R. G. Webster, M.P.

Robert Grant Webster, the member for East [unclear: St.] Paneras, was born on Sep, 12, 1845, in a house [unclear: nea] Regents Park, belonging to the Countess of [unclear: Winter] ton. His mother and father were of Scotch [unclear: deseen] his mother being daughter of the Rev, John [unclear: Dodgsot] M.A., of Comely Bank, Perth. At one time [unclear: Mr.] Webster, senior, was an advocate, but [unclear: subsequent] became a merchant in China, and one of the [unclear: first] landowners in the British Colony of Hong Kong.

The subject of our notice has been heard to [unclear: say] that his first recollection of any event of [unclear: importand] was being taken to see the Duke of [unclear: Wellington] funeral in 1852. He was also in Paris with he parents during the Revolution of 1848 and the [unclear: expulsion] of Louis Philippe. After the usual [unclear: preparator] education Mr. Webster went to Cambridge, but [unclear: before] going to the University he spent a year on the Conti page 77 nent learning French and German. He matriculated at Trinity College in 1864, and took first class in Political Economy in 1867, the late Professor Fawcett, Postmaster General, being his examiner. He also attained the degree of L.L.B. in 1868, and in the following year was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple.

In the winter of 1869 and during 1870 Mr. Webster travelled round the world, a matter of more difficulty and danger at that time than at present. From Marseilles he sailed to Suez in the P. & CX ship Nyanza, and was present in Egypt during the time of the opening of the Suez Canal. He attended some of the fetes given in honour of the event, including the ball given at the Schumla Palace by the then Viceroy Ismael. The following reference made by Mr. Webster in a letter at the time is still of interest, especially in connection with the late Emperor Frederick. Alluding to the ball, Mr. Webster wrote: "The young Prince of Prussia was there with his staff, and a fine handsome young fellow he is, I was standing quite close to him and the Viceroy for some time."

Mr. Webster also visited India under very favourable circumstances, his uncle, General Dodgson C.B., introducing him to a number of friends, who were most hospitable to him. It was with his uncle, who had been Adjutant General to General Sir Henry Havelock, G.C.B., that he visited most of the important scenes of the battles during the mutiny, and page 78 enjoyed some excellent game shooting in the [unclear: Hite] layas.

On leaving India Mr. Webster visited the [unclear: Strai] Settlements, China, Japan, and America, and [unclear: whilst] Utah was introduced to the famous [unclear: Brigham] Young. The Alabama claims were at that time [unclear: in] open dispute between England and America, [unclear: but] that did not prevent the Americans from [unclear: showin] the greatest kindness and hospitality to Mr. [unclear: Webste] and his travelling companion, Sir William [unclear: Foulke] Bart., ex-M.P. for Lynn.

In 1871 Mr. Webster returned to England, [unclear: and] few years afterwards married Emily, daughter of [unclear: the] late Boswell Myddleton Jalland, J.P., D.L., of [unclear: Hold] erness House, East-Yorkshire, who was for [unclear: fifteen] years chairman of the Hull Liberal Association.

In the winter of 1888, Mr. Webster again [unclear: visite] China. It was in that year that "The Trade of [unclear: the] World" appeared, a work on which he had [unclear: been] engaged for two years. He was well repaid, [unclear: however] for it was most favourably received. Many of [unclear: the] views now expressed under the title of Imperial [unclear: Federation] were distinctly set forth, so that it did [unclear: good] pioneer work. He has also written several [unclear: politics] skits, including those entitled "How the good [unclear: shin] British Empire was steered through the [unclear: Easier] Straits" 1875; "Shoulder to Shoulder, Force [unclear: a] Remedy or Lessons in Massacre" 1882; and "[unclear: The] Law Relating to Canals" 1885.

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It was not until early in 1880 that Mr. Webster began to take an active part in politics, being at that time asked to stand for Cockelworth by the Conservative party of that Borough, a constituency that had been represented in the Whig interest by one of Mr. Webster's cousins named Mr. John Steel now deceased, Mr. Webster entered the field, and although not successful he went through with one of the best fights ever made by a Conservative in that Liberal stronghold. From 1880 to 1885 he occasionally addressed meetings in support of the constitutional cause, and was asked to stand at one or two bye elections, but declined. On the redistribution of seats in 1885 he received invitations to contest three constituences. He ultimately consented to stand for East St. Paneras. He however was in a minority then by 266 votes, but was returned in July 1866 by a majority of 501.

Mr. Webster enters thoroughly into his Parliamentary duties, and is constant in his attendance. During the session of 1888 he spoke on several occasions in debate, and obtained a good hearing, notably when he addressed the house on the second reading of the Local Government Act, 1888. He moved several amendments during the committee stage of that measure, some of which were accepted, and are now contained in the Act.

He was asked to stand for the London County Council, but declined, believing that the work of page 80 Metropolitan members of Parliament is [unclear: sufficient] ample if carried out thoroughly. He is a [unclear: magistrat] and invariably makes his appearance at the [unclear: County] Quarter Sessions. He also served for sixteen [unclear: yean] in the 3rd, Battalion, South Lancashire [unclear: Regiment] from which he retired in 1883 with permission [unclear: to] retain his rank of Captain, and to wear the [unclear: uniform] of the Regiment.

We are indebted to the St. Paneras Guardian [unclear: for] many of the particulars we are able to give of [unclear: Mr.] Webster's career.