The life of the Right Hon. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, G.C.B. 1923

Front matter

~HNINENIE

NASeS Cisse vol. \

DUE RETURNED yo

Chapter I Childhood And Youth

Campbell and McOran—How the Campbells came to Inchanoch —Their Removal to Glasgow—the Brothers Campbell and the Firm of J.and W. Campbell—Birth of Henry Campbell (Bannerman)—His Father’s Character and Achievements —Family Life and Education—A Juvenile Grand Tour —Glasgow University and Cambridge—In Business— Marriage—Tours Abroad—Early Political Views

Chapter II Candidate And Mp

Candidature for the Stirling Burghs—A Raid on Officialism— Campbellites and Ramsayites—The Spring Election—A certain Liveliness—The Autumn Election—A Triumphant Return—Compliments in Glasgow—The Member and his Constituents

Chapter III Parliament And Office

The Move to London—First Speeches in Parliament—An Attack on the ‘ Ancient Universities ’"—-Compulsory Education—Financial Secretary to the War Office—Association with Cardwell—The Cardwell Reforms—Out of Office—A. Military Specialist—Money Payments for Regimental Exchanges—Scottish Affairs—A Dangerous Reputation

PAGE

AD x SIR HENRY CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

Chapter IV Army, Navy, And Ireland

PAGE The 1880 Parliament—In the Old Office again—Recruiting Problems—Childers’ Reforms—Financial Secretary to the Admiralty—The Truth about the Navy—a Letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer—Impressions of a Private Secretary—Lord Northbrook’s Testimonial—lIrish Chief Secretaryship—Doubts and Hesitations—Ambiguous Congratulations—Qualifications as Chief Secretary—Doubts

about ‘ the Lodge ’—First Visit toIreland_ . , ‘ 49

Chapter V . A Stormy Chief Secretaryship

An Ominous New Fact—Difficulties of the Chief Secretary— A ‘ Sufficiently Dull Man ’—Mr. T. P. O’Connor’s Tribute —His Guiding Principles—Some Detestable Questions— An Irish Education Bill—Royal Visit to Ireland—The Renewal of the Crimes Act—Cabinet Differences—Campbell-Bannerman’s Line—The Search for a ‘ Judicious Title "—The Proposed Land Bill—Mr. Gladstone’s Views —Mr. Chamberlain’s Policy—The Chief Secretary’s Memorandum—‘ Something like Grattan’s Parliament ’—The Central Board Scheme and its Rejection—Deadlock in the Cabinet—Fali of the Government—Lord Spencer’s Tribute to Campbell-Bannerman , : ; : ; ; 65

Chapter VI Home Ruler And Cabinet Minister

The November Election—Unopposed Return—Opinions on Home Rule—Finding Salvation—Correspondence with Lord Spencer—Letter to Lord Northbrook—Formation of the New Government—Secretary for War—Queen Victoria’s Nominee—Sir William Harcourt and the Estimates— Contagious Diseases Act—Speech on the Home Rule Bill —The ‘ In-and-Out Solution "Dissolution and Defeat of the Government—A Popular Minister : ‘ : 88

CONTENTS X1

Chapter VII The Handy Man Of Opposition

PAGE Many Activities—Speech-making in Scotland—A Sanguine Partisan—lInvitations from Scottish Constituencies—West Perth and the Stirling Burghs—IIlness and Holiday abroad —The Hartington Commission—Objections to a Chief of the Staff—Dislike of ‘ Continental Militarism ’—Relations with Mr. Gladstone—The Conservative Land Purchase Bill—Letters to Sir William Harcourt—A Four-figure

Majority . : ; : : : ‘- 2 FEO

Chapter VIII Back At The War Office

A Disappointing Election—Back at the War Office—Too Many Peers—The Minister’s Time-table—His General Policy—Questions with Queen Victoria—Guards and Cameron Highlanders—The Honorary Colonels—Report of the Wantage Committee—Strong Objections—Patronage and Promotion— Battles with the Chancellor of the Exchequer—Obstacles to Economy—Alarms about Foreign Affairs—Leaving Well Alone—The Eight Hours Day . ‘ D : ; ; : : aaa ee

Chapter IX Reorganisation And The Duke Of Cambridge

Soldiers and Civilian Militarists—Reorganisation at the War Office—The Commandership-in-Chief—A Compromise— The Need of New Blood—The Duke of Cambridge and Reform—tThe Departure of the Duke—The Cordite Debate and Division—Resignation and Fall of the Government —The Incident of the Seals—G.C.B.—Buller and the Commandership-in-Chief—Tributes from the War Office. 144

Chapter X An All-round Minister

An All-round Minister—Parting with Mr. Gladstone— Relations with Queen Victoria—Autumns at Balmoral— xii SIR HENRY CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN PAGE Letters to his Wife—The Cellular Life—Falling into Theatricals—Mourning to Music—The Queen and the House of Lords—The Speakership—The Cabinet in a Scrape—The Goal of his Ambition—Objections of Colleagues—Doubts in the Burghs—A Disappointment— Dislike of London Life—Reasons for Absence—Remonstrances of Sir William Harcourt . ; F : : 164

Chapter XI Liberal Difficulties And South African Troubles

The Election of 1895—The Burghs Faithful—A Heavy Disaster—The Difficulties of the Ex-Cabinet—Mr. Gladstone and the Armenian Question—Resignation of Lord Rosebery—Imperialists and Little Englanders—The Jameson Raid—A Historical Retrospect—The South ) African Committee—Harcourt’s and Campbell-Bannerman’s part in it—Their Theory of Rhodes’s Action—A Shattering Blow—Divided Opinions—The Sfectator’s Allegation—A Lost Opportunity. : ; ‘ « he eee

Chapter XII Succession To The Leadership

Sir William Harcourt’s Resignation—The Harcourt-Morley Correspondence—Imperialism and Little Englandism— Lord Rosebery’s Influence—The Dark Star of Politics— The Liberal Leadership—‘ No Such Office ’—The Choice of the Successor—Difficulties of the Position—Campbell- Bannerman and the Shorter Catechism —A Medical Opinion—WNolo Ae a ce Bae Meeting—A Portrait of Himself . ‘ ‘ »~ - 205

Chapter XIII On The Eve Of War

The Session of 1889—Hopes of Tranquillity—Death of Mr. T.E. Ellis—A ppointment of Mr. Herbert Gladstone as Chief Whip—First Speech as Leader—The Brewing of the Storm in South Africa—The Milner Despatch—The New Situa-

CONTENTS xii

PAGE tion—The Demand of the Franchise in South Africa— Campbell-Bannerman’s Views—Nothing to justify Warlike Action—Conversations with Mr. Chamberlain—Objections to Government Plan—Off to Marienbad—A ‘Troubled Holiday—The Summons Home—The Maidstone Speech— Cross-currents in the ex-Cabinet—-The Groups in the Party—The Opposition in Parliament—Passionate Differences—Mr. Chamberlain’s Propaganda—The Problems of

the Leader ‘ ; : 4 , : ; oKasees

Chapter XIV War And Politics

A Troubled Recess—Military Disaster and Popular Displeasure—Politicians and Soldiers—Public Speeches— Speaking at each other—Efforts in Unity—The War Atmosphere—Difficulties of Moderation—An Imperturbable Spirit—The Pitfalls of Speech-making—Lord Rosebery’s Attitude—Lawson ‘battle-axe in hand ’—The Religio Milneriana—London Government—Clerical Tithes 253

Chapter XV Troubles In The Liberal Party

The Campaign in South Africa—Appointment of Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener—Drafting an Amendment —Campbell-Bannerman’s Views—The Return of the * Scriveners ’—The Debate on the Amendment—Differences and Abstentions—Recriminations of the Generals—

The Question of Annexation—His Strong Opinion— Persuading his Colleagues—Speech at Glasgow—A Closed Chapter—Debate on Colonial Office Vote—The Treatment of Rebels—A Disastrous Evening—Mr. Chamberlain on the War-path . : : : : P : <o. 269

Chapter XVI The Khaki Election

An Interval at Marienbad—The Dissolution—Caught in a Trap—The Khaki Election—The Unionist Slogan— Optimism and Disappointment—A reduced Majority in xiv SIR HENRY CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

PAGE the Burghs—The General Result—Attitude of the Liberal Imperialists—The Imperial Liberal Council—Objection to Sectional Organisations—Taking Stock of the Position —The Scottish Whips—An Olive-branch to Lord Rosebery —A Speech at Dundee—Sir William Harcourt and the ex- Cabinet—The Beginning of Farm- bane ey ae ie for the Soldiers—The Contracts Question. 288

Chapter XVII The War And The Opposition

The Stalemate in the War—Smoothing Tactics—The Newspaper War—Death of Queen Victoria—Debate on the Address — Unconditional Surrender— Towards Liberal Unity—A new Ground of Quarrel—Farm-burning and Concentration Camps—Speech at Oxford—Sir Alfred Milner’s Opinions—The Kitchener-Botha Negotiations— Speech on Taxation—Speech at Bradford—Definition of Liberal Policy . : : : - 2 : ar ake

Chapter XVIII ‘methods Of Barbarism’

Sir Alfred Milner in London—Renewal of Liberal Dissensions —Miss Emily Hobhouse’s Report—An Interview at Grosvenor Place—Methods of Barbarism—Popular Displeasure —A Critical Phase—The War to the Knife and Fork —The Party Meeting—Lord Rosebery’s Intervention— ‘The Lonely Furrow ’—An ‘ Awful Fortnight ’—General Botha’s Opinion ; ; : : : : “i 5h 2

ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE

HENRY CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN, 1874 Pyeee Frontispiece James McOran CaMPBELL : ; Wear WILLIAM CAMPBELL . wt cp: ; : Anta2 KELVINSIDE House, GLascow . Oh Lapy CAMPBELL . , uc Bo SIR JAMES CAMPBELL in RES STRACATHRO, FORFARSHIRE, : : : : lek fF

Mr. AND Mrs. Henry CAMPBELL (SIR HENRY AND Lapy CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN) ABOUT THE TIME OF THEIR

MARRIAGE IN 1860 _ . ; ‘ : , : GEOL HUNTON CourT, NEAR MAIDSTONE, KENT ; He t7G GENNINGS, NEAR MAIDSTONE, KENT. i ; . | 209 JAMES CAMPBELL OF TULLICHEWAN . Sine 7!

THE RicHTt HONOURABLE HENRY CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN, 1892 . ; , : ; e857

Mrs. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN . A : i hays

XV i ti} tl,

Chapter I Childhood And Youth

Campbell and McOran—How the Campbells came to Inchanoch —Their Removal to Glasgow—the Brothers Campbell and the Firm of J. and W. Campbell—Birth of Henry Campbell (Bannerman)—His Father’s Character and Achievements— Family Life and Education—A Juvenile Grand Tour— Glasgow University and Cambridge—In Business—Marriage —Tours Abroad—Early Political Views.

district south of Oban killed a young McColl in AA gsh lat

N the year 1660 a young Campbell of Melfort in the cHap. ZET, 1-32.

fray at a clan gathering. The act was probably accidental, since the father of McColl seems to have forgiven it, but the outcry of the McColl family was so great that it was thought necessary for the young Campbell to leave the country. He went by night mounted on a pony with provisions for two or three days, and, after some wandering, put himself under the protection of the Earl of Menteith. When with the Earl he met Miss Nancy Haldane, a niece of Haldane of Lanrick, and made a runaway marriage with her. The Earl forgave him and established the young couple on the farm of Inchanoch in Menteith, which they and their descendants held rent free until it passed into the hands of Graham of Gartmore in 1779.

The outlaw had changed his name to McOran on leaving Melfort, and his descendants continued to call themselves McOran while they were in Menteith, though they resumed the name of Campbell when they went elsewhere. There was a local saying that ‘there was never a Campbell in Menteith nor a McOran out of it... When Graham of Gartmore acquired the property he left James McOran, great-grandson of the original Campbell of Melfort, who was then in possession, undisturbed, and gave him a lease

VOL. I. A cHap. of the farm from 1779 to 1800, which was afterwards

___ renewed to 1819. In 1803, however, he decided to sell it

1836-1868. +4 Mr, Graham-Shepherd of Rednock, who wished to add to it his park, and James McOran was given £525 for the unexpired portion of his lease and asked to take himself elsewhere. :

He left reluctantly, as well he might, having a wife and nine children and little or nothing beyond this compensation for their support. The eldest son John, aged seventeen, who had already served a year in the city as apprentice to a grocer, appears to have pointed to Glasgow and the grocery business as the likeliest way of earning a living. Accordingly in 1804 James McOran, who now changed his name back to Campbell, opened a grocer’s shop in Gallowgate, and the following year moved to Saltmarket, where grocery was expanded into ‘general provisions.’ Hard times followed, and after two years the shop was given up and the father and mother ? left Glasgow and went to live at Head of Green, whence they moved eventually to Parkhead. The eldest son John,? meanwhile, had migrated to America and for a few months there was talk of the whole family following, but this was ended by the news that he had married an American girl almost immediately on landing and was now absorbed in his own fortunes. By this time the other sons, James, William, and Alexander, had obtained some sort of schooling and were apprenticed to various firms in Glasgow, James going to his father’s old friends, McLachlan and McKeand, who were in business as Warehousemen. The lads were enterprising and industrious, and had ideas of setting up for themselves at the earliest possible moment. By the time he was twenty (1810) James was a full-fledged partner in a tailor’s business styled ‘ Paterson and Campbell,’ and when it failed, two years later, persisted by himself for four years longer as

1 Helen, daughter of John Forrester of Frew near Kippen, married James McOran in 1785.

# John subsequently returned to Glasgow, and was for some years in business with his brothers, but eventually made America his home. He bought a property at Fonda in New York State, and died there in 1872.

J. AND W. CAMPBELL 3 a ‘clothier.’ The failure was no discredit, and James cnap. Campbell showed the stuff he was made of by paying all the creditors in full with interest in the subsequent years. “™ 13? In the meantime the friends of the family, especially McLachlan and McKeand, exerted themselves to put the brothers on their feet. William now proposed to start a “hawker’s business,’ 2.¢. supplying goods to hawkers, and McLachlan and McKeand found capital to take a warehouse and buy goods. In 1816 James abandoned tailoring and joined his brother in this new venture, which was launched in 1817 as the firm of J. and W. Campbell. In the first scheme, James Campbell, William Campbell, and Messrs. McLachlan and McKeand had each a third share, but fourteen months later Mr. McKeand was paid out, and five years later still Mr. McLachlan, who was now in bad health, disposed of his share to the brothers.?

The new firm, which was started at 5 Saltmarket, rapidly outgrew ‘ the hawker’s business,’ and six years later (1823) moved to 34 Candleriggs. Thence in 1856 it made its final move to 29 Ingram Street, where it now is. In 1822 James Campbell, the senior partner, now in prosperous circumstances, married the daughter of a successful Manchester manufacturer, Janet Bannerman, who brought a literary strain into the family, since her mother was a Motherwell and a sister of William Motherwell the Glasgow poet. The young couple lived first on the north side of George Square in what was then described as the ‘ New Building,’ where their eldest son James Alexander was born in 1825. In 1829 James Campbell built the house, 21 Bath Street (afterwards 129), which was his Glasgow house for the rest of his life, and there is still a tradition that he astonished his neighbours by bringing Italian workmen to decorate it. A year or two later he took the mansion of Kelvinside for his summer residence, and here on September 7, 1836, his second son and youngest child Henry, the future Prime Minister, was born. In addition to the

1 These details are taken from a memorandum left by Sir James Campbell, dated Stracathro, Nov. 6, 1875.

cuap. two sons there were four daughters: Jane, the eldest of the \_. family, who died at Zurich in 1842, aged nineteen ; Louisa, 1836-1868. horn in 1833, who married James A. Bannerman and died at Torquay in 1873 ; Helen, who died in childhood in 1836 ; and Mary, who died in infancy in 1835.

Kelvinside, originally known as Bankhead, was a pleasant eighteenth-century house, built in 1749 by a ‘ Virginia Don,’ as the Glasgow merchants who traded in tobacco were called in those days. It was finely situated on a bend of the Kelvin, opposite the present Botanic Gardens. The house has long vanished from the scene and the whole district is now built over with streets and terraces, but eighty years ago it was still in the country and the wooded banks overlooking the Kelvin were famous for their snowdrops and wild hyacinths. In later years James Campbell moved to the neighbouring house of Jordanhill for his summer quarters, but he was at Kelvinside when his family | were growing up, and it was there that Henry and his brother and sisters spent their summer holidays.

II

Of his early days Henry Campbell has left no records — and his contemporaries have passed from the scene. But tradition agrees that the Campbells were a happy and united family, with strong and energetic characters and serious views of their duties in life. In after years, when he was old and famous, Henry Campbell spoke of “the things which he had learnt at his mother’s knee’ as coming back to him when all else had faded ; and his mother is remembered in her family as a lady of great dignity and charm, with a rare habit of self-control which she impressed upon her children. A granddaughter remembers with awe how she saw a wasp alight on her face and walk all over it without causing her to move in her chair or betray the slightest sign that she was aware of it. It is perhaps worth noting that she came of a Liberal family, and in after days, when her son first stood as a Liberal candidate, some of his sup-

JAMES CAMPBELL, SENIOR 5 porters said: ‘Mr. Henry ’s no a Campbell—he’s just a cHAp. Bannerman. James, ‘my big brother,’ as the younger —~__ one persisted in calling him to the end of their lives, was, “™ *3* with his ten years’ seniority, the acknowledged leader

among the children, and all bear witness that he was a

kindly and affectionate elder brother. Henry’s particular

‘pal,’ as he grew up, appears to have been his sister Louisa,

and to her he addressed such boyish letters as have sur-

vived. Dogs, rabbits, and other domestic pets, especially

dogs, which seem to have multiplied very rapidly at Kelvin-

side, played a large part in the children’s world.

James Campbell, the father, who is justly famous in the municipal history of Glasgow, was a man of immense industry and powerful will. In addition to carrying on a great and expanding business, he was an eager municipal politician and a leader of the Conservative Party in his city. In 1837 and again in 1841 he stood as a Tory candidate for Glasgow and was beaten on both occasions. No Conservative was returned for Glasgow until 1874, when Mr. Alexander Whitelaw was elected as third member under the Disraelian three-cornered constituency scheme. James Campbell was an ardent admirer of Sir Robert Peel, and in 1837, when Sir Robert was coming to Glasgow to be installed Lord Rector of the University, he drove post-chaise to Drayton Manor and back in what was said to have been record time in order to convey an invitation to him to attend a banquet to be given by his Conservative admirers in the city. For that an immense wooden pavilion was erected in what is now Prince’s Square, Buchanan Street, and it is recorded that the company numbered 3430, that they sat from 5.30 in the afternoon till 1.30 in the morning, and that even then only nineteen out of the thirty-seven toasts on the list had been given. Henry Campbell was in his cradle, but his future chief, Mr. Gladstone, then still the rising hope of the stern and unbending Tories, was present and made a speech. In 1860, when Lord Brougham was in Glasgow as President of the Social Science Congress, he was the guest of James Campbell, and probably met the

CHAP.

1836-1868, future Prime Minister, who was then still living under his father’s roof.?

The Disruption movement of 1843 divided the Campbell family, as it did many others in Scotland, and the partners in the great firm went different ways, James remaining a strong Conservative and Established Churchman, while his brother William went with the Free Church and became a Liberal in politics. But all accounts agree that in spite of his strong opinions, James Campbell was an exceedingly tolerant man, and that no political or religious differences affected the good relations of the brothers or their families. He encouraged his own children to think for themselves and was not at all annoyed when they developed opinions of their own.

James Campbell entered the Glasgow Town Council in 1835 and became Lord Provost in 1840, a position which he held for the usual period of three years. His appointment was welcomed by men of all parties, and during his years of office he made an end of the feuds which had distracted the Council for some years previously. Some characteristic stories are told of him. When the mill at Barrowfield caught fire, the police refused the use of the burgh fire-engine, on the ground that Barrowfield was outside the burgh boundary, whereupon the Lord Provost peremptorily ordered the engines out and, mounting one of them himself, drove to the scene of the fire. For this he was solemnly censured by the Police Commissioners. He incurred another censure from his own Council a little later, for helping the Government to frame a new Police Bill for the city, when they had disagreed. In spite of his Conservative opinions he was an active and progressive Lord Provost; great improvements were made during his years of office, and Glasgow developed rapidly as a port. In 1841 he was knighted,? on the occasion of the birth of

1 For many of the details in this chapter I am indebted to Dr. David Murray, a veteran and distinguished citizen of Glasgow.

* The Glasgow people had a jest at his expense on this occasion. He came back from London, after receiving the accolade, by the newly opened

BOYHOOD IN GLASGOW 7 the Prince of Wales (afterwards King Edward vi.), and cuap. two years later, when he had at length laid down his office, Nom ND his fellow-citizens of all parties gave him a banquet and “*™ *3* presented him with a costly piece of gold plate. In 1848

he acquired the estate of Stracathro in Forfarshire, a fine property with a big house, where he continued to live until

his death in 1876 at the advanced age of eighty-six. During

all these years he was counted a foremost citizen of Glasgow

and was greatly respected for his high character and public

spirit. ;

It was in this atmosphere of politics, public work, commercial prosperity, and local fame that the young Henry Campbell grew up. The parents had all the Scottish virtues: they were religious, dutiful, orderly, and business-like ; in spite of their wealth, they lived simply and applied themselves seriously to the education of their children. At the age of eleven Henry was sent to Glasgow High School,? where he got the rudiments of what was then deemed to be a sound classical education, with Latin and Greek for its “main ingredients. He attended the annual reunions of his classmates in his old school in 1897 and 1808, and they declared on these occasions that he had won their respect and affection as a lad, and that ‘he had been their superior in the classroom and their equal in the playground.’ Of his achievements in the playground he spoke in after years with humorous modesty, declaring that he had spoilt a railway to Liverpool and thence by steamer to Glasgow. The steamer reached Greenock early on a Sunday morning when there was no water to bring her up to Glasgow. So his fellow-townsmen fetched him off in a specially chartered boat decked with flags and bunting, and landed him before a large crowd on the Sabbath morning. It so happened that he and his firm had just announced their opposition to travelling on Sunday and had let it be known that they would forward no goods by the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway if that Company ran Sunday trains.

1 This school, formerly the Grammar School, was one of the first in the United Kingdom to develop what was subsequently called a ‘ modern side.’ In 1833 it changed its name to ‘ High School’ and added classes in English and modern languages, mathematics, chemistry, geography, and drawing. Thomas Campbell, John Gibson Lockhart, Sir William Hamilton, and Sir John Moore, the hero of Corunna, are among the distinguished names on its roll.

CHAP.

1836-1868, great deal of good turf in vain efforts to become a golfer, and frankly admitting his lack of proficiency in other kinds of sport. But the Campbell children were provided with ponies and knew how to ride them, and he seems at this age to have been a healthy out-of-door sort of lad who loved the country and rejoiced in his holidays at Kelvinside or Stracathro.

’ During these years the whole family were regular attendants at St. George’s, Glasgow, the place of worship of the leading commercial families in Glasgow, then under the ministrations of the Rev. James Craik, D.D., afterwards Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. Dr. Craik’s son, Sir Henry Craik, well remembers Sir James Campbell’s pew and the unfailing presence of each member of his family. The young Henry Campbell was a frequent visitor at the minister’s house, and Dr. ~ Craik took a special interest in the plans for his education. Sir Henry Craik, though ten years younger than Henry Campbell, has a clear recollection of the Campbell family, and he has recorded his own impressions of them at this time :—

The figures both of Sir James and Lady Campbell stand out distinctly in my memory. If that memory does not deceive me, Henry Campbell took after his mother in personal appearance. Sir James was a man of somewhat rough exterior and with a character of marked force. As a youth I dreaded him, but assuredly not from any lack of kindliness in his behaviour towards us. If he was homely and somewhat brusque, he certainly never was churlish or repellent. His own energy had raised him to a leading position in the commercial world of Glasgow, but he had not attained that position without experience of the hazards of business risks, His voyage had not all been plain sailing. He began life! as an agricultural workman: and I remember how in his later years in showing my mother round the grounds at Stracathro he was tempted in the threshing-yard to try a fling with the old-fashioned flail. . The result was rather disastrous to his shoulders, and he turned with a smile to my mother, and remarked that the time did not seem so long ago

1 At Inchanoch.

THE TWO BROTHERS 9 since he had spent hours in wielding the flail with no danger of cHar mishaps ! '

In politics Sir James was a Tory of the old school, full of Br. 32. memories of pre-reform days, and of the old Corporation régime. But whatever he thought of his son Henry’s politics, he was none the less sincerely proud of his abilities (which were fully recognised in the University) and of the promise of his Parliamentary career. His elder son, James Alexander, followed more nearly the political predilections of his father, although in somewhat modified form, and more suited for adaptation to modern ideas. He followed his father also in his more complete absorption in Scottish affairs, which can hardly be said to have satisfied the more comprehensive ambition and the wider range of his brother Henry. The two brothers, indeed, although cordial in their friendship and sympathetic in domestic life, were formed in strongly contrasted moulds. Their widely different views of politics and their fundamental disagreement upon almost all public questions did, however, keep them asunder in many ways. Each had too strong a brain and too firm a resolution to gloze over these fundamental differences, as smaller or more careless men might have done. They loved and respected one another: but each disliked the opinions of the other. This difference remained as strongly marked as ever to the end of their lives.

Ill

Sir Henry Craik adds that from his early years Henry Campbell had a very distinct idea that the proper object of education was to get knowledge of the world rather than knowledge of books. Ifso, he may well have got the inspiration from his father, whose thoughts lay entirely in the same direction. Being a large importer of foreign goods with correspondents all over Europe, Sir James Campbell believed in foreign languages and saw to it that his sons were early grounded in French. Frequently in their childhood they seem to have accompanied him in his journeys in France ; and in August 1850 he took Henry from school, a week before his fourteenth birthday, and sent him with his big brother James (who was then just twenty-four) and his cousin David on a grand tour in Europe. Every week, and sometimes twice a week, during this tour, Henry wrote

CHAP: long and careful letters home to his sister Louisa, and these —__ she dutifully copied into two large copy-books which have

1868. happily survived. A few years hence they may have an interest of their own as a picture of the old Europe which is rapidly fading from oureyes. But their value for present purposes is in the lively picture that they present of the Campbell boys and their doings.

The itinerary of the party was laid out for nearly a year’s absence, and it took them by train, diligence, river, steamer, and post-chaise through France, Switzerland, Italy, Sicily, and back through Austria, Germany, Holland, and Belgium —a famous tour for a lad of fourteen. We may guess that there was business in it as well as pleasure and education, for they were armed with letters of introduction to people who appear to have been correspondents of the Glasgow firm, and James is often reported to be out on business when the others are doing their lessons or taking their pleasure. ‘ James,’ says Henry, writing from Paris, * has gone to see about shawl-patterns for the warehouse, while David and I go to the review at the Tuileries,’ and the next day all three lads sit in judgment on certain ‘ papers ’ which James has brought in—presumably paper patterns—and report them to be in “ the newest fashion and approved by all of us.’ But whatever James may be doing, Henry is the faithful recorder. He tells how they were ‘ rather ill’ on the boat in which they came over with ‘ Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean, the great stage-players, and with Albert Smith, the great writer in Punch who has written several small books’; how he and David were so fatigued with travelling that they ‘ fell fast asleep in passing through the beauties of the Boulevards,’ but in spite of everything “greatly enjoyed table d’hdte at Meurice’s Hotel,’ where they had established themselves, and ‘ went afterwards to Franconi’s and were very much pleased.’ At Notre-Dame he finds ‘ exactly the same little dwarf woman begging that we saw in 1846,’ and notes that nothing i is altered at Versailles, where they feed the fishes ‘as usual.’ He was evidently at the age of fourteen a vwieuwx Parisien. James

A GRAND TOUR It and another James, their cousin James Bannerman, who cuap. was apparently living in Paris at this time, being late in any keeping an appointment on the Boulevard with the younger “* '3*: boys, David buys sixteen pairs of gloves ‘to put off the

time.’ The short-lived Republic of 1850 is still in being,

and Henry notes that all the buildings have ‘ Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité’ written on them. He has no opinion

of the National Guards, and comments severely on their

lack of discipline and their loose habit of ‘smoking pipes

all the time.’ All three lads are very careful in attending

service on Sundays, and generally go twice in the day, once

to the Scottish church and once to the English. They are

good Protestants, and James takes the other two to a meeting on behalf of Protestant missions in France where