GEORGE GATONBY STEAD.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13105, 2 May 1908, Page 10

GEORGE GATONBY STEAD.

AN APPRECIATION. (By One op nis Fiuetds.) "Jam din ego huic ben« et hie mihi volumna et amicitia est antiqua."—Plautns. It is a debt duo to a friendship of nearly twenty years that I should place on record an' appreciation of those qualities of heart and head that won Mr Stead tho affectionate admiration of those who knew iiim well. And it is fitting that this appreciation should find place in the pages of that paper in whoso development he took, from his earliest connection with it, such inteaise and enlightened interest, and in whose success ho felt so just a pride.

His was above all things else a strong, forceful, effective personality. All that he touched he stamped with his individuality. There were but few mon he came in contact with whom he did not sooner or later lead; not from tbaifc inagnatio attractiveness which makes some men leaders, but from sheer force of character, capacity, and will-power. His presence on a committoo or a commission always made for efiectiveneae. He possessed ra tho highest degree that rarest ot all qualities—initiative. Every institution he helped to manogo or direct could tell its tale of reforms and innovations that owed their existence to his-sole initiative. His mind was constantly alert, perpetually receptive; one wondered sometimes if it ever slept. Many a time he has como to mc with a suggestion .he wished considered or advocated, or carried into effect, and prefaced it with "I thought of this while dressing: this and mado a note of it." That was characteristic of his restless energy. He bad among his advantages of intellect anextroordimary

power of readiness, so that what he j fcmew was always at hand; and he added to this a memory at once capacious, j accurate, and accessible. And if! genius be indeed an "infinite capacity tor taking pains," then was he a genius of a very high order. It was tho actual, tho practical, that alon-e interested him, for ho was essentially a roan of affairs. Ho did not philosophise or theoriso, and speculative thought had little attraction for him. He possessed mathematical ability in a marked degree, and could apply it with success to abstruse calculation?. But it was characteristic of him that he frequently express-ed a f rani canjfcermpt for the study of Euclid. His taste in books was equally significant. The author who had impressed him mest was Macaulay. If one ventured a critdaiam on tho mechanical jogtrot of Macau lay's pedestrian prose, he was impatient in defence: it was clear, lucid, direct; it was British commonsense incarnate. And those qualities it was that appealed to him. For he was essentially a realist, if one may use that term as the opposite of idealist; it was tho actual, tho practical, that engaged his intelk-ct. But that quality of Jiis mind, which won him tho moit widespread respect was his absolute fairness. He had a capacity for intellectual detachment which is as rare as it i.s valuablo in a man of affairs. A vigorous, oven at times a vehement fighter, ho never underrated an opponent or was niggardly in tributes to the good qualities of an adversary. It us happily easy for most men to be- generous with their money; it is a nuicti harder matter to bo gonnermie with your opinions. And in that regard he was in tho highest eeiiEO, sometimes oven in a quixotic sonta?. ganerous. H<» •was at one time a keen politician: he held strong vi«ivs, foT .ill his views were strong, on many questions of the day, ami was hotly opposed to much ot tlu; democratic soouUitsm that canio into vogue. But his strenuous fig-hte for principles .never blinded him ior cno moment to the good qualitiu* of llio men who fought against them, he saw itlio opposite view-point in politics with sympathetic clearness, ar.tl when tho battle was won or lost would fraternise with enemy without ono spark of ill-will surviving the contest. All of us know how hard h<; fought in the Maritime Strike of 1890. Sorno of us only know how much Iμ did immediately after to reinstate th-o men and repair the losses consequent on their folly. In tihat memorable incident himself moro perhaps than in^jdjgfc-other episode of hie career tlie|jjaxt&ii of firm and righteous will. . ; . "Jnstum ct tenacem propositi virom Ntm civium ardor prava jubentium . . . Mente quatit solidal"

But if ho was strong, he was tender too. All his ivorld knew how masterful ho was; only a few who were withan the very inner circle of his friendship could know how kind Jie was. To ask his belp was to receive it. His private cliarities were numerous as they wore substantial, though oftan enough brusquely bestowed. For the noed of help generally imports the want or selt-reliance —the quality lie most respected. And liiis gifts were not infrequently accompanied by a lecture on the conduct that had made the gift necessary. But whatever the causes that impelled the need for help, the help was never withheld. Mr Stead had, as all have, the defects of his qualities. Like many strong men, he was often needlessly combative; just to all and a faithful friend to many who came between the iiLiver and the outer circumferences of friendship he did not Teveal ihoß best self freely; hie manner interposed a barrier which, strut mo/iy out from knowledgo of ■ nils highest qualities. But ho was pre-eminently a bag man; big of brain, and big of heart. And as a friend he was without one flaw.. The many men and women who were directly or indirectly employed by him cam. of his great justice and kindness; it was a source of pardonable pride to him to speak of the long years of faithful service many of thetse had given him. That smaller circle who were honoured with his friendship can speak to hia unswerving loyalty. Many years ago ho denned tor mc nis idea of friendship. 1 had got myself into a difficulty by the indiscreet use of a sometimes vitriolic pen. It needed a friend with tact and loyalty to help mc through, and 1 applied to him. He strongly disapproved of my indiscretion, lectured mc severely on my youthful rashness, and saw mo through. When 1 thanked him, I told turn I appreciated his kindness the more that ho had helped whore ho condemned. He brushed my thanks aside. "What is a friond?" I remember his saying. "Anybody will stick up for you when you are in the right. A friend is the man who will see you through when you are in the wrong." And from that broad view of friendship he nover receded. He made come enemies—what strong man docs not?—but more frientls. And if ho 6eldom lacked tno one, he never failed the other. And now,, his strenuous spirit has found rest—all too soon. Few of us are fated to be long missed; but he has left a place in his world that will not soon or easily bo tilled. A man of fearleas courage and indomitable will; a tireless worker, but enthusiastic sportsman ; a vehement fighter, but a chivalrous adversary. Kindest and fairest of men; strong, constant, and strenuous; above all things, a loyal and unswerving friend.

" Tho elements So mixed in him that Nature might stand up, And cay to all the world, ' This was a nan!' "