frontage which is 170 ft. in length, faces the East in a road leading
to the South gate of Battersea Park, now called Alexandra Avenue.
The central portion has an elevation of 45 ft. in height consisting
of three floors containing, Manager's Residence, Clerk's Offices,
etc., also a mess-room for the Employés, with bath-room and domestic
lavatories. A spacious archway leads into the court-yard. This entrance
is 10 ft. in width and 15 ft. in height. The wings of each side of the
central portion have an elevation of two floors. Other blocks each
containing one lofty floor are built on the North, South and West
sides, to nearly one half the extent of the site. The remaining open
space which is set apart as a drying ground is furnished with necessary
appliances. Securely fixed in the ground by means of struts are 96
poles, to which is firmly attached a galvanic wire-rope for bleaching
purposes. A separate block at the South West corner is for stables,
adjoining which is the engine and boiler house with a chimney-shaft
70 ft. high, 7 ft. wide at the base and 4 ft. at top. This part of
the Building is fitted up with a horizontal Engine and 2 Boilers by
Manlove, Alliott and Co. of Nottingham of sufficient power to drive
the Machinery requisite for the various processes of the Laundry; the
Patent Machines used are made by Mr. Bradford of London and Manchester.
The boundary wall enclosing the building and grounds is 7 ft. high.
On the South side of the laundry is a sorting-room 63 ft. in length
by 18 feet in width for the reception of articles as they arrive in
the vans. The washing-room is 50 ft. square with large open _louvres_
in the ceiling for the purpose of ventilation and to allow the steam
to escape. The drying-room is 70 ft. by 30 ft. A flue-pipe 70 ft. in
length is placed horizontally immediately along the floor in this
department and about 1,200 ft. of corded piping are utilized for the
heating chamber. In the West block are the folding and the mangling
rooms, their dimensions being respectively 40 ft. by 30 ft., and 52 ft.
by 30 ft. In the North block is the ironing room which is 55 ft. by 25
ft., next to which is the packing room 40 ft. by 25.
Estimated cost of building and machinery about £12,000.
Matron, Mrs. Tobin. Number of employés 60.
Propert's (Blacking Factory) built 1878-9. Hunting Mark a fox's head.
Hunting preparations, established 1835, South Audley St.
B. Beddow and Son, Sole Proprietors.
A site past Propert's factory has been selected by the London and
Provincial Steam Laundry Co. Limited. Ernest Turner, Architect, 246,
Regent St. W. Mr. Austin, Secretary.
The London and Provincial Steam Laundry (Company Limited) is
elaborately fitted up with Machinery of the very best description--the
building is said to be the largest in the world and it occupies an
acre and a half of ground. Its working-staff is composed mostly of
females numbering 150 including 32 who reside upon the premises, and
there are 20 males. The Laundry is capable of turning out from 80,000
to 90,000 pieces weekly. The Architect was Mr. Ernest Turner of Regent
Street. Messrs. Bradford and Co. of Manchester and London, supplied the
machinery which was specially designed for this Laundry. The works are
entered at the west by double gates which lead into a second court-yard
where the vans can discharge and receive their freight in all weathers.
The main body of the building is cut off from the resident portion by
a second pair of gates. The general Laundry is divided longitudinally
into three sections. The wash-house is fitted up with machinery adapted
for speed and economizing labour.
The washing machines which are of various sizes are known as Bradford's
"Vowel A." Then there is a range of boiling troughs, and again the
hydros in which the articles when washed and rinsed are put and
whirled round at the rate of 400 revolutions per minute "till every
drop of extractable moisture is driven off through the side holes."
The Ironing-room is in the central hall and occupies an area of 80
by 70 ft. being 20 ft. high. For curtains, lace, etc., there is a
separate room. The boiler-house is provided with two 15-horse power
horizontal engines, driven by two 20-horse Cornish boilers. There is a
disinfecting chamber, and the severest penalties are demanded, not only
against any person sending infected articles, but against any of the
employés neglecting to give immediate notice of any case of infectious
disease, with which he or she shall be brought into contact. Mr. J. T.
Helby, Manager.
It is interesting to know how enormously property has increased in
value in Battersea, within the last one hundred years. The Battersea
Bridge Estate which contains about 4 acres, was sold by auction at
the Mart by Norton, Trist, Watney and Co., 62, Old Broad Street,
on Thursday, May 20, 1880, realizing £35,000. At Mid-summer 1791,
this property was let on three leases for 90 years, at ground rents
amounting together to £90 per annum.
The Workman's Institute erected two years ago has full complement of
150 members. It has a kitchen, library, newspapers, games, etc. One of
the workmen has been thirty-eight years and a few others thirty years
in the service of the firm.
The man how wise, who, sick of gaudy scenes,
Is led by choice to take his fav'rite walk,
Beneath death's gloomy, silent, cypress shades,
Unpierc'd by vanity's fantastic ray!
To read his monuments, to weigh his dust;
Visit his vaults, and dwell among his tombs!
_Young's Night Thoughts_.
Situated on Battersea Rise at the commencement of Bolingbroke Grove,
Wandsworth Common, is St. Mary's Cemetery used as a place of interment
for the parishioners. It covers an area of 8 acres, and cost £8,000,
including the erection of mortuary, chapels, etc. The ground thus
purchased formed part of an estate that belonged to Mr. Henry Willis.
It was opened Nov. 1860. It is fringed on the north and west sides with
stately elms, and partially on the east boundary with poplar trees.
Grassy hillocks, planted with flowers and evergreens, monumental
inscriptions and tombstones, together with the number of each grave
denote the spot where many a tributary tear of fond affection has been
died by the surviving relatives and friends of loved ones who have
departed this life, but whose mouldering dust lies sleeping here.
The congregation of the silent dead seems to make the place sacred,
and gives it a solemn air. Here lie the mortal remains of the late
Venerable John S. Jenkinson, M.A., for 24 years Vicar of Battersea, he
died 17th October, 1871, aged 74, much beloved and greatly lamented. An
appropriate text of Holy Scripture, I Thess. 4, 14, is engraved round
the beautiful block of granite that covers his grave. On the occasion
of his decease the following lines were composed by a parishioner,
dated October 17th, 1871:--
Our Vicar has been called away,
From earthly ties has risen,
To take the place prepared for him;
Our Vicar rests in Heaven.
His journey ended, trials o'er;
Now all his sufferings cease,
He's gone to be with Him who said,
"In Me ye shall have peace."
He ever faithful to his charge,
The Saviour's love set forth
To sinners that they might be saved;
Was faithful unto death.
Full twenty years and more he trod,
God's house His flock to lead;
In sickness words of comfort gave,
In want assist their need.
May we his flock example take,
Before our sun go down;
That when our Saviour comes, we too
May win a heavenly crown.
A mourning or memento card headed "Falling Leaves" bears the following
lines written on the Funeral of the Rev. J. S. Jenkinson:--
'Twas Autumn--and a mournful train
Proceeds beneath the trees,
Our Vicar in the tomb was laid,
Amid the falling leaves.
Fit emblem of the hoary head,
And many such were there;
Methought they spoke in silent words
For this event prepare.
The mighty shepherd of his sheep,
In seasons such as these,
Speaks gently, that each one may take
A lesson from the leaves.
A PARISHIONER.
_October_ 21_st_, 1871.
Here is a superb monument of red polished granite in memory of John
Humphrey Esq., Alderman of London and late M.P. for the borough of
Southwark who died 28th September, 1863. Ætat. 69.
Here is a tombstone with epitaph in memory of Mary Davies, who departed
this life January 24th, 1872, aged 88 years. "For more than sixty-two
years she was connected with Battersea Chapel Sunday School, where
by her consistent Christian character and entire devotedness to her
work, she won the esteem of all. Being dead she yet lives in the
hearts of many teachers, scholars and friends, who erect this stone in
remembrance of a course of quiet usefulness which they deem worthy of
all honour.
"Not myself, but the truth that in life I have spoken,
Not myself, but the seed that in life I have sown
Shall pass on to ages--all about me forgotten
Save the truth I have spoken, the things I have done."
Here is a marble obelisk.--In memory of the Rev. James Milling, A.B.,
Curate of St. Mary's Battersea, who entered into rest the 11th of
January 1865 aged 27 years. His last words were "Not by works of
righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved
us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost which
he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour." _Titus iii_
5 _and_ 6. This monument was erected by the parishioners and children
of the Parochial Schools.
On another tombstone is an inscription to the memory of Mr. John
Nichols, a devoted husband and estimable father, Baptist minister and
Editor of Zion's Trumpet, a magazine devoted to the interest of the
Aged Pilgrims' Friend Society and its Asylum; who fell asleep in Jesus
Feb. 1st, 1867, aged 67 years.
"His presence guide my journey through and crown my journey's end."
In the faith of Christ here also rests the Rev. Philip Pennington M.A.
of Christ's College, Cambridge, sometime civil chaplain of the Island
of Mauritius. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and
there shall be no more death neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall
there be any more pain for the former things are passed away.
Many are the pledges of conjugal endearment which help to tenant these
graves.
"Ah! those little ice-cold fingers,
How they point our memories back
To the hasty words and actions,
Strewn along our backward track!
How those little hands remind us,
As in snowy grace they lie,
Not to scatter thorns--but roses,
For our reaping by and by."
We perceive here that ruthless death with his scythe pays no regard to
infantile age, and that others in the vigour of their youthful prime as
well as the matured adult and hoary-headed have been suddenly cut down
by an awful surprise.
Here is a grave planted with flowers, the stone at the head of the
grave states that William Gobell was accidentally killed on the London
and Brighton Railway, March 4th, 1873, aged 65 years. Here is another
stone in affectionate remembrance of William James, late Engine driver
on the L.B. and S.C.R., who was killed while in the execution of his
duty on the 29th of July 1876, aged 38 years. This stone has been
erected by his fellow mates, as a token of respect to his memory.
Another stone is erected in memory of Henry Blunden, who was killed on
the L. and S. W. Ry., on the 17th October, 1871, aged 22 years.
"All you that come my grave to see,
Oh think of death and remember me,
Just in my prime and folly skilled;
When on the Railway I was killed,
Take warning, hear, and do not weep,
But early learn thy grave to seek."
Sacred to the memory of Thomas Hutchinson Higerty, who departed this
life October 13th, 1869, aged 5 years and 2 months.
How very soon is age upon us,
Ere we know our way to earth,
But in heaven there's no sorrow,
There's nothing but joy and mirth.
How soon hath time closed around us,
First a child and then a man,
How soon he's turned to mouldering dust
Which from a few years back he sprang.
The head-stone states that the above lines were written by his brother,
aged twelve years.
I like that ancient Saxon phrase which calls
The burial ground God's acre! It is just:
It consecrates each grave within its walls,
And breathes a benison o'er the sleeping dust.
God's acre! yes, that blessed name imparts
Comfort to those who in the grave have sown
The seed that they had gathered in their hearts,
Their bread of life--alas! no more their own.
Into its furrows shall we all be cast,
In the sure faith that we shall rise again
At the great harvest, when the archangel's blast
Shall winnow, like a fan, the chaff and grain.
Then shall the good stand in immortal bloom,
In the fair gardens of that sacred birth;
And each bright blossom mingle its perfume
With that of flowers which never bloomed on earth.
_Longfellow._[1]
[Footnote 1: The word _Sepulchre_ comes from the Latin _Sepelio_
to bury. It is the place where the dead body of a human being is
consigned, whether it be in the ground or an excavation in the rocks.
Abraham buried Sarah, his wife in the cave of the field of Ephron, at
Machpelah, which he purchased in the presence of the children of Heth,
for 400 Shekels of silver, 1860 B.C. Genesis 23.
The word Cemetery _Koimeterion_ comes from the Greek _Koimao
(Koimaein)_ to sleep. It is the sleeping place, and "Christianity has
turned the Sepulchre into a Cemetery assuring us, as it does, that
those who die in Jesus, _Sleep in Him_, awaiting a future awakening,
in augmented vigour, and with renovated powers. To the Christian,
the grave should be associated with the idea of calm and undisturbed
repose, after a life of honourable toil, with the hope of a glorious
and blessed resurrection." The Greeks had their burial places at a
distance from the towns. Lycurgus allowed his Lacedemonians to bury
their dead within the city and around their temples that the youth
being inured to such spectacles might be the less terrified with the
apprehension of death. Two reasons are alleged why the ancients did not
allow burials within their cities. 1st. they considered that the sight,
touch or neighbourhood of a corpse defiled a man, especially a priest.
2nd. to prevent the air from being corrupted by putrifying bodies, and
the buildings from being endangered by the frequency of (Cremation)
funeral fires. The custom of burning bodies prevailed amongst most
Eastern nations, and was continued by their descendants, after they had
peopled the different parts of Europe. Hence we find it prevailing in
Greece, Italy, Gaul, Britain, Germany, Sweden, Norway and Denmark, till
Christianity abolished it.
The Romans had their places of interment in the suburbs and fields
especially the highways; hence the necessity of inscriptions. We
have a few exceptional instances of persons buried in the city a
favour allowed to only a few of singular merit in the Commonwealth.
Burying within the walls was expressly prohibited by a law of the xii
Tables. Plutarch says those who had triumphed were indulged in it.
Val. Publicola and C. Fabricius, are said to have had tombs in the
Forum, and Cicero adds Tuberius to the number. Places of burial were
consecrated under Pope Calixtus I. in A.D. 210. (_Eusebius._) Among
the primitive Christians, cemeteries were held in great veneration.
It appears from Eusebius and Tertullian that in the early ages they
assembled for divine worship in the cemeteries. Burying in churches
for many ages was severely prohibited by Christian Emperors. The first
step towards it was the erection of churches over the graves of martyrs
in the cemeteries, and translating the relics of others into churches
in the city. Subsequently Kings and Emperors were buried in the Atrium
or church porch. The first Christian burial place it is said, was
instituted in 596; buried in cities, 742; in consecrated places, 750;
in church yards, 758. It is said however in the 6th century the people
began to be admitted into the churchyards; and some Princes, Founders
and Bishops into the churches. The practice adopted at the consecration
of cemeteries, was something after this fashion--the Bishop walked
round it in procession with the crosier or pastoral staff in his hand,
the holy water pot being carried before, out of which the aspersions
were made. Many of the early Christians are buried in the catacombs at
Rome. Vaults erected in churches first at Canterbury, 1075. Woollen
shrouds only permitted to be used in England 1666. Linen scarfs
introduced at funerals in Ireland 1729, and Woollen shrouds used 1733.
Burials taxed 1695. A tax conducted on burials in England--for the
burial of a Duke £50, and that of a common person 4s., under William
III 1695, and George III 1783. Acts relating to Metropolitan burials,
passed 1850-67. In 1850 the Board of Health was made a Burial Board
for the Metropolis, and power was given to the Privy Council to close
the City grave-yards. Parochial Registers instituted in England by
Cromwell, Lord Essex, about 1538.--_Stow._
Earth to earth system of burial advocated by Mr. Seymour Haden. Wicker
Coffins exhibited at Stafford House, 17th June 1875. With the view
of rendering the death of persons of quality more remarkable, it was
customary among the Greeks and Romans to institute funeral games,
which included horse-racing, dramatic representations, processions and
mortal combats of gladiators; these games were abolished by the Emperor
Claudius, A.D. 47.
The custom of delivering a funeral oration in praise of a person at his
funeral is very ancient, it was practised by the Egyptians, Hebrews,
Greeks and Romans. The old heathens honoured those alone with this part
of the funeral solemnity who were men of probity and justice, renowned
for their wisdom and knowledge, or famous for warlike exploits. This
custom was very early obtained by the Christians. Some of their funeral
sermons are now extant as that of Eusebius on Constantine, and those
of Nazianzen on Basil and Cæsarius; and of Ambrose on Valentinian,
Theodosius, and others.
One of the oldest established and most celebrated of the European
cemeteries is that of Pere la Chaise near Paris. In the Scottish
cemeteries no such distinctions exist as in England where the
cemeteries are divided into two portions--one consecrated for the
burials of members of the Established Church over whose remains the
funeral service is read and one unconsecrated for the burials of
dissenters.
The Burials Law Amendment Act 1880, has given to Parishioners in
England the right of burials in Church-yards without the rites of the
Church of England.
Though the Incumbent of a parish has no longer the exclusive right
of officiating at interments in consecrated ground yet none of his
rights are actually abrogated. He is still custos of the grave yard
and must be consulted about the hour and place of interment as well as
the inscriptions on grave stones. While in the case of lay funerals
contemplated under the Act, it is not necessary to have any service at
all, the service if performed must be Christian and orderly.]
Another stone bears the following inscription:--
In loving remembrance of William Hayward; born April 4th, 1850, died
December 8th, 1874.
"Time, how short--Eternity, how long."
Reader, this silent grave contains
A much-loved son's remains;
Death like a frost has nipt his bloom,
And sent him early to the tomb;
In love he lived, in peace he died,
His life was craved, but God denied.
This stone is erected by his mother as a small token of love for him.
Also of Thomas Hayward, brother to the above; born October 26th, 1855,
died June 8, 1876.
Had He asked us, well we know
We should cry, Oh! spare this blow;
Yea, with streaming tears should pray,
Lord we love him, let him stay.
A grave stone records the death of Henry Stening, who met with sudden
death on the 25th November, 1875, aged 59 years. "In the midst of life
we are in death."
Here is a white marble head stone with gilded monogram (I.H.S.) and
stone border to grave prettily decorated with flowers, sacred to the
memory of Alfred Thomas Martin, who died September 29th, 1876, aged 31.
Also of Nelly, died July 19, 1875, aged 7; Alfred William, died March
17, 1876, aged 6; Charles Percy, died February 23, 1877, aged 18
months, children of the above. "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh
away."
Within the precincts of this cemetery is entombed the body of
Henrietta, Lady Pollock, widow of Field Marshal Sir George Pollock,
Baronet, G.C.B., G.C.S.I., died February 14, 1873, aged 65 years.
"Jesus said, I am the Resurrection and the Life." _John xi._ 25-26.
Here is a vault in memory of William Henry Wilson, of Chapel House,
Battersea Park, and 6, Victoria Street, Westminster, born 4th of
September, 1803, died 8th March, 1871; also of Margaret Isabel (Daisy,)
third child of John Wilson; and Margaret Isabel Theobald, died 3rd
March, 1876, aged 3 years and 1 month.
Not far from the gravel walk is a grave-stone at the head of which is a
dove with a scroll on which is engraved "Thy will be done." Sacred to
the memory of Mary Jane Webb, the beloved and only child of Charles and
Mary Webb, who departed this life Nov. 30th, 1869, aged 8 years and 8
months, deeply lamented by her sorrowing parents and regretted by all
who knew her.
She is not dead, the child of our affection,
But gone into the School,
Where she no longer needs our poor protection,
And Christ Himself doth rule.
Here is a grave-stone; an opening in the stone which is glazed,
represents a female in a recumbent position reading a book. In
affectionate remembrance of George Barrett, who departed this life
January 9th, 1871, aged 2 years and 3 months; also Louisa Barrett, who
departed this life September 24th, 1872, aged 16 years and 6 months.
Dear to their parents! to their God more dear,
Brother and Sister sweetly slumber here;
Blest in their state from fear and danger free;
To us they died; they live O Lord with Thee.
Also Daniel Barrett, father of the above, who departed this life August
23rd, 1873, aged 46 years.
Even as he died a smile was on his face,
And in that smile affection loved to trace,
A cheerful trust in Jesus' power to save,
An aged Pilgrim's triumph o'er the grave.
Here is a grave planted with Laurels, having a Rhododendron in the
centre, the stone at the head bears the inscription--In affectionate
remembrance of Philadelphia Emma, the beloved wife of Ephraim Wilson,
of Bridge Road, Battersea, who departed this life, June 24th, 1875,
aged 27 years.
The losing thee, our comfort is, to know
That those relying on a Saviour's love,
Have left this troubled world of sin and woe
To be at rest with Christ in heaven above.
Here is a grave covered with a white marble slab and cross, bearing
this simple inscription; Phillis, wife of Wyndham Payne, taken to her
rest, 26 July, 1870.
Here is a grave-stone; in affectionate remembrance of Clara Cahill, who
died 20th of December, 1871, aged 2 years and 3 months.
Dear lovely child, to all our hearts most dear,
Long shall we bathe thy memory with a tear;
Farewell, to promising on earth to dwell;
Sweetest of children, farewell! farewell!
Also Albert, Brother of the above, who died August 7th, 1874, aged 14
months, interred in St. Patrick's cemetery, West Ham.
Oh! why so soon! just as the bloom appears,
Strayed the brief flower from this vale of tears;
Death viewed the treasure to the desert given,
Claimed the fair flower, and planted it in heaven.
Also Caroline, sister of the above, who died March 1st, 1876, aged 1
year and 7 months.
Yes, dearest Carrie, thou art gone,
Thy brief career is run,
Thy little pilgrimage is past
All sorrowing here is done,
Just like an early summer's rose,
Thou did'st come here to bloom,
But long ere thou beganst to blow,
Death snatched thee to the tomb.
A head-stone marks the grave of Mary Childs, who died Nov. 24th, 1865,
aged 68; for 33 years a faithful servant in the family of George
Scrivens, of Clapham Common.
A beautiful granite Grecian cross is erected in memory of the dear
loved wife of Arthur Steains, Jun., born 8th January, 1844, taken to
her eternal rest 22nd June, 1875. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for
they shall see God."
Here is a stone--sacred to the memory of Wm. Chas. Brewer, who died
June 11th, 1875, aged 21 years. Remember the days of thy youth. This
stone was erected by some of his fellow employés, as a token of
affection. Our time will not allow us to comment upon the different
inscriptions, but it is gratifying to observe how many grave-stones
have been erected as a tribute of generous affection by working men
themselves, in memory of their deceased fellow workmen. A noble feature
this in the British Mechanic, a quality possessed and not unfrequently
displayed by English hearts and hands.
At the head of a grave is a marble stone, erected to the memory of Anne
Grover, late of Wendover, Bucks, who died April 30th, 1877, aged 54
years. "The Lord is a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knoweth
them that trusteth in Him."--_Nah. i._ 7.
A small stone is erected in loving memory of Catherine Weedon, who
departed this life, December 24th, 1876, aged 38; underneath are the
following well known lines.
We cannot tell who next may fall,
Beneath Thy chastening rod;
One must be first--but let us all
Prepare to meet our God.
At the head of a grave is a stone erected by the friends and
companions, in memory of Alfred Fell, and Arthur Ronald, who were
accidentally drowned while bathing in the River Thames, July 6th, 1873,
both aged 19 years. The subjoined lines read--
Mark the brief story of a summer's day,
At noon, in youth and health they launched away,
Ere eve, death wrecked the bark and quenched their light;
The parent's home was desolate at night,
Each passed alone that gulf as eye can see,
They meet next moment in eternity.
Friend, kinsman, stranger, dost thou ask me where?
Seek God's Right Hand and hope to find them there.
A few yards from the spot is a stone in memory of Alfred Halsted who
died May 1st, 1873, aged 2 years and 5 months.
Also of Emma Halstead who died January 3, 1875, aged 12 years.
Also of Emma Halstead sister of the above who died June 28th 1879 aged
18 months.
"Speak gently to the little child,
Its love be sure to gain;
Teach it in accents soft and mild,
It may not long remain."