The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-30

One of the most remarkable men con
neoted with the publishing business in
this country is about to retire in the per-
son OF Henry Provide, who for 20 years
has been London manager of the oxford
University Press, the Oldest printing con-
Germ with an unbroken history in Eng
land. The activities of this venerable or
ganization are world wide, and it is well
known In the trade that its retiring man
ager practically made the Oxford Uni
versity Press as it exists today.
When Frowde Joined the press, in 1871
its output of Bibles was less than a mil
lion year; since that time il has pub
lished and distributed over 100000 of
them besides thousands of other works.
The skins of 100000 animals are used every
year for the covers of Oxford Bibles
alone, and 100000 sheets of gold are needed
for gilt lettering.
1t was Henry F'rowde who published the
first Bible printed tile famous oxford
1nGia PAPER the secret of whose manu-
facture is known to only two or three liv-
ing persons. 1t was he also who brought
out the finger" prayer book, which 20
hit the taste of the public that within five
weeks of publication 10000 copies We're
sold, to be followed by the still handler
thumb prayer book. the issue OF which
has exceeded a quarter of a million.
About these things Frowde talked free
ly when seen the other day at his office
in Parernoster Row, near Amen Corner -
but on personal matters he was resolute-
]y silent He let slip, however. that nc
Knew Gladstone very well, and visited
him several times at Hawarden .Iie
used to talk to me a great DEAL" said
Provide. very seriously about his dread
of England falling away into material
ism. 1t was entirely with view TO fight
ing that tendency that he undertook the
laborious work of editing Bishop But
lers works, his edition OF which we pub
lished.'
The writer never had heard of Bishop
Eutler before, but would not reveal his
ignorance. 1t is to be feared, however.
that the Grand Old Mans slaborious
work. of editing the replates writings in
the hope of checking this country's drift
toward the flesh pots was a case of 'loves
labor lost"
Meanwhile the veteran publisher was
asked il the University Press ever had
had any especially curious tasks to per-
form.
zone thing that We did" he replied,
was think. unique. This was the pub
1ication, in 1881, of what is now known
as the Golden Gospel an edition of st.
John printed entirely in gold letters on
olive green paper, for MAJ Gen. Gibbes
Rigaud, who required it for a woman with
falling 'eysight. Only three copies were
printed"
BY way OF mean streets" as his friend
Arthur Morrison called them, w Pett
Ridge. whose favorite characters are the
costers he knows so well, has reached
Belgravia. and there hobnobs with duch-
esses and similar grande DANES. To many
of us who knew the witty author OF
.'Mord Emily" and ''erb," when he
lodged in the grubby Hampstead Road
and moved in no more lofty social strata
than Bohemia affords, the vision of the
merry Pett in Mayfair Is trifle plquant
but after all he has got there, not through
snobbery or "tuft hunting" but through
really earnest and disinterested efforts
in the cause of sweet charity.
He always has had at heart the welfare
OF the lowly folk of whom ile writes par.
ticularly the Riddles of the near
streets, and his philanthropic activities or
their behalf gradually have brought hin
in touch with those members OF the peer
age who, like the American Duchess OF
Marlborough, really are trying to hell
the poor. Yesterday Pett Ridge was tn,
chief speaker at the meeting of the So
cal Institute union held at Lady Charm
woods in Eaton Square, and dwelt will
both honor and pathos on the position o
the worlSingman's wife in London
PETIT Ridge. w. w. Jacobs and Barry
Pain are great pals, and one cannot helI
remarking that all three of them nave
gone Off OF late to am extent that i.
saddening to their admirers. Jacobs in
frequent stories in The Strand mag
azine are only the pale ghosts of hi.
earlier ones; Pet Ridges last novel, DE
voted Sparkes.' was good in parts like
the curate's eggs. and some of Pains
recent efforts. despite few whimsical
phrases, have been almost pathetic In
their lack of anything like inspiration