The Rev. W. S. MATTHEWS. 
The Club suffered a great loss when, on the morning of the 
29th of February, the fell sergeant laid his icy hand on its 
Vice-President, the Vicar of Briercliffe. During his thirteen 
years’ membership, he had given of his best to the service 
of the Club. As a classical scholar he had few equals in the 
district. To him the writings of the great Greek and Latin 
authors were as household words. So long as his sight re- 
mained to him these were his constant study. His acquain- 
tance with the history and literature of his own land was 
remarkable. He had a very retentive memory, and had the 
schoolmaster’s gift of clearness and method. Mr. Matthews 
delighted to bring out of his extensive stock of knowledge 
the lore of ancient days, and the choice words of the great 
dead kings of melody. He was equally at home in Shakes- 
peare or in Homer, in Dante or in Tennyson. He would 
lecture for an hour and a half without a note, presenting his 
subject in attractive manner, with a never-failing touch of 
humour. He had a powerful voice which he knew well how 
to use, and without any straining for effect, he would play 
upon the feelings of his audience, thrilling them by the recital 
of great deeds, interesting them by his accounts of ancient 
days or his analysis of poetical works, and anon those 
present would break into laughter at his merry jest or at some 
of his quaintly told stories. In one paper he dealt in masterly 
manner with the beginnings of English colonisation — a won- 
derful summary given from memory of historical facts relating 
to every continent. Like Milton and Tennyson he was 
greatly interested in the legends which gathered round King 
Arthur and his Knights. The last appearance of Mr. Matthews 
at the Club was at the lecture given by another vice-president 
on another country parson, R. S. Hawker. His place can 
never be filled. He had been a schoolmaster, but there was 
little of the don about him except the learning. He had 
much of the charm of the idyllic village clergyman. He was 
a devoted student of the works of the best writers of many 
