Some Personal Associations
I have entitled this chapter "Some Personal Associations," and will
first speak of a great and happy event which was only ended after
forty-three years of married life.
It was in 1868 that I became engaged and in 1870 married, a marriage
for which no man ever had more cause to be thankful than myself, owing
to the true happiness of my married life, the sympathy, kind thought
and consideration of my late wife. In fact, everything which goes to
make this life worth living was mine, or I may say ours.
Like everything earthly, alas! it came to an end; but while memory
lasts it will never be forgotten. Recalling all this, while thankful
for a very happy past, I face what is left to me of the future with a
thankful heart. I am also thankful for my dear children, who have all
taken up their positions in life and are battling with its duties. They
are to me an inexpressible comfort and a blessing, and I can only hope
they will pass through and enjoy their lives as much as I have done
mine.
I should like to refer here to one other great event in my life, that
of becoming a Managing Director of Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent &
Co., Ltd., in 1894. My great aim in life had always been to climb the
ladder of prosperity as far as I possibly could.
While speaking of Simpkin, Marshall & Co., I may mention a few
traditional facts regarding the origin and development of that
important firm in its connexion with the bookselling trade. Its
originator and founder was Mr. Benjamin Crosby, whose descendants are
now represented by the firm of Messrs. Crosby, Lockwood & Co., and
whose predecessors were in past years partners of Simpkin, Marshall
& Co. Mr. Benjamin Crosby came from Yorkshire to London and was
apprenticed to a bookseller, James Nunn, in Great Queen Street; he
afterwards worked for George Robinson, who was then considered the
"King of Booksellers"; finally, he took over the business of Mr.
Stalker in Stationers' Hall Court, whose premises were then situated
upon the same ground as the buildings now occupied by Simpkin,
Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co. After an attack of paralysis in 1814,
Mr. Benjamin Crosby parted with his business to W. Simpkin and R.
Marshall. I have always understood that Simpkin was a hatter in Bridge
Street, Blackfriars, and, having capital, he associated himself with
Marshall, who was an assistant of Benjamin Crosby.
They, however, took over only the London trade portion of the business,
the country portion going to Baldwin, Cradock & Joy. This firm failed
in 1837, and the country portion of the old firm came into the hands of
Simpkin, Marshall & Co.
In 1829 Simpkin retired from the business, and the financial management
of the firm was taken over by Mr. John Miles, senior, under whose
supervision very satisfactory results were obtained. Mr. Miles was
also associated with the publishing business of Joseph Johnson of
St. Paul's Churchyard, who issued the works of the poet Cowper, the
critical writings of Priestley, and other important works. Being thus
connected with bookselling, Mr. Miles placed his two elder sons in
important positions in the trade. The one, named after his father,
entered the firm of Simpkin, Marshall & Co., and Mr. Joseph Johnson
Miles, evidently named after his publisher friend, entered the firm
of Hamilton, Adams & Co. Later on, two other sons of Mr. John Miles,
senior, entered the firm of Simpkin, Marshall & Co., and still later
several grandsons became partners in the two separate firms before
mentioned.
The same traditions of business were continued and carried on for
nearly eighty years. It is rather remarkable that, in the period which
followed, an amalgamation should take place in 1889 between these two
firms and Messrs. W. Kent & Co., and that, after so many years of
competition, they should be brought together into one trading company.
In the busy whirl of Stationers' Hall Court, though there was little
opportunity for humour, something occasionally happened that permeated
the whole house with amusement, such as when a mistake had been made
and one of the partners tried to find out who had made it. However,
not being able to discover the offender, he came at last to the most
humorous man in the house and tried to fasten it upon him but failed.
"Well," he said, with energy, "I must hang somebody." After a pause,
the answer came: "Hang me, sir; I want a rise." With a smile the
principal left the room and nothing more was heard of the mistake.
Many such incidents have occurred, but they have been lost by the
hurrying on of time. This subject, however, has been dealt with in an
article entitled "Bookselling and some of its Humours," in my volume on
"The Fascination of Books," published in 1912.
Among my later duties at Stationers' Hall Court was that of
superintending the purchase, or, as it is termed, the subscription of
new books. Every new book issued from the various publishers was first
submitted to Simpkin, Marshall & Co., and the number they bought often
governed the numbers purchased by the various members of the trade.
These varied according to the author's reputation and the sales of
their previous issues, and in many cases from a small number to many
hundreds were usually ordered. I remember on one occasion a 6_s._ book
by a popular novelist was submitted to us and an order given for 12,000
copies. October is undoubtedly the most important publishing month of
the year, and upon many days during that period, between 150 to 200
different books have frequently been offered for subscription.
In 1917 I retired from the position of a Managing Director, but still
remain one of the Directors of the Company. It is to me a very great
pleasure to be still associated with a house to which I owe so much
and occasionally to see the many valued friends with whom I have been
associated for over fifty years. Although I have nominally ceased to be
a bookseller yet I have several connexions which I hope will keep me
in touch with the trade as long as I live. Besides being a Director of
Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co., Ltd., I have been for many
years Chairman of Messrs. Henry Williams & Co. (Old Bailey), Ltd., also
a Director of Messrs. C.W. Faulkner & Co., Ltd., and other companies,
so I am still anything but an idle man.
Although this chapter may appear somewhat egotistical, during my life
in London I have been connected with many trade and other associations
which have been more or less of a personal as well as of an interesting
character, and I mention these facts to show that I have not been
indifferent to or wanting in sympathy with the various undertakings in
which I am concerned.
My first experience was in joining the Committee of the Early Closing
Association, then in quite an elementary condition. Like many other
Associations which have had small beginnings, it has worked its way
through storm and sunshine and has done, and is still doing, much
useful work. At the present moment, it is one of the great helpful
influences in bettering the condition of the worker. At one of our
meetings, held, I think, at St. James's Hall, I had the honour of
being on the platform with Anthony Trollope, the great novelist, and
John McGregor of Rob Roy fame, who each made delightfully interesting
speeches which helped greatly to popularize the Association. I always
felt an interest in young men's associations, and joined one while
living near Highbury. It was at this time that what was then called
Mock Parliaments were usually one of the items in the season's
programme.
At one of these gatherings with which I was associated, I little
thought what a prominent position its leading speakers would hold
in the future. The debate on this occasion was a vote of want of
confidence in Lord Beaconsfield's Foreign policy, as just then there
was much opposition and discontent respecting his actions. This vote
of censure was moved by Lawson Walton, who was destined to become
Attorney-General; the present Sir Robert Perks seconded the resolution.
The Chairman or Speaker for the occasion was Sir Clarence Smith,
recently one of the Sheriffs of the City of London. Needless to say,
the motion was carried unanimously. It is pleasant to look back upon
the day of small things and to see the development of lives that are
useful both in their surroundings and to the state.
Another interesting Association was that of the University Extension,
of the Finsbury Park branch of which I was Chairman for several years.
During the autumn of one of our sessions, it was suggested that we
should ask Chevalier Marconi, who was just then beginning to be
known as an inventor of some new method of telegraphy, to give us a
demonstration of his wireless process. He agreed to do so, but little
did we think what would be the result of this system and what wonderful
influence his discovery would have upon the civilised world.
As Chairman, it was my pleasurable duty to receive Chevalier
Marconi, and I was greatly surprised to find so young and apparently
inexperienced a person. A few minutes' conversation, however, soon
showed that he had a firm foundation for the subject which he was
developing. We had arranged to get communication between Highgate and
New Southgate, where we were holding the demonstration. Unfortunately,
the poles for dispatching the messages to be sent from Highgate did
not arrive in time, so we had to content ourselves with having the
messages sent from a field close by. Everything worked to our entire
satisfaction, and various messages were received stamped in accordance
with the Morse system. Whenever there is any further development of the
Marconi system I look back upon this meeting with considerable interest
and satisfaction. Since then, I have met Chevalier Marconi on various
occasions, and he has always struck me as a man of a great personal
character and solid determination. One thing which I remember to have
heard him say was that "My father was an Italian and my mother an
Irishwoman, but I call myself an Englishman"; and I am sure he is one
of whom we are all proud.
My association with politics began with my early years at home, when
I watched my father, carrying the Union Jack, marching at the head
of the voters in our village to the polling booth. Although father
was not in any way a public man, he knew what progress meant and was
always on that side. I do not remember any political influence being
exercised upon me in my young days, and appeared naturally to drift
into the ranks of Liberalism, a drifting which I have never regretted.
Being an active student of parliamentary events, shortly after coming
to London, I obtained admission to the Strangers' Gallery at the
House of Commons, and soon felt a keen interest in politics and often
afterwards visited the House. I have many times walked to Islington
from the Houses of Parliament at two o'clock in the morning after
having listened to some interesting debate. I have heard Gladstone,
Disraeli, and most of the party leaders in both Houses. I was in
the Gallery of the House of Commons when W.E. Forster was carrying
through the Elementary Education Act and the Vote by Ballot Bill.
These were opposed, for the Conservative Party, by the then Sir
Stafford Northcote, and, although my mind was quite made up as to their
desirability, when hearing the eloquence and arguments from the other
side, without a strong opinion one might have been easily carried over
to the Opposition.
In 1888 I greatly enjoyed a visit to the House, on the occasion when
Mr. Ritchie, as he then was, brought in the Bill to create the London
County Council. Mr. Gladstone sat on the Opposition Bench with Sir
James Stansfeld, the Member for Halifax and the President of the
Local Government Board in the previous Liberal Administration. As Mr.
Ritchie unfolded his scheme, both Mr. Gladstone and Sir James Stansfeld
were busy taking notes. When the main details of the Bill had been
explained, they both ceased, being apparently satisfied with the scope
of the Bill. As soon as Mr. Ritchie sat down, Mr. Gladstone rose. In a
short and eloquent speech, he complimented the hon. gentleman on his
proposed Bill and said that although he might suggest some amendments
in Committee, they, as a party, quite approved of the principles of
the Bill. Owing to Mr. Gladstone's statement, what was expected to
be a hot party debate ended in a satisfactory agreement. Even after
such interesting proceedings as these, I have always felt that the
anticipation of a debate in Parliament is greater than the pleasure
realized.
This Bill was eventually passed, and among the candidates for
membership of the new London County Council was Lord Rosebery, who
stood for the City of London. I had the pleasure of hearing him address
several meetings, and, although from a public point of view he was
a comparatively young man, he spoke with great thought and feeling,
always carrying his audience with him. He was of course returned, and
was elected the first Chairman of this important Council.
Notwithstanding that nearly all my life I have been more or less
associated with politics, and for over forty years have been upon the
register of voters, I have never voted on the winning side except on
the occasion when Mr. A.J. Balfour stood for the City of London. I
still hope I may do so before I die.
It was in the year 1885, after the passing of the Redistribution
Bill, that I became more closely associated with politics. By this
Redistribution Act, Middlesex (for many years it had been represented
by two members) was divided into seven constituencies. I joined the
Liberal Association in Hornsey, one of the new divisions, and the
one in which I then lived, and from that time onwards took an active
part in their proceedings. On the eve of the first elections in these
divisions, we had a big send-off meeting of the Middlesex candidates
at the Holloway Hall, at which the great Liberal veteran Mr. Samuel
Morley presided. Many leading politicians were present, including
Sir Charles Dilke, Mr. W.S. Caine, Mr. Alfred Milner (now Viscount
Milner), who stood for the Harrow Division, Mr. S.D. Waddy, and others.
Great enthusiasm prevailed, but the success at the polling booth was
not as great as we anticipated, and the Hornsey Division returned
a Conservative, which it continued to do until a fresh division of
Middlesex took place under the Act of 1918. Mr. Carvel Williams, the
champion for Disestablishment of the Church, was our president; he was
a most able and eloquent speaker, full of work and energy and equal to
any emergency, but although we had occasionally such speakers as Mr.
Asquith, Mr. Lloyd George, and other leading politicians of that day,
success at the poll was never obtained.
I was for many years chairman of the Council, and that brought me in
touch with many men of light and leading. I was, however, compelled to
give it up, as so many other duties had a more special call upon my
time. In 1904 I was induced to join the non-political party which was
standing for the London County Council Division of Stoke Newington, and
was returned.
And here let me state that I have a great objection to party feeling
in local affairs. It is quite bad enough when carried to extremes
in parliamentary contests, but local affairs should be dealt with
entirely from the local point of view of what is best and from none
other. Having made many new friends and being elected to the Library
Committee, I found myself in my element amongst books. Before the Free
Library was started at Stoke Newington, with my good friend Mr. A.W.
Mackenzie, I originated a private Free Library in the Finsbury Park
District, and although this library was not very large it was very
serviceable. It was carried on by voluntary aid and contributions, and,
in accordance with the Act passed in 1892, afterwards taken over by the
Council of Stoke Newington.
When this Free Library was opened, thanks to the Carnegie Trust, I had
the honour of seeing my name engraved with others on a stone tablet
as a record of those who were associated with the founding of it.
My relations with Stoke Newington were always of the most pleasant
character, as there were many book lovers on the Committee, among them
being Mr. Wynne Baxter and Mr. Charles Welsh, the noted City Librarian.
It was during my membership of the Stoke Newington Council that I
received tickets of invitation to the inauguration of the L.C.C.
Passenger Steamboat Service on the Thames, which had been constructed
at an outlay of nearly £300,000. Our present King, with some of the
young Princes, headed the fleet of steamers which went from Temple
Pier to Greenwich and back. Altogether it was a most pleasant trip,
but events followed which brought this venture to an end, a decision
from many points of view much to be regretted. It occurs to me,
however, that if more attention were given to the banks of the Thames
by building an Embankment on the south side similar to that on the
north side, there is no reason why it should not eventually become in
every way as attractive as the rivers which flow through so many of the
Continental cities.
About this time I became a member of the New Vagabond Club, and enjoyed
for many years the various dinners given to some of the leading men of
the time. These were usually held at the Hotel Cecil, and I have known
over 500 ladies and gentlemen to be present on some of the important
occasions. The Club was very cosmopolitan: Bishops, Members of
Parliament, the theatrical profession, authors--in fact, anyone who was
then in the public eye was certain to receive an invitation to some of
the dinners. When this club became incorporated with the old Playgoers'
Club, many, like myself, felt that these Sunday festivities did not
quite fall in with their ordinary way of spending the day of rest, and
I was compelled to retire from it.
Another association of which I am particularly proud to be one of the
vice-presidents, is the Booksellers' Provident Institution, and the
Booksellers' Provident Retreat; the former I joined in 1869, and for
over fifty years have been an active member on its committees. This
great institution was inaugurated on February 15, 1837, at Stationers'
Hall, and during the greater part of its existence it has had for its
president some one representing either the house of Longman or Murray.
It is an institution of which every member is proud, and should be more
appreciated in the trade than it is, for it has done, and is still
doing, work of great value to its necessitous members.
The opening ceremony of the Booksellers' Retreat took place in 1846.
The great novelist Lord Lytton presided, and a sum of £800 was
collected. At this Retreat there are seven pleasantly situated houses
occupied either by members or their widows, and the occupants of these
houses, owing to the funds at the disposal of the Committee, have their
lives not only extended but made thoroughly happy and comfortable.
In 1872 there was a great effort made by many of the London
Booksellers' Assistants to found an institution which would be always
open to its members for educational and social purposes. The proposal
met with support, and much discussion upon details took place; but the
only decision arrived at was that it should be called the Booksellers'
Literary Institution. After many meetings and discussions it was
given up and the committee dissolved. It was a noble object, and I
sincerely hope that in the future some such organization will come into
existence, for it is badly wanted both for the assistants and the trade
generally.
In 1898 I had the honour of being elected a member of the Worshipful
Company of Stationers, which is so associated, especially in the
past, with literature and books. I am sure every one who takes the
opportunity of going through the Hall will feel proud of this almost
sacred building. It has a history connected with the makers and
distributors of literature which is an honour not only to the trade but
to the nation; I sincerely hope that the policy now being advocated by
the City Livery Club, of which I am also a member, that of more closely
associating the various Livery Companies with the trade or craft by
which they are designated, will be successful. If this can be done, it
will be better for the various City Guilds, as well as the particular
trades after which the Guilds are named.
In 1897 the Prince of Wales, afterwards King Edward VII, inaugurated
the Hospital Fund which still bears his name, to commemorate the
sixtieth year of Queen Victoria's reign. One of the means adopted to
assist in raising funds was the issue of a series of stamps which
varied in price. This series met with great success, and the public
issue of the stamps was entrusted to Simpkin, Marshall & Co. After it
had run its course and added considerably to the Hospital funds, it
was decided by the authorities that the issue should be discontinued,
and that the plates from which the stamps had been printed should be
destroyed. A special day was fixed for this purpose, and our present
King and Queen, then the Prince and Princess of Wales, kindly consented
to undertake this task. The destruction of the plates took place at the
Bank of England in a small room, and another Director of our Company
and myself were selected to see the operation completed. It was a most
interesting occasion, and, being in so small and informal a place, the
talk between the half-dozen or so witnesses and the Royal destroyers
was very pleasant. With a strong file which was handed to her, the
Princess of Wales, in a most business-like way, rubbed the face of the
metal plates of the stamps and thereby made it impossible for any more
to be printed. Though it all happened in a very short space of time,
it was a delightful as well as an historic gathering.
While speaking of Royalty, I am reminded of an occasion when Edward
VII, then Prince of Wales, opened the Free Library at Lambeth under the
Chairmanship of Mr. Tate, who contributed largely to the Library funds.
The Prince made an excellent speech, short and to the point, although
his articulation was not very clear. This, I suppose, arose through the
many languages which it was necessary for him to master, and it struck
me at the time that his accent was more like that of a foreigner who
had learned English than an Englishman's.
On the issuing of the eleventh edition of the "Encyclopædia
Britannica," I was asked by the editor to write two articles on
Bookselling and Publishing, with biographical notices of British
and American publishers' houses. I did this with much pleasure, and
afterwards received an invitation to a dinner at the Hotel Cecil to
celebrate the Encyclopædia's completion and publication. Among some
600 guests who were present, there were representatives of great
distinction from every department of learning, such as the Speaker
of the House of Commons, Mr. Balfour, Sir W. Harcourt, Lord Brassey,
Lord Bryce and Viscount Wolseley. These names are sufficiently
representative of the guests, although it would be difficult to give a
complete list of them. Altogether, it was a wonderful gathering, and my
association with it was most gratifying to me.