James Hain Friswell; a memoir

Preface

I HAVE several times been asked by many well-known people why a Life of my father has not been written, and, in these days of interviewing anybody and everybody, it no doubt seems curious that no authentic record has been given to the world of one who did his best to elevate and teach the people, and who wrote one of the most w^idely read and popular books of the century. It has been through no wish on my part to hide my father's name or fame, but because I doubted my own capacity, and because I have no account of his life except a few stray notes in his diaries and the remembrance of some stories of his youth. He was not a man to talk of himself, and he has left not a line of autobiography. . I can remember him, when I was a very small girl, playing with my brother and me, and telling us wonderful stories, which I have since related to many children — "The History of Rantipole Jones and the Wolves," of "Tom Drum," of " Willie Sweetstuff and the Ogre Policeman," "The Shocking Story of the Jumble Family,"

860270 vi PREFACE

and many other romances, told with such verve and vigour that they have never faded from my memory. "The Parlour Window," in "Other People's Windows," gives a very true account of this time. I can remember him the life and soul of many an entertainment, both at home and abroad. In those days I sat with my mother and governess listening to many men and women who were then, or have since made themselves, well known in literature, art, science, or the drama. I was an only daughter, and not strong. I could not go to school or join in any active games with those of my own age, so my amusements were, while still a school-girl, writing children's stories for The Ouiver, oroinor to the theatre, and, as a great treat, to the Literary Fund dinners. There my mother and I heard all the most eloquent speakers of the day, and met in the drawing-room most of the celebrated men of the time, many of whom would kindly come and talk to me for a few minutes. Amongst these were Dickens, Charles Reade, Anthony Trollope, Frederick Locker, Yates, Sala, and many more. My father was a conspicuous figure amongst them, a charming companion, full of wit and humour, with graphic descriptive powers and a wonderful memory.

Again, I can remember him the victim of a wasting disease, a great invalid, for days con-

PREFACE vii

fined to his bed, but always hopeful, cheerful, patient, and kind ; a most excellent husband and father, and still an entertaining companion. Thus it is in his domestic character that I can best recall him. But to the world he was well known as a satirist, novelist, and essayist, a true scholar, and an earnest, kindly man, with — to quote what Mr. i^ercy Fitzgerald says of him in his "Memoirs of an Author" — "a fine ideal of what was honourable and loyal."

I have read "Memoirs" which consist of bald records of travels, public dinners, and other functions. Such things occur in the lives of most public men ; they are all much alike, and have been written about to such an extent that the subject must be somewhat boring to the general public ; nor do they record a man's life : it is the everyday incidents that make our lives. Therefore, I scarcely mention my father's journeys or dinners, but I have tried to give a picture of those who surrounded him — - his family and his friends.

I have heard it stated that he was always delicate. This is an error ; he was five feet nine inches in height and robust-looking, he was thirty-eight inches round the chest, and all the doctors who saw him said that "with such a chest he should not have had anything the matter with his lungs." But he caught cold viii PREFACE

very easily ; writing is not a healthy occupation, and he worked too hard.

I wish to thank Lady Uardman, Mrs. Harrison, Mrs. Blackburn, Miss Kingsley, Mr. Justin McCarthy, Canon Duckworth, Professor Herkomer, Mr. Sydney Grundy, Mr. Dillon Croker, and all who have kindly sent me letters or given me their permission to print letters from their relatives. My thanks are also due to Mr. H. P. Robinson for the use of his fine photograph of my father. My mother, who has looked over hundreds of letters, and done all she could to help me, I have no need to thank ; to her it has been, as to me, a labour of love. I have only to add that in this book I hope I have shown how good and brave a man my father was, how helpful to others, what a high ideal he had of the dignity of letters, how indefatigable was his industry in many things as well as literature, and how strong his love for the working classes, whose interests he had ever at heart, and of whose education he never lost sight.

If my readers fail to see this in the Life before them, I beg them to believe the fault is mine alone.

LAURA HAIN FRISWELL.

Aber Maw, Wimbledon.

Chapter I I'age

Birth and parentage— Some anecdotes of his school days — His classical education — His youthful idea of a lord — His father as a gentleman of the old school, as an amateur farmer, and as an energetic father — A visit to Lewes — A struggle for life — Mr. John Mortimer's advice — Mr. Rumley, the engraver, and his family — My father's marriage ....... i

Chapter II

My father becomes a contributor to Tlie Puppet Shozv, conducted by Angus Reach and Albert Smith — He teaches in a Ragged School — Is in the van of all such movements as sanitary reform, dwellings for the poor, and free libraries for the people — His courage, coolness, and presence of mind . . . . . • i?

Chapter III

Mundus Draniaticus (" The New Rosciad ") : A Satire — My father's first book, " Houses with their Fronts Off" — ■ A Dedication — A letter from Thackeray — Robert Brough on War Songs — " The Young Couple " — Letter from Godfrey Turner . . . . . -31

CHAPTER IV A missing chapter from "The Newcomes " — "In the Abyss"

— Death of William JMiswell, senior — The Urban Club 49

X CONTENTS

Chapter V Page

The Train, one of the first shilling magazines — "Sham Pamphlets " — Writes for Chainbers s Journal — Proposes to start a business as heraldic engraver — Reads and lectures at Worcester and London — The Welcome Guest — "Sham," a novel written in earnest — "Diamonds and Spades" — "Ghost Stories'' — 2'he Family IJerald 68

Chapter VI

IVeldon's Magazine afid Register of Facts — The Leader — 0)ice a Week — City Press — Sees Thackeray — Begins " Footsteps to Fame '" — Very depressed — " Out and About " — Becomes acquainted with Lord Brougham — Wishes to be introduced to William Chambers — Captain and Mrs. Burton — Spirit-rapping — Mr. Foster the Medium — The Davenport brothers — "The Coal of Fire" — Letter to Mrs. S. C. Hall . 84

CHAPTER VH

New editions of " Sham " and " Out and About " — A short explanation of the lawsuit — To Brighton with three boys — A letter to a friend — Some inventions — A business-like woman — A little album verse — Lines to a tobacco jar in the form of a marquise — A sorrowful story . . . . . . . . .108

CHAPTER VHI

The Shakespeare Committee — " Life Portraits of Shakespeare " — Letters about the " Portraits " — At Stratford-on-Avon — "Familiar Words" — The Athencewn and " Familiar Words " — The critic criticised — The corrector corrected — Letters from Dr. Ingleby, Samuel Timmins, and John Timbs — Mrs. S. C. Hall and Mrs. Moore's testimony . . . . . . .1^3

CONTENTS xi

CHAPTER IX

PAGE

The Atheticeuin and "Familiar Words" — Mr. Moy Thomas states the case and defends the compiler — Letter on contemporary criticism by Professor Owen — "The Gentle Life"— "About in the World "—The Queen's edition of " The Gentle Life " . . . . .141

CHAPTER X

The first attack of congestion of the lungs — A book of poems — Westland Marston's criticisms — Rev. J. M. Bellew asks for a poem to read in public — My father and his schoolfellows — An old garden — My father's kindness to children — The distracted author and the fiend boys 155

CHAPTER XI

An attack of pleurisy — An unfortunate blunder — A general epistle — A little letter to a little boy — An appeal for the poor — The " Censor " dinners . . . .169

CHAPTER XII

" The Bayard Series " — Professor Morley's discovery — The Milton poem — " The Silent Hour " — A letter from Ruskin — 7'he Censor Magazine — Professor Herkomer — Thieves' literature — Some anecdotes of Irving — A visit to Charles Kingsley — M. Van de Weyer asks my father to meet the King of the Belgians — 111 at Frampton Court . . . . . .187

CHAPTER XIII

Letters from Canon Duckworth and M. Van de Weyer — Hon. Mrs. Norton — Down to Bexley — Next door to Bulliman's — "One of Two" — Once a IVee/c and its editor— A rush for the doctor — Two melancholy days at Bayard Cottage . . . . . . .209 xii CONTENTS

CHAPTER XIV

I' AGE

" Modern Men of Letters " — A libel — Poor Mr. Sala's sore point — The verdict — Mr. Sala tells us how some of his debts were paid — A simple story — A heroine in her old age . . . . . . , .231

CHAPTER XV

" A Man's Thoughts "—" One of Two "—A golden lock— A move into Kent — The Tower House Golden Tands — A celebrated jackdaw . . . . . -245

CHAPTER XVI

Letters from Mrs. Norton — R. B. Sheridan — A prophet in his own village — A book from Austin Dobson — The Pictorial World — Charles Kingsley wishes my father to be ordained — "The Better Self" — News of Canon Kingsley's death — " Far from the Madding Crowd " . 262

CHAPTER XVII

Some quotations from an obituary notice — An old and new church — How some well-known Italian singers were entertained — The tenor and the bath-chair — Letter to Mrs. Kingsley — A letter from Lady Lytton — Down at Woburn — A letter from Sidney Grundy . . -277

CHAPTER XVIII

At Lymington — Congestion of the brain — A letter to Mrs. Norton on her marriage with Sir William Stirling- Maxwell— Lines to a church warden — Last letters — Last illness and death — Rest at last .... 296

BiBLIOGKArHV . . . . . . . . -313

Chapter I

Birth and parentage — Some anecdotes of his school-days — His classical education— His youthful idea of a lord — His father as a gentleman of the old school, as an amateur farmer, and as an energetic father — A visit to Lewes — A struggle for life — Mr. John Mortimer's advice — Mr. Rumley, the engraver, and his family — My father's marriage.

James Haix Friswkll was born at Forton, near Newport, in Shropshire, on the 8th of May 1825. He was the youngest but one (a girl) of a family of five. His eldest brother was twelve years his senior, and on him it devolved to write and inform his father, who was in London, of his brother's birth. I have the letter now before me, and it seems to me strangely pathetic, so I quote it : —

" Mv DEAR PaI'A, — 1 write to inform you that another

helpless little boy claims your protection. He was born on

Sunday night, between twelve and one. He is the express

Image of Fanny when she was born, but less, however, he

appears Healthy and strong; he is baptised James. Since

we were able to lisp we have been taught to pray Cor jyo/i ;

A

2 JAMES HAIN FRISWKLL

even little Dick prays God bless papa. We go to Mrs.

Fisher's to-morrow; she has invited Dick and all to be a

little out of Manmia's way ; we fear you are unwell, as

you have not written, as you promised, to our poor

Mamma. Fanny and Dick join me in love and kisses to

dear papa. — Your dutiful son,

"WlIXIAM FrISWELL."

This letter, with its beautiful penmanship, its fine up-strokes and well-formed letters, in which are the long s's of a bygone day, its only mistakes being a capital here and there, which may have been done to emphasise the young writer's feelings, was written to a man who had not much tenderness or fatherly affection, as its quaint expressions show.

William Friswell, senior, was a solicitor, of Wimpole Street, London, a clever lawyer, and a most upright and honourable man as far as business was concerned. His clients were mostly titled people, and his business was large and lucrative. He was fond of boasting that the family was of Norman extraction and came over with the Conqueror— a harmless fancy shared by many people, and that may or may not be true ; but, at any rate, according to a book entitled "The Norman People and their Existingf Descendants in the Briti.sh Dominions and the United States of America,"

x published by Henry S. King- in 1874, " Friswell or Fritzville is arniorially identified with Freshheld, and they are descended from Ralph de Fressonville, who in the year 1225 seized the estates and barony of Hubert Fitz Ralph in Notts and Derby. The chief seat of the barony was in Notts. The family of the Barons Freschville long continued." So, no doubt, my grandfather was right in saying we are Normans. In these democratic days we think of little but money, but in those days family was considered something to be proud of, and my grandfather was a gentleman of the old school. Fie was proud of his brother, Captain J. R. Friswell, who fell in June 1824, at the final capture of Rangoon. He (the Captain) was engaged to a niece of the great Duke of Wellington ; we have a miniature of the lady in a very low dress, her waist under her armpits ; she is playing a spinet, and her hair, woven into a cable, encircles the portrait. It belonged to the poor Captain, who attained the rank of Brevet- Major ere he died.

My grandfather's pride in his family did not induce him to lead an exemplary life ; he thought of hims('lf, not of his wife and chiklren, and was e.xtravagant and tyrannical in his domestic

4 JAMES IIAIN FRISWELL

character. My grandmother liad a hirge family, of whom three sons and two daughters survived. My father was the youngest son, and was christeneci James only; I Iain was his mother's maiden name, and he vowed he would make it as well known as that of Lriswell.

My grandmother was of a good old county family, and came from Bath ; the old beau, Pea-green Hain, was some remote connection of hers.

My father was devoted to his mother, who from his earliest childhood had been in the habit of reading and repeating legends and old English ballads to him, and from her he inherited his taste for literature. He was a very small, delicate, quick child, so precocious that Mr. Pinnock, his eldest brother's tutor, taught him to construe Virgil at eight years of age ; and on his going to school at Aspley, in Bedfordshire, the Rev. Dr. Pain, his master, continued his classical education, making him almost as crood a classical scholar as himself.

At school he got into disgrace with boys of his own age and size because he knew more than they did, and they resented so young a boy being put above them, while those in his class looked down upon him and laughed at him for being so little. They soon found the small boy had "plenty of pluck," that he was quick, passionate, and courageous, not afraid to fight, although ignorant of the art ; but he was soon instructed by being told to keep firm on his legs, watch his enemy's eye, and hit out straight from the shoulder, which instructions he followed with great success, and soon had a quieter life.

In "Out and About," a story for boys, there is an account of his first fight and of his school, the kind and wise Dr. Leatherby of the story being the Rev. Dr. Pain.

Some of his schoolfellows have told me he was a most vivacious and mischievous boy. Once he and his brother arrived at Bletchley too late for the coach. My father did not approve of a carrier's cart — it was not a stylish conveyance — so he ordered a post-chaise. As they drove up to the school Dr. Pain came out to the gate, expecting to receive some important man. His disgust was great, when two small boys of eight and ten crept out, very frightened at seeing the Doctor. The result was not ])leasant, and it was extremely unpleasant when the hire of the post-chaise duly appeared in the bill.

Another time, lie }jersuaded Wad Wroth, a boy much older and bigger than himself (afterwards the Rev, Warwick \\^"oth, vicar of St. Philip's, Clerkenwell, and the first man to put on vestments), to make an idol of slate-pencil and to compel the bully of the school to fall down and worship it. When the bully had been forced upon his knees and made to repeat a prayer, they told him he would be "damned for ever." This was a reveneti worthy a Red Indian Brave.

Once in the holidays, he and his brother Richard were found upon the garden wall, with a flower-pot attached to some string, which they ingeniously let down into a neighbour's garden and thus hooked off his peaches. My grandmother took her husband's riding-whip from the hall and made both the young culprits march before her into the next house, when she handed the whip to the gentleman, and requested him to thrash her sons for stealing:. But the orentleman talked to them, and became a firm friend to the boys, giving them many a "tip " in after years.

My father at this time had an exaggerated idea as to the status of a lord ; he appears to have thought that they walked about in coronets. This notion was no doubt drawn from the great nobles who so proudly bear their part in Shakespeare's plays. He was, therefore, greatly surprised one day when, having been brought to town by his father, he was taken into his office in Wimpole Street, and told to sit down while his father transacted some business. Presently a gentleman was introduced, and entered into earnest conversation with his father. The gentleman was very deferential and anxious, apparently desiring help in some way which was beyond the comprehension of the small listener. But his conception of the grandeur and power of a lord received a fearful shock when his father, suddenly wheeling round in his chair and gazing sternly at his interlocutor, exclaimed, " Well, my lord, if you choose to go and dirty yourself in the City, you can't expect me to pull you out of the mess,"

A characteristic note of the time — to speculate is to "dirty oneself in the City."

My father always spoke of his master, the Rev. Dr. Pain, with great admiration for his learning, and love and respect for his moral qualities. He said of him that "he was severe, but not harsh; a disciplinarian, but kindly. He studied the character of his pupils, and he did not expect so much from the dull as from the clever. Laziness he punished. Dissimulation and want of manliness he detested."

-8 JAMES IIAIN FRISWELL

Man)- of the Doctor's pupils have attained eminence in the Army, Navy, and learned professions. All seemed to have loved him, though they feared him ; and, long after he had retired from preaching- and teaching, a small band of his pupils, of whom my father was one, used to meet and ""ive an annual dinner to their old master at Woburn.

While my father and his elder brother were still at school, my grandfather (at the early age of forty), regardless of his children's prospects, disposed of his flourishing business, gave up Hamilton House, the large house he had built on Hamilton Terrace (the garden alone had cost him ^looo), and retired into the country. He took a house at Tadworth, near Epsom, and spent his time in amateur farmincf and huntino-. His ideas of farming were unique ; he lay in bed till midday, and sat up card-playing till the small hours. He often had race-horses in his stables, once the winner of the Derby. He gave the most extravagant prices for his animals, many of them being prize beasts bought at shows. These sometimes came to sudden and untimely ends. For instance, a prize boar got out through some carelessness, and, rushing over the farm, gored several valuable cows, which had to be slaughtered — a fate which also befell the boar, as he was considered dancrerous. With a master who lay in bed half the day and sat up nearly all night, it is needless to say how the farm prospered.

Mv orrandfather took his sons from school when the youngest was not quite sixteen, and instead of sending them to Eton or Harrow, he put the elder (Richard) with a farmer to learn farming, and my father he left to amuse or employ himself as he could. Thrown on his own resources, he spent his time in his father's library (which was, fortunately, a good one), and in wandering about Banstead Downs and the fields and lanes of Epsom, with a book in his hand. A year passed in this way, when my grandfather suddenly seemed to have awakened to the fact that his youngest son was leading an idle life. He got up early one morning, in the spring of 1842, with this idea in his head, and ordered his servants to "be quick" with his breakfast, to brinor round his criu^ " in ten ■ minutes," and to find Mr. James and "tell him to come at once." His orders were executed with the utmost despatch, for all dreaded his harsh and violent temper, and when my father came he found him already mounting his gig. lie was told "to lo JAMES HAIK FRISWELL

jump up," which he did, and away they drove to Lewes. There the gig was put up at the best inn and a good dinner ordered, then, telhng his son he might go to the top of the Castle, my grandfather went into the town.

My father went to the top of the Castle, and there found a youth of about his own age ; he began to talk to him about the surrounding country, when, to his horror, the young man flung up his arms, his face became frightfully contorted, and he would have thrown himself off the tower had not my father clasped him in his arms. Then there commenced a struggle in which they were several times on the verge of both going over ; they rolled on the ground together, and my father at last succeeded in holding him down ; his body was fearfully convulsed, and he was foaming at the mouth. In answer to my father's loud cries for help an old man at length appeared, and looking at the youth, said calmly, "Why,, he's in an epileptic fit; stay till I get some water." My father naturally did not care to stay, but he did so, and after what seemed to him an eternity, the old man returned and dashed the water over the invalid, who recovered sufficiently to be assisted downstairs, where he was left in charge of the old man. I have often heard

A MEMOIR II

my father tell this story, and describe the terror he was in when he discovered that he was alone on the top of a tower with a madman, as he thought. When he returned to the town, he found his father in a bad temper, grumbling at everything and every one, and very angry with him for being late ; so he said nothinor of his adventure, but tried to eat his dinner; he was told "to be quick about it," as the gig was at the door. On his way back to Epsom my grandfather informed his son why they had gone to Lewes. Then my father discovered that he had not only been in danger of losing his life, but had narrowly escaped being made a linendraper's assistant. My grandfather had actually gone to Lewes with the intention of putting his son with a linen-draper ; but he fortunately quarrelled with the tradesman because he said "he was a person without taste or refinement, and hadn't an ' h ' in his vocabulary."

In the autumn of 1842, upon the advice of his old friend, John Mortimer, my grandfather sent his son to learn engraving. Whether my father remonstrated, or reminded him that he had promised to send him to the University and put him into one of the professions, I do not know, as he seldom spoke of his father, and never com[)lained

12 JAMES IIAIN FRISWELL

of his treatment. iMjrtunatcly, Mr. John Rumley, to whom my father was articled for five years, my grandfather objecting to his being bound in the usual way, was "a man of refinement and good taste;" he was fond of literature, and especially of art. He had two daughters, and wishing them to become artists, he had them taught painting in oil by Mr. Tom Smart, a clever artist and portrait-painter ; his pupils showed great aptitude, and exhibited in all the galleries, including the Royal Academy.

There are parts of London now so squalid that it seems a wonder that they were ever inhabited by respectable people ; and yet, not longer ago than 1837, in Hatton Garden and the adjacent streets well-to-do merchants and gentry resided, many of the latter keeping their carriages.

In this neighbourhood there still stand some fine old houses, dating back to the time of Charles II., and in one of these my maternal grandfather lived and carried on his business. I can just remember the lofty rooms, high carved mantel-shelves, and deep window seats. The staircase was very fine and wide, and all the rooms were panelled, no doubt in oak, but they had been painted various colours. The drawing-room was on the first floor, a very large room, painted pale green ; leading out of that was my mother's and aunt's studio — its window covered up till there was only a top light. The fireplace was across one of the corners of the room, and near it stood a very largre carved oak chair. I fancy I can see sitting in that chair a very tiny child, with dark blue eyes, a pale face, and a quantity of tow-coloured hair. She is named after one of Thackeray's most charming heroines. I scarcely think the novelist would have felt complimented ; but the child's near relations were enthusiastic young people, and great readers and admirers of Thackeray and Dickens. The child is suckine her thumb, and watching with great gravity her aunt paint some gleaming fish which are lying upon some green rushes. Presently she falls asleep ; a bell rings, and she wakes with a start, to find herself alone in the room — that dreadful person, the lay figure, staring at her, and the plaster casts of heads, hands, and feet dancing in the firelight ; the Fiamingo boys really seem alive, and the one she has for a dolly wrapped up in an old piece of silk at her side positively stares at her, for her aunt has painted its eyes. She lifts up her voice and weeps, then the door files open, and in hurries a young man ; she cannot remember what he is like, but she knows that he had the brightest, merriest blue eyes and fair hair. " All alone ! poor little Toddlekins," he says, and he catches her up, Fiamincro bov and all, and bears her off downstairs.

It is dim remembrances such as these, which seem like dreams, that made me, many years afterwards, when I read "The Old Curiosity Shop," recall that room ; and if I look at or read that book now, it makes me think of my grandfather's house. It was full of curiosities, for he was a quiet, somewhat melancholy man, given to collecting pictures, china, silver, anything and everything curious. I cannot remember him, but he was tall — 5 feet 1 1 inches — and good-looking.

My grandmother was a Kentish woman, born at Dungeness. She was 5 feet 10 inches, and had hair of Titian red, which in her childhood, she said, "people called 'carrots.'" She was very handsome, cheerful, and active, and would tell us children wonderful stories of her childhood : what fear they lived in at Dover and Dungeness of " Boney's landing;" how they used to sleep for weeks with a few things packed up and placed near the bedside, that they might seize their bundles and fly in a moment. Then she would give the most graphic and heartrending descriptions of the return of the soldiers from Waterloo ; how she and her sisters used to see them sitting and lying- wounded and ill along the Dover road ; or she would tell how the "First Gentleman in Europe " came with his brothers, the Dukes of York and Clarence, to her father's house to taste the water supplied to the Fleet, and how once, when her father was entertaining some of the naval officers at dinner, she and her brother and sisters stood on the stairs watchinQthe dishes go in, and getting glimpses of the table. Suddenly they dared her sister Elizabeth to fling the admiral's hat on to the table. It was no sooner said than done ; away it flew as the door opened, and settled upon a dish of cream, and the children could hear the roars of laughter as they crouched under their beds upstairs. Of the festivities and excitement in Dover when the allied sovereis^ns landed she had much to say; or she ^^ould call forth all your sympathy for some poor man that her mother had rescued from the press-gang.