THE LATE EDWARD SPENDER, ESQ.

BY the lamented death of this gentleman, the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION has lost one of its ablest and most steadfast advocates in the press. On Friday, the 7th June last, Mr. Spender arrived in Plymouth on a visit connected with the business of The Western Morning News, of which he was one of the founders, and of which he had for some years past been the chief proprietor. Mr. Spender was accompanied from Honiton by his two sons, Reginald and Sidney, aged 14 and 12, who were being educated at Honiton Grammar School, in preparation for Win- chester. Mr. Spender and his sons, with Mr. Russel Rendle, surgeon, of Plymouth —brother of Mr. Spender's wife—went for a walk on Sunday afternoon to Whit- sands, and while there the three former bathed, Mr. Rendle remaining on a rock a few yards distant A surf was break- ing on the beach, but not of unusual force, and the bathers, each of whom could swim, apparently enjoyed their bath. Mr. Rendle, however, noticed that one of the lads had floated a little farther from his parent than seemed desirable, and thinking that he would also bathe, and thus could, if need be, assist his nephew, Mr. Rendle threw off his clothes and ran into the water. He stumbled in a little pool and fell forward, and as he raised himself, he saw Mr.

Spender standing with his face towards the shore, in water apparently only about four feet deep, with a wave advancing upon him from behind. As it approached, Mr. Spender seemed to rise with it, but when it had passed over, neither he nor his sons were to be seen. In vain Mr. Rendle—at that moment more surprised than alarmed—looked for them round the rocks and out seawards. They were gone, having evidently been swept under : and drowned by the action of the wave on the treacherous sand. Not five minutes had elapsed from the time they ! had entered the water to the time that they disappeared. On the day of the j disaster, Mrs. Spender was at her house in Westbourne Terrace, Paddington, but the ; next day she hastened to Plymouth.

Of Mr. Spender it may be justly re- corded that, whilst his untimely death is a misfortune to English journalism, society has even more reason to deplore him as a man of practical benevolence than as a conscientious and useful writer.

Of his industry in journalism it may be remarked that he was at all times a thoughtful and prolific writer. A master of the political leader writer's art, he was also remarkable for his ability in gather- ing the latest news and gossip of the House of Commons. It is needless to add that so energetic a man was commercially successful, but to his honour be it said that in the busiest weeks of his busiest seasons he always found time for the systematic furtherance of his benevolent enterprises. As a social reformer, how- ever, he was not more zealous than modest, and in labouring for the multitude he regarded himself as doing only his bare duty towards his fellow creatures.

To a friend who expostulated with him earnestly in doing so much benevolent work when his private affairs needed so large a measure of daily care and effort, he answered with equal firmness and sim- plicity, " I look after my business for the sake of my wife, my children, and myself, but I hold that a man's duty to society requires him to have a little care for those who are not of his own household." Of his two lads, it may be remarked that they were fine, well-grown, hearty boys, with frank and gentle ways, that made it impossible to decide which was the brighter and more promising of the two.