The conspicuous white post at the corner was impressed on the memory by the usual bumping, which, at various points, had distinguished the day's proceedings; and it is worthy of remark that twenty-five years ago the present Bishop of Bath and Wells cheerfully underwent the proper bumping at this spot. But in these degenerate days no clergyman accompanied the parish officers and little boys on this festive occasion, or gave by their presence that friendly counsel which all expect but few receive.
From this post the journey proceeds to the south of the St. James's Industrial School [11], and in a delightful green lane, not like the one in Battersea, the boys and men seated themselves on the grass, and were plentifully supplied with cold ham and beef and bread and cheese, with a little wholesome beer.
This was the great event of the day; how the little fellows did eat! it really gives a good-natured man a great deal of pleasure to see such a sight. The Churchwarden was laughing and saying good-natured things to the boys, and telling them to eat away.
But how rapidly the party increases at such a time. Suddenly you find great numbers of persons ready to join in the eating. Where do they come from? Surely a common cannot produce them? but there they are all declaring most solemnly they had been with the party all day, although it is the first time you ever saw them.
The rural dinner over, the churchwarden's health was drank in good spirit. This was not the time or the audience for speechifying, so Mr. Walton just thanked them for their kindness, and the party then proceeded just to the side of Mr. McKellar's front gate [12]
Here they sung "God save the Queen, " and then proceeded across the common [13], to about two hundred yards below the Clapham Common station [14]; here they crossed the line, and continued along the black fence into the road, and from there to the west side of the Union workhouse [15]. The wall dividing the Union from the Fishmongers Almshouses forms part of the western boundary of the parish.
Continuing this line across the Richmond Railway [16], into the Wandsworth-road, and from there down a lane on the east side of the Distillery [17] to the Thames, into Battersea-square [18], forms a general descriptive outline of the home bounds of the parish of Battersea.
The day was everything that could be wished, and there was no disagreeableness during the whole time.
After about eight hours the party arrived at the spot from which they started [18]. Mrs. Walton provided cake and tea for a number of the boys in the evening.
Among the party we noticed Mr. Perry, the churchwarden of St. George's, the school-master, Messrs. Poupart, Juer, W. Griffin, Buckmaster, and others.
"Twenty-five years ago the present Bishop of Bath and Wells cheerfully underwent the proper bumping at this spot..."
The conspicuous white post at the corner was impressed on the memory by the usual bumping, which, at various points, had distinguished the day's proceedings; and it is worthy of remark that twenty-five years ago the present Bishop of Bath and Wells cheerfully underwent the proper bumping at this spot.
This must be a mistake, although a strange one. The Bishop of Bath and Wells at this time was Robert Eden, 3rd Baron Auckland, who has no (known) connection with Battersea. So who was it?
The reference seems more likely to be to local-boy Samuel Wilberforce (1805-1873), son of the famous William (the MP who led the anti-slave trade movement).
Widely known as "Soapy Sam" (thanks to what Disraeli called his "unctuous, oleaginous, saponaceous" manner), he grew up "between the Commons" in Broomfield House (renamed Broomwood House). But 25 years since the bumping is too soon — he would have been too old. Fifty years is perhaps more like it.
Possible?
But in these degenerate days no clergyman accompanied the parish officers and little boys on this festive occasion, or gave by their presence that friendly counsel which all expect but few receive.
I have already noted the dripping irony above, presumably addressed to the thenvicar of St Mary's, the Revd J.S. Jenkinson.
[NB The dates really don't work.William moved to Broomfield (from Henry Thornton's Samuel was born 1805 presumably in Broomfield Lodge/House, but his family moved away in 1808 i.e. when he was c.3 years of age [check] [to?] . Did he live elsewhere in Battersea - presumably not. Did he come back to participate in the beating of the bounds? But why would he?]
[So of it was not Samuel who was the churchman referred to, who as it?]
