MR. TENNYSON SMITH.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXV, Issue 243, 13 October 1891, Page 2

MR. TENNYSON SMITH.

It oreatea a good impression when, those who come before the public as reformers give proof by their aofcions of their disinterestedness—for deeds apeak more loudly than words — and it must be admitted that Mr Tennyson Smith has exemplified the prinoiple in his career in the colonies. The S.A. Temperance News for August, 1890, (published in Adelaide) says : "In coming to Australia Mr Smith did so as a stranger, but his widely-acqnired reputation, had preceded him, and immediately upon his arrival that prinoe of advance agents, Mr It. S, Smythe, waited upon "him and endeavoured to seoure a year's exolusive engagement of his leotnrea at a handsome fee per leoture. This offer Mr Smith deoiined, but being a stranger, and having made no speoial prearrangement' with the Temperance organistions of South Australia, he consentsd to give two lectures under Mr Smythe's auspices. These leofcurea clearly evinced the great ability of the ' second Gough,' and proved his capability to lay hold of and retain the concentrated attention of his Audiences ; but feeling that while his engagements to Mr Smythe would be exceedingly profitable to himself, it would tend to militate against the philanthropic oharaoter of his work, he deoiined to enter upon a further agreement, and deoided to lecture exclusively under the auspioes of the Temperance Societies of the colony," And as, unfortunately, many people are loth to credit leaders in a cause with unselfish motives, and would scarcely give credence to the bare statement of facts, we may say that we have seen the original agreement (and we are in a position to vouch for its authenticity) between Mr E. Tennyson Smith and the prince of leoture agents, Mr It. S. Smythe, in which the latter agrees to pay the lecturer 10 guineas per night for two nights' leobure in the Town Hall, Adelaide. A press copy of Mr Smith's letter declining a further engagement lies before us and wo cannot do better than quote the terms.

Adelaide, July 9. Pear Mr Smythe. — I have to thank you for oheque for twenty guineas —please find receipt enclosed.

I think that as my work has a philanthropic object I ought to work for the Temperance and religious societies, although I am quite aware they will not be able to pay me nearly the fees you can afford, With kind regards believe me Faithfully yours Ed. T. Smith." Moreover, the lecturer, immediately on declining to enter upon a further engagement with Mr R. 9. Smythe, offered his services to temperanoe aooieties for half the fee Mr Smythe had paid him, and has sinoe continued to do so, and as the lecture agent doubtless intended to make money by securing Mr Tennyson Smith, it seems evident that if temperance societies had sufficient enterprise they might not only accomplish great good by engaging the lecturer, but might raise funds to carry on temperanoe work . It appears that Mr Tennyson Smith's work in the old country was , almost unique in this respeot, and a London paper, ia an artiole on " The departure of Mr E. Tennyson Smith for Australia," says, " There ia little doubt that the organisation that sconces Mr S nith's services and "runs" him will not only serve the temperanoe ocrage, but wiU gwatly augment its funds, j

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for Mr Smith's work In this country has had the oharooteristio, that his lectures, as a rale, have resulted in a financial gain to the society employing him."