MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR 7 



by a growing sense of religion. Ultimately, 

 though here I anticipate the order of events, 

 he resolved to take orders in the Church of 

 England. 



Among other activities of this period may be 

 mentioned photography and amateur acting. He 

 designed proscenium and scenery for the County 

 School of the little town, painted the scenery 

 with his own hands, and inaugurated its use by 

 organising a performance of Caste, in which he 

 played the part of old Eccles with marked 

 ability. He was henceforth known as " Pa " to 

 his old associates in the play. 



At one time he thought of devoting himself 

 entirely to literary work, but was strongly 

 urged by Mr. Curtis not to do so. In spite 

 of this, he resigned his position in the bank 

 in July, 1904. Misfortunes quickly followed. 

 Before the end of the year the Standard news- 

 paper was acquired by Mr. (now Sir C. Arthur) 

 Pearson, in the interests of the Tariff Reform 

 movement. Mr. Curtis and nearly all the staff 

 resigned. Gradually under the new manage- 

 ment Rees lost that position as a regular 

 contributor which was now his chief source 

 of income ; and finally he resolved to take 

 orders. 



In 1906, after a strenuous period of prepara- 



