[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR, — I feel sure that
the Spectator will readily admit a tribute to the memory of an eminent Free-trader who has recently passed away. Mr. Alfred Harvey, the secretary to the great banking house of Glyn, Mills, came, I believe, of one of those Unitarian families who inherited from generation to generation the lofty Puritan spirit which has done so much to elevate and strengthen English character. He became early a clerk in the office of H.M. Paymaster-General, and the ability which he showed led some years later to his transfer to the Treasury. He would undoubtedly have had a dis- tinguished career in the public service; but Messrs. Glyn, Mills, on the retirement of their general manager, Mr. Newmarcb, selected him to succeed that well-known economist. The compliment which the great house thus paid to the Civil Service was justified. Mr. Harvey soon won the confidence of Mr. Bertram Currie, then a leading member of the house. A friendship sprang up between them which was only ter- minated by Mr. Currie's death. There was much in common between them, for both were eminently practical men of business, but both were also well versed in economic science—knowledge not common in the busy life of the City—and in consequence they were never led astray by doubtful doctrines in currency and economics. Mr. Harvey was a staunch Liberal, but he was a modest man, devoted to the interests of his profession, and he sought no public notoriety. When, however, bimetallism was pro- posed as a remedy for supposed evils, and when Protection rose again from the dead, he gave his powerful assistance to
the cause of sound currency and Free-trade. He was an admirable speaker, for he had the rare gift of explaining in lucid language the economic principles which he held, but he was not known on public platforms. He broke down under work some months ago ; but an improvement had taken place, and he ventured to attend last week a meeting of a Royal Commission of which he was a member. It was too much for him, and he succumbed a day or two later. All who knew him will feel that in him the City and the public have lost a man of singular uprightness, great public spirit, and weighty
authority.—I am, Sir, &c., WELBY.
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