rarely -at headquarters, but his acolyte kept up appearances -by informing any one who called that Mr. -Fawcett was engaged with his committee.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Contest.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He stood for a larger franchise; abolition of -Church rates; removal of religious restrictions; -economy; the volunteer movement; the equalisation -of poor rates, and the reform of local government -in London. He proved his principles of -purity by refusing to pay a shilling to influence -votes.</p> - -<p class='c007'>His success was immediate. The meetings that -followed the first were crowded and overflowing. -His interesting personality drew people from all -parts of London to his meetings, till even the -neighbouring streets were crowded.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But the other candidate entered the field. A -campaign was started on behalf of a Mr. Scovell. -This did not open with success. A meeting held -for Scovell broke up in a pandemonium. Fawcett -had the satisfaction a few days later of holding an -orderly and overcrowded meeting in the very -same hall.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The opposition now introduced a more formidable -candidate in Mr. Layard (later Sir Austin Henry); -the Government and the great employers were -<span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span>understood to favour him. This opposition seemed -to decide the contest against Fawcett, and his -friend Leslie Stephen says that he doubts if Fawcett -ever seriously expected to go to the poll. Nevertheless -he had his committee room duly placarded, -though the candidate with his small attendant -guide seems still to have been the committee. -Fawcett spoke every night, and urged without -success that a mass meeting of electors should -choose between his qualifications and Layard’s!</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Speaker’s Eye.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Of course his opponents urged that Fawcett’s -obvious disqualification was his blindness, and that -this was an insurmountable obstacle. The matter -was hotly debated on both sides. All sorts of -arguments were brought up at meetings and in the -newspapers. How could a blind man decide -questions about the laying out of streets? Fawcett -showed how he could judge accurately of such -things by putting pins in a map. How could he -‘catch the Speaker’s eye’? This objection amused -Fawcett and his friends greatly. It is true that -no member can raise his voice in the Commons -unless able to perform that ceremony. But, as -Fawcett gleefully explained, that mysterious -ceremony consists in standing in one’s place hat -in hand, no difficult task for a blind man. It is -for the roving eye of the Speaker to note the -standing member and announce his name to the -assembly. He thus gaily disposed of these objections, -and cheerfully asked ‘Mr. Layard to argue -with him any point supposed to require eyesight,’ -<span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span>when he would show his power of dealing -with it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Friends came forward to testify, at meetings and -by letter, to his great abilities, and the editor of the -<i>Morning Star</i>, which had treated his first speech so -generously, delivered an eloquent oration in his -favour.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Triumphant Defeat.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett fought that large borough for a month -on less than £250. But the odds were too great, -and he wisely decided not to go to the poll, where -Layard obtained a majority of one thousand votes -over Scovell.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett told a friend that this defeat would -ensure him victory at the next contest. Notwithstanding -his optimistic belief, he had still much to -win through. He had shown his power of influencing -a constituency, but he had still to overcome -the scepticism in the minds of practical men as to -the capabilities of a blind man, and to create for -himself a support which could be counted on as a -more positive factor than mere popular enthusiasm.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XVI</span><br /> <br />PURE POLITICS</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>Defeat at Cambridge and Brighton—Routing a Chimæra—Elected -the Member for Brighton—The House of -Commons.</p> - -<p class='c006'>Fawcett’s day was no more free from political -chicanery and wire-pulling than our own. Like -all aspirants, he was sorely pressed to compromise -with the underworld of politics, but he kept himself -clear of the political mire, and made no promise -which he could not justly fulfil.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Flutter.</div> - -<p class='c007'>While waiting for his next chance his life was as -usual busy and happy, labouring over papers for -<i>Macmillan’s Magazine</i>, editing his books, lecturing, -and generally leading the honest, frugal life of a -man of letters. This quiet was diversified by -Fawcett’s one and only ‘flutter’ in mining shares. -His father had been for some years working to -retrieve the fortunes of a big mining undertaking -in Cornwall. The son had been much interested, -and accompanied his father on several business -journeys to the mine.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The elder Fawcett at last pulled his undertaking -to a successful issue; this success gave a sudden -fillip to mining shares. The son ‘plunged,’ and -plunged with success—so much so that he was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span>seriously advised to give up politics, for the time at -least, and go on the Stock Exchange.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But he was not to be tempted by the lure of -quick monetary success.</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘I am convinced,’ he said once, ‘that the duties -of a member of the House of Commons are so -multifarious, the questions brought before him so -complicated and difficult, that if he fully discharges -his duty, he requires almost a lifetime of study.’ -And again, ‘If I take up this profession, I will not -trifle with the interests of my country. I will not -trifle with the interests of my constituents by going -into the House of Commons inadequately prepared, -because I gave up to the acquisition of -wealth the time which I ought to have spent in -the acquisition of political knowledge.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>The sacrifice was unquestionable, and it emphasises -his firm adherence to his ideals, and his -willingness to sacrifice great personal interests -for the still uncertain career on which he had set -his heart.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In 1863 a vacancy occurred in the representation -of Cambridge. Fawcett’s friend, Macmillan, now -came forward, begging Fawcett to issue an address, -which was circulated broadcast.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>‘Anybody’s Candidate.’</div> - -<p class='c007'>‘If I am anybody’s candidate,’ Fawcett said, -‘I am Macmillan’s candidate,’ but he tried to be -nobody’s candidate.</p> - -<p class='c007'>His friends helped him vigorously, presiding or -speaking at his meetings, or acting as his election -agents.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span>Fawcett the elder came to support his son. -Though the local papers assailed him, the most -condemning assertions they could make were that -Fawcett was an advanced Radical, who would -abolish Church rates, though he professed to be -a member of the Church of England; and worst of -all, that he was capable of the crime of admitting -Dissenters to Fellowships. How funny that latter -accusation seems now, when the only question in -obtaining a fellowship is, Has the man the brains -to win it?</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Defeat at Cambridge.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett was defeated by eighty-one votes. -The cost of the campaign had amounted to £600, -but it had shown that Fawcett ‘could go to the -poll as well as make speeches.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>The election took place the same year that -Fawcett was given the Chair of Political Economy, -and made this latter honour all the greater, as it -came despite his fearless Radical protestations.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The following January we find him coming -forward as a Liberal candidate at a bye-election -in Brighton. Three other Liberals presented themselves, -and it was decided to have a meeting at -which a committee, appointed by the electors, -was to report on the merits of the candidates. -The candidates should then address the meeting, -and the decision was to be made by show of hands. -But the committee managed ill, exceeding its instructions, -and the meeting became a tumult. In -the midst of the uproar Fawcett came forward -and won probably the greatest oratorical triumph -<span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span>of his life. He began amidst great interruption, -and after a few sentences the vast body of electors -listened with breathless attention.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Routing a Chimæra.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett told them his story. ‘You do not know -me now,’ he said, ‘but you shall know me in the -course of a few minutes.’ He proceeded with the -account of his accident, during which, says the -reporter, ‘a deep feeling of pity and sympathy -seemed to pervade the meeting.’ He told them -how he had been blinded by two stray shots -‘from a companion’s gun’; how the lovely landscape -had been instantly blotted out; and how -he knew that every lovely scene would be henceforth -’shrouded in impenetrable gloom.’ ‘It was -a blow to a man,’ he said simply; but in ten -minutes he had made up his mind to face the -difficulty bravely. He would never ask for -sympathy, but he demanded to be treated as an -equal. He went on with the story of his previous -attempts to enter Parliament, and ended with a -profession of his political principles.</p> - -<p class='c007'>This account of the meeting is given by Stephen, -who adds the comment: ‘I do not think Fawcett -ever again referred to his accident in public, except -in speaking to fellow-sufferers. His blindness was -apparently being made an insuperable obstacle; -his best and most natural answer was to tell the -plain story of his struggle, and he told it with a -straightforward manliness which carried away his -audience.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>The other candidates had spoken in a hesitating -<span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>way about the attitude that England should hold -towards the American Civil War. Fawcett began -the political part of his speech by saying: ‘Gentlemen, -I am an uncompromising Northerner,’ a -statement that greatly pleased the meeting.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Sir Leslie helps.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Then the hard work of electioneering began. -Fawcett set himself vigorously to the task, speaking -effectively and often. His father and sister -came to him to inspire and help as they could. -His friend Leslie Stephen buckled on his friendly -armour, and with all his love and great abilities -did much to help in the brave campaign. He -began by writing an article urging Fawcett’s -qualifications. It was refused in all the local -papers, but this difficulty was gallantly surmounted. -The editor of the <i>Morning Star</i>, who had -supported Fawcett in his Southwark campaign, -lent sufficient type; a room was taken, and the -<i>Brighton Election Reporter</i> started a brief but -brilliant career. Leslie Stephen became editor -and moving spirit in chief. The publication was -sold at a halfpenny a copy. Was it shrewdness -or love for boys—for both were in Fawcett in full -measure—that determined that the newsboys -should keep the halfpence for themselves? Certain -it is that the paper had a wide and speedy circulation, -and though Stephen modestly refuses it a -permanent place in the world of letters, it played a -very important and effective part in Fawcett’s -candidature.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When the conflict was at its highest the inaugural -<span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>lecture as Professor of Political Economy -took place. Fawcett delivered the lecture at -Cambridge in the morning, and the same evening -was back in Brighton addressing a meeting.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Nomination Day.</div> - -<p class='c007'>On nomination day the candidates duly drove -to the Town Hall. In the sixties this was an -occasion for much rowdiness. The blind candidate -did not shrink from rough contacts, and doubtless -enjoyed the commotion as much as any. The -varying notes in the discordant shouts of the mob -told his sensitive ears every subtlety of friendly -greeting or enmity. The rattle of pebbles against -the window panes, or their thud as they struck a -victim, the squelch of an ancient egg against the -side of the carriage—all bore their message to the -man from whom sight was withheld. And the -<span class='sni'><span class='hidev'>|</span>Political Eggs.<span class='hidev'>|</span></span> -sense of smell brought him knowledge too—of the -hot, unwashed crowd, of the dust-trampled road, -of the stale vegetables and ‘political eggs’ that -hurtled through the air. Every phase of the day’s -emotion was present to him and shared by him, -thanks to his imagination, alertness and genial -power of good fellowship.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The election took place on February 15.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett headed the poll in the early hours, when -the working men voted, but he was finally defeated -by one hundred and ninety-five by Moore, the -Conservative candidate. Had the votes not been -so split up by four candidates, the Liberal triumph -would have been secured and Fawcett elected.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He took his defeat cheerfully, and indeed had -<span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span>some reason to be satisfied. He had done quite -well enough for his success in the next election to -seem positive.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the autumn of the same year he again -addressed meetings at Brighton, and made his -best speech on Parliamentary Reform.</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘Fawcett spoke of the honourable attitude of -the working classes during the American War, and -upon the reception of Garibaldi in London. They -proved, he said, that the questions which really -roused enthusiasm in the English people were -those which appealed to their moral sentiments. -He argued that something must be rotten if a -man at 20s. a week had not as much interest in -the peace and prosperity of the country as his -neighbour with £10,000 a year. The sufferings -inflicted by a war fall chiefly upon the poor; and -any argument which implied that they should be -rightfully excluded from the franchise as incompetent -and indifferent, was an argument denoting -a degraded and unwholesome state of feeling.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Tide of Freedom.</div> - -<p class='c007'>It is significant how Fawcett’s whole nature -rose to the wave of independence which was flooding -the world. The emancipation of Italy, the -freeing of the American slaves, and kindred -struggles to give the lesser man a fair chance, -found an echo in the policy which he championed -for the helpless labouring classes. He was a lusty -swimmer on this tide of freedom. He believed -that working men were divided in their opinions -as much as any other class, and that therefore, it -<span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>was futile to fear that the rich vote would be -killed by the poor. His attitude towards any -proposal for reform of the franchise was: ‘Do -we think it will cause the various sections of opinion -to be more independently and honestly represented?’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Mill thought well of Fawcett’s speech on Parliamentary -Reform, but he was opposed to his doctrine -that workmen would not probably be united in -their opinions. Mill felt that no matter how -workmen might differ on other points, they -would be united on whatever touched their class -interests.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Back to Brighton.</div> - -<p class='c007'>The Brighton election was now at hand. At a -great meeting held at the riding-school of the -Pavilion, the two Liberal candidates, Mr. White, -the sitting Liberal member, and Fawcett appeared, -and resolutions in their favour were passed. -Fawcett’s father was also present and enthusiastically -received. Fawcett placed his difficulties cheerfully -before his audience. ‘A Tory,’ he said, ‘had -summed them up by saying that he would have to -contend with £1500 from the Carlton, and a cartload -of slander.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>The serious arguments against Fawcett were -that he was a poor man, and that he was plotting -the ruin of the tradesmen by his advocacy of co-operation. -He frankly accepted both these charges, -saying that he favoured co-operation as the best -cure for poverty, and that he was certainly poor, -having deliberately preferred the study of politics -<span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span>to money-making. Poverty, he said, did not -weaken a man’s influence in Parliament. Cobden, -then recently dead, was a poor man, but he had -‘vanquished a proud aristocracy and had given -cheap bread to millions of his countrymen.’ -‘Every word uttered by Cobden in the House of -Commons made its impression, whilst the words -of millionaires might pass unnoticed.’ Poverty -would not destroy a man’s influence in the House, -if he were thoroughly qualified for his position, -nor would it prevent his return by an independent -constituency in spite of all ostentation of richer -men.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In this case, Fawcett’s optimism was justified, -though Mammon had his usual good position in -Brighton; candidates who could dispense champagne -freely and spend money to help trade and -politics were naturally preferred to candidates -who were equipped solely with lofty principles -and poverty. So it is much to the credit of the -community that for at least a time it accepted -higher things, and elected a blind member with -high ideals and no money.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Victor.</div> - -<p class='c007'>On the day of the election (July 12, 1865) -6492 out of 8661 electors polled, and the -numbers were—White 3065; Fawcett 2665; -Moore 2134.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At last Fawcett was an M.P., and at thirty-two -had arrived at the goal towards which from boyhood -he had set himself so unflinchingly. The -letter which he wrote to his father of his first day -<span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span>in the House of Commons, deserves to be quoted -in full.</p> - -<div class='c008'>‘123 <span class='sc'>Cambridge Street, Warwick Square,</span></div> -<div class='c025'><span class='sc'>London</span>, <i>Feb.</i> 1, 1866.</div> - -<div class='sidenote'>A Letter home.</div> -<p class='c021'>‘<span class='sc'>My dear Father</span>,—I have just returned from my -first experience of the House of Commons. I went -there early in the morning, and soon found that I -should have no difficulty in finding my way about. I -walked in with Tom Hughes about five minutes to two, -and a most convenient seat close to the door was at -once, as it were, conceded to me; and I have no doubt -that it will always be considered my seat. Every one -was most kind, and I was quite overwhelmed with congratulations. -I am glad that my first visit is over, as I -shall now feel perfect confidence that I shall be able to -get on without any particular difficulty. The seat I -have is as convenient a one as any in the House, and a -capital place to speak from. I walked away from the -House of Commons with Mill. He sits on the bench -just above me, close to Bright. I sit next but one to -Danby Seymour. White (his colleague for Brighton) -is three or four places from me.</p> - -<p class='c021'>‘Mother has indeed made a most wise selection in -lodgings. They at present seem everything I could -desire; the rooms are larger than I expected, and Mrs. -Lark and the servant are most civil and obliging. -This is everything in lodgings. I can walk to the -House of Commons in exactly a quarter of an hour; -this is not too far. Accept my best thanks for the -hamper. Everything has arrived quite safely, and all -the contents will prove most acceptable. We are going -<span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span>to have the fowl for dinner to-night at seven. I hope, -now that I am so comfortably settled, some of you will -often come to London. When am I to expect Maria? -Give my kindest love to Mother and to her, and in -great haste, to save post, believe me, dear Father, -ever yours affectionately,</p> - -<div class='c026'>‘<span class='sc'>Henry Fawcett</span>.’</div> - -<div class='sidenote'>Parliamentary Arena.</div> - -<p class='c007'>When Fawcett was elected M.P. the great -‘Pam’ still led the Liberals, Radicals and Whigs, -but he died before Parliament met. By the time -of Fawcett’s visit to the House described in the -foregoing letter, Lord John Russell, the successor -of Lord Palmerston as Prime Minister, had resigned -the leadership of the Commons to Gladstone, who -for a generation was to dominate English -Liberalism. Bright, known to his supporters as -the Tribune of the People, from his seat below the -gangway, led the Radical wing. It was much -strengthened by many new men, among whom -John Stuart Mill was conspicuous. He represented -Westminster, having experienced perhaps -the most unique election in English politics. The -Conservative opposition was led by Disraeli, known -already, not only as a wearer of gorgeous waistcoats -and a writer of brilliant political novels, but -also for his strong and vivid personality. In the -next few years he was to show his even more -extraordinary gifts as a manipulator of Parliaments.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XVII</span><br /> <br />A PROPHETIC QUESTION IN PARLIAMENT</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>The Blind and Silent M.P.—His First Speech—Protecting -Cattle, Neglecting Children—Industry earns Penury—Mill -‘out.’</p> - -<div class='c001'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>The Blind and Silent M.P.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Surrounded by these picturesque personages -already so familiar to him, some by repute, and -some by personal friendship, the blind M.P. quietly -took his place. He had to learn the ways of the -House, and, duly estimating the value of the unspoken -word, said very little during his first -Parliament.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>His First Speech.</div> - -<p class='c007'>In view of his subsequent career, it is suggestive -that Fawcett spoke in Parliament almost for the -first time ‘when he asked why the wages of certain -letter-carriers had not been raised by the Post -Office.’ His first serious speech was in March 1866, -in favour of the ill-fated Reform Bill brought in -by Russell, and hailed by Bright with the doubtful -welcome that half a loaf is better than no -bread.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett in this speech repudiated indignantly -the sneers at the working classes made by certain -Whigs, and praised the fine political sense shown -by them during the American War. He said that -the problems of the future were the problems of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span>capital and labour, and in these the working classes -were most deeply interested and should directly -affect the decisions to be made. He further maintained -(in spite of the previously noted criticism -of Mill) that the working classes would no more -vote <i>en masse</i> than any other section of the community.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Where Fawcett sat.</div> - -<p class='c007'>As the gentle reader may know, in the House of -Commons the long benches, upholstered in dark -green leather, face one another in two raised tiers. -There are no desks as in the American House of -Representatives, and the men sit close together, -the serried rows of faces making long lines of light -against the dark background. Between them is -the broad passage-way that leads up from the bar -to the Speaker’s chair, in front of which is set the -great table on which many a minister’s hand has -hammered away his superabundant energy as his -words made history. Fawcett sat on the lowest -bench at the end farthest from the table. When -he stood up to speak he was in all his long length -in full view of the members who opposed him and of -the leaders of his own party, who sat near the table -on a bench that was continuous with his own.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The impression he made when speaking was of -intense earnestness. His commanding presence -and strongly marked individuality compelled attention. -His voice was phenomenally clear, ranging -from an almost nasal twang to tones of rare sweetness. -His head was held very erect, every feature -quick with intelligence saving the eyes shaded by -<span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span>the dark glasses, which gave a pathos to the face. -The mouth was very mobile, sometimes trembling -with eagerness for utterance, and with an underlying -expression of wistfulness often routed by -swift smiles. There was never anything cheap or -theatrical about the man; he was simple, genuine, -noble, and spoke fearlessly from his big heart, -pleading the cause of the poor and the oppressed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Reform Bill was withdrawn, and at the end -of the summer the Liberals resigned office. There -was no general election, and the next year Disraeli -from the Government benches faced a House in -which the majority were in opposition.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Tea-Room Party.</div> - -<p class='c007'>During the winter there had been so much -demonstration of public feeling that the Conservatives -had to bring in a Reform Bill of their -own. Their Bill appeared to be generous, but -was hedged about with many provisoes and -exceptions. Gladstone wished his followers to -vote against it on the ground that it was hopelessly -bad, and Bright agreed with this policy. But -some Radicals, among whom was Fawcett, considered -that to vote against any Reform Bill was -retrograde, and they declined to follow Gladstone’s -lead. These men were known as the Tea-Room -Party, as they plotted their rebellion from that -comfortable retreat within the recesses of the -Parliamentary buildings. They held out, in spite -of the reproach that they were showing more -confidence in their opponents than in their own -leaders, and contended that to vote against any -<span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span>Reform was to put themselves in a false position. -A deputation of five, of which one was Fawcett, -waited on Gladstone to give their views. Fawcett -was distressed at this early necessity of opposing -his chief, and often spoke with admiration of -Gladstone’s earnestness and ability. The Tea-Room -party won their way, and Disraeli’s Bill -passed, but the Liberals and Radicals so altered it -that it became a more democratic bill than the one -the Tory leader and his party had opposed the -previous session.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was during these debates that Fawcett both -spoke and voted in favour of Mill’s amendment -to admit women to the franchise.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Protecting Cattle, neglecting Children.</div> - -<p class='c007'>During his first Parliament he made himself -felt as an ardent and determined Radical. He -made various proposals to help his poor friends the -labourers in the agricultural districts, and spoke -forcibly on ‘the interest taken in the cattle-plague, -by some members, and the want of interest in the -more terrible plague which was ruining thousands -of the constituents of the same gentlemen.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>He urged the extension of the Factory Acts to -agricultural labourers, and complained that these -Acts had been opposed by the rich on the ‘paltry -or cold-hearted plea that they would interfere -with industry; as if it were the mission of a great -nation simply to produce bales of goods and to -swell exports and imports, even at the cost of -sacrificing the health and blighting the minds of -the young!’</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>It was in order to promote the prosperity of all -classes that Fawcett longed for a truly national -and representative Parliament. He had no sympathy -with those who thought it necessary to -’stem the tide of democracy.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>He was also eager to make it more possible for -poor men to enter Parliament, and urged a reform -that is still being agitated—that the expenses of -the returning officers at elections should be paid -by the State. ‘It was impossible,’ he said, ‘to -exaggerate the mischief of thus shutting out the -ablest men from political life.’ This reform was -urged many times and in different Parliaments by -Fawcett, but in spite of his tenacity he did not -succeed in carrying it through.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Already he had entered into that discussion of -Indian affairs which was to open up such a noble -chapter in his life. He had also done good service -in committee on the Bill for University Reform. -An impression on the House had been made by his -honest zeal, and though he had been perhaps a -little too radical for his party leader, his Radical -supporters could find no reason for dissatisfaction -with him. For all time the chimæra that his blindness -would prove an obstacle to his remarkable -efficiency had disappeared.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>General Election of 1868.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Parliament was dissolved in 1868, and a general -election took place in the summer. Part of the -constituency of Brighton longed for a rich representative, -and as one of his opponents was -popular and kept a yacht, Fawcett’s struggle for -<span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span>re-election was sharply fought, and he came out -with no more than a respectable majority.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Gladstone was re-elected, but all the working-class -candidates were defeated. This distressed -Fawcett greatly. His friendships with many working -men, and his knowledge of their fitness to -represent their fellows, made him appreciate the -real loss this meant to the country.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Professor Cairnes of Dublin had first met -Fawcett in the long ago days of the British Association -Meeting at Aberdeen. He was a political -economist of much distinction, but had become a -helpless invalid, and lived for years in great suffering. -Fawcett had much affection for him, and -neglected no opportunity to run down to his friend’s -house at Blackheath, taking to the sufferer by his -own vitality, and high, mirth-loving spirits, encouragement, -new life and energy. Lord Courtney -completed the congenial and closely united trio, -and Fawcett’s public action was often the result of -much careful discussion with the other two.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The following letter, written during these elections -to his invalid friend, shows much of Fawcett’s -feeling at the time.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Condition of Affairs.</div> - -<p class='c007'>‘I begin to be very confident that Gladstone will -obtain a great majority. The Irish Church would -have been a good cry to have appealed to the old -constituencies on, but working men neither care -about the Irish Church nor any other Church. The -election, though satisfactory in a party sense, will, -I fear, return a House scarcely superior in character -<span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span>to the last. Few good new men are coming -out, and more over-rich manufacturers and iron-masters -are standing than ever. Before the next -general election after the coming one, the working -men will have felt their power and will have learnt, -perhaps by bitter experience, that Liberals do not -all belong to the same species; in fact a consummate -naturalist, like Darwin, would classify -Mill and Harvey Lewis as belonging to different -and well-defined genera. Something must be done -immediately Parliament meets to check election -expenses. When last I saw you in Dover Street, -I little thought that late that evening the Government -would give notice of reversing the clause I -passed for throwing necessary election expenses -on the rates.</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘The shabby tactics of Disraeli have done much -to make the country favour the clause. If I am -returned I shall embody the clause in a bill and -introduce it the first night of the session. I have -had no news about Westminster since leaving -London, but I cling to the conviction that Mill is -safe. I spent a day at Brighton about a fortnight -since, and everything there looks as promising as -possible. Did you read Hooker’s address to the -British Association? Some portions of it were -most masterly; the <i>Spectator</i> is, I think, just in -its criticism of his sweeping hostility to all metaphysics. -When the next essay is written on peasant -proprietors, the £26,000,000 which have been subscribed -in cash, a great portion of it by French -<span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span>peasants, to the recent loan, will provide a strong -argument in favour of cultivation by the owner. I -am staying in the midst of what is considered to be -<span class='sni'><span class='hidev'>|</span>Industry earns Penury.<span class='hidev'>|</span></span> -one of the most prosperous agricultural districts -of England. It would be almost impossible to -find a labourer who had saved a sovereign, and -not one in a thousand of these labourers will -save enough to keep him from the poor rates -when old age compels him to cease work. Yet -nine Englishmen out of ten think that it is in -agriculture that we show our great superiority to -the French.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Cairnes replies with an interesting letter of -warm congratulations, in which he deplores bitterly -the defeat as candidate for the Liberal party of -that ‘exemplar of far-seeing statesmanship, commanding -views, and lofty moral purpose,’ Mill, -and adds, ‘How the enemies of truth and light will -blaspheme!’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Mill ‘out.’</div> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett’s reply to Cairnes’ letter gives a vivid -idea of the condition of politics. He writes in -December 1868, ‘You and I feel alike about the -rejection of Mill. Those who have watched him -in the House of Commons can perhaps fully realise -the injury which his rejection has inflicted on -English politics. He diffused a certain moral -atmosphere over an assembly whose average tone -is certainly not high. A letter which I received -from Mill yesterday confirms me in the belief I -have long entertained, that Parliament involved -to him a most severe personal sacrifice. He speaks -<span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>almost with enthusiastic joy of being restored -to freedom, and he is evidently supremely happy -in the prospect of being able to work uninterruptedly. -Still I am sure his sense of public -duty is so high that he would at once accept a seat -if one were offered to him. The working men -know what a friend he is of theirs, and I believe -they are determined to return him the first time -a good opportunity offers. The Liberal majority -at the general election is of course eminently satisfactory, -but there is much in the constitution of -the present House which is very disappointing. -Intellectually it is inferior to the last, and wealthy -uneducated manufacturers and merchants are more -predominant than ever. Mill always predicted -that this would be the case, thinking that the -new voters would require two or three years -to understand the power which had been given -to them.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The third Brighton contest.</div> - -<p class='c007'>‘I had a hard fight at Brighton. Not only was -there disunion in my own party, got up by a small -section, who thought I did not spend enough -money in the town, but the Tory who opposed me -was very rich, and all that wealth could do against -me was done.</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘My success was peculiarly satisfactory, because -it was obtained without a paid agent or a paid -canvasser; and we never held even a meeting at a -public house.</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘I quite agree with you that the present Government -will have to be most narrowly watched with -<span class='pageno' id='Page_171'>171</span>regard to what they do upon education and the -land question.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>His ever-increasing responsibilities exhilarated -Fawcett, and his friendships increased in proportion; -he was always accumulating relays of young -friends who filled up the sad gaps caused by death. -If he had lived to be a Methuselah he would have -died regretted by troops of young folks. He and -his wife were now much sought after, and they -much enjoyed festivities together. Mrs. Fawcett -was frequently amused by her husband’s delight -in gossip and his irrepressible boyishness.</p> - -<p class='c007'>One evening, at the house of a friend, Fawcett met -another M.P. They immediately retired together -to a remote corner of the room, where they discussed -in low and earnest voices. Mrs. Fawcett, -thinking that they were debating matters of State, -was much surprised when she happened to pass -near them to hear Fawcett asking eagerly, ‘Was -it her fault or his fault?’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Roller Skating.</div> - -<p class='c007'>On another occasion, shortly after skating on -rollers was introduced, Mrs. Fawcett went to a -rink, and as she came in was told that a most -extraordinary thing was going on—there was a -blind man trying roller-skating. It was her -husband, whizzing round delightedly. Fawcett -was having a royal time, darting like a huge swallow -in swift circles about the skating rink. He revelled -in the motion and the exercise, which put -him into a fine glow. The merry noise of many -little wooden wheels rolling smoothly over the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_172'>172</span>polished floor—the lifting and stumbling of awkward -feet, and the skilful glide of the good skaters -gave him a happy consciousness of the gay revolving -spectacle through which he winged his -way.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_173'>173</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XVIII</span><br /> <br />GLADSTONE PRIME MINISTER</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>Opposition to Gladstone—‘The most Thorough Radical -Member in the House’—Growing Dissatisfaction with -the Government—The Irish Universities Bill—Helping -to Defeat his own Party.</p> - -<div class='c001'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>Gladstone and Fawcett.</div> - -<p class='c007'>In the new Parliament Gladstone became Prime -Minister for the first time. Fawcett had much -appreciation of his leader’s wonderful powers, of -his ability as a financier, of his sincerity as a reformer, -and of his right to the support of the -Liberal party.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But the ramifications, subtleties and luminosities -of Gladstone’s marvellous intellect and culture -were a closed book to Fawcett’s downright, strong, -unimaginative and limited mind, limited in a -sense by its very excellencies, its honesties, its insistence -on the real, the well proved, his willingness -to consider the workable problem only, rejecting -all inquiries which savoured of the visionary, -the philosophic, or the purely æsthetic. Whatever -Fawcett’s mind was willing to dally with or -to assimilate must have the qualities of serviceableness -and a certain homespun simplicity. -Culture for its own sake, the higher flights of the -imagination, and struggles to pierce the veil of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_174'>174</span>the unknown seemed to him a sentimental waste -of good time which could better be spent on real -work or good play.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>A Difference in Temperaments.</div> - -<p class='c007'>The great flights which Gladstone’s intellect -revelled in, his delight in ancient as well as in the -most recent philosophy, seemed as amusing and -unnecessary to Fawcett as it was to him profitless -and extravagant.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In their entirely divergent points of view we -must recognise the cause of much of the later incompatibility -of these two temperaments which -really never understood each other, and had not the -power to meet on a truly common footing.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Bills of 1869.</div> - -<p class='c007'>In the session of 1869 they struck fire more than -once. The Bill for removing Religious Tests at the -Universities did not satisfy Fawcett, and he also -much disapproved of the financial arrangements -in the Bill for disestablishing the Irish Church. -The Education Bill pleased him as little. The -phrase ‘We must educate our masters’ represented -the feeling of many in regard to the newly enfranchised -labour. To them education was a -desperate safeguard against a necessary evil. To -Fawcett it was the beautiful and logical outcome -of a simple act of justice. The Education Bill of -1870 was hampered by conflicting religious difficulties, -and the resultant law was a compromise -little to Fawcett’s liking.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett’s position in Parliament had now become -strong and unique. A contemporary writes of -him as ‘the most thorough Radical now in the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_175'>175</span>House.’ He was regarded as a leader of the -extreme party.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>A Radical of the Radicals.</div> - -<p class='c007'>As a critic of the Government he was ruthless -and reckless, like a mighty woodman hacking -mercilessly at ill-grown timber. There was ample -reason for his dissatisfaction, as he emphatically -proved to a crowded meeting at Brighton.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He began by telling a story to which he often -referred. Some old-fashioned Liberal had told -him that after two hours’ reflection he and his -friends had been unable to answer the question, -what there was for the Liberal party to do. Fawcett -said that he had enlightened his friend in the course -of a short stroll, and he now proceeded to enlighten -his constituents. He began by insisting upon the -shortcomings of the previous sessions. The Irish -Church had been disestablished, but at the cost of -a bribe of £7,000,000. The praise bestowed upon -the Education Act was, as often happened, one -more proof that it was ‘a feeble and timorous -compromise.’ Time had been wasted in ’squabbling -over a paltry religious difficulty,’ which had -been handed over to the local authorities instead -of finally settled by Parliament. The University -Tests had been only half settled. The Ballot Bill -was a good measure, yet it left the most serious -difficulty of election expenses inadequately treated. -‘We had therefore still to make up leeway; but -above all we had to introduce new ideas.’ In this -last sentence he emphasised the paralysis of progress -which had so long crippled the advance of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_176'>176</span>England. New cures, new methods, new energy, -were what this young politician had craved from -the first of his co-workers.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>New Ideas.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Full of life and enthusiasm, the blind youth -abounded in plans to make the world happier and -saner. It should have no rest till his thoughts had -become beneficient law. He prodded those sedate -Whiggish gentlemen who formed so large a part -of the Liberal majority on the importance of a fair -minority representation. He cried out that there -must be ‘no more hereditary legislation, and that -the House of Lords needed reform.’ He held -before them abuses connected with the Poor Laws, -and the horrible fact that in England one in every -twenty of their fellows was then a pauper.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Being disagreeable.</div> - -<p class='c007'>The party whips and organisers used to say that -whatever was proposed, Fawcett would say something -disagreeable. Fawcett did, in fact, say the -‘most disagreeable’ thing pretty often, because -nothing can be so disagreeable as an opposition -based upon the very principle of which the party -claims a special monopoly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett’s increasing dissatisfaction with the -Government was strongly set forth in an article in -the <i>Fortnightly Review</i> of 1871 ‘On the Present -Position of the Government.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was a vigorous criticism of the ministry. -While giving them credit for what they had done, -he contended that the reforms that had been -attempted were but half-heartedly done, and had -not met the evils they were supposed to overcome. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_177'>177</span>He mentioned many of the questions we have -already referred to, but he also spoke of two others -that will be discussed more fully in later chapters. -He complained that the Government had done its -utmost to promote the enclosure of English -commons, and that Indian Finance had been dismissed -by the Cabinet with fifteen minutes’ discussion.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He forestalled the rejoinder that the Government -was not to be expected to satisfy the extreme -Radicals, by claiming that it did not even keep -up with the main body of its supporters. It was -enormously pleased with itself when it, ‘after much -curious twisting, and many a dubious halt, decided -to accept a principle which, years before, had been -endorsed at a hundred provincial meetings.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>He felt that while Government could have kept -the enthusiasm of its supporters by following out -a simple, strong policy, it had injured itself and -disgusted them, not by going too far, but by shilly-shallying, -compromising, and equivocating. This -frankness hurt Fawcett’s position with the strong -supporters of the Government, and he was looked -on as its enemy, so that the Government Whips -did not even send him the usual notices.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Irish University Bill.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Then came the last great battle of that Parliament, -in which Fawcett was to play so dramatic -a part. Trinity College, Dublin, was a Protestant -university financed by the State. Liberals were -eager to remove the religious tests which prevented -Catholics from enjoying the emoluments of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_178'>178</span>college. This proposal had Fawcett’s enthusiastic -sympathy. His standpoint in dealing with these -questions can best be shown by a comment he once -made on Mill’s book on <i>Liberty</i>.</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘As I was reading Mill’s <i>Liberty</i>—perhaps the -greatest work of our greatest living writer—as I -read his noble, I might almost say his holy ideas, -I thought to myself, if every one in my country -could and would do his work, how infinitely -happier would the nation be! How much less -desirous should we be to wrangle about petty -religious differences! How much less of the -energy of the nation would be wasted in contemptible -quarrels about creeds and formularies; -and how much more powerful should we be as a -nation to achieve works of good, when, as this work -would teach us to be, we were firmly bound together -by the bonds of a wise toleration.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett resented any narrow sectarian rules, and, -though never irreligious, was out of sympathy with -ceremonial and dogmatic detail.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He himself really lived according to the creed -that ‘the world was his country, and to do good -his religion.’ He had probably little true understanding -of the depth of feeling that can be aroused -by differences of creed and church. All men -were alike to him, the Catholic, the Jew, or the -Agnostic; and for Ireland as well as for England he -fought for absolute equality of privilege for all.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Even in his first Parliament, Fawcett had urged -the removal of religious tests in Dublin, and had -<span class='pageno' id='Page_179'>179</span>continued to do so in the various sessions that -followed. His friend, Professor Cairnes, and he -would discuss the matter. Fawcett studied it -very thoroughly and pressed this reform incessantly. -At last in 1873, when he had again -brought in a Bill for abolishing tests and for certain -other changes, he agreed to withdraw it in favour -of a Government Bill if this latter should seem to -him sufficiently satisfactory.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Gladstone’s Speech.</div> - -<p class='c007'>The Government measure was introduced by -Gladstone in a speech so persuasive that Fawcett -said that ‘if the decision could have taken place -whilst the House was still under its spell, the Bill -would have been almost unanimously carried.’ -But, after a careful examination, Fawcett found -it impossible to give it his support. He was, however, -much moved by Gladstone’s speech, and -afterwards congratulated him most heartily on -his eloquence. Gladstone’s eagle eye glanced at -him with a slight air of reproach as he replied, ‘I -could have wished that it had proved more persuasive, -sir.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>The scheme of the Bill was very complicated. -The various colleges in Ireland, Catholic and Protestant, -were to be combined into one university. -Instruction in subjects likely to be controversial -was to be limited to the colleges themselves. -These subjects were theology, moral philosophy, -and modern history. On these the university -Professors were not to lecture, nor was the university -to examine in them. ‘Gagging clauses’ -<span class='pageno' id='Page_180'>180</span>Fawcett called these, and made against them the -ablest speech of his life. He lifted the debate out -of the level plain of Parliamentary commonplace, -and almost savagely closed with the weak arguments -of his antagonists, and vanquished them. -He contended that the proposed regulations would -make ‘the treatment of all subjects, even political -economy, for example, hopeless’ and would seem -a Government sanction of any criticism advanced -by any religious authority. The separate colleges, -each with their separate religious control, would -perpetuate and deepen the bitter religious quarrels -from which Ireland had suffered so long.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When Fawcett felt that it was his mission to -drive home an idea, so that it would penetrate and -permeate unforgettably the minds of his auditors, -he set out deliberately to pierce like a steel drill the -rock of opposition. His relentless facts bored a -hole in the wall of antagonism, which he then -tried to fill with the dynamite of action. When -embittered and roused to righteous anger, his words -were like blows. Often his enemies gave in from -sheer weariness, because their reasons were too -black and blue to fight his logic any longer.</p> - -<div id='fp180' class='figcenter id003'> -<img src='images/i_180fp.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p>HENRY FAWCETT</p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class='sidenote'>Fawcett’s Bill passed.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Opposition seemed only to feed his triple flame -of courage, resourcefulness, and energy. The -ministers received but lukewarm support, and -were unable to withstand Fawcett’s onslaught. -The Bill was defeated in division, and immediately -Fawcett brought in his own measure. The Government -agreed to support it if all changes but those -<span class='pageno' id='Page_181'>181</span>abolishing religious tests were omitted. Fawcett -consented, and at last, after many years struggle, -his Bill became law.</p> - -<p class='c007'>This defeat of the Ministry by some of its own -supporters was one of the main causes which -brought about its fall. Fawcett had dared that -courageous thing, to wreck his own party rather -than consent to a Bill of which he disapproved. -He did more, for Gladstone retired from the leadership -shortly after this, and largely because of the -weak support of members of his own party. It -says well for both that the two men worked together -later on several occasions.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett was never a party man in the sense -of submitting his judgment to the policy of his -leaders; but he kept their respect, for his honesty -could not be questioned, and when he turned and -rent his own party, it was because he felt it lacked -that Liberalism for which it stood. The fact that -his action was likely to stand in the way of his -chance of office was a consideration which it would -never occur to him to entertain. He desired office, -but as a better means of serving the people; -if office could not mean that to him, it meant -nothing.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div><span class='xxlarge'>SAVING THE PEOPLE’S</span></div> - <div><span class='xxlarge'>PLAYGROUNDS</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> - -<p class='c016'>‘Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to the iron -string. God will not have His work made manifest -by cowards.’—<span class='sc'>Emerson</span>.</p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_185'>185</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XIX</span><br /> <br />THE STOLEN COMMONS</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>The Disappearance of the English Playgrounds and -Commons—Fawcett’s first Protest—The Annual Enclosure -Bill stopped by his energetic Action.</p> - -<div class='c001'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>A Countryman to the Rescue.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett used to say that there was no part of his -public work on which he looked with so much -unalloyed satisfaction as on his work for the -commons. Perhaps a few words show what a -complicated question he had to deal with, and how -great the need was for the strong and courageous -action which he took in this matter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He would see the urgency as only those could -see it whose knowledge of country life and country -ways was drawn from the farming and labouring -classes. He kept true to his early lessons -and did not allow his path to be deviated by the -many side issues in which these questions were -involved.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Common Lands.</div> - -<p class='c007'>From the earliest times there had been in every -parish in England a large tract of land held in -common. Part of it was cultivated jointly by the -villagers and part of it was kept as open common -land, and all parishioners had the right to feed their -<span class='pageno' id='Page_186'>186</span>beasts there, and to cut wood or furze, and similar -privileges.</p> - -<p class='c007'>This gave much independence to the simpler -folk and added to their resources and comforts, -but it also made it impossible to farm the -common lands by more modern and more productive -methods. So there arose a movement for -enclosing these lands and dividing them up among -the different village inhabitants, to become their -own individual property. As regards the lands -farmed jointly, this course had many advantages -provided that the distribution was made fairly. -But when it came to the commons proper, the -benefit was much more doubtful even from a -wealth-giving point of view. As to the non-economic -value of a common—its value as an -open place for recreation and health-giving—this -only began to be realised as the commons -became few.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett, in his first professional lectures (1864), -mentions the evils arising from enclosures.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>No room for the Cow and the Pig.</div> - -<p class='c007'>‘He declared, from his own knowledge of the -agricultural labourer, that cottagers could no -longer keep a cow, a pig, or poultry; that the -village greens had become extinct, and that the -turnpike road was too often the only playground -for the village children.</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘He doubted whether the enclosure of commons, -involving the breaking up of pastures, had, in -point of fact, permanently increased the wealth of -the country; but the wealth in any case was dearly -<span class='pageno' id='Page_187'>187</span>purchased if purchased by a diminution of the -labourers’ comforts. The compensation paid to -the poor commoner had generally been spent by -the first receiver, whilst his descendants were -permanently deprived of many of the little advantages -which might have helped to eke out their -scanty resources.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>The procedure whereby a common was enclosed -was one that dealt very hardly on the poorer folk, -and made it very difficult, if not impossible, for -them to make their objections felt. The matter -went before the Enclosure Commissioners, and they -every year presented a Bill to Parliament recommending -such enclosures as they had at that time -approved. The Bill would be passed almost without -investigation, as part of the routine work of -Parliament.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett appreciated from a child the blessings -of open free tracts for fresh air and fun. He -watched with distress and indignation the rights of -the people to their woods and open spaces being -put aside, their commons seized and fenced off, -their forests appropriated and their venerable -trees cut down—and all this without protest, nay -by the consent of a Government which undertook -to be the guardian of the people’s interests. Their -historic right in Epping Forest, Hampstead Heath, -and many other places were ignored in mean -schemes for appropriating the land and raising -paltry sums by selling it as farm or building land, -or by marketing the timber. Fawcett might have -<span class='pageno' id='Page_188'>188</span>chanted in his sonorous voice the following apt and -classic verse:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c027'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>The law locks up the man or woman</div> - <div class='line'>Who steals the goose from off the common,</div> - <div class='line'>But lets the greater villain loose</div> - <div class='line'>Who steals the common from the goose.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='sidenote'>Battle of Wisley Common.</div> - -<p class='c007'>The annual enclosure Bill, introduced in 1869, -submitted over six thousand acres for enclosure, -of which only three acres were to be reserved for -the public. In this area was included the beautiful -common of Wisley. It chanced that a resident -near Wisley, who was a member of Parliament, -strongly objected to enclosures, and to this one in -particular, and he drew the attention of the House -to the case. The Minister in charge of the Bill -agreed to withdraw Wisley and refer it to a select -committee, but said, at the same time, that it -would be obviously unfair to stop unopposed -enclosures, and he proposed to proceed with the -rest of the Bill.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett, who joined in the debate, was made -a member of this committee, but his interest and -energy went further. The Wisley case had fixed -his attention on the nature of the Bill itself, and he -saw that there was every reason to suppose that -similar but unnoticed abuses were occurring. The -Bill had almost reached its final stage in the House -of Commons, but Fawcett was not to be stopped. -He gave notice that ‘upon the third reading he -should move for a recommittal of the Bill in order -<span class='pageno' id='Page_189'>189</span>that a better provision might be made for allotments.’ -This motion created a great outcry. -Why this interference? Parliament had been -getting along most harmoniously with the Enclosure -Commission. Why change this comfortable order -of things and create delay and inconvenience to -those interested in making enclosures? Fawcett -had a hearty contempt for this comfort and -convenience at the expense of the poor. He -continued his efforts to stop the passage of the -Bill.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Outwitting the Whips.</div> - -<p class='c007'>The Government Whips, whose business it is to -get business done, tried to evade Fawcett’s opposition -by arranging for the Bill to be discussed at -awkward times. They arranged for it to come on -half an hour after midnight, after the main business -of the sitting was finished. Night after night it -would be put off on one excuse or another, and -Fawcett and the small band of friends who supported -him would wait in vain. None the less, -they took turns and tried to be always on guard, -for they knew that their absence would be the signal -for hurrying the Bill through. Fawcett used to -tell this story with glee: one night, as he had a -very bad cold, he sent a message to the Whips -asking to have the motion postponed again as -had been so frequently done before. He had no -answer, but trusting that his request would be -granted, he went home to bed. A friend who -dropped in to see him suggested that it would be -unwise to relax guard even for the night. Fawcett -<span class='pageno' id='Page_190'>190</span>thereupon hurled on his clothes and arrived to find -the House about to pass the obnoxious Bill.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The wily Whip started ‘like a guilty thing surprised,’ -and admitted good-naturedly the failure of -his tactics, and gave a formal undertaking to defer -the Bill then and to arrange for it to be brought -on later at a reasonable hour. Then, at last, -Fawcett moved his resolution, dwelt upon the injustice -to the labourer, of the absurdly small reservations -for public allotments, protested at the -attitude of the speakers for the Government, who -shirked all responsibility beyond confirming the -action of the commissioners. On his motion a -committee was appointed to consider the working -of the present system, and the expediency of better -provision for recreation and allotment grounds.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Fawcett opposes the traditional.</div> - -<p class='c007'>In committee Fawcett opposed the existing -system. The Enclosure Commissioners and their -supporters were content with the doctrine, that -‘the final cause of an enclosure commission is -naturally to enclose,’ and considered it advantageous -to get rid of common rights which -obstructed a more profitable employment of the -land. Surely, they claimed, it is a hardship to -prevent the owners of any piece of property from -distributing their various rights on terms upon -which they all agree. Fawcett argued that the -agreement was illusory. Country gentlemen and -farmers had looked after themselves, but the -cottager had been put off with some trifle, spent as -soon as received.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Withypool Parish Clerk.</div> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_191'>191</span>Fawcett was particularly delighted with the -evidence given by Mr. J. Reed, parish clerk of -Withypool. When asked how far people would -have to go for an open space, the witness replied, -‘They could not find one for miles except they did -go on the common.’ ‘Is there no common within -reach of an ordinary walk?’ ‘No, he would not -want any more recreation by the time he came to -any other common. The people say they will be -as badly off as in a town.’ ‘Are there no fields -where they can walk?’ ‘Yes, they can trespass, -if they like that.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>The committee’s report, after vigorous discussion, -accepted the chief principles advocated -by Fawcett; ‘Parliamentary scrutiny was to -become real and searching.’ Bills should be more -carefully prepared in future. It was even admitted -to be questionable whether enclosures were always -beneficial.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Thus was a first great battle won for the safety -of the commons. Others had felt the wrong as -well as Fawcett, and supported him loyally, but -it was his bulldog tenacity and his doing the disagreeable -thing that finally throttled the Annual -Enclosures Bill and stopped the mechanical process -by which so many harmful enclosures were made.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Sir Robert Hunter.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett made a notable speech against this Bill. -The late Sir Robert Hunter, who saw much of -Fawcett at this time, says: ‘Mr. Fawcett’s memory -was very remarkable, apart from the recognition of -voices. I remember an instance of this which -<span class='pageno' id='Page_192'>192</span>struck me very much. He was making a stand -against the enclosure of rural commons; the -question arose whether certain enclosures which -had been commenced should be carried out or -abandoned. There were some twenty or thirty -cases, and Mr. Fawcett in a speech to the House -of Commons gave figured details of each case, the -whole area of each common, the extent of the -allotments for fields, for gardens and a host of -other particulars.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Style for the House.</div> - -<p class='c007'>But all his friends were not so appreciative. -Lord Courtney tells how Fawcett on one occasion -took a Liverpool man of little humour down to -Cambridge for the Christmas dinner. In return -for his hospitality the guest rewarded Fawcett by -fearless and supercilious criticism of his method of -speaking, saying, ‘Fawcett, you haven’t got the -style for the House of Commons!’ Fawcett -accepted the criticism in good part and his friend -undertook to show how to speak, rising to his -feet and gesticulating dramatically and making -himself greatly absurd. Fawcett, after a little -good-natured listening, excused himself on the plea -of an engagement, saying, ‘Thanks ever so much. -Edward,’ indicating his guide, who was present, -‘is a first-rate reporter, and will tell me the rest of -your speech when I return.’ With which he flung -gaily out of the room, leaving his instructor agape.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Perhaps he had fled to go skating. His enthusiasm -for this sport was unquenchable. A -Cambridge friend of those days writes:</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_193'>193</span>‘Fawcett insisted that skating was best on the -first day of a thaw. He would come to my room, -calling in his cheerful, loud voice, “Hullo, are you -going skating?” More than once I argued with -him without avail that it was dangerous to skate -when the ice was thinning. He was deaf to all -reason, and would haul me out on the river, where -he would skate ankle deep in water. Well I remember -my alarm once when I saw him—he was -heading full tilt towards a big hole. I shouted to -him to steer clear of it, myself horrified at his -imminent danger. When he barely escaped the -opening he called out cheerily. “Oh, don’t worry, -it will be all right!” Shod with his skates he was -absolutely without fear.’</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_194'>194</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XX</span><br /> <br />THE FIGHT FOR THE FOREST</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>The Commons Preservation Society—The saving of -Epping Forest—The Queen’s Rights—The Lords of -the Manors’ Rights—The People’s Rights.</p> - -<p class='c006'>A society had been founded in 1865, called the -Commons Preservation Society, which had for -object to defend the public rights in the commons -round London. Two years later Fawcett joined -their committee and attended their meetings -sedulously. One of his first actions was to recommend -that the sphere of their operations be -extended to the country at large.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Epping Forest.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He found them busy in the effort to save Epping -Forest, which stretches some ten to thirty miles -to the north-east of the city. It is one of the most -beautiful forests of England. Old trees stand there -that in their youth witnessed the hunting of Saxon -kings. Epping Forest was for many centuries -a favourite royal hunting-ground. Up to the -time of Charles II., kings followed the deer -there in person. But after that time the Crown -no longer protected the game or looked after the -woodlands, and the district became waste land—subject -only to certain rather vague rights of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_195'>195</span>Crown, of the local lords of the manors, and of -the commoners.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the nineteenth century the Crown thought to -turn an honest penny out of Epping. It sold its -forestal rights over some four thousand acres, -about half the area of the forest, to the neighbouring -lords of the manors at an average price of £5 -an acre. These gentlemen now began gaily to -enclose the land. The commoners were few and -powerless, and the lords of the manors professed -to have compensated them or received their -consent, where they did not ignore them altogether. -One landowner calmly ploughed up three hundred -acres without consent of Crown or commons.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Prison for tree lopping.</div> - -<p class='c007'>But though much of the forest was lost in some -places, in others it was successfully defended. For -four years that part of the forest that is within the -Manor of Loughton was saved by the courage and -public spirit of a labourer named Willingdale. By -immemorial custom the men of that parish had -the right of tree-lopping, and on St. Martin’s Eve -at midnight they used to meet and go into the -forest, cut wood, and drag it to their homes. When -the lord of this manor, who was also the rector -of the parish, enclosed thirteen hundred acres, -Willingdale and his two sons, on the St. Martin’s -Eve following, broke through the fencing and lopped -and carried away their wood. For this assertion -of their rights they were summoned before the local -justices and sentenced to two months’ hard labour.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The sentence roused great indignation in East -<span class='pageno' id='Page_196'>196</span>London. The Commons Preservation Society took -up the matter, and a fund was raised to fight -the case in the law-courts on behalf of Willingdale.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Willingdale himself had a hard time. Unless he -continued to live in Loughton he had no right to -bring his suit, but he could get no employment -there, and was forced to accept a pension from the -Commons Preservation Society. Even then he -found it difficult to get a lodging in the village. -He was more than once offered big bribes of money -if he would abandon his suit. One son died in -prison, and he himself died in 1870, but his pluck -had saved the forest long enough for others to be -found to take up the fight.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was during this litigation that Fawcett became -actively interested in the case. He appeared as -one of a deputation from the Commons Preservation -Society to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, -and shared in the severe rebuke which that gentleman -administered to the deputation.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Royal Rights made People’s Rights.</div> - -<p class='c007'>This reception was enough in itself to set Fawcett -to work. He proposed to move forthwith an -address to the Queen, urging that the Crown rights -might be defended, and by this means the forest -kept free for the recreation of the people. He felt -that a clear statement of a sane and popular -principle would force the Liberal party to choose a -definite course as champion either of popular rights -or private interests.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In his determination to bring the whole matter -thus before the public and challenge the Government -<span class='pageno' id='Page_197'>197</span>policy, Fawcett stood quite alone. The -best friends of the movement begged him to desist, -believing he was inviting defeat, and would thus -injure the cause, but he had a firmer belief in the -strength of public opinion. It was another proof -of that far-sighted independence of judgment which -his fellow-workers learned so heartily to respect.</p> - -<p class='c007'>His influence on his friends deepened year by -year. His personality is perhaps most felt in the -strong impression he made on them. Professor -Stewart, also an M.P., tells of Fawcett: ‘He sat -at times when we came to tell him things in his -easy-chair with his hands holding the elbows of it, -his face towards us, his lips a little parted, his -whole physiognomy lit up with intelligence and -interest, his mind evidently drawing before itself -the picture of which we spoke, and the smile that -was on his features playing even to his broad brow. -Or again, when animated with his own clear mental -vision, his whole frame eloquent, he spoke strong, -incisive, direct words, looking through my very -soul with his empty eyes.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>A friendly Cabby.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He very rarely went about alone, but the late -Sir Robert Hunter told of once journeying to -London with him one evening. ‘When we arrived -at Waterloo, Fawcett asked me to put him into -a cab, and refused to let me go with him, shouting -“Good-bye” merrily as he drove off into the -night. Notwithstanding his fearlessness he seemed -to me so helpless, this blind giant all alone in a cab -in London, utterly at the mercy of the cabman.’ -<span class='pageno' id='Page_198'>198</span>But he had friends among the cabmen too, for -once when he turned to pay a cabby his fare, the -man utterly refused it with ‘No, Mr. Fawcett, no, -sir. You have done too much for the working -man.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>When his motion came on in the House, he reviewed -the whole question of Epping Forest and -showed the value of the Crown rights as a protection -of the people’s rights. He stated that the Crown -had sold its rights on four thousand acres for -£18,603, 16s. 2d., so small an amount as to be -negligible to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and -a healthful means of enjoyment for the people had -been destroyed. Ten times the sum might have -been saved by abolishing a sinecure office, such as -the Lord Privy Seal. This last a truly Fawcettian -fling.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Deer, yes. Picnickers, no!</div> - -<p class='c007'>The principal argument which he had to meet -now was that ‘the forest rights were relics of -feudalism; they were useful to keep up deer for -the royal hunting. Now that the Queen did not -want to hunt it would be unfair to keep them up -for a different purpose.’ A man may not put up a -fence to keep out the Queen’s deer, but he may -put it up to restrain a picnic party of her subjects. -The Queen might not make over her rights to the -public, but must resign them to the lords of the -manors. Fawcett (taking, I fear, a real and -humorous satisfaction in his reply) answered, ‘If -a right ceased when the original purpose became -obsolete, what would become of the lord of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_199'>199</span>manor? He had ceased to discharge any duties; -should he cease to have any rights?’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett’s motion was strongly supported. Mr. -Gladstone showed a wider appreciation of the -significance of the problem than other members of -his Government. He conceded that Fawcett had -demonstrated that it was the duty of Government -to take up the question, and as the champions of -the people to secure whatever was practical. He -proposed a modification, accepted by Fawcett, and -the motion was passed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>This was a great triumph, but entire success was -not yet assured. Government endorsed the policy -of the Commons Preservation Society. The Prime -Minister recognised that Fawcett’s road was the -right one to travel, but there were still many -enemies who were to be won over to an appreciation -of the people’s rights. A compromise was proposed -which seemed quite inadequate to the society. -But the Government introduced a Bill on the lines -of this so-called compromise which would have -enclosed nearly all the forest and have left, perhaps, -six hundred acres in various scattered plots to be -reserved for public use.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>An inept Proposal.</div> - -<p class='c007'>At once Fawcett gave notice of moving the -rejection of this inept document. For this and -other technical reasons the Bill was dropped. But -even its short life had shown its infirmities to such -a degree that Government was too wise to let it -reappear.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>High Beach.</div> - -<p class='c007'>The next year, 1871, the Commons Preservation -<span class='pageno' id='Page_200'>200</span>Society was stirred to immediate action by a new -danger. Notice was given that the most beautiful -of the ancient trees in Epping, those of High -Beach, were to be felled! High Beach was a part -of the forest in which there were no Crown rights. -The timber belonged to the lords of the manors -and the rights of the public seemed difficult to -ascertain. The Commons Preservation Society -sat in committee, and Fawcett suggested that a -motion should be proposed in the House of -Commons desiring that measures should be taken -for keeping open those parts of the forest which -had not been enclosed by consent of the Crown, -or by legal authority. This ingenious phrasing, -for all its complicated appearance, would have the -simple and satisfactory effect of saving Epping -Forest until such time as the House of Commons -legislated further on the subject. Fawcett suggested -that this motion should be brought forward -by Mr. Cowper Temple, who, on account of his -previous services and his less extreme views, was -much better qualified to press the matter than -himself. This was like Fawcett, thorough and -direct, standing back to give another his place -whenever it meant better service.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Government opposed this resolution with all its -force, but so strongly had the public feeling been -roused that it was defeated by a majority of one -hundred and one.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Hunting-ground of Kings.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Later in the session the Government appointed a -Royal Commission. And then the City of London -<span class='pageno' id='Page_201'>201</span>found out that it also had forestal rights, and took -the matter into the law-courts. For eleven weary -years more the battle went on. It was not till -<span class='sni'><span class='hidev'>|</span>Five thousand acres secured for the People.<span class='hidev'>|</span></span> -1882 that Queen Victoria went in person to Epping -Forest to hand over five thousand acres of the old -hunting-ground of her ancestors to the people of -England. But the critical time had been in those -first years before the public conscience was roused. -And in those years Fawcett’s persistence had made -the after-work possible.</p> - -<p class='c007'>By his brave common sense, and lucid justice -and eloquence, Fawcett had won this great battle -for the people for all time. In his article in the -<i>Fortnightly</i>, the following November, he says: ‘The -few remaining commons are the only places where -the people, except by sufferance, can leave the -beaten pathway or the frequented high road.’ -‘And yet this Government, so grand in its popular -professions, so strong in its hustings denunciations -of those who would divorce the people from the -soil, used the whole weight of official influence to -enclose the few commons that were left.’ ’so -anxious were they to pursue this policy of depriving -the public and the poor of their commons that -night after night the House was kept sitting to -two or three o’clock in the morning in order to pass -an Enclosure Bill,’ ‘and the Ministry, apparently -willing to risk something more than reputation in -the cause, were disastrously defeated by those who -were anxious to preserve Epping Forest.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Ministry had come to stigmatise him as -<span class='pageno' id='Page_202'>202</span>‘impracticable.’ Yet the course which he obliged -them against their will to follow was of vital importance -to the country, and it seems as if the -‘impracticable’ Fawcett, the blind Don Quixote, -had not tilted in vain at his opponents.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_203'>203</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXI</span><br /> <br />FOR THE PEOPLE’s WOODS AND STREAMS</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>Saving the Forests—‘The monstrous Nation’—Walking -with Lord Morley—The Boat Race—Safeguarding the -Rivers.</p> - -<div class='c001'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>The shearing of a Statesman.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett had the knack of saving time and getting -the most out of it. One spring day when he was -going to pay a promised visit, absent-mindedly he -put his hand to his hair, which he found rather -long. Discovering that he had five minutes to -spare, he shouted in his cheerful loud voice to the -cabby through the opening in the roof of the -hansom: ‘stop at the first hairdresser’s shop.’ -Arrived there he sprang out quickly and rushed in -to the barber, exclaiming as he whizzed past him: -‘Cut off as much of my hair as you can in five -minutes.’ Literally following these directions with -zealous enthusiasm, the man quickly left his victim -absolutely shorn to the skull, so that when Fawcett -put on his hat it was far too large for him. A few -minutes later he was shown into the drawing-room -at the very minute of his appointment. He felt -extremely embarrassed and sheepish coming in his -despoiled condition, but his hostess, rising to meet -him, exclaimed with as much tact as concealed -surprise: ‘O Mr. Fawcett, what an improvement! -<span class='pageno' id='Page_204'>204</span>I have never before been able to see the -beautiful shape of your head.’ So the hostess -tempered the wind to the shorn statesman. There -was sufficient truth for art in her flattery, as -Fawcett’s head was really of an unusually fine -shape, massive, rugged—even beautiful.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>He loved to be read to.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He loved to be read to, and he kept a separate -book for each friend who entertained him in this -fashion. One day <i>The Rhyme of the Duchess May</i> -was being read to him. In each stanza of the -poem recurs the phrase ‘Toll slowly.’ The whole -thing was admirably read—with pathetic emphasis -on the refrain. One of the audience says: ‘We -all thought that Fawcett was asleep, but to our -amusement, when the reader had finished, he said -enthusiastically, with his generous voice, “Thank -you very much; beautifully read, but don’t you -think that you might have left out that ‘told -slowly’?”</p> - -<div id='fp204' class='figcenter id006'> -<img src='images/i_204fp.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p>HENRY FAWCETT AND HIS FATHER</p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class='sidenote'>Salisbury Close.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He continued a frequent visitor at Salisbury, and -always fitted in with the home ways. His parents -had come to pass their closing year in a house in -the Cathedral Close. Opposite the house there -was a stretch of old wall, where before breakfast -Fawcett used to walk quite by himself, enjoying -a seclusion and peace such as was his in the court of -his old Cambridge College. The gates of the close -are shut at eleven o’clock every night. Miss -Fawcett tells the following: ‘As Henry liked to -walk the last thing at night before going to bed, -and as it was not always convenient for one of us -<span class='pageno' id='Page_205'>205</span>to accompany him, we arranged for him to go with -the gate closer on his rounds. So regularly, when -Harry was at home, the gate closer’s voice would -be heard at half-past ten, “I’ve come for Mr. -Harry,” and together they would sally forth and -lock the ancient gates about the close.’ The -scheme worked admirably to the entire satisfaction -of Fawcett, and to the delight of the watchman, -who, like the rest of the world, found Fawcett -a stimulating and cheering companion. He -awakened the seeing man’s interest in the beauty -of the cathedral which they passed in their nightly -patrol, and often asked if a different planet had yet -appeared on the horizon, if the moon could be seen -over the church tower, or if the clouds were obscuring -the stars.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The New Forest in peril.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Though he had passed his childhood on the edge -of the New Forest, it is doubtful if Fawcett ever -saw its beauties excepting with his mind’s eye and -by the help of his friends’ description.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the seventies he was fond of going there and -combining the comfort and joy that he always found -in his walk by the great trees with a fishing expedition -at Ibbesley. Here he liked to stay with -his fisher friend Tizard and his good wife, sharing -their homely meals and chat; the place abounded -in birds whose singing delighted him. It was -here that he caught the huge salmon that graced -the table at his father’s and mother’s golden -wedding feast.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On these fishing expeditions he heard of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_206'>206</span>mania for money-making that threatened to rout -the ancient spirit of romance which for centuries -had lived in the seclusion of the great oaks and -beeches. One enterprising surveyor said that the -old wood should be cleared ’smack smooth.’ The -patrician ancient trees were being replaced by -symmetrical lines of Scotch firs planted for sacrifice -by fire or for building purposes. Fawcett in -answer to inquiry was informed that the woods -would not be cleared till the House of Commons -had come to a division on the treatment of open -spaces. Not content with this rather vague -answer, he moved that ‘no ornamental timber -should be felled, and no timber whatever should -be cut except for necessary purposes, whilst -legislation was pending.’ This resolution came -none too soon and ’stood between the forest and -the axe’ for six years. The official point of view -was that the term ‘public’ was misused; it really -meant taxpayers, not tourists, nor even the neighbouring -residents. The official duty consisted in -making an income for the nation and making the -most of the property of the Heir Apparent, so that -he might make a better bargain on the next settlement -of the Civil List. No resolution of the House -of Commons could prevent the commissioner in -charge of the New Forest from performing his -duties, which were similar to those of a trustee of a -settled estate.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Forest—Health and Art.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett received signed petitions protesting -against the devastation of the forest. In 1875 -<span class='pageno' id='Page_207'>207</span>the Government, this time a Conservative Government, -appointed a select committee on the condition -of the New Forest. Fawcett gave evidence -and spoke forcibly. ‘The forest should be preserved -as a national park. Any money which -could be made by its enclosure was not worth -considering in comparison with the effects upon -the health, happiness, and morality of the people. -Even arguing the matter from a purely economical -point of view, the influence of the forest on the -health and artistic faculties of the people had a far -greater money value than that of the mere timber.’ -His comment of the effect of the beauty of the -forest on the ‘artistic faculties of the people’ must -have been peculiarly impressive; that a blind man -could see so true, plead so wisely and far-seeingly -for the best influence that his fellows could get from -the right of those historic glades. Fawcett suggested -that these honest, if penny-wise, stewards -could ease their consciences by accepting the -liberal compensation which the nation would be -glad to pay. It was a mere superstition to feel -that though neither the Crown nor the nation -wished it, there was need to treat the forest as it -would be treated by a timber merchant. He -wisely pointed out that the Secretary of the -Treasury had four years before used the same -arguments to good purpose on behalf of the -Thames Embankment Gardens. The committee -speedily reported, and an Act was passed to preserve -the ancient woods, and stop destructive enclosures, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_208'>208</span>and the Verderer’s Court was reconstituted, -so as to represent the commoners more effectually.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Fawcett <i>versus</i> Ruskin.</div> - -<p class='c007'>It is when dwelling on this fight of Fawcett’s -for beauty versus money that it is amusing to -realise that he was once challenged by Ruskin to -a public debate—Fawcett to defend the political -economy of his day against Ruskin’s charge that -it was radically opposed to Christianity. Fawcett -wisely realised that they would have no common -meeting-ground and refused to enter the lists.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>‘The monstrous Notion.’</div> - -<p class='c007'>The general questions of enclosures had still to -be settled. The old method had been stopped for -all time in Fawcett’s Battle of Wisley Common, -but no new machinery had been substituted. Bills -were brought in two or three times, but failed -to win sufficient support to be carried. In 1876 -Lord Cross, the Home Secretary, brought in a Bill -which showed a distinct advance in public opinion. -Nevertheless, it did not satisfy the Commons -Preservation Society. Next, the chairman of the -society, Mr. Shaw Lefevre, now Lord Eversley, -moved a resolution embodying the enactment of -provisions and safeguards. The Bill was supported -by a speaker who at the same time attacked what -he chose to call ‘the monstrous notion,’ <i>i.e.</i> that -the inhabitants of large towns had a right to wander -over distant commons as they pleased. Fawcett, -who also supported the Bill in a vigorous speech, -swooped down, seized this ‘monstrous notion’ -and held it aloft for admiration and support, and -contended that the commons were a great and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_209'>209</span>valuable possession for the people of the entire -country.’ He had again to insist that the bill -did not adequately protect the labourers nor provide -sufficient security against a ruthless enclosure -of commons. He pointed out that ‘under the old -Enclosure Commission, 5,500,000 acres had been -added to the estates of great proprietors, whilst -villagers by the hundred had lost their rights of -pasture, and now found it difficult to provide milk -for their children. Yet the commission which had -used this procedure was still to be trusted.’ ‘The -worst and most mischievous of all economies,’ he -declared, ‘was that which aggrandised a few, and -made a paltry addition to the sum-total of wealth -by shutting out the poor from fresh air and lovely -scenery.’ The bill passed through the committee, -doggedly, though not very successfully, opposed by -Fawcett and his friends.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Lord Eversley and Fawcett succeeded later in -amending the procedure to be followed by the -Enclosure Commissioners. The Commissioners -were instructed that they must have proof that -any proposed enclosure should be of real benefit -to the neighbourhood as well as to private interests. -Furthermore, every enclosure scheme had to be -submitted to a standing committee of the House -of Commons of which Fawcett was one of the -first members.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Charm of Home.</div> - -<p class='c007'>The unfailing charm of Fawcett’s home life was -a constant delight and rest to him. Mrs. Fawcett’s -share in his career was of the greatest possible -<span class='pageno' id='Page_210'>210</span>moment. Their only child Philippa began to be -a source of great pleasure, and she enjoyed being -with her father on his country expeditions as much -as he delighted in having her with him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Declaring firmly that he believed in at least -eleven hours’ skating, this serious statesman would -often ponder deeply, as he thoughtfully rubbed -his blue glasses and replaced them on his nose, -how with ingenuity it would be possible to contrive -to fit in another hour on the ice. He not -only skated by himself, depending only on the -voice of his companion to steer him, but he insisted -that his wife, daughter, secretary, and two maids -should all turn out to have a good time with him. -Only the cook, on the uncontrovertible score of old -age, was excused.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Little Philippa greatly enjoyed accompanying -her father, and whistling in order to guide him. -When she was about nine years old she had returned -from a wonderful skate, when she had -steered him in the customary fashion. She told -her mother all about it and what fun they had -had, on a particularly difficult route, her father depending -solely on her piping to guide him. ‘And -what did you whistle?’ asked the mother. ‘Oh, -just “Gentle Jesus,”’ came the prompt reply.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Hymns.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Perhaps it is not amiss to indicate here the -complete control that this small person exercised -over her giant father. At this period of her life -she had been imbued by her nurse with an intense -devoutness. One Sunday morning he was singing -<span class='pageno' id='Page_211'>211</span>to himself: it is only proper to say that the word -singing is not an exact term, as all his friends and -family are agreed that he was incapable of producing -melody or sweet noises. His tiny daughter -popped her head in at the crack of the door, saying -solemnly: ‘You mustn’t sing, it’s Sunday!’ -‘Are you sure?’ asked Fawcett. ‘Wait,’ was the -answer; closing the door his mentor disappeared, -doubtless to consult with the nurse who had filled -her with so much theological technique. Again -the child appeared at the crack in the door, saying -briefly: ‘If it’s hymns you may, if it isn’t you -mayn’t,’ and the singing ceased abruptly!</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The sanctity of Open Spaces.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Open spaces, especially those near the big towns, -had in the railway companies another and most -powerful enemy. It was so much easier to take -a railway across a common than through the -neighbouring enclosed land, that there arose a -serious risk that the commons though at last -secured for the people, would still be despoiled of -their freshness and beauty. Fawcett was quick -to perceive this, and to try to save the open spaces -from such invasions of their sanctity. He was -characteristically amused once by the suggestion -of some more prudent members of the Commons -Preservation Society that he might weaken their -position by failure. It was not by fear of defeat -that he so often succeeded in turning defeat into -victory. He never hesitated in his attack. Even -when Postmaster-General he voted against his -colleague, Mr. Chamberlain, the President of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_212'>212</span>Board of Trade, on a question of railway encroachment -on Wimbledon Common.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It is a beautiful thing for all of us who have the -privilege of enjoying the glory of the commons -and forests of England to appreciate that that -pleasure has been kept for us, and for countless -others for all time, largely by the valiant fight -and generous labours of a man who, though he -loved them as he loved light, freedom and justice, -and gave part of his life to save them, could only -see them through the eyes of others.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Lord Morley takes Fawcett [on] a walk.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Lord Morley tells of Fawcett on these lands -which he saved for the poor. Fawcett had been -walking on Lord Morley’s arm over the Wimbledon -Commons, with that vigour and enjoyment in the -exercise which he invariably found. They paused -on a hill. Lord Morley, impressed with the unusual -loveliness of the sunset and its ineffable melancholy, -was startled to hear Fawcett beside him -ask wistfully: ‘Morley, is the sunset very beautiful?’ -‘Yes,’ was the answer. ‘Ah, I thought -so,’ came the comment before a long silence, in -which the blind man seemed to be taking in the -exquisite scene spread before his unseeing eyes.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We know how Fawcett’s deep love of nature and -beauty was a strong factor of his very being. He -loved the forest and the hills, the fields and the -skies, and above all the rivers.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Following the Boat Race.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Until nearly the end of his life, Fawcett rarely -missed the Oxford and Cambridge rowing contests. -It was a matter of course to see him ‘looking -<span class='pageno' id='Page_213'>213</span>over’ the crew of the college ‘eight’ and expressing -his opinion frankly about its fitness, or -eagerly ‘watching’ a race. He followed the -University boat race on one occasion in a launch, -and in the keenest excitement continually asked -his friend, ‘How are they going now, Morgan? -How near are they now?’</p> - -<p class='c007'>The race gained much zest for Fawcett from the -motion of the tug from which he watched it, from -the noise of the water lapping against the side of -the boat, the splash of the oars, the occasional -spray dashed in his face as the little ship darted -to hasten its course by benefiting in an opening -in the crowd of craft. The cheers of the spectators, -the calling of the coxswains to the straining crews, -and even the occasional tooting of an unmannerly -tug, all gave colour to the picture for the blind -man. The river’s fascination perhaps even increased -for him after he could not see it.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Safeguarding the Rivers.</div> - -<p class='c007'>When the Thames needed a protector to safeguard -its loveliness, it was the blind man who -eagerly urged that an organisation, similar to the -Commons Preservation Society, should be formed -to protect the river, and it was through his advice -that a Select Committee with this object was later -appointed. He also took occasion to support -Lord Bryce in his efforts to abolish the system -which hampered the public in their enjoyment of -the beauties of the Scottish Highlands.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Stephen speaks of his readiness to refuse prominence -if he thought that others could serve -<span class='pageno' id='Page_214'>214</span>better than he, of his eagerness ‘to meet the -strength of the opposite case,’ to see his opponent’s -point of view and to judge it generously; he -dwells on the great interest he took in private -life in considering impartially and thoughtfully -his friends’ problems, so that his advice to them -was of unusual value. The whole chapter of this -fight for the rights of those who were least able to -fight for themselves, sustained and led by a man -who could not see or enjoy, saving vicariously, -what he was fighting for, is as heroic as any in -history. He faced the danger of losing his hard-won -position, and often alone made the decision -to act against the advice of his friends and his own -interests and to stand for the right. In his simple -direct plea for justice he never rested until he got -what was the people’s due, and what must remain -for all time a living monument to his singleness -of purpose and chivalrous bravery.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_215'>215</span><span class='xxlarge'>THE MEMBER FOR INDIA</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-l c028'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>‘Let thy dauntless mind</div> - <div class='line'>Still ride in triumph over all mischance.’</div> - <div class='c014'><span class='sc'>Shakespeare.</span></div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line c001'>‘Not from without us only, from</div> - <div class='line'>Within can come upon us light.’</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003' /> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_217'>217</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXII</span><br /> <br />WHAT INDIA PAID</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>India pays for English Hospitality—Royal English -generosity to India paid for by India—How to deal with -an angry opponent—Indian Finance and the poor Ryot—Gratitude -from India—How Fawcett prepared his -Speeches.</p> - -<div class='c001'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>The Sultan’s Ball.</div> - -<p class='c007'>The purpose of this chapter is not to comment -on the condition of India, and of its government -in Fawcett’s time, but through these new labours -of his to know him better, to show how gallantly -he fought for a poor remote people, and how -poignantly he brought their needs before their -English fellow-subjects. It was a work he was -peculiarly fitted to do. His vigorous action, his -picturesque personality, his gift for singling out -a weak point, perhaps trifling in itself, and making -it a vivid symbol of wrong policy, all helped -Englishmen unfamiliar with India to realise better -their responsibilities to a country in whose destinies -they were so closely concerned.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett once said that in his undergraduate -days he had picked up a book on India which -attracted him to the subject. His comments in -his schoolboy essays have been noted. It is -possible that Mill and other friends of his closely -<span class='pageno' id='Page_218'>218</span>connected with India stimulated his interest. He -referred to the country a good deal in his <i>Manual -of Political Economy</i>.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He first dealt with Indian affairs publicly in -1867, and in most characteristic fashion. The -Sultan of Turkey was about to visit England, and -it was proposed to give a ball in his honour at the -India Office. Fawcett demanded who was to foot -the bill. He was told that India was to pay for -this courtesy offered to the Sultan by the British, -because the Sultan had been courteous in the -matter of telegraphic communication between -India and Europe.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>India pays for English Hospitality.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Though Mill urged Fawcett not to protest, as -there were greater abuses to be found, Fawcett -could not quiet his resentment at this unfair distribution -of the burden. Had not England benefited -equally by the telegraphic communication, -and should it not at least pay equally? So, when -a motion was made for the list of invitations, with -the usual Parliamentary pleasantries about the -unfair selection of guests, Fawcett rose with true -reluctance to strike a discordant note. He urged -that the really important question was to determine -by what justice the Secretary for India -could tax the people of India for this entertainment. -It might be proper for the officials -themselves to give the entertainment. But why -should the toiling peasant pay for it? At that -very time there was famine in India, and the -Indian press complained of the slowness of relief -<span class='pageno' id='Page_219'>219</span>measures. It would have new occasion for -sarcasm, when a part of the much-needed Indian -revenue was voted for an entertainment of smart -folk in London.</p> - -<p class='c007'>His protest against this ‘masterpiece of meanness,’ -as he afterwards called it, had little effect -for the time being. But it aroused the attention -of many in India, and began to make known to -them the man whom they learned to call almost -affectionately the ‘Member for India.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>An Insolent Meddler.</div> - -<p class='c007'>When presenting a petition to the House of -Commons from European residents and natives of -India, who complained of the expenditure on public -works and asked for greater economy, Fawcett -moved that a commission be sent to India to obtain -evidence on the spot—a motion that he afterwards -withdrew. During the debate arising out of his -motion, he was attacked with such asperity and -lack of civility by one of the Under Secretaries of -State, that it aroused the protest of other members. -Fawcett was content to reply with a very characteristic -maxim. ‘Five years’ experience in the -House,’ he said, ‘had taught him that a member -was always right in bringing forward a question, -when the fact of his bringing it forward caused the -minister concerned to lose his temper.’ On another -occasion the same antagonist warned Fawcett that -his love of competition was becoming a fetish. -But Fawcett smilingly retaliated, ‘Beware of the -fetish of officialism.’ Good advice for many!</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett’s stand from the first was taken so -<span class='pageno' id='Page_220'>220</span>surely and firmly, that his ground could not be -cut from under him. His success was merely a -question of work and time. Part of his power lay -in his frank realisation of his own limitations.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Supporting a family on fourpence halfpenny a day.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He had no special knowledge of Indian religion -and customs, and was not competent to judge -questions of internal policy. But the financial -relations between England and India, as well as -the methods of dealing with finance in India itself, -were well within the compass of his clear mind. -With these he proposed to deal exhaustively. He -knew whether the balance-sheets shown by Indian -statesmen were intelligible or not, whether charges -made to India were just, and he set himself with a -will to study these questions. And to them he -knew how to give a most intimately personal touch. -He was an untravelled man, and lived within the -isolation of his blindness. But he had the great -gift of realising habitually the existence of the -world beyond his experience. He made England -understand that India is no rich country from the -Arabian Nights, but a poor country, where the ryot, -the peasant of India, had but fourpence halfpenny -a day to keep himself and his family, where taxes -were increased only with great hardship to the poor, -and where of all places money must not be wasted.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In 1870, in a long and technical speech, he -criticised the Indian Budget. He complained -that it was brought on so late in the session that -there was no time for proper discussion, and urged -that a committee on Indian finance should be -<span class='pageno' id='Page_221'>221</span>appointed. In this speech, which showed his careful -study of the whole Budget, he singled out one -item for especial scorn. The Queen’s second son, -the Duke of Edinburgh, had recently journeyed -through India, and had distributed royal gifts -amounting in value to £10,000. These had been -paid for out of the Indian revenues, that is to say, -by the Indian taxpayers themselves!</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Prime Minister agreed that the Indian -Budget should be presented earlier in the session, -and the next year adopted Fawcett’s proposal to -appoint a committee on Indian finance. It sat -for four years, and Fawcett was a hard-working -member of it, and a most effective one.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The committee, urged by Fawcett, asked for -native witnesses, and two Hindoos were sent to -England to give evidence, and their expenses were -paid by the Government.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Mr. Nadabhai Naoroji, one of them, said that -he wrote a letter telling of the evidence which he -had to give, and then appeared before the Finance -Committee. The chairman was not sympathetic, -and made things as uncomfortable as possible for -him. But when Fawcett, with whom Naoroji had -discussed matters previously, undertook the examination, -by a series of apt questions he brought -out all the distinguished Hindoo had to say. Mr. -Naoroji adds: ‘This was an instance of the justice -and fearlessness with which he wanted to treat -this country. As I saw him pleading our cause, I -felt awe and veneration as for a superior being.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Grateful messages from India.</div> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_222'>222</span>In Miss Maria Fawcett’s dining-room there -hangs at this day a long hand-written document, -with a beautifully illuminated gold and coloured -border. It was sent to her brother from a remote -city in India in 1873, to thank him for the work -he had done. Too long to quote in full, a sentence -from it may show how Fawcett was regarded in -India. ‘We view with feelings of inexpressible -delight your efforts to enlighten your countrymen -of the wants and grievances of the millions of -Her Majesty’s subjects living in a country so far -from the seat of government, and our feeling of -admiration is heightened into that of reverence -on learning that you are labouring in this cause -of philanthropy under great disadvantages, among -which the great physical disability which Providence -has pleased to impose upon you is much to be -regretted.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Distinguished now as an able critic on Indian -finance, Fawcett had an extensive correspondence -with residents of India, and with members of the -Indian Civil Service, and neglected no opportunity -to increase his knowledge of Indian affairs.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Appreciative resolutions were sent to him from -many native Indian associations. At a meeting -in Calcutta an address was voted to him and also -one to ‘the Mayor of Brighton thanking the constituency -for returning such a worthy representative -and disinterested friend of India.’ He was frequently -begged to present petitions stating the -grievances of the native and non-official community.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_223'>223</span>He helped privately, as well as publicly, as -many a poor Indian student or petitioner came -to know. When, however, Fawcett was urged -to represent the grievances of certain Indian -rulers, he refused, saying quaintly that ‘he was -too poor a man to have anything to do with -princes.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>An Optimist.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Mr. Justice Scott said, speaking of the ideal for -which Fawcett worked: ‘It is not enough for us -Englishmen to say that we have given to India -order, peace, security and justice, roads, railroads, -and other material benefits of Western civilisation, -but it should be our duty to ourselves and in co-operation -with the people of India in the great task -of education, private, social and political, never to -rest content till every individual of the teeming -masses of India can take an intelligent part as a -citizen in the management of their own concerns. -This is a great idea. It may seem the Utopian dream -of an optimist. Mr. Fawcett was no doubt an -optimist.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett most powerfully influenced people by -his speeches. His appearance was arresting and -interesting, while his brave disregard of his blindness -claimed instant sympathy and admiration. -His voice, which was unusually powerful, softened -in tone with years, and his language grew less -severe; he uttered each word clearly, and what he -said was clearly thought out. What he wanted -was never for himself. What he fought for was -invariably to help some one less fortunate, less -<span class='pageno' id='Page_224'>224</span>free, less happy, than the blind man who pleaded -so earnestly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He delivered two speeches in 1872 and 1873 -on the Indian Budgets of those years which an -adversary said ‘he considered to be the most remarkable -intellectual efforts he had ever heard.’ -Of course Fawcett, unlike other speakers, had no -notes to help him, yet he gave an exposition of -complex questions with a clearness which might -have raised the envy of the most accomplished -Chancellor of the Exchequer.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>How Fawcett prepared his Speeches.</div> - -<p class='c007'>The way he prepared his speeches is interesting. -First, he would master the vital facts and figures -he wanted. Then he would press into his service -some friend well up on the subject with which he -wished to deal, and together they would go over -the ground until Fawcett felt that the facts were -arranged so as to express most clearly and pithily -his contention.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Lucid arrangement helped his memory. His -object was primarily to be clear, to say a thing as -well as he could. He did not hesitate to repeat the -same illustrations and statements, and paid little -attention to rhetoric, epigram or elegance. He -wished to hammer certain leading principles into -people’s heads, and he did this so effectively that -they stuck there, and he pressed his points so vividly -and insistently that he made his audiences, no -matter where he found them, usually become his -supporters, and even workers for his policy.</p> - -<div id='fp224' class='figcenter id008'> -<img src='images/i_224fp.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic008'> -<p><i>Photo. Mansell</i></p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>HENRY FAWCETT</div> - <div>From a painting by Sir Hubert von Herkomer</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>On one occasion Fawcett spoke on India for -<span class='pageno' id='Page_225'>225</span>nearly two hours. He had the House absolutely -in his hand the whole of that time, and never once -had to hark back. The figures that he dealt with -were exceedingly complicated and numerous. Later -an M.P. congratulated him and expressed his -surprise at his wonderful memory. Fawcett, with -his habitual modesty, said, ‘There is nothing strange -about it. You know I see the thing mentally as I -suppose you see whatever you are looking upon -now; really that is the difference.’ The M.P. -replied, ‘Yes, but it doesn’t account for it at all. -I see and forget—you see and don’t forget, there’s -the difference.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>A Cambridge professor said of Fawcett when he -began to make those remarkable speeches on Indian -affairs: ‘We, I think, were mainly struck with the -extraordinary intellectual feats that they were for -a man under his calamity; but the effect produced -in India was of a different and profounder kind. -<span class='sni'><span class='hidev'>|</span>Sympathy from Suffering.<span class='hidev'>|</span></span> -There was the sense of the largeness of heart of the -statesman who had known suffering, and a gratitude -for his broad sympathy with all whom he could -protect against what he conceived to be oppression -of any kind.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>No time in Parliament for India.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He did not hesitate to speak on Indian affairs -to his constituency, and to ask of them their sympathy -and interest. At a meeting in Brighton he -said that the most trumpery question ever brought -before Parliament, a wrangle over the purchase of -a picture or a road through a park excited more -interest than the welfare of the many millions of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_226'>226</span>our Indian fellow-subjects. Constituencies were -said to take no interest in the subject. They -would be some day forced to take an interest, if -affairs were neglected in the future as they had -been in the past. ‘The people of India have not -votes; they cannot bring so much pressure to bear -upon Parliament as can be brought by one of our -great railway companies; but with some confidence -I believe that I shall not be misinterpreting -your wishes if, as your representative, I do whatever -can be done by one humble individual to render -justice to the defenceless and powerless.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>That last sentence could be taken as his policy -and motto through life. Could there be a more -valiant one for a blind man, or for any one fighting -against great odds for the right? ‘I do whatever -can be done by one humble individual to render -justice to the defenceless and powerless.’ He does -not limit whom or where. There are no limitations. -That they are defenceless and powerless -is all the recommendation which they need to -claim his warmest interest and ceaseless effort to -help them to find the way out of their misery.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_227'>227</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXIII</span><br /> <br />THE ‘ONE MAN WHO CARED FOR INDIA’</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>Defeated at Brighton—Spectacles and the Man—Elected -for Hackney.</p> - -<div class='c001'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>Effect of Speeches in India.</div> - -<p class='c007'>In spite of many warnings that his Indian policy -would be unpopular, his adherence to his high ideal -of a truly Imperial citizenship proved a good -campaign asset, and Fawcett’s constituents were -proud of him, and absorbed in his expositions of -Indian affairs.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Notwithstanding that he lost his seat at Brighton -at the next general election, he was soon in the -House again, representing another constituency. -The prominence of his position in the House of -Commons and out of it was much enhanced by -the power of his Indian speeches.</p> - -<p class='c007'>His popularity in Cambridge was unquestioned. -On his return to residence there, his home was a -merry meeting-place for his many friends old and -new. His original ways were a byword. He once -began a new acquaintanceship in this fashion. -Shaking hands warmly with a young student who -had just been introduced, Fawcett said jovially, -‘What do you do—ride, or row or fish? I -smoke!’</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_228'>228</span>In speaking of Fawcett, the present head Master -of Trinity used these words: ‘We all had a veneration -for Fawcett, and loved to see the way he -won every one. A friend of all of ours with whom -Fawcett stayed tried us very much by insisting -that all his guests should go to bed by ten o’clock. -One of them vowed that “he’d be hanged if he -would go to bed at ten o’clock.” We were greatly -relieved and amused that when Fawcett appeared -on the scene, his conversation so completely -charmed his host that it was impossible to get him -to bed until long after midnight.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Mastership of Trinity Hall.</div> - -<p class='c007'>When a vacancy occurred in the Mastership of -Trinity Hall, Fawcett was asked to stand, and -though he retired from the candidature in favour -of Sir Henry Maine, it is an interesting evidence of -Fawcett’s close interest in his old college that no -new interests could weaken.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At this time his chief exercise seems to have been -riding. A friend who often accompanied him gives -this description of one adventurous morning ride: -‘His riding was like the driving of Jehu. He was -entirely fearless, seemed to know all the road, the -turnings, the signposts, and the houses, where the -turf began that was good to go on, and where the -horse must be allowed to walk.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Spectacles and the Man.</div> - -<p class='c007'>‘We were going together at a moderate pace on -his favourite road. I was a yard in front; -suddenly I heard a noise as of a fall, and looking -back saw to my horror Fawcett lying on the ground, -and his horse standing quietly by. How it -<span class='pageno' id='Page_229'>229</span>happened I don’t know. I jumped down in terror, -but was soon reassured by Fawcett calling out in -his natural voice, “Just look for my spectacles, will -you?” When I had helped him up and brought -him to his horse, he remounted without the least -appearance of flurry or alarm. He explained to -me as we cantered on, that he thought that in case -of a fall, he was in less danger than a seeing man, -as he did not attempt to move or struggle. He -seemed to think no more of his fall, beyond expressing -a wish that I should not speak of it at home, -and thus cause alarm and nervousness when he -was riding again.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Enjoying the Sunset.</div> - -<p class='c007'>This courage is the more remarkable in view of -the fact that Fawcett once said: ‘The happiest -moments I spend in my life are when I am in the -companionship of some friend who will forget that -I have lost my eyesight, who will talk to me as if I -could see, who will describe to me the persons I -meet, a beautiful sunset, or scenes of great beauty -through which we may be passing. For so wonderful -is the adaptability of the human mind, that -when for instance some scene of great beauty has -been described to me, I recall that scene in after -years, and I speak about it in such a manner that -sometimes I have to check myself and consider for -a moment whether the impression was produced -when I had my sight or was conveyed by the description -of another.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>It is not conceivable that the man who so -thoroughly saw through the vision given to him by -<span class='pageno' id='Page_230'>230</span>others, could have been deficient in the power to -imagine vividly, acutely, all possible dangers. It -meant a very deliberate courage to overcome all -slowness and hesitancy—to gallop alone, trusting -entirely to his horse to save him from, may be, -serious collisions. Yet, so complete was Fawcett’s -self-mastery that he thrust fear utterly behind him, -and found only hearty, high-spirited joy in his -outings.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Hackney. A model campaign.</div> - -<p class='c007'>This same courage stood him in good stead in -the general election in 1874, which resulted in a -great victory for the Conservatives. In Brighton -both the Liberal candidates were thrown out, -though Fawcett polled forty-nine more votes than -before. Within six weeks he was again an M.P., -this time enthusiastically elected for Hackney; -and the management of his election for that borough -was so inexpensive that it was long cited as a model -of electioneering efficiency and economy.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Indian papers spoke strongly of his ‘unique -position,’ and a fund of £400 was raised and transmitted -to England to pay the expenses of another -contest. It arrived too late, but went towards the -expenses of the contest at Hackney in 1880. -Another sum of £350 was then raised in India, which -was placed in the hands of trustees with a view to -a future election, and in due time was devoted to -some purpose connected with India.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett’s first speech to his Hackney constituents -was delivered in March. What he said there, then -and later, was distinguished by his fearless and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_231'>231</span>frank adherence to what were considered unpopular -principles. He denounced what he deemed the -unworthy competition between Gladstone and -Disraeli, saying that when the former announced -that in case of his election he would repeal the -Income Tax, the latter promptly announced that -he would do the same. Fawcett considered that -neither could carry out this promise, and that it -was merely a discreditable bid for votes. He said -that he would continue in his efforts for India, then -threatened anew by famine.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Times.</div> - -<p class='c007'>The <i>Saturday Review</i>, not usually favourable to -his party, hoped for his return as the ‘one man,’ -out of official circles, who cared for India. The -<i>Times</i> said ‘he offended publicans by refusing to -use their houses as committee rooms; he offended -the advocates of the Permissive Bill by declaring -his resolution to vote against it; he offended -shopkeepers by his zeal in favour of the co-operative -movement; he offended working men by his opposition -to the latest movement for limiting the -hours of labour of adult women; he offended old-fashioned -Liberals, and Liberals who are getting -old-fashioned, by his persistent advocacy of reforms -that had not come within the range of their education -when they were young; and Liberals of -a later growth remembered how often Fawcett -had found himself unable to acquiesce in Mr. -Gladstone’s policy and plans. Yet he must have -secured the support of men of all these sections, -who concurred in sending him to Parliament, because -<span class='pageno' id='Page_232'>232</span>they believed that his presence there would -be advantageous, in spite of errors of opinion which -each section in turn lamented.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>His short absence between his defeat at Brighton -and his fresh appearance as the representative for -Hackney was sincerely regretted in the House of -Commons on all sides. Warm friends missed his -genial personality and the jovial meetings at his -seat, whence many merry stories and much gossip -emanated. Those who saw Fawcett casually found -it difficult to believe that he was blind. It -was his unfailing habit to turn to the person to -whom he was speaking as if he saw them. He -knew his way about the House of Commons so -well that he was quick and sure in all his movements. -He would cross the floor of the House and, -bowing to the Speaker, take his seat with familiar -assurance. His father used often to come up from -Salisbury, and Fawcett would take him to the -privileged strangers’ seats under the gallery, and -bring his Parliamentary friends to talk to the old -gentleman.</p> - -<p class='c007'>One of the favourite ways of drawing attention -to departmental misdeeds is to ask questions of -the Minister of State concerned to be answered -by him at the beginning of the sitting. These -questions were sent up in writing and then read -aloud to the House by the members who asked -them. The Rt. Hon. Thomas Burt, one of the -first working-class representatives, and an old -friend of Fawcett’s, says: ‘Mr. Fawcett often put -<span class='pageno' id='Page_233'>233</span>long questions, and he repeated them word for -word as they were printed on the order paper, never -a slip, never the slightest hesitation.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The hard-worked Hen.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett was at once added to the committee on -Indian finance appointed a few days before his -election. This was the fourth year that this -committee had worked. <i>Punch</i> said that it -reminded him ‘of the hen that laid so many eggs -she could never come to the hatching of any.’ -And indeed it never published a report, though it -collected a great deal of most valuable evidence.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was before this committee that Lord Salisbury -gave evidence on the difficulty for an Indian -Secretary of State to withstand the demands of the -Treasury. Continued resistance on his part was -‘to stop the machine.’ ’so,’ said Fawcett, ‘you -must either stop the machine, or resign, or go on -tacitly submitting to injustice.’ ‘I should accept -the statement,’ replied Lord Salisbury, ‘barring the -word tacitly. I should go on submitting with loud -remonstrances.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>But a strong echo in the public conscience would -be necessary for these remonstrances to be of any -value to India, and this is what Fawcett saw.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_234'>234</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXIV</span><br /> <br />FAMINE, TURKS AND INDIANS</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'><i>Punch</i> and Fawcett—The Indian Famine—Parliamentary -Interest aroused in India—Bulgarian Atrocities—Afghanistan -War—Gladstone’s Faith in Fawcett—A -£9,000,000 Mistake.</p> - -<p class='c006'>He was becoming one of the most prominent -figures in the House of Commons, and as such is -frequently mentioned in the political diary with -which <i>Punch</i> has amused more than two generations. -<i>Punch</i> gives vivid glimpses of our hero -‘hitting out in fine style,’ giving ‘a well deserved -rap over the knuckles’ to some not too scrupulous -speaker. Then he is ‘the blind gentleman who -cannot see things in his way like other people, and -so will not be turned aside’; or ‘One of the biggest -wigs on India.’ On a night of great debate ‘First -in the lists was that ablest of intractables, Professor -Fawcett, who not seeing when he bores others can -defy the penalties of boredom in the strength of an -honest purpose.’ Finally, when energy was required -‘Professor Fawcett danced over it.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Then back to the quiet home across the river, -and a peaceful time by his own fireside. In damp -weather the tolling of Big Ben would ring clear -<span class='pageno' id='Page_235'>235</span>over the water. Fawcett did not need to be told -it was raining or to depend on the patter on the -window panes for his knowledge. He knew it by -the distinctive noises of the wet wheels of traffic. -All the various noises of the London streets were -acutely present to him: the uneven, slow hammer -of a lame horse’s hoofs, the short quick step of a -donkey, and the whir of the two wheels of a coster’s -donkey-cart piled high with vegetables for Covent -Garden, or the more rhythmic trot of a pair of -carriage horses and the almost noiseless revolutions -of the wheels of prosperous vehicles. He knew -of fog by the muffled cries of the cabbies and the -linkmen, or by the bewildering tooting of the river -craft on the Thames.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In 1875 Gladstone retired from the Liberal leadership, -and Lord Hartington was elected in his stead. -The Liberals were a disorganised and despondent -party, sitting in the coldest of cold shades of opposition. -But there was nothing dispirited about -Fawcett. In this session he reiterated two former -war-cries: the one to reduce the expenses of -Parliamentary candidates—a proposal which still -had little support from either side of the House; -the other, to insist with this Government as he had -insisted with the former one, to bring on the debate -on the Indian Budget in sufficient time for proper -discussion. In the same session funds were voted -to meet the expenses of the tour about to be made -by the Prince of Wales in India. Fawcett was -wishful that the whole cost of this voyage of good -<span class='pageno' id='Page_236'>236</span>will should be met by England. But both Disraeli -and Gladstone opposed him, and he was unable to -get his point carried.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Liberty of the Individual.</div> - -<p class='c007'>His strong belief in individual liberty gave -Fawcett scant sympathy with that school of -thought which was for controlling people into -better conditions of living. When the Conservative -Government brought in a bill for municipal action -in cases of bad housing, and the premier happily -misquoted ’sanitas sanitatum, omnia sanitas,’ -Fawcett was scornful. He considered it class -legislation and paternally patronising in a way -that few would understand to-day. He had the -same feeling about the Factory Acts, except when -they were to protect the most helpless. On the -other hand, he was eager to extend the compulsory -attendance of children at school, and urged it -several times during this Parliament.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Empress of India.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India -at Delhi in 1877 amidst much stately ceremonial -and much thundering of cannon. But the reverberations -from the Imperial salute had hardly died -<span class='sni'><span class='hidev'>|</span>Famine.<span class='hidev'>|</span></span> -away before ominous news was muttered of famine -in Bengal. It proved only too true, and was very -terrible in its effects. More than two million -people died. Many endeavours were made to -cope with the disaster, and also to provide better -against its recurrence, in all of which Fawcett -took deep interest. A month or two later it was -proposed to remit the duty on cotton. Fawcett, -although a strong free trader, opposed this, as he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_237'>237</span>thought the change at this time would deal hardly -with India.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In 1879 Fawcett published an article in the -<i>Nineteenth Century</i>, called ‘The New Departure in -Finance,’ in which he shows the changes that have -been wrought. He points out, amongst other -things, that in that year the Indian Budget was -discussed in May instead of in August, and that it -excited sufficient interest for the debate to last -three nights, whereas in former years it was generally -hurried over in the closing hours of the session. -The vital importance of limiting taxation and -reducing expenditure had been acknowledged by -the highest authorities, and an obstacle had thus -been surmounted which had hitherto stood in the -way of all serious reforms. He insisted on the -importance of developing the resources of the -country, but objected to reckless borrowing for -that purpose. He considered that the expenses -could be reduced until there should be a fair surplus -to spend on works of real value. He emphasised -most particularly a policy always much in his -mind. There might be a great saving of money, -and a great gain politically, if more opportunity -were given to the native races to be employed in -Government posts. After calling attention to the -heavy military expenditure, he ends with the -expression of a hope that a new financial era is -really being inaugurated.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett was surprised and amused at the way -in which his essay was received with unanimous -<span class='pageno' id='Page_238'>238</span>approval, and said that it showed ‘the uncertainty -of any forecast of the effect of an appeal to the -public.’ After years of labour apparently productive -of little result, he had suddenly become an -exponent of accepted principles.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He is now the great man. And a great man’s -jokes, however feeble, make their impress. But -through this atmosphere we see the cheerful -Fawcett of our ken, gay, brusque, and light-hearted.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He walks with a friend from Newmarket to -Cambridge. The friend relates:</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Fawcett and the Yokels.</div> - -<p class='c007'>‘We stopped at a roadside inn for lunch; the -country yokels stared, as well they might, at this -strong-faced blind man, full of interest for the -things they knew about. He insisted on paying -more than the landlady asked, because he had -taken all the crust off the loaf!</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘I saw some one on the road whom I thought -Fawcett ought to know, who passed with no sign -of recognition. On inquiry from him why I -thought he would know this man, I described him -as some old fogey who looked like a member of -the University. Later on I had occasion to talk -to him about the strenuous exercise he often took, -and hazarded a conjecture that he was as strong -as any member of the House of Commons. His -version, shouted out to his wife directly he got -inside of his house, was that I had been calling him -an old fogey, and had been trying to make up for -it by calling him the strongest member of the -House.’</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_239'>239</span>‘In the evening his wife or any friend present -read aloud to him. I remember one evening, after -I had been reading the <i>Spectator</i> to him, Mrs. -Fawcett took up Trevelyan’s <i>Life of Fox</i>, and read -to him for some minutes; she then looked up and -said, ‘Harry, you are asleep!’ He indignantly -denied it, and to show that he had not been asleep -said, “I have heard every word you said. I think -we will have some of Fox’s Life now.” When informed -that we had been reading it for ten minutes, -he said, without being at all disconcerted, “Oh, -have you, then go on!”’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The terrible Turks.</div> - -<p class='c007'>The Beaconsfield Government (for Disraeli was -now Earl of Beaconsfield), which had begun its -course so prosperously, had from 1876 onwards to -meet difficulties arising from war in Eastern Europe. -The Turks put down a rising in Bulgaria with inconceivable -barbarity, and Beaconsfield’s handling -of the question gave great offence to many Englishmen. -The sufferings of the Christians brought -Gladstone out of his retirement and, in the first -days of September, he published a pamphlet that -was sold daily in its thousands. Within a fortnight -Fawcett presided at a great meeting in Exeter Hall, -the birthplace of so many crusades.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It is popularly supposed that it is particularly -difficult for the blind to keep order or to compel -attention. This idea has often been used as an -objection to the blind as teachers or lecturers. As -many things are true in the same degree of the blind -person as of the seeing person. The practical -<span class='pageno' id='Page_240'>240</span>question which should be asked in such cases is -irrespective of blindness, and is: ‘Has the man -sufficient personality to be interesting and to -command attention and respect?’ Fawcett had. -Both his blindness and his disregard of it compelled -admiration, even reverence, while they added -interest to what he said, and brought out the latent -chivalrous, gracious qualities of his audience. It -was probably far easier for him to preside at a -meeting than it would have been for a sighted -person of average calibre. He was not forced to -keep order by himself, for most of the men at the -meeting unconsciously helped the blind chairman -by their sympathy and attention. Fawcett’s -natural quickness, keyed to high pitch by his blindness, -made him swift to detect the slightest movement -or half-murmured objection, and to catch the -change of mood in the tones of a speaker who was, -even unknown to himself, being turned from his -original point.</p> - -<p class='c007'>No breach of procedure escaped this chairman, -whose unseeing eyes seemed to watch the expression -of each debater. To see Fawcett in the chair, -dominating the other strong men with whom he -worked, was a sight not to be forgotten. Rising -to his great height, and looking around with his -genial smile, he would open the meeting with a few -words. If their quiet authority left no doubt but -that there would be order, there was a pleasant -marginal sense that it would be order not necessarily -dreary or even unmixed with fun.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_241'>241</span>A striking proof of his popularity occurred at -the National Conference in the following December. -Gladstone was chief orator, but Fawcett, who was on -the platform, was called for from the audience to -add his words as well.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But the first popular indignation became overcast -by a jealousy of Russian action, and when the -House met its mood was hesitating and uncertain. -But not Fawcett. In March he moved independently -a resolution demanding that the European -Powers should insist on adequate reforms, and led -an attack on the Government, that claimed to have -a spirited foreign policy which was really a do-nothing -policy. The Conservatives cried, horror-stricken, -that Fawcett wanted a ‘bloody war.’ -The Liberal front bench said that the resolution -was inopportune, and they suggested it should be -withdrawn. To this Fawcett felt obliged to consent, -as a weak following from his own party would -have made a most discouraging vote.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Two months later Gladstone brought in a -resolution on the subject, but thought it unwise to -go further than he could persuade the front bench -to follow him. How eagerly he urged the Liberal -leaders, and how reluctantly they consented, was -not known at the time, and the weakness of Gladstone’s -resolution was a great disappointment to -Fawcett. He spoke vigorously at this May debate, -and <i>Punch</i> says of ‘this blind, brave Mr. Fawcett,’ -‘And it do me good to hear one so downright in -these over timid times. And do call a spade a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_242'>242</span>spade as plain as ever I hear.... And -Mr. Gladstone did speak mighty well to the -same time as Mr. Fawcett, only sharper and -stronger and brisker and fiercer all at once as is -his wont.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett, who had so lately been treated as a -firebrand, found himself on the other side of the -scales when in the next year’s phase of the question -Beaconsfield’s Government became bellicose, and -moved troops from India to the Mediterranean. -Beaconsfield sided more and more strongly with -the Turks as the question wrapped itself up into -those complications whose orchestration is called -the Concert of Europe. It was generally felt that -these troops were on hand to help the Turks. -Their removal from India to Malta roused Fawcett -on two issues—the possibility of helping the Turks -and the making of unfair demands on India. He -<span class='sni'><span class='hidev'>|</span>The Bengal Tiger.<span class='hidev'>|</span></span> -again attacked the Ministers, or as <i>Punch</i> says, -‘had it out with the Government about bringing -the Bengal Tiger into European Waters.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Eastern question was to continue to disturb -Europe, creating suspicions and fostering disagreements. -Its first dramatic fruit was at the other -end of the Russian dominions, where Afghanistan -lies between the threatening borders of the Russian -and British Empires. The Amir of Afghanistan, -‘an earthen pipkin between two iron pots,’ was -wooed by England and by Russia, but desired the -attentions of neither. But to prove his neutrality -was impossible. The Indian Government accused -<span class='pageno' id='Page_243'>243</span>him of favouring Russia, and a clumsy diplomacy -led finally to war.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett denounced at Bethnal Green, and again -at Hackney, the underhand conduct of the Indian -Government towards the Amir, and demanded that -Parliament should be summoned. He argued -from the opinions of high authorities that an -occupation of the capital city, Cabul, would involve -an intolerable burden upon Indian finances. When -Parliament met to approve the expenditure incurred -in Afghanistan, Fawcett, seconded by Mr. -Gladstone, proposed that the cost of the war -<span class='sni'><span class='hidev'>|</span>To shield the Indian Taxpayer.<span class='hidev'>|</span></span> -should not be thrown upon India. Once more he -was defending the Indian tax-payer. He complained -that when it was a question of declaring -war, the Government had boasted that they were -carrying out a great Imperial policy; when it was -a question of paying for the war, they represented -it as a mere border squabble. The course adopted -by Government was unpopular, because it was -marked by meanness and ‘entire absence of -generosity.’ He declared that his constituents at -Hackney would prefer to pay their fair share of -the expense. His motion was rejected by 235 -to 125. Fawcett returned to the charge in the next -session, when a financial arrangement was proposed -for apportioning the burden between England and -India. Fawcett, in criticising, showed that India -would have to pay twice as much as England. He -was again seconded by Gladstone, but was again -unsuccessful.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Gladstone’s Faith in Fawcett’s knowledge.</div> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_244'>244</span>A story told of Fawcett at this time shows how -real was the respect for his knowledge and exactness. -He was staying at a week-end house-party in the -country. Gladstone was there, and said to him, -‘What do you think of the news of Afghanistan? -I have not read the papers and I have a speech to -make on the subject. I have been at the Corpus -Christi library, looking at the Parker manuscripts, -comparing the 39 Articles, so that I have had no -time.’ Fawcett told him about the Afghanistan -conditions so fully and accurately that Gladstone, -without having any further information, made a -long and most telling speech about them in -Parliament.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The importance to Gladstone of the Parker -manuscript as compared with the Afghanistan -complications is highly characteristic; we can -imagine Fawcett’s amusement that Gladstone -should become absorbed in an academic question -of theological punctilio, for such it would seem to -him, when there was such really vital matters at -issue.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Before Parliament met again, Fawcett had -accepted his appointment as Postmaster-General -on condition that he would be free ‘to take part in -Indian debates.’ But the great demands made on -his time left little energy for other matters.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>A Mistake of Nine Million Pounds, no one to blame.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He expressed himself in 1880 at length on the -Indian Budget, when an error of nine millions in -the accounts of the Afghan War came before the -House. He showed how it emphasised the need -<span class='pageno' id='Page_245'>245</span>of the precautions which he had urged on the -Finance Committee, especially when it appeared -that no one could be held responsible for this great -carelessness. It was a comfort for him to be able -to approve, in the main, the trend which the Indian -policy continued to take, and that what he had -laboured for so devotedly became the policy of -the Government.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In reviewing his struggles for India, several -things about him stand out forcefully. The fearlessness -with which he took up a dangerous position, -and by his very bravery made it safe ground. -The scornful way he pushed aside whatever he -considered spurious or unworthy. He gained not -only the love of those whose battles he fought, but -also the respect and goodwill of his adversaries.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Sir William Lee Warner says, ‘His great fear was -that India might be saddled with charges which the -British Treasury ought to bear; and the poverty -of the ryot afflicted him as if he suffered himself.’ -This suffering for others, so characteristic -of Fawcett, was another common trait which he -had with Lincoln, who we remember said that -‘he didn’t pull the wretched pig out of the mire -for the pig’s sake, but to take the pain out of his -own heart.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>In recognition of her husband’s great service, -a beautiful necklace was sent in gratitude from -India for Mrs. Fawcett, and a sumptuous tea-service -was sent to him, which was inscribed, -‘Presented to the Rt. Honble. Henry Fawcett, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_246'>246</span>M.P., by his native friends and admirers in Bombay, -India, June 1880.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>With no aid save his great heart and tremendous -energy, he had won his battle for India. -Despite his galvanic talk and pioneering energy, -he had shown great diplomacy. His stand had -been made on the rock bed of honesty, and he had -given no quarter to deceit or self-seekers. In -serving his country as he would serve himself he -had found his path of happiness.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_247'>247</span><span class='xxlarge'>A NEW KIND OF</span></div> - <div><span class='xxlarge'>POSTMASTER-GENERAL</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> - -<p class='c029'>‘You can force your heart and nerve and sinew -to serve your turn long after they have gone—and so -hold on when there is nothing in you except the will -which says hold on.’—<span class='sc'>Kipling.</span></p> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_249'>249</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXV</span><br /> <br />LIBERALS IN POWER</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>General Expectation that Fawcett would join the Cabinet—The -Importance of a Fish—Postmaster-General—Queen -Victoria interested—Post Office Problems—Scientific -Business Management anticipated—Women’s Work—A -Likeness to Lincoln.</p> - -<div class='c001'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>His Preparation.</div> - -<p class='c007'>It is doubtful if anything but incessant struggles, -the single-handed upholding of forlorn hopes, the -fighting of battles with no other ammunition than -irrefutable fact, and finally, the frequent victory -over overwhelming difficulties, could have fitted -Fawcett for the great task which lay before him. -No easier life could have given him the instinctive -grip of the essential, the sympathy which reads -men truly, and the eagerness to serve the least of -them which fitted this blind man to take efficient -command of an army of over 90,000 people, to -inspire them with an <i>esprit de corps</i> which they -had heretofore lacked, and incidentally to fill -them with a sense of gratitude, loyalty and -affection to their chief. This is what Fawcett did -with the Post Office department of England.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The General Election of 1880 returned the -Liberals into power, with Gladstone once more at -<span class='pageno' id='Page_250'>250</span>their head. Fawcett’s prominence before the -public had grown so steadily and surely, and his -attack on the last Government had been so strong, -that he was widely accepted as a probable member -of the new Government.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He ran down to Cambridge just before he received -his appointment. All who knew him there -were on the <i>qui vive</i>, eagerly awaiting the good -tidings which they expected any minute. A friend -<span class='sni'><span class='hidev'>|</span>The Importance of a Fish.<span class='hidev'>|</span></span> -called, in the hope of gathering news. Fawcett -greeted him cordially, and went on to ask, -‘Have you seen that fish I caught yesterday?’ -Characteristic this, to discuss fish, not politics, at -the crisis of his career.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Mr. Gladstone offered the Postmaster-Generalship -to Fawcett in April 1880. The following -letter was written to his parents the day after:</p> - -<p class='c019'>‘<span class='sc'>My dear Father and Mother</span>,—You will I -know all be delighted to hear that last night I received -a most kind letter from Gladstone offering me the -Postmaster-Generalship. It is the office which Lord -Hartington held when Gladstone was last in power. -I shall be a Privy Councillor, but shall not have a seat -in the Cabinet. I believe there was some difficulty -raised about my having to confide Cabinet secrets; -apparently because of the dependence on others for -handling correspondence. This objection, I think, -time will remove. I did not telegraph to you the -appointment at first because Gladstone did not wish it -<span class='sni'><span class='hidev'>|</span>Queen Victoria interested.<span class='hidev'>|</span></span> -to be known until it was formally confirmed by the -Queen; but he told me in my interview with him this -<span class='pageno' id='Page_251'>251</span>morning that he was quite sure that the Queen took a -kindly interest in my appointment.’</p> -<p class='c007'>He adds that Mr. Gladstone said ‘that he has -given me the appointment in order that I might -have time to speak in Indian and other debates.’ -He goes on to make some arrangements for fishing -at Salisbury.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He had himself feared that his lack of sight -might keep him from holding office, and was not -surprised that it debarred him from being in the -Cabinet, but his friends were keenly disappointed. -It was generally held at the time that his blindness -was the cause of his exclusion, but it is noteworthy -that Gladstone himself is not reported to have -said so.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A contemporary newspaper wrote:</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘No one asked why Mr. Fawcett was a member -of the Government, but many inquired why he was -not in the Cabinet. We have reason to believe that -if Mr. Fawcett had been definitely apprised that -his blindness was considered an insuperable barrier -in the way of his admission to the Cabinet, he would -have resigned office. He would not have consented -to have been permanently debarred from the free -discussion in Parliament of the questions in which -he was intensely interested, and to which he -brought a greater capacity of judgment than -three-fourths of the members of any Cabinet -England has ever seen. The opinions he could -not express in council, he would have resumed -<span class='pageno' id='Page_252'>252</span>the right of expressing in Parliamentary debate. -It is a matter of regret that a barrier of weak -prejudice should have excluded a man who had -overcome so many real, and seemingly insuperable, -barriers.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was argued that a member of the Cabinet has -to see many confidential papers, and that there -would be difficulty in admitting some one who, in -order to read them, would have to use other eyes -than his own. This explanation seems hardly -sufficient. Six months later, Lord Hartington -offered Fawcett a seat on the Indian Council, where -confidential documents would also have to be -scrutinised. The English Cabinet, even in its -methods of procedure, is so secret, that it is impossible -to dogmatise on the subject. But for -that very reason, it seems the more plausible that -difficulties such as those due to Fawcett’s blindness -could have been met and overcome. Fawcett’s -exclusion from the Cabinet may as much have been -due to his uncompromising individuality as to his -physical infirmity. It is to be remembered that -Cabinet forming is difficult work, and a Prime -Minister has to think of the claims and capacities -of many candidates, and of how they will pull -together. Furthermore, the principle that a man -should serve in a subordinate office first, before -being asked to join the Cabinet, was a favourite one -with Gladstone.</p> - -<div id='fp252' class='figcenter id009'> -<img src='images/i_252fp.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p>FAWCETT’s SIGNATURE AND SEAL AS POSTMASTER GENERAL OF ENGLAND<br /><br />The impression of the seal was taken from the actual seal used by<br />Fawcett; but, at the time of King Edward’s accession, when the<br />expression “Her Majesty’s” became incorrect, the word “his” was<br />cut on the seal in substitution to the word “her”</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>The reader must draw his own conclusions as -to these high matters of State. The only reference -<span class='pageno' id='Page_253'>253</span>Fawcett is known to have made is in the letter to -his father already quoted.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In a previous administration Gladstone had had -reason to know that the financial work of a Postmaster-General -is complex and full of intricate -detail. In his choice of Fawcett for this post he -showed his respect for the economist's financial -ability. This respect was mutual: Fawcett in one -of his letters speaks of 'the pleasure of doing business -with a Master of the Art.'</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the spring day when Fawcett made his first -call at the busy Post Office, he was warmly received -by his predecessor and political opponent, Lord -John Manners, and introduced by him to the -leading officials.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>An Official Welcome.</div> - -<p class='c007'>At a more formal reception to Fawcett, 'all the -officials at the General Post Office' were mustered -to be individually introduced to him, beginning -with the heads of departments, with each of whom -he shook hands. These were followed by officials -next in rank. To the first of these Fawcett was -about to hold out his hand, when the hint was -whispered to him, 'It is not usual for Her Majesty's -Postmaster-General to shake hands with any one -in the office below the rank of head of a department.' -<span class='sni'><span class='hidev'>|</span>Hand-shaking.<span class='hidev'>|</span></span> -'I suppose,' rejoined Fawcett, 'that I am -at liberty to make what use I like of my own hand,' -and he went on shaking hands with every one who -was presented to him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>There is a report that this democratic handshaking -proclivity was shown also in the opposite -<span class='pageno' id='Page_254'>254</span>direction socially. At some function when Royalty -was present, Fawcett was sent for by the Queen. -It was his first interview with her, and unlike a -seeing man he had no chance to observe the -customary etiquette in these matters. So he -advanced cheerily, heartily grasped Her Majesty’s -hand and spoke of his pleasure in greeting her.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Queen Victoria always knew how to overlook an -unintentional breach of etiquette, and fascinated, -as so many were, by Fawcett’s friendliness, chatted -gaily and unceremoniously with him, while the -court looked on, much amused and somewhat -astounded.</p> - -<p class='c007'>To understand Fawcett’s methods and the -manner in which he took up his new work, it is -essential to get his estimate of its scope, and of his -relation to it as its director. His attitude was very -simple. He was the servant of the people—an -engine to lift their loads and to help them to help -themselves to fuller, happier lives. He regarded -<span class='sni'><span class='hidev'>|</span>A great Opening of Service.<span class='hidev'>|</span></span> -the Post Office neither as an end in itself, nor as a -money-making machine for the Government, but -as an instrument which could be made of service, -especially to the poor.</p> - -<p class='c007'>First, he wished to give the machine a <i>soul</i> and -a heart: the thought of such things in the Post -Office seems comic, but in Fawcett’s time this -miracle was accomplished. Its whole system was -waked up, shaken from its lethargy, and flooded -with a new interest, and that unusual <i>esprit de -corps</i> which has been mentioned, was aroused -<span class='pageno' id='Page_255'>255</span>among the employees, and alone made possible -the results which he achieved.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As usual, far ahead of his time, he grasped the -chief principles of scientific business management—that -recent art which has claimed so much attention -from the great capitalists and the directors of -huge enterprises, especially in America. Without -labelling his principles with high-sounding names, -he carried them out, insisting on economy, both -of work and fatigue, which produced contentment, -increased interest and zeal among the employees; -hence greater efficiency.</p> - -<p class='c007'>His method was, first, to diminish fatigue, -perhaps the most wasteful factor in quasi-efficient -business. Working and sanitary conditions were -improved, and the staff of Post Office doctors was -augmented. He noticed the failure in health, -however slight, of those officers with whom he came -in contact, and at once suggested that they should -recruit themselves by leave of absence. Thus he -raised the standard of physique among his workers. -He tried to adjust the work to each individual. -This seems impossible in so vast an enterprise, -but by the tremendous amount of investigation -which he made himself, and by seeing his humble -employees as well as heads of departments, -Fawcett brought this about to an astonishing -degree. The threat of a strike among the telegraphists -soon after he assumed office gave him -an early opportunity to prove this. Fawcett -investigated their grievances with much personal -<span class='pageno' id='Page_256'>256</span>inquiry, and, by a re-classification of the employees, -satisfactorily met their complaints.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Before long he had won the loyal adherence of -the officials of his department, and it is delightful -to see how highly he esteemed them and their -integrity and industry. He was careful to give -credit to the work of his subordinates, and to obtain -for them any marks of approval or honorary distinctions -that were their due. He would add to -his own labours rather than cause a subordinate to -be late for luncheon or lose a train home.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At that time the selection of women for Post -Office work was not by open competition, but the -applications were submitted to the Postmaster-General. -Fawcett took much trouble about these, -and would not allow himself to be affected by the -influential backing of an applicant, but tried, other -things being equal, to give the position to the one -who needed it most.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The following interesting anecdote is told by -Fawcett’s old friend, Sir William Lee Warner: ‘I -remember on one occasion I passed him in the -street in London, and he asked me to walk with -him. First he asked me whether by chance any -half-sovereigns had got into the pocket in which -he kept sixpences. Then he wished to visit a -certain Post Office, and as we went he would tell -me his impressions of the names of the streets -down which we passed, and ask me to correct him. -His memory was wonderfully good, and even his -sense of distances. “We must now be near such a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_257'>257</span>post office,” he said, and he was nearly always -right. We entered it and I took him to the -counter. “Is Miss B. here?” he asked. “No, -but she will be back directly,” was the reply. -Then ensued a scene which impressed me with the -inconvenience of blindness. Having ascertained -that Miss B. was before him, he told her that he -had received her application for promotion, and -proceeded to discuss the matter with her. The -applicant blushed greatly—her neighbours, and -possibly her rivals, pressed forward to hear, and -perhaps resent her application. The poor creature -looked the more uncomfortable as the Postmaster-General -became the more considerate and promised -to give his best attention to her request.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Help for Women.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Keen for any efficient service obtainable, he -welcomed what able assistance women could offer. -He largely extended the employment of women -workers in the Post Office. This has proved so -successful that the number of women in the various -branches of the Post Office has steadily increased, -and is now very large. Fawcett was wont to say -that he considered the head of the women’s staff -of the Savings Bank one of the ablest officials in -the whole postal service.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Mrs. Garrett Anderson, his sister-in-law, was -deeply interested in his work for the women in the -Post Office, and especially in his efforts to have -them labour under healthful conditions. She -was a distinguished doctor, and in 1882 Fawcett, -after consultation with her, appointed a woman -<span class='pageno' id='Page_258'>258</span>doctor to look after the women in the London post -office. He also, with excellent results, appointed -women doctors at Liverpool and Manchester. -Under the improved conditions for health and of -health, the women’s work was eminently satisfactory, -and at the time of his death there were -two thousand nine hundred and nineteen employed -in the department.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He noted that difficulties occurred when, as was -then customary, on the marriage of a postmistress -her appointment was given to her husband. When -he was not the right person for the new place, this -led to trouble; in 1882 the passage of the Married -Woman’s Property Act enabled him to decide that -a woman should in every case have the option of -retaining the appointment in her own name. This -arrangement was confirmed by Lord Eversley, -who succeeded Fawcett at the Post Office.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett went personally into many complaints -against petty officials. Unless fully convinced, he -was righteously unwilling to dismiss a man, and so -often leave him with a stigma for life. Losses of -letters having occurred in a local post office, a -watch was set, and suspicion fell on a clerk who -had been caught using telegrams for racing and -betting. As a preliminary measure, the clerk was -removed to another office for a month, and the -irregularities immediately ceased; he was then -sent back, and at once they began again. What -could be a clearer case? He must be dismissed -at once. ‘Give him another chance,’ said Fawcett. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_259'>259</span>‘He has admitted his gambling. Had he denied -it I should have been convinced he was guilty of -thefts.’ Certain tests, usual in the Post Office -service, were applied, and the result proved conclusively -that the culprit was a guard on the -railway, who had been astute enough to forgo -taking the letters during the absence of the suspected -clerk, and who began again when the man -returned. ‘There, you see,’ said Fawcett, ‘by a -little extra care I saved a foolish young man from -the absolute ruin of character which his dismissal -from the Post Office would have caused.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Again we are reminded of his likeness to that -other great, tall, contemporary champion of justice, -who, across the Atlantic, had given his life to serve -the oppressed and the debased. Lincoln’s critics -were always reproaching him for his excessive -leniency and clemency; he would never let a -shadow fall on the life of an unfortunate if he could -help it. He forgot to sign the death warrant for a -scared boy who had run away when his officer told -him to face his first mad sight of battle; and he -meekly granted a widowed mother a pardon for -her renegade son. So Fawcett, in his peaceful rôle -of directing the Post Office, hated and hesitated -to confirm an order for dismissing a subordinate. -His critics say that occasionally he pushed clemency -to weakness, and that he was ‘unwilling to enforce -punishments really called for in the interests of the -necessary discipline.’ More than a quarter of a -century has passed since this was said, and with -<span class='pageno' id='Page_260'>260</span>the definition of bad (as good out of place) we -have come to question the use of so-called punishments. -Perhaps Fawcett and Lincoln, in trying -not to inflict them, because of their dislike to give -pain, were in this respect also far ahead of their -time, and, by their intuitive hate of doing an injury -to any one, were anticipating the wisest policy of -to-day, which seeks by scientific adjustment and -inspiration to do away with so crude a thing as -punishment. The future will judge of this, but -we can appreciate the righteous fear such men -had of unjustly interfering with personal rights, -or trying to make a stereotyped formula fit an -erring human being.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When differences of opinion occurred, Fawcett -would discuss the question with his subordinates -to an ‘almost wearisome length’ because he disliked -unnecessarily to thrust their opinions aside. -He often said that as he could not see himself, he -had an earnest wish to see things as much as -possible from the point of view of others. By -bringing home his personality to the great mass of -Post Office servants, and by calling the attention -of the public to the value of the work done by the -permanent staff, he raised the tone of the whole -service, enhanced their self-respect, and increased -the estimation in which they are held by the -public.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Esprit de Corps.</div> - -<p class='c007'>The employee who had fallen under the spell -of his new chief’s enthusiasm and kindliness felt, -no matter how humble a niche he occupied, that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_261'>261</span>he was doing part of the good work of a great -country, and forgot that he was, perhaps, a poorly -paid clerk in a God-forsaken hamlet. His efforts -would be redoubled; the golden chain of service -linked all the little outlying posts with the great -ones, bound even the little half-frozen postmistress -in the bleakest settlement of the empire to help -on the work of the jovial, warm-hearted chief in -the brilliant city of London.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_262'>262</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXVI</span><br /> <br />FRESH AIR, BLUE RIBBONS, AND POSTMEN</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>A Day with the Postmaster-General—How he worked -Reform—The Parcel Post.</p> - -<p class='c006'>By his intense love of the open air Fawcett kept -mind and body fresh, and was eager and able to -cope with his problems, and to welcome new ones. -The late Sir Robert Hunter said: ‘He frequently -walked up and down outside the post office in the -middle of the day, while smoking his cigarette, -and on Saturdays he either walked, or rowed on -the Thames with an old friend or two. He rowed -very badly, and caused much discomfort to his -companions by ‘catching crabs.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘I often used to accompany him, on long walks -over Wimbledon Common, and he liked walking -on uneven ground as contrasted with smooth -pavements. I remember his saying one day how -much better it was to get out into the country than -to follow the prevalent fashion of hanging about -the clubs on a Saturday, on the chance of picking -up some piece of political gossip, gossip mostly -untrue and worthless.’ It is also told that when -a mutual friend mentioned to Fawcett that he -was going to stay in the country with the newly -<span class='pageno' id='Page_263'>263</span>appointed solicitor: ‘Ah,’ said the blind man, ‘you -are going down to ——: Hunter has a wonderful -view there!’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Applications did not need to be influentially -backed to receive his interested attention. The -request of a cottager to have his letters brought -to his own cottage instead of to the house of his -employer would be investigated by Fawcett as -carefully as a request from a Minister of State. -Nothing was too much trouble for him. He received -a petition from the town of Guildford asking -for an additional daily postal delivery. He invited -a small deputation from among the signers of -the petition to come to London and talk the matter -over with him. Among those who formed the -deputation was a medical man who gave the following -account of what took place at the interview: -‘After Fawcett had welcomed us most kindly, -he had a little map of the town, which had been -specially drawn up for the occasion, distributed -among us, and then himself gave us an address on -the work of the Guildford postmen. He described -minutely the various rounds of each of them, -specifying the names of the streets passed through, -and the length of time occupied in traversing them. -Summing up these data, he proved that the -additional delivery for which we asked could only -be provided at the cost of engaging an additional -postman, which the local finances would not -justify. None of us had a word to say against -this demonstration, and I, for my part, quitted the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_264'>264</span>General Post Office filled with astonishment that -a blind man should seem to know more than I -myself did about a town in which, as boy and man, -I had been going about all my life.’<a id='r2' /><a href='#f2' class='c017'><sup>[2]</sup></a></p> - -<div class='sidenote'>What kind of a Donkey?</div> - -<p class='c007'>A large factor in his success was that he always -kept his sense of humour to the fore. A friend -remonstrated with the Postmaster-General because -the post was brought to him by a donkey. But -his only answer was a deeply interested inquiry, -‘What kind of a donkey is it, a lean donkey, or -a fat donkey?’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Blue Ribbon.</div> - -<p class='c007'>When complaint was made to the Postmaster-General -that it was not ‘official’ for women working -in the Post Office to wear the ‘blue ribbon,’ -Fawcett replied that by doing so they set a very -good example, and he had no fault to find with -their office work. To a similar complaint about a -postman, he replied that they might wear all -the colours of the rainbow if it would keep them -from drinking.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Though he did not take part in the various -temperance campaigns of his day, Fawcett believed -very strongly in the evils of drink. His own -temperate existence, the fact that even in his -college days he had never drunk too much, put -him in a strong position to talk to others about the -foolishness of drunkenness and the great loss of -strength caused by an indulgence in drink. He -<span class='pageno' id='Page_265'>265</span>was much in earnest in trying to persuade men of -all classes to be temperate, and would unhesitatingly -argue with hard-drinking men against their -unwise course.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>A day with the Postmaster-General.</div> - -<p class='c007'>The following outline of his daily work is kindly -given by Mr. Dryhurst, who was his secretary at -the time. The official pouches would be brought -to the House of Commons at six o’clock. These -contained the ‘minutes,’ to use the official term, -<i>i.e.</i> the proposals submitted for his approval or -instructions. His secretary would get up these -papers and afterwards read them to his chief. -This had to be a thorough process, for Fawcett, -instead of passing them as a matter of form, was -certain to ask minute questions about them. He -returned home from the House of Commons any -time from one to four <span class='fss'>A.M.</span> After breakfast the -following morning, ‘the meat,’ as he called it, would -be read to him out of the morning news, and then -important papers would be put before him to be -approved or initialled. If he felt he did not know -enough to approve or disapprove, he would ask -to see So-and-so later at the post office. At eleven-thirty -to twelve, partly by cab and partly on foot, -he would reach the post office, and there spend the -next three to four hours in discussing with the -officials the proposals they had put before him, or -new ones which were in contemplation.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Other important business during the parliamentary -session would be the preparation of -answers to the questions to be asked in the House -<span class='pageno' id='Page_266'>266</span>of Commons in the afternoon. As soon as this -work was done, he walked along the Embankment -from Blackfriars to the House of Commons.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It is interesting to set beside this more impressions -of Sir Robert Hunter, which he most kindly -gave to the writer shortly before his death. Sir -Robert was appointed solicitor to the Post Office by -Fawcett, who was particularly glad to make the -appointment, as Mr. Hunter, as he was then, was -an old friend. The two men had worked together -in the Commons Preservation Society, to which -Sir Robert Hunter was the indefatigable solicitor, -and Fawcett had then become thoroughly familiar -with his great abilities.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>How he worked.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Speaking of the blind Postmaster-General, Sir -Robert said that he gave the Post Office an enormous -lift; he tried to make it an important social -instrument for the amelioration of the State. His -personality was most inspiriting. He would come -to the post office on Monday morning with a -crumpled little piece of paper, which he would -hand to any one standing near to read to him. It -contained perhaps half a dozen words; for example: -‘Foreign delivery, parcels, stamp, alterations.’ -This slight help to his memory was sufficient to -remind him perhaps of all the day’s work, including -investigations and even what he was prepared to -say before the House of Commons in the afternoon. -He took great pains with his answers for question -time, discussing, writing, and re-writing them. -But once they were settled and read over to him -<span class='pageno' id='Page_267'>267</span>in their final form, they were delivered by him in -the House verbatim without any effort. If some -proposal came before him in the guise of a file -of papers, he always endeavoured to ascertain -what official had given most consideration to the -question, and he then discussed the matter with -him personally. This was an innovation. The -discussion would suggest ideas which would often -lead to improvements in the administration. His -enthusiasm made every one feel the need of working -harder and doing better than under a less inspiring -leader. He gained the affection of all by -his astonishing consideration, and by not giving -unnecessary trouble.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Though now a mature and distinguished man, he -had not changed from his buoyant earlier self, and -with each return to Cambridge took up his lectures -and his social life with a new glow and fresh zeal. -He appreciated more than ever, if possible, the value -of work and fun in life, and in return, for his industry -and gaiety, life yielded him full measure of -joy and contentment.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Interested Cows.</div> - -<p class='c007'>A Trinity Hall contemporary tells of going to -stay with a friend in the country, and on his -arrival finding no one at home; but being told -by the butler that Mr. Fawcett had arrived and -was fishing in the neighbourhood, the new guest -went in search. After a short walk in the meadows -he was surprised to see in the neighbourhood of a -brook a large group of cows standing in contemplation -about some central object which he could not -<span class='pageno' id='Page_268'>268</span>make out. A nearer view revealed Fawcett seated -in the charmed circle, the cynosure of all the -bovine eyes! In his hand he held a fishing-rod, -the line being firmly caught above his head to the -branch of a tree. The anxious and puzzled observer -asked what was the matter, to which Fawcett -answered unconcernedly: ‘Oh, I’m all right, -thanks; I’m very glad to see you!’ On further -inquiry about his hypnotised audience of cows, -he explained, ‘Oh, it was the boy’s lunch-time, -so I sent him off to get it. My fish-hook -got caught in the tree and these cows just happened -to come round.’ As always, he was having -an idyllic time, and was amused by his friend’s -perplexity.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>A Faithful Plaster.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Mr. Dryhurst tells of Fawcett in a different -predicament, the centre of a very different circle -at Cambridge. Like most healthy men, he took -his trifling ailments most seriously, and was much -worried by any unusual symptoms. One day, -having a fearful pain in his chest, he went to a -chemist in Cambridge. The chemist properly made -inquiry as to a possible cause for the trouble. Had -there been perhaps some reckless indulgence? -some forbidden fruit or similar dissipation? -Fawcett could find, however, no possible explanation -for his illness, though he parenthetically remarked -that he had eaten forty walnuts. The -chemist finally prescribed for this mysterious -illness a tar adhesive plaster and applied a large -one to Fawcett’s chest. The same evening the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_269'>269</span>invalid went to a dinner-party. The weather -was close, the room badly ventilated. A slight -but rapidly increasing odour of tar was noticed -by one or two of the guests. Fawcett blandly -remarked that they were repairing the streets -of Cambridge, which might perhaps account for -the odour, and thus diverted any awkward investigation.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>A German Visitor.</div> - -<p class='c007'>On his return to London, Fawcett was asked by -the head of the German Post Office to allow him -to send an official to study certain points of administration. -Fawcett gladly gave the required -leave, and on reaching the office one morning was -informed that the German official had arrived and -was already at work in one of the departments. -‘Tell him,’ said Fawcett, ‘that I should be glad -to speak to him in my room.’ As a considerable -time elapsed without his putting in an appearance, -Fawcett asked the reason for the delay, and received -the following answer: ‘Directly we told -the German gentleman that you wished to speak -to him, he put on his coat and hat and left the -office, and we saw him drive off in a hansom cab.’ -This seemed a very odd way of behaving, but the -matter was satisfactorily cleared up before long -by the return of the German visitor in full official -costume and with all his orders on. Fawcett, -concealing his amusement, expressed his regret -that so much trouble should have been thrown -away on a blind man who could not perceive the -results. The German visitor explained that in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_270'>270</span>no case could he have presented himself before a -Minister of a foreign power in ordinary attire. -To have done so would have rendered him -liable to most serious censure from his own -official superiors.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>New Ideas.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett always lent a ready ear to all suggestions -for widening the work. Friends told him of the -reply postcard and of the indicators used abroad -to show when the last collection had been made -at the pillar boxes. Gleefully, like a boy with a -new toy, he seized these, to him, new ideas, and -made them part of the little details of his great -machine. He loved to watch the effect of any -new improvement, and was interested in hearing -of the greater convenience and consequently -greater correspondence due to the erection of a -pillar box in Salisbury near his old home. He -multiplied pillar boxes in railway stations, and had -letter boxes fixed to the travelling post offices in -trains, and greatly accelerated the collection and -delivery of letters. He arranged for the issue of -postal orders on board ship, and earned the -gratitude of pensioners by arranging to have their -money sent by post, thus saving them a journey. -The official reports testify to his love of the minutiæ -of his task.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Five things to be done.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He was as genuinely absorbed in it as if the -administration of the Post Office had been the desire -of his lifetime. In a letter to his father on 7th -April 1883, he names briefly his chief ambitions for -the extension of his work. He writes: ‘Before I -<span class='pageno' id='Page_271'>271</span>had been a fortnight at the Post Office I felt that -there were five things to be done: (1) The parcel -post; (2) the issue of postal orders; (3) the receipt -of small savings in stamps and the allowing of small -sums to be invested in the funds; (4) increasing -the facilities for life insurance and annuities; -(5) reducing the price of telegrams. The first four -I have succeeded in getting done, and now the fifth -is to be accomplished.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Parcel Post.</div> - -<p class='c007'>It is only last year (1913) that the United States -Post Office, after many struggles, has at last followed -the example of the Mother Country in introducing -the parcel post. At this time it may be of especial -interest to take a short survey of the history of this -great agent for helpfulness and of the splendid part -which Fawcett played in promoting it. As early -as 1698 Docwra originated the penny post for -London. It dispensed impartially ‘bank boxes, -tradesmen’s parcels, and apothecaries’ mixtures.’ -Patients complained wisely or unwisely (for it -seems that there has always been a faction in -favour of mind cure) that they did not get their -physic in time. But the high rate of postage put -an end to this. Though a parcel post was advocated -by Sir Rowland Hill, the Society of Arts, the -Royal Commission on Railways, and though Lord -John Manners had opened up negotiations with the -various interests involved, no working agreement -had been arrived at. When Fawcett took office -he became keenly interested and persisted resolutely -till the many difficulties were overcome. It -<span class='pageno' id='Page_272'>272</span>required tireless patience, tact, and diplomacy, both -with the Treasury department, which had to provide -funds to meet the first outlay, and with the -railway companies. Fawcett’s part in the work of -establishing this new system was interrupted by -illness, but, nevertheless, the new order was in full -swing in August 1883.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The new red Vans.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He took a keen delight in this fresh work, of -which he felt that the public should have the -benefit, even if the Government made little profit. -On the evening when the parcel post was started, -Fawcett, with his wife and daughter, went to the -‘circulation office.’ He writes afterwards on the -same night to his parents, describing the scene, -the extraordinary variety of objects posted, -and the ’smartly painted red vans.’ He begs -them to come and have a look at it. Three -days later he reports that things are working -smoothly, and speaks warmly of the zeal -of all concerned, from the head officials down -to the humblest letter-carrier. He says that -he shall soon issue a general notice of thanks to -the persons co-operating in the result. The only -difficulty was the public inexperience in the art -of packing.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In his report Fawcett writes: ‘The new post had -been introduced without the least interference with -the older services. The number of parcels conveyed -had increased and was now at the rate of -from twenty-one to twenty-two millions a year. -Simplifications, and consequent economies had been -<span class='pageno' id='Page_273'>273</span>introduced, and further improvements were under -consideration.’</p> -<hr class='c030' /> -<div id='fp272' class='figcenter id004'> -<img src='images/i_272fp.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p>PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.——<span class='sc'>April 15, 1882.</span><br /><br /><span class='xlarge'>THE MAN FOR THE POST.</span><br /><br /><i>With special permission from the Proprietors of “Punch”</i></p> -</div> -</div> -<hr class='c031' /> - -<p class='c032'>Though not at first a financial success, the -parcel post became a great national asset, and -later also a generous contributor to the national -exchequer; and though Fawcett’s death came -too soon, probably, for him to realise the quick -improvement, his innovations and model methods -made the English Post Office an all-important study -for other countries.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Heart of the Post Office.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Men, not things, interested Fawcett, as they do -most born leaders. He knew that if he could -energise the minds and bodies of the men and -women of the peaceful army he commanded, and -fill them with zeal for their job, the work of -England’s Post Office would go of itself. The -machinery would fly, and each department fill its -mission with miraculous new life. Telegrams, -letters, and parcels would dart and fly with fresh -quickness to their destinations, and the revenue -from his latest ventures would return, like a carrier -pigeon, to his fostering hand.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett’s magnetism and good nature, combined -with his driving energy, and his love for the work -and the workers, brought about the transformation -of the Post Office from a partially efficient machine -to a highly sensitive, highly organised, democratic -department, highly efficient for the good of his -country and its dependencies. His irrepressible -enthusiasm for service infected his force from the -lowest to the highest, brought out the best in them, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_274'>274</span>and knit them together by this bond of interest and -brotherhood. He instilled in them the fervour for -conquest of the nobler kind that inspires patriots, -soldiers, or explorers. Thus he gave wings, interest, -even poetry to the stamping of letters and collecting -of mail.</p> -<div class='footnote' id='f2'> -<p class='c007'><span class='label'><a href='#r2'>2</a>. </span>This account was given in approximately the above words by -the late Mr. Henry Taylor of Guildford to his cousin, Mr. Sedley -Taylor of Cambridge.</p> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_275'>275</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXVII</span><br /> <br />THE PENNIES OF THE POOR</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>Cheap Postal Orders—Savings Bank—Life Insurance—Two -Post Office Pamphlets to help the People—Cheap -Telegrams—Telephones—‘The Man for the Post’—‘Words -are Silver, Silence is Gold.’</p> - -<div class='c001'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>Postal Money Orders.</div> - -<p class='c007'>It had been felt for some time that it would be -possible to send small sums of money by post more -cheaply. The only method, that of Post Office -Money Orders, in force when Fawcett became Postmaster-General, -was well described by him when he -said: ‘If a boy wanted to send his mother the -first shilling he had saved, he would have to pay -twopence for the order and a penny for postage.’ -A committee had a measure prepared to remedy -this, and Fawcett quickly saw its value and got the -measure passed through Parliament. Thus originated -the Postal Order which is so familiar to us all.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Postal Savings Bank.</div> - -<p class='c007'>In making this change Fawcett had to overcome -the opposition of the banking interest, who -considered that the Government was infringing on -their preserves. He came into conflict with them -again when he increased the facilities of the Savings -Bank. He made it possible to begin with the -smallest sums by adopting the scheme of stamp slip -deposits, which had been worked out and devised -<span class='pageno' id='Page_276'>276</span>by Mr. Chetwynd, an official of the Post Office. -This was a blank form which could be filled up -with twelve penny stamps, and then deposited in -the Savings Bank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At this time Fawcett, with the help of a Mr. -Cardin, another official, prepared his first popular -pamphlet, called ‘Aids to Thrift.’ He took an -enormous amount of interest in this little leaflet, -which he felt would be a great help to the poor -and ignorant. He tried to give the information -printed in the regular Post Office Guide in the -simplest language, so that the benefits offered by -the Post Office could be easily grasped by the most -ignorant.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Working Man who Insured.</div> - -<p class='c007'>A sad incident set his mind to working out -another scheme for lessening the difficulties of the -working man. ‘A poor neighbour employed in a -mill near Salisbury had fallen ill. He had insured -himself in a certain society which was to pay him -an allowance in case of illness. The allowance was -stopped under certain pretences strongly suggestive -of fraud. Fawcett, to whom he appealed, immediately -called at the offices of the society. The -secretary, not recognising his visitor, treated him -with considerable insolence. Fawcett brought the -man to his senses, extracted certain sums from the -society, and took steps to investigate the nature of -its business. He had the satisfaction of obtaining -something for the poor man, who died not long -afterwards. Fawcett did what he could for the -family.’</p> -<hr class='c030' /> -<div id='fp276' class='figcenter id004'> -<img src='images/i_276fp.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p>PUNCH OR, THE LONDON CHARIVARI—November 27, 1880.<br /><br /><span class='xlarge'>THE NEW STAMP DUTY.</span><br /><br /><span class='small'><span class='sc'>Mr. Fawcett.</span> “NOW, THEN, ALL OF YOU, ‘IN FOR A PENNY IN FOR A POUND.’”</span><br /><br /><span class='xsmall'>“Mr. <span class='sc'>Fawcett’s</span> scheme brings saving within everybody’s reach.”—<i>Times.</i></span><br /><br /><i>With special permission from the Proprietors of “Punch”</i></p> -</div> -</div> -<hr class='c030' /> - -<div class='sidenote'>Post Office Annuities.</div> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_277'>277</span>The facts which he gleaned in connection with -this case and others, as well as from his many -friendships since childhood with labourers and -peasants, made him realise the problems which -beset the poor who wish to insure against the future. -He improved the system of Post Office Annuities, -and arranged for the publication of a short paper -called ‘Plain Rules for the Guidance of persons -wishing to make provision for the future with the -aid of the Government.’ This also was to be had -gratuitously, and did much to teach the poor how -to provide for themselves.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Cheaper Telegrams.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett regretted that telegrams were too -expensive to be a convenience for any but the rich. -The betting ring and the Stock Exchange were its -principal patrons. He was deeply interested in -lowering the cost, so that telegrams could become -useful to the ‘plain people.’ Among the first -deputations to be given an audience by the new -Postmaster, was one requesting cheap telegrams. -He set himself with a will to get them, writing and -speaking to urge this new reform. It meant a -fresh expense for the Treasury, at least at the -beginning, and he could not get the consent of that -department. But there were many members of -the House of Commons who favoured the change, -and pushed it, relying on the Postmaster-General’s -well-known sympathy. In 1883 they succeeded -in outvoting the Government, and the adoption of -sixpenny telegrams became certain.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Telegraph Boys.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett always had a fellow-feeling for the small -<span class='pageno' id='Page_278'>278</span>boy, and he was very anxious that the telegraph -boys used in the Post Office should be kept in the -service, mounting from their positions as understudies -of Mercury to those of greater distinction -and better pay. When on a visit to a friend in a -suburb of a large manufacturing town, Fawcett -found that his friend was able by telephone to -direct his business in the town by half an hour’s -conversation, and was then free for the rest of the -day. This so greatly impressed Fawcett, that he -became eager to give the public as large an enjoyment -of telephones as possible. He was in favour -of granting the widest possible liberty to qualified -persons to start telephone exchanges, making the -condition that the Post Office should be paid a -royalty of ten per cent., and that no written telephone -messages should be delivered. One of his -last acts was the approval of a licence containing -these terms, which was signed by his successor. -He refused firmly but gently, in his last interview -at the Post Office, to grant to a gentleman the protection -which he asked for a small telephone company, -thus showing himself to the last true to his -belief in open competition.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We have now seen something of Fawcett’s task -at the Post Office, thirty-three years ago, and how -he strove to do the work largely in accordance -with our most approved and up-to-date methods. -Some of his tools are now obsolete, the work has -been changed in detail, but the philosophy and -wisdom, the business sense and control which he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_279'>279</span><span class='sni'><span class='hidev'>|</span>An Executive Genius.<span class='hidev'>|</span></span> -showed in his four and a half years of office were -what could be considered to-day so remarkable, so -successful, as to amount to executive genius.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Sir Arthur Blackwood, who was Permanent -Secretary to the Post Office in Fawcett’s day, used -of his chief this striking phrase: ‘He had a passion -for justice.’ His only criticism of Fawcett’s -administration was that he was too lenient to -erring subordinates, and apt to give too much -time to details which might have been entrusted -to others. His conclusion was: ‘The Post Office -could never, I believe, have a more capable Postmaster-General, -nor its officers a truer friend.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>As witness to this last, a post-office clerk wrote: -‘The humblest servant within the dominion of his -authority was not left uncared for. During his -history as Postmaster-General, a greatly improved -state of feeling has been introduced among the -officers in their general tone towards each other and -towards those beneath them.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>The view of the country at large was equally -emphatic. Let these verses from <i>Punch</i>, written -after Fawcett had been two years in office, speak -for the popular appreciation of his work:—</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div>‘THE MAN FOR THE POST</div> - <div class='c003'><span class='sc'>John Bull</span> <i>loquitur</i></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c033'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Well, well, here’s comfort, and, by Jove, it’s needed</div> - <div class='line'>Amidst the chaos of cantankerous cackle,</div> - <div class='line'>Here is one man has silently succeeded—</div> - <div class='line'>One man who a tough job can stoutly tackle.</div> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_280'>280</span>O si sic omnes! In my blatant Babel</div> - <div class='line'>Business is a lost art—at least it seems so.</div> - <div class='line'>All the more honour to the Champion able</div> - <div class='line'>Who still can realise my hopes and dreams so,</div> - <div class='line'>To serve the State, to sagely shape and plan for it,</div> - <div class='line'>Is the true Statesman’s part, and here’s the man for it.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>No epic hero! Well, I’m getting weary</div> - <div class='line'>Of the huge windiness now dubbed heroic,</div> - <div class='line'>“Arms and the Man”—and a fiasco dreary</div> - <div class='line'>Too oft repeated, irritate a Stoic</div> - <div class='line'>Such as I’m grown. And then I’m not quite certain,</div> - <div class='line'>Applied to him the name <i>is</i> pure misnomer.</div> - <div class='line'><i>Fawcett</i>, though seldom called before the curtain,</div> - <div class='line'>Perhaps in more than <i>one</i> point pairs with <i>Homer</i>.</div> - <div class='line'>Although one sang Achilles and his host,</div> - <div class='line'>The other schemed, not sang, the Parcels Post.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Perhaps the large ambition that loves spangles</div> - <div class='line'>And warrior fame might pooh-pooh the projectors,</div> - <div class='line'>But I’m inclined to fancy Red Tape’s tangles</div> - <div class='line'>Are tougher foes than many Trojan Hectors.</div> - <div class='line'>Achilles as Laocoön might have thundered</div> - <div class='line'>And thrust tremendously, and yet been throttled.</div> - <div class='line'>St. Stephen’s spouters long have fought and blundered,</div> - <div class='line'>And long my rising wrath I’ve choked and bottled,</div> - <div class='line'>But I <i>am</i> glad to see one silent, strong fellow,</div> - <div class='line'>Who emulates the hero sung by Longfellow.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Something attempted, something done!” Precisely!</div> - <div class='line'>A friend of mine, who much inclined to scoff is,</div> - <div class='line'>Declares when Fawcett’s plans have ripened nicely,</div> - <div class='line'>The World will be a branch of the Post Office.</div> - <div class='line'>Let the Wit wag, the World won’t find salvation</div> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_281'>281</span>In parcels or reply-cards, stamps or thriftiness;</div> - <div class='line'>Danger there may be in “centralisation,”</div> - <div class='line'>But after all the squabbling, hobbling shiftiness</div> - <div class='line'>Of the cantankerous, rancorous jaw-jaw-jaw-set,</div> - <div class='line'>’Tis a relief to turn to turn to Henry Fawcett!’</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>The ‘one silent, strong fellow’ had learned a -patience and tact in his later years that stood him -in good stead when he found himself member of a -Government, and there bound to refrain from -criticising its actions. A story told of him at this -time shows a gentle avoidance of differences not -so common in his earlier days.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Professor Clifford, an old Cambridge friend, and -secretary of the whilom Republican Club, died in -1880 leaving his widow in straitened circumstances. -Professor Clifford was a mathematician of the -first order, but, especially in his later years, he -became an aggressive anti-religionist, and wrote -much on these matters.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>A Widow’s Pension.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett wanted to arrange for a pension for the -widow, and took occasion to speak to the Prime -Minister. Gladstone took Fawcett with him down -to his room and asked him, ‘Who is the great man -at Cambridge now?’ Fawcett mentioned the loss -that the university had recently sustained by the -death of its mathematician, carefully alluding to -Professor Clifford in this manner. Gladstone said, -‘I always regarded him as a third-rate theologian.’ -To which Fawcett said, ‘I know nothing about his -theology, but as a mathematician he stood in the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_282'>282</span>very front rank.’ This opinion of Fawcett’s so -impressed Gladstone that Mrs. Clifford’s name was -added to the Civil Pension List.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett would not have joined the Ministry -unless he felt in real sympathy with its avowed -principles, but it is probable that had he remained -independent he would have found much to criticise. -Leslie Stephen comments: ‘His position as a -Minister without a seat in the Cabinet imposed -reserve, whilst it did not enable him to exert any -direct influence upon the Government. On some -points I can only conjecture his probable views. -Mr. Gladstone’s Government was especially notable -for its Irish and Egyptian policy. In both cases I -imagine Fawcett’s sympathy must have been imperfect.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>This position requiring silence, without giving -him power to exert direct influence on the Government, -must have been, to one of his frank, honest, -fighting temperament, at times very difficult.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Interest in Ireland.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He was profoundly interested in Ireland, and -felt that the only satisfactory symptom in Irish -matters was the increased use of the Savings Bank. -A friend of Fawcett’s having casually mentioned -his name in a remote part of Ireland, was surprised -at the exclamation, ‘Oh, we know all about him -here!’ This remark was based on the fact that a -girl from the district had gone with great credit -through all the stages of a telegraph clerk’s position -in the English General Post Office. On her -quitting to get married, Fawcett had sent for her, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_283'>283</span>and in the kindest manner thanked her for her past -services, and offered his hearty good wishes for -her happiness.</p> - -<div id='fp282' class='figcenter id004'> -<img src='images/i_282fp.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p><span class='small'><span class='sc'>April 9, 1861.]</span></span> PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. 159<br /><br />“<span class='sc'>Here stands a Post!</span>”<br /><br /><i>With special permission from the Proprietors of “Punch”</i></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>He felt strongly that exceptional legislation was -required to deal with the land questions of Ireland, -and that any legislation would be futile which did -not reflect in some way the wishes of the Irish themselves. -No one could be more opposed than he -to Home Rule, which, he declared, meant ‘the -disruption of the Empire.’ He would rather, as he -said on one occasion, that the Liberal Party should -remain out of office till its youngest member had -grown grey with age, than be intimidated into -voting for Home Rule. Still he held that some such -legislation as that embodied in Mr. Gladstone’s -Land Bill was necessary.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It is related that once at this time, when sitting -with friends who were discussing the Irish irreconcilability, -he kept repeating, as if to himself, ‘We -must press on and do what is right’; and he wrote -to his father, ‘There is nothing for it, but to -persevere in doing justice in spite of all provocation.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Loyal Work and Loyal Silence.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He felt that the Egyptian policy was weak, and -on one or two occasions so far showed his distrust -as to refuse to vote. But for the most part he -absorbed himself in the work of his own department, -and did it nobly. He gave hard work, -sound sense, resolute purpose, and a gay elasticity -of spirit which no weariness could break. It was -truly said of him that he bettered everything and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_284'>284</span>kept his eye on everything. In this, as in every -task, he neared his ideal which he had expressed on -leaving Cambridge: ‘To exert an influence in -removing the social evils of our country, and -especially the paramount one, the mental degradation -of millions. I regard it as a high privilege of -God if He will enable me to assist in such a -work.’</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_285'>285</span><span class='xxlarge'>A TRIUMPHANT END</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c002' /> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c018'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>‘Strive for the truth unto death,</div> - <div class='line'>and the Lord shall fight for thee.’</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>‘The things which are seen are temporal, but</div> - <div class='line'>the things which are unseen are eternal.’</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_287'>287</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXVIII</span><br /> <br />AT HOME AND AT COURT</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>Appreciating Opponents—Hackney Address—Proportional -Representation—Justice for Women—A State -Concert—Humble Friendships—Pigs—Salisbury again.</p> - -<div class='c001'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>Appreciating Opponents.</div> - -<p class='c007'>The same respect for the individuality of others -which made Fawcett unwilling to punish a subordinate -if he could honourably avoid it, which -made him often detect good qualities in the offender -to compensate for the offence, made him also quick -to respect and admire an adversary, even when -strongly repudiating his principles. Fawcett never -forgot that his opponent was a human being, however -different their political creeds. In his later -years his sympathy may not have been any deeper -than in his vigorous youth, but it expressed itself -more gently and more skilfully. When his fine -wrath was roused, he still had at his command -barbed arrows of sarcasm and thunders of denunciation, -but his speech was more apt to be -kindly. He trusted more than in his less experienced -days to force of example and to irrefutable -logic. His fairness and justice stood out in fine -contrast to the hectic verbal warfare raging between -rival factions. When, on 13th October 1884, he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_288'>288</span>spoke in public for the last time, he administered a -grave rebuke to ‘the spirit of mutual intolerance,’ -saying:</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>‘Prudence and Patriotism.’</div> - -<p class='c007'>‘If we take a calm review of the situation ... we -refuse to enter into useless recriminations and -taunts about the past. I still have not relinquished -the hope ... that the counsels of common sense, -prudence, and patriotism will prevail.... Can -we come to any other conclusion than that the -present is a time when the dictates of prudence and -patriotism demand that everything should be done -to lessen, rather than to intensify, the bitterness of -party strife.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>He went on to speak on a subject which had been -much in his mind from the beginning of his political -career. Proportional representation meant to him -the method, and the only method, by which the -different elements of the body politic could be fairly -represented in Parliament. So earnestly did he -hold to this view that he made up his mind, with -his friend Lord Courtney, to resign his office should -the Government proceed with legislation incompatible -with these principles. In this last word -on a subject on which it has been necessary in this -book to omit so many other words, Fawcett -emphasised the main principle in these phrases: -‘While we regard it as of the first moment that -no important section of opinion should be effaced -from representation, yet at the same time we are -most anxious to secure to the majority the preponderance -of power to which it is justly entitled. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_289'>289</span>Let the voice of the weak be heard as well as the -voice of the strong by your Government, give -fair play to all, and make justice possible.’ And -he added this vital remark: ‘The enfranchisement -of women, already dictated by justice, would soon -become a necessity.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Fawcett’s unfailing Chivalry.</div> - -<p class='c007'>His unfailing chivalry was always a radiant -characteristic of his courteous nature, and he felt -it his high privilege to serve women; he had the -faculty of encouraging them, and filling them with -confidence in their own ability; his voice, though -not melodious, had a peculiar brightness that raised -drooping spirits, and impressed itself upon the -memory. Besides the encouragement which he -gave by the employment of women in the Post -Office, his efforts for compulsory education, now -accepted as a matter of course, his labours to protect -young children at work in factory or field, as -well as his fight for free playgrounds and commons, -were all helpful to the mothers of the race.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the day after his death, a poor woman, who -came to the employment office to make inquiries -on behalf of her daughter, who wished to enter the -Civil Service, must have expressed the feelings of -hundreds of struggling women, when she said: ‘We -do not know who will help us now that so good a -friend has gone.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Fair-play Expedient.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Believing that justice must infallibly become the -most expedient policy, he felt it was not only -repugnant, but bad diplomacy, that any class -should be excluded by force or prejudice from -<span class='pageno' id='Page_290'>290</span>having a voice in the Government, and he realised -to the full that government could only be fair -when it existed with the consent of the governed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The constant society of his wife and other -brilliant women of her family and her friends, -impressed him with the great benefit that it would -be to the community to have the assistance of their -votes, as expressing their fair and able minds. He -said concerning women’s voting: ‘The Parliamentary -suffrage should be applied to those women -who fulfil the qualifications of property and residence -demanded from the elector. That is to say, -if a widow or a spinster is in possession of a house, -and pays rates and taxes, she should have the -borough vote, and if she possesses freehold or leasehold -property, she should have a county vote, as -if it were held by a man.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Uses of Adversity.</div> - -<p class='c007'>We have dwelt on the great part that Fawcett’s -blindness played in forming his character. It intensified -his bravery and determination, broadened -his sympathies, sharpened his observation, made -his memory keener, quickened his intellect, and -gave him a greater power to conquer himself and -others. Affliction had given him strength as of steel -well tempered, to withstand and pierce all muddled -thought and murky sentiment, and so make the -clear under-light of his soul a shining beacon to all -who knew him. But there were, inevitably, quiet -moments, when, all efforts unavailing, his blindness -must have weighed heavily upon him. Seated -by his fireside, feeling the glow which he might never -<span class='pageno' id='Page_291'>291</span>see, he would listen to the crackling of the coal and -the ticking of the clock as it marked a minute less -of his darkness. Such hours had to be fought -through single-handed, by his own courage and -strength of will.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Hearth and Home.</div> - -<p class='c007'>No small part of his triumph over circumstance -was due to the great affections and friendships -which were at the heart of his life. Chiefest and -most constant of these were his flawless devotion -to his wife and daughter, and the singularly beautiful -sympathy and companionship which he found -at home. It is not for the biographer to intrude -into this holy of holies—enough to know that -Fawcett had with his wife that perfect understanding -and fellowship, that entire sympathy and -intellectual inspiration, which, when he was most -sorely tried, gave him a sure haven of rest and -happiness from which to start forth again, better -armed and braver, to battle anew.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When Mrs. Fawcett was absent, her husband -would postpone a decision of great moment until -he was able to get her opinion. She often acted -as his secretary, and in all matters was his trusted -counsellor. In later years, his daughter Philippa, -whose great talent was a source of deep interest to -him, completed with her brilliant intellect and -happy wit this perfectly attuned trio. There is a -poetic justice that Fawcett having fought so for -the admission of women students at Cambridge, -it was left for his daughter to achieve the highest -mathematical honours bestowed on any woman in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_292'>292</span>Great Britain, when as a student at Newnham she -won four hundred marks above the Senior Wrangler.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>A blithe Spirit.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He still greatly enjoyed society, and threw himself -so thoroughly into the spirit of sociability and -gaiety, that he seemed to leave his critical Parliamentary -self. Mrs. Fawcett, as a comment on his -whole-souled capacity for finding all things and -everybody lovely, jestingly composed this epitaph -for him: ‘Here lies the man who found every -soup delicious and every woman charming.’ He -did, and what is more, he tried to make every one -else find life lovely and to have as glorious a time -as he did.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He would never overlook any quiet mousy individuals -lost in the general gaiety, but would take -pains to draw them out, to throw himself so -thoroughly into their interests that he put them at -their ease, and made them take part in the conversation -and shine unwontedly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A contemporary gives a gay glimpse of him -chatting and joking merrily among the smart crowd -at Lady Granville’s. His tall figure towered over -the little knot of friends invariably gathered round -him.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>A State Concert.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett duly attended the levees and occasional -official dinners held by the Prince of Wales, and -on one occasion, when in the neighbourhood of -Balmoral, he dined with the Queen. With his wife -he went to the concerts given by her at Buckingham -Palace. These were very stately events. Arrayed -in his court uniform, Fawcett would drive with his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_293'>293</span>wife betimes to the palace; as they approached, -the music of the band in the courtyard was in full -swing, and they liked to hear it as they waited in -line until the preceding carriages had deposited -their burdens. The guests moved through the -glass doors to the entrance-hall, which echoed the -rumbling of wheels and the closing of the carriage -doors, the clanging of the spurs and swords of the -men. They mounted the main staircase between -the stationed Yeomen of the Guard, Fawcett’s -cheery voice and laughter resounding as he greeted -friends above and below him. A moment’s pause -on the threshold of the great concert-room, and here -the parquet floor gave back the tapping of little -slippered feet and the heavy tread of the men, as -the groups of guests flocked together or dispersed -to find places before the music began.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On both sides of the room were raised tiers of -seats for the company. At one end was the low -platform with chairs arranged for Royalty. At -the opposite end, a balcony with the organ provided -places for the singers and musicians. Crystal -chandeliers with hanging stalactites lighted the -brilliant scene. Fawcett’s fine ear caught the tiny -tinkle of the crystals, as they answered to the -draughts from the movement of the crowd, or -trembled when the waves of music shook them on -their little metal moorings. The good acoustics -of the room, and the consequent clearness of all -the sounds, brought the scene with unusual vividness -before the blind man.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Enter Victoria Regina et Imperatrix.</div> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_294'>294</span>A sudden expectant murmur rose from the crowd, -a pause, a flutter of silks and a tapping of scabbards, -the organ played ‘God save the Queen,’ and the -mighty little Empress entered and greeted her -guests. Returning her courtesy, the brilliant -throng bowed as a field of wheat swayed by the -wind, until the Queen had seated herself in the -centre of the dais, surrounded in due order by -members of the Royal Family.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Then the guests resumed their places and the -music began.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Voices of Youth and Art.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Here Fawcett, as much if not more than any -other guests, enjoyed the fresh young voices of the -chorus of young girls from the Royal School of -Music, and choir-boys from the Chapel Royal. -This youthfulness contrasted charmingly with the -more formal and perfect singing of the great artists -of whose skill Queen Victoria was so appreciative.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When the programme was finished, the Queen -rose and, preceded by gentlemen of the court -walking backwards, went to the supper-room, -through an aisle formed by her guests, stopping as -she passed the balcony, to speak to the chief -artists. The princesses who followed her often -darted a smile or stole a fleeting word with one of -the throng, and the more decorous ladies-in-waiting -brought up the rear of the procession. The guests -followed, with them Fawcett guided by his wife.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As Royalty was well separated by an encircling -wall of court gentlemen, the assault by the guests -on the sandwiches, cakes and bonbons began -<span class='pageno' id='Page_295'>295</span>without restraint. A horseshoe buffet surrounded -the room. The throng stood about chatting -together, waited upon by gorgeous footmen resplendent -in scarlet and white. The clinking of -glass and china was drowned in the general conversation, -all the more lively after the long silent -listening to the music. Then the guests drifted -in friendly groups down to the great hall, where the -names of departing guests called from footman to -footman echoed among the pillars.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A frequent and happy conversation this, as they -sat on the long benches, muffled up and waiting for -their carriages, and doubtless more than one of -Fawcett’s good stories was cut short by the call -‘The Postmaster-General’s carriage stops the -way.’</p> - -<hr class='c034' /> - -<div class='sidenote'>A Big Friend of all the World.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Though he could find amusement in any form of -social intercourse, it was the opportunities of close -companionship that he most valued. He rarely -lapsed into silence, and with his family, when there -were no guests at table, he would talk with the same -animation as if he had been at a brilliant dinner. -Talk was an essential of life to him; wherever he -went, reserve vanished.</p> - -<p class='c007'>If any unsuccessful schoolmate, who had no -other claim on him, wrote for help, he was always -sure to get it. In his interviews he was marvellously -patient, would never let a person leave him -in anger or displeasure; few people left him without -being his friends. If he said a sharp thing to any -<span class='pageno' id='Page_296'>296</span>one, he confessed at once, and was not happy until -he had made full amends; any irritable action -towards another on his part caused him much -more suffering than he inflicted.</p> - -<p class='c007'>His real democratic feeling and disregard of rank -put him at his ease with all classes, his abounding -geniality and accessibility often placed him in -difficult predicaments from which it required a -lively ingenuity successfully to extricate himself.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Once while he was walking, a well-known bore -buttonholed the Postmaster-General, and explained -at length how the Post Office might be regenerated. -Fawcett listened patiently for five -minutes; then when it was clear that the man -had no idea or facts to offer, but only words, -Fawcett held out his hand, saying, ‘Good day, -Mr. J——, I am much obliged to you for your -kind wish to help me,’ and walked on, leaving the -bore, who felt himself just warming to his work, -helplessly stranded.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>His Dog.</div> - -<p class='c007'>His servants and his friends loved him; he was -wonderfully considerate to all dependants, and -indeed to every one whom he met. Certainly he -was over-attentive to his dog Oddo, who had -emerged from a refuge of lost dogs to assume the -high office of watch-dog in the garden of the -London house. Fawcett was deeply interested in -the higher education of this humble friend, and -their common affection was very warm.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Sudden Friendships.</div> - -<p class='c007'>His friendships were so sudden, at times so -instantaneous, that their strength and duration -<span class='pageno' id='Page_297'>297</span>was surprising. He had an incredible number of -people whom he called in all sincerity his intimate -friends, and, as one of them says, ‘all the overgrowth -of new friendship seemed rather to -strengthen than to stifle the earlier ties.’ As we -have recorded, even the voice of an acquaintance -once made, was to him unforgettable. When walking -in London with his sister, Fawcett met the -Primate of New Zealand, who had been at -Cambridge with him. They had not met for -many years, and the Primate did not wish to -trouble Fawcett by recalling a long-ago acquaintanceship. -But Miss Fawcett, recognising him, -stopped, and as soon as the Primate spoke, Fawcett -exclaimed with delight, ‘Why, it’s Nevill!’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Postmaster and Pigs.</div> - -<p class='c007'>At Salisbury he invariably called on his father’s -old farm servant, Rumbold. Rumbold was one -day giving to Fawcett’s mother the last news from -his sties, and he added ‘Mind you tell Master -Harry when you write to him, for if there’s one -thing he cares about, ‘tis pigs.’ Truly it was one -thing, though it is generally suspected that the -Postmaster had other interests.</p> - -<p class='c007'>His increased income as Postmaster-General -made no change in his simple mode of life, though -he may have spent a little more on riding; he had, -however, the satisfaction of being able to buy his -family more presents, and he took an intense -delight in tactfully giving many little things; he -heard his sister say that she very much liked a -lamp by which she had read to him in London. To -<span class='pageno' id='Page_298'>298</span>her surprise and delight, on her return to Salisbury -its twin appeared, found and sent to her by her -brother.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Nothing gave him greater pleasure than to have -his parents and sister under his roof, and to give -them a good time. One of the most touching things -in his life was his intense affection for his father. -When the father grew old and was forced to breakfast -in bed, the big son, after saying good-bye to -him in the morning, would often quickly run -upstairs again just to kiss the old gentleman a -second time.</p> - -<hr class='c034' /> - -<div class='sidenote'>Presents and Parents.</div> - -<p class='c007'>When his sister told him that his letters gave -his parents the greatest pleasure of their lives, he -never let a week elapse without sending off two -newsy documents to Salisbury. These letters -abound in affection and in many little proofs of his -eagerness to make them happy. He sends a -birthday present, a comfortable pair of ‘Norwegian -slippers,’ or encloses letters containing bits of -political news which he is at liberty to show them; -he tells them of his triumphs, even of compliments -which he thinks that they would like to hear, and -boasts of the admiration expressed for his father’s -remarkable vigour and youthfulness for his years; -he also compliments the admirable packing evinced -by the excellent condition in which sundry gifts -in various interesting hampers have arrived.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He ran down to Salisbury whenever he could -make time, and was there for the ovation given by -<span class='pageno' id='Page_299'>299</span>the Liberals to his father on his ninety-first birthday. -The old gentleman had been a fighter in the -Liberal ranks since the days of the great Reform -Bill.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Six months later, in spite of the urgent claims -Cambridge lectures and Post Office work made -upon him, he again went to speak at Salisbury. -Parliament was in session too, an unusual thing in -November, so that he was particularly hard worked. -Still November 17th found him at Salisbury speaking -to an enthusiastic audience, of which his father -was one. After the meeting he seemed exhausted, -but he returned to London on the 20th, lectured at -Cambridge on the 22nd, and on the 23rd discharged -his business at the House of Commons.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_300'>300</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXIX</span><br /> <br />A GRAVE ILLNESS</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>Illness—Convalescence—Musical Discrimination.</p> - -<p class='c006'>He was suffering from a cold, and complained of -feeling ill. Mrs. Fawcett had been called away -by the fatal illness of her cousin. When she returned -to London, it was to hear that her husband’s -illness was pronounced to be diphtheria, and it was -rendered more serious later by typhoid and other -complications.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Through the Valley and Back.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Until the end of December his condition was -grave. During the first stage of the illness he -had frequently been delirious, and remembered little -of what had happened. His mind was made up -that he would not recover, and he insisted on hearing -the bulletins. They were read to him with -omissions.</p> - -<p class='c007'>There was to be an important election at -Liverpool, and he, remembering its date, asked -about the prospect. It was his habit at Christmas -to send to a list of country labourers whom he knew, -or whose names had been given to him by his -father, envelopes each containing a card on which -was written ‘Please give to bearer John Smith -[so many] pounds of beef or mutton.’ With the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_301'>301</span>card he sent a personal letter after this fashion: -‘Dear John, I enclose a ticket for Christmas beef. -Hoping you and the children are well, I am,’ etc. -The entire list of these benefactions he kept clearly -in his mind. Before he was out of his delirium, he -asked his secretary to send out the Christmas -letters and food tickets as usual.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A little later, when he was just beginning to -recover, a Cambridge crony was permitted to -stand for a short time by his bedside. In the -midst of his own weakness, Fawcett’s thoughts -flew to a Cambridge friend in trouble, and he -charged his guest to do the utmost to give whatever -help was possible.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The course of Fawcett’s illness was watched -with extraordinary anxiety. It was the dominant -theme at working men’s meetings and in third-class -railway carriages. The Royal Family showed -the same interest as the labourers who discussed -the latest bulletin in the market-place of Salisbury. -The Queen telegraphed for news, at times twice a -day. Gradually the patient improved, and the -danger was pronounced over.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Convalescing with <i>Vanity Fair</i>.</div> - -<p class='c007'>The convalescent was permitted to see his -friends, who in relays read to him the whole of -<i>Vanity Fair</i>. After three weeks’ inaction, he was -allowed to write to his parents, and amidst great -rejoicing the cat and dog were permitted to resume -their usual place in the family circle. In the early -part of January he went to stay at his father-in-law’s, -on the Suffolk coast.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_302'>302</span>His friend Mr. Sedley Taylor came to play to -him. Fawcett would listen to him often for an -hour at a time. Though he had little acquaintance -with music, he showed for it a genuine appreciation -and discrimination. There were two compositions -which he particularly enjoyed, one by Mendelssohn -and one by Bach, which Mr. Taylor often played -in that sequence. One day, however, he inverted -the order. After listening with interest, Fawcett -remarked: ‘I don’t know how it is, Taylor, but -somehow that Bach seems to have taken the taste -out of the Mendelssohn.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Visits he enjoyed.</div> - -<p class='c007'>At the end of this visit, Fawcett sent for all -the servants, so that he might personally give each -a gratuity and shake of the hand, while thanking -them individually for the kindness they had shown -him. When no more were forthcoming, Fawcett -said: ‘Where is that boy that blacks the shoes? -I should like to give him a tip too.’ Whereupon -the boy, who had been overlooked, was sent for -and duly rewarded.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett went on to pay some other visits in the -west of England, which seemed to help him regain -his strength. It was at this time that he first -successfully amused himself by playing cards, -though his former attempts had been so unpromising. -His secretary devised the simple and -ingenious method of marking the cards, which has -been described, so that he could tell each one by -touch. Thus he was able with great satisfaction -to spend hours at cribbage, écarté and loo.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_303'>303</span>In February he went to stay with his parents at -Salisbury, and there used his enforced leisure to -prepare a new edition of his book on Political -Economy. It was there that a stranger to the -town, not knowing his way, questioned a tall -scholarly man who approached briskly. He was -given minute directions; the streets and their -windings were described in detail, and it was only -after an amusing chat that the stranger discovered -that his guide was the learned Professor Fawcett, -and that therefore he must be blind! It was -extraordinary how his own attitude to his affliction -caused others to forget it. Not infrequently his -cottage friends would tidy up and put things in -order ‘in case Mr. Fawcett should drop in.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>With his Parents again.</div> - -<p class='c007'>It was a great joy to his old parents in the -Salisbury Close to have their busy, cheery ‘boy’ -back again; and Miss Fawcett, that brave understanding -friend in his affliction and throughout his -life, was very happy in his companionship. One -day they had been talking together as only those -who have always understood each other can, -lovingly they had gone over reminiscences of -Salisbury and Cambridge, and had fought Parliamentary -battles over again. Fawcett told his -sister that above all his other work, he cherished -his privilege of winning the forests and commons -free for the people, theirs to the end of time.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>His Sister and the Cathedral.</div> - -<p class='c007'>The two sauntered together into the near-by -cathedral where, as a tiny, half-scared boy, Harry -had gone clinging to his big sister’s hand. Now the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_304'>304</span>tall blind man held her arm, and his cane on the -pavement was echoed by the high arches; suddenly -a great glory of music broke forth from the organ, -magic uplifting notes shook the walls, and piercing -with gladness the shadows of centuries, rehallowed -the old sanctuary with melody. Fawcett stood -leaning slightly against a column, his heroic head -uplifted as if he were looking through the vaulting, -his whole being suffused with an inward light, and -his sensitive ear revelling in the lovely harmonies. -The voices of men and women raised in chorus -burst forth in a mighty Hallelujah; the organ -thrilled in glorious fulness, and again the voices -repeated the refrain until it echoed from the wall -like a song of triumph of good over evil, of light over -darkness. A glad smile broke over the blind man’s -face as, pressing his dear companion’s hand, he -exclaimed: ‘Oh, how beautiful that is!’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Back to his Post.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He returned to his work in March, seemingly in -fully restored health.</p> - -<p class='c007'>His reception at the Post Office and the House of -Commons showed how deep had been the love and -anxiety called forth by his illness. He lived in -the hearts of all classes—his bitterest antagonists, -Conservatives as well as Socialists, loved and -trusted him; never was a man more of a democrat -and less of a demagogue.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Humble friends.</div> - -<p class='c007'>The old woman who for many years had the care -of Fawcett’s rooms at Cambridge had been much -distressed by his illness, and had said to the Master -of Trinity Hall, ‘Poor Mrs. Fawcett would miss -<span class='pageno' id='Page_305'>305</span>him so terribly.’ ‘Why should she miss him more -than any woman would miss the husband she -loved?’ sympathetically asked the Master. ‘Because -he is such a happy noisy man; whenever he -is in the house you know it, he is always shouting -so,’ was the tearful reply.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A poor old shoemaker who had never spoken to -Fawcett, but whose shop the Postmaster-General -passed daily on his way to his work, gave voice to -the public feeling when he said, ‘If Professor had -died, I should have missed him dreadfully. He -always looked so pleased and cheery, it did one -good.’</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_306'>306</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXX</span><br /> <br />AMONG THE BLIND</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>A Leader of the Blind—Honours—His Last Speech.</p> - -<div class='c001'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>What he meant to the Blind.</div> - -<p class='c007'>What his happy, successful life meant to the blind, -and how he heartened them by his hearty personality, -cannot be overestimated.</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘I went with him,’ says Mr. Dryhurst, ‘to a tea-meeting -at Bethnal Green. It was night, and the -Assembly Hall, which was low, was crowded with -over one thousand blind people and their guides. -Fawcett, who spoke briefly, was greeted with -fervent enthusiasm when he entered, and when, in -the course of the speech he exclaimed in his -thundering voice, ‘Do not wall us up in institutions, -but let us live as other men live,’ the excitement of -the audience and the animation of the blind faces, -was something which I shall never forget.’</p> - -<hr class='c034' /> - -<div class='sidenote'>A Leader out of Darkness.</div> - -<p class='c007'>While at Cambridge preparing this book, the -writer was sent for by a blind lady whom she did -not know. She was old and ill in bed, but in -happier times she had known Fawcett, who had -often dined at her house. Recently she also had -lost her sight, and she evidently felt that she had -a debt to the great blind man who had been her -<span class='pageno' id='Page_307'>307</span>friend when she could see. She wished the relief -of expressing her indebtedness, as in her weak voice -she struggled to say: ‘I wanted to tell you that in -my life no one has helped me as much as Mr. -Fawcett; his help is constant even now.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett had always lived so that he might be -strong and attain. He was careful of his diet, -exercise and clothing; of this last to such a degree -that his friends, as we know, loved to poke fun at -him for his precautions against chills. Tradition -tells of two suits of underclothing being superimposed -while in an express train London-bound -on his way to the Houses of Parliament.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We are given a glimpse of him at this time by -a friend: ‘Coming towards me I saw a man leaning -on the arm of his companion, and walking with -a smiling upturned face, as though he were watching -the clouds of smoke from a small but exceedingly -fragrant cigar.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Wear of Work.</div> - -<p class='c007'>He seemed now quite his old self again in mind -and body, though he would often return home -exhausted from his work, and when Mrs. Fawcett -read to him he would frequently fall fast asleep. -On one occasion she was reading to him the -biography of some distinguished man, and had -come to a passage where the author was describing -a moonlight scene, when Fawcett, waking from a -nap, interrupted the peaceful picture with the -exclamation, ‘I always said he was a sagacious old -fool.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Honours.</div> - -<p class='c007'>It was natural that when his achievements had -<span class='pageno' id='Page_308'>308</span>won him such wide popularity and distinction he -should receive many of those tokens which most -men cherish. Oxford gave him the honorary degree -of Doctor of Civil Law; Würzburg, on its tricentenary -celebration, made him Doctor of Political -Economy; he was elected a corresponding member -of the section of political economy of the Institute -of France; the Royal Society elected him to a -Fellowship, and in 1883, a year after his illness, the -University of Glasgow gave him an LL.D. and -elected him their Lord Rector, the other candidates -being Lord Bute and Mr. Ruskin.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He did not live to give his Rectorial address, but -Mrs. Fawcett sent a copy of his Hackney speech -to each of the students, saying as preface, ‘This last -speech appears to me so characteristic of him on -whom the choice of the students fell, so free from -party passion and prejudice, so scrupulously just to -opponents, so fearless in saying what he knew would -not be popular, so instinct with devotion to principle -and love of justice, that I cannot believe it will be -useless or unacceptable to young men just beginning -the battle of life.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>His friends had been over sanguine in their -belief in Fawcett’s restored strength. He did not -take a proper vacation in the summer of 1884, but -devoted himself to settling questions which he found -anxious and onerous about telephone rights. The -work told on his weakened constitution. In -September he went to Wales, ‘made a vigorous -little speech,’ and visited two friends. He returned -<span class='pageno' id='Page_309'>309</span>for his lectures at Cambridge, but he was forced to -be much in London. Even so he snatched every -occasion for fresh air and exercise that he could. -He gloried in the great out-of-doors.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Bells.</div> - -<p class='c007'>One Sunday he went rowing with a friend on the -Thames. It was a glorious day, and Fawcett was -delighted with the church bells. They paused to -listen, and he exclaimed, ‘How lovely the bells -are!’ and then added wickedly, ‘and how glad I -am that I am not in church.’ About him there -always hovered a glint of the impish schoolboy -playing ‘hookey,’ especially when he was in the -open air, revelling in the warmth of the sunshine, -listening to the lap and swish of the water, the -rustle of the leaves, the wind in the grass, or the -songs of the birds. He loved all these glad noises, -and at such times his whole being gave out joy, his -gay spirit had the freshness and the unhesitating -truthfulness of early youth. He was so full of the -light of that inner eye which nothing could darken, -that he forgot his blindness in the fulness of his own -bright soul. Heartily would he have assented to -the sentiment: ‘It is a comely fashion to be glad—Joy -is the grace we say to God.’ It surprised and -startled those about him, whom he made so oblivious -of his misfortune, when he would ask, ‘Is the sun -shining?’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Golden Leaves of Autumn.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Hearing that the foliage at Clarendon was -singularly lovely that autumn, the tired, busy, blind -man snatched a moment to run down to see the -woods. The glory of that autumn light on the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_310'>310</span>trees at Salisbury, when he was last permitted to -see them, was never to be forgotten. He refused -to remember the catastrophe which had blinded -him, and still delighted to recall the beauty thus -lost, and to love all similar autumn glories.</p> - -<hr class='c034' /> - -<div class='sidenote'>His Last Speech.</div> - -<p class='c007'>His final speech was made at Hackney on 13th -October; he lectured with weakened voice on the -30th, went to London, and returned to Cambridge, -where, though he found the weather damp and raw, -he enjoyed a ride with some relatives. In the -evening he compared his cold with that of a friend -who was dining with them, and was forced to admit -that the friend’s cold was superior to his own.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The next day, though he did Post Office work -with his secretary, he kept his bed; his lecture for -Monday had to be put off. On Tuesday and -Wednesday he grew worse, though he greatly -enjoyed Mrs. Fawcett’s reading of Dickens, laughing -heartily over it. It was now necessary to ask -Lord Eversley, so often his able substitute, to act -again as his deputy.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_311'>311</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>CHAPTER XXXI</span><br /> <br />LIGHT</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c015'>The Passing—The People grieve—Sorrow in Parliament—The -Nation’s Loss—Letters from Queen Victoria, the -Prince of Wales (the late King Edward) and Gladstone—The -Railroad Men’s Tribute—The Significance of his -Life—India’s Loss—Fawcett’s Message.</p> - -<div class='c001'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>Between the Lights.</div> - -<p class='c007'>On Thursday morning, 6th November 1884, the -two doctors who saw him found that his heart was -weak, and he asked his secretary to notify the -papers of his illness. Another doctor came from -London, and when the three went to Fawcett’s -room, they found that there was no hope of his -recovery. Thoughtful as always of the comfort -of others, he asked in a failing voice if -dinner had been arranged for the doctor who had -just come.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When his hands began to grow cold, he thought -the weather had changed. Practical and exact to -the last, he said: ‘The best things to warm my -hands with would be my fur gloves. They are in -the pocket of my coat in the dressing-room.’ He -never spoke again. In the quiet room, the dull -autumn afternoon darkened as his wife and -daughter sat by the bedside. Very gently, his -brave fight won, the tired blind man’s unquenchable -<span class='pageno' id='Page_312'>312</span>spirit left them in the twilight and passed to -find the light.</p> - -<hr class='c034' /> - -<div class='sidenote'>Remembered and Loved.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Rarely has a loss caused so much deep personal -sorrow in every class. A dearly loved friend of -many had gone, a noble life had been spent for -others. There was mourning in many a little -cottage when the head of the family read aloud -that the good Postmaster-General had passed -away.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the misty lamplit village squares, and in the -market-place at Salisbury, the rural labourers -gathered to lament his loss, and to recall his many -good deeds and the countless little friendlinesses -which he had personally shown to so many of -them.</p> - -<p class='c007'>‘That such a man should have died at only -fifty-one is one of those apparent wastes in Nature -before which our philosophy stands impotent; -but that such a light should have existed at all -makes philosophy superfluous in contemplating -it.’<a id='r3' /><a href='#f3' class='c017'><sup>[3]</sup></a></p> - -<p class='c007'>The morning after Fawcett’s going, Lady -Courtney told the news to her parlourmaid, who -had known Fawcett. On entering the kitchen, to -her surprise the cook burst out weeping and sat -by the table rocking herself to and fro. ‘Why,’ -said Lady Courtney, ‘Maria, you didn’t know -Mr. Fawcett, did you?’ ‘Ah, yes, your ladyship, -I knew him, the kind gentleman. It was when you -<span class='pageno' id='Page_313'>313</span>and his lordship were out of town. I opened the -door for him, and when he found you were not at -home, he said, “I have been here to dine very often, -and I want to know you.” “Oh no, sir,” says I, -“I’m only the cook,” with which he puts out his -hand and shakes mine like an old friend, as he says, -“Well, I’m very glad indeed to meet you.” Then -I offered him a glass of water, ma’am, which he -drank so grateful.’ Lady Courtney queried, ‘But -Maria, why didn’t you offer him tea, for the credit -of the house?’ ‘Oh, your ladyship, I didn’t -dare to, for fear he’d see the state of the house with -your ladyship away.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>When the news came to the House of Commons, -sudden as such news always is, it fell to the Marquis -of Hartington to announce it to the House. It is -said that he all but broke down.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Sorrow in Parliament.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Later in the evening there were more formal -expressions of grief. Sir Stafford Northcote, on -behalf of the Conservative Party, whom Fawcett -had so consistently opposed, spoke of the loss the -House had sustained, and said: ‘I do not think -anybody can recall a single word that ever fell -from him that gave unnecessary offence or pain to -any one.’ The Marquis of Hartington, on behalf of -the Government, said Fawcett commanded the -‘respect, I think I may say the affection, of the -whole House’; and Mr. Justin McCarthy, on behalf -of the Irish Party, spoke with much feeling of ‘the -sudden and melancholy close of so promising and -great a career.’ The next evening Gladstone, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_314'>314</span>who had not been present the night before, said: -‘Mr. Fawcett’s name is a name which is heard -in all quarters of the House with feelings of the -greatest respect. We have all been accustomed -to regard with admiration his admirable integrity -and independence of mind, his absolute devotion -to the public service, the marvellous tenacity of -his memory, combined with his remarkable clearness -of mental vision; and, I think, even above all -these, if possible, the rare courage, the unfailing, -the unmeasured courage, with which he confronted -and mastered all the difficulties which would have -daunted and repelled an ordinary man in connection -with the loss of the precious gift of sight. -From these and other causes he acquired a place -in the hearts and minds such as is undoubtedly -accorded to few; and I believe that he had won -a place equally high in the esteem and respect of -the House of Commons. I wish in these few words -to place on record, in the name of myself and my -colleagues, our deep sense of the loss of a most -distinguished public servant.’ The last words were -spoken by Lord John Manners, who, referring to -the personal intercourse he had had with Fawcett, -said, ‘It was impossible to exceed in courtesy and -fairness the eminent statesman whose loss we all -deplore.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Writing of Fawcett shortly after his death, Mr. -Beresford Hope used these words: ‘He was a man -who had conquered all personal enmity, all personal -suspicion, and lived in the hearts of every man, on -<span class='pageno' id='Page_315'>315</span>every side of the House, without exception. Ask -me why it was? That is a difficult question to -answer. The appreciation of character—the influence -that a man has—is generally indescribable.... -He had gained a strange influence over the -House, from the absolute certainty with which he -inspired every man of the clear, transparent honesty -and courage of his character.’</p> - -<hr class='c034' /> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Reason of a Boy.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett was always strongly opposed to taking -away any legitimate pleasure, and the keen appreciation -of this fact by a child seems worth recording. -Soon after the Postmaster’s death, his small nephew, -who had been promised that he should go to the -Lord Mayor’s Show, begged to be taken there; -the family naturally hesitated, and discussed the -propriety of the boy’s going to the festivity the -day before his uncle’s funeral. The natural -question was, ‘What would Fawcett have said -under similar circumstances?’ The small nephew -piped up with ‘I know Uncle Harry would have -said: “Go, my boy!”’ This was so true that the -boy went.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>Britain mourns.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Numerous letters were sent to the family, some -from those who, from lack of learning, were forced -to dictate their letters to the village schoolmaster. -Others, who had rarely struggled with the intricate -problems of pen and paper, strove painfully to put -their sympathy into written words. Telegrams -and resolutions of sympathy came from workingmen’s -societies, labour unions, and all kinds of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_316'>316</span>associations and societies, tokens of love and grief -from a vaster circle of personal friends than almost -any one ever had.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We have the privilege of printing a facsimile -of the sympathetic letter written with her own -hand by Queen Victoria, and of the note of condolence -from the Prince of Wales (the late King -Edward).</p> - -<div class='c001'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>Letters from Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales (the late King Edward).</div> - -<div class='c035'>‘<span class='sc'>Balmoral Castle</span>, </div> -<div class='c035'>‘<i>November 8th, 1884.</i> </div> - -<p class='c036'>‘<span class='sc'>Dear Mrs. Fawcett</span>,—I am anxious to express -to you myself the true and sincere sympathy I feel for -you in your present terrible bereavement, as well as -my sincere regret for the loss of your distinguished -husband, who bore his great trial with such courage -and patience, and who served his Queen and country -ably and faithfully.</p> - -<p class='c036'>‘You, who were so devoted a wife to him, must, even -in this hour of overwhelming grief, be gratified by the -universal expression of respect and regret on this sad -occasion.</p> - -<p class='c036'>‘That He Who alone can give consolation and peace -in the hour of affliction may support you, is the earnest -wish of yours sincerely,</p> - -<div class='c037'>‘(Signed) <span class='sc'>Victoria, R. and I.</span>’ </div> - -<div id='fp316' class='figcenter id009'> -<img src='images/i_316fp.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p>Facsimile of a letter from Queen Victoria to Mrs. Fawcett.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class='c038'>‘<span class='sc'>Sandringham</span>, </div> -<div class='c035'>‘<span class='sc'>King’s Lynn</span>, <i>November 8th, 1884.</i> </div> - -<p class='c036'>‘<span class='sc'>Dear Mrs. Fawcett</span>,—You are certain to receive -many letters expressing sympathy with your present -<span class='pageno' id='Page_317'>317</span>grief, and although I hardly like intruding so soon on -your great sorrow, yet I am anxious to express how -deeply both the Princess and myself sympathise with -you in this severe hour of trial. Mr. Fawcett cannot -fail to be deeply mourned and regretted by all who -knew him—but he has left a name, which will ever be -remembered among England’s distinguished men.—Believe -me, dear Mrs. Fawcett, truly yours,</p> - -<div class='c037'>‘(Signed) <span class='sc'>Albert Edward</span>.’ </div> - -<div id='fp318' class='figcenter id009'> -<img src='images/i_318fp.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p>Facsimile of a letter from the Prince of Wales (King Edward VII)<br />to Mrs. Fawcett</p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class='c001'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>What Gladstone wrote.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Mr. Gladstone wrote to Fawcett’s father. Miss -Fawcett has kindly given us permission to reprint -the letter.</p> - -<div class='c035'>‘<span class='sc'>10 Downing Street</span>, </div> -<div class='c035'>‘<span class='sc'>Whitehall</span>, <i>November 25th, 1884</i>. </div> - -<p class='c036'>‘<span class='sc'>Dear Sir</span>,—Will you allow me to intrude upon -you for a moment by offering to you in private my assurances -of deep sympathy under the grievous loss you -have sustained, and to repeat also the testimony which -I have endeavoured to render in public to your distinguished -son. There has been no public man in our -day whose remarkable qualities have been more fully -recognised by his fellow-countrymen, and more deeply -enshrined in their memories. There they will long -remain now that they form the subject of recollection -only and are no longer associated, as they were until -the sad event, with sanguine and brilliant hopes.</p> - -<p class='c036'>‘He has left a record of some qualities which are -given to few; but of others, perhaps yet more remarkable, -which all his fellow-countrymen may in their -degree emulate and follow; for integrity so high, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_318'>318</span>courage so far beyond the common range, aid more -often than his great powers of intellect and memory to -profitable imitation, and will, I trust, give to thousands -a powerful incentive to honourable imitation and a -means of real advancement.</p> - -<p class='c036'>‘Heartily wishing to you, dear Sir, both in retrospect -and in prospect every consolation,—I remain, -faithfully yours,</p> - -<div class='c037'>‘<span class='sc'>W. E. Gladstone</span>. </div> -<p class='c036'>‘<span class='sc'><span class='small'>W. Fawcett</span></span>, <span class='small'>Esqr.</span>’</p> - -<p class='c007'>Mr. Fawcett, senior, died at Salisbury at the ripe -age of ninety-five, after a successful and much -honoured life.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It is interesting to read what the Prime Minister -said of Fawcett, by whom he had been at times so -vigorously and successfully opposed, and to whom -the downfall of his Government was once largely -due.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Old Folk and Salisbury.</div> - -<p class='c007'>The sorrow of the grief-stricken parents in -Salisbury for the loss of their beloved son seemed -too great a burden for their aged shoulders to bear. -But slowly, as time went on, the father gathered -comfort from the sympathy of great and humble. -Reviewing lovingly bit by bit the brave course -which his boy had run, he realised perhaps, as the -crowning comfort, that in the inscrutable workings -of fate, his unwittingly blinding his own child had -not after all proved an irreparable calamity. -Rather it had, by depriving the lad of the blessing -of sight, miraculously sped him on valiantly to a -great life gladly lived.</p> -<div class='sidenote'>From Carpenters, Bricklayers, etc.</div> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_319'>319</span>Among the many sympathetic letters sent to -Mrs. Fawcett, perhaps none express more truly the -feelings of those to whom her husband had given his -constant solicitude, and certainly none are more -touching, than these two:—</p> - -<div class='c035'><span class='sc'>Pangbourne</span>, <i>November 8th, 1884</i>. </div> - -<p class='c036'>‘<span class='sc'>Dear Madam</span>,—I hope you will forgive us, but -having followed the political life of the late Professor -Fawcett, we felt when we saw his death in the papers -on the 7th that we had lost a personal friend, and that -a great man had gone from us. The loss to you must -be beyond measure; but we as part of the nation do -give you who have been his helper our heartfelt sympathy -in your great trouble, and we do hope you may -find a little consolation in knowing that his work that -he has done for the working classes has not been in -vain.</p> - -<p class='c036'>‘We, as working men, do offer you and your child -our deepest sympathy, and beg to be yours respectfully,</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l c039'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>‘<span class='sc'>Harry Cox</span>, Carpenter.</div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Charles Eddy</span>, Carpenter.</div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Richard Bowles</span>, Carpenter.</div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>G. Lewendon</span>, Bricklayer.</div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>George Brown</span>, Bricklayer.</div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>William Cox</span>, Carpenter.</div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Charles Cox</span>, Blacksmith.</div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>M. Clifford</span>, Postmaster.</div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>F. Clifford</span>, Clerk.’</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c035'><span class='pageno' id='Page_320'>320</span>‘<span class='sc'>11 Elder Place,</span> </div> -<div class='c035'>‘<span class='sc'>Brighton</span>, <i>November 11th, 1884</i>. </div> - -<p class='c040'><span class='sni'><span class='hidev'>|</span>A Tribute from the Railroad men of Brighton.<span class='hidev'>|</span></span></p> -<p class='c036'>‘<span class='sc'>Dear Mrs. Fawcett</span>,—Excuse me in not writing -you sooner, on the sad death of your dear lamented -husband. Several of his old friends at the Brighton -Railway Works has wished me to ask you privately -how you are situated in a pecuniary sense. We always -thought that the Professor was a poor man, and only -had what he earned by his talents; his three years of -office could not have brought in much money for you -and the family to live in ease and comfort for the rest -of your days. It is our opinion that you are richly -entitled to a public pension.</p> - -<p class='c036'>‘Failing this, would you accept a public subscription, -say a penny one, from the working classes of this -country, for the many good and noble deeds your noble -partner done for the working classes of this country. -His advice was always sound, good and practical, and -full of sympathy, a good private friend to all men.</p> - -<p class='c036'>‘I see you had a plentiful supply of flowers, but those -flowers soon fade and are no support to the poor and -fatherless ones. I am confident, if you could make up -your mind to accept a penny testimonial the working -classes would give cheerfully, not in the shape of -charity, but for public and striking services rendered -by one of the best men since Edmund Burke. We -only wish he had lived twenty years longer.</p> - -<p class='c036'>‘Pray excuse my plain way of writing to you, as an -honest workman, one of his supporters from first to -last. His last letter to me a month back was full of -sound and good advice concerning our Provident -Society.—Believe me, your sincere friend and well-wisher,</p> - -<div class='c037'><span class='sc'>John Short</span>, Senior.’ </div> - -<p class='c006'><span class='pageno' id='Page_321'>321</span>Mrs. Fawcett, profoundly touched by this letter, -was able to say that she could not properly accept -the generous offer, as her husband had left her -adequately provided for. Mr. Short, who had -written the letter, replied to Mrs. Fawcett, ‘our -men of the railway works say that you are -entitled to all honour for refusing a pension -or a public subscription from the working men; -also that your dear husband and our best friend -has practised what he always preached to us, -private thrift!’</p> - -<div class='c001'></div> -<div class='sidenote'>Burial.</div> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett was buried in the churchyard at -Trumpington, near Cambridge, by the little old -church, with its square tower, which he had so often -passed on his joyful walks and rides. He was -followed to his resting-place by representatives -of all the classes and the peoples who had loved -him. Those humble folk who were so dear to -him mingled with statesmen of all parties and -many countries, delegates from learned bodies and -universities, his colleagues, and the undergraduates -from his beloved Cambridge.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The significance of Fawcett’s life.</div> - -<p class='c007'>The influence of such a career, the significance -of its eternal echo, grows in value each year. As -life becomes more complicated, and competition -keener, men in the general struggle naturally think -themselves forced to safeguard their own interests, -and forget what, by their very birthright as citizens, -they owe to the community, to the making and -purifying of the Government which should be the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_322'>322</span>protector of the weak, the instigator of progress, -and the guardian of national honour.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fawcett’s life awakens us to the possibilities of -happiness and usefulness without the aid of money -or position, and even despite one of the gravest -impediments under which a man can labour. He -completely forgot himself and his personal interests, -and in so doing found happiness and success. His -career was a forceful illustration of that ancient -truth, ‘He that loses his life shall find it.’</p> - -<p class='c007'>His heroic victory should help to give that faith -and inspiration needed so much in our day in every -field. Like that great friend of liberty with whom -he so deeply sympathised and to whom we have -compared him, Fawcett came from the humble -people whom he fully appreciated, and he too might -have said that ‘God must have loved the plain -people, or He would not have made so many of -them.’ He too struggled against gigantic difficulties, -and became a leader of his countrymen. -From this position of vantage, which he cherished -because it enabled him to do good effectively, he -helped the poor and neglected, and those who had -no voice to ask justice for themselves. Even the -least of these touched his great heart and claimed -his sympathy, and he wrought unsparingly, unselfishly -for their rights. Worn out with his ceaseless -task, he too was taken in his prime, at the -height of his powers, beloved and reverenced by his -own people, and the great and small of many -lands.</p> - -<div id='fp322' class='figcenter id006'> -<img src='images/i_322fp.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p>MEMORIAL IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY</p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class='sidenote'>Gloria Mundis.</div> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_323'>323</span>A national memorial and many others were -set up. Contributions were received from all -parts of the Empire, in gifts ranging from the -widow’s mite to the munificent donations of -Indian princes, in recognition of the help which -Fawcett had given to their country. To the one -fittingly placed in Westminster Abbey, the employees -of the Post Office contributed one-quarter -of the cost. Besides the portrait, the memorial -includes two figures symbolising Brotherhood, and -others for Zeal, Justice, Fortitude, Sympathy and -Industry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The remainder of the National Memorial Fund -was devoted to the Fawcett Scholarship, available -for blind students at the universities, and to the -Fawcett playgrounds, gymnasium, skating rinks, -boating equipment, and other athletic facilities at -the Royal Normal College for the Blind.</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>India’s loss.</div> - -<p class='c007'>We have spoken of the feeling of India. A -great public meeting was held at Bombay; -extracts from some of the speeches are given below, -and with them some cuttings from the Indian -papers.</p> - -<p class='c041'>‘This great assembly is here to do honour to the -memory of a high-minded English statesman, whose -name has become a household word out here, to express -that policy of strict justice and warm sympathy which -alone can bind India to England.’</p> - -<p class='c042'>‘The best friend of India has gone—the Right -Honble. Henry Fawcett. All people will regret the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_324'>324</span>death of this statesman—especially those in India. -He had so identified himself with the interests of India, -and so fearlessly advocated the cause of the dumb -millions of this poor country, that he had gained for -himself the honorary title of the Member for India. -It was certainly unfortunate that he had no place in -the Cabinet. His colleagues, who knew him thoroughly, -were probably afraid that in Indian matters he would -prove too stiff for them. By far the best place for him -would have been that of Secretary of State for India. In -fact, ever since he was Postmaster-General India lost -the services of its Member.’</p> - -<p class='c042'>‘Independently of his political services to India, Mr. -Fawcett was well known among us as an author. His -<i>Manual of Political Economy</i> has become a text-book -in all our colleges and universities, and his other writings -on social and economic questions are extensively -read by the educated portion of our countrymen.’</p> - -<p class='c042'>‘There was no more touching spectacle than that of -the blind Professor devoting himself as the champion -of the country he had never seen, and the steadfast -friend of the people with whom he had never come -into personal contact, simply because that country -needed a champion, and those people wanted a friend -to represent their interests. Such a figure strikes me -as even more chivalrous than the figures of the ideal -knights who went about redressing human wrongs.’</p> - -<p class='c042'>‘To India his loss is truly irreparable.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>The Statue in his Birthplace.</div> - -<p class='c042'>‘In the market-place at Salisbury, near the house -where Fawcett was born, and where he made his first -economic investigation, they have placed a statue of -him, so that the inhabitants of India and others coming -<span class='pageno' id='Page_325'>325</span>from distant parts to see Stonehenge and the great -Cathedral may pause before the memorial, and, seeing -Fawcett’s name, will remember that he was the friend -who fought for their rights.’</p> - -<div class='sidenote'>His Message.</div> - -<p class='c007'>As a friend wrote when deploring Fawcett’s -untimely death: ‘The necessity of the hour is one -brave man, faithful to his convictions, strong -enough to make himself heard above the angry -cries of a mob, and determined that no amount of -popular applause, no momentary party advantage, -no miserable plea of expediency, and no false imputation -of cowardice shall move him one hair’s-breadth -from the path of rectitude.’ Yes, Fawcett -is needed to-day, and his example is needed now—the -teaching of his generous brotherhood, his intense -industry, his fair thoroughness of investigation, -and his conscientious deliberation.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On his grave they have written, ‘Speak to the -people that they go forward.’ In obedience to this -summons this book has been written, and in hope -that it will lead others to tell the story over and -over again. It may too help others to follow in the -footsteps of this country boy, who, blinded, fought -valiantly against tremendous odds, and taught -himself to ignore his misfortune and to make at -last his spirit see so clearly that he found the truth -and pointed it out to others. He became the -champion of those who most needed a protector, -and battled against oppression, ignorance, and -neglect. He gave to the humblest the right to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_326'>326</span>enjoy the commons and forests which he himself -could not see. He strove for the friendless in -India, and for the poor woman who had no voice -in the making of the laws which bound her. He -shouldered tasks beyond his strength, loving them. -He attained the best because he believed the best.</p> - -<p class='c007'>There is no parallel in history for this heroic and -romantic life, in spite of the overhanging shadow, -so full of usefulness, of joy and light. So keen was -the sight of the eyes on his finger-tips, that he could -detect the smallest leaf carried by the stream -against his fishing-line. After a score of years he -would recognise the laugh and the voice of a long -absent friend. He worshipped in the cathedral -of the immensity he could not see. His creed was -simple,—love and service; sacrifice, his interpretation -of God, and the secret of his life.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He was called the ‘Messiah of the Blind,’ and -it was said that with his death the beacon for those -who sit in darkness had been extinguished. Let -us rather say that he kindled one for them for all -time; that saving for the blindness of the spirit -there is no blindness; through the light shed by -his bright and noble life this blind man has proved -it, and still teaches us to see.</p> - -<div class='footnote' id='f3'> -<p class='c007'><span class='label'><a href='#r3'>3</a>. </span>This tribute is from an American appreciator of Fawcett.</p> -</div> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003' /> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_327'>327</span> - <h2 class='c005'><span class='xlarge'>HENRY FAWCETT</span><br /> <br />BORN 1833, DIED NOV. 6, 1884</h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c043'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Virtus in arducis! Valour against odds</div> - <div class='line'>That must have daunted courage less complete.</div> - <div class='line'>A spectacle to gladden men, and meet</div> - <div class='line'>The calm approval of the gazing gods.</div> - <div class='line'>So some large singer of the heroic days</div> - <div class='line'>Might well have summed that life the fatal shears</div> - <div class='line'>Too soon have severed. Many fruitful years,</div> - <div class='line'>More conquests yet, still wider meed of praise,</div> - <div class='line'>All hoped of him who had goodwill of all,—</div> - <div class='line'>The brave, the justly balanced, calmly strong,</div> - <div class='line'>Friend of all truth, and foe of every wrong,</div> - <div class='line'>Who now, whilst lingering autumn’s last leaves fall,</div> - <div class='line'>Too soon! too soon! if the stern stroke of fate</div> - <div class='line'>Ever too early falls, or falls too late,</div> - <div class='line'>At least the passing of this stern, strong soul</div> - <div class='line'>In fullest strength and clearness wakes lament.</div> - <div class='line'>We could have better spared a hundred loud,</div> - <div class='line'>Incontinent, blaring flatterers of the crowd</div> - <div class='line'>Than him, whose self-respecting years were spent</div> - <div class='line'>In silent thought and sense-directed toil,</div> - <div class='line'>Ungagged by greed, unshackled and unswayed</div> - <div class='line'>By sordid impulse of the sophist’s trade,</div> - <div class='line'>By lies unsnared and unseduced by spoil.</div> - <div class='line'>No braver conquest o’er ill fortune’s flout</div> - <div class='line'>Our age has seen than his, who held straight on</div> - <div class='line'>Though the great God-gift from his days was gone,</div> - <div class='line'>‘And wisdom at one entrance quite shut out.’</div> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_328'>328</span>Held on with genial stoutness, seeing more</div> - <div class='line'>Than men with sight undarkened, but with mind</div> - <div class='line'>Through prejudice and party bias blind.</div> - <div class='line'>The ‘foolish fires’ of faction through the flare</div> - <div class='line'>Betraying beacons, in the battle’s van.</div> - <div class='line'><i>Vale!</i> A valid and a valiant man!</div> - <div class='line'>Ampler horizons and serener air</div> - <div class='line'>Await the fighter of so good a fight</div> - <div class='line'>Than favour Party’s low, mist-haunted hollow.</div> - <div class='line'>Heart-deep regrets and honest plaudits follow</div> - <div class='line'>Him who has passed from darkness into light.</div> - <div class='c014'><i>Punch.</i></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_329'>329</span> - <h2 class='c005'>APPENDIX</h2> -</div> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_330'>330</span> - <h3 class='c044'><span class='large'>MEMORIALS</span></h3> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c045'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>The National Memorial in Westminster Abbey</span></div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Memorial Scholarship for Blind Students</span></div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Playgrounds, Skating Rink, Boats, and other</span></div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'> Athletic Equipment for the Blind</span></div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Memorial in Vauxhall Park</span></div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Memorial near Charing Cross</span></div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Memorial in the Parish Church, Alderburgh</span></div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Memorial Window at Trumpington</span></div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Memorial at Salisbury</span></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_331'>331</span>To make this record complete the following descriptions -of the Fawcett Memorials is appended, together -with the copy of a letter from Mrs. Fawcett’s sister.</p> - -<p class='c006'>There are three memorials in London, besides others -elsewhere.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The national memorial to Fawcett in Westminster -Abbey bears the following inscription, written by Sir -Leslie Stephen.</p> - -<h3 class='c044'>HENRY FAWCETT<br /> <br />BORN 26 AUGUST 1833. DIED 6 NOVEMBER 1884</h3> - -<p class='c046'>After losing his sight by an accident, at the -age of 24, he became Professor of Political -Economy in the University of Cambridge, -Member of four Parliaments, and from 1880 -to 1884, H.M. Postmaster-General.</p> - -<p class='c047'>His inexorable fidelity to his convictions -commanded the respect of statesmen. His -chivalrous self-devotion to the cause of the -poor and helpless won the affection of -his countrymen and of his Indian fellow-subjects. -His heroic acceptance of the -calamity of blindness has left a memorable -example of the power of a brave man to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_332'>332</span>transmute evil into good and wrest victory -from misfortune.</p> - -<p class='c007'>This memorial was erected by the subscribers to a -national memorial.</p> - -<hr class='c034' /> - -<p class='c007'>Memorial Scholarship for the Blind. Playgrounds, -skating rink, boats and other athletic equipment at -the Royal Normal College for the Blind.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As has been said elsewhere, the national memorial -in Westminster Abbey represented contributions received -from all parts of the Empire. This sum was -expended not only in erecting the memorial in Westminster -Abbey, but also in providing the above-mentioned -scholarship and athletic facilities for the -blind.</p> - -<hr class='c034' /> - -<p class='c007'>The small Vauxhall Park, just behind Vauxhall -Station, includes within its area the site of the house -where Fawcett lived from shortly after his marriage -till his death. In it stands a handsome memorial to -Fawcett given by Sir Henry Doulton. The high -pedestal is decorated with eight panels in bas-relief. -Fawcett is represented seated. An angel stands behind -his chair and is about to crown him with a wreath -of laurel. The inscription is the same as that in -Westminster Abbey.</p> - -<hr class='c034' /> - -<p class='c007'>A drinking fountain was erected as a Women’s -Memorial to Fawcett in the Gardens on the Thames -Embankment, east of Charing Cross.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_333'>333</span>‘The first person to drink of the waters of the fountain -was a postman; this gracefully recalled the regard -in which Professor Fawcett was held by the humble -servants of the state, whose duties he regulated, and -whose welfare he had ever at heart during his tenure -of the office of Postmaster-General.’—Extract from a -contemporaneous paper.</p> - -<hr class='c034' /> - -<p class='c007'>A memorial was placed by the inhabitants of Alderburgh -in the Parish Church there. The words with -which the memorial is inscribed are as follow:</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>Erected by the inhabitants of Alderburgh</div> - <div>In memory of the Rt. Hon. Henry Fawcett, M.P.,</div> - <div>who was born August 26, 1833, and who</div> - <div>died November 6, 1884.</div> - <div>His brave and kindly nature will ever live in</div> - <div>the hearts of all who knew and loved him.</div> - <div>Be ye also strong, and of good courage.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c034' /> - -<p class='c007'>There is a memorial window in Trumpington -Church; below the figures of Truth, Fortitude and -Charity is the inscription:</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>In memory of</div> - <div><span class='sc'>Henry Fawcett</span></div> - <div>Born August 26, 1833</div> - <div>Died November 6, 1884</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' id='Page_334'>334</span>A statue of Fawcett was erected to his memory in -the market-place of Salisbury, near the house where -he was born.</p> - -<hr class='c034' /> - -<h3 class='c044'><span class='sc'>Extract from a Letter from Mrs. Fawcett’s Sister</span></h3> - -<p class='c048'>‘A clergyman came to me one day in the street and -asked if I was not Mrs. Fawcett’s sister. I said “Yes,” -and then he told me his little story.</p> - -<p class='c049'>‘A friend of his had become blind and had lost hope -and courage, and seemed unable to face the disaster; -then some one reminded him of Mr. Fawcett, and read -his life to him, and the poor man took fresh heart, and -met his misfortune bravely. The clergyman added, -“I do not know Mrs. Fawcett or any of his family, and -could not let slip this chance of telling them what Mr. -Fawcett’s example had done for my friend.”’</p> - -<p class='c007'>May his example continue ceaselessly to help, and -may this little book make his story more widely known, -so that those who sit in darkness may see the light -which his keen spirit saw—and seeing, choose the nobler -part.</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003' /> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_335'>335</span> - <h2 class='c005'>INDEX</h2> -</div> - -<ul class='index c001'> - <li class='c050'>Aberdeen, Fawcett at, <a href='#Page_144'>144</a>, <a href='#Page_167'>167</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Abolition of Slavery, <a href='#Page_5'>5</a>, <a href='#Page_76'>76</a>, <a href='#Page_77'>77</a>, <a href='#Page_120'>120</a>, <a href='#Page_157'>157</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Afghanistan, position of, <a href='#Page_242'>242</a>-4.</li> - <li class='c050'>Agriculture, Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_169'>169</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'><i>Aids to Thrift</i>, Fawcett’s, <a href='#Page_276'>276</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Aldeburgh, the Garrett family of, <a href='#Page_130'>130</a>, <a href='#Page_301'>301</a>; - <ul> - <li>memorial to Fawcett in, <a href='#Page_333'>333</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Alderbury, Fawcett at, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a>, <a href='#Page_36'>36</a>, <a href='#Page_132'>132</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>American Civil War, the, Fawcett’s interest in, <a href='#Page_101'>101</a>, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>, <a href='#Page_145'>145</a>, <a href='#Page_155'>155</a>, <a href='#Page_157'>157</a>, <a href='#Page_162'>162</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Ancient Mariners, the, <a href='#Page_85'>85</a>, <a href='#Page_86'>86</a>, <a href='#Page_262'>262</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Anderson, Dr. Garrett, <a href='#Page_334'>334</a>; - <ul> - <li>her interest in the Post Office, <a href='#Page_257'>257</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Anecdotage, Fawcett’s love of, <a href='#Page_91'>91</a>, <a href='#Page_98'>98</a>, <a href='#Page_99'>99</a>, <a href='#Page_171'>171</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Angling, Fawcett’s love of, <a href='#Page_17'>17</a>, <a href='#Page_60'>60</a>-63, <a href='#Page_67'>67</a>, <a href='#Page_268'>268</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Austen, Jane, novels of, <a href='#Page_92'>92</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Australia, Fawcett on future of, <a href='#Page_38'>38</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Avebury, Lord, accompanies Fawcett on his honeymoon, <a href='#Page_131'>131</a>, <a href='#Page_132'>132</a>; - <ul> - <li>his friendship with Fawcett, xiii, xv, <a href='#Page_97'>97</a>, <a href='#Page_147'>147</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c001'>Babylon, <a href='#Page_15'>15</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Bach, Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_302'>302</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Ballot Act, Fawcett on the, <a href='#Page_175'>175</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Balmoral, Fawcett at, <a href='#Page_292'>292</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Bateman, Bishop, founder of Trinity Hall, <a href='#Page_86'>86</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Beaconsfield, Lord, Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_38'>38</a>, <a href='#Page_168'>168</a>, <a href='#Page_231'>231</a>, <a href='#Page_242'>242</a>; - <ul> - <li>leads the Conservative party, <a href='#Page_161'>161</a>, <a href='#Page_164'>164</a>, <a href='#Page_236'>236</a>, <a href='#Page_239'>239</a>, <a href='#Page_242'>242</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Beck, Dr., master of Trinity Hall, xv.</li> - <li class='c050'>Bengal, famine in, <a href='#Page_236'>236</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Bethnal Green, Fawcett at, <a href='#Page_243'>243</a>, <a href='#Page_306'>306</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Billiards, Fawcett plays, <a href='#Page_27'>27</a>, <a href='#Page_28'>28</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Blackheath, Fawcett at, <a href='#Page_167'>167</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Blackwood, Sir Arthur, on Fawcett, <a href='#Page_279'>279</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Blind, Fawcett’s alms to the, <a href='#Page_71'>71</a>; - <ul> - <li>literature for the, <a href='#Page_68'>68</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Blindness, as a spur, <a href='#Page_65'>65</a>; - <ul> - <li>Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_45'>45</a>, <a href='#Page_66'>66</a>-69, <a href='#Page_100'>100</a>, <a href='#Page_149'>149</a>, <a href='#Page_154'>154</a>, <a href='#Page_306'>306</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Blue ribbon, Fawcett on the, <a href='#Page_264'>264</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Bombay, honour to Fawcett in, <a href='#Page_323'>323</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Bond, Dr. Henry, xv.</li> - <li class='c050'>Bowles, Richard, <a href='#Page_319'>319</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Bradford, Fawcett at, <a href='#Page_120'>120</a>, <a href='#Page_145'>145</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Braille, never mastered by Fawcett, <a href='#Page_51'>51</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Bright, John, advises Fawcett, <a href='#Page_146'>146</a>; - <ul> - <li>advocates peace, <a href='#Page_32'>32</a>;</li> - <li>apostle of Free Trade, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a>, <a href='#Page_19'>19</a>;</li> - <li>Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_38'>38</a>, <a href='#Page_103'>103</a>, <a href='#Page_160'>160</a>;</li> - <li>on the Reform Bill, <a href='#Page_162'>162</a>, <a href='#Page_164'>164</a>;</li> - <li>revered in America, <a href='#Page_102'>102</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Brighton, Fawcett at, <a href='#Page_56'>56</a>, <a href='#Page_133'>133</a>; - <ul> - <li>Fawcett contests, <a href='#Page_153'>153</a>-9, <a href='#Page_166'>166</a>, <a href='#Page_170'>170</a>, <a href='#Page_227'>227</a>, <a href='#Page_230'>230</a>, <a href='#Page_232'>232</a>;</li> - <li>Fawcett M.P. for, <a href='#Page_126'>126</a>, <a href='#Page_131'>131</a>, <a href='#Page_139'>139</a>, <a href='#Page_159'>159</a>, <a href='#Page_166'>166</a>, <a href='#Page_168'>168</a>, <a href='#Page_170'>170</a>, <a href='#Page_174'>174</a>, <a href='#Page_222'>222</a>, <a href='#Page_225'>225</a>, <a href='#Page_227'>227</a>, <a href='#Page_320'>320</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'><i>Brighton Election Reporter, the</i>, <a href='#Page_155'>155</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>British Association, the, <a href='#Page_168'>168</a>; - <ul> - <li>at Aberdeen, <a href='#Page_144'>144</a>, <a href='#Page_167'>167</a>;</li> - <li>at Manchester, <a href='#Page_95'>95</a>;</li> - <li>at Oxford, <a href='#Page_92'>92</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Brompton Cemetery, <a href='#Page_123'>123</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Brougham, Lord, Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_145'>145</a>; - <ul> - <li>introduces Fawcett, <a href='#Page_146'>146</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Brown, attendant, <a href='#Page_78'>78</a>, <a href='#Page_144'>144</a>, <a href='#Page_192'>192</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'><span class='pageno' id='Page_336'>336</span>Brown, George, <a href='#Page_319'>319</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Browning, E. B., <a href='#Page_204'>204</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Bryce, James, Viscount, on Fawcett, vii-xi, xv; - <ul> - <li>supported by Fawcett, <a href='#Page_213'>213</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Buckingham Palace, Fawcett at, <a href='#Page_292'>292</a>-295.</li> - <li class='c050'>Bulgarian atrocities, the, <a href='#Page_239'>239</a>-43.</li> - <li class='c050'>Burke, Edmund, <a href='#Page_92'>92</a>, <a href='#Page_320'>320</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Burt, Rt. Hon. Thomas, on Fawcett, <a href='#Page_232'>232</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Bute, Lord, <a href='#Page_308'>308</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Byron, Lord, <a href='#Page_48'>48</a>.</li> - <li class='c001'>Cabmen, Fawcett’s friends among, <a href='#Page_198'>198</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Cabul, Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_243'>243</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Cairnes, Professor, his friendship with Fawcett, <a href='#Page_167'>167</a>, <a href='#Page_169'>169</a>, <a href='#Page_179'>179</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Calcutta, gratitude to Fawcett in, <a href='#Page_222'>222</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Cambridge, boat race, <a href='#Page_212'>212</a>; - <ul> - <li>Fawcett as a Fellow in, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a>, <a href='#Page_59'>59</a>, <a href='#Page_60'>60</a>, <a href='#Page_75'>75</a>-91, <a href='#Page_104'>104</a>, <a href='#Page_112'>112</a>;</li> - <li>Fawcett as a professor in, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a>-115, <a href='#Page_126'>126</a>, <a href='#Page_138'>138</a>, <a href='#Page_153'>153</a>, <a href='#Page_156'>156</a>, <a href='#Page_227'>227</a>, <a href='#Page_250'>250</a>, <a href='#Page_267'>267</a>, <a href='#Page_299'>299</a>, <a href='#Page_309'>309</a>, <a href='#Page_321'>321</a>, <a href='#Page_331'>331</a>;</li> - <li>Fawcett as an undergraduate in, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a>-33;</li> - <li>Fawcett contests, <a href='#Page_106'>106</a>, <a href='#Page_152'>152</a>, <a href='#Page_153'>153</a>;</li> - <li>Fawcett on society in, <a href='#Page_89'>89</a>;</li> - <li>position of women at, <a href='#Page_136'>136</a>, <a href='#Page_291'>291</a>;</li> - <li>the Union, <a href='#Page_32'>32</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Campbell, Lady, <a href='#Page_69'>69</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>—— Robert, xv.</li> - <li class='c050'>—— Sir Francis, xv; - <ul> - <li> - <ul> - <li> - <ul> - <li>his work for the blind, <a href='#Page_66'>66</a>, <a href='#Page_69'>69</a>, <a href='#Page_70'>70</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - </ul> - </li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Cardin, Mr. postal official, <a href='#Page_276'>276</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Cards, Fawcett plays, <a href='#Page_56'>56</a>, <a href='#Page_302'>302</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Carlyle, Thomas, on political economy, <a href='#Page_117'>117</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Cattle-plague, Fawcett on the, <a href='#Page_165'>165</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Chamberlain, Joseph, Fawcett votes against, <a href='#Page_211'>211</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Charles II., King, <a href='#Page_194'>194</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Chartism, <a href='#Page_20'>20</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Chesterfield, Lord, <a href='#Page_87'>87</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Chetwynd, Mr. postal official, <a href='#Page_276'>276</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Children’s Acts, Fawcett on the, <a href='#Page_165'>165</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Choate, Hon. J. H., xv.</li> - <li class='c050'>Church rates, abolition of, <a href='#Page_148'>148</a>, <a href='#Page_152'>152</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Cicero, quoted, <a href='#Page_18'>18</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Cima di Jazzi, Fawcett climbs, <a href='#Page_57'>57</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Civil Pension List, <a href='#Page_282'>282</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Clarendon, Fawcett at, <a href='#Page_309'>309</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Clarke of Cambridge, <a href='#Page_107'>107</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Clifford, M. & F., <a href='#Page_319'>319</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>—— Professor, Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_281'>281</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Club for Workmen, Fawcett, <a href='#Page_121'>121</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Cobden, Richard, apostle of Free Trade, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a>, <a href='#Page_19'>19</a>; - <ul> - <li>Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_159'>159</a>;</li> - <li>visits Fawcett, <a href='#Page_88'>88</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Common Lands, Fawcett’s defence of, <a href='#Page_185'>185</a>, <a href='#Page_194'>194</a>-213, <a href='#Page_289'>289</a>, <a href='#Page_303'>303</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Commons Preservation Society, the, Fawcett as member of, ix, <a href='#Page_194'>194</a>, <a href='#Page_196'>196</a>, <a href='#Page_199'>199</a>, <a href='#Page_200'>200</a>, <a href='#Page_208'>208</a>, <a href='#Page_211'>211</a>, <a href='#Page_213'>213</a>, <a href='#Page_266'>266</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Congreve’s rockets, <a href='#Page_14'>14</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Cooper, Mary, marries William Fawcett, <a href='#Page_5'>5</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Co-operation, Fawcett advocates, <a href='#Page_117'>117</a>-120, <a href='#Page_231'>231</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Cornish mines, Fawcett’s, <a href='#Page_151'>151</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Corpus Christi Library, <a href='#Page_244'>244</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Courtney, Lord, candidate for professorship, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a>; - <ul> - <li>his friendship with Fawcett, xv, <a href='#Page_167'>167</a>, <a href='#Page_192'>192</a>, <a href='#Page_288'>288</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Courtney, Lady, xv, <a href='#Page_312'>312</a>, <a href='#Page_313'>313</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Cowper Temple, Mr., his motion <i>re</i> Epping Forest, <a href='#Page_200'>200</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Cox, Harry, Charles and William, <a href='#Page_319'>319</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Crimean War, the, <a href='#Page_32'>32</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Critchett, oculist, <a href='#Page_35'>35</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Cross, Lord, as Home Secretary, <a href='#Page_208'>208</a>.</li> - <li class='c001'>Dale, Sir Alfred, xv.</li> - <li class='c050'>Darwin, Charles, defended by Fawcett, <a href='#Page_94'>94</a>-97; - <ul> - <li>his friendship with Fawcett, <a href='#Page_97'>97</a>, <a href='#Page_126'>126</a>, <a href='#Page_168'>168</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Delhi, Empire proclaimed in, <a href='#Page_236'>236</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Devonshire, Duke of, announces Fawcett’s death, <a href='#Page_313'>313</a>; - <ul> - <li>as Liberal Leader, <a href='#Page_235'>235</a>, <a href='#Page_252'>252</a>;</li> - <li>as Postmaster-General, <a href='#Page_250'>250</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Dickens, Charles, his novels, <a href='#Page_139'>139</a>, <a href='#Page_310'>310</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'><span class='pageno' id='Page_337'>337</span>Disestablishment, Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_106'>106</a>, <a href='#Page_153'>153</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Disraeli. <i>See</i> Beaconsfield.</li> - <li class='c050'>Docwra, originates the penny post, <a href='#Page_271'>271</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Doulton, Sir Henry, his memorial to Fawcett, <a href='#Page_332'>332</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Downe, Darwin at, <a href='#Page_97'>97</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Dryhurst, F. J., Fawcett’s secretary, xv, <a href='#Page_265'>265</a>, <a href='#Page_268'>268</a>, <a href='#Page_306'>306</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Dublin, <a href='#Page_167'>167</a>; Trinity College, <a href='#Page_177'>177</a>, <a href='#Page_178'>178</a>.</li> - <li class='c001'>East India Company, <a href='#Page_17'>17</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Eddy, Charles, <a href='#Page_319'>319</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Edinburgh, Duke of, in India, <a href='#Page_221'>221</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Edmonston, Mr., opens Queenwood College, <a href='#Page_9'>9</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Education, National, Fawcett advocates, <a href='#Page_32'>32</a>, <a href='#Page_119'>119</a>, <a href='#Page_171'>171</a>, <a href='#Page_174'>174</a>, <a href='#Page_236'>236</a>, <a href='#Page_289'>289</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Edward <span class='fss'>VII.</span>, his interest in Fawcett, <a href='#Page_292'>292</a>, <a href='#Page_317'>317</a>; - <ul> - <li>in India, <a href='#Page_235'>235</a>;</li> - <li>knights Dr. Campbell, <a href='#Page_66'>66</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Egyptian question, Fawcett on the, <a href='#Page_282'>282</a>, <a href='#Page_283'>283</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Electioneering experiences, Fawcett’s, <a href='#Page_146'>146</a>-159.</li> - <li class='c050'>Eliot, George, her interest in Fawcett, <a href='#Page_118'>118</a>; - <ul> - <li>her novels, <a href='#Page_92'>92</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Ely Cathedral, <a href='#Page_81'>81</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Enclosure Bills, the, <a href='#Page_187'>187</a>-91, <a href='#Page_201'>201</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Epping Forest, saved for the nation, <a href='#Page_187'>187</a>, <a href='#Page_194'>194</a>-201.</li> - <li class='c050'>Evans, F. de Grasse, xv.</li> - <li class='c050'>Eversley, Lord, as Postmaster-General, <a href='#Page_258'>258</a>, <a href='#Page_310'>310</a>; - <ul> - <li>his Bill <i>re</i> Common Lands, <a href='#Page_208'>208</a>, <a href='#Page_209'>209</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Evolution, Fawcett’s defence of, <a href='#Page_94'>94</a>-97.</li> - <li class='c050'>Exeter Hall, Fawcett at, <a href='#Page_239'>239</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Exhibition of 1851, the, <a href='#Page_20'>20</a>.</li> - <li class='c001'>Factory Acts, Fawcett on the, <a href='#Page_165'>165</a>, <a href='#Page_236'>236</a>, <a href='#Page_289'>289</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Fawcett, Henry, his blindness, vii, xiv, <a href='#Page_43'>43</a>-71, <a href='#Page_111'>111</a>, <a href='#Page_149'>149</a>, <a href='#Page_154'>154</a>, <a href='#Page_229'>229</a>, <a href='#Page_240'>240</a>, <a href='#Page_251'>251</a>, <a href='#Page_306'>306</a>, <a href='#Page_326'>326</a>; - <ul> - <li>his cheerful courage, vii, xi, <a href='#Page_44'>44</a>, <a href='#Page_273'>273</a>, <a href='#Page_305'>305</a>, <a href='#Page_309'>309</a>, <a href='#Page_325'>325</a>, <a href='#Page_334'>334</a>;</li> - <li>his love of riding, viii, <a href='#Page_59'>59</a>, <a href='#Page_60'>60</a>, <a href='#Page_68'>68</a>, <a href='#Page_229'>229</a>;</li> - <li>his mental powers, ix, <a href='#Page_29'>29</a>, <a href='#Page_91'>91</a>, <a href='#Page_173'>173</a>;</li> - <li>his endeavours to save Common Lands, ix, <a href='#Page_185'>185</a>-214;</li> - <li>his biography, xiii, xv;</li> - <li>his birth, <a href='#Page_5'>5</a>;</li> - <li>his early questions on economy, <a href='#Page_6'>6</a>, <a href='#Page_10'>10</a>, <a href='#Page_81'>81</a>;</li> - <li>his schooldays, <a href='#Page_6'>6</a>-21;</li> - <li>his love of fishing, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a>, <a href='#Page_17'>17</a>, <a href='#Page_60'>60</a>-63, <a href='#Page_67'>67</a>, <a href='#Page_104'>104</a>, <a href='#Page_268'>268</a>;</li> - <li>influenced by Cobden and Bright, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a>, <a href='#Page_19'>19</a>;</li> - <li>his diary, <a href='#Page_9'>9</a>;</li> - <li>his oratory, <a href='#Page_10'>10</a>, <a href='#Page_31'>31</a>, <a href='#Page_32'>32</a>, <a href='#Page_143'>143</a>, <a href='#Page_163'>163</a>;</li> - <li>his boyish lectures and essays, <a href='#Page_11'>11</a>-17;</li> - <li>in London, <a href='#Page_17'>17</a>, <a href='#Page_19'>19</a>, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a>, <a href='#Page_137'>137</a>, <a href='#Page_197'>197</a>, <a href='#Page_235'>235</a>, <a href='#Page_332'>332</a>;</li> - <li>his ambition to enter Parliament, <a href='#Page_18'>18</a>, <a href='#Page_19'>19</a>, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a>, <a href='#Page_36'>36</a>-38, <a href='#Page_45'>45</a>, <a href='#Page_46'>46</a>, <a href='#Page_75'>75</a>, <a href='#Page_82'>82</a>, <a href='#Page_111'>111</a>, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>, <a href='#Page_143'>143</a>-59;</li> - <li>as an undergraduate at Cambridge, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a>-33;</li> - <li>his friendship with Stephen, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a>, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a>, <a href='#Page_78'>78</a>;</li> - <li>his personal appearance, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a>-27, <a href='#Page_76'>76</a>, <a href='#Page_103'>103</a>, <a href='#Page_129'>129</a>, <a href='#Page_163'>163</a>, <a href='#Page_197'>197</a>, <a href='#Page_223'>223</a>;</li> - <li>his skill in games, <a href='#Page_27'>27</a>;</li> - <li>his talent for friendship, <a href='#Page_29'>29</a>, <a href='#Page_31'>31</a>, <a href='#Page_84'>84</a>, <a href='#Page_85'>85</a>, <a href='#Page_132'>132</a>;</li> - <li>his love for political economy, <a href='#Page_29'>29</a>, <a href='#Page_61'>61</a>, <a href='#Page_81'>81</a>, <a href='#Page_101'>101</a>;</li> - <li>his anxiety for his health, <a href='#Page_30'>30</a>, <a href='#Page_52'>52</a>, <a href='#Page_268'>268</a>, <a href='#Page_307'>307</a>;</li> - <li>advocates national education, <a href='#Page_32'>32</a>, <a href='#Page_119'>119</a>, <a href='#Page_171'>171</a>, <a href='#Page_174'>174</a>, <a href='#Page_236'>236</a>, <a href='#Page_289'>289</a>;</li> - <li>his Fellowship, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a>, <a href='#Page_78'>78</a>, <a href='#Page_82'>82</a>, <a href='#Page_87'>87</a>;</li> - <li>studies law, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a>;</li> - <li>his eyesight fails, <a href='#Page_34'>34</a>-39;</li> - <li>his radicalism, <a href='#Page_34'>34</a>, <a href='#Page_83'>83</a>, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a>, <a href='#Page_106'>106</a>, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>, <a href='#Page_138'>138</a>, <a href='#Page_148'>148</a>, <a href='#Page_153'>153</a>, <a href='#Page_161'>161</a>, <a href='#Page_165'>165</a>, <a href='#Page_166'>166</a>, <a href='#Page_174'>174</a>-81;</li> - <li>visits Paris, <a href='#Page_35'>35</a>;</li> - <li>his ideals, <a href='#Page_37'>37</a>, <a href='#Page_284'>284</a>;</li> - <li>his interest in social questions, <a href='#Page_38'>38</a>, <a href='#Page_117'>117</a>, <a href='#Page_121'>121</a>-4, <a href='#Page_165'>165</a>, <a href='#Page_236'>236</a>, <a href='#Page_283'>283</a>;</li> - <li>his interest in Indian finance, <a href='#Page_38'>38</a>, <a href='#Page_166'>166</a>, <a href='#Page_177'>177</a>, <a href='#Page_217'>217</a>-27, <a href='#Page_230'>230</a>, <a href='#Page_233'>233</a>, <a href='#Page_235'>235</a>-8, <a href='#Page_242'>242</a>-6, <a href='#Page_331'>331</a>;</li> - <li>is accidentally blinded, <a href='#Page_43'>43</a>;</li> - <li>his love of walking, <a href='#Page_49'>49</a>, <a href='#Page_57'>57</a>, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a>, <a href='#Page_81'>81</a>, <a href='#Page_125'>125</a>, <a href='#Page_238'>238</a>;</li> - <li>his tailor, <a href='#Page_52'>52</a>, <a href='#Page_77'>77</a>;</li> - <li>his memory, <a href='#Page_55'>55</a>, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a>, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>, <a href='#Page_128'>128</a>, <a href='#Page_144'>144</a>, <a href='#Page_191'>191</a>, <a href='#Page_225'>225</a>, <a href='#Page_233'>233</a>, <a href='#Page_238'>238</a>, <a href='#Page_297'>297</a>;</li> - <li>his love of skating, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a>, <a href='#Page_68'>68</a>, <a href='#Page_88'>88</a>, <a href='#Page_171'>171</a>, <a href='#Page_192'>192</a>, <a href='#Page_193'>193</a>, <a href='#Page_210'>210</a>;</li> - <li>as Postmaster General, <a href='#Page_70'>70</a>, <a href='#Page_211'>211</a>, <a href='#Page_244'>244</a>, <a href='#Page_249'>249</a>-83, <a href='#Page_289'>289</a>, <a href='#Page_296'>296</a>, <a href='#Page_304'>304</a>, <a href='#Page_308'>308</a>, <a href='#Page_331'>331</a>;</li> - <li>compared with Lincoln, <a href='#Page_76'>76</a>, <a href='#Page_77'>77</a>, <a href='#Page_102'>102</a>, <a href='#Page_103'>103</a>, <a href='#Page_245'>245</a>, <a href='#Page_259'>259</a>, <a href='#Page_260'>260</a>;</li> - <li>his love of freedom, <a href='#Page_76'>76</a>, <a href='#Page_157'>157</a>, <a href='#Page_236'>236</a>;</li> - <li>his love of rowing, <a href='#Page_85'>85</a>;</li> - <li>evades bores, <a href='#Page_89'>89</a>, <a href='#Page_192'>192</a>, <a href='#Page_296'>296</a>;</li> - <li>his life in Cambridge, <a href='#Page_82'>82</a>, <a href='#Page_87'>87</a>, <a href='#Page_90'>90</a>;</li> - <li><span class='pageno' id='Page_338'>338</span>his conversational powers, <a href='#Page_91'>91</a>, <a href='#Page_98'>98</a>, <a href='#Page_129'>129</a>;</li> - <li>his sociability, <a href='#Page_91'>91</a>, <a href='#Page_98'>98</a>, <a href='#Page_144'>144</a>, <a href='#Page_171'>171</a>, <a href='#Page_292'>292</a>, <a href='#Page_295'>295</a>;</li> - <li>addresses the British Association, <a href='#Page_92'>92</a>, <a href='#Page_144'>144</a>, <a href='#Page_167'>167</a>;</li> - <li>defends Darwin, <a href='#Page_94'>94</a>;</li> - <li>his love of home life, <a href='#Page_97'>97</a>-99, <a href='#Page_204'>204</a>, <a href='#Page_209'>209</a>-211, <a href='#Page_234'>234</a>, <a href='#Page_291'>291</a>, <a href='#Page_297'>297</a>-9, <a href='#Page_303'>303</a>;</li> - <li>his friendship with Mill, <a href='#Page_99'>99</a>;</li> - <li>his sympathy with the Federalists, <a href='#Page_102'>102</a>, <a href='#Page_145'>145</a>, <a href='#Page_155'>155</a>;</li> - <li>portraits of, <a href='#Page_103'>103</a>, <a href='#Page_137'>137</a>;</li> - <li>his <i>Manual of Political Economy</i>, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a>, <a href='#Page_218'>218</a>, <a href='#Page_303'>303</a>, <a href='#Page_324'>324</a>;</li> - <li>as Professor of Political Economy, <a href='#Page_106'>106</a>-117, <a href='#Page_126'>126</a>, <a href='#Page_144'>144</a>, <a href='#Page_153'>153</a>, <a href='#Page_156'>156</a>, <a href='#Page_186'>186</a>, <a href='#Page_299'>299</a>, <a href='#Page_309'>309</a>, <a href='#Page_321'>321</a>, <a href='#Page_331'>331</a>;</li> - <li>contests Cambridge, <a href='#Page_106'>106</a>, <a href='#Page_152'>152</a>;</li> - <li>his <i>Free Trade and Protection</i>, <a href='#Page_115'>115</a>;</li> - <li>as an M.P., <a href='#Page_122'>122</a>, <a href='#Page_125'>125</a>, <a href='#Page_138'>138</a>, <a href='#Page_149'>149</a>, <a href='#Page_160'>160</a>-7, <a href='#Page_174'>174</a>, <a href='#Page_176'>176</a>, <a href='#Page_188'>188</a>-192, <a href='#Page_232'>232</a>, <a href='#Page_265'>265</a>, <a href='#Page_299'>299</a>, <a href='#Page_304'>304</a>;</li> - <li>elected to the Reform Club, <a href='#Page_127'>127</a>;</li> - <li>his marriage, <a href='#Page_130'>130</a>-2;</li> - <li>his wife’s companionship, <a href='#Page_133'>133</a>, <a href='#Page_209'>209</a>, <a href='#Page_239'>239</a>, <a href='#Page_290'>290</a>-2, <a href='#Page_307'>307</a>, <a href='#Page_310'>310</a>;</li> - <li>advocates Woman Suffrage, <a href='#Page_133'>133</a>, <a href='#Page_135'>135</a>-7, <a href='#Page_165'>165</a>, <a href='#Page_289'>289</a>, <a href='#Page_290'>290</a>;</li> - <li>contests Brighton, <a href='#Page_139'>139</a>, <a href='#Page_153'>153</a>-9, <a href='#Page_166'>166</a>, <a href='#Page_170'>170</a>, <a href='#Page_227'>227</a>, <a href='#Page_230'>230</a>, <a href='#Page_232'>232</a>;</li> - <li>as M.P. for Brighton, <a href='#Page_126'>126</a>, <a href='#Page_131'>131</a>, <a href='#Page_139'>139</a>, <a href='#Page_159'>159</a>, <a href='#Page_166'>166</a>, <a href='#Page_168'>168</a>, <a href='#Page_170'>170</a>, <a href='#Page_174'>174</a>, <a href='#Page_222'>222</a>, <a href='#Page_225'>225</a>, <a href='#Page_227'>227</a>, <a href='#Page_320'>320</a>;</li> - <li>his love of salt, <a href='#Page_140'>140</a>;</li> - <li>his campaign in Southwark, <a href='#Page_146'>146</a>-50;</li> - <li>his flutter on the Stock Exchange, <a href='#Page_151'>151</a>;</li> - <li>his intractability, <a href='#Page_176'>176</a>, <a href='#Page_189'>189</a>;</li> - <li>opposes the ministry, <a href='#Page_176'>176</a>-81;</li> - <li>his hair cut, <a href='#Page_203'>203</a>;</li> - <li>his love of being read to, <a href='#Page_204'>204</a>, <a href='#Page_239'>239</a>, <a href='#Page_307'>307</a>;</li> - <li>as M.P. for Hackney, <a href='#Page_230'>230</a>-2, <a href='#Page_243'>243</a>, <a href='#Page_310'>310</a>;</li> - <li>advocates peace, <a href='#Page_242'>242</a>;</li> - <li>his handshaking proclivity, <a href='#Page_253'>253</a>, <a href='#Page_254'>254</a>;</li> - <li>his temperance, <a href='#Page_264'>264</a>;</li> - <li>his sense of fairness, <a href='#Page_287'>287</a>;</li> - <li>his chivalry, <a href='#Page_289'>289</a>;</li> - <li>his illness, <a href='#Page_300'>300</a>;</li> - <li>his honorary degrees, <a href='#Page_308'>308</a>;</li> - <li>his death, <a href='#Page_311'>311</a>, <a href='#Page_312'>312</a>;</li> - <li>tributes to, <a href='#Page_312'>312</a>-334.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Fawcett, Mrs., mother of Henry, <a href='#Page_5'>5</a>, <a href='#Page_44'>44</a>, <a href='#Page_98'>98</a>, <a href='#Page_107'>107</a>, <a href='#Page_160'>160</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>—— Mrs. Henry, advocates Woman Suffrage, <a href='#Page_133'>133</a>, <a href='#Page_135'>135</a>-7; - <ul> - <li>her accident at Brighton, <a href='#Page_133'>133</a>;</li> - <li>her marriage, <a href='#Page_130'>130</a>-3;</li> - <li>her necklace from India, <a href='#Page_245'>245</a>;</li> - <li>her portrait, <a href='#Page_137'>137</a>;</li> - <li>on her husband, <a href='#Page_171'>171</a>;</li> - <li>shares her husband’s interests, <a href='#Page_209'>209</a>, <a href='#Page_239'>239</a>, <a href='#Page_290'>290</a>-2, <a href='#Page_307'>307</a>, <a href='#Page_310'>310</a>;</li> - <li>sympathy shown to, <a href='#Page_319'>319</a>-21.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Fawcett, Philippa, daughter of Henry Fawcett, <a href='#Page_210'>210</a>, <a href='#Page_291'>291</a>, <a href='#Page_311'>311</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>—— Sarah Maria, sister of Henry Fawcett, <a href='#Page_6'>6</a>, <a href='#Page_35'>35</a>, <a href='#Page_39'>39</a>, <a href='#Page_44'>44</a>-51, <a href='#Page_107'>107</a>, <a href='#Page_161'>161</a>, <a href='#Page_204'>204</a>, <a href='#Page_222'>222</a>, <a href='#Page_297'>297</a>, <a href='#Page_303'>303</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>—— Thomas Cooper, <a href='#Page_6'>6</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>—— William, as Mayor of Salisbury, <a href='#Page_3'>3</a>-5; - <ul> - <li>causes his son’s blindness, <a href='#Page_43'>43</a>-45;</li> - <li>death of, <a href='#Page_318'>318</a>;</li> - <li>encourages his son, <a href='#Page_10'>10</a>;</li> - <li>Gladstone’s letter to, <a href='#Page_317'>317</a>;</li> - <li>his Cornish mines, <a href='#Page_152'>152</a>;</li> - <li>his marriage, <a href='#Page_5'>5</a>;</li> - <li>his memory of Waterloo, <a href='#Page_3'>3</a>;</li> - <li>his son’s affection for, <a href='#Page_298'>298</a>;</li> - <li>sends his son to Cambridge, <a href='#Page_21'>21</a>, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a>, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a>;</li> - <li>supports his son’s elections, <a href='#Page_153'>153</a>, <a href='#Page_158'>158</a>, <a href='#Page_160'>160</a>, <a href='#Page_232'>232</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>—— —— junior, <a href='#Page_6'>6</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>—— scholarship, the, <a href='#Page_323'>323</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Fearon, Mr. and Mrs., Fawcett lives with, <a href='#Page_19'>19</a>, <a href='#Page_20'>20</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Fishing, Fawcett’s love of, <a href='#Page_17'>17</a>, <a href='#Page_60'>60</a>-63, <a href='#Page_67'>67</a>, <a href='#Page_268'>268</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Flunkeyism, Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_139'>139</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Forster family, the, <a href='#Page_107'>107</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'><i>Fortnightly Review, The</i>, Fawcett’s articles in, <a href='#Page_176'>176</a>, <a href='#Page_201'>201</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Franchise, Fawcett on the, <a href='#Page_135'>135</a>, <a href='#Page_153'>153</a>, <a href='#Page_158'>158</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Free Trade, Cobden and Bright’s campaign for, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a>, <a href='#Page_19'>19</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'><i>Free Trade and Protection</i>, Fawcett’s, <a href='#Page_115'>115</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Freedom, Fawcett’s love of, <a href='#Page_133'>133</a>, <a href='#Page_135'>135</a>-7, <a href='#Page_157'>157</a>.</li> - <li class='c001'>Gambling, Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_28'>28</a>, <a href='#Page_151'>151</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Garibaldi, in America, <a href='#Page_20'>20</a>; - <ul> - <li>in London, <a href='#Page_157'>157</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Garrett, Millicent, her marriage, <a href='#Page_130'>130</a>-3.</li> - <li class='c050'>Germany, evolution in, <a href='#Page_96'>96</a>; - <ul> - <li>sends an official to the Post Office, <a href='#Page_269'>269</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'><span class='pageno' id='Page_339'>339</span>Gladstone, William Ewart, as Liberal leader, <a href='#Page_161'>161</a>, <a href='#Page_164'>164</a>, <a href='#Page_167'>167</a>, <a href='#Page_173'>173</a>, <a href='#Page_179'>179</a>-81, <a href='#Page_235'>235</a>, <a href='#Page_243'>243</a>, <a href='#Page_259'>259</a>, <a href='#Page_281'>281</a>; - <ul> - <li>endorses Fawcett’s policy in preserving Commons, <a href='#Page_199'>199</a>;</li> - <li>Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_38'>38</a>, <a href='#Page_231'>231</a>, <a href='#Page_282'>282</a>;</li> - <li>his eulogy of Fawcett, <a href='#Page_314'>314</a>, <a href='#Page_317'>317</a>;</li> - <li>his Indian policy, <a href='#Page_221'>221</a>, <a href='#Page_236'>236</a>, <a href='#Page_243'>243</a>, <a href='#Page_244'>244</a>;</li> - <li>his Irish policy, <a href='#Page_282'>282</a>, <a href='#Page_283'>283</a>;</li> - <li>offers Fawcett Postmaster-Generalship, <a href='#Page_250'>250</a>-3;</li> - <li>on Bulgaria, <a href='#Page_239'>239</a>, <a href='#Page_241'>241</a>, <a href='#Page_242'>242</a>;</li> - <li>on Professor Clifford, <a href='#Page_281'>281</a>;</li> - <li>portrait of, <a href='#Page_103'>103</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Glasgow University, elects Fawcett as Rector, <a href='#Page_308'>308</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Gog Magog hills, the, <a href='#Page_81'>81</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Granville, Lady, Fawcett visits, <a href='#Page_292'>292</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Guildford postal arrangements, <a href='#Page_263'>263</a>.</li> - <li class='c001'>Hackney, Fawcett M.P. for, <a href='#Page_230'>230</a>-2, <a href='#Page_243'>243</a>, <a href='#Page_310'>310</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Hampstead Heath, <a href='#Page_187'>187</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Harcourt, Sir William, as an orator, <a href='#Page_31'>31</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Harmony Hall, <a href='#Page_9'>9</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Harnham, <a href='#Page_99'>99</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Harnham Hill, Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_43'>43</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Harris, Mrs., <a href='#Page_6'>6</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Hartington, Lord. <i>See</i> Devonshire.</li> - <li class='c050'>Helvellyn, Fawcett climbs, <a href='#Page_57'>57</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Henry Fawcett Club for Workmen, the, <a href='#Page_121'>121</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Herschel’s philosophy, <a href='#Page_47'>47</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Hill, Sir Roland, advocates parcel post, <a href='#Page_271'>271</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Hodding, Mrs., Fawcett’s letter to, <a href='#Page_36'>36</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Holland, evolution in, <a href='#Page_96'>96</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Home Rule, Fawcett opposes, <a href='#Page_283'>283</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Hooker, Sir Joseph, Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_168'>168</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Hope, Beresford, on Fawcett, <a href='#Page_314'>314</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Hopkins, Mr., his friendship with Fawcett, <a href='#Page_31'>31</a>, <a href='#Page_47'>47</a>-49.</li> - <li class='c050'>House of Commons, the, Fawcett’s ambition to enter, <a href='#Page_18'>18</a>, <a href='#Page_19'>19</a>, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a>, <a href='#Page_36'>36</a>-38, <a href='#Page_45'>45</a>, <a href='#Page_46'>46</a>, <a href='#Page_75'>75</a>, <a href='#Page_82'>82</a>, <a href='#Page_111'>111</a>, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>, <a href='#Page_143'>143</a>-59; - <ul> - <li>Fawcett as a member of, <a href='#Page_122'>122</a>, <a href='#Page_125'>125</a>, <a href='#Page_138'>138</a>, <a href='#Page_149'>149</a>, <a href='#Page_160'>160</a>-7, <a href='#Page_174'>174</a>, <a href='#Page_176'>176</a>, <a href='#Page_188'>188</a>-92, <a href='#Page_265'>265</a>, <a href='#Page_299'>299</a>, <a href='#Page_304'>304</a>;</li> - <li>Ladies’ gallery, <a href='#Page_64'>64</a>;</li> - <li>mourns Fawcett’s loss, <a href='#Page_313'>313</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Housing Bills, Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_236'>236</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'><i>Howe</i>, H.M.S., <a href='#Page_9'>9</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Hughes, Tom., introduces Fawcett to the House, <a href='#Page_160'>160</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Hunter, Sir Robert, as Solicitor to the Post Office, <a href='#Page_266'>266</a>; - <ul> - <li>on Fawcett, xv, <a href='#Page_191'>191</a>, <a href='#Page_197'>197</a>, <a href='#Page_262'>262</a>, <a href='#Page_266'>266</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Huxley, Professor, as a Radical, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>; - <ul> - <li>visits Fawcett, <a href='#Page_89'>89</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c001'>Ibbesley, Fawcett at, <a href='#Page_205'>205</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Iddesleigh, Lord, on Fawcett, <a href='#Page_313'>313</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Immigration, Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_145'>145</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Income Tax, Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_231'>231</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>India, famine in, <a href='#Page_236'>236</a>; - <ul> - <li>Fawcett’s interest in, <a href='#Page_38'>38</a>, <a href='#Page_166'>166</a>, <a href='#Page_177'>177</a>, <a href='#Page_217'>217</a>-27, <a href='#Page_230'>230</a>, <a href='#Page_233'>233</a>, <a href='#Page_235'>235</a>-8, <a href='#Page_242'>242</a>-6, <a href='#Page_331'>331</a>;</li> - <li>gratitude to Fawcett in, <a href='#Page_230'>230</a>, <a href='#Page_245'>245</a>, <a href='#Page_323'>323</a>-6.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Indian Council, Fawcett as member of, <a href='#Page_252'>252</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Institute of France, Fawcett as member of, <a href='#Page_308'>308</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Insurance, Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_276'>276</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Irish question, the, Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>, <a href='#Page_167'>167</a>, <a href='#Page_175'>175</a>, <a href='#Page_282'>282</a>, <a href='#Page_283'>283</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Irish University Bill, the, <a href='#Page_177'>177</a>-81.</li> - <li class='c050'>Italian Unity, Fawcett’s interest in, <a href='#Page_157'>157</a>.</li> - <li class='c001'>James, Henry, on Trinity Hall Garden, <a href='#Page_79'>79</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Jesus College, Cambridge, <a href='#Page_91'>91</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Johnson, Dr., <a href='#Page_90'>90</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Jones, Richard, Whewell on, <a href='#Page_92'>92</a>.</li> - <li class='c001'>Keller, Helen, on her blindness, <a href='#Page_65'>65</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>King’s College, Fawcett at, <a href='#Page_18'>18</a>-21.</li> - <li class='c050'>Knightsbridge, <a href='#Page_123'>123</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Kossuth, in London, <a href='#Page_20'>20</a>.</li> - <li class='c001'>Lambeth, Fawcett’s garden in, <a href='#Page_137'>137</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Lancashire love of freedom, <a href='#Page_102'>102</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Land question, Fawcett on the, <a href='#Page_120'>120</a>, <a href='#Page_169'>169</a>, <a href='#Page_171'>171</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'><i>Lardner’s Encyclopædia</i>, <a href='#Page_47'>47</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'><span class='pageno' id='Page_340'>340</span>Lark, Mrs., <a href='#Page_160'>160</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Layard, Sir A. H., contests Southwark, <a href='#Page_148'>148</a>-50.</li> - <li class='c050'>Leeds, colliery near, <a href='#Page_118'>118</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Lee-Warner, Sir William, on Fawcett, xv, <a href='#Page_245'>245</a>, <a href='#Page_256'>256</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Lefevre, Shaw. <i>See</i> Lord Eversley.</li> - <li class='c050'>Lewis, Harvey, Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_168'>168</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Lewendon, G., <a href='#Page_319'>319</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Liberal Party, the, Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_176'>176</a>, <a href='#Page_201'>201</a>, <a href='#Page_231'>231</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Lincoln, Abraham, assassination of, <a href='#Page_130'>130</a>; - <ul> - <li>compared with Fawcett, <a href='#Page_76'>76</a>, <a href='#Page_77'>77</a>, <a href='#Page_102'>102</a>, <a href='#Page_103'>103</a>, <a href='#Page_245'>245</a>, <a href='#Page_259'>259</a>, <a href='#Page_260'>260</a>;</li> - <li>Fawcett’s admiration of, <a href='#Page_76'>76</a>, <a href='#Page_102'>102</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Lincoln’s Inn, Fawcett studies at, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a>, <a href='#Page_75'>75</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Liverpool, election at, <a href='#Page_300'>300</a>; - <ul> - <li>postal work in, <a href='#Page_258'>258</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>London, Fawcett in, <a href='#Page_17'>17</a>, <a href='#Page_19'>19</a>-21, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a>, <a href='#Page_137'>137</a>, <a href='#Page_197'>197</a>, <a href='#Page_235'>235</a>, <a href='#Page_332'>332</a>; - <ul> - <li>Fawcett on society in, <a href='#Page_89'>89</a>, <a href='#Page_90'>90</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Longford, Fawcett family at, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a>, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a>, <a href='#Page_39'>39</a>, <a href='#Page_48'>48</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Longton, manor of, <a href='#Page_195'>195</a>, <a href='#Page_196'>196</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Louise, Princess, dowry of, <a href='#Page_139'>139</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Lytton, Bulwer, on the Westminster Debating Society, <a href='#Page_34'>34</a>.</li> - <li class='c001'>Macaulay, Lord, as an orator, <a href='#Page_31'>31</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>M‘Carthy, Justin, on Fawcett, <a href='#Page_313'>313</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Macmillan, publisher, his friendship with Fawcett, <a href='#Page_104'>104</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'><i>Macmillan’s Magazine</i>, Fawcett’s contributions to, <a href='#Page_94'>94</a>, <a href='#Page_104'>104</a>, <a href='#Page_151'>151</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Mahomet, <a href='#Page_17'>17</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Maine, Sir Henry, master of Trinity Hall, <a href='#Page_228'>228</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Malta, <a href='#Page_242'>242</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Manchester, Fawcett at, <a href='#Page_95'>95</a>; - <ul> - <li>postal conditions in, <a href='#Page_258'>258</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Manners, Lord John, as Postmaster-General, <a href='#Page_253'>253</a>, <a href='#Page_271'>271</a>; - <ul> - <li>on Fawcett, <a href='#Page_314'>314</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Mansergh, J., <a href='#Page_10'>10</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'><i>Manual of Political Economy</i>, Fawcett’s, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a>, <a href='#Page_218'>218</a>, <a href='#Page_303'>303</a>, <a href='#Page_324'>324</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Married Women’s Property Act, <a href='#Page_258'>258</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Maxwell, Clerk, <a href='#Page_55'>55</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Mayor, candidate for professorship, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a>, <a href='#Page_107'>107</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Memory, cultivated by the blind, <a href='#Page_55'>55</a>, <a href='#Page_144'>144</a>, <a href='#Page_191'>191</a>, <a href='#Page_225'>225</a>, <a href='#Page_233'>233</a>, <a href='#Page_297'>297</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Mendelssohn, Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_302'>302</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Meredith, George, his Vernon Whitford, <a href='#Page_78'>78</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Mill, John Stuart, advocates Woman Suffrage, <a href='#Page_135'>135</a>, <a href='#Page_165'>165</a>; - <ul> - <li>Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_101'>101</a>;</li> - <li>Fawcett studies his <i>Political Economy</i>, <a href='#Page_29'>29</a>, <a href='#Page_61'>61</a>, <a href='#Page_101'>101</a>, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a>, <a href='#Page_114'>114</a>;</li> - <li>Fawcett’s correspondence with, <a href='#Page_99'>99</a>, <a href='#Page_100'>100</a>;</li> - <li>his friendship with Fawcett, <a href='#Page_99'>99</a>, <a href='#Page_116'>116</a>, <a href='#Page_126'>126</a>, <a href='#Page_145'>145</a>;</li> - <li>his interest in India, <a href='#Page_217'>217</a>, <a href='#Page_218'>218</a>;</li> - <li>his <i>Liberty</i>, <a href='#Page_178'>178</a>;</li> - <li>his political opinions, <a href='#Page_158'>158</a>, <a href='#Page_161'>161</a>, <a href='#Page_163'>163</a>, <a href='#Page_168'>168</a>-70;</li> - <li>his wife, <a href='#Page_100'>100</a>;</li> - <li>invited to Cambridge, <a href='#Page_88'>88</a>;</li> - <li>M.P. for Westminster, <a href='#Page_122'>122</a>, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>, <a href='#Page_160'>160</a>, <a href='#Page_161'>161</a>, <a href='#Page_168'>168</a>, <a href='#Page_169'>169</a>;</li> - <li>member of the Radical Club, <a href='#Page_138'>138</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Milton, John, <a href='#Page_16'>16</a>, <a href='#Page_92'>92</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Mining in Cornwall, Fawcett’s interest in, <a href='#Page_151'>151</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Monarchism, Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_106'>106</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Moore, M.P. for Brighton, <a href='#Page_156'>156</a>, <a href='#Page_159'>159</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Morgan, master of Jesus College, Cambridge, <a href='#Page_91'>91</a>, <a href='#Page_213'>213</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Morley, John, Viscount, on Cobden, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a>; - <ul> - <li>takes Fawcett a walk, xv, <a href='#Page_212'>212</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'><i>Morning Star, The</i>, supports Fawcett, <a href='#Page_146'>146</a>, <a href='#Page_150'>150</a>, <a href='#Page_155'>155</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Moscow, evolution in, <a href='#Page_96'>96</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Music, Fawcett’s love of, <a href='#Page_302'>302</a>, <a href='#Page_304'>304</a>.</li> - <li class='c001'>Naoroji, Nadabhai, evidence of, <a href='#Page_221'>221</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Napoleon <span class='fss'>I.</span>, <a href='#Page_3'>3</a>, <a href='#Page_15'>15</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>—— <span class='fss'>III.</span>, <a href='#Page_85'>85</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>National Education, Fawcett advocates, <a href='#Page_32'>32</a>, <a href='#Page_119'>119</a>, <a href='#Page_171'>171</a>, <a href='#Page_174'>174</a>, <a href='#Page_236'>236</a>, <a href='#Page_289'>289</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>—— Portrait Gallery, the, <a href='#Page_137'>137</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Nationalisation of land, Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_120'>120</a>, <a href='#Page_169'>169</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Nevill, Primate of New Zealand, <a href='#Page_297'>297</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>New Forest, Fawcett’s defence of the, <a href='#Page_205'>205</a>-8.</li> - <li class='c050'><span class='pageno' id='Page_341'>341</span>Newmarket, Fawcett at, <a href='#Page_26'>26</a>, <a href='#Page_59'>59</a>, <a href='#Page_125'>125</a>, <a href='#Page_238'>238</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Newnham, Miss Fawcett at, <a href='#Page_292'>292</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Newton, Sir Isaac, <a href='#Page_16'>16</a>, <a href='#Page_31'>31</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Nicholas, Emperor, <a href='#Page_32'>32</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'><i>Nineteenth Century, the</i>, Fawcett’s article in, <a href='#Page_237'>237</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Nineveh, <a href='#Page_15'>15</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Northcote, Sir Stafford, on Fawcett, <a href='#Page_313'>313</a>.</li> - <li class='c001'>Oddo, Fawcett’s dog, <a href='#Page_296'>296</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Odger, George, Fawcett’s friendship with, <a href='#Page_121'>121</a>-3.</li> - <li class='c050'>Owen, Robert, builds Harmony Hall, <a href='#Page_9'>9</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Oxford and Cambridge boat race, <a href='#Page_212'>212</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>—— confers D.C.L. on Fawcett, <a href='#Page_308'>308</a>; - <ul> - <li>Fawcett at, <a href='#Page_68'>68</a>, <a href='#Page_92'>92</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c001'>Palliasse, Madame, <a href='#Page_36'>36</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Palmerston, Lord, as Premier, <a href='#Page_19'>19</a>, <a href='#Page_161'>161</a>; - <ul> - <li>Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_38'>38</a>;</li> - <li>his foreign policy, <a href='#Page_101'>101</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Pangbourne, sympathy from, <a href='#Page_319'>319</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Paris, Fawcett in, <a href='#Page_35'>35</a>, <a href='#Page_36'>36</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Parker, Archbishop, <a href='#Page_87'>87</a>, <a href='#Page_244'>244</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Parliamentary Reform, Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_157'>157</a>, <a href='#Page_162'>162</a>, <a href='#Page_166'>166</a>, <a href='#Page_176'>176</a>, <a href='#Page_235'>235</a>, <a href='#Page_288'>288</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Peel, Sir Robert, <a href='#Page_4'>4</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Permissive Bill, the, <a href='#Page_231'>231</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Peterhouse College, Cambridge, Fawcett at, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a>, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Phonography, Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_17'>17</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Political Economy, in America, <a href='#Page_101'>101</a>; - <ul> - <li>Fawcett begins to study, <a href='#Page_29'>29</a>, <a href='#Page_30'>30</a>, <a href='#Page_48'>48</a>, <a href='#Page_81'>81</a>, <a href='#Page_101'>101</a>;</li> - <li>Fawcett as professor of, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a>-17, <a href='#Page_126'>126</a>, <a href='#Page_144'>144</a>, <a href='#Page_153'>153</a>, <a href='#Page_156'>156</a>, <a href='#Page_186'>186</a>, <a href='#Page_299'>299</a>, <a href='#Page_309'>309</a>, <a href='#Page_321'>321</a>, <a href='#Page_331'>331</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>—— —— Club, the London, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'><i>Political Economy for Beginners</i>, Mrs. Fawcett’s, <a href='#Page_133'>133</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Poor Laws, Fawcett on the, <a href='#Page_176'>176</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>—— rates, the, <a href='#Page_148'>148</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Pope, Alexander, <a href='#Page_32'>32</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Postmaster-General, Fawcett as, <a href='#Page_70'>70</a>, <a href='#Page_211'>211</a>, <a href='#Page_244'>244</a>, <a href='#Page_249'>249</a>, <a href='#Page_283'>283</a>, <a href='#Page_289'>289</a>, <a href='#Page_296'>296</a>, <a href='#Page_304'>304</a>, <a href='#Page_308'>308</a>, <a href='#Page_331'>331</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Post Office, annuities, <a href='#Page_277'>277</a>; - <ul> - <li>employment of women in, <a href='#Page_256'>256</a>-8, <a href='#Page_289'>289</a>;</li> - <li>Fawcett’s first speech on, <a href='#Page_162'>162</a>;</li> - <li>Fawcett’s wish to employ the blind in, <a href='#Page_70'>70</a>;</li> - <li>memorial to Fawcett, <a href='#Page_323'>323</a>;</li> - <li>money orders, <a href='#Page_275'>275</a>;</li> - <li>parcel post, <a href='#Page_271'>271</a>-3;</li> - <li>savings bank, the, <a href='#Page_257'>257</a>, <a href='#Page_271'>271</a>, <a href='#Page_275'>275</a>, <a href='#Page_282'>282</a>;</li> - <li>telegraph service, <a href='#Page_271'>271</a>, <a href='#Page_277'>277</a>, <a href='#Page_278'>278</a>, <a href='#Page_282'>282</a>;</li> - <li>telephone service, <a href='#Page_278'>278</a>, <a href='#Page_308'>308</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Privy Seal, Fawcett on the, <a href='#Page_198'>198</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Pryne, Professor, Fawcett succeeds, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'><i>Punch</i> on Henry Fawcett, <a href='#Page_233'>233</a>, <a href='#Page_234'>234</a>, <a href='#Page_241'>241</a>, <a href='#Page_242'>242</a>, <a href='#Page_279'>279</a>-81, <a href='#Page_328'>328</a>.</li> - <li class='c001'><i>Quarterly Review</i>, quoted, <a href='#Page_14'>14</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Queenwood College, Fawcett at, <a href='#Page_9'>9</a>-18, <a href='#Page_31'>31</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Quoits, Fawcett plays, <a href='#Page_27'>27</a>.</li> - <li class='c001'>Radical Club, the, Fawcett founds, <a href='#Page_138'>138</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>—— party, Fawcett as a member of the, <a href='#Page_34'>34</a>, <a href='#Page_83'>83</a>, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a>, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>, <a href='#Page_138'>138</a>, <a href='#Page_153'>153</a>, <a href='#Page_161'>161</a>, <a href='#Page_165'>165</a>, <a href='#Page_166'>166</a>, <a href='#Page_174'>174</a>-81.</li> - <li class='c050'>Railways, Royal Commission on, <a href='#Page_271'>271</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Reed, J., evidence of, <a href='#Page_191'>191</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Reform Bills, Liberal and Conservative, <a href='#Page_162'>162</a>-4; - <ul> - <li>rejoicings in 1832, <a href='#Page_3'>3</a>, <a href='#Page_4'>4</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>—— Club, Fawcett as member of the, <a href='#Page_127'>127</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Religious restrictions, Fawcett advocates removal of, <a href='#Page_148'>148</a>, <a href='#Page_174'>174</a>, <a href='#Page_177'>177</a>-9.</li> - <li class='c050'>Republican Club, Fawcett founds the, <a href='#Page_138'>138</a>, <a href='#Page_139'>139</a>, <a href='#Page_281'>281</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Ricardo, Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_114'>114</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Riding, Fawcett’s love of, viii, <a href='#Page_59'>59</a>, <a href='#Page_60'>60</a>, <a href='#Page_68'>68</a>, <a href='#Page_229'>229</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Ritchie, Lady, on Thackeray and Fawcett, xv, <a href='#Page_128'>128</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Roller-skating, Fawcett tries, <a href='#Page_171'>171</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Rottingdean, Fawcett at, <a href='#Page_57'>57</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Rowing, Fawcett’s love of, <a href='#Page_68'>68</a>, <a href='#Page_85'>85</a>, <a href='#Page_262'>262</a>, <a href='#Page_309'>309</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Royal Normal College for the Blind, Campbell’s work at the, <a href='#Page_66'>66</a>; - <ul> - <li>Fawcett memorials in, <a href='#Page_323'>323</a>, <a href='#Page_332'>332</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Royal Society, Fawcett a Fellow of the, <a href='#Page_308'>308</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'><span class='pageno' id='Page_342'>342</span>Rumbold, farm-servant, <a href='#Page_297'>297</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Ruskin, John, <a href='#Page_308'>308</a>; - <ul> - <li>challenges Fawcett, <a href='#Page_208'>208</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Russell, Lord John, his Reform Bill, <a href='#Page_162'>162</a>-4; - <ul> - <li>resignation of, <a href='#Page_161'>161</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Russian action in Turkey, <a href='#Page_241'>241</a>-3.</li> - <li class='c001'>Salisbury, dean of, <a href='#Page_21'>21</a>; - <ul> - <li>Fawcett in, <a href='#Page_52'>52</a>, <a href='#Page_59'>59</a>, <a href='#Page_61'>61</a>, <a href='#Page_77'>77</a>, <a href='#Page_81'>81</a>, <a href='#Page_97'>97</a>, <a href='#Page_204'>204</a>, <a href='#Page_251'>251</a>, <a href='#Page_270'>270</a>, <a href='#Page_297'>297</a>-9, <a href='#Page_303'>303</a>, <a href='#Page_310'>310</a>;</li> - <li>Fawcett family at, <a href='#Page_3'>3</a>-8, <a href='#Page_39'>39</a>, <a href='#Page_43'>43</a>, <a href='#Page_98'>98</a>, <a href='#Page_298'>298</a>;</li> - <li>marquis of, on India, <a href='#Page_233'>233</a>;</li> - <li>rejoices over Reform Bill, <a href='#Page_4'>4</a>;</li> - <li>statue of Fawcett in, <a href='#Page_324'>324</a>, <a href='#Page_334'>334</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Salt, Fawcett’s love of, <a href='#Page_140'>140</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'><i>Saturday Review</i>, on Fawcett, <a href='#Page_231'>231</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Schurz, Carl, in America, <a href='#Page_20'>20</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Scott, Mr. Justice, on India, <a href='#Page_223'>223</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Scovell, contests Southwark, <a href='#Page_148'>148</a>-50.</li> - <li class='c050'>Serpentine, skating on the, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Seward, Stephen meets, <a href='#Page_102'>102</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Seymour, Danby, <a href='#Page_160'>160</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Shakespeare, quoted, <a href='#Page_17'>17</a>, <a href='#Page_46'>46</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Short, John, <a href='#Page_320'>320</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Sidgwick, professor, on Mill, <a href='#Page_101'>101</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Skating, Fawcett’s love of, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a>, <a href='#Page_68'>68</a>, <a href='#Page_88'>88</a>, <a href='#Page_171'>171</a>, <a href='#Page_192'>192</a>, <a href='#Page_193'>193</a>, <a href='#Page_210'>210</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Slavery, abolition of, <a href='#Page_5'>5</a>, <a href='#Page_76'>76</a>, <a href='#Page_77'>77</a>, <a href='#Page_120'>120</a>, <a href='#Page_157'>157</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Smith, Hamblin, his arithmetic, <a href='#Page_104'>104</a>; - <ul> - <li>Miss M‘Cleod, xv.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Socialism, Fawcett on state, <a href='#Page_120'>120</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Social Science Association at Bradford, <a href='#Page_145'>145</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Society of Arts, advocates parcel post, <a href='#Page_271'>271</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Somerset House, Fawcett at, <a href='#Page_19'>19</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Sopp, Mr., schoolmaster, <a href='#Page_79'>79</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Southey, Robert, Fawcett quotes, <a href='#Page_50'>50</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Southwark, Fawcett contests, <a href='#Page_146'>146</a>-50.</li> - <li class='c050'><i>Spectator, The</i>, <a href='#Page_239'>239</a>; - <ul> - <li>on Hooker, <a href='#Page_168'>168</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Spencer, Herbert, as a Radical, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Stanley, Lord, interviewed by Fawcett, <a href='#Page_145'>145</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Staten Island, Garibaldi in, <a href='#Page_20'>20</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Steam, Fawcett on the powers of, <a href='#Page_14'>14</a>-17.</li> - <li class='c050'>Stephen, Sir Leslie, as Vernon Whitford, <a href='#Page_78'>78</a>; - <ul> - <li>at Cambridge with Fawcett, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a>-27, <a href='#Page_30'>30</a>, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a>, <a href='#Page_78'>78</a>, <a href='#Page_90'>90</a>, <a href='#Page_106'>106</a>, <a href='#Page_116'>116</a>;</li> - <li>composes inscription on Fawcett memorial, <a href='#Page_331'>331</a>;</li> - <li>his biography of Fawcett, xiii, xv, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a>, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a>, <a href='#Page_154'>154</a>, <a href='#Page_213'>213</a>;</li> - <li>on Fawcett at Southwark, <a href='#Page_149'>149</a>;</li> - <li>on Fawcett’s parliamentary career, <a href='#Page_282'>282</a>;</li> - <li>on Trinity Hall festivities, <a href='#Page_86'>86</a>;</li> - <li>portrait of, <a href='#Page_103'>103</a>;</li> - <li>supports Fawcett at Brighton, <a href='#Page_154'>154</a>-5;</li> - <li>visits America, <a href='#Page_102'>102</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Stevenson, George, <a href='#Page_5'>5</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Stewart, Professor, on Fawcett, <a href='#Page_197'>197</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>St. Martin’s Hall, Fawcett at, <a href='#Page_124'>124</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Stock Exchange, Fawcett’s flutter on the, <a href='#Page_151'>151</a>, <a href='#Page_152'>152</a>; - <ul> - <li>telegrams, <a href='#Page_277'>277</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Stonehenge, <a href='#Page_10'>10</a>, <a href='#Page_325'>325</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Stuart, Rt. Hon. James, xv.</li> - <li class='c050'><i>Suffolk Mercury</i>, quoted, <a href='#Page_131'>131</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Suffrage for Women, advocated by Fawcett, <a href='#Page_133'>133</a>, <a href='#Page_135'>135</a>-7, <a href='#Page_165'>165</a>, <a href='#Page_289'>289</a>, <a href='#Page_290'>290</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Sultan of Turkey, visits England, <a href='#Page_218'>218</a>.</li> - <li class='c001'>Taylor, Beatrice, xv.</li> - <li class='c050'>—— Henry, 264 <i>n.</i></li> - <li class='c050'>—— Sedley, xv, 264 <i>n.</i>, <a href='#Page_302'>302</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Tea-Room Party, the, <a href='#Page_164'>164</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Telegraphic communication with India, <a href='#Page_218'>218</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Thackeray, W. M., his friendship with Fawcett, <a href='#Page_126'>126</a>-128; - <ul> - <li>novels of, <a href='#Page_92'>92</a>, <a href='#Page_301'>301</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Thames Embankment Gardens, <a href='#Page_207'>207</a>, <a href='#Page_332'>332</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'><i>Times, The</i>, on Fawcett, <a href='#Page_231'>231</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Tizard, fisherman, <a href='#Page_205'>205</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Torquay, Darwin at, <a href='#Page_96'>96</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Trade Unionism, Fawcett’s interest in, <a href='#Page_120'>120</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Trevelyan, Sir George, his <i>Life of Fox</i>, <a href='#Page_239'>239</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Trinity College, Cambridge, <a href='#Page_83'>83</a>; - <ul> - <li>master of, <a href='#Page_228'>228</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'><span class='pageno' id='Page_343'>343</span>Trinity Hall, Cambridge, Fawcett at, vii, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a>, <a href='#Page_76'>76</a>-91, <a href='#Page_102'>102</a>-7, <a href='#Page_128'>128</a>, <a href='#Page_228'>228</a>, <a href='#Page_267'>267</a>, <a href='#Page_304'>304</a>; - <ul> - <li>its Christmas festivities, <a href='#Page_86'>86</a>-88, <a href='#Page_128'>128</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Trumpington, Fawcett’s grave at, and memorial at, <a href='#Page_321'>321</a>, <a href='#Page_333'>333</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Turkey, Sultan of, visits England, <a href='#Page_218'>218</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Turkish atrocities in Bulgaria, <a href='#Page_239'>239</a>-43.</li> - <li class='c050'>Tyndall, Professor, at Queenwood College, <a href='#Page_11'>11</a>, <a href='#Page_76'>76</a>; - <ul> - <li>Lord Avebury on, <a href='#Page_147'>147</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c001'>University Reform, Fawcett advocates, <a href='#Page_32'>32</a>, <a href='#Page_82'>82</a>, <a href='#Page_153'>153</a>, <a href='#Page_166'>166</a>, <a href='#Page_174'>174</a>, <a href='#Page_175'>175</a>, <a href='#Page_178'>178</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Ural Mountains, the, <a href='#Page_81'>81</a>.</li> - <li class='c001'>Victoria, Queen, accession of, <a href='#Page_5'>5</a>, <a href='#Page_6'>6</a>; - <ul> - <li>hands over Epping Forest to the nation, <a href='#Page_201'>201</a>;</li> - <li>her interest in Fawcett, <a href='#Page_251'>251</a>, <a href='#Page_254'>254</a>, <a href='#Page_292'>292</a>, <a href='#Page_301'>301</a>, <a href='#Page_316'>316</a>;</li> - <li>opens the Great Exhibition, <a href='#Page_20'>20</a>;</li> - <li>proclaimed empress, <a href='#Page_236'>236</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>Volunteer movement, the, <a href='#Page_148'>148</a>.</li> - <li class='c001'>Walking, Fawcett’s love of, <a href='#Page_50'>50</a>, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a>, <a href='#Page_125'>125</a>, <a href='#Page_238'>238</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Walton, Sir Isaac, Fawcett on, <a href='#Page_17'>17</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Waterloo, battle of, <a href='#Page_3'>3</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Watt, James, <a href='#Page_16'>16</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Wedderburn, Sir David, <a href='#Page_125'>125</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Wellington, Arthur, first duke of, <a href='#Page_4'>4</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Westminster, J. S. Mill stands for, <a href='#Page_122'>122</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>—— Abbey, memorial to Fawcett in, <a href='#Page_323'>323</a>, <a href='#Page_331'>331</a>, <a href='#Page_332'>332</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>—— Debating Society, Fawcett at the, <a href='#Page_34'>34</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Whewell, Dr., Fawcett defeats, <a href='#Page_92'>92</a>, <a href='#Page_93'>93</a>; - <ul> - <li>his admonition on fallibility, <a href='#Page_83'>83</a>;</li> - <li><i>Inductive Philosophy</i>, <a href='#Page_47'>47</a>.</li> - </ul> - </li> - <li class='c050'>White, M.P. for Brighton, <a href='#Page_158'>158</a>-60.</li> - <li class='c050'>Wilberforce, bishop, attacks Darwin, <a href='#Page_94'>94</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Willingdale, public spirit of, <a href='#Page_195'>195</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Wilson, Edward, on Mill, <a href='#Page_30'>30</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Wimbledon Common, <a href='#Page_212'>212</a>, <a href='#Page_262'>262</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Wisley Common, case of, <a href='#Page_188'>188</a>, <a href='#Page_208'>208</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Withypool Common, <a href='#Page_191'>191</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Woman Suffrage, Fawcett advocates, <a href='#Page_133'>133</a>, <a href='#Page_135'>135</a>-7, <a href='#Page_165'>165</a>, <a href='#Page_289'>289</a>, <a href='#Page_290'>290</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Woolwich, <a href='#Page_14'>14</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Wright, fisherman, his friendship with Fawcett, <a href='#Page_70'>70</a>, <a href='#Page_71'>71</a>, <a href='#Page_117'>117</a>.</li> - <li class='c050'>Würzburg, confers honours on Fawcett, <a href='#Page_308'>308</a>.</li> -</ul> - -<p class='c007'>Printed by T. and <span class='sc'>A. Constable</span>, Printers to His Majesty -at the Edinburgh University Press</p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>Transcriber's Note</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c006'>Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Both “Mrs” and “Mrs.” appear; original form has been retained.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Inconsistencies regarding hyphenated words have been retained.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Missing [on] added to sidenote on page 212.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The cover was created by the transcriber using elements from the original publication and is placed in the public domain.</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> -<hr class="full" /> -<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A BEACON FOR THE BLIND***</p> -<p>******* This file should be named 52310-h.htm or 52310-h.zip *******</p> -<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> -<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/2/3/1/52310">http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/3/1/52310</a></p> -<p> -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed.</p> - -<p>Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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