W.T. Stead to John Hyslop Bell

Home » Letters & Correspondence of W.T. Stead » W.T. Stead to John Hyslop Bell

W.T. Stead to John Hyslop Bell (July, 1871)

Quoted in Frederick Whyte, The Life of W.T. Stead, (1925) vol I, p. 32

I thank you for your frank declaration that you would think a request to write anything contrary to conviction as “dishonourable as an attempt to pick a pocket,” but you must be aware that many newspaper proprietors have very different ideas upon the subject. With regard to my “inexperienced suggestions,” I am perfectly willing to admit that they were inexperienced, but being entirely ignorant of the established customs of the Press I must be forgiven for thinking that matters of business arrangement could never be too clearly defined between gentlemen in any profession.

I am aware that you risk much in engaging me. I risk myself which I must confess is of considerable importance to me. But, however we may have stumbled over the preliminaries, I trust that it may be the only misunderstanding between us, and that by twelve months’ loyal and hearty service I may prove to you that you were justified in accepting the risk of installing me in such a responsible position.

Related Articles:

  1. A North Country Worthy A North Country Worthy W. T. Stead (The Review of Reviews, Vol. X, July, 1894) pp.85-8 John Hyslop Bell of Darlington was formerly proprietor of the Northern Echo. Even before that halfpenny organ of stalwart Radicalism began its eventful existence Mr.......
  2. Northern Echo Prospectus Northern Echo Prospectus John Hyslop Bell (The Northern Echo, 1869) The projectors of the Northern Echo have undertaken to supply a want of the age and district, viz., a well-conducted, high-class Daily Newspaper, advocating Advanced Liberal opinions, and published at......
Shop