He was always and in all things a strong man.

Naturally keen, ready, business- like, daring, he had carved out his own way through life, and opened his oyster--the world, neither with sword nor pen, but with steam and cotton.

His father was Mr.Obadiah Newbroom, of the well-known manufacturing firm of Newbroom, Stag, and Playforall.

A stanch Dissenter himself, he saw with a slight pang his son Thomas turn Churchman, as soon as the young man had worked his way up to be the real head of the firm.

But this was the only sorrow which Thomas Newbroom, now Lord Minchampstead, had ever given his father.