The Earl of Rosebery, The Durdans, Epsom.
Lord Wolverton, 7, Stratton Street, Piccadilly, W.
Herbert Gladstone, Esq., M.P., Hawarden Castle.
The Rev. H. Drew, The Rectory, Hawarden.
*The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, Hawarden Castle (Chairman).
* Will join the Board after allotment.
Secretary—H. Drake Digby, Esq., National Liberal Club.
Temporary Offices—23, Albemarle Street, W.
ABRIDGED PROSPECTUS.
During the past twenty years, and indeed ever since it became generally known that Mr. Gladstone was in the habit of wielding an axe, a steady flow of letters has ceaselessly poured into Hawarden Castle from all parts of the world, asking for chips and blocks of wood cut from the timber felled by the right honourable gentleman.
At first these demands were complied with so far as it was possible to do so, but as the Irish Question surged to the front, and Mr. Gladstone’s popularity with the civilised world increased, it became hopeless to deal with the applications, which have accumulated to such an extent that the paper on which the applications are written has been weighed out of curiosity, and is found to weigh 4 tons 17 cwt. 3 qrs. 17 lbs.
Some fortnight or so ago Mr. Gladstone announced through the press that in future, blocks from timber cut down by his hand would only be supplied on receipt of a postal order for three shillings.
He did this in the hope that it would deter his numerous correspondents, instead of which they have increased twenty-fold. Under the circumstances, it occurred to Mr. Gladstone that by the erection of large and commodious saw mills the demand might be dealt with and a lucrative industry started without any very large outlay.
Mr. Gladstone, whose great name is the sole origin of the business, and who is henceforward, called the vendor, can cut down three medium-sized trees per diem. These trees will yield an average of 7,000 blocks, which, sold at 3s., means a daily sale of