256 LIFE OF SIR JOHN LUBBOCK ch. 



You have supplied a perfect armoury for Free Trade 

 speakers, and therein you will find your " exceeding 

 great reward " in giving so substantially of your best, 

 in defence of our country's well-being. — With all good 

 wishes, believe me, yours sincerely, Swire Smith. 



Lord Avebury also had some correspondence in 

 the Times, with Mr. Bonar Law, on Free Trade. 

 It is perhaps superfluous to say that the arguments 

 of neither conveyed the sUghtest conviction to 

 the other. 



He was much occupied with the business of 

 the Chamber of Commerce. In fashion eminently 

 British they " had a dinner to discuss gold 

 reserves." He was in the chair at this dinner 

 and made the opening speech on the subject. 

 It resulted in the appointment of a committee 

 of which he was Vice-chairman, the Chairman 

 being Sir A. Spicer, the President of the Chamber. 



On March 16 he was speaking in the House 

 of Lords in favour of a Proportional Representa- 

 tion Bill introduced by Lord Courtney. It was 

 carried in the Lords and referred to a Committee 

 which eventually "reported in its favour. On 

 the following day he reintroduced the Shops 

 Sunday Closing Bill, and the day after that 

 delivered the presidential address, on " Seeds," 

 to the Royal Microscopical Society. He gave 

 up the Presidency of the Society of Antiquaries 

 this year, receiving a very appreciative vote of 

 thanks for his services. 



He was working at intervals at his Peace and 

 Happiness book, and in the midst of these and 

 various other occupations received the letter 

 below from Sir F. Darwin. 



