312 LIFE OF SIR JOHN LUBBOCK OT . 



proprietors and their employes, differences which if 

 continued will be almost certain not merely to incon- 

 venience the public, but to produce disastrous results 

 to employers and employed. In the belief that the 

 differences are such as might be adjusted by friendly 

 mediation, we as M.P.'s representing London respect- 

 fully suggest to you, as president of the London Chamber 

 of Commerce, and as a prominent citizen possessing the 

 confidence of the community, the advisability of your 

 offering to undertake to act in the capacity of a mediator. 

 — We are, yours faithfully, 



W. Randal Cremer. 



Sydney Buxton. 



James Rowlands. 



Richard K. Causton. 



George Howell. 



E. H. PlCKERSGILL. 



" Possessing the confidence of the community " 

 is a phrase admirably descriptive of the popular 

 appreciation. 



It is possible — I do not presume to know — 

 that the Reform Club, as a Liberal institution, 

 was at this time somewhat troubled between its 

 Home Rulers and its Unionists. In this year Sir 

 John was invited to become a special member of 

 the Club under the rule which permits such 

 invitation to be extended to any two members 

 annually " for marked and obvious services to 

 the Liberal Party." 



No election, under the rule, had been held 

 since 1886, when the division occurred in the 

 Liberal ranks, and for the sufficient reason that 

 for the election of a candidate thus specially 

 invited the vote had to be unanimous. A modus 

 vivendi, however, had by this time been discovered, 

 by the election to the Club of one Unionist and 

 one Gladstonian annually. On this, the first 



