It is my belief that had our genial Cotton chosen the stage for a profession he would have found a place among the distinguished actors of his time, if not in tragedy, certainly in comedy.  His face, voice, manner and style all proclaimed it.  You had only to hear him read in public, which he loved to do, see how natural his dramatic action was, and feel the effect of a mere wave of his hand through his abundant hair, to be convinced of this.  In railway circles throughout England, Scotland and Ireland he was widely known.  He attended all railway conferences for he loved movement and travel.  Shrewd and well-informed, his knowledge was acquired not from books or study but from close observation of passing events and free and friendly intercourse with all whom he met.  His railway was very popular and he and it were held in high esteem.  Easily accessible to all, courteous and reasonable ever, he was in many respects a model railway manager.  His success lay not so much in the work he performed himself as in obtaining the best results from those around him, and the capacity to accomplish this is certainly one of the most useful qualities a railway manager, or any man in a position of authority, can possess.  It is not too much to say that his staff loved him; certainly they all admired him.  He was the readiest man I ever met to generously acknowledge the worth of those who served him, and whenever possible he took occasion to do so in public.

[Edward John Cotton:  cotton.jpg]

I have spoken previously of the beaux I knew in the higher ranks of the railway service but, strange to say, omitted to mention Edward John who, in some respects outshone all others.  His coat may not have been cut by a west-end tailor, his hat may not have been a Lincoln Bennett, or his necktie the latest production of Burlington Arcade, but who could wear a tall white hat with a black band, with the least little rakish tilt, and a light grey frock coat with a rose in the buttonhole, with such an air and grace as he?  He appreciated keenly all the good things that life can give and loved his fellow men. Pax vobiscum, kind, warm-hearted Edward John!  You were an ornament to the railway world and always my friend.

It was Cotton and his Chairman, the Right Hon. John Young, who put in my way my first arbitration case, to which I have in a previous chapter alluded.  This, as far as I remember, occurred in 1886.  A dispute had arisen between the Northern Counties Company and a small railway company whose line they worked, concerning, I think, the payment for and use of some sidings.  I conducted the proceedings of course with the greatest of care, attended, perhaps, with a little trepidation, summoned every possible witness to appear before me, and visited in state the locus.  Edward John was, I think, a little amused.  Much older than I he had long since passed through these youthful phases.  I issued my award, with the usual result that while each party was fairly well pleased neither was altogether satisfied.  I was proud of my debut as an arbitrator, especially as it was rewarded by, what seemed to me then, a very handsome fee.