EVERYDAY PHOTOGRAPHS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1008, 18 September 1877, Page 2

EVERYDAY PHOTOGRAPHS.

A NICE YOUNG MAN. There is perhaps no section of the community which has spread itself so widely throughout many lands as that which has the distinguished honour of claiming tte subject of our sketch. The traveller, whether his lot be cast amid India's coral strands or Greenland's icy mountains, feels a thrill of joy as he meets one of the numerous family to which our friend belongs. It is, as it were, a part of the dear little island so far away, and he rejoices accordingly. Canterbury, we are glad to be able to record, is no exception to this rule. We possess amongst ua some splendid specimens of the race. Like the grand monuments of the past, they stand records of the now departed glories of their family, but showing us how in the ages that have rolled by their name, as now, was familiar as "household words." In selecting the gentleman who forms the subject of our sketch we have done so because his many eminent qualities seem most admirably to adapt him to the title of

'•' a ruco young man." Need we say more than to intimate that we refer to Mr Fitz Altamout Montmorency Smith.

The records of the somewhat numerous family to which our friend belongs contain many interesting anecdotes of his earliest years. The serenity with which he cut his first tooth, and ihe admirable fortitude he displayed whilst being vaccinated at ones jawivci as likely to Iwe a lirilUaat

career. Let us not, however, dwell too long on these days of infancy. Suffice it to say that the early youth of Mr F. A. M. Smith was marked with a precocity of genius which \va3 amply redeemed in the career of his later days. Passing rapidly over this part of our friend's history, we come to that in which the many traits of his wonderful character were made apparent to an admiring public. In the annals of the native village of our friend it would be difficult to mention any subject of public interest in which, although but young in years, he had not taken a prominent part. We do not think we shall be violating confidence if we were to connect him with the successful revolution which convulsed the parish in which he resided and which resulted in the removal of the parish pump. Indeed, not only so, but it has been darkly whispered that to his efforts was due the erection of an additional gas lamp. Be this as it may, there is no doubt Mr F. A. M. Smith was able to make himself generally useful to his fellowvillagers. But while he thus laboured for the public weal he did not omit to render lasting and valuable service to the literature of his country. To his fertile brain the people of his native village were indebted for the soulstirring lyrics in which the cheapness and quality of the goods of the local linen-draper were extolled, and the magnificent prose epics in which one was advised to purchase Jones' seventeen shilling boots. Since our friend's transplantation to the more congenial soil of Canterbury he has flourished amazingly, but more in tho way of tha development of the peculiar phase of character which heads this sketch. The establishment in which lie presides with so much grace over a department may be seen thronged with lady purchasers at all hours of the day. Who, when requesting an inspection of the sweet thing in silks, comes out so grandly as F. A. M. Smith ? Who with a flow of conversation can so entertain his constituents ? It is an established tradition in Christchurch that wherever a sale is to be effected or a captious customer to be pleased there the presence of Mr F. A. M. Smith is indispensable. Our pleasing task is all but ended. All public men, such as our friend, unavoidably make enemies, but Mr F. A. M. Smith has, during his brilliant career, been singularly free from them. It has therefore been with much pleasure we have undertaken the duty of putting his many good points before the public, and that too without the necessity of censure. The vinegar bottle stands handy to the inkstand. Shall we curdle the perennial fountain of kindliness which springs from the well of every newspaper man's inkstand ? No ! perish the thought. Let us rather, with all due honour, introduce to the myriad of Globe readers "A Nice Young Man."