erprise and high-mindedness--should have been made the subject of
painful comments in his father's will.

Notwithstanding this serious opposition from within, the power and
influence of the paper visibly and rapidly grew. The new Editor
concentrated in the columns of his paper a range of information such as
had never before been attempted, or indeed thought possible. His
vigilant eye was directed to every detail of his business. He greatly
improved the reporting of public meetings, the money market, and other
intelligence,--aiming at greater fulness and accuracy. In the
department of criticism his labours were unwearied. He sought to
elevate the character of the paper, and rendered it more dignified by
insisting that it should be impartial. He thus conferred the greatest
public service upon literature, the drama, and the fine arts, by
protecting them against the evil influences of venal panegyric on the
one hand, and of prejudiced hostility on the other.

But the most remarkable feature of The Times that which emphatically
commended it to public support and ensured its commercial success--was
its department of foreign intelligence. At the time that Walter
undertook the management of the journal, Europe was a vast theatre of
war; and in the conduct of commercial affairs--not to speak of
political movements--it was of the most vital importance that early
information should be obtained of affairs on the Continent. The Editor
resolved to become himself the purveyor of foreign intelligence, and at
great expense he despatched his agents in all directions, even in the
track of armies; while others were employed, under various disguises
and by means of sundry pretexts, in many parts of the Continent. These
agents collected information, and despatched it to London, often at
considerable risks, for publication in The Times, where it usually
appeared long in advance of the government despatches.

The late Mr. Pryme, in his 'Autobiographic Recollections,' mentions a
visit which he paid to Mr. Walter at his seat at Bearwood. "He
described to me," says Mr. Pryme, "the cause of the large extension in
the circulation of The Times. He was the first to establish a foreign
correspondent. This was Henry Crabb Robinson, at a salary of 300L. a
year.... Mr. Walter also established local reporters, instead of
copying from the country papers. His father doubted the wisdom of such
a large expenditure, but the son prophesied a grad