Sij' H. S. Meysey Thompson, Bart. 537 



interest to serve. He continued until almost the last to be 

 Chairman of this Association. Suffice it here further to say tliat 

 when the railway history of Great Britain shall be written, the 

 railway-direction career of ISIr. Thompson may well fill many an 

 instructive page, and every line will convey the impression of a 

 policy pre-eminently successful, because it was thoroughly honest, 

 and admirably straightforward. 



The political career, so much desired in early life, came, but 

 it came late : at the age of 50, in the year 1859, Mr. Thompson 

 entered Parliament as Member for Whitby. Seven years after- 

 wards he lost his seat in consequence of a dramatic but unfor- 

 tunate circumstance, for which in no way whatever was he 

 responsible — during the election contest, his opponent, Mr. 

 George Hudson, was arrested by his creditors. The originator 

 of improvement schemes, the founder of the water-works, Mr. 

 Thompson did much to encourage art in the jet trade, and he will 

 long be remembered at Whitby as a public benefactor. At the 

 next election, in 1868, he was brought forward for the Eastern 

 Division of the West Riding of Yorkshire ; after a severe contest 

 he was defeated by a narrow majority. 



The Parliamentary position Mr. Thompson speedily gained has 

 been estimated and summed up by two thoroughly qualified 

 political friends, to whom we are specially indebted. By no means 

 an ardent politician, the cool administration of Lord Palmerston 

 was not calculated to add fuel to any political fire that may have 

 smouldered. On agricultural and railway subjects Mr. Thomp- 

 son, from his conspicuous knowledge and accuracy, was soon 

 recognised as an authority. As a speaker, with a mastery of 

 detail, he was always clear and definite ; he never attempted 

 oratorical flights — his was a thoroughly House of Commons style, 

 full, ready, and conversationally flowing. If in early life his 

 inclinations had not been diverted, had he entered Parliament 

 whilst yet his dispositions and habits were plastic, he would, no 

 doubt, have risen high in the Government of the country. Cold- 

 ness and reserve of manner were serious drawbacks in electioneer- 

 ing, more than compensated, however, by the good sense and 

 tact which often induced compliance, and never failed to com- 

 mand respect. 



Referring to Hansard, we gather that in the Church Rates 

 .Bill (1860) he Avas in favour of some provision for maintaining 

 fabrics. In the same year he spoke in favour of the 0)1. house- 

 holder, believing him to be of the flower of the working- 

 class. He warmly advocated the Highway Bills (1860—4). 

 The ratepayers that had the worst roads were always the most 

 self-satisfied. He wished the Government to deal also with 

 turnpikes. On Ecclesiastical Compensation Bill (1860), Mr. 



