Page:The Story of the House of Cassell (book).djvu/116

 stature and spare of frame, he had a fine head, a long, flowing beard, and a wealth of hair already turning grey. In his office, with John Cassell 's old-fashioned book-case in the background filled with the productions of the House, he presented a dignified figure. His manners were quick and emphatic."

Hamer was a tremendous worker. For years he imposed upon himself, in addition to his ordinary duties, the editing of the Live Stock Journal and Land, and did book-reviewing for them as well. He was a voracious reader and a good judge of books. Among his miscellaneous interests were those of a Justice of the Peace for the County of London, a "Savage," a "Whitefriar," and a prominent member of the committee of the National Liberal Club. He was honorary secretary of the Mansion House Council on the Dwellings of the Poor, worked for the Children's Holiday Fund, and served on the board of management of the London Fever Hospital. Only a constitutional optimist could have faced such a life cheerfully. In truth, Hamer was the most hopeful man in the world—about everything except the efforts of rival publishers. According to Mr. Max Pemberton, he prophesied the failure of every new venture that did not owe its origin to Cassell's, and, "had I believed him, my friends Lord Northcliffe, Sir George Newnes, and Sir Arthur Pearson would have all been found in the Bankruptcy Court in a very brief period from their first ventures." He retired from the Yard in 1901 and died in 1906. His successor was Mr. S. H. Lewer.

The head of the Printing Department for twenty-eight years was John Farlow Wilson, who was in the service of John Cassell for a time in the Strand, but went to Petter and Galpin in Playhouse Yard when Cassell migrated to La Belle Sauvage. On the amalgamation of the firms he found himself back in Cassell's employment again. Wilson was the most widely popular man in the House, commanding universal confidence, while his name was held in high respect throughout the printing trade in London. He