1868 — Wandsworth Common

"Mrs Braddon — Wandsworth Common

Philip Boys

To: Philip Boys philip.boys@btinternet.com;

12/12/21 13:15

Norfolk News — Saturday 11 January 1868

Eclectic and Congregational Review. — We have been endeavoring to read some of the articles this periodical, and by dint of much perseverance have scrambled through few pages. This is the first number we have seen for several years, and we had always entertained the opinion that the "Eclectic" was a well written and well edited review. We unhesitatingly pronounce this the greatest literary abomination that ever came under our obsorvatioa. Eots th ihei, is about it, " the printers' l -_ Pinters' readers are an unknown luxury We might select from nearly g of the truth of one. Page 29We must pass by Miss Bi-addon's extravagant untruthfulness, her comparison of objects; merelynqmring wherein lies the of comparing the 'Lady's Mile' the 'Great Sahara' and Wandsworth Common to 'patch 6361^111^ centre of Africr.' Toretnark that we do not conceive Miss Braddonto ia any sense whatever religious person, all her procuvities appear'to point in an opposite direction; true, dec, &c. ISow, we ask, can any one make any sense of those half-dozen lines? And yet there scarcely a page that we have examined that has not some like specimen of workm?JfPj Pint the passage as it should printed We must pass by Miss Braddon's extravagant untruthfulness in her comparison of objects, merely inquiring wherein liesthe reasonableness of comparing the ' Lady's Mile' to the Great Sahara, and Wandsworth Common to patch of desert in the centre of Africa, ' to remark that do not conceive Miss Uraddon to be any sense whatever religious person. All her proclivities appear to point in an opposite direction. True, " Ac, That may be said, is the printer's fault. Whose is this page 27, the writer is criticising Miss IJraddon s style, and proves his abity to do so the followmg sentence: "The one word more than any other which conveys to the reader's imagination an adequate idea of our authoress's peculiar diction, is embodied in that of dashing:' Does the writer mean that "dashing" is the word to describe Miss Braddon's diction? presume so. Why, then, does he say that the word he means i 3 embodied in " that of dashing? writer criticising the style of popular author should certainly write English. Take an another sentence in aiticle on the Key. John Campbell, which seems to have been written by the editor himself. At page he says: ' His literary tastes, however, were in the course of formation; the course of these years, and as illustrations of the power a strong and resolute lad, to help himself his pursuit of knowledge; we wish that his biographers had dwelt some greater length upon them hesems to have had no vantages either of early training or of wealthy friends to introduce him to his course of university discipline." Now, what in the name of common-sense does that mean By the exercise of little manipulation of semicolons and commas we might probably show our readers what the writer wants to say, but we leave it as a curious literary puzzle. After this, who will not be disposed to agree with the dictum on page 21 concerning John Campbell, notwithstanding its slip-shod English: knew how to edit a magazine — a gift not of the greatest — not equal to the writing an In Memoriain' or a 'Sordello;' bu.i a gift we know few who in the present dag possess among all editors, especially among religious editors. ' the interest of the p-ibiic, and in justice to the respectable publishers of this periodical we have lelt bound to point out the glaring defects manifest not on one or two pages only, but nearly every page of their periodical, papers are probably very well written on tne whole, but they are deformed by a want of common-sense on the part of the printer, and neglect of revision of the proof-sheets by the editor, that person of discrimination taste can possibly read them with comfort.

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"Norfolk News — Saturday 11 January 1868

Eclectic and Congregational Review.

We have been endeavoring to read some of the articles in this periodical, and by dint of much perseverance have scrambled through a few pages. This is the first number we have seen for several years, and we had always entertained the opinion that the "Eclectic" was a well written and well edited review. We unhesitatingly pronounce this the greatest literary abomination that ever came under our observation. For all the workmanship there is about it, it might have been edited by the the printers' devil in an establishment where printers' readers are an unknown luxury We might select from nearly every page an illustration of the truth of our remarks. We select one. Page 29: "We must pass by Miss Braddon's extravagant untruthfulness, in her comparison of objects; merely inquiring wherein lies the reasonableness of comparing the 'Lady's Mile' to the 'Great Sahara' and Wandsworth Common to a 'patch of desert in the centre of Africa.' To remark that we do not conceive Miss Braddon to be in any sense whatever a religious person, all her proclivities appear to point in an opposite direction. True," &c., &c. That it may be true is the printer's fault. Whose is this? At page 27, the writer is criticising Miss Braddon's style, and proves his ability to do so in the following sentence:

[NEEDS PROOFING . . . ]

South London Press — Saturday 18 January 1868

1868-01-18-auction-farm-nightingale-lane-SouthLondonPress-18jan1868

WANDSWORTH COMMON. Important and unreserved Sale of the Genuine Live and Dead FARMING STOCK, powerful cart horse, two useful cows, three stacks meadow hay, corn and fodder, 10 sacks potatoes, three strong tumbril and loading carts, and numerous other effects.

MR. FLETCHER will SELL, as above, by PUBLIC AUCTION, at The Farm, corner of Nightingale-lane, Wandsworth Common, Surrey, Thursday, January 23, 1868. Luncheon at half-past 10 o'clock. Sale to commence at 11 precisely.

On view day prior and morning of the auction. Catalogues at Mr. Whipham'e, and Carlton Bouse, New Wandsworth. London-

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"Globe — Saturday 18 January 1868

WANDSWORTH COMMON

We hear that the Wandsworth Common Preservation Society has come to a standstill, after the expenditure of much vituperation but very little money. A rather good joke is, that the gipsies turned of a field they rented at Battersea for health's sake — being told by certain of the committee that the common was public property, and not Earl Spencer's — have encamped on it near their friends' houses, and prove such a nuisance that the latter have now applied to the Local Board of Works to get rid of them! South London News

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[Is there a longer item in the South London News? It has not been digitised by BNA, so far as I can tell. Iassume this refers to something I've seen involving Anderson Rose?]

1868-01-18-WC-preservation-soc-gypsies-Globe-18jan1868

Ditto Morning Advertiser — Monday 20 January 1868 / [https]://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001427/18680120/013 /0002" target="_blank">Link.]
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Mr Craig had manufactured a refracting telescope with an object glass twenty inches in diameter; it was erected on Wandsworth Common, in a tube resembling a Brobdignagian cigar, but so imperfect was its achromatism and aplanatism that it has long been laid aside as practically useless.

Newcastle Journal — Thursday 30 January 1868

South London Press — Saturday 1 February 1868

WANDSWORTH COMMON. It was resolved that the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway should be requested to remove the gipsies camping on their land at Wandsworth Common."

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"Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, Glamorgan, Monmouth, and Brecon Gazette — Saturday 8 February 1868

EXTRAORDINARY MURDER OF A CHILD. -

On Saturday afternoon Mr. W. Carter, the coroner, proceeded with an inquiry, in the Board-room of the Wandsworth Union, Battersea Rise, respecting the death of a female child about five months old, who was found in a pond called the Black Sea at Wandsworth Common. Evidence having been adduced respecting the finding of the child, and tending to the suspicion that its unfortunate mother had committed suicide, the jury returned the following verdict: — That the deceased child was wilfully murdered by being thrown into a pond called the Black Sea, but they (the jury) further say by what person or persons the evidence before them failed to prove.

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May newspapers around the country report the event. Why so many?

e.g.

Bee-Hive — Saturday 8 February 1868

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South London Chronicle — Saturday 8 February 1868

Suspected Suicide at the " Black Sea, " Wandsworth-common. On Saturday afternoon Mr. W. Carter, the coroner, proceeded with an inquiry, in the Board-room of the Wandsworth Union, Battersea Rise, respecting the death of a female child about five months old, who was found in pond called the Black Sea at Wandsworth-common. Evidence having been adduced respecting the finding of the child, and tending to the suspicion that its unfortunate mother had committed suicide, the jury returned the following verdict: That the deceased child was wilfully murdered by being thrown into a pond called the Black Sea, but they (the jury) further say by what person or persons the evidence before them fails to prove.'

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"Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette — Saturday 15 February 1868'

Juvenile Horse Stealers. — At the Southwark police-court on Tuesday, Henry Lovett, 11 years of age, whose head scarcely reached the top of the dock, was charged with stealing a hone, the property of some person unknown. Police-constable 26 M said about nine o'clock was duty in the Blackfriars-road, when he saw the prisoner leading hone up Friar-street Being so very young he followed him, and saw him turn into Green-street, where he rang the bell Winkley's, the horse slaughterer's, and wanted dispose of it Witness went up him and asked whose horse it and not getting a satisfactory reply took him to the stationhouse. He had since tola witness that he had fetched the horse from Wandsworth-commonMr. Burcham asked whether there was anybody else with him? The constable replied that there was a younger boy with him.

- Alfred Green, quite a child, was then put forward, and be said the other boy asked him with him Wandsworth common to get a horse. did not know what he was going with The constable informed his worship that the parents of both boys were hard-working people, but he was of opinion that some older persons had got hold of them.

Mr. Burchatn said could not think detaining such a young child for horse stealing. The horse would detained, and the child given up to his father.'

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Also e.g. South London Chronicle"

South London Press — Saturday 15 February 1868

Blenheim Cricket Club. 'Phis chib held H eighth MtnxMtl meeting Seturdny evening Worm weld's, Windmill Tavern, Kennington-Inue.

Mr. George Welle (president) presided.

Mr. Ilartand secretary) expressed his gratification once more presenting the report of the club's doings during the past year, which stated to have been one of the most prosperous the club has yet known, they had not been beaten once upon their ground at Wandsworth Common.

During the season arrangements were made play 17 but owing wet Saturdays and other causes, only 13 were played, resulting in eight wins, two drawn, three lost. In addition, five matches were played amongst the members of the club and their friends, but these were only considered friendly games, their results are not reckoned in the averages. Referring to the doings individual members, the secretary announced Mr. Rood the winner of the first prize of the season, hawing made the largest avenge number of ntas; Mr. Boswell as the winner of the second prize, for having scored the second highest and Me. White the third prize, for having made the highest single score of the season. the athleyic sports held by the club Guy's Half-moon Ground, I'utoey, in October last, were reported a success, although the attend anee of members and friends was considerably marred the unusually bleak weatheit But thaseoretary, in announcing the club's intention to hold similar sports during the coming season, hoped for still better and more favourable weather. In oommeuting upon tbs want proper cricket ground accommodation, the secretary stated that Wandsworth Common, like all other spaces around the metropolis, had become so crowded with cricketers that the club have determined to play their matches at Guy's Ground at Putney, but as this spot lies too far away for evening practice, the committee have yet to determine where the members can practice; but an early intimation will be given. concluding his statement, Mr. Hnrlaod reported the club financially and numerically sound, and, assuring the members of a prosperous season for W6B, resumed his seat amidst loud applause. The president then presented prize bat eachto Messrs. Bead, Boswell, and White. The election of officers for the present year then took place, and Mr. George Walls was re-elected president, Mr. W. Strong treasure Mr. W. Uarland secretary, Mr. 8. Cox captain, and Hassrs. Boswell, Dana, Gilbert, Johnson, Beaker, and Sims oommittee. The president, in thanking the members for his re-election, complimented Mr. liarland upon the able report he hod presented, and also for his unceasing efforts the behalf, and assured the members that so long they continued united, the Blenheim Club would rank A amateur cricket clubs. the other officers haring responded in suitable terms, the meeting concluded with hearty votes of thanks to each and all of tbs ottoere for their exertions during the past season, and to the president for his. conduct in the chair. Lambeth County Court. (Before J. Pitt Tavuor, Esq., Judge*)

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South London Press — Saturday 4 April 1868

LOST!!! ONE THOUSAND POUNDS REWARD.

Whoever findeth the same, and brlngs it to G.FERRIS,

SHALL RECEIVE THE ABOVE REWARD

G.FERRIS .

(Late of the Falcon Tavern, WandsworthRoad)

WINE& SPIRIT MERCHANT,

Surrey Tavern, TRINITY ROAD, TOOTING,

On the borders of Wandsworth Common.

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Sun (London) — Tuesday 7 April 1868

THE CONSERVATIVE LAND SOCIETY

MEETING THIS DAY

. . .

The next allotment of land will be on Wednesday, the 29th of April, on which day the sale will be commenced of the first portion of the Clapham Junction Estate, well known as Bolingbroke Park, with fine frontages to Battersea Rise and Wandsworth Common. The proximity of this property to two stations, and the increasing demand for house property in the southern district of the metropolis, justify the anticipations of the committee that the Clapham Junction Estate will prove one of the most valuable building properties hitherto acquired for the society.

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South London Press — Saturday 11 April 1868

The lessees of Clapham Common are appealing for aid from the publichaving exceeded their income by .32. In the last quarter-century the inhabitants have laid out J87,000 in maintaining it. The committee for the preservation of Wandsworth Common are doing the same, the railway company having again made a further encroachment.

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South London Press — Saturday 30 May 1868

THE South London Press

Saturday, May 90, 1868. far possible, the election of any vestry all. In preventing one last year, it will be remembered some inhabitants were successful, the result being almost dead lock parish business. Messrs. Tuner and Brace to act as inspectors of votes for the chairman, and after half an hour's vain appeal to others. Messrs. Ashley and Barrow accepted the like office behalf of the ratepayers. The seats to be filled were those of Messrs. Aider Bardsley, Brown, Clarke, Condy, Denny, Finch! Lord, Mellor, Hellish, and Spooner, which ought to have been filled last year. Those Messrs. Acomb. Austen, Baker, Beauchamp Broad, Cattle, FlexmorS Gerrard, Poupart, Purdy, bellar, George Todd, retiring this year; and three "casual vacancies in the room of Messrs. Harris, Henry Smith, and James Walton.

The vestry clerk was asked for a list of ratepayers quaiified to serve, and stated that he had not one. A ratepayer in the meeting said that he had commenced to make out one, but "had been prevented by that uice-looking clerk of Mr. Corsellis'."

Mr. Ayles proposed that the meeting should be adjourned till Friday next to enable the vestry clerk to prepare list.

Major Carteret moved that the present election forward, and that at all future elections list be prepared for the use the ratepayers. This Mr. Barker seconded, and Mr. Purdy supported.

Mr. Hugh Wallace, whilst believing that a list should have been prepared, hoped that such unseemly behaviour would take place to bring the parish into disrepute. After half hour had been wasted on this matter Mr. Ayles withdrew the resolution.

Mr. Buckmaster then, in proposing a list of names of vestrymen, defended his previous conduct, alleging that the people had lost confidence in those previously office, whom he had, therefore, left out of his list. (A Voice: "Poor things.") He then revived the complaints to which most of his hearers had listened time after time before, alleging deficient rating of compound houses and the Vestry Hall (Mr. G. Todd: " It's the guardians who rate property, not the vestry") — besides incompetent collection of rates, which had left 3,000 outstanding. (Mr. Poupart: "No, 1,000.'') The collector, Mr. Hilliers, stated that the close of the October audit there was about 1,000 out Since then 300 had been paid in. After some wrangling on this point between Mr. Buckmaster and the collectors, the former asked how were these irrecoverable rates to be reduced to the lowest possible sum.

Mr. Baker (overseer): Tell me how they've done so. You never came or attended at all.

Mr. Buckmaster: You obstructed me when Iobjected to pay some money charged by the vestry clerk perfectly inconsistent with the understanding made at the time of his appointment. Yon and a number of others signed it, and said it was a monstrous thing for me to object it. (Applause and hisses.)

Mr. Purdy advised the meeting to hand the parish over to Mr. Buckmaster altogether. The latter then told the collector he was thoroughly unfit and incompetent for his office, and promiesdl, if he would retire, he would use his best exertion to get the Poor-law Board to allow him a superannuation. The poor-rate made last March was not yet in course of collection, and the collectors couldn't get the books.

Mr. Baker; If you'd succeeded in your attempt to adjourn our last meeting, it would have been thrown back another month.

Mr. Buckmaster wound his speech by proposing his list of names, follows: William Baker, ftancis Bertolazzi. Henry Brown, Captain Carteret, Edward Clark, Win. Gerrard, John Costeker, John Doulton, Edwin Gammon, Chas. Lambert, Robert Mellor, Captain Mellor, Andrew Mackay, Edwin Gammon Anson, Wm. Duce, Thos. Elliott, George Swonnell, Henry Salter, H. Wallace, Philip Wood, Henry Condy, James Lord, Paine Shepherd, and Morgan.

Mr. Purdy did not desire to go to poll to the cost of the parish, but pointed out that this was not equally distributed representation, there only being two proposed to represent the district from Bridge-road to Lambeth. He proposed that no vestry should be elected, and that Mr. Buckmaster should be made Emperor of Battersea. There was a great deal of truth in what he had said, but a very great deal more of untruth. If his admirers joined him in the government of Battersea, they would soou find out what was. If would alter his list so as to give fair distribution representation, be (Mr. Purdy) would support it.

Mr. Poupart considered that if the assessments had been wrong, Mr. Buckmaster was to blame. He was churchwarden, and ought to have corrected what he knew to be wrong.

Mr. George Todd denied statement (to give his idea mildly) that he considered Mr. Buckmaster had put about respecting his connection with Wandsworth Common. It had also been said that the vestry were in league to give up parish ground worth 500 to Mr. Parsons. The fact was that Mr. Parsons gave the parish, without a penny, what was worth 500. malign men in such way was disgraceful in the extreme. He never built on or owned a single inch of the Common. He owned but the house he lived in, and paid his rates according to his assessment. (Mr. Buckmaster: "Was it your father's?") It was not. His father refused to assess it. The man who assessed it was he who gave Mr. Buckmaster a silver teaservice to keep him from opposing him churchwarden, and paid for it all out of his own pocket. He had the testimony of Mr. Wood — whose name appeared on the "testimonial" — that he never gave a penny towards it, or permission for his name to to used. He should be ashamed of traducing men, were another then present, who if not so educated, were very likely far more honest.

Mr. Buckmaster denounced the builders and publicans. He (the speaker) was surveyor and a teetotaller; but whilst the present customs lasted they had much right to be considered as a schoolmaster. The much-abused builders had made Battersea land worth 1000 an acre instead of 100. What was really wanted was a paid accountant. Then the silly statements thrown in their eyes like dust would be disproved. Here was the pitiful spectacle before them man who only came there about once a year, and then indulged in clap-trap, personal attack, and ungentlemanly language, complaining The vestry haven t made me do my duty." He could longer support such a man, and could only keep the company of gentlemen. Clap-trap and bombast were not what were wanted there. (Hisses.)

Mr. Buckmaster: He's performed his vestry duties and other duties very well, no doubt but there's one duty he's forgotten to perform, and that is — to pay his debts! A great uproar ensued on this climax to the previous assertions of the speaker, who forthwith had applied to him three words by Mr. Todd, which gave, m the tersest Saxon, distinct reflections on his lUU . To P them would be libellous.

Mr.?? continued gesticulating amid the uproar for some minutes regretted that there was nothing but gross personality at these meetings. He withdrew his name from Mr. Buckmaster's list, declining to be after had p — of calmness and sense there was nothing but noise H^wff OU 'to their credit that '-Another Howl from Battersea!" was to be seen in the South /?e suggested that two gentlemen should take the list proposed, and that which Mr. 1 urdy was prepared move, and decide those to submitted for election. . uded Mr. Buckmaster's list. Webster defended the action the Board of Works in reference Earl Spencer's claims. opinion adverse to them was given Judge Bayly' [https]://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000213/18680530/012/0003''''''''''"

Yesterday named Wigley ran, walked, wheeled a barrow, trundled a hoop, and hopped on one leg over a distance of five miles, in separate feats of a mile each within one hour, for 20, and won with two minutes to spare. The feat was performed on Wandsworth-common.

On July 27, a pedestrian, named Wigley, undertook for a wager of 20 to run one mile, walk one mile, wheel a barrow one mile, trundle a hoop one mile, and hop on one leg one mile, and complete the five miles in one hour.

This herculean feat was performed over a measured mile of road on the Wandsworth Common.

Wheeling a barrow the mile occupied 14 minutes, running 8 minutes, trundling the hoop 10 minutes. walking 10 minutes, and hopping the mile 11 minutes, and the whole distance was accomplished in the several modes stipulated in 58 minutes, and Wigley exhibited no signs of fatigue at the conclusion of his task.

NOVEL PEDESTRIAN FEAT. Yesterday named Wigley ran, walked, wheeled a barrow, trundled a hoop, and hopped on one leg over a distance of five miles, in separate feats of a mile each within one hour, for 20, and won with two minutes to spare. The feat was performed on Wandsworth-common.

A MAN named Wigley ran, walked, wheeled a barrow, trundled a hoop, and hopped on one leg over a distance of five miles, in separate feats of a mile each within one hour, for 20, and won with two minutes to spare. The feat was performed on Wandsworth-common.