| THE Life of Bramwell has been written three times. The first biography
was by James Sigston, a Leeds schoolmaster. Sigston knew Bramwell perfectly,
and his book is a great success. So far as I know there is nothing of any
importance about Bramwell that Sigston has omitted. The second book was
written by the Rev. Thomas Harris. There is nothing at all in this book
which is not in Sigston, and yet Sigston is never acknowledged. The third
was published by members of Bramwell's family. Of this, the less said the
better. For some reason or other the authors were very angry with poor Thomas
Harris, and they make themselves rather ridiculous. Sigston's Life is out
of print, but I believe Harris's rechauffé of it may still be bought,
and it is very good indeed. But the form of it is not modern. The present
little book makes no claim to originality, but I hope it may interest many
people in a very remarkable man. I am indebted to Mr. George Stampe, of
Grimsby, for the loan of several manuscript letters of Bramwell.
C. W. ANDREWS.
LEEDS, 1909.
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