284 PETER SPENCE 



suggestions for reforming the whole system 

 of railway charges and for rescuing the 

 water-ways permanently for the nation." 



The pamphlet is still worthy of careful 

 perusal, as it abounds in well-authenticated 

 facts, and contains many valuable and 

 ingenious suggestions. Its extensive circula- 

 tion at the time of the inception of the 

 Manchester Ship Canal scheme greatly aided 

 the launching of that project. The Ship 

 Canal had Mr. Spence's enthusiastic support, 

 and he was one of those who first subscribed 

 ,1,000 towards the needed funds. 



Peter Spence never felt that his duties 

 were limited by his business. He never 

 regarded his workmen as mere "hands," 

 destined to toil and poverty, that by their 

 labours the few might rule in affluence and 

 ease. He laid to heart the well-being of the 

 community, and especially of those who were 

 immediately dependent on him. His early 

 training and experience of life contributed, 

 with other influences, to make him recognise 

 that Christianity should regulate the relation- 

 ships of life, and compel those who profess to 

 be guided by its teachings to care for the 

 physical, moral, and spiritual well-being of 

 their fellow men. He made no secret of his 



