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NOTES AND QUERIES. [12 s. n. OCT. 28, 1916.
It was due to his energy that the present
"handsome offices of The Morning Post were
Tauilt, although he had not the satisfaction
-of seeing their completion, as this was not
accomplished until 1907. The offices of the
paper were first in Fleet Street, and after-
-wards in the Strand, opposite Somerset
House. True to its traditions, the proprietors
refused to have the front illuminated when
the rejoicings took place on the occasion of
the passing of the Reform Bill of 1832, and
the mob attacked the building, to the great
alarm of Mr. Barton, the manager. The
Athenceum was at that time published in
Catherine Street, and my fat her, being a near
neighbour, went to Mr. Barton's assistance,
and remained with him all night.
In 1843 The Morning Post moved to "Wellington Street, on the right-hand side going up front the Strand, adjacent to that big failure, the Exeter Arcade, which ran through to Catherine Street. I believe that only two of its shops were ever let, and this proposed rival to the Lowther Arcade rarely- had more than its solitary imposing beadle ^depicted in Punch) to admire its contents. On the Gaiety Theatre being built, that and the Gaiety Restaurant, with entrances in the Strand, occupied the site of the Arcade. Subsequently the offices of the Post were further enlarged, and part of the work was for a time carried on in a temporary 7 building opposite, with the Lyceum at the back of it. Coward, when I called upon him there, told me that it was always his luck to have theatres round him, and so be compelled to pay extra fire insurance. He died on the 28th of June, 1894.
A lasting memorial to Borthwick exists in "The Oliver Borthwick Memorial Morning Post Embankment Home," largely subscribed for by readers of the paper. It is situated on a freehold site in the New Kent Road, its object being to help men struggling with adversity.
On the death of his son, Glenesk, who was then 75, at once resumed control of the paper, but it was only for three years. He died on the 24th of November, 1908, at his house 139 Piccadilly the house where Byron had lived in his early married days, and where he wrote ' The Siege of Corinth.'
Glenesk will be gratefully remembered for the practical interest he took in the various institutions for the benefit of those connected with the press. In 1885 he succeeded Lord Houghton as President of the Newspaper Press Fund, and the funds during his presidency were increased from 16,OOOZ. to 54,000?., whilst its membership, which had
been only 439, was increased to 1,956. He
also took interest in the Newsvendors, and
presided at their festival on three occasions:
June 18th, 1884; May 21st, 1892; and, on
behalf of his son, June 1st, 1904. In addition
he showed warm sympathy with the correctors
of the press, and, as President of the Reader-; 1
Pensions Committee, took the chair at the
dinner en the 6th of March, 1897, when he
said :
" The whole literary world would testify in the favour of the proof-reader. He himself had per- sonally seen his patient toil, and had marvelled at his attention ana accuracy. ...He remembered Ouida coming to see The Morning Post produced, and she was struck by the airy room of the editor, which she said the readers ought to occupy in his place. She even said she would write a novel about them."
Oliver Borthwick showed the same good feeling towards the readers, and, when pre- siding at their dinner on May, 1902, men- tioned that it was the first occasion on which he had taken the chair at a public dinner.
To his daughter, Lady Bat hurst, Glenesk bequeathed The Morning Post, well knowing that in her hands the traditions of the paper would be maintained. The management was controlled by that veteran of the staff Mr. E. E. Peacock, who, unfortunately, survived his chief only twelve months. During his long connexion with the paper he was held in the highest regard. It is pleasant to know that his son now fills the same position.
The present editor is Mr. H. A. Gwynne, who had been editor of The Standard from 1904, but resigned that post in 1911, when he became editor of the Post. He was correspondent in the Balkans and Roumania, in the Turco-Greek War, and in the Boer War, and accompanied Chamberlain on his visit to South Africa. He has the advantage of a brilliant staff. Andrew Lang was a contributor for many years, as was also Mr. Spenser Wilkinson. A feature of The Morning Post has always been its leading articles, and people who may be opposed to the views advocated must at any rate recognize that the "leaders" are bold, well considered, and written without fear. This feature is well maintained at the present day.
In closing these notes one is glad that the struggles of the elder Borthwicks have met with their reward, and that The Morning Post, to which they devoted their lives, should be at the present day so prosperous. That it may long continue to occupy its honoured position in the press of Britain is the wish of every one to-day.
JOHN COLLINS FRANCIS.
