IV.

The mill now owned by the Messrs Walthew, on the Lancashire side of the Mersey, in Brinksway, was, in my earliest recollection, worked with great regularity by Mr Heawood. I know nothing of this gentleman save that he was comely in appear. ance. It was in the year 1827 when I first became acquainted with Mr Heawood. At this time his father was the mine host of the Bull's Head Inn, in the Market-place, Stockport, and I often saw Joseph and his younger brother playing amongst the other youths in the market. I afterwards lost sight of the family for many years. The next I heard of Mr Heawood he had become a master doubler, and was working the mill in Heaton-lane, behind the George Hotel. Things seemed to prosper with him marvellously, for in a short time he was working two mills, and he went to reside in that grand mansion-Reddish House. Mr Heawood afterwards erected the colossal mill on the banks of the canal in Reddish. He had only one son, and he spared no expense in giving him a good educa. tion. Notwithstanding all the money spent upon him, this son never settled down to business habits; his fault lay in spending rather than earning money. Mr Heawood was a worshipper at the Wycliffe Chapel, Wellington-road North, and an office bearer in that sanctuary. He did not seem to enjoy robust health at any time, and he succumbed to his affliction shortly after he had erected his large mill in Reddish, and at the height of his popularity. He is interred in the Stockport Borough Cemetery. The son did not long survive the father. He went to reside in a cottage in Adswood-lane, where he died about a dozen years ago.

A sad accident occurred at this Brinksway mill in the year 1851, which caused the death of a num

ber of people. The modern portion of the old mill is fire-proof, and during some alterations which were taking place a portion of the floor fell in. The machinery and the workpeople fell also, and a number of the latter were killed.

He

The Hope Hill Mill, which I alluded to in one of my early papers, was flourishing in the time of Mr Hardy's mayoralty. At that time Mr Charles Axon (formerly partner with Mr W. H. Smith, at the Mersey Mills, under the firm of Smith and Axon) was at the height of his popularity. had built and got in working order his large mill in Heaton-lane. This mill (which at this time was considered the acme of perfection for cotton manufacturing) stood on the now vacant land adjoining the bridge leading from Heaton-lane to King-street West. Mr Charles Axon was rather below the middle standard in stature. He was extremely clean in his person, dress, and habits. He was a good mechanic, a hard worker, and understood well all the branches of the cotton industry. Mr Axon never paid high wages to a manager. He, by the help of one or two subordinates, preferred to manage his mill himself. It was no uncommon occurrence, when he was going his rounds through the mill, for him to find some of his overlookers puzzled and at their wits end, trying to rectify some machine when out of order. Mr Axon would on these occasions pass by apparently without noticing the overlooker in his dilemma, and would shortly after pay this overlooker another visit, and probably find him still in a perplexed state. Mr Axon would then doff off his coat, and tell the overlooker to hand the screw keys to him. He would then commence to rectify the machine, and he very seldom failed in shortly doing so. It was customary for Mr Axon to attend the Manchester market two or three times a week. On these days the overlookers had much their own way, and spent much of their time in gossiping. Mr Axon knew of this failing in his men, and he tried many a dodge that he might catch them together. A number of men can watch one man better than one man can watch many. It was so in this case;

for on the day which Mr Axon had to attend the Manchester market, someone was deputed to watch his movements, and report when he had left the mill. The twisting-in room was always a loitering place for the overlookers of the weavers, and Mr Axon was cognizant of this.

The plan which Mr Axon frequently adopted to catch his overlookers loitering was this: On the day which he had to attend the Manchester market he would bustle about, and make it appear that he was in a hurry to catch the train. Knowing that his movements were being watched, he would hurry through the lodge and go up the brow opposite his mill, which was considered the nearest way to Heaton Norris Railway Station. The report was then circulated through the mill that "Old Charley" was gone. Mr Axon, instead of going to the station, as was supposed, would then go into the town and transact other business. After being away from the mill a sufficient time, as he thought, for the overlookers to have assembled together, he would return to the mill, avoiding all approaches where he could be seen through any of the windows, and go into the twisting-in room. Here, as he expected, he generally found his overlookers sat gossiping. He would then count the number of them he had caught idling, always multiplying them about four fold. Instead of saying five or six he generally ran them up to about twenty.

Mr Axon had one son (Joseph), a clever young man in some respects, who ought to have looked more after his father's interest; but instead of going through the mill and seeing that all was right there, he devoted much of his time in the mechanics' shop, planning and constructing miniature machines of various kinds. Mr Joseph Axon was one of the greatest contributors to the grand mechanics' exhibition held in the old theatre in the year 1840. In one department was a miniature lake, of his construction, in the centre of which was a beautifully contrived fountain. There was also a number of miniature boats and ships sailing on the water, all of his construction. Round the lake (which was circular) was a representation of little hills, valleys, and tunnels. also constructed a railway line which ran round the edge of the water. On this a miniature railway engine and a number of carriages were placed. It was a beautiful sight to see the whole in motion. We saw the engine and carriages crossing a valley; they then entered a tunnel under one of the hills,

He

This,

and emerged from the other side. They would then cross a bridge or go over a viaduct, and pass by a small town and railway station. This exhibit was a masterpiece of workmanship, and was a great attraction to the exhibition. There was also a model of the Thames Tunnel exhibited. also, was a grand piece of workmanship, and was built under the supervision of Mr Joseph Axon Mr J. Axon took a great interest in the Heaton Norris Fire Brigade, and he was the treasurer and superintendent of that corps many years; my father at the time was the captain over the men attending to the Heaton Norris fire engine, which, at one time, was considered to be the best fire engine in Stockport. I once saw a model of this engine made of brass; it was very small, not covering more than the space of six square inches, and when worked it would draw up water and project it a considerable distance. This was a clever piece of workmanship, and was made by Mr Joseph Axon. Mr Charles Axon built the white house at Norris-bank, and resided there up to his death. This house afterwards was purchased by Mr John Kidd, who occupied it until his death. It is now the residence of Colonel McClure. Mr Axon's mill was worked with great regularity up to his death, over forty years. It was afterwards worked about ten years by Mr Richard Walsh, who became a bankrupt in the year 1856. Mr Walsh went to Australia, where he died a short time ago. This mill was afterwards worked by the firm of James Marshall and Sons. Another collapse took place, and the mill stood idle several years. One night a portion of this mill fell down, and the remainder was shortly afterwards pulled down to prevent it falling. Nothing now remains of this once popular mill but the site. Stockport.

JOHN GREENHALGH.

CHESHIRE CANDIDATES AT THE GENERAL

ELECTION, 1885.

The following is the conclusion of these biographies of candidates contesting Cheshire constituencies at the late election, together with those of candidates for other constituencies, who are connected with the county by birth, profession, or residence:

LATHAM, GEORGE WILLIAM, Liberal candidate for the Crewe Division, is the eldest surviving son of Mr John Latham, of Bradwall Hall, Cheshire, by Elizabeth Anne, daughter of Sir Henry Dampier, formerly Judge of the King's Bench. He was born in 1827, and was educated at Brasenose College, Oxford.

Mr

He was called to the bar at the Inner Temple in 1852, and went the North Wales and Chester Circuit. Latham is a magistrate of Cheshire and for the borough of Crewe. He married, in 1856, Elizabeth Sarah, daughter of the Rev. Henry Luttman Johnson, of Binderton House, Sussex. Mr Latham has unsuccessfully contested the old division of MidCheshire three times. First on the retirement of Col. Cornwall Leigh, in 1863; secondly, at the general election of 1880; and thirdly in 1883 on the succession of the Hon. W. Egerton to the peerage, against the Hon. Alan Tatton Egerton. Successful.

LAWRENCE EDWIN, of King's Ride, Ascot, Liberal candidate for East Berks, is the youngest son of the late Mr William Lawrence, alderman of London, by his marriage with Jane, daughter of Mr James Clarke, of Wymeswold, Leicestershire. He was born in 1837, was educated at University School and College, London, and was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple in 1867. In 1874 he married Edith Jane, younger daughter of the late J. B. Smith, M.P., for Stockport. He is in favour of the disestablishment of the Church in Wales, the formation of county boards with licensing control, and the amendment of the land laws. Unsuccessful.

LEADAM, ISAAC SAUNDERS, Liberal candidate for the Altrincham Division, Cheshire, is the third son of the late Mr T. R. Leadam, M.D., of York-place, Portlandsquare, by his marriage with Georgiana Harriet Saunders, daughter of the late Rev. Isaac Saunders, Rector of St. Ann's, Blackfriars. He was born in 1848, and educated at University College, Oxford, of which he was elected scholar in 1867. Mr Leadam obtained a first-class in classics at moderation in 1809, and a first-class in the Final Classical School in 1871, and was elected Fellow of Brasenose College in 1872. He married in 1875, Elizabeth, younger daughter of Mr John Egginton, of South Ella, East Yorkshire. successful.

Un

LEIGH, JOSEPH, Liberal candidate for Stockport, is the eldest son of Mr Thomas Leigh, cotton spinner, · of Stockport, and was born in 1841. He was educated at Stockport Grammar School. Mr Leigh married, in 1868, Alice Ann, daughter of Mr Daniel Adamson. He is a magistrate for Cheshire and for the borough of Stockport, and a director of the Manchester Ship Canal Company. Unsuccessful.

LEGH, WILLIAM JOHN, Conservative candidate for the Hyde Division, is a son of the late Mr William Legh, and was born in 1828. He was educated at Rugby, and served for some time in the Army. In 1856 he married Emily Jane, daughter of the Rev. Charles N. Wodehouse. Mr Legh is a deputy-lieutenant of Chester and of the County Palatine of Lancaster. Represented South Lancashire from May, 1859, to July, 1865, and East Cheshire from 1868 to the close of the last Parliament. Unsuccessful.

MACDONA, J. CUMMING, Conservative candidate for the Chesterfield Division, Derbyshire, is the eldest son of Mr G. De Landre Macdona, F.R.G.S., of West Kirby, Cheshire, by his marriage with Eliza Bowen, daughter of the late Mr J. Cumming, of Exeter. He was born in 1826, educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and married, in 1864, Esther, only child of the late Mr James Milne, of Heyside Shaw, Lancashire. He took orders in 1859, which he resigned in 1883 under the provisions of the Clergy Relief Act, and entered as a Student at the Middle Temple. Unsuccessful.

MASON, HUGH, of Groby Hall, Ashton-under-Lyne, Liberal candidate for Ashton-under-Lyne, was a son of Mr Thomas Mason, manufacturer, of Stalybridge, and was born about 1820. He was extensively engaged as a merchant and manufacturer in Lancashire, is a member of the Mersey Dock Board, and had been president of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce. He was a magistrate and deputy-lieutenant for Lancashire, and also a magistrate for Cheshire. Mr Mason married a daughter of the late Mr George Ashworth, of Rochdale. Unsuccessful.

POTTER, THOMAS BAYLEY, of Courtfield-gardens, South Kensington, Liberal candidate for Rochdale, is a son of the late Sir Thomas Potter, of Buile-hill, Manchester, by Esther, daughter of Mr Thomas Bayley, of Booth Hall, near Manchester, and was born at Manchester in 1817. He was educated at Rugby and at University College, London. Mr Potter was formerly in business as a merchant at Manchester. He is a magistrate and deputy-lieutenant for Lancashire. He has been hon. secretary of the Cobden Club since its formation in 1866, and has sat in Parliamant for Rochdale since Mr Cobden's death in 1865. Mr Potter married, in 1846, Mary, daughter of Mr Samuel Ashton, of Gee Cross, Hyde. Mrs Potter died at Cannes on the 6th of November, 1885. Successful.

RAIKES, HENRY CECIL, Conservative candidate for Cambridge University, is the eldest son of the late Mr Henry Raikes, of Llwynegrin, Flintshire, by Lucy Charlotte, daughter of the late Ven. Francis Wrangham, Archdeacon of Craven, was born in 1838, and was educated at Shrewsbury and Trinity College, Cambridge. He married in 1861 Charlotte Blanche, fourth daughter of Mr Charles Blayney Trevor Roper, of Plas-Teg, Flint. He was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple in 1863, and elected a Bencher in 1880. He is a magistrate for Cheshire, a magistrate and deputy-lieutenant for Flintshire, and president of the Central Council of Diocesan Conferences. He was chairman of the Council of the National Union of Conservative and Constitutional Associations from 1868 to 1875, chairman of the Church Defence Institution from 1867 to 1874, and chairman of Ways and Means and Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons from 1874 to 1880. Successful.

RANKIN, JAMES, of Bryngwyn, Hereford, Conservative candidate for North Herefordshire, is the only son of the late Mr Robert Rankin, of Bromborough Hall, Cheshire, by his marriage with Anne, daughter of Mr John Strang, of St. Andrews, and was born in 1842. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, and graduated in the first-class of the Natural Science Tripos of 1865. He is a magistrate for the borough and county of Hereford, a deputy-lieutenant for the county, of which he served the office of high sheriff in 1873, and chief steward of the borough. Mr Rankin, who represented the now disfranchised borough of Leominster in the last Parliament, married, in 1865, Annie Laura, second daughter of Mr Christopher Bushell, of Hinderton, Cheshire. Unsuccessful.

RATHBONE, WILLIAM, Liberal candidate for North Carnarvon, is the eldest son of Mr William Rathbone, of Liverpool, by his marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Mr Samuel Greg, of Quarry Bank, near Manchester. He is a partner in the firm of Messrs Rathbone Bros., merchants and shipowners, and of Messrs Ross T. Smyth and Co. He entered Parliament in 1868 as member for Liverpool, which town he represented till the year 1880. At the general election, in 1880, Mr Rathbone unsuccessfully contested South-West Lancashire, but was elected for North Carnarvonshire in the autumn of the same year. Mr Rathbone is a magistrate and deputy-lieutenant for Lancashire. Successful.

RIGBY, JOHN, Liberal candidate for North Cambridgeshire, is the second son of Mr Thomas Rigby, late of Hatton, Cheshire, and was born in 1831. He was educated at the Liverpool College and at Trinity College, Cambridge, was second wrangler and second Smith's Prizeman, and obtained a place in the second class of the Classical Tripos, when he was elected a Fellow of Trinity. In 1860 he was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn, of which society he is now a Bencher, and from 1875 to 1881 was junior equity counsel to the Treasury, and in the latter year he was created a Queen's Counsel. Successful.

SAMUELSON, JAMES, Liberal candidate for the Kirkdale Division of Liverpool, of Trevenna, Birkenhead, is the son of Mr S. H. Samuelson, of Liverpool and Hull. He was born at Hull in 1829, and educated privately. He was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple in 1870, and joined the Northern Circuit. Samuelson married Fanny, daughter of the Rev. W. Worsley, of Gainsborough. Unsuccessful.

Mr

SCHNEIDER, WILLIAM HENRY, Conservative candidate for Barrow-in-Furness, of Belsfield, Windermere, is the son of the late Mr John Henry Powell Schneider, of Southgate, Middlesex. He was born in 1817. In 1842 he married, first, Augusta, daughter of Mr R. mith, of Poulton Manor, Cheshire. She died in 1862,

and he married, secondly, in 1864, the second daughter Mr He is a

of the Rev. Joseph Turner, vicar of Lancaster. Schneider is an ironmaster aud merchant. magistrate for Lancashire, and represented Norwich from 1857 to 1859. Unsuccessful.

SIDEBOTTOM, TOM HARROP, Conservative candidate for Stalybridge, of Etherow House, Mottram, Cheshire, is the eldest son of the late Mr William Sidebottom, J.P., by Agnes, daughter of the late Mr Jonah Harrop, of Bardsley, and was born in 1826. He was educated at the Manchester Grammar School. He is a magistrate for Cheshire and Derbyshire, and is owner of extensive manufactories. Successful.

SIDEBOTTOM, WILLIAM, Conservative candidate for the High Peak Division of Derbyshire, of Harewoodlodge, Broadbottom, is the youngest son of the late Mr W. W. Sidebottom, of Etherow House, Ashton-underLyne. He was Mayor of Glossop 1873-74, is a captain in the 4th Cheshire Rifle Volunteers, and unsuccessfully contested North Derbyshire in 1880. Successful.

STANLEY, HON. EDWARD LYULPH, Liberal candidate for Oldham, of Harley-street, W., is third son of the second Lord Stanley of Alderley, by the Hon. Henrietta Maria, eldest daughter of the 13th Viscount Dillon, and was born in London in 1839. He was educated at Eaton and Balliol College, Oxford, and was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple in 1865. Mr Stanley has sat for Oldham since 1880, and had unsuccessfully contested the borough on two occasions previously. He was also a member of the London School Board until the last election, when he was unseated. Mr Stanley married, in 1873, Mary Katherine, daughter of Mr J. Lowthian Bell, of Rounton Grange, Northallerton. Unsuccessful.

STEPHEN, OSCAR LESLIE, Conservative candidate for the Crewe Division of Cheshire, of 55, Cadogan-square, London, is the second son of Mr George Stephen, of Aberdeenshire. He was born in 1819. He is a magistrate of Leicestershire, chairman of the North London Railway, and a director of the London and NorthWestern Railway Company. He was a partner for many years in the firm of Samuel Allsopp and Son, brewers, Burton-on-Trent. He married, in 1841, Isabella, only daughter of the late Mr William Bikmyre, captain in the Lanarkshire Militia, but was left a widower in 1876. Unsuccessful.

SUMMERS, WILLIAM, Liberal candidate for Stalybridge, of Sunnyside, Ashton-under-Lyne, is the second son of the late Mr John Summers, of Stalybridge, by Mary, daughter of the late Mr Samuel Woolley, and was born at Stalybridge in 1853. He was educated at Owens College, Manchester, the University of London, and University College, Oxford, and was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1881. Unsuccessful.

SWETENHAM, EDMUND, Q.C., Conservative candidate for Carnarvon Boroughs, is the second son of Mr C. Swetenham, Somerford Booths Hall, Cheshire. He was born in 1822, educated at Brasenose College, Oxord, and married, first, Elizabeth, daughter of Mr Wilson Jones, of Hartsheath Park, County Denbighi and, secondly, Gertrude, second daughter of Mr Ellis Cunliffe. He was called to the Bar in 1848, and was made a Queen's Counsel in 1880. He is a magistrate for Denbighshire.

TIPPING, WILLIAM, Conservative candidate for Stockport, of Brasted Park, Kent, was born at Liverpool in 1816, and married a daughter of Mr Benjamin Walker, of Leeds, He represented Stockport in the Parliament of 1868-74, and is a magistrate for Lancashire, the West Riding of York, and the county of Kent, and a director of the London and NorthWestern Railway Succesful.

TOLLEMACHE, HENRY JAMES, Conservative candidate for the Eddisbury Division of Cheshire, is the eldest, son of Mr Wilbraham Tellemache, of Dorfold Hall Nantwich. He was born in the year 1816, and was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, and is a captain in the Earl of Chester's Yeomanry and a Successsful. magistrate for Cheshire.

TOMKINSON, JAMES, Liberal candidate for the Wirral Division of Cheshire, is the eldest surviving son of the late Colonel William Tomkinson, of Willington Hall, Tarporley, by Susan, daughter of Mr Thomas Tarleton, of Bolesworth Castle, and was born in 1810. He was educated at Rugby, and Balliol College, Oxford. He is a magistrate for Cheshire, and captain in the Earl of Chester's Yeomanry Cavalry. He unsuccessfully contested West Cheshire at the by-election of 1881 against Mr H. J. Tollemache. Unsuccessful.

VALENTINE, CHARLES JAMES, Conservative candidate for the Cockermouth Division, was born at Stockport in 1837, being the son of the late Mr James Valentine, of that place. In 1861 he married Ann, daughter of Mr Peter Kirk, of Chapel-en-le-Frith. He was educated privately. He has resided at Workington, Cumberland, for 22 years, and has been intimately connected with the iron and steel trades of the district during the whole of that time. He is managing director of the Moss Bay Iron Company, a director of the Cockermouth and Workington Railway Company, and of several local industrial undertakings. He is a magistrate for Cumberland. Successful.

VERDIN, W. H., Conservative candidate for the Northwich Division of Cheshire, is the youngest son of the late Mr Joseph Verdin, of Northwich. He is engaged in the Cheshire salt trade, and is a member of the firm of Joseph Verdin and Sons. Mr Verdin was educated at the Grammar School of Northwich, and is married to a daughter of Mr Harrison, of Liverpool. He is a magistrate for Cheshire. Unsuccessful.

WATKIN, SIR EDWARD WILLIAM, Liberal candidate for Hythe, of Rose-hill, Northenden, Cheshire, is a son of the late Mr Absalom Watkin, J.P., and was born in 1819. He was educated at Manchester, and was formerly a merchant there. He is chairman of the South-Eastern and other railway companies, a magistrate for Manchester and the counties of Kent, Lancaster, and Chester, of which county he was High Sheriff in 1874, and a deputy-lieutenant for the Tower Hamlets. Sir Edward Watkin represented Stockport from 1864 till 1868, and has sat for Hythe since 1874. He married, in 1815, Mary Briggs, daughter of the late Mr Jonathan Mellor, J.P., of Hone-house, Oldham. Successful.

WEST, MAJOR WILLIAM CORNWALLIS, Liberal candidate for Western Denbighshire, of Ruthin Castle, Ruthin, is the second son of the late Mr Frederic West, grandson of John, second Earl De La Warr, by his marriage with Theresa, daughter of the late Captain John Whitby, of Newlands Manor, Lymington, Hants. He was born in 1835, is lord-lieutenant of Denbighshire and lieutenant-colonel of the 1st Volunteer Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Major Cornwallis West unsuccessfully contested Lymington in 1874 and West Cheshire in 1880. He married, in 1872, Miss FitzPatrick, daughter of Mr and Lady Olivia Fitz-Patrick, and grand-daughter of Thomas, second Marquis of Headfort.

WILLIAMSON, STEPHEN, Liberal candidate for St. Andrews Burghs, was born at Kilrenny, Fifeshire, in 1827, and was educated at Anstruther and St. Andrews. He entered upon a commercial life at Liverpool, becoming a member of the eminent firm of Balfour, Williamson, and Co., of that city. He has sat for the St Andrews Burghs since April, 1880. Successful.

YERBURGH, ROBERT, Conservative candidate for Chester, is the third son of the Rev. Richard Yerburgh, rector of High Bickington, North Devon, by Susan, daughter of Mr John Higgin, of Greenfield, Lancaster. He was born in 1853, and educated at Harrow and University College, Oxford, where he graduated in 1877. He was called to the Bar in 1880 at the Middle Temple, and joined the Northern Circuit Mr Yerburgh is private secretary to Mr Akers Douglas, Political Secretary to the Treasury. Un.