THE LATE MR. JOHN B. THAYER. [To THE EDITOR OF
THE "SPECTATOR."] Sin,—The appreciative reference in Mr. Maude's letter in the Spectator of August 2nd to the incident at Lord's in 1884, in which the late Mr. John B. Thayer, of the Philadelphia XI., played so characteristic a part, is of interest to those whom Mr. Thayer honoured with his friendship. As Mr. Thayer was upon that day in 1884, so be always was. He never failed to do that which was right to do. No man ever lived who knew better the real meaning of noblesse oblige. After years of faithful service he had risen to be Vice-President of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and he was in line for succession to the presidency of that corporation. His brilliant career ended in the wreck of the ' Titanic.' He had, in the enjoyment of the present and in the anticipation of the future, everything to make life dear. But, being one of those " Whom neither shape of danger can dismay, Nor thought of tender happiness betray," be sent his wife away with the boats and he remained to die, because for him it was impossible to leave the sinking ship so long as there was a woman or a child to be saved.—I am, Grace Hill, Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia. 13th August, 1913.
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