256 History of the 



at 6 o'clock. He also attended an evening school. Thus, by 

 unwearying assiduity, he acquired proficiency in arithmetic and 

 mathematics, and skill in grammar and composition. By wide 

 reading and observant habits he also attained to an intimate 

 knowledge of the world and human character. ' At the age of 

 fifteen, he became from principle a total abstainer, and, soon 

 afterwards, a vegetarian ; and later in life he was well known as an 

 earnest and persistent advocate of the policy of the United 

 Kingdom Alliance. 



Frugal in his habits, he saved money, and became an employer 

 of labour. In 1851 he entered into partnership with his father as 

 a cotton manufacturer at Crawshawbooth. In 1859 he married, 

 and shortly afterwards removed to Tottington, where the firm 

 built a large mill. Mr. Hoyle aspired to Parliamentary honours 

 in 1880 by contesting the seat for the representation of Dewsbury, 

 but was defeated. 



" The keen interest he took in the Alliance agitation led him to 

 formulate the scheme for raising a guarantee fund of ^^100,000. 

 This project was explained to the annual meeting in 1871, and 

 was received with enthusiasm. His speech at the meeting of 1876 

 showed the intensity of his feelings on the subject, and no one who 

 listened to his earnest voice could doubt the depth and sincerity of 

 his declaration : " {p) 



" I would much rather leave my children penniless in a country 

 without liquor shops, than leave them a great fortune as things 

 are. I have made up my mind to leave no fortune to my children, 

 if I have also to leave the liquor traffic in the country. A good 

 share of my income shall therefore go towards this great move- 

 ment. If the agitation lasts twenty years longer, my subscription 

 will amount altogether, at this rate, to ;^io,ooo ; but if in ten or 

 twelve years we can remove the liquor traffic, the prospects of the 

 country will be so bright, that we need have no apprehension 



(i) Obituary Notice in the Manchester Guardian, March ist, 1886. 



