Page:Cartoon portraits and biographical sketches of men of the day.djvu/201

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W. H. Smith, M. P.
113

the head of the firm to fill the place of John Stuart Mill, as representative of one of the first constituencies in the kingdom, would afford matter for a fine chapter in commercial history.

Mr. William Henry Smith is a liberal Conservative in politics, an active member of the London School Board, a magistrate for the county of Herts, and a member of the Council of King's College. An able and ready debater, in the House of Commons his speeches are always listened to with marked attention, and his opinions carry great weight with them. The Member for Westminster addresses the House only when he has something of real importance to say. He is active in the discharge of his parliamentary duties, an invaluable man on committees, and has as high a reputation as any member of the House for the possession of that too rare quality—sound common sense.