Slaithwaite Notes Past and Present - John Sugden

NOTES
PAST AND PRESENT,
BY
JOHN SUGDEN.
2.0
THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
University of California
SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY
405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1388
Return this material to the library
from which it was borrowed.
\U/CQ.\l
NOV 2 9 1:399
DUE 2 WKS FROM DATE RECEIVED

JOHN SUGDEN.
SLAITHWAITE NOTES
PAST AND PRESENT.
JOHN SUGDEN.
JOHN HBYWOOD,
DEANSGATE AND ItlDGEFIELD, MANCHESTER |
29<fe30, Shoe Lane, London, B.C.

1905.
"DEDICATION.
4
myd£av--Bf other Sam I dedicate these Notes
in g rateful memory of those happy and hallowed

associations of our young days.
His life was one of great humility and silent
charity, which found expression in unseen little
acts of kindness to the deserving poor.
Money did not spoil him, nor in its acquirement

injured he any man.
He died a good Christian and closely attached
to Providence Baptist Chapel, and to this place of
worship he and I were much devoted by a long and

close connection, and by the dear departed who
peacefully sleep in God's acre adjoining the church.
In the same loving spirit his ividoiv has
honoured his memory by placing in her beloved

church — St. James —a beautiful stained glass
window.
JOHN SUGDEN.
8%, Greenhead Road,
Huddersfield, 1902.
56155^1
INTRODUCTION.
My only reason for publishing these notes is the pressure

ofmy numerous friends, who have very likely been mistaken
in their worth and value.
Wlien I pleaded that the} -
had no merit, were of no
importance, and could not possibly interest anyone outside
Slaitlnvaite, they said I must leave them to judge, and for
the sake of old times let them have a chance of preserving
in book form this little record of local history, so that
they may look at it now and again, in order to compare

the past with the present, and mark time in this fast
growing district.
In this sense alone have I consented to their publication ;
and knowing how poor and defective they are, I must

ask the indulgent reader to pardon all the mistakes, to
forgive all the weaknesses, and to accept them as a tribute
of love towards this smiling valley, the happy place of my
birth, the joy of my living, and when I have done be taken
to this land of rest beneath the trees of its lovely vale.
JOHN SUGDEN.
HunDERSFIELD,
August, 1902.
[The author is very grateful for the few kind letters

inserted and for some of the illustrations so graciously
conceded, but he alone is responsible for the opinions
frequently expressed, and which have no pretence to be
infallible.]
411995
— ;
ON THE BAT'S BACK.
" Where the bee sucks, there lurk I,
In a cowslip bell I lie;

There I crouch when owls do cry
On the bat's back do I fly

After summer merrily." The Tempest.
Another name is added to the list of local authors. With

the greatest humility, and only in response to the solicita-
tion of friends who have been interested in reading the
papers as they appeared from time to time, Mr. John
Sugden has republished in book form the " Slaithwaite
Notes " which appeared originally in the columns of a local
paper. The book is dedicated to the late Mr. Samuel

Sugden, a man greatly respected by allwho knew him.
After referring to his brother's humility, charity, and
simplicity, the writer says " He died a good Christian,
though never a member of Providence Baptist Chapel,"
and dwells upon the old associations which both had with
that place of worship. Mr. Sugden's reminiscences go back
to an early date. He deals with first-hand knowledge with
the history of the Colne Valley from forty to fifty years
ago. Anyone who wishes for material for a description of
life in a West Riding clothing village during the last half-

century will find it here. And he will find many memories
of old fights, which deeply stirred the people in those days,
many echoes of the controversies of a wider world, all told
with a freedom and a frankness that at once reveal the

nature of the writer, who deals in the same spirit of
—
Mr. J. Sugden' s Reminiscences. v.
kindness with everybody he has to mention and tells what

he knows about them with the utmost faithfulness and
with a freedom of expression and flow of language that
give an added quality to the work. Many people who may
not be interested in the story itself, to whom Slaithwaite
may be a terra incognita and its great men mere shadows,

will be interested by the manner of the telling which is
wholly characteristic of the writer.
MR. J. SUGDEN'S REMINISCENCES.
Under the title of " Slaithwaite Notes,'' Mr. John Sugden

has produced a very readable little book of 92 pages, in
which he forcibly describes much of the local history of
Slaithwaite during the last 50 years, and the interesting

peculiarities of many of its old inhabitants. Some of the
stories he relates are exceedingly racy, and command the
attention of the reader. We confess to have read the book
from the first page to the last with unflagging interest,
and thank Mr. Sugden for so vividly bringing before our
mind's eye once more the well-remembered form and

features of several old and valued friends in the Colne
Valley Avho joined the ranks of the Great Departed many
years ago, but who have left behind them a sweet record
of good words and works. The little book shows that Mr.
Sugden has thought through life that he had a mission
that of a world-mender. He has tried to accomplish great
things, but, like many another, he has not always
— —
vi. Mr. J. Sudden's Reminiscences.
succeeded. In his attempts to better mankind he has often
met with rebuffs which would have discouraged a man of
a Irs* sanguine temperament. He has, however, gone

plodding on, and if more tangible results have not been
accomplished the fault has not been his. As a politician
with a conscience, he left his life-long associates, because

he could not and would not join in the gyrations of the
party which preceded " the great betrayal " by the intro-
duction of Mr. Gladstone's Home Rule Bill. Since then

he has done good work on the platform as a Liberal
Unionist. He is an effective speaker, always kind and
courteous, with no bitterness ; but there is evidence in his
book in several places that his treatment by some politicians
of the baser sort has left a rankling sore, though he does
his best to hide it. We give below an extract from
" Slaithwaite Notes." We recommend all Slawiters to obtain
a copy of the humorous and interesting record of the doings
of many who are still in the flesh, but of more who have
gone to " that bourne whence no traveller ere returns."
The work is illustrated —a portrait of Mr. Sugden, a view
of"Old Slaithwaite," the mill of the Slaithwaite Spinning

Company, and the interior of St. James's Church, Slaith-
waite :
" I feel sure they were happier in former times
had much more pleasure in life, simpler things were more
satisfying, less did, there was neither as far to fall or as
high to rise. There was neither the sudden fortunes or

the ruinous disasters ; for all that, taking all in all, the
latter days are better than the former." Weekly News.
NOTICE TO THE SECOND EDITION.
TO SLALTHWAITE AND MY NUMEROUS FRIENDS

EVERYWHERE.
Ladies and Gentlemen, —
From time to time I have been strongly pressed
to republish my little Notes, the first edition having been
readily sold out ; but thinking they were of so little
importance during my lifetime, I had agreed with my

very dear daughter " Janey " (Mrs. Brook) for her to bring
out a second edition at my demise, for which I had placed

with her many more Notes to enlarge the little volume
to a readable size. But, alas !
" the best-laid schemes o'
mice and men gang aft agley," and leave us naught but
grief and pain for promised joy. The dear girl so beloved
by all has gone before : been called to her Master too soon
— far too soon —for her deeply sorrowing relations, hosts of
friends, and the good and useful work she was doing in
her native village with other good Christians, where, it is
not too much to say, she was revered by all for her many
virtues, great kindness, and numerous acts of benevolence.
At such a time, and at her death, I have been told it
would be well to publish now, and to add whatever was

said by the press and from a few friends (selected, because
it was impossible them all) who have so kindly
to give
thought of our distress with a word in due season, and to
these will -be added a portrait of her, which may be some
viii. Notice to the Second Edition.
little souvenir of a humble village lass so very dear to

such a large circle of friends in the Colne Valley, the life
of which she ever strove to lift to higher ideals of
happiness ; never sparing in hard work (especially with

her dear girls), and each day did something to help
humanity on earth, with a special aim for heaven. Of
such an one, and so near and dear, I shall be forgiven for
saying — it is hard to say —Thy will be done ; but we must

all bow to Jehovah's decrees, and let her example be our
guide (for she did none of these things for self, vanity,
praise, or vain gloryings, but to make the world better

and God, the Saviour of all mankind, nearer to us all).
With becoming humility let us say :

—
" Father, inThy gracious keeping
Leave we now Thy servant sleeping."
In addition to a new font in the body of the church to

the sacred memory of the dearly beloved wife of the
highly respected vicar, Mr. Rose, a richly stained glass
window (" Faith, Hope, and Charity ") is to be placed in
one of the south windows to Mrs. Brook. Both of these
have been handsomely subscribed for by the generosity

and goodwill of the people.
THE AUTHOR,
HuDDERSFIELD,
December, 1904.
LETTERS TO THE AUTHOR.
White House Hotel,

West Cliff, Whitby,
3rd October, 1902.
—
Dear Mr. Sugdeu, I have to-day received your " Slaith-
waite Notes," which I shall read with much interest, and
shall value very highly for the writer's sake. My wife
desires to join with me in very warm thanks for your kind
—
remembrance of us at the present time. 'With every good
wish, I am, yours very truly,
Thomas Brooke.
Later : " I have read with the deepest interest and

pleasure the local notes on Slai'thwaite and its inhabitants
which you were able to collect. There ought to be some one
in every place who would jot down local memoranda and
information. Much history is daily lost."
The Inner Hey,

Marsden, near Huddersfield,
3rd October, 1902.
—
My dear old Friend, Many thanks for your " Slaithwaite
Notes," which I am reading with intense interest and
delight. I can go over the whole ground, and that fact
adds to my pleasure. I shall value the " Notes " very
much, and once more " read, mark, learn, and inwardly
digest " them. Could you come here on Sunday afternoon
next that we may have a few hours of sweet converse?
— Yours truly,
J. H. Robixson.
John Sugden, Esq., J. P.
x. Letters to the Author.
Mayor's Parlour,
Town Hall,
Huddersfield.
October 9th, 1902.
Alderman John Sugden, J. P.
Dear Sir, —Allow me

to thank you for your courtesy in
forwarding me
copy of your brochure, " Slaithwaite
a
Notes." I have not yet been able to read the whole, but
from what I have been able to read I promise myself a
considerable amount of pleasure in reading the remainder.
I recognise old friends in the poetic account of " An old
—
Colne Valley Romance." With thanks and kind regards,
faithfully yours.
Ernest Woodhead.
55, Hanover Square,

Leeds.
October 2nd, 1902.
Dear Mr. Sugden, —
Thanks for the capital " Slaithwaite
Notes." It is evident that they have a " mein " of their
own. —With love to all, yours sincerely,
Frank Curzon.
" Eversley," Grange Road,

Sutton, Surrey,
February 2nd, 1903.
—
Dear Sir. Please send me a copy of " Slaithwaite Notes,"
by John Sugden, and I will send you the cash for it as
soon as I know what the charge is. I have just read it
with a great deal of pleasure, and am very anxious to

possess a copy, especially as I know so much of Mr. Sam
Sugden and his sister Mary. I have not much recollection
Letters to the Author. xi.
of the author, but I have a high regard for the man who
promulgates such sentiments. Please send it to the above
address, and oblige. Yours truly, —
Edward Kent.
Mr. J. W. Eoberts,
Slawit, Hothersfield.
'"
Eversley," Grange Road,
Sutton, Surrey,
February 10th, 1903.
—
My dear Sir, Tea thousand thanks for the book
(" Slaithwaite Notes ") you have so kindly sent me. After
my decea;se my elder son will take possession of it. He
can appreciate it much, having heard me speak of many
of the incidents. I am now close upon 80 years old. 1
was born in 1823, and was sent to Newark in 1838 to

serve an apprenticeship with a draper, when we had to
travel by coach. No railways in those days. What a
change When you next see your sister, remember me
!
kindly to her. My mother was always fond of her. The

last time I saw her was at the funeral of my mother in
1884. —Again with thanks, yours very truly,
Edward Kent.
John Sugden, Esq.,
Huddersfield.
44, Corporation Street,

Birmingham,
Oct. 14th, 1902.
Dear Sir, — I had the mournful duty of coming home
on the 4th inst. to attend the funeral of my sister at
Gadsby's Chapel, and Tom Cock, of Carr Lane, presented
me with a copy of your " Slaithwaite Notes," which I have
perused with great pleasure. I well remember the time I
used to walk from Shaw Carr Wood and climb the wooden
xii. Letters to the Author.
steps outside " Jammie " Boyle's house, and am grateful

to you for many instructive and happy hours spent there.
To show you that your time and labour was not spent in
vain, I herewith send you cutting from the Sutton Gold-field
News, of the 11th inst., by which you will see I am trying
to follow out your precepts in the Midlands, and to infuse
a bit of the old Yorkshire into my work on the Town
Council. I may add the Tom Walker you mention on
—
page 65 was my uncle. 'Apologising for troubling you,
I am, yours fraternally,
John Bamford.
John Sugden, Esq.,
22, Greenhead Road,
Hudclersfield.
CONTENTS.
I. Sale of Brook Mills, etc 1
II. Reminiscences 3
III. Slaithwaite a Seaport Town 5

IV. Gadsbys of Old 8
V. Politics (I.) 11
VI. Varied , 15
VII. Music (I.) 17
„ (II.) 20
VIII. Old Slaithwaite : Its Young Workers
and Its Homes 24
IX. Jacob 27
X. A Plucky Fight 30
XI. Noted Persons and Conditions 53
XII. Then and Now ! B,everie and B.eminis-
cence 36
XIII. A Policeman's Sad End 39
XIV. Politics (It) 42
XV. Life's Young Dream Fifty Years Ago.. 47
XVI. Brass Bands 50
XVII. SidebySide 53
XVIII. Education 56
XIX. Sport 61
XX. Building Society and Cotton Mill ... 65
XXI. Tabernacle on the Hills 72
< 'mitt uls.
CHAPTER PAGE
XXII. An Old Romance of the Colne Valley. 75
XXIII. The Coronation 79
XXIV. Summer in the Valley, Etc 82
XXV. A Lingards Tragedy 84
XXVI. Honourable Mention 87
XXVII. Days of My Youth 91
XXVIII. Old Malley 94
XXIX. Tom Kirk . 95
XXX. Bent Ley Silk Mills 96
XXXI. D. F. E. Sykes, LL.B 97
XXXII. Country Life 100
XXXIII. A Lovely Village Lass and her Mis-
fortune 1 02
XXXIV. Courtship and Marriage for the Colne
Valley 105
XXXV. Sunday Trams 106
XXXVI. Success of the Linthwaite Band at
Crystal Palace 109
XXX VII. Christmas at Slaithwaite — 1902 113
XXXVIII. Hunting 115
XXXIX. Rival Shows 119
XL. Marsden Moor Murder 122
XLI. Merry Dale 124
XLII. Mossley To-day and in the Days of Old 1 25
XLIII. Old Bookmen 128
XLIV. Noted Preachers 132
XLV. Manufacturers of Olden Days 136
XLVI. Workmen at their Forum 139
XLVII. What Lasses Did Fifty Years Ago, and
Now 143
Contents.
CHAPTER PAGE
XLVI1I. Johnny, Billy, and Neddy Walker ... 147
XLIX. Variety 150
L. An Annual 152
LI. Death of Mr. E. Swift : A Friendly
Appreciation 1 56
LII. The Political Crisis 161
LIII. Conservative Party Prospects 162
L1V. What will the Liberals Do? 164
LV. What can the Labour Party Do? ... 167
LVI. A National Party 169
LVII. Reminiscence of Richard Cobden 172
LVIIL Slaithwaite's Progress 179
LIX. May Day at Slaithwaite 181
LX. Old Folks' Treat at Slaithwaite ... 183
LXI. Deanhead Thump 186
LXIL Nothing New 189
LXIII. Death of Mrs. W. H. Brook, of
Slaithwaite 191
LXIV. A Few Selected Letters of Condolence 203
LXV. Robert Meeke's Tomb 207
LXVI. Local Obituary for 1904 208
LXVII. Memorial Window and Font 210
LXVIII. Pen and Ink Sketch Changes in Life 210
:
LXIX. Ye Old Hostelry, or the Red Brook

Bogey 213
LXX. An Old Slaithwaite Man's Request.. 215
LXXI. Huddersfield Corporation 217
LXXII. Mr. Sugden's Retirement 219
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
John Sugden Frontispiece
Facing Page.
Old Slaithwaite 24
Sir James Kitson, Bart., M.P 43

(The popular Member for the Colne Valley Division.)
No. 3 Spinning Mili 66
Joseph Crowtheh, Esq., J.P 87

(The strenuous supporter and now President of the
Colne Valley Liberal Association.)
Mr. Edwin Swift 156

(The famous Yorkshire Bandmaster.)
John Arthur Brook, Esq., J.P 162

(The hard-working President of the Colne Valley
Conservative Association.)
Mrs. Brook 191

(So loved and honoured by all who knew her.)
A Memorial Window 210
A New Font 212

—
Slaithwaite Notes
PAST AND PBESENT.
CHAPTER I.
Sale of Brook Mills, Etc.
" Time brought a change

All things human change."
Who would have thought that forty years could make such
a difference in Slaithwaite 1 Pause for a moment to think.
Messrs. John and Samuel Horsfall at Clough House, Tape
Mill, and later at Spa Mill —
.not one left to tell the tale.
John Farrar, the fine old English sportsman, who was one
of the most truthful men I ever knew, had Carr Lane fields
(now filled with mills and cottages) as a rabbit warren.
He was a woollen scribbler at Bank Gate. The mills were
burnt down, the old gentleman died, and everyone of the
remaining family have gone away. Waterside, once the
busy cotton mill, under Messrs. Scholes and Varley, now in
ruins by fire.
Not one of these two respectable families, who were once

the pride of the place and held all the leading positions,
remain in Slaithwaite. The Haighs, of Upper Mill, are
much the same ; the factory has been rebuilt ; changed
in its business ; and none of the old stock left to tell the
tale. But the saddest loss is that of Mr. R. Beaumont,
one of the most honoured and respected men in the Colne
Valley. A man who led a quiet religious life, and who
could never do too much for Pole Moor Baptist Chapel,
B
2 SLA1TIIWAITE NOTES.
where he was a life-long member ; liberal to a fault, if this

could be, in its support I don't believe he ever spent
;
20s. per week on himself. He was a good alto singer in

his day, a very successful man of business, only two sons,
to whom, when he died, he left ample fortunes ; and yet, all
the money has been lost, the two sons dead, and Spa Mill
sold to pay the debts of the late Mr. Andrew. What a
recital, and what a lesson
Mr. G. Haigh and Mr. Brierley at one time were the

J.
rising hope interested in everything that
of Slaithwaite ;
was for the good and advancement of the place. They

began with nothing, and yet made good fortunes. The
former made not less than £1 20,000 in twenty years, and
unfortunately died at 43 years of age, leaving a large
business at Brook Mills, which were built in the early
part of his life, and at which he made most of his money.
But after his death things went badly. The two boys who
took it over were rather unfortunate. So much so, and
with good sense, that, rather than lose all they had, the
business was given up, and they deemed it best to sell
the mills to Mr. William Crowther, their nearest neighbour,
to whom everybody wishes continued success.
Everyone must regret that the vicissitudes of life should

be such that, in the space of forty years, splendid mills
should be built, large fortunes made, a gigantic trade
established ; and now all gone, save and except the handsome
fortune made secure to the rest of the family, who, happily,
did not go into the trade. Mr. Brierley died early. Soon
after his wife followed. The children are living and filling
into honourable positions. But the trade has been given
up and the mills sold to Messrs. Pogson and Company, a
firm connected with the rising hope and great prosperity
of the Colne Valley.
Such is birth, life, and death

in business, as well as in
anything else. May those who
are up take heed of these
lessons, lest they fall also ; and those who are down for a
time take to heart again the saying the sun, though
:
dark to-day, will undoubtedly shine to-morrow, wT hich has

been the motto of Slaithwaite's modern life.
SLAITHWAITE NOTES. O
CHAPTER II.
Reminiscences.
The mention of Brook Mills

in the preceding chapter
carries me back to my
early days in the old and lovely
village, which had at that time a history of its own, and
which the late Canon Hulbert wrote. Although this was
very interesting, it was confined so much to the eccle-
siastical, and included so little of the industrial, that the
Saturday Review of that time was unkind enough to call
it " a history of small beer." Facts are stronger than the
late Canon's opinion, or the criticisms of the Saturday
Review, as witnessed by its latter-day prosperity.
What mean those long-windowed upper rooms in the
cottages on the hillsides? Those are the rooms in which
the natives earned their living by weaving for the local
manufacturers, who in many cases were not far removed
from the workman, but in fact combined the two, as much
less money was required in those days to start manufacturing
than now. There was no need of a mill, machinery, dye
house, finishing or milling ]3lants. The scribbling was
done at Clough House, Bank Gate, Upper and Old Corn
Mills, at Meltham, Marsden, Golcar, Longwood, and
Milnsbridge, at sundry of which all the other processes
of manufacture were carried out, leaving the master in his
large cottage to receive his wefts and warps from the
factory, to be put out by himself at home to his weavers,
who came from all the country side with their pieces on
their donkey's, or often on their own, backs for fresh weft,
and so on, to finish their warp to the end.
Those were pleasant times in many respects. There was
greater freedom the man and the master stood on a
;
common level ; there was no caste ; and considerably less of

the cant of one man being better than another. When
they went, as often they did, to the same chapel, it was on
the friendly ground of comradeship, and not, as you see
in some isolated cases of to-day, a little leaning to that
cowardice which makes one class the inferior of the other.
In a chapel this is most humiliating, where all should stand
4 SLAITHWAITE NOTES.
before Jehovah on common Christian ground, and anything

like this in a Liberal politician is contemptible to me, be
it he or she, rich or poor, simple or wise.
However, to return to my narrative. In these days a
man would have his hunting in the daytime, and make up
his time at night. The good housewife too was busy. She
—
had to wind bobbins maybe to wash, to bake, to knit,
to make, and to mend. What fine wenches it took to do
all these things and yet they did them well and cheerfully.
;
What is more, they were all clean, and mostly all beautiful
to look upon. Then a thrifty couple had a chance of
becoming manufacturers very many succeeded, and
;
became of great use to their neighbours, to the village,

and to themselves. It would be a bigger job to-day because
of the larger capital required and the fearful competition
of those who have it, and often foolishly use it to knock
each other out in the needless strife as to who shall be
first in amassing the largest fortune, and not, alas doing !
the greatest amount of good.

—
sure they were happier in former times had much
I feel
more pleasure in life, simpler things were more satisfying,
less did, there was neither as far to fall or as high to rise.
There was neither the sudden fortunes or the ruinous
disasters. For all that, taking all in all, the latter days
are better than the former.
In addition to the old mode of manufacturing already
described, there was in Slaithwaite the silk trade carried
on by Messrs. Molyneaux at the old Corn Mill. Well do I
remember the silk dressing at this place, but even more
sacredly do I remember the silk mill at Crimble, its
weaving, and its lovely weavers, the latter so clean and
beautiful, especially one who was nearer and dearer than
all the others.
" Here time but the impression stronger makes,

As streams their channels deeper grow."
Especially as all are gone, leaving only the poor writer

and the mill to tell the tale.Slaithwaite had also its linea
thread trade, carried on by the famous Jabez Mayall,
SLAITHWAITE NOTES. U
latterly of London and Brighton ; then plain Jabez Meal,

of Lingards. This trade went away with him, and a story
could be told of the rise and fall of this most wonderful
man. How he was once the friend of royalty; how he
built up a large fortune; how lie was sought after by
people eminent in art, science, and literature ; and yet
fell with his fortune, through no fault of his own, neither
by dishonour, disgrace, or neglect of duty.
CHAPTER III.
Slaithwaitb a Seaport Town.
Wht should men from all time attempt to poke fun at

Slaithwaite Docks, because in former times these old quays
in the village were famous for the commerce of a wide area.
Say the time when the coaches ran on the Manchester Road.
The Star Inn was then a great place, kept by the late
Mr. J. Parkin, a fine old English gentleman, with his
breeches, broad-brimmed hat, coloured waistcoat, and a
jacket to fit him either for his butchering business, his spirit
trade, his farming, or as mine host of the Star Hotel, for
which he was known far and wide (without offence) as
" Old Star," full of gallantry and ready wit, well known,
and appreciated.
What a busy place the Star was in those clays And !
what money the old gentleman made there! Mail coach es,
all kinds of traffic, travellers, merchandise, shows, etc.,
travelled the road at all times of day and night. The
changing of horses and the stabling of the period was a
study. Since then many of these stables and the long
chamber have been made into cottages for the growing
population to live in.
Time was when this long chamber was the largest room
in Slaithwaite, and was used for conceits, meetings, sales,
etc., and it was in this room that the Wesleyan Reformers
b SLATTHWAITE NOTES.
held their first anniversary services after they had been

turned out or left the old Wesleyans. The Free Methodists
then had a splendid preacher in the Rev. Mr. Woods, a
most eloquent 'man and the late Mr. Benjamin Shaw, of
;
Crosland Moor, used to come and crash down on the BibL

with weighty arguments to prove he was no mere local
Dick, but a true minister of Christ. Many good characters
were connected with the chapel in Laith Lane. Poor David
Varley, who went after the faith he loved to a far-off place
in America, where he soon died, and the children remained
to look after a dear old mother living at this time, 80 years
of age ; Joseph Sykes, honest Henry Clay, John Hutchinson
the tinner, John Varley the spinner, etc. Well do I
remember when they converted Joe o' th' Tailor's to a
religious life from that of folly, and the great rejoicing in
the village at the good they were doing. Bitter indeed
was the parting from the old Wesleyans. It left breaks in
friendships and homes which were never made up, and
surely it was wrong on the part of those in authority nol
to concede the reasonable things asked for. How much
stronger they would have been for good, and the world
could not say as it did then and since, pointing with a
finger of scorn, " See how these religious people love one
another " !
But am coming to later days, and must go back to

I
the docks and canal. How the banks of the latter in and
around Slaithwaite were crowded with men seeking work
and looking on the busy scenes. The pond from the crane
to what was called " Dartmouth Lock " was full of boats,
loading and unloading, and passing to and fro with every
kind of merchandise. Large casks were taken in and put
out at the crane, stones laden and sent away to all parts.
Varley's, of the corn mill, had their own boats and ware-
house ; Sykes' (Midgley's) ran their coal boats to their own
little wharf; Brierley's, with others, did a general trade.
It was indeed a busy place, with every kind of character
on the work, but, if anything, rougher than you find them
now.
Many were the battles of that age, generally fought in the
field on which are built Commercial Mills, in the occupation
SLAITIIWAITE iKOTES. I
of Messrs. Pearson Brothers. There were no police, and

the constables did not take much notice of a fair fight.
There was with nearly every barge a sort of cock bird, and
in each village a number of men were only too ready for an
engagement of this kind, smart, young, strong, and active.
Dear me how they used to fly at each other for the mere
!
love of the thing, stripped to their waists, the very picture

of health. Oh, how they brutally attacked each other,
kicking, striking, wrestling all allowed, and fast followed
in succession, until one or the other gave in. The wonder
is that they did not kill each other, so brutal were the
methods adopted. The late genial Mr. Thornton, of

Thornton's Temperance Hotel, Huddersfield, used to draw
a little fun from the countrymen who visited his intelligent
house about the man at Longwood Thump who, on being
asked if he was not going home soon, answered, " Mr. ——
how can I? I have not fughen (fought) yet."
The River Colne and the canal run side by side through
the valley. One dare not tell how much smuggling went
on or how much trade was clone on the canal bank on the
dark nights. There was no gas to light up the transactions,
so they had better be kept dark to-day. Suffice to say.
many a barrel of good rum was made lighter, and the
whiskey did not grow on the way, or the wool bags
multiply in the transit ; at least so it is said, and as no
one was much better or much worse by this nibbling, it
shall rest here like one of the untold border tales of olden
time.
It will be of some interest to the present inhabitants of
this now popular little town to know the situation of the
town to the canal at the time we are writing about. The
two humped-backed bridges led to what was old Mr.
Lightowler's butcher shop and the old shavers, both lying
well up to and in front of the bridge. The wonder is how-
large wagons got over the other side on the Carr Lane, or the
other one into Slaithwaite. First thing on the left was Mr.
David Meal's house and canal warehouse; next came Mr.
Farrar's manure heap and on the opposite side the barn
;
and stables, with Mr. Sam o' Billy's white house and shop,
well known for his large half-ounce of tobacco, because it
a SLAITHWAITB XOTES.
was wrapped in a very peculiar way. All these things are

swept away, and made into one wide and beautiful street;
and, what is more, this pond was a death-trap for the
people— scarcely a month passed without some one being
—
drowned by not being protected. Right from the middle
of Carr Lane to the crane it was open. Drunken men had
no chance. There was no light when Slaithwaite's moon
did not shine —only the dark waters of the canal hiring
their victims on to sure and certain destruction.
Thanks to better government, to better times, and to
better men, everything has been done to make the canal
safe. Light has been given to the town, and more wisdom
to the inhabitants. But what a change The water silent
!
and almost deserted, while everything goes by road, rail,

or tram much quicker, much better,much more conveniently,
and better for all.
CHAPTER IY.
Gadsbys of Old.
Though never robust enough for the strong doctrines at

Providence Chapel, yet I am, and in my youth was,
devotedly attached to the old place, so closely connected
witli the days and friends of my youth.
Would you learn the spell? My answer would be, the

burial ground contains the sacred remains of many who
were so fondly dear to me, and whose memory is the
wealth of later life. One of these, a treasured mother, sent
me to school there early in life, when the occupation was
not to my liking, and the attractions were few.
What could a young lad do with the doctrine of grace, or
the attacks on the Arminians, who were dubbed unworthy
of existence? There were very few for heaven, but a great
number for the other place, all for God's glory and, believe
;
me, these people were in terrible earnest about it. They

were desperate about their faith. The world, the flesh, and
SLAITIIWAITK NOTES, (
.l
he devil ha'd no tenuis for them; no favours to give for

which they eared, or frowns which they feared. They had
seceded from Pole Moor on a matter of faith, and now in
their little fold at Kitchen (as it was often called) no one
was going to make them afraid. The members were told
to act up to the Apostle's injunctions when difficulties
confronted them ; to rise superior to the occasion in the
strength of Jehovah, who had ordered all things well before
the world began. Weak men and women were no use
there; all were brave and strong on what they called the
side of the Lord. Members could not come and go with
the wind. It was a most serious matter ; a kind of mental
agony and suffering to the soul, which made the man or
woman most miserable until salvation came. Then they
broke into song and thanksgiving, ready for any emergency.
I have seen them baptised in the River Colne at Dry Mill,
on a cold winter's day, when the ice had to be broken.

If on some points of doctrine these good people were
mistaken, they were no fair-weather Christians, winning
heaven on cheap lines, seeking to make the most of this
world by the handiest means that came to hand. No ; they
were ready to do and, if need be, die for the faith that was
within them. They never dreamt of the sordid, or thought
of the selfish. This Avas the sainted mother's faith
— but it
was not for her son "her child," as she fondly called him.
;
To him it was nothing ;it was all for her. The

chapel was little. There was the gallery around, the
area of straight-backed pews, the pulpit in the centre,
back to Smithy Green, and the singing pew immediately
underneath. A 'cello, a flute, a fiddle or so, now and then
to lead the singing; and at the end nearest to Hollins Row,
up some steps, there was a small room used as Sunday
school. This proved too small, and Mr. Barrett's day
school was taken in Laith Lane until a new wing was
built over the present archway where the school is to-day,
and now again to be enlarged.
Many are the experiences one had of men and things at
that period. The teachers were many and various. Some
were hard and knocked us about others easy and good
;
matured ; and, like at all times since and before, these

10 SLAITIIWAITE NOTES.
latter were taken advantage of. I remember one dear old

man who always fell asleep in chapel, where we were taken
twice a day to hear some long and peculiar sermons from
men with various gifts, the ministry being vacant and
supplies the order of the day. Their dress, voices, manners,
and peculiarities are all before me, and if I were a writer
what interesting chapters one could give of these men.
their sez'mons, and the times ! Suffice now to say the
shortest were the best to us boys. Joyfully did we welcome
the man who would be short, and wonder on the other
side what to do to get the time on with the long. Then,
as now, Satan found some mischief for idle hands to do.
Our sleeping teacher fared badly at such times. Being
sound in wind, slight things did not waken him tickling
;
his nose with hairs made no impression. The wicked would

then try a pin, which would have the desired effect. When
he awoke he would find himself without .shoes. They would
be hid in another pew amongst confederates but the poor
;
sufferer was of that even temper that no further trouble-

arose on -the return of the shoes. All the owner would say
was :
" Rabbit you in future I must remain awake t<
;
>
keep you out of mischief." With others it was different,

and the above indulgence was often more than outmatched
by undue severity.
Whitsuntide then, as now, Avas a great day, but we had

to take our own pots for the coffee. The Johns, Sarahs,
Jameses, Rachels, etc., etc., were then marked on in bold
letters, but it remains a mystery to-day how each one
ever got back his or her own. How things have changed
since A succession of ministers have followed. The first
!
I remember was Mr. Halliday, from Oldham, a cotton

manufacturer, a good Liberal, and a well-educated
gentleman, large hearted, generously disposed, and broad
in his views. This gentleman had been at Marsden on
Sundays for some years, but the members there agreed
to associate with the friends at Slaithwaite ; a good under-
standing was arrived at, much good was done, and the
church prospered until his time came, all too soon, and
the place was left to supplies again. Then followed Mr. 1!.
Parry, who made a great impression at first, but his
SLAITIIWAITE NOTES. 1 1
ministry ended in ructions. He was followed by the mild

Mr. Thomsett, the blind pastor, of a winning and amiable
disposition. Then came Mr. Dolby, the weaver lad from
Howarth, who made such progress that he went from
£70 a year here to £700 in London. This gentleman was
followed by Mr. Jones, a sensible, hard-working minister,
who removed to London also, after having done good work
here. Nor must we forget the long and loyal service of
the late Mr. Crowther, of Gomersal. Then last, but not
least, Ave have Mr. Snow, the present minister, who has
done excellent service since he came. Under his influence,
though I dare say he would add by God's guidance, many
have been added to the church, the debt removed, and the
lovely little chapel made more beautiful than ever.*
How it was built, the new organ added, the peculiarities

and consequences of changing the 'cello to a new harmonium
by the young school part}*, cannot be related here. Some
thought at the time this was done in antipathy to the
members of the church, but it was not so. The great and
varied successes of anniversaries, the Christmas parties,
successful entertainments, the speeches made, and the
actors on this stage would form interesting chapters in
themselves, if one had only the time to write them.
CHAPTER V.
Politics. (I.)
Politics forty or years ago were very different from

fifty
what they are Whether better or worse, it is not
to-day.
for me to say. At that far-back period there was either
more need of them, or men were more earnest in their
pursuit. Xo one wanted any pay to help on the good
cause, and it was surprising how many sacrifices were made
Mr. Snow now gone some trouble, and a grand new Sunday school
after
added to complete the edifice.
I 2 SLA1THWAITE NOTES,
to promote what we called human progress. The French

Revolution was fresh in men's minds, and its teachings
seemed nearer realisation, as the governing classes would
not, without severe pressure, make concessions. Conse-
quently, these men thought they would be able to push
on their forces to a goal never attained before. Meetings
—
were held yea, and evening drilling done to prepare for
any emergency. But, then, there was the great need of it.
Few votes, little representation, many inequalities, poor
education, long hours, less wages, wretched homes, and
)inch privation.
i There was something to right for and,
thank God! men willing to do it. Oh, the earnestness of
the men engaged in those early struggles as compared with
the miserable squabbles of the Liberal party to-da}\ The
petty spitef ulness of those who are said to be in the narrow
tabernacle towards those who are supposed to be on the
vantage ground outside. No policy of live and let live,
but extermination and destruction to the bitter end that —
in the name of liberty, and towards those who love their
country first and party afterwards. May there ever lie
more of the former, and let us hope those who place party
firstmay learn greater patriotism, more liberty of conscience,
and concede greater freedom of action to those who differ
from them. Unless the)" learn this lesson, there will be
no chance for the Liberal party to come into power for the
next twenty years, and if Home Rule is their only great
plank, may they, like poor Joshua Cock at the deep hole
in the river, fall in and be nearly drowned, or altogether,
if they will not repent and live honest political lives.
The country wants better manners and better men. To

a man whose mouth is watering for a pear, of what use
is it to offer him vegetable marrow? Just the same with
the nation. If this retrograde policy had been in vogue
in those early days, precious little would have been
accomplished on behalf of the people. Then again, look at
The opportunities of to-day compared with forty years ago.
There are now Liberal, Liberal Unionist, and Conservative
clubs, fitted up with the best of everything. Now we have
more modern organisation, direct representation, ballot
voting, together with local government of many other
SLAITHWAITB NOTES. 13
kinds. They of the former period liad no organisation.

littleknowledge of joint action, no clubs to meet in. no
paid secretaries to look after them and keep the register.--.
nothing much to vote for, for very few persons had a vote.
All I remember in Slaithwaite on the Liberal side were
Messrs. John Horsfall, John Farrar, Elijah Armitage, and
about five more. For these gentlemen I once jrot railw iv
tickets. Do not, however, run away with the idea that
nothing was done. Before the railway was built, there
were grand processions on the road at voting times, and
many were the grand flags waving as the blue and red
colours were carried from Saddleworth to the poll by better-
class people.
As a poor young boy, say 18 years of age, I was the only

Radical in a poor but respectable working-man's cottage.
The father did not mind ; the mother was proud but the ;
brothers did not like it, especially when one did such daring-
things. For instance, at one election, working for my
brother and his partner at the dye house (both strong
Tories), what should I do but get a lot of bleached cotton.
dye it a beautiful colour with turmeric and D.O.Y., dry it.
then split it up on the quiet, and before the masters knew
—
every man was decorated nay, almost covered with —
yellow. We got two hand carts, on which we paraded the
village, and had planted a flag over the works before ever
my brother knew. Was he not savage at this betrayal?
I fancy I can see him now on the roof of the dye works
tearing down the dear old yellow emblem, with no gentle
hands I assure you, and threatening me with vows of
vengeance. We worked no more that day. At night, the elder
brother went to the dear old mother to tell her of the daring
"
outrage of her youngest son, but he got no " forrarder
with the dear old creature, for she was of the same colour.
Neither did he fare much better with his wife when he
told her, for she said :
" Did I not offer you a yellow
handkerchief, but your proud blue spirit would not let

you wear it? I am right glad the young lad has the
courage of his opinions. There is one, at least," she added,

"who dares to be free and think wisely and well that there
is something in the world worth flo'litin^ for besides money
14 SLAITHWAITE JS"OTES.
conditions, viz. : that the well-being of the people of

of
England." He was a dear brother for
all that, not one
in Slaithwaite more merciful, more kind, less proud, or
more generous in his disposition. His little helps were
many and numerous, but he never told, and for this reason
they were all the more greatly missed when he unfortunately
passed away, all too soon, from those who loved him dearly.
After the above episode there was no more trouble at the
dye works. The master went one way, and the men mostly
the other, but great progress was made in Slaithwaite. At
the next election after the one already described, Lord
Milton (the father of the late member for AVakefield) was
one of the candidates, and I was sent over to Wentworth,
Woodhouse, at my own expense (then a very poor lad) to
induce the young lord to come to Slaithwaite. He was out
hunting at the time, and until his arrival I waited with the
smart black man servant whom he had brought from the
Rocky Mountains, and who afterwards robbed him of many
valuable jewels. Lord Milton, in his red coat, came up
to me in a sort of half-shaming fashion. He was of a
courteous and retiring nature. However, we were soon at
home, and we spent together three very happy hours. I
returned home with great delight at the sure and certain
hope of the coming of his lordship to a banquet at the
Lewisham Hotel and a large meeting, which took place
at Mr. George Haigh's mill, Crimble. These were largely
attended, most enthusiastic, and eminently successful. At
both these functions one had to make speeches, but to
this day I never knew how I got through mine. However,
Lord Milton was so delighted with the proceedings that
he consented to stay all night in Huddersfield, and we had
to despatch Mr. R. R. Armitage as a special messenger to
his home, so that his then beautiful young wife would not
be disappointed.
Many things have happened since then, but none more
interesting than these. Maybe the split caused by Mr.
Chamberlain on the fiscal policy will be as disastrous to
the Unionists as the Home Rule fiasco was to the Radicals.
In this case it will materially alter the conclusion arrived
at in this chapter.
SLAITHWAITE NOTES. 1 5
CHAPTER VI.
Varied.
To change the subject for once, I never knew Slaithwaite

at any time have more than one acrobat, and that was
Mr. Whit el ey, commonly called " Crafty " on account of
his smartness, agility, and native wit. He went to all the
feasts and fairs, being highly appreciated and largely
patronised by the general public, with whom he was a
favourite. Sometimes in mid-winter, under depressing-
circumstances, he would come home to rest and refresh.
He lived down Laith Lane, past A. Hall's, where he would
often practise (not to the glory of bis neighbours) on the
drum and the shepherd's reeds, two dear instruments which
strongly appealed to my youthful imagination ; and to-day
there is never a Punch and Judy show within my observa-
tion but secures my patronage and support, especially if the
performer has on a bulged white hat, a long-tailed and
tattered coat, with the usual fittings up to the throat for
the reed. Altogether this has a charm it is impossible to
resist, and which no correct and modern music can surpass,
associated as these things are in my memory with Mr.
Whiteley; in fact, so strongly did he appeal to my
imagination that no greater ambition possessed me than to
be apprenticed to him to learn the glorious profession.
Since then that idol has been shattered, but the memory of
these things is still fondly dear, even here and now, carrying
me back fifty years to the Slaithwaite Feast of that far-back
period. Then, and up to ten years ago, these feasts were
the best in the neighbourhood, visitors coming from all the
surrounding districts to swell the village throng. At that-
time they were held at the Star Hotel, in the croft, and on
the Manchester Road side, making a lively scene never to
be erased from the earliest impressions of one's young life.
All the week previous, shows, stalls, and the paraphernalia
of these things had come by road. As the reader will
understand, there was no railway. Dogs were largely used
to draw the light carts. I have seen the same in Germany
since ; and downhill they went like the wind, their drivers
16 SLAITHWAITE ^OTBS.
indulging in as much chaff as it they had been going to a

modern Derby. Behold them on the Monday in all the
pomp and pride of their high calling. The circus in the
croft; for a hand a clarionet and a trombone, both of
which had done long sendee. It did not ravish the ear
with sweetness, but then the performance was good, and
this made up. Next to that was Whiteley's, in the best
part of the field, for, being a native, he was favoured.
He had a clever boy and a finer girl, who went to London
afterwards into a good position, for which she had a special
training as a splendid horsewoman. But it was the reed
and the drum that carried one away and lives longest.
The dolls, as they were called then (marionettes), were
very well managed by a gentleman from Paddock, in the
cottage now occupied by Mr. H. Shaw. Xear to was old
Nicholson, who used to balance on his chin a ladder, on
which he perched a young donkey and the dear old partner
:
of his joys and sorrows (very likely more of the latter)

used to conjure cleverly. Further on the road would be
a wild beast show, then much in go — a sort of aristocratic
establishment, better off than the rest in horses, wagons,
equipments, band, etc. But the caravan where they spun
glass into fancy articles had a pig to tell fortunes, and a
small tunnel from which, on applying it to any part of
your body, they extracted water was a marvel to the
uninitiated. But the outside attractions to this exhibition
were wonderful. An old man in rags and tatters instru-—
ment, drum, music, and all. Was he not a study? If the
music was not all it should be, who could grumble? He
did his best, and earned more than he seemed to get. Then
there was the man in the street. "Who more jovial and
genial a character than Joshua Cock? Whoever honestly
gave more for the money? A stick and a glass for a
halfpenny, with a tune thrown into the bargain. Sam
Whiteley was a noted character at the Star door, with
the best nuts and snap in the fair, together with dolls,
toys, fruits, the spinners, etc. These latter were a delusion
and a snare, robbing the children of their pennies on the
red and grey cocks. About seven o'clock in the evening
of an early autumn day, was it not a busy saturnalia? The
,
SLAITHWAITE NOTES. IT
road packed and public-houses full; especially the Star

long chamber, where the single-step dancers were to he
seen. Any young fellow could dance then. At feast-time
he went with his girl to display his talents, which were
very great in this direction, and which now is an almost,
lost art oft' the regular stage. Did I say his girl.'
Yes ;
the most modest were allowed by the etiquette of the times

to go with her young man once a year to the public-house.
The feast at that time lasted two days. After these two
days the showmen would all fold their tents and go away,
except " Crafty." This favourite stayed on for the week ;
and rare fun there was. Prizes would be given for eating
hot porridge, and many scalded mouths have I seen by the
foolish vigour of the contestants in too eagerly attacking
the boilmg beverage. To vary this, a prize pig would lie
offered, to run in with the evening's entertainment, which
was enlivened and diversified by the smart sayings of
Whiteley, who was no mean clown and wit. One of his
stories I remember well, but it did not go down, because it
referred to an age long passed and to habits not followed
by the present generation. It was this, and told against
himself and his native village, viz. : That once, whilst
performing in Sheffield, he (" Crafty ") told the audience he
came from Slaithwaite, whereupon they promptly informed
him that he was a d thief. " Then you may bet," said
he, " I never told that again, as I did not wish to injure
myself or stain the fair fame of the town I loved so well."
He came home to die, and Slaithwaite harbours his remains
after the many ups and downs on the troubled sea of a
showman's life. Green be his memory, peaceful his ashes
and as he crossed the bar let us hope he met the Pilot face
to face.
CHAPTER VII.
Music. (I.)
Iy the few broken chapters previous to this we have had

chapels, schools, manufactures, canals, high roads, feasts,
village life, some of the inns, rise and progress of the town,
c
13 SLAITIJWAITH NOTES.
and politics; and now we will have a little music to sweeten

up what has gone before, especially as this neighbourhood
has always been noted for its devotion to this pleasing art,
both vocal and instrumental.
To begin with the very old, let us take Mr. Schofield,

of the Harp Inn, who was church organist, and stands out
boldest in that far-distant time as one of the most eminent
men in the neighbourhood, possessing such influence as to
bring all the musical celebrities of the period to his large
room for re-union, etc., etc.
rehearsal, The Yorkshire
(,»ueen dear old Mrs. Sunderland, then Miss
of Song,"
Sykes, the most promising girl of the period, with a natural
talent far above the average, a perseverance irresistible,
and a modesty characteristic of her genius. Here let me
add, without offence, that these are qualities which might
be studied to-day both by professionals and amateurs.
With Mrs. Sunderland they were natural ; they made her
beloved by all who had the plea-sure of her acquaintance
and to none were they more dear than to Mr. Schofield,
Slaithwaite's great organist. Miss Sykes was always
welcome at the Harp Inn, and, no matter whether as visitor
or vocalist, she was always the most favoured artist that
ever entered the town, and most appreciated.
No matter what men may say, nature lias much to do

with the sweet art. Look how it has broken out in the
third or fourth generation in the family of the late Clement
Wood, also of the Harp Inn, and a descendant of Mr.
Schofield. Everyone knows the popular Harry Wood, of
Derby Castle, Isle of Man. His promising brother Haydn,
sometime soon to be a leading violinist in the country :
and his brother Daniel, the charming flautist, who for his
clever playing on this dulcet instrument was selected by
Madame Albani to accompany her on one of her South
African tours, just before the outbreak of the unfortunate
war.
Let me say that not only are the sons of the late Mr.
Clement Wood born musicians, but the daughters are
naturally clever, though the most pleasing feature in tire
family is the dear old mother* (now in Douglas) and her

youngest son, Haydn. When this prize of her old age
(Mines home from his studies in London the meeting is
most touching and tender, being very creditable to both.
And I hope and believe he will ever deserve this precious
regard, and carry it with him through life in a most
successful musical career, which, I feel sure, is before him.
Before we begin with the concerts, let me give a glance
at the two local bands of Old Shaw Field and Slaithwaite.
Of the latter, how many, I wonder, remember the refrain :
" Does anyone here know Haley (Eli) and Jackson ;
One is a mason, and the other a saxton."
This, at one time, was very popular in the village, and

was sung by the band in the interval of playing the piece
in connection with it. The persons referred to were then
partners. Jackson, who had been employed by Messrs.
Lee and Heywood, contractors on the railway, had retired
from this and joined Mr. Eli Eagland, of the now successful
firm bearing his name, but who then associated the work
-of a mason with that of sexton to the church, of which he
then, and all his family since, have been attached members.
The leaders of the band were Mr. Ratcliffe Wood, an
eminent clarionet player much in request the Haighs on ;
the horns the Lees, too, had a ready hand for anything
;
the Gledhills on the bugle (then a prominent instrument) ;
the Eaglands and Meals helped largely and many other ;
deserving families made up the ranks of a very respectable

•company. Sometime afterwards it was made into a brass
band, and lived long years of uneventful life, when it was
followed by the one at Upper Slaithwaite, which promises
to be a greater success, especially as so much spirit is
being put into it by a number of devoted followers, who
•deserve to succeed. The Shawfield Band was once very
popular at the Top End, but it is a long time since the break
up. It had a long and successful life as a reed band of
fair quality, though when they went to Belle Vue once
Mrs. Wood died at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Cullerne, in

Slaithwaite, on June 19th, 1902.
20 SLAITHWAITB NOTES.
they came back without a prize. Of those most prominent

were the three brothers: Edward Sykes, the leader; Allen.
of Black Clough ; and John, the leading horn. Happily
they are all living to-day. They may be somewhat aged,
though no less honoured and respected, and it is the wish
of the writer that they may have a prolonged autumn r
in which the leaves may long remain green and yellow,,
previous to their being gathered home to that happy land
where all musicians ougrht to 20.*
Music. (II.)
Eastertide used to be a great time for marriages and the

beginning of the popular anniversaries held in connection
with all the .Sunday schools, churches, and chapels in the
neighbourhood, at which excellent music formed no mean
portion of the beautiful service. Palm Sunday has always
been the great day for Slaithwaite church in the matter of
attendance, music, and collections. How proud the late
Canon Hulbert was of this important day, and many were
the times ho would have his well-known hymn for the
event, in which he sang so sweetly, ex animo :
—
" Why should I wander from the ways
My wise forefathers trod ;
Or, in these cold, degenerate days,

Forsake the church of God?"
Good Friday, before Lord Beaconsfield destroyed it, was

a great .saint day, and had to be kept by the factories,
to the no small joy of the lads and lasses who worked in
them, though they rarely went to church, but made good
use of it as the first holiday of the year. Then came
Easter, a great time for concerts. No setting off as to-day ;
everyone stayed at home and made the most of it in getting-

up entertainments. Then there was some chance of their
being successful in merit and ability, etc., etc. However
Allen, of the three brothers, is now gone to the long home, universally
respected in life, mourned in death.
SLAITHWAITE NOTES. 21
much may be said of modern music, singers, and instru-

mentalists of to-day as compared with them, we all rejoice
that progress has been made. No one denies the power
•of the Golcar Baptist choir, brought about hugely by the
rare ability of Mr. R. Stead, the conductor, and the careful

nursing of Mr. William Crowther, who was influential
enough to win over Mr. Stead from the Linthwaite Prize
Band, then in its prime, and for which he had been
brought over from Meltham. Evidently Golcar has been
the gainers, and no one will begrudge them the benefit ;
indeed, it is most creditable how many good singers they
now possess but to mention names might be invidious,
;
therefore we will say Golcar has never been without its

distinguished musicians. The late Mr. Henry Pearson
cannot be passed over. He did so much in his day and
generation, not only as conductor of the old Golcar Choral
Society, organist of the Slaithwaite Parish Church, and the
person who drew around him the best musicians to his
monthly overture band at his house and elsewhere, as the
most noted musical re-unions to be had in all the neigh-
bourhood. Not only this, but his sons have ably followed
with even rarer ability than the father. Some of them
}>ossessed real genius, if a little weak in other things
; but
who can surpass the present borough organist, or inmrove
on his eminent brother at Brighouse, both of irreproachable
character, high esteem, and universal respect.
Then again Marsden. Here is a new society of singers,

helped largely by Mr. Bruce (a worthy importation), Mr.
F. Johnstone, Mr. S. Firth, and others. They are doing-
very well, and will do better, and be very useful in the
growing village. Still, in my opinion, the old days and
the old musicians were still more eminent in music, though
in a somewhat different direction. The Carters and
Armitages were powerful in music, both in the past and
present, but in the former they shone with greater glory,
though in the latter, I am bound to admit, like everything
vise, they fade a little with age, though to memory dear.
Old men can well remember the family residence of the
Carters on the banks of the river behind Mr. Schofield's
house, where musical evenings were spent, knowledge
imparted, and music arranged, written, and sold to then

numerous applicants. George of to-day was the best on
the violin, and many are the occasions and many the parts
he has played in Ins time: still young and fair to music,
it i.s a pleasure to say. J. W. Armitage, of the "Wood
(long since dead), was his great rival, and no doubt this
fact made them both eminent. This family too has many
very able survivors to honour and help on the cause of
good music in the Colne Valley. Mr. Armitage, the
conductor, is a bright example.
Slaithwaite at. no time has been behind. It had its old

choral society, the members of which used to meet at
the house of the late Mr. James Mellor, Rotcher, a local
manufacturer, whose love of the art caused him to open
his house free and find candles to light up the practices,
which were many and various. To lead this society was
the ambition of one's young days, and to succeed the
height of his ambition. A description of one conceit shall
be given here and now, characteristic of the age, at a time
when there was a great feud between the Mechanics'
Institute and the Meeke and Walker Institution. Tin
former had to subsist on hard work, self-reliance, and
the determined perseverance of a few hard-working men.
to whom the writer was much devoted. On the other hand,
the Meeke and Walker's Institution had the full support
of Lord Dartmouth, Canon Hulbert, and most of the local
gentry. Their annual soirees in the National School,
presided over by Lord Dartmouth, were very successful
affairs, and it was for one of these that the Slaithwaite
Choral Society had been engaged. One of those in authority
had very little respect for the leader of the society, and
it must have been a great mistake or out of pure spite
that no place had been provided; they were expected to
go into a corner at the back of tin- room on the opposite
side of the platform. The reader will see how impossibh
it was for a choral society to unlimber and perform under
such conditions, and will not blame them for taking in

the situation and quietly absconding (or call it what you
will) without telling, lest they should have been prevailed
—
upon to stay. So when the time came the house being
crowded, the report read, the chairman's speech nicely

concluded, and the society being called upon for a perfor-
—
mance from one of Handel's "works 'every one in the
audience had to turn and look round, wondering when and
where it was to come from, as no place had been provided.
There was a long pause, much delay, and a growing
uneasiness, until at last John o' Charlottes, an honoured
member and a very old singer, bawled out at the top of
his voice, " Nay, we cannot go on, the leading fiddles
have gone away and left us." I need not add they had
to do without music that night, and happily they did not
suffer much. Everyone was sorry for Lord Dartmouth,
to whom no disrespect was meant, but those who had
studiously designed the ignominy of the society were rightly
served.
To conclude, I may say that about this time some splendid

concerts were held in Slaithwaite. Mrs. Sunderland, Miss
Whitman, Miss Crosland, Mr. T. Hinchcliffe, old Mr.
Netherwood, and others were engaged, and right well did
they perform ; but above and beyond this came at times
Mr. H. Phillips, then a popular singer, and whose book
is most interesting reading for all lovers of the great art.
The late Mr. Samuel Horsfall, of Calf Hey, was a principal
supporter of these concerts, and many eminent artistes of
the day stayed at his house. Mr. Justice Eomer would be
surprised and pleased to learn very likely that his mother
visited Slaithwaite at one of these concerts, and at a fee
that would astonish those of the present time with half the
talent and beauty of the then popular lady, who, at Calf Hey
the morning after the concert, gave Mrs. Sykes, Gashouse.
the then servant, half-a-crown, which she long treasured
not so much from its worth, but as coming cheerfully from
the beautiful Miss Eomer, the original " Arline " in Balfe's
" Bohemian Girl," then manageress and prima donna.
2i SLAITHWAITE NOTES.
CHAPTER VIII.
Old Slaithwaite. Its Young Workers and its Homes.

On a cold EasterTuesday, long ago, we boys had run away
from Tape Mill because we wanted an additional holiday,
and so angry were the masters that all the spinners,
slubbers, and feeders were ordered to stay at their work.
Judge, then, of our surprise and disappointment when we
returned, three hours afterwards, after a wild scamper up
the moor side, to find the Avheel going, and we caught
run in as if caught by a trap. This was cold coffee a dark—
day and a mournful afternoon, ever to be remembered as
the cruel defeat of the boys, who, however, got off much
easier than they might have done had it not been that
the spinners had put us up to it, because many of them
were due at a rabbit-coursing match, a form of sport then
largely indulged in by some of the workers in this neigh-
bourhood. There were a number of very clever dogs that,
were their equals here to-day, would win races at Wakefield
and elsewhere, where such sport is so popular. But this is
not in my line.
my youth that I am trying to
It is the early friends of
remember — work, their ways, their few pleasures,
their
and their numerous toils. Slubbing was done by hand
at Clough House by the old slubber, as he was called. He
could never be got to have power to his old machine, and
died without it. Then followed every improvement that
can be conceived, so that the labour became more easy,
conditionsmuch better, and the Avorker's lot greatly
improved on the obsolete old ways and machinery of the past.
In those early days my greatest friend was Jacob Clay,
the worthy son of most respectable parents. He was
honest, quaint, and truthful. Many were the tales which
he told, and firmly believed, of Avitches, ghosts, and fairies.
One got so much struck with these that on dark nights no
wonder Ave were frightened to go home. There was one
in particular, a witch he called " Old Smith," avIio did eAr ery
kind of evil under the sun. People's health, their cattle,
and all that was theirs was imperilled when under the evil
influence of this so-called Avicked spirit. Then there were
ghosts everywhere, turning up at every corner, and signs

of death on every hand. It was simply terrible and most
inhuman to the young, who suffered agonies by the recitals.
The fairies were more harmless, but many were the changes
they made according to Jacob's stories. Indeed, lie believed
them all religiously. He still was bright, and had huge
hopes not easily to be denied. One was that lie would have
an organ when he was a man and to have a stout woman
;
for a wife was another of the dreams of his youth. But

she never came, as he died a bachelor, thoroughly devoted
to his dear mother, to whom he Avas a very good son, and
ultimately was one of the few working-men who acquired
an organ.
Summer was the glory of our young lives, and scarcity of
water afforded the happiest time of our existence, when for
weeks together we only worked a few hours per day, and
spent the rest in playing with one another. Ah, the fields
where we fought, and the clear brooks where we swam !
They are dear to-day, and the memory of those pastimes

are written large in our hearts.
Let me refer to the change for the better brought about
by the Huddersfield waterworks and reservoirs. There are
those who say that Huddersfield has taken the water, but
in the same breath they do not tell what has been given
back in money and water compensation. The change has
been a great boon to the districts. No short time now, but
water for all. Just look at the following figures to see how
each township has benefited in its rates: —
District Bate. Poor Rate. Total.
£ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d.
Marsden 170 9 (i . . 317 G 8 ... 187 16 2
Slaithwaite ... 190 2 6 ... 468 ... 658 2 6
Golcar 72 7 10 ... 59 1 6 ... 131 9 \
Linthwaite ... 105 6 7 ... 85 6 3 ... 190 12 10
South Crosbuid 100 13 2 ... 112 10 4 ... 213 3 6
Honley 25 19 ... 14 8 4 ... 40 7 4
Meltham 249 7 6 ... 396 7 6 ... 645 15
£914 6 1 £1453 it 7 £2367 6 8

L'G SLAITHWAITB NOTES.
(Payments are made yearly, and the amounts increase to

some extent yearly, according to the increase in the rates
of these districts.
Yet the millownersin the latter valley proposed taking

action against theCorporation for the drought of lasl
summer, which was an act of God, for which surely no
man or town can justly be responsible ; but, notwithstanding
all this, the Corporation had to join in and pay.
But let me return to the sports of our early days at these

water famines. Kaces would be run, all kinds of games
entered upon, tales told, hopes expressed with regard ti-
the future, and of the powers each individual possessed.
Jacob was great on faith, and one sunny day, playing for
water, sat down on the dam bank under the Slaithwaite
viaduct, he expounded this doctrine more fully than usual.
He said if he had only faith it were possible to jump over
the viaduct. It was unbelief which prevented men from
performing the miracles of old. And so eloquent he
became that we were all but silenced, when one wicked
youth ventured to doubt the possibilities pourtrayed, a.nd
artfully suggested that as the mill dam was only narrow
at places, jumping across this was more possible when
the water was down. "Oh, that was nothing!" said
our hero ; " it was almost possible to do that without
faith." And, bit by bit, he was on the one hand
scoffed and on the other urged to try, till ultimately it
was agreed that if he jumped clear of the dam every
unbeliever should be silenced and for ever hold his peace.
Then came the great test. All stood back, looked
gravely on, and gave fair play. A long run was taken
—
every one held his breath when, lo and behold Jacob !
was struggling in the middle of the water, and when we

could, after laughing, ask him how that was, he replied,
sorrowfully, yet resignedly, " Ah, my faith dropped in the
—
middle, and down into the water I fell " let us hope a
!
wetter and a wiser boy. A better mother's lad, a more

faithful brother, or a truer friend, Slaithwaite has never
had before or since.
SLAIT1IWAITE NOTES. 2 l
CHAPTER IX.
Jacob.
We left off with our

little hero in the middle of the Tape
Mill dam, wet and struggling' in the water and thi
all
sludge, for, the former being low, the latter was pre-
dominant, to the no small inconvenience of the lad, who
had not only lost his faith, but had landed in a most
uncomfortable position. However, he had to emerge as
best he could, especially as the water had just been turned
—
on to the wheel a sure and certain sign for all hands to
go aloft. Therefore there was nothing for it but go into
the mill as soon as he could well gather himself together
from his slough of despond. Behold him, then, ten minutes
later, in the "Jenny-gate," with nothing on but clogs,
stockings, and shirt, with his master (for fun only) running
round to a quick march, in which I joined in the chorus.
The event had spread quickly, and brought his mother on
the scene just on the point described. The old lady, only
too glad to find that things were no worse, was not long
in fetching his Sunday clothes, for he had only two suits,
so the novelty was a day's work in his best dress.
The father was one of the old sturdy Christians of thai

period, a leader at the Wesleyan Chapel, and afterwards a
foremost reformer in the cause to which he devoted his life.
The children's children are at the chapel to-day, the best
workers and most devoted members. The old Christians of
the period were much too severe in their discipline; all
meant for the best, no doubt, but it was at times harsh on
the young. Jacob knew he had this to face at night when
the father came home from the quarry, and it was the only
cloud from which he feared a storm. But what mattered
it: no great wrong had been done no doubt a little —
indiscreet and somewhat foolish action, but surely this was
not' a crime for which a boy was to be hung. The old
gentleman was very fair he had dealt generously with
;
him concerning that great ficht with Billy o' Binns.

This -was a great event at the time, and was provoked

by the insults and contumely of the young man named,
who, working- in the upper part of the factory, had, like
the rest of them up there, a sort of contempt for the two
lads who worked for Jack o' th' Hey in the bottom " hoil,"
one of the worst rooms that ever mortal was placed in.
There was the miserable water wheel to face you cold,—
wet, dampy, musty, and dark —
a hole for rats, with which
we did battle with sticks and stones day through. The
stench of the place too was enough to make a city ill.
Thank God, there are no such places now, and the wonder
is how we ever survived it.
Judge, then, how Ave resented the wordy insults, when

so much bodily misery had to be borne every day. Add
to this throwing stones, and calling us " Jack o' th' He}-'s
rats" was more than we could swallow. 80 one day, the
lads above us having not only thrown but hit us with
various missiles, we fully resolved that we would stand it
no longer, and Jacob boldly challenged the most aggressive.
The news went round the mill like wildfire, for the lads at a
factory are as fond of a fight as the boys are at a school,
and when night came there was a general muster in the
field called Blackmoor Holme, the fighting ground where
all our disputes were finally settled. It was a lovely
summer's night; the days were long; hopes ran high;
and the warmth of the night about equalled the tempers
of the respective parties. Jacob had onty one friend, and
that was his humble companion, the friend of a life — the
present writer, who stood by him in this the great hour of
his trial and difficulty.
To do the other side justice, they did not take advantage
of their numbers, and agreed to a fair fight, which was no
mean thing, t he conditions then being so brutal. Clogs,
fists, and wrestling were all allowed. The preliminaries
were soon gone through. The combatants did not strip,
but rolled up their blue aprons tight round their bodies,
and so arrayed they entered the ring with the impetuosity
of two cocks, beginning to kick and wrestle for all they
were worth, and kept at it until one or the other was
beaten.
Many were the vicissitudes of that battle. First one

and then the other had the advantage. The partisans
cheered their respective candidates, until Jacob was fairly
pronounced the victor after a good battle, in which wounds
were about equally divided. The winner though had a
black eye, and how to conceal it from the dear old dad
was the only difficulty. These things were a horror to the
religious soul of the parent, but he was a man whom the
son could trust and honour. He would tell his father all
and risk it, come what may. So, when night came, the
painful ordeal had to be faced. The father and son met
on the threshold. The son flushed, his face marked, and
a black eye. "What now?" said the elder, looking like
a storm. " >h " answered the younger, " I have had a
< !
fight with a boy at the mill who bullied me, insulted me

every day, called me names, and at last hit me. Father,"
continued the honest lad, " I could not stand it any longer.
and could not rest until I had thrashed him soundly for his
impudence, and this is just what I have done, neither
more nor less.' The dear mother had been an interested
7
listener. Her heart had been touched by the manly recital

of her son. With a tear in her eye, and another in her
voice, she pleaded with her husband for mercy, appealing
to -what he would have done under similar circumstances,
and asked the partner of her joys and sorrows (mostly the
latter then for workers) if the action was not justifiable
under all the provoking circumstances. The answer was
a sort of dry cough, for he was human and touched
"Lads should love one another, and not fight at any time."
There were to be no more battles, and on these grounds
he was let off.
Well, this was the kind of mercy he relied on from his

father, not only on this wet occasion, but on many others,
which some day may be related for the benefit of the
young, to let them see, as it were, two worlds -the one —
—
they live in and that of the past -and compare the same
with a view to useful lessons. Then, if wisely sifted, much
good may be gained, besides glimpses of the past secured,
which, little though they may be, might be lost for ever.
This is the only plea of the writer, who finds now.
unfortunately, more pleasure in the pasl than the future,

but never loses hope in the latter, with which he is mosl
anxious to keep in touch, and, if you like, mix the two for
the benetit of both, as a sort of happy, harmless, and
pleasant decoction. Though a dull picture badly painted,
it will keep alive green memories, and be a record dear
of transports past, perhaps never to return to one who

treasures these tilings highly.
The reader will have no difficulty in finding out how

easily Jacob got out of the wetting when he had fared so
well with the fighting. There was a fatherly admonition,
kindly advice, and a Christian commendation to the Lord
to keep his sun in the paths of rectitude always.
CHAPTER X. "
A Plucky Fight.
Having, in the last two chapters, dealt with the exploits

of a village lad, it may not be out of place to describe
where he lived and how that part of the town stood in
those early days.
Wewill begin with the Shoulder of Mutton Inn on one
>i(lc,and Mr. Farrar's on the other, at which, on one
memorable Slaithwaite Feast, a terrible struggle took
place between the old gentleman and a fine youth who had
come to the town with a stall, and who had entered the
house from the Back Lane, through the back window. In
doing so he rattled the milk cans, a sound which Mr.
Farrar heard, and on going downstairs he found the young
fellow just about to leave by the same way he came but ;
not so, for the old gentleman (who was, unfortunately, in

his shirt) at once seized him by the legs and dragged him
back into the breakfast room, when a most remarkable
struggle ensued. The old man, with a grip of iron and
the strength of a giant, tackled the fine youthful athlete
in a masterly fight —
the latter to get away and the former
SLAITHWAITE NOTES. -'51
to retain his man By this time the bouse

until help came.
was fairly roused. The were very plucky, and went
girls
out for assistance, during which time the contest had been
almost deadly, Mr. Farrar being held by a tender part,
whilst the former had a good hold of the strong handker-
chief which was tied in a slip knot, around the young man's
neck. This the old warrior was twisting tighter and
tighter, so much
so that in a very short time his antagonist
would have been as dead as Queen Anne. As it was he
•could not speak, and from want of strength had relin-
quished his painful hold. Then it was that Mr. Farrar
slackened his grip, and when the young man could speak
he said he had had quite enough, had never before met so
st long a man, and apologised for the unfair way he had
attacked, but said in defence it was his only chance, he

was so surprisingly overpowered from the first.
By thistime the house was getting crowded. The
•constablehad arrived; the fight was over; and the robber
had promised to be quiet and go where he was wanted.
During the remainder of the night and until morning
many little scenes were enacted. A workman was saying
what he could and would have done had he been there,
.and tried to be very valiant at the expense of the burglar,
who was sitting near by handcuffed. In fact, the latter,
in sheer despair, piteously begged that he might be
allowed to " go for " the coward who was so grossly
insulting him. If they would only grant him this privilege
to punish as he richly deserved the man who was as
contemptible as Mr. Farrar had been brave and manly, he
would be contented. This could not be, though it tickled
the old gentleman, and he in after life told me he would
not have minded if the young fellow had given the braggart
a bit because of the insults and scoffs so unjustly offered.
In discussing this matter later on I said, " How was it
you did not let the young man go through the window back
into the street?" "Ah, John, lad, that's the rub, do ye
know. I had drawn £300 at the Huddersfield market on
behalf of the Ramsden Mills Co., of which I was then
secretary, and I thought he had got the money and I
;
was determined he shoidd not have it without a struggle."

ill! SI..UTHWAITH NOTES.
The event was of much notice at the time, and the young
man got justly punished at the sessions.
To come back to the descriptionof the town at that
period. Leaving the Shoulder of Mutton came the
off at
barn and outbuildings ; then a row of cottages up to theoV1
church gate. After that old Meal's house, Sam o' Billy's
stable, Sam Lee's, Eaglaud's, old Mrs. Cooper's shop, and
John Wood's up to the National School steps, which wen-
very like as if they had been made for a waterfall and ;
opposite, under the garden wall of the Harp Inn, stood

the old stocks, in which many a delinquent had to pay for
his folly.
On
the other side of the street was the burial ground,
Thomas Sykes' shop and house, Cotton's, the card makers,
and old John Walker's, the shoemakers, who had generally
a beautiful throstle, which used to come out into a small
cage let out of the house over the old Free School yard.
Going further up, on one side was Da,n Haigh's, old John
Ashton's, the Globe Inn, and Mr. John Eagland's up to the
river, Ant's o' Cassies, and old Lucy's, with his large yard
and coal donkeys. Below the Manor House, Joshua Cock's
and Jim Livesey's, who cut people's hair for the loftedge
for one penny, shaved clean for one halfpenny, gave a new
pair of clogs for a shilling, and a brand new hat for
sixpence. He was a noted character at the time, and
brought up a large family of very respectable children.
Near to his house was the empty old scpiare prison, happily
never used then nor since.
river was bridged over by stone, and there was
The
wooden one to Tape Mill for Mr. Kent, who occupied
also a
the works in the smallware trade, a lost industry to-
Slaithwaite. In the next chapter will be found the reason
why, as well as a further description of Nabbs Lane, and
also of some of the characters there who formed part
of the early history of Slaithwaite, which, if of no great
importance to the greater world outside, must be very
interesting to the young and old of to-day —
the former for
old time's sake, and for the latter to compare the present
with the past.
SLAITHWAITB X0TES. • >•>
CHAPTER XI.
Noted Persons and Conditions.
We our last at the old stone bridge at the bottom

left off in
of Nabbs Lane ; and, commencing on the right-hand side
going up, there was Meal's house as to-day, facing the river.
Here resided James and Joseph Bamforth, with the mother
and the rest of the family. The former was a noted dancer,
and a smart lad, who died early in a bad case of smallpox,
a terrible disease then more common, but now, owing to
better sanitation and vaccination, happily less prevalent.
The younger brother became very popular as an efficient
volunteer, a good bandsman, and one of the best cricketers
in the then Slaithwaite Mechanics' Institute Cricket Club.
He too died early (of consumption), and at his funeral all
the inhabitants seemed to be present, so much so that it
might be called one of the most popular funerals ever held
in the village, if such a term may be allowed in describing-
the last of any man. It is well that so much respect can
be given to the sons of toil, and that these marks of esteem
do not belong alone to the wealthy and the great. Passing
along, next came Sykes o' th' Barn, of which John of
to-day is the representative of an honourable line of almost
defunct little manufacturers. Abram Hirst's followed ; he
was the respected father of the late Mr. Joseph Hirst,
draper, New Street, Huddersfield, whose business is now
successfully carried on by the sons. John Clay, the old
lock tenter, was known for many things, but never for
anything bad, and the wicked boys of that period used
to bother the old gentleman by asking him what time it
was. He had a large and respectable family, one of whom,
Thomas, is still living to-day in Huddersfield. I wonder if
he remembers the memorable occasion on which he was
big piecer to his brother Jabez at the Tape Mill, and
how he threw Mr. John Horsfall, his master, into an
empty skep after one of the strong ebullitions of temper
which this gentleman displayed, the fact being one of grief
to himself rather than to his employees, who at heart.
D
34 SLAITHWA1TE NOTES.
notwithstanding this, were all much attached to him.

John Clay lived next to James Hoyle's block of buildings.
This gentleman, who married a Haigh, of Upper Mill, was
a local shopkeeper, and hence a man of some repute, with
a farm in Lingards. Jacob lived at this time in one of
the single-roomed cottages with his parents, who had to
make most of small means to bring up a growing family.
How different at this period ! The homes of many workers
out at that time consisted of two beds in separate corners
of the house as decently curtained off as they could afford,
one large table, a small round one near the fire, a chest of
drawers, one corner cupboard, a cradle, some chairs, one
for the dear old mother ; fender and fire irons, various pots,
some kettles, cans, and a washing tub the never-failing
;
Bible, a few tracts, less pictures ;everything had to be

done in one room as best they could.
Working-men and women of to-day compare this with
!
your well-furnished homes, the improved conditions, and

the better housing of the poor. Fill in the picture for
yourselves, and make it joyous, if you please, that things
are so much improved and your happiness so much
increased, as compared with the darker periods of the past.
—
Joseph Lees was the last house on that side no railway
—
then but opposite the road was old Malley's, of the Calf
" Tha keyneived (left-
Hey, who said to Jacob one day :
handed) beggar ; that nivver throws but tha hits. Only

t'other day tha struck yar stirk o' th' 'orn. Remember
this : when tha comes for milk aw'll ring thi yers (ears)
for thi." The old lady's words were worse than her actions,
and when the mother went for the milk at night instead of
the son peace was proclaimed.
The abutments of the Slaithwaite viaduct at this end are
fixed just where this old lady's farmhouse stood, going on
to Awkward Wood, and at the back lived the Bamforths,
the forbears of Mr. Alderman Bamforth, Huddersfield,
Lower down was Mr. Kent's, the house where Mr. Holroyd
lives, a little different at the former period. Here I
remember well at the gate a little outbuilding, in which
our Sam nearly did for me by tilting up into my mouth
the contents of the vinegar bottle used in shoe blacking
<of which occupation he was then an expert) for the Kent

family, and from -which I was tasting, getting nearly
all but smothered with the full contents of the hottle. It
took some minutes to bring me round, and the dread was
so great at the time as never to be forgotten. Our Sam
was then shoeblack, water carrier, window washer, and
general drudge at the house when not at the mill, but so
much respected in after life, when the positions had entirely
changed, that there were no better friends than the sons
of the former with the poor lad who had done their menial
work of former days.
The lost industry went to Bury, in Lancashire, and with
it many of the old families of Slaithwaite, including the
Sykses, the Gledhills, the Sugdens, etc., etc., and great wa.>
the sorrow of the poor at the parting of the young from the
old, for the latter had to stay at home, as is always the
case, while the former sought work and fortune elsewhere.
In this matter of parting, the poor suffer more than the
rich ; they feel it more intensely, having nothing else to
break it; while the latter have other things to take the
sadness away. Be this as it may, there went those who
never returned, and, like the industry, were lost for ever
to Slaithwaite. And why? Simply this: there was not
sufficient water at Tape Mill in summer time. The landlord
would not put down an engine and boiler ; neither would
Mr. Kent ; hence the removal of this name, business, and
many old families. Sykes, formerly of Clough House, is
the name of the happy possessor of this improved and
largely increasing trade at Bury, thanks to their untiring-
industry, perseverance, and skill, and to the friendship of
the late Mr. Phillips, the grandfather of Mr. Trevelyan,
the present member for the Elland Division of Yorkshire,
a very smart and promising young man. The old
gentleman, Mr. Phillips, was very rich, and he was further
an old Radical who could not at a moment's notice,
or in the twinkle of an eye, change his principles in order
to get Irish votes, so he left Mr. Gladstone and, it may
truly be said, paved the way in Bury for the present
Unionist candidate, who seeks to sit honourably for' this
borough more, I venture to say, in the interests of a
nation than that of a partisan. A sort of Roman of old,

when none were for party, but all for the State; yet,
strange to relate, this seat was lost to the Unionist cause
at this election —
mostly, I venture to suggest, by a Radical
baker raising the price of his bread, and putting the fault
on the shoulders of the present Government.
CHAPTER XII.
Then and Now ! Reverie and Reminiscence.
What a change has taken place hereabouts.This thought

came to me
on walking from Marsden to Slaithwaite.
What a beautiful journey it was on that lovely evening!
I think the most pleasing scene was at Cellars Clough,
where there is one of the finest rookeries ever seen in the

Colne Valley, and worth going a long way to see. All the
birds were in the varied moods of love, work, and play, all
of which these wonderful creatures make free use of in
reproducing their kind on the slender means at their
disposal. Perhaps one could have wished, in looking at
a few trees injured by the tipping of dirt, seemingly for
saving money, that, notwithstanding this desire, some
thought at least should have been given not to wantonly
destroy nature's own graceful dress. Very likely they
never thought, therefore we must forgive. But to come
back to then and now. On this particular day they were-
laying the foundation stones of large schools, on the
principle of what was the best for education and least
—
expense to the ratepayers a plan one could wish to see
adopted nationally and one which would serve all purposes
;
if only the parsons could be locked up until common-sense
had licked the Education Bill into shape for the benefit
of all.
It took some of those present all their time from

breaking out into a chorus of denunciation against the
wicked (so-called by Radicals) Government of modern
SLAITHWAITE NOTES. o7
times. Any kind of a stick will do to turn them out,

and nothing seems to have come so handy as this stick
" Educational " for a long time. The big drum " Eccle-
siastic " is beaten with vigour from Dan to Beersheba.
The pity of it. Why not common-sense ? What is for the
best, and who can do most, would assuredly be the better
plan. What say ye, over-burdened ratepayers? Are- you
prepared to do away with the Voluntary schools, which are,
whatever their merit may be, doing half the work and
saving what will at least be an addition of one shilling in
the pound on the rates? So will you not say to the rabid
dissenting parson as well as to the exterminating clergy-
man " A plague on both your houses. If you have emptied
:
your churches and chapels of the men by your jealousy,

ill-will, and all uncharitableness towards each other, you
are not going to double my educational rates, to spoil this
Bill, and throw back this great work, while other countries
are beating us for want of an organised system of education
long neglected."
We shall see, and let us pray for wiser counsels to
prevail. At Marsden, on this occasion, they did the right
thing at the right time, even in spite of strong desires
to break out in a bit of political swearing. The respected
member. Sir James Kitson, setthem a good example by
his excellent speech, which no doubt had a restraining
influence.
But what I went to see was a dear old friend lay one of
the corner stones. Alas this was not to be.
! Age and
bad health (au ill-matched pair) had willed it otherwise
and the son, with that modesty proverbial to him, had to,
and will have to do, the work of a worthy sire, who has
well-spent a valuable life in doing battle for the people,
mostly right, but, like other mortals, sometimes wrong.
See the difference ! A
long time ago, far away into the
distant past, was a lovely summer's day. Nature was at
her best ; the days were long. Bank Bottom Mills were
bonny in the shade of tall and bushy trees, the valley
clear from mud banks and wooded beautifully on either
side, but mostlv on one ; while the silver stream ran
411995
between, after gathering its strength from above in the

shiny brooks that make the flowing waters of the
Wessenden Valley. At this mill was the youth, beauty,
and strength of the Colne Valley, and the occasion was the
laying of the corner stone of the present Mechanics'
Institute. Mr. J. \i. Robinson was at that time a strong
man, wielding powerful influence for good, drawing from
each neighbouring village others similarly disposed, to
drink in the inspiration, and to become intoxicated with
the same desires.
Slaithwaite then was poor, helpless, and feeble, but in

that forlorn spot there were a few choice spirits born to
carry the lamp of light to a better age, which happily soon
came. Thanks to these pioneers for the good things which
so soon followed, and on that far-off stone-laying day so
long ago about forty-five young men from the Mechanics'
Institute, led by Mr. David Carter, the writer, and others,
marched valiantly to the scene of action with a flaunting
flag (though tattered and torn), bearing in large red letters
on one side " Education for the rising generation,'' and on
the other, "Education voluntary and free." Much has
happened since then, both at Marsden and Slaithwaite.
Mechanics' Institute lads have done much good work with
the spade and the shovel to better the condition of the
people. One w onders where these men are to-day. Have
r
they wandered? Are they stranded? Have they strayed?

Or have they gone home ? Answer me, men of the present
day, by similar work. Call no names which can do no
good, but add your quota to human progress.
The springs we drank were the speeches such

at which
as were made
Bank Bottom on that memorable night,
at
where examples were given by self-made men on self-
making how to improve the mind, increase the intellect,
:
and thereby add materially to the world's happiness. That

night I can never forget how Mr. John Schofield, of
Linthwaite, then a smart young fellow, sang most sweetly
" On the Banks of Allan Water." The old gentleman still
stands well up, but the music is not so fresh, or the voice
so younp-.
SLAITHWAITB NOTES. -'59
CHAPTER XIII.
A Policeman's Sad End.
There is a naturalist society in the town to-day, and I
am told that some of the young men connected with it

are a credit to themselves and the town ; and what pleases
me the more is that they are mostly the sons of poor
parents who have worked themselves up by study and
perseverance. What I say is, " Go on, lads ; this is in a
right direction, and God speed you in all good work.
Here it may not be amiss to mention that Slaithwaite
has always been blessed with good professional men. The
Deans, to the third and fourth generations, of revered
memory, and none more so than Edwin of to-day or good
Thomas, of Burnley the Robertses, who are dead and gone.
;
In former times the Deans were good botanists, and one of

their relations, Mr. Horsfall, of Merrydale, was the best
herb doctor of the age, so it will be seen that this kind
of thing was not altogether neglected in the past. Mr.
Clampitt, a very deserving young fellow from Ireland, has
now taken the place of Mr. Cheevers, who has removed to
Manchester.
I am not aware of what books and property the members
are possessed, though I do know there was a good society
a long time ago at the Hare and Hounds Inn, Hardend.
In the library there some of the best books of the age
could be got. Mr. Marsden, and the best from Ready Can-
Foundry, were the principals. The then aristocracy of the
working classes commanded much consideration, not only
from the learning of their masters, but for the great
reputation of the firm as the leading mechanics of the
day. Walter Oldroyd, of Holthead, a self-made mathe-
matician of local repute, Edward Sugden, John Shaw, and
others, attended the Sunday evening monthly meetings at
Marsden. Books were given out and arrangements made
for the botanical rambles, which extended to Halifax on
one side, Woodhead on the other, and between Huddersfield
4U SLAITHWAITE NOTES.
and Stalybridge, together with the numerous places

between. They were great times for me. I went with
my elder brother to nearly all these places, the principal
events of which were held in the summer time in the
large room of one of the principal inns of the town visited,
to which every member or friend would ta.ke specimens of
plants, to be named by one of the clever working-men of
the day, who had made this pleasing subject his principal
study. It was marvellous with what readiness the work
—
was done not only the English, but the Latin name was
given in full to every plant. The virtues were not con-
sidered on the naming day, but were well known to the
friends of the society, who went far and near in search of
rare specimens. Buck bean was one of these, to be found
in bogs on the moors. Gentian was much sought after, and
readily found on the sandy soil of South Crosland parsley
;
pert was also there in profusion ; ground ivy everywhere ;
liver wort on the wet rocks of running streams,never far

from the golden saxifrage, water mint, watercress, golden
rod, sciatica cress, devil's bit, marsh mallow, etc. Wood
betony was much sought after for many diseases ; a
well-known place for it was Longwood, in the beautiful
wood below Hannah Gill's public-house. The present
generation can hardly realise what changes have taken
place there since. This remarkable lady and her house
gone for ever, and the wood mangled to death by the
wonderful progress of the place ; only a few broken trees
remain to tell the tale of its former natural glories. Large
mills have replaced the fine trees, and where the wood
betony grew now stands the cottages of the workers, whose
condition is so much improved that they can very much
better afford to buy than grow this little herb.
To come back to plants. These and hundreds more we

knew quite well. We could rattle them off like the
multiplication tables without any trouble, having had
good teaching from the elders on those far-back, very
happy, and pleasant sunny days, when a Sunday well spent
brought a week of content to the hard toilers on the other
less-favourable days. We used to take our time, range the
fields and moors, and call at the nearest public-house to
SLAITIIWAITE NOTES. 11
get a gill of beer to a lunch, which was generally

little
carried in the pocket. Ifthere was anyone at the inn
ready to argue on any point under the sun, these men
were ready. Politics was a great theme then, because
there were so many things to adjust, wrongs to redress,
and reforms to make. At these times the men were in
earnest and determined. They believed what they
preached, and were not soon turned away or denied the
object they had in view. Many are the eloquent speeches
one has heard on these occasions, drinking in largely the
burning words descriptive of human suffering, and
pledging oneself that when the time of being a man came,
—
bow I would fight for liberty or death brave thoughts
not lost sight of to-day. Even temperance came up for
discussion, and I am not sure than then, with the greater
liberty to drink more freely, less was drunk than now.
Anyway, Iwas not only a botanist, but a teetotaler of a
very pronounced type, and when not after plants or music,
was practising and preaching temperance.
Here and now, for a little divergence, let me say we had
a large temperance society next door neighbour to the
friends at Linthwaite. John Hirst (a noted character,
afterwards of Marsden), C. Lockwood (brother-in-law),
Squire Baxter and all the other Baxters, John Schofield,
etc., were a band of strong and earnest men, who did
some good work in their day and generation. Well do I
remember one great joint meeting we had at Linthwaite,
ending in the greatest fiasco of a life, because circum-
stances forced one to expose an unpardonable imposture,
and that was the well-known presentation of a watch to
the then sergeant of the police, a man who had done
yeoman service for the temperance cause in Slaithwaite
but who, on the other hand, was unpopular with the crowd
by reason of little acts of cruelty, which no right-minded
man ever ought to have committed. To bolster up a better
feeling with those in authority, the man actually bought
a watch with his own money, got it engraved, and said a
friend had presented it. This was not known at the time,
-and when at a great meeting at Linthwaite the presentation
—
was made by the writer of these broken stories the reader
42 SLAITHWAITE NOTES
may be assured that the eloquent words could not be

—
reproduced to-day silence is best when so much shame
fell upon the innocent victim of another's vaulting
ambition. Hardly had the meeting dispersed before
rumours wore in the air, which soon reached headquarters.
The chief came down for inquiry. No one could be found
who had given the watch; therefore, under these adverse
circumstances, there was nothing for it but to repudiate
it altogether in the press, which was done the week after.
The rest, is soon told. The poor fellow lost his place, had
to leave Slaithwaite in disgrace, and had the greater
misfortune to be tragically killed directly afterwards in a
dark tunnel coming from Bradford, while temperance was
not the gainer by this misfortune, nor has it ever flourished
since with the same roseate hue in Slaithwaite, and of
which Linthwaite forms an eastern portion.
CHAPTER XIV.
Politics. (II.)
In looking over an old minute book the other day I saw

these entries :
—
"
April 26th, 1869. —
Mr. 11. Armitage in the chair, when
was resolved to have a knife and fork tea to celebrate
it.
the return of Milton and Beaumont, and that the chairman

and Godfrey Woodhead secure the Baptist Sunday School
for the occasion."
Reading on in the same book, I found: —

"With Mr. Thomas Sykes in the chair, on the 4th of
June, was resolved that John Sugden give a lecture on
it
'
The Irish Church Bill,' that the society pay all the
expenses, and that fifty bills be printed; and at this
meeting in the Baptist School that we petition the House
of Lords in favour of Mr. Gladstone's Irish Bill; that
Sir James Kitson, Bart., M.P.
Mr. Joseph Hirst propose and Mr. Godfrey Woodhead

second the resolution to the House of Lords and that ;
Mr. Armitage propose and Mr. John Wright Wood second

a. vote of thanks to the lecturer."
" June 15th, 1869. —

It was resolved that Slaithwaite be
recommended as a fit and proper place for a polling booth.
That Messrs. Frank Curzon, Moore Sykes, and John Sugden
lie the next speakers."
"
The next meeting was held July 16th, 1869, Mr.
Thomas Sykes in the chair, when it was resolved that
Messrs. J. B. Robinson. Thomas Sykes, George Haigh, and
E. J. Sykes be appointed to superintend the Slaithwaite
Electoral District."
"
Again Mr. Sykes was at a meeting on August 6th,
1869, when it was resolved that Mr. John Bright' s speeches
be purchased as then published for the benefit of the
members."
" September 22nd. 'It —
was again resolved, under the
same auspices, that Mr. Sugden's lecture on Lord Byron
be on Tuesday, the 28th, in the Baptist School.
"March 29th, 1870. —

At a meeting again it was resolved
to send Mr. John Horsfall a vote of thanks for contributing
the Leeds Mercuri/."
" May 5th. — It was resolved that we cease taking in the
Star, and provide the H udders field Examiner in its place."
be seen by the above what Slaithwaite was doing

It will
at. What good and true men there were,
this early period.
every ready at their country's call I have found in after
!
life a contrast. Some men do not present very imposing

figures either, let me say, as candidates to be put up or
members to be returned to seriously deserve the support
of such hard workers. Many members of Parliament get
in by their wealth others by the influence of their wife
;
or family, or both and know little, and perhaps care less,

;
about the constituency. See these at election times

Fine ladies, and, let me say, good ladies, too how they —
do work for husband and friend The places they go to
!
44: SLAITHWAITB NOTES.
and the labour they bestow is really marvellous, deserving

every respect and consideration. How the subscriptions
are sought after and the patronage begged is only known
to the suffering member. The wonder is why they do it,
but they do. I have often thought what hard lines it is
upon a worldly man when he has to go to a chapel for

political purposes— say kneel in prayer with an honest
—
minister when it is to be feared he feels himself to be in
the wrong place, and is very likely reckoning up in his
own mind what the subscription is to be, and what amount
will best command the place. Then there are others who
—
go to Parliament for business as carefully totalled up an
item' as any in the ledger of the keen eye of this class of
politician. A true man has much to put up with. When
he gets to London all goes well if he votes with his party,
and is content to efface himself behind the front bench
on either side. Let them do the talking. What he has
got to do is to vote as he is told. Not much political
knowledge is needed, but plenty of money for party
purposes. ; —
This is the correct thing but woe unutterable
—
woe to a member who dares to think for himself politi-
cally. Then there is the real earnest politician, who in
his heart of hearts wishes to do good for his country, line
worthy class is too often pushed aside for the professional who
makes it a study, or chooses the game as a platform from
which to promote his own ends in life, the goal of which
is the ministerial bench, and during the ascent gathers
honey all the way for himself and connections. This kind
of thing has largely disgusted the old Liberal workers, who
are getting careless where they used to be diligent, and
now wonderingly do nothing.
The partisan seems astounded that there are no responses
to old appeals. The fact is the worker has begun to think
for himself, remembering there are other times of more
importance than elections, and it is to the former he must
look, and not the ephemeral raptures of the latter.
In the dear old days many good fellows came to help

Slaithwaite. Messrs. Wright Mellor, C. H. Jones, Joseph
Woodhead, J. B. Robinson, and others, in their varied
modes, rendered yeoman service to the progressive cause.
SLAITHWAITB JJOTES. io
Later, Lord Rosebery came, amongst many others. One

cannot help expressing wonder at the labour that had to
be gone through to secure men so eminent to-day. We are
bound to have a loving regard for this nobleman, not only
for his valuable services of the past, but for what he will be
able to do in the future. I could follow him now if the
dead mantle of Home Rule did not haunt him, hamper his
action (at least as it appears to the Liberal Unionist), mar
and destroy so much what
his usefulness, harass his progress,
is necessary for the leader of a great, united, and imperial
policy. What a chance if this crippling garb were out of
the way for a noble leader ! Because at this age so many
of the old lines are rubbed out by the new requirements of
a greater Britain, which the noble lord could secure if he
were not weighed down by this dead skeleton, and which, so
far, he has not had the courage to put away entirely for the
comfort of his own mind and the benefit of what would be
to a grateful country. Until then, quite as good men rule
who will have nothing to do with the unclean thing of
Home Rule. That split of 1887 was a terrible disaster to
the Liberal party, broke it into fragments, destroyed a
great engine for good, and the spirit of the more rabid
Gladstonians did not mend matters. You had either to
follow ; do as you were told ; or be politically damned.
Well do I remember being the honorary secretary of the
Liberal 200 in Huddersfield. I had increased my sub-
scription, was a member of two other Liberal Clubs, but
because I (with others) could not swallow Home Rule, and
had been the means of getting the Duke of Devonshire
to speak for the Liberal Unionists in the Town Hall, in
which I joined with a few words, the Liberals became very
angry, took their names off my nomination paper as
councillor for the Lockwood election, which was near at
hand, and out of pure spite and ill-will brought a man at
the last moment to oppose, and not having time to get
assistance they turned me out with great rejoicing. To
this they were then, and are to-day, welcome. We will
not blame them ; very likely they would be as arbitrary
to-day. A long journey in the wilderness has not had a
sobering effect upon them in all this time. Anyway, we
46 SLA1T1IWAITE NOTES.
bad to go somewhere, so we started a Liberal Unionist

club for Huddersfield, which has rendered excellent service,
and is now ably presided over by J. C. Broadbent, Esq.*
In the borough, at the time of the split, if Mr. E. A.
Leatham would only have come to Huddersfield as had
been arranged, and not failed (as he ignominiously did),
it is my
firm conviction that he would not only have been
living now, but certainly the continued member. Oh,
what a blunder How he delivered himself into the hands
!
of his bitter enemies; those who had been his greatest

admirers, and to whom he had rendered a life-long service
of mutual goodwill, to which was added national progress
How different things would have been to-day in Hudders-
field from my point of view It will not bear looking at
!
and we must mourn in silence, and work while it is day,

to put on a better complexion.
From 1887 to 1892 were stirring times in the Colne
Valley. Things had not been allowed to sleep. Mr. H. F.
Beaumont, the first member of the division, had been a
little undecided. At the split he did not clearly state his
position there was a little conflict between him and the
;
committee. There was no doubt but that he was against

Home Rule, and he should have said so boldly and, if need
be, have fought the constituency on the vexed question.
A lot of ill-will would have been avoided. Approaching
1892 we were prepared to run Mr. Beaumont, but at last
the gentleman would not stand, and we were bound to
get another candidate. Many came from far and near.
Three of the honoured Brookes were asked, and the
unexpected came in the choice of the unfortunate writer
of these notes, who never asked for it or wanted it, and
still less cared. But what could one do? They made the
way easy in money they gave me that great and good
;
man, Sir Thomas Brooke, Bart., as my chairman they ;
gave me full liberty and never man had greater kindness

;
shown or better help given, such as to receive my gratitude,

as long as I live. I was left with no other course but to
do the very best in my power to deserve the confidence,
* This most useful gentleman, alas ! now dead also.

perhaps mistakenly reposed. Be this as it may, Ave entered

the lists against so formidable an opponent as Sir James
Kitson, Bart., the resj)ected member, with whom, then and
since, every good feeling has been retained. The only
thing one regrets, even to-day, was the bitterness of articles
written at the time, when political passion seemed to blind
not only all fairness and justice, but carried the hostility
to even bitter enmity. Yet this did not bother me so much
as the remark made to me one day, viz. that they
:
(remember, my dear, dear friends the Liberal party) had

;
made me, and that they would ruin me. This roused my
anger, and I said " D you ; go at it. I deny one and
defy the other." This was foolish on both sides, and
happily these were the only things that marred as good
a fight as ever was waged in the valley, and it could not
be possible to leave less sting behind. The result was a
handsome defeat, loss of health (which has never fairly
come back), and some trade which never returned.
The fuller story may at some time be told but, here ;
and now, as a modest man, I will put down my pen for

better and more impartial hands to take up, if need be.
History will do justice ; and if others do better for the
Colne Valley I will rejoice greatly, because it is the place
of all others I love best. It gave me birth it will find
;
room for my bones and all who render it a service earn

;
my goodwill, and ever afterwards gain my gratitude.
CHAPTER XV.
Life's Young Dream Fifty Years Ago. A Chapter for

Girls.
This may not be amiss to run between the other more

prosaic notes, especially at this time of the year, when all
is so young and fair, like the subject of my theme. Then,
to begin as the showman said, an old cottager, once upon a
time, was addressed by the constant friend of her favourite
4:8 SLAITHWAITE NOTES.
son. Says he (who was in the know), " What, your so and
so has begun courting, has he not?" "Well," the old
lady answered, " I cannot exactly say. I don't want him
to do so ; he is too young, has not the means, and a fond
mother does not like to think that her darling boy should
have to want, or the poor dear girl he has lovingly selected,
by being too previous, or in too great a hurry." But,
musing further, she says, " I really don't know, for the
other day, on looking into his private drawer, I found
two aprons marked with the names of their respective
owners. This puzzled me, for all the girls were good ;
my son a Sunday school teacher, and connected with the

best families in the town. One of the girls came to our
chapel, as fair a lass as ever was seen, and her mother,
a widow, a hard-working woman, had taught her (after she
came back from the old dame school, where she had iearnt
to sample and to knit, to wash, to clean, to mend and
make most of her clothes, to bake bread, and brew good
home-spun beer, besides earn her living at the loom." This
consideration weighed with the old lady. Another mark
in her favour was that she went to the same chapel as the
dear old mother, who had no objection, only for them to
wait until both had saved money to buy furniture; for in
those days there was no supplying on the hire system.
What they were short of money to buy they had to do
without. But what was to be done with the other?
Was this spoilt son a trifler with girls' affections, a sort of
gay Lothario among the lassies? No, his mother would
not have that ; his morals were of the best. Maybe in
explanation she said that one is the constant friend of the
maid already described, and the other (a friend of the
first) is so beautiful ; fresh as the rose, auburn hair as
bright as the sun, and eyes to warm an iceberg, with a
complexion as clear as the mountain stream in which she
washed herself each early morn at her Hill Top cottage
before going to work in the valley below, say at five o'clock
in the morning, to be at the factory at six a.m.
The question of this girl's apron was rather a poser, for

the owner was good and beautiful enough for a prince.
But. did anyone find a dear old mother fast for an excuse
SLAITHWAITE NOTES, 49
for a loving son? No; and in this case, being sure of no

evil, she said perhaps he was smitten by the beauty of
the one and the goodness of the other, and said, like
Captain Macheath, " how happy could he be with either,
were t'other dear charmer away "—but all in youthful
playfulness characteristic of life's young happy dreams.
The mother added, " There will be no harm; to the fair
one. but the girl from our chapel for me" who proved—
one of the best of her kind.
The above has been given purely in imagination, to
illustrate the conditions of the peculiarities, and the
life,
varied steps taken on the road to youthful friendship and
marriage, then as sacred as now, if not more so, and where
the course of true love ran smooth, or companionships were
more full, affording almost greater happiness in the cottage
than in the hall. The latter (as perhaps more or less
now) had no dealings with the former ; a great gulf lay
between them ; but I have seen in my time when a
combination would have been much better. Take two
instances. A very rich man has a charming daughter,
loved, we will say, by a joiner. The love w as warmly
T
returned by the girl. Had they gone together two lives

would have been made happy ; but pride and purse stepped
in, and her parents married her for money, to live, I am
sorry to say, a miserable life ever afterwards. Take the
other. A wealthy girl, under similar conditions, loved
the handsome miller's son, who had not the courage to
propose. He missed the prize, which went to self-seeking
wealth, and which was afterwards all lost, and with it
happiness destroyed, love broken, and ultimate ruin in
place of that joy and bliss which follow, as they say,
marriages made in heaven. Then why not let true love
run smooth then and to-day and for evermore? Let us
sing with Robert Burns: —
'"
If heaven a draught of heavenly pleasure spare.
One cordial in this melancholy vale
'Tis when a youthful, loving, modest pair
In other's arms breathe out the tender tale.
Beneath the milk-white thorn that scents the
evening: gale."
Or, again, as Milton wrote: —

"This turn hath made amends; thou hast fulfill'd
Thy words, Creator, bounteous and benign,
Giver of all things, but fairest this
Of all Thy gifts."
And, again, how beautiful Waugh's rough lines :

—
" For oh, yon Robin, yon Robin,
His e'en ne'er twinklet so breet
As they did when he meazurt my finger
For th' little gowd ring last neet."
All these, true at all times and all ages; and when
followed on the crystal channel, how sweet is the journey
of life to the great unknown
To-day they are engaged, after spending many happy

days with one another, and this is announced publicly to
their friends, who will please take notice to get ready
—
wedding presents sufficient nowadays in good families
to set up a mansion, and with the cottager to fill a house
with good furniture. How easy the present compared with
the past !But this is my question Can any of you
:
modern girls equal the fair Imogen first mentioned in

qualities of worth such as make home a palace? Even if
poor, and should fortune come her way, how the virtues
will be worth more than gold No ; I must not say there
!
are not as good young people as there ever were in my

youth ; only the old lingers with me longest, while the new
to the young may be just as bright and lasting, but to me
is only fleeting, and hath no abiding place to fill my heart
like the past, with its glorious and fond recollections.
CHAPTER XVI.
Brass Bands.
As promised, we make reference to the Meltham and
Linthwaite Prize Bands, which were two of the best of
their kind in their day. It was marvellous what they
could do, to what perfection they attained, and how

formidable they were to all comers, as well as against each
other, when entered in open competition, which was very
often. Very keen struggle between them had
likely this
much to do with their perfection.Mr. John Gladney,
with "Elijah," for Meltham Mills, and Mr. Edwin Swift,
with " Tannhauser," for Linthwaite, were two of the
remarkable factors in the fight. The latter piece was
arranged by Mr. J. S. Jones, the honoured conductor of
—
the Harrogate Corporation Band a warm and constant
friend, whose young life was often warmed by the success
of this band, then and now so ably conducted by one of
my oldest friends, originally from the loom, who was an
apt pupil of Jones's, and developed into one of the first
bandmasters of the day. Not only this, but he has
arranged some of the popular pieces for contests, and
written other pieces for brass band journals. This is a
threat compliment to the natural genius, and one that
will not turn his head by reciting, or mar his future
usefulness.
He has had some good men to help him at Linthwaite
not only natives like the clever Baxters, but in
such wonderful performers as Charles Auty, Mr. Monk,
Mr. G. Raine, and others. I must not forget H. Oldham
on the tenor horn, J. Fisher on the bass, Brierley on the
trombone, and last, but not least, among a lot of other
good men, J. Beaumont on the euphonium. This latter
was the stay of the band, and it was marvellous the way
in which he played his part in " William Tell ''
when
Linthwaite beat Meltham with this piece at Edinburgh for
a prize of £60 on April 14th, 1877. These sums were
worth going for, as compared with the inadequate money
offered to-day, which does not pay first-class bands, and
no doubt in the end will be the cause of decay in
competition.
It was not only the members of the band who worked,
but the labour was largely shared by the committee. I
have seen the day when my dear old friend, Mr. Tom
Kamsden, did not think it beneath his dignity to go round
with the band collecting subscriptions ; Mr. Fred was a
warm supporter; Mr. Robert Lewis was a devoted slave;

and the late James Bailey and others did much in their
time. The yearly meetings then were held at the Coach
and Horses, and were well worth going to. They are
pleasant times to remember. They give a glimpse of pas!
labours which brought forth joy and this spade work had
;
to be done, otherwise how impossible it would have been

to compete with Meltham Mills.
Mr. Edward Brook, at the head of that eminent firm, was"
a prince to them. Money was no object. This gentleman
would double a prize which they might name and win.
The very best talent was engaged in Mr. John Gladney,
the king of conductors, the father of most of the others
in this line, and the man to whom brass bands owe very
much. All this would not have been enough if it. had not
been for the very good men on the spot. The Steads were
wonders. Whoever beat Richard or Edwin in their best
clays, or worked harder for any cause? They were both
artistes on their instruments, and born musicians. Then
there was good old John Berry, Wright Stead, also able and
true men from Holmfirth, together with such leaders as
Mr. Paley, Mr. Berkenshaw, and Mr. Alec Owen. No
wonder they were formidable, and the surprise to me now
is how it was that ever Linthwaite was able to beat them.
When one remembers that " Elijah " Avas the piece of
the period, while many of the judges used to condemn
" Tannhauser " as before the age, their success was
remarkable. But Linthwaite did not mind; they perse-
vered and made popular in these parts one of the great*
composers of the age. They also had this advantage over
Meltham they could practise on a Sunday.
:
What a
change since then ! Both these bands have fallen from
their high degree. Meltham has done nothing much but
;
Linthwaite has persevered under much difficulty, and has

had various degrees of success, yet nothing like its former
glory, though under Mr. Swift, his sons, the hard-working
Mr. Needham, and others, they have large hopes of soon
being at the top of the tree again. We shall see, and they
have my best washes. Both bands practised hard when in
full swing, sometimes six days a week few, if any, were
;
SLA1TIIWAITE NOTES. 53
paid. It was true brotherly devotion, and not as to-day,

when one fears that money is the root of all the evils
with which modern bands are afflicted. However, be this
as it may, these two bands deserve well of their respective
towns. They were honoured in their day, and their deeds
are well remembered. The money won by Meltham
though no patch on that which they richly deserved -was —
about £3,130, and Linthwaite made the near approach of
£2,930. The former have done nothing much since, and
the latter have added over another £1.000.
CHAPTER XVII.
Side by Side.
No two townships can be so near together as Slaithwaite

and Golcar without having many things in common. One
advantage Golcar has over all the rest of its adjacent
townships it can use all their roads and enjoy the rates
:
of allthe very valuable property built just within its

borders. This is a privilege of the few in the local
government of the surrounding townships. Then, again,
its sons and daughters love the place better than all
others, no matter wherever they roam they are fain to
;
get back to the old ground. Well do I remember a very

dear old friend, the late Mrs. G. Haigh, and her deter-
mination in her early married life to honour " Brook
Loin " anniversary (as she called it) and not alone.
;
George and all the family had to be there, or this good

Golcar lass would have known the reason why. This kind
of devotion to a place is so strong, so true, and so loyal,
that it is bound to command the admiration of all who
have seen it, and it must be of great advantage to the
place so favoured. In this sense so greatly has the Golcar
Baptist Chapel profited that it is one of the largest and
best-attended places of worship in the district. In former
times the doctrine was much divided, there being two
sections, the broad Baptists (a chance for all) and the

Calvinists, who were on a narrower gauge, honestly
believing in the selection of a few for God's glory and the
inheritance of the kingdom of heaven, the rest nowhere.
Many were the friendly and other discussions in tin
church on this troublesome question sometimes making
;
dissensions even in families. It has nearly died out in its

bold outlines, and left a wider spirit of true Christianity.
But Golcar was always original ; it has made great
progress ; and at one time it contained more little cloth
manufacturers than any place of its size in the United
Kingdom. Many of these were fathers of the present day's
most successful manufacturers, merchants, etc., and how
they would " fratch " with one another, then and now. I
have heard these men call one another names that to-day
would land them in an action for libel. But they did not
mind: it was their way of differing about the government
of the town, their religion, and politics. They stood
distinctly aloof ; the Church had no dealings with Dissent,
nor the latter with the Church. No there seemed a groat
;
gulf between the two.

Looking back, I am not sure whether the Church has
made the most of its mission. In the days of old they were
very very strong. It has since only extended to Westwood
Edge ; while, on the other hand, the extensions of the
chapels have grown on every side. This may be food for
friendly reflection, but it is not meant for invidious
distinction. Oh dear no ! And one is much cheered by
the broader spirit of charity displayed in later days on
both sides, as witnessed by the many acts of kind
co-operation for the public good. It will take a longer
time, I fear, to work out the same broad spirit in politics.
No ; a Tory in Golcar will to-day stand alone for the faith
once held by the saints, just as the Radical now and at
all times believes that he alone is in the right, when in
reality the truth lies between them. Therefore we will
call honour quits, and at the balance will be mute, for we
never can adjust it.
Well do I remember a great Liberal banquet and meeting
held a long- Avhile ap:o to celebrate a Liberal victory. All
the clans were gathered together ; the Nonconformists held

politics then next sacred to their religion. The Iredales,
the Ainleys, the Taylors, the Smiths, and others whom one
forgets, were there in great array. Never shall I forget the
honest enthusiasm of the men and the determination of the
women. There was one beautiful lady who set off the
colour of the party, to which she added a personal charm
and an earnest devotion which gave eclat to the meeting.
She was the then honoured and married daughter of
the late J. Taylor, and living on the flat near the new
Providence Chapel, and in business (if I am not mistaken)
as finishers for the small manufacturers who then, happily,
crowded the town. These, unfortunately, have been driven
off. There is no place for them, since Europe and America
have largely closed their doors by adverse tariffs, that
only the very large firms can compete successfully. This
means less chance in future for the young and rising
generation, and, I fear, fewer self-made men, who cannot
have the same easy opportunities to become great manu-
facturers in the future as was the case in the good old
past, when Golcar was a perfect hive of thriving piece
makers of sturdy independence, pushing energy, and
possessed of considerable wealth.
We had a glorious time. Golcar was not Tory, as the

wicked had prophesied, but Liberal to the core, as some
of the latter-day enthusiasts would warmly acclaim at the
present and as John Sugden found it, to his sorrow.
;
Then we were for Peace, Retrenchment, and Reform, and

preached them for all we were worth, and pledged ourselves
at the meeting held in the old Town School to secure the
blessing of peace, which was the basis of all human
happiness, retrenchment in all that was extravagant, and
to work for those reforms which should be just and
generous to all persons alike in Church and State.
Much has happened since then. Golcar has gone on
prospering in fewer hands, though, like her lilies, she keeps
a clean, pure, and lofty isolation from the approaches of
all other townships. Huddersfield may promise great
thing's; Golcar believes thev can be achieved at home.
56 SLAII I1WA1TE NOTES.
Linthwaite may all but combine, yet they will miss at the
finish. And Slaithwaite may woo and plead with the fond
allurements of an earnest lover to make one grand council,
with power to grapple with the great education or other
important questions. Still, I fear, there is no chance for
this most desirable ideal of ever joining with the other
adjacent bodies in a happy married state. At the same
time, in justice it must be said, there is not a more
enlightened Board, or one that lias done more for the good
of the ratepayers, than the present governing body, so
ably presided over by Mr. William Crowther, of whom it
may be said :
—
" Forasmuch as you have given
Help to many a weary brother
You shall find, though late, in Heaven
One orood turn deserves another."
CHAPTER XVIII.
Education.
For a long time this place was noted for its education.
The lateCanon Hulbert was a great promoter, if of an
exclusive order, and this made vigorous opposition, and
brought into force other organisations, which also did good
work in after time. I wonder how many remember the
time of model farming, when the late John o'th Barrett,
a clever man in his day, and the local hand-loom maker
(then a great industry), a gentleman of a very noted
family, was of some importance, who used to read papers
at these model farm meetings, at which Lord Dartmouth
presided. All that was promised was that when other
occupations failed, a living might be made out of this. On
One occasion, right well do I remember Richard Horsfall,
of Merry Dale, getting up to make a speech, in which he
facetiouslv stated that the corn had begun to grow so high
.SLAITHWAITE IS'OTES. 7)1
by the new process that, standing straight, he could not

touch the top. There was a great laugh, it being well
known that it grew so low that he had to bend down to
reach it. Land in Slaithwaite would not bear it; the fields
at Nields and elsewhere were so impoverished that it took
twenty years to get them back again.
In connection with this spade industry, Slaithwaite had
its firstfree scholars going daily from the National School
in sections for a few hours to work in the fields, for which
specially numbered pinafores were provided and kept in
the school. Mr. John Mellor was the master, and, truth to
be was a very good one. He had a turn in his eye
told,
—
from which very few things escaped him not a bad felloAv
to those whom he liked, but to those who opposed him
or his, very bitter. The lads on the whole liked him,
though he did not spare the rod when necessary or the
" grey mare " if required ; the latter being a plank, used
for serious offences, and on which the culprit was carried
shoulder high, to receive what was a jolly good flogging
round the school. Not many will be alive who had the
glorious privilege of this journe3r .
Mr. Mellor turned out a large number of pupil teachers

in the early days of State-aided national education. Lads
who were pioneers in the district to which they were sent
to carry on the great work in which they were engaged.
Isaac Bamforth, the son of a well-known private teacher at
Slacks, Lingards, was a very quiet and useful man at Hill
Top, Lingards. Some little work was done at Shread, and
Mr. Barrett kept a well-known private school in Laithe
Lane, afterwards at the Bath Hotel. Those Avho could
afford to pay a little more went to this school. These
scholars were of the same sturdy stock (though less in
numbers), and were ever ready to engage in free fights
Avith John Mellor's scholars, and very numerous were
the battles lost and won, to be remembered perhaps
by the few who are left who took part in those formidable
engagements.
As we have said, Mr. Mellor was a good master, but also
a good hater, and at this time the Mechanics' Institute was
58 SLAITHWA1TE NOTES.
doing good work, led by working men who were determined

to be free. Therefore great were the struggles between
them and the Meeke and Walker's Institution, which had
been set up out of the old Free School endowment and the
assistance of Lord Dartmouth, who nearly always presided
at lie soirees of the latter, while the Mechanics' lads had
i
to do the best they could on 1 |d. per week. At this price

not much could be paid for teaching. Voluntary work had
to be done, and Avas of that character that Slaithwaite
never presented a better set of young men, bent on not
only improving their own position, but of the town to
which they were proud to belong. Better classes I have
not seen than those of the late Mr. Jarmain, held in the
awkward rooms up those dangerous steps at James Hoyle's,
Nab Lane, then the Mechanics' Institute of that day. This
room became too little, and when fifty working-men
offered £1 each towards a new building', the late Mr. Hugh
Mason (Ashton) and the late Mr. John Crossley (Halifax)
took up, each with an offer of £50.
it The latter sent his
architect, and came himself to see the sites, then on offer,
and it was he who suggested the one where the building
stands to-day.
The old soirees at the Lewisham were a series of
continued successes, at one of which the late W. Moore,
the then postmaster at Huddersfield, almost shocked the
audience by his good-humoured determination to know how
it was that the population did not grow considering the
healthy conditions he saw around him. The old gentleman
has been answered since. Greater men came after, including
Lord Ripon, John Chetham, Abel Heywood, Bishop Fraser,
Alfred Illingworth, and at the opening James Stansfield,
the then member for Halifax (to whom we told that we
thought we had solved the education question by opening
this institution as a day school under a very clever man,
Mr. Muxlow, B.A., keeping on the night classes under the
same head, and carrying on the science classes under the
old master. This plan was recommended to Meltham, where
was established a British school at Mill Moor ; to the
Wesleyans at Linthwaite to the Baptists at Clough Head,
;
Scapegoat Hill, and Town School, Golcar to the Marsden ;

Town School, of which one was glad to see the stones laid
a short time ago of a new school to carry out the work so
well begun in earlier days at the last-named place. Great
credit is due to these places and to the men who did the
work in seeing that education was well looked after and
schools established outside the Church of England, and
thus doing a national duty in which they were noble
pioneers, by saving the rates from terrible and expensive
School Boards. Speaking for myself, soberly, I shall not
be sorry to see them replaced by what, when it has been
licked into proper shape, will be a much better and less
expensive authority, avctid the overlapping, and thus do
the work more effectively at considerably less cost.
By the kindness of Mr. Alderman Allen Gee, we are

enabled to give the following prospectus of the Slaithwaite
Mechanics' Institution for the session 1861, which shows
the workings of those days and how modest were their
charges :
—
" Slaithwaite Mechanics' Institution.
• The public are respectfully informed that the classes

at this Institution are now open to all who wish to avail
themselves of the many opportunities they offer. On
the Monday evenings for reading, dictation, composition,
geography, etc. ; on the Thursday evenings for writing,
arithmetic, grammar, etc. A third night will be devoted
to science, under the able tuition of Mr. G. Jarmain, of
Huddersfield. The night is not yet fixed upon, but will
be decided according to the interests of teacher and pupils.
" Terms. —
For the two nights particularised, three half-
pence per week, and for science instruction (providing that
neither pupil nor parent pay income tax) two and sixpence
per quarter. If this tax be paid, as mentioned above, a
little more will be charged for admission. John Sugden,
Secretary. Slaithwaite, August 26th, 1861.
''Notice. —
The Committee beg to remind their friends
and neighbours that this is the oldest institution in the
district, and the only unsectarian school in the neighbour-
hood where all classes can meet on neutral ground for the
GU SLAITHWAITE NOTES.
promotion of each other's improvement in secular and

moral principles. It is not used as a stalking horse to gain
favours from our superiors, or for personal aggrandisement,
or religious domination nor pecuniary gain from Govern
:
ment or individuals; but simply to advance civilisation,

to improve ignorant minds, to expel darkness, to cultivate
and encourage light, to improve society, to clear that low
substratum stream of its murky and dark waters, and
advance the whole tide of humanity in all that is good,
and calculated to make us better men and women, closer
and more reliable friends, kinder neighbours, and truer
subjects to our Queen and country. Our friends are few :
our cause is just and our work sublime the harvest rich ; ;
the labourers fevs and the materials to work with almosl

:
worn out. It is, in fact, a work for the philanthropist

which our Committee are about to undertake; but the
room is so inadequate, and retards their progress so much,
that active steps are about to be taken to raise a building
worthy of the growing intelligence and prosperity of
Slaithwaite. While this can be accomplished, we crave the
indulgence of the people, and, when it is commenced, their
unbounded liberality towards erecting a monument worthy
of the best sympathy of all true men. The classes were
well attended last winter, and much good resulted from
them. The science class also did well, and many candidates
passed an honourable examination, and to some were
awarded handsome prizes. If all this can bo done in an
old uncomfortable place, what might not be done under
more favourable circumstances. And when we consider
how much it is opposed, and what wealth (both from legacy,
position, and Government) is brought to bear against it,
it makes one ask how is it that it does flourish, and that it
still continues to impart useful instruction to so many?

—
-
in spite of being snarled at and called an incidental
means of instruction in Slaithwaite, by advanced indi-
viduals: and this by a reverend author, who has published
some wonderful Annals and lionised some more wonderful
characters. The answer is because it is conducted on the
best and most equitable principles, and is always whal is
seems, and accomplishes what it professes, which is d
SLAIT1IWAITE NOTES. Gl
and has done, can to promote the interests of a class

all it
who have many professed, but few real, friends. Then for
the good it has done, and for the great prospect of accom-
plishing so much more, all are earnestly invited to rally
round its standard, to help to fight for its existence, to
hurl back the efforts of those who have sought its downfall,
and to assist to make this an institution worthy of the
rising generation, and capable of instructing them in all
that is good and worthy of imitation ; for it is said by
Pope:
' "
A little learning is a dangerous thing.
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring ;
For shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,

But drinking largely sobers us again.' "
CHAPTER XIX.
Sport.
What may have been written on this subject before let it

be forgotten, and this remain the authorised chapter on
sport, which looms largely on the horizon in all classes of
His Majesty's subjects, was so in the beginning, and seems
as if it ever will be to the end, so with a becoming amen
let it be, with this reservation, that to do right every man
is bound to do his best to make it pure and wholesome.
In this sense how is it compared with the past? Well, in
the good days of old Slaithwaite had little knowledge of
horse racing, and it would be no worse if such were so
to-day. —
The men certainly had cock-fighting not a very
desirable thing. The writer has seen many good battles
on the green at Crimble, beyond Mr. Thewlis's house, on
the banks of the river just at the ford, then used to cross
the stream. Dogs were also in many cases kept to fight
but Spooner, of Holmfirth, was too strong for them. He
took their money and beat their dogs, so it had happily
to be given up.
Ol! SLAITHWAITE NOTES.
Nut to rabbit chasing. This was a must popular game,

'
lung continued, with some of the best dogs of the age.

Trail hunting remained to be at its zenith forty-five years
ago, when the little Engin-eer at Ainley Place was king.
They had some wonderful dogs, won prizes all over the
country, and then sold their champions for large sums of
money. Go to Dobcross, Saddleworth, and you will see
public-house signs with the names of these favourites
inscribed, such as " Nudger," " Bounty," etc. This sport
was largely patronised at the public-houses, the landlords
of which used to get up one of these hunts for the holiday
gala. A memorable one is before my eyes in connection
with the Harp Inn. The customers of hotels on these
occasions formed themselves into a committee to carry
out the arrangements. hie principal thing to do was to
(
keep back the crowd at the coming-in end, which at this

special time was White Royd. I think the time was
Shrove Tuesdaj'. Be this as it may, there was a large
gathering, and some difficulty was experienced in keeping
order. As the dogs approached the winning goal, the men
crowded in contrary to orders. There was a struggle with
those in authority. Free fights were indulged in, and one
"'
Blacker " Avas thrown over, who, rising again, shouted
with the courage of a better cause, and at the top of his
voice, " Ah, by G —— Me to stand back and in office "
> ! !
Yes ; many good men had in that day ; and many more
will have to stand back before life's rough road is smoothed
with kindness.
Foot racing was very popular at about the time of

the railway making. " Pigeon " was the great champion,
living at Heigh Leys, Cop Hill, a fast and enduring mile
champion, who won many good races, and would have won
more has he been as steady as he was strong. These
contests had their effect on the young. We boys ran
races ; were very fast not often beaten.
; Our biggest
stakes were and it took about ten of us to raise the
5s.,
money. My first meeting with the friend of a life G. —
—
Haigh was when I had won him sixpence in a good
contest with Tom Walker, of Blakestones. We had pumps
and drawers, and could go like the wind. Jimmy Bamforth,
SLAITHWAITE XOTES. 63
of Roadside, Avas very fast —he died early of consumption

and Joss o' th' Hey Laith was a good hand. These practices
made some speedy colts.
I wonder if Mr. T. Ashton remembers the memorable
race I had once with an old " pal," Mr. John Blamires, of
Lockwood, who was then putting out work at Bankgate,
and had come tu see how it was going on. Mr. Blamires
was a good shooter, too, and this interested old Mr. Farrar,
—
who was one of the first hands of the day the friend of
Mr. T. Newton, then a noted shot, who also used to come
a good deal to Bankgate Mill to kill the burs in wool, and
this is the way it was done A large cistern was got, filled
:
with water, and made to stand six per cent with vitriol,
in which was worked the bur wool. It was then strained
off on to a wooden stretcher, taken straight away to the
stove, dried quickly, and quickly run through the teaser,
_
after which every bit of the vegetable was gone. The acid
only remained to be neutralised, pure wool remaining.
While this was going on, sport was much talked about.
Mr. Farrar would not shoot for a wager. But he said to
Mr. Blamires one day, " You talk about running , if I
could only get my book-keeper to give you a spin, it would
be rare fun and I think you would just have all your work
;
set to beat him." And this is what 1 refer to above in

reference to Mr. Ashton, who hardened me on so much that
a friendly trial was agreed upon just beyond the wood in
White Royds (now all cottages), where we at once
repaired after dinner, and so bent on winning was Mr.
Blamires that be actually pumped up a good dinner he
had had at the Harp Inn, so that this should not impede
his chance. But this was of no avail, and, without any
show of boast, the Slaithwaite lad never having lost his
speed by foolish or riotous living, but kept it well up in
the cricket field, he had no difficulty whatever in leaving
Mr. Blamires far behind, who certainly was much surprised,
though he warmly congratulated the victor. Yes ; cricket
was played in connection with the Mechanics' Institution.
We never allowed any swearing, bad language, or betting
of any kind. We generally selected clubs of the same
—
character Marsden Mechanics' Institution, with Mr. E. 0.
6 1 SLAITHWAITE NOTES.
Taylor, fast bowler, and ready- on all occasions to fighl

manly for his side. Many were the duels we had, both
personal and otherwise, but always ending in good feeling,
notwithstanding the intensity of the struggles.
Lockwood Mechanics' Institution was another of our
favourites, composed of such genial and well-cultured men
as the late Sam Black, Fred Armitage, etc. We did not
fare so well with Kirkheaton. Once Allen Hill came and
got us all out for 13, and these were byes, not a run being
scored from the bat.
Meltham was near home, consequently the rivalry
Mills
was keener. First one side and then the other were
victorious. Old Joe Hirst (now living), then young, was a
troublesome bowler to play, and the late R. Mellor was
a demon. Besides they had some good bats ; the Heaps
were very stubborn but on one occasion we beat them
;
so handsomely at Meltham Mills that a 'bus was chartered

to run the victors home, who were received with loyal
honours, escorted by a great crowd to the Commercial
Hotel, and greeted with the cheers of what was then a
grateful population, even for small things.
Can the Slaithwaite team of to-day beat

Mills? Meltham
On looking over the trials I am afraid
often the other
it is
way. In any case we had a good team with no professional.
Andrew Taylor, a slow round-hand bowler, from Dewsbury
young Horsfield, the boiler maker ; one and sometimes two
others from the Savile Club and Mr. Joseph Sykes, late of
;
Brockholes, used to come help. The rest were Slaithwaite

lads, with Mr. Clarke, who was a servant of Mr. Hulbert's.
They were a happy lot; we had sunny times. Most of the
dear lads are dead, including the late C. Brierley, called
" Tuck," who used to throw a beautiful somersault every
time one of the opposing side was out.
Oh, football We had none save at Christmas, when
!
free kicking of shins and against stone Avails with the

ball were the order of the day. Now you have got it into
a great science, and have some popular clubs. May I just
ask to what end does all this tend? Have you not science
classes to-dav? Or is it all cricket in summer, and football
in winter 1 If so, you are in a bad way ; and, remember,

there no greater lover of sport than myself. Still there
is
is something for the youth of this great country to do
besides being the best in the field of sport. I only mention
these things that it may not be all one way. Win as many
cups as you can ; but do not meet me with them on a
Sunday in a wagonette, going from public-house to public-
house to fill them with drink, dressed in your half-holiday
dress, and arriving home in not a fit state to meet a loving
father and a dear father. No something higher, my lads,
;
must be your end and aim in life. You must have science
to meet the German in the world's field of commercial
battle ; some technical skill to beat the French and
Belgians and then, with the sturdy training you have in
;
our English games and the culture hinted at above, you

will, I feel sure, be a match for the American, and hold
up for ever the dear old flag of England's supremacy, the
best and freest in the world.
CHAPTER XX.
Building Society and Cotton Mill.
If it were asked what work in my life I liked most, I

should answer and say, One's youthful ambition to do
everything to benefit my fellow man, to promote his real
interest, to make the world better, and to create more
human happiness. That was the young ideal of a warm
and generous heart and the one thing that pleased me
;
most was the £3,000 that the poor entrusted me with at

the penny savings bank.
The best days were those connected with the Mechanics'

Institution —
science classes, technical knowledge, and, later
in life, free and untrammelled day schools, such a one as
that commenced under Mr. Muxlow, B.A., at the opening
of the new building: at the Mechanics' Institution. The
inhabitants Slaithwaite up to this time had had to

of
rely on the Church of England National Schools, which
then were largely run in the interests of their religion,
and at a time when there was no conscience clause to keep
a child from the contamination of creeds as we have to-day.
To build the Mechanics' Institution on the then slender
means at our disposal was a great achievement, of which
those engaged are justly entitled to be proud.
Sunday schools come next in my regard. The good they.
have done can never be overestimated, and the vast number

of anniversaries one helped to make popular are among
the dear memories laying very near to a grateful heart.
Latterly, chapels, as soon as they got an organ, disbanded
the instrumentalists who used to assist, much to the relief
of the performers but if the authors of the change had
;
been true musicians, they would have known that the organ
was the true basis on which to set up a proper band. In
this sense much is lost to the once popular anniversaries.
Politics always in my early days.

had a wonderful charm
Young hopes ran high on the possibility of promoting
freedom's cause, especially at a time when there was great
need of help and willing hands to toil on the more barren
soil.
I had no need to he ashamed of the high order obtained
by brass bands, aided largely by the generous support of

willing workers.
I was pleased to be one of those who helped to map out
the Colne Valley Division for Parliamentary purposes.
The work of Local Boards when they came into operation

had a strong fascination which could not be resisted. Their
accomplishments have been very wonderful. Slaithwaite is
no exception, as witness the widening of the hump-backed
bridge, the gradual raising of Bridge Street down to the
Guardian office, the widening of the streets, draining and
paving, the leading up to and the final acquisition of the
baths for and on behalf of the people, who will yet call the
man blessed who had the foresight and courage to secure
them on their behalf. Yes ; the good men who struggled in
a dark far-off day to create sunshine where it had been

dark, to give freedom where it had been slavery, and to
give smiling happiness where it had been bitter sorrow.
Well do I remember, when preaching these things in the
—
Colne Valley, at one special meeting at Golcar very likely
in a speech too highly coloured, brimming with poetry,
—
and in flowing and enthusiastic language a man in the
audience calling out at the top of his voice, " Shall we
have to work, then?" Yes; then and now; we shall have
to work, but it would be much sweeter if it were not for
man's inhumanity to man.
How this has been increased by caucuses, etc., which
choke individual worth and leave not a breath of liberty
behind, how a designing man can put on religion and
politics to serve his own ends spoils my picture, and helps
to dim the rosy morn which one would like to see, and
not obscure the future's brightness. Professionals are, as
a rule, a terror to me ; their consciences are so elastic,
their tongues so oily, truth so easy; it is impossible to tell'
what they will do and will not do under given circumstances.
If it were not for some glorious exceptions, it would be a
dark age in this direction.
Then, again, pure selfishness and unprincipled dealing
are much to be abhorred. Stopping at nothing and using
everything and everybody to their own ends is not
desirable ;neither is seizing every opportunity for power
and pay; anything but as a means to a miserable end. Or
that a pleasant life should be spoilt by these vexations,
and mar the fair horizon of a more beautiful life. We are
only driven to think of these by the painful experience of
after life. Now, whatever may have been the case since,
these evil thoughts never entered the minds of those who
started the Land and Building Society at the Commercial
Inn, the house of Mr. G. H. Walker, the constant friend of
everything for the good of Slaithwaite.
The particulars of this are as follows " At a meeting,
:
April 26th, 1876, presided over by Mr. John Sugden, it was

unanimously agreed that a Land and Building Society be
— —
formed capital £20,000 and that the following be the
directors —
Messrs. G. Haigh, Joseph. Crowther, William
Crowther, J. Brierley, John Sugden, G. H. Walker, and
D. Eagland." This building society managed to build a
number of cottages for the workers, who were to have a
house of their own and one to let, but to do this it was
found that it would be very slow and require much money.
So it was resolved by the Board that the building society
should be merged into a cotton spinning company, to
bring together capital and labour, and bind the two in
closer union, especially the latter, which was to become its
own employer, and I can say honestly that capital did
help to this end, and if the workers did not take the
shares it was their own fault, and if any have sold their
shares since, the bigger fools they is all that can be said
in extenuation.
There has been a worse class than these, and they

were a few capitalists who invested a little money with
fear and trembling, but, lest they should miss something,
on the very first opportunity of a profit sold out, to the
great detriment and danger of the company. Happily
they did not break the show, the poor loan-holders held
on their way, and have now either been paid back or
trebled their security. To come back to facts, the change
was made September 27th, 1876, at the first general
meeting of the Land and Building Society, when, after a
favourable balance sheet had been read, it was moved by
Mr. H. Walker, seconded by Mr. G. H. Walker, and carried
unanimously, that the share capital be increased to £50,000
in one pound shares, so as to be able to erect a cotton mill,
the name to be changed to the Slaithwaite Spinning Co.,
the directors remaining the same. Mr. G. Haigh, by
instruction, bought land from Lord Dartmouth at 2s. 6d.
per yard. Plans were got out at once. Messrs. Eaglands
got the contract, causing David to come off the Board.
Mr. Elon 'Crowther was elected in his place, and Mr. G. H.
Walker on the retirement of Mr. H. Walker. Mr. John
Wood Beaumont was on for a short time, and until his
death. Mr. G. Haigh, the chairman, died earlv, and Mr
William Crowther was elected chairman, and Mr. Alfred
Sykes succeeded Mr. Joseph Brierley when the latter died.
Then came the tug-of-war. The following list will be

interesting reading, and go a long way to show what had
to be done afterwards to raise the requisite capital: —
£
G. Haigh 500 Wm. Crowther 500
J. Brierley 500 Elon Crowther 500
R. Walker 500 David Eagland 100
J. Mortimer 100 J. B. Eagland 100
John Sugden 100 E. Eagland 100
G. H. Walker 100 T. Mellor 100
H. Maxwell 100 W. Varley 50
J. Moss 100 J.Swift 80
J. B. Freeman 100 W. E. Cotton 100
H. G. Gledhill 100 William Sykes 100
R. R. Armitage 100 T. Wood 100
R. Shaw 100 Jos. Sykes 50
E. Sykes 100 E. Gledhill 50
J. W. Greaves 100 Jos. Sykes 40
A. Thorp 50
J. Helliwell 50
Total £5,170
Joe Crowther 500
Mr. William Varley (the best of men) was manager until

unfortunately he died, and since then his only son Thomas
has worthily filled the arduous position. In this company,
whatever men may say to the contrary, the one idea was to
marry work and capital, and the struggle to accomplish it
is best known to those who are left. The present wealthy
men of to-day had not the money at that time to double
and to double again their shares as they had to do to make
it go, and to know where to get the needful were twin evils
not easily surmounted. But it was the making of them in
those days, and in these latter and more degenerate ones.
Don't be spoilt, please, with the greater power and larger
abundance. Nothing was missed ; all was purely done in
the interests of the company. No accountant was engaged,
or solicitor consulted. The then unpaid secretary (myself)
did the work at a total cost of about £7, including the
stamp and a set of books of the value of more than half
of this modest sum. There were no shares given, no
promotion money, or over-valuation to owners, or after-

wards to the promoters, etc., etc. No ; they don't do so
—
now at least, altogether. A different class of men have
come upon the scene, as evidenced by what has taken place
in London and elsewhere. Not that there are no honest
company promoters. Oh, dear no Thank G-od, there !
are as good men as the Slaithwaite Spinning Company;

but, alas there have been a few on the other side who
!
work hand in hand with rosy prospectuses to induce a blind

public to take up shares. This neighbourhood, I fondly
hope, has none of these evils ; but there are things so
—
painful to me in the betrayal and loss of my own
business —
that, bad as it is to have lost additionally
£115,000 by bad debts in too readily trusting weak
humanity, it is even worse to be deceived at last and to
lose most you possess by simply believing those in whom
you trusted. Here and now this has nothing to do with
the Slaithwaite Spinning Company only had my bit been ;
all placed in this concern I should have been very much

richer all the years between could have been devoted to
;
the public good, and my life made happy instead of

otherwise.
It may be asked, How is it that this company is so

good? (1) The men were honest who promoted it, and
had no ulterior aim (2) they devoted themselves to make
;
it a success by handsome depreciation (3) never paying ;
a dividend until it was honestly earned took nothing out ;
and kept all in had a good man with the best manage-
;
ment and the latest machinery, all the time paying good
wages and securing the best conditions for the worker,
w ho was looked upon more as a partner in a great concern
T
than as an employee. This is the feeling of the present

board, and if ever this should unfortunately be otherwise,
the sin will not lie at their door.
These men deserve all they get, and if there is one

thing (commercially) of which I am honestly proud, it
is my humble connection with this great company, which
as much as anything else has greatly helped to make
Slaithwaite what it is.
The Globe Worsted Company, largely promoted by the

same men, will be a greater success in the future than in
the past ;and the Corn Mills, formerly belonging for a
lifetime to Varleys, secondly to Messrs. Derbyshire, Haigh,
and Sugden, and latterly to the co-operative societies of
working-men, is happily doing better than ever it did
before. So that I can say to finish, let all long continue
to flourish and none decay, and, like John Gilpin, may I
be there to see and drink at the flowing fountains of my
youth.
Bent Ley is a very successful company, in which one is
very happy, now helping unfortunate Meltham, where there
is not a single power loom left. The lovely girls are made
still more beautiful by the clean work brought to their
happy homes.
Dobcross Iron Works has brought with it care, many
pleasant hours, and the companionship of some very good
men ; many, alas dead, but happily we have left (with
!
others) the present able managing director, Mr. E.

Hollingworth.
The Yorkshire Union of Mechanics' Institutes I have
been connected with for forty-five years, attended its best
meetings with Sir Edward Baines, Sir James Kitson, and
others, and up to the retirement of my dear old friend,
Mr. Frank Curzon (early this year), had remained a
constant friend and supporter.
Co-operation in Slaithwaite has been very successful.
What was called the " Yellow Co-op." is the bigger and
older institution, and long held the field, until, at an
election time, the committee ran their horse for the Liberal
candidate. This was strongly resented, and what was
called the " Blue Co-op." was established out of the dispute,
but happily ever since these organisations have worked
side by side in friendly rivalry, always paying good
dividends to their respective members. It will be well for
these two societies to remember that churches, chapels, and
schools were handsomely supported in the past by local
shopkeepers, and that, having taken their businesses, they
must not nesrlect the obligation.
CHAPTER XXI.
Tabernacle on the Hills.
At the recent anniversary at Pole Moor, I see they got

over .£100. What a good collection this is, and how
creditable to those who are left to continue the Christian
labours at this tabernacle on the wild hills above Slaith-
waite, made famous by the honourable life of the late Mr.
Holmes, who did yeoman service in his day for this popular
church by his zeal, devotion, and constant endeavour to
win souls for Christ
I remember the old gentleman well, for a dear mother
used to take me by the hand to Pole Moor Chapel, then
a miserable dark shell ; pulpit due south, facing the
congregation, who sat in the body in flat, straight-backed
pews. There was a vestry at the end, where dinner was
partaken of, and consisted mostly of a bit of bread and
butter which had been carried in a handkerchief, and to
which a little tea or coffee was made at the place. In
going to Pole we should call on friends, and, like the river,
gain strength as we went along-. Well do I remember the
summer following the winter, when old Mrs. Carter's fine
boy was drowned in his skates on the Slaithwaite reservoir,
just anent that small lane which leads up to Ing Head.
At this point the ice was thin, and when the churchwardens
turned out from church to clear the water, it being Sunday,
all the skaters made for the top end towards Clough House
Mill, and just at the point indicated this fine young fellow
dropped in, never again to see his dear old mother alive.
She, all unconscious at Pole Moor Chapel, was made aware
of the calamity, and hardly ever smiled any more through
this terrible loss. All day on Sunday every effort was
made to rescue the body, but it was Monday forenoon when
this was accomplished. I fancy I can see him now on the
bier as he was taken home to his sorrowing parents, who
received much consolation from Mr. Holmes and their
numerous friends.
In talking over this event, when my mother called with
me a Sunday later, how these dear souls did fret The
!
one in deep sympathy, the other in irreparable loss. All

the circumstances so affected me
that they have never been
off my mind — giving another example, as it does, of how
the poor can truly feel for each other in their great
sorrows, and extend a consolation which money can neither
buy nor command.
Arrived at the chapel, at the morning service, during the
dinner hour, and between prayer meetings, I have heard
some curious discussions on Christian work and doctrine
between men and women, each or nearly all with a long
clay pipe in his or her mouth. To-day I am not sure but
that the ladies were the more inveterate smokers of the two,
holding the pipe between their teeth like a sweet morsel,
and handling it with their fingers with a delicacy worthy
of a sweeter thing. The picture has so fixed itself on my
mind that to see the same again is a great treat, and I only
know one place where a lady can be found to recall this
scene, and that is at Scapegoat Hill, an offshoot of Pole
Moor. In later years I have seen this old dame turn and
twist her pipe, leaning forward in her rocking chair, and
sending forward volumes of smoke with a relish of sweet
perfume, and at the same time the tongue lets out a richer
fragrance in quaint sayings, strongly marked by a rich
hillside Yorkshire brogue.
To go back to those old times at Pole Moor. An old

man would say to his neighbour, " Well, Betty, lass, how
has ta liked t' sermon this morning?" "Well, middling,
John," she would answer, " but there was not as much
grace as I should have liked, for tha knows it's little we
can do as poor mortals to be saved, and if it Avere not for
the love of God we should all be lost." " You have as
little faith in works as ever," John would reply to Betty ;
and the latter adds, " My salvation is from above, and if
not that I should never have any at all." " But what
about your children, Betty?" "Ah, they are dear to me,
and you touch me on a tender subject when you mention
them. Oh how I do pray daily that they may be of
God's elect and of the chosen race but this is not for me
;
to decide. It must be left to One aboon, who, in His great

mercy, I humbly beseech, will save mine. Man cannot
14. SLAITHWAITB NOTES.
alter it; we must leave it with the Lord." '"But, Betty,

you heard Mr. Holmes this morning say everyone that
thirsteth, let him drink of the water of life freely; let
none be turned away. Is this not only a more Christian
doctrine, but more humane, and more Christlike? You
surely do not believe
that there are children in hell.
Come now John), how would you like this
(continues
applying to your own flesh and blood?" This was a poser
to the dear old lady, who dearly loved her children, and
when brought home had its effect, for she said, " They
taught me the high doctrine in days gone by, which was
hard to believe. Maybe we are mistaken, and let us hope
with Mr. Holmes that heaven is open to all believers, and
then my lads will have a chance." This picture shows
not only the religious discussions of the times, but a touch
of human nature which must come to a mother solicitous
for her children, not only for this world, but for the world
to come.
In this way Mr. Holmes did a great work in bringing the
church to a sense of saving grace for all, and not for the
few ; and if for nothing else, he deserves the blessings of
all good men and women for widening the doors to receive
all the ransomed of the Lord.
There w ere those who were not so soon convinced as
T
Betty they were not all mothers, and some of these old
;
Roundheads stuck (as they said) for the faith delivered

to the saints, and caused old Mr. Holmes to have many
a bad hour, but he triumphed in the end. No minister or
man I know did ever a greater service to the church, and
at a time when it was greatly needed, and when there was
some danger of losing his place by preaching a freer
Gospel. To show his broad faith, every Shrovetide he
would come down to Slaithwaite and join the Wesleyan
body in promoting the mission of the Bible Society, and
in this manner and in other ways built up a great church
at Pole Moor, with its branches here and there, etc., etc.,
a history of which has been given in the Slaithwaite
Guardian, and may be reproduced elsewhere very shortly.
Suffice here and now to say that this man of God has left
a great name, a greater work, and passing rich on .£50
a year, a great example to all and sundry who might be

tempted to make money out of preaching ; not that a
parson should not have his just reward (a labourer
is
always worthy of his hire), but to keep him pure from

money's contagion, and at the same time free from poverty,
that he be not dependent on the rich. This will preserve
for him that freedom to preach a faithful gospel with
power, and safe from trammels which might otherwise
injure the greatest cause on earth that is true religion.
;
CHAPTER XXII.
An Old Romance of the Colne Valley.
The old war horse has come off active service. It is now
confined to a lovely croft, surrounded by beautiful trees,
pleasant grounds, good water, plenty of provisions, and a
warm shelter against adverse winds. The numerous battles
in which he has been engaged through a long life have
scarred and wounded the old campaigner the shells have;
so shattered the knees that they knuckle down, and are

no longer to be relied upon. Besides the eyesight is some-
what dim with the flashes of powder exploded in many a
fierce battle the hair, once raven black, has turned white
;
and straggling and the slender and graceful form of youth

;
is somewhat shoddy.
Whoever could have thought that this fine old gentleman,

would ever have grown old, or that this strong character
would ever have succumbed to physical weaknesses? So
strong in individuality, so determined in principle, so
forcible in character was he, that he seemed like Ajax,
able to defy the gods.
What a fighter !
—never sheathing his sword so long as a
challengercame forward, giving and accepting no quarter.
Up to old age, he was always the victor, if not by entirely
destroying his opponent, then by cleverly knocking him
out of the arena.
He had nursedhimself to believe that he was always

in the right, a dangerous thing to do ; he had no pity
for those who opposed him, nor any patience with their
arguments, but steadily went on to exterminate the enemy,
and all for what he called the good of the country and
the happiness of mankind.
Withthis story picture before him, the gentle reader

will be surprised that underneath all this haughty exterior
there was as gentle a heart as that of a woman's, full of
as much sympathy, and as warm as a summer's sun. I
freely admit that he had a strange way of hiding this better
side, and did much at times to make this better nature
look cold, cruel, and insolent and yet nothing could be
;
farther from the mark. The moment the strong warrior

gave up the fight you had a man capable of the highest
sentiment.
He started in youth as a comparatively poor dyer, a lad

of a large family. He had to do a man's work when
totally unfit;in fact, he was more like going off in a
consumjjtion than living, as he has done, to build up a
reputation and a great business.
He was always so busy; one could hardly think him

capable of a romance, which was all the more beautiful
because he was despised, and the girl was one of the most
beautiful at the head of the valley. But, what was more,
she was one of the best in disposition and the kindest in
heart. Wealth and position did not turn her head.
Virtue was all her own, and kindness her constant
companion.
Her father was a rich, stately man. He had no dealings
with the lower order of things. Church and King were his
motto, and he vowed destruction to all and sundry who
opposed. Not that he was a bad fellow. Oh, no The
!
unfortunate training and the bad methods they adopted in

those days were responsible for those mistakes. A good
Tory to-day has the best of it because he has not promised
too much, and has fulfilled more than was ever expected
of him. He is a sort of persona grata to every class in
SLAITHWAITE NOTES. I I
society. Not so then. If this poor villager ventured to

oppose the proud father in Church and State, however
could he expect to gain his lovely daughter 1
Hence comes the romance and the struggle. Our hero

was determined and resolute.
When a dispute arose about the burial ground, without
one moment's hesitation he called the people to the
churchyard, mounted a tombstone, and warmly denounced
the powers that were, of which the father of his beloved
sweetheart was one. He moved a trenchant resolution
against them, and, what is more, carried it with a large
majority.
At Easter it was just the same, and the fight for the
people'swarden was prodigious. But it was at Parlia-
mentary elections that the great tug of war came. The
Tory party was then the stronger, and the odds were
great against the Progressives, or anything this young-
enthusiast could do. And what injured his chance of
winning the fair young bride did not put him any forrader
with the popular cause. When he could steal a clandestine
interview in the lovely grounds above the murmuring
stream that ground the corn for a starving people, he in
such a moment told of his attachment to listening ears.
" But," said she, " why do you torment my dear father on
questions which need not come between you and I? If

you would only let him alone our union would present no
difficulties, but would be as sweet and pleasant as the
flowers which adorn these pleasant gardens where we sit.
Only the other day he told me never should I have his
consent to marry the bitter enemy of his life " ; and she
whispered with tears, " If I do marry you, I shall have to
be cut off from a fond mother and home. Why should you
make my young life so full of sorrow, when it might be
brimming over with sweetness, joy, and bliss 1 " Then he
answered that all the world was nothing to him. Life
would be of no use without the dear object of his heart.
He would welcome death rather than her loss. Anything,
everything, would he give up to her but his liberty, which
must remain, and his principles must prevail. Ask any-
thing but these, and he would strive with all his might to
grant, and with all his fervour pray and work for. With
these fears and doubts they tore themselves asunder,
pledging to meet again, with fond hopes of not always
being kept apart.
With many strong resolves the young man vowed to take

his bride. The proud father determined that his daughter
should never be handed over to the enemy. On this the
gentleman felt safe, and here on his own grounds he woidd
triumph. —
Wait a bit not so certain, my dear sir When !
the warm affection of a. young heart has been given over

into the safe keeping of a reciprocal bosom, it is not so
easily withdrawn. The resourcefulness that came to hand
in such an emergency never fails true and faithful lovers, so
these two solemnly pledged themselves (no matter what the
consequence) to marry on the first occasion which presented
itself, and in such cases Providence invariably comes to the
rescue. Early one day the two were united in what- was
a most happy marriage, for which the father never forgave
the son-in-law. In after life he would never go to the
house if it were possible for the husband to be there, and 1
don't believe the old gentleman ever spoke to him again.
What queer things in life ! How curiously sums work

out ; and what events follow each other in quick succession !
In this case the lady left the hall, and with it greatness
and wealth, for honour and the cottage but the owner of
;
the latter ultimately made it into a mansion for the

comfort of his graceful wife and happy children. They
lived a charmed life, until death took the dear one away,
leaving a vacant spot never to be filled ;but the sacred
memory of a sainted mother is ever cherished by the son,
her girls, and the disconsolate husband.
Whereis the romance? Alas! the wealth, hall, lands,

mills, and business have all gone from the rich father's
family —
not one left to tell the tale; and if it had not
been for the depised and rejected son-in-law there would
not have been a gleaning left to keep up a remnant of
the race.
CHAPTER XXIII.
The Coronation.
All the world's a stage
And all the men and women merely players.
Having their exits and entrances
At first the infant mewling;
Then the whining schoolboy;
Then the lover, manhood, and middle age
After which spectacles on the nose; and,
Last scene of all, that which ends
Man's strange and eventful history on earth.
It is not just so with the history of a place, or a town, or

of a city, or a nation, though there are many examples in
the past very like the life of man, and there are many
more hastening to the same end. Happily this does not
apply to England. The dear old country seems to be
rejuvenating into the youngest, the finest nation on earth,
with every prospect of being even more so, and offering-
peace, plenty, and happiness all over the globe where the
British flag flies. Hence the great diamond jubilee during
the reign of our late beloved Queen, and what would have
been the greatest function in the world, viz., the coronation
of our present King, only stopped for a time by the tragic
illness, which happily passed away. From the ends of the
earth all classes and conditions of men and women came
to rejoice with and to honour the King. The Queen of
Sheba in all her glory was not in it in our day ; that
pageant was as a toy compared with ours. The prepara-
tions at home had been tremendous, every town being not
only ready but anxious for the fray. No place for its size
was more ready, or more amply provided for, or more
enthusiastically ready to enter into' the spirit of loyalty
than Slaithwaite. To me the scene will ever be before my
eyes as one of gratitude to God to see such happiness and
prosperity in my native town.
The pleasing made me look back to the far-distant
sight
days ofour youth, when poverty, stagnation, and non-
progress were the order of the day, with population and
8U SLAITHWAITE NOTES.
rateable value going down, and little hope of better things.

Those were dark days for Slaithwaite, but a better sign
came with the energy of a number of energetic sons and
daughters and the better rule, which had been brought
about after a long battle with the lord of the manor and
the parson. The latter gave up the contest, and the
former (Lord Dartmouth) is now the best landlord in the
kingdom for concession and fair dealing. This has helped
Slaithwaite most materially, and gone far to help to make
the place that prosperous community that it is to-day, so
ready and able to coronate, as we have said before.
Those having the control had acted wisely to go on
with the proceedings as arranged. All the circumstances
favoured them ; the King's improvement and the weather
did wonders to make it a glorious success —
so much so that
the reader will forgive me for mentioning these things to
make a chapter to be printed with these notes as a
memento of the great day's rejoicing, and the noble part
played by this the Queen Village of the Colne Valley.
Not more prosperous than the immediate and happy
neighbours, but more central and beautifully situated in
the lovely valley which has attained such a wide reputation
for its progress and prosperity.
If I had the pen of Goldsmith, I could from pure love
write of this inhabited place as the genial poet wrote of
his deserted village, and call it, without offence to adjacent
towns,
" The loveliest village of the plain,

Where health and plenty cheered the labouring swain ;
Where smiling spring its earliest visit paid,

And parting summer's lingering blooms delayed."
Or, again (and the kind reader will let me say from the
same beloved author; it will amply repay to read the
whole poem) :
—
" Yes let the rich deride, the proud disdain,
;
These simple blessings of the train,

To me more dear, congenial to my heart.
One native charm, than all the o-loss of art."
SLAITHWAITE NOTES. 8 I
No wonder, then, that the far-distant past, the dawn of

the middle age, and the maturity of to-day should have
such a fascination for me, and when those in power rose
so nobly to do honour to the King, one may judge of my
gratitude, and how heartily I congratulate all on the grand
display they made on that memorable Friday —
the best
selection, as it turned out to be, that could be made for
the festivities. Though the King was ill, he was rapidly
getting better, and this gave heart to the whole proceedings.
Where everything was done so well, it would be invidious

to particularise,but who could have thought to have lived
to see such a display as Slaithwaite made? The thousands
of quiet, orderly people, looking on amid a blaze of sun,
and beaming satisfaction witnessed all round.
The children from the various schools made a vast throng,

and, what was best, it was as it ought to be with those going
to heaven — there was no distinction or bickering on the way.
Then the politicians joined together, as they always should
when national honour is required or a service to the State
needed. The Freemasons, the oldest known Order, joined
with others to do honour to the occasion. There were the
picturesque, the historical and local figures ; and as
nobody has mentioned my old friend, Dan Wood, I am
sure, for the sake of auld lang syne, he will not let me say
that he was remarkable, and cut a bold figure in the gay
assemblage.
The trade exhibits would have done credit to Hudders-

and that is saying a great deal. But to me the little
field,
May Queens were the bonniest in the lot. There was only
one regret, and that was that there were different prizes.
For to me they were all good alike, and may the dear little
things live until they are old, not only as an emblem of one
of the greatest events in the world's history, but as the
sweet queens of an ever-growing town, with no possibility
of decay — of a continuous growth, not only in the future,
but of all that is best to make that greater Britain the
wonder and admiration of the world.
CHAPTER XXIV.
Summer in the Valley, etc.
While the young summer is on the bloom, it will not

just
lie amiss to make use of this lovely time for a little homily
—
pertaining to a personal matter a dangerous subject as —
between vanity on one part and to do justice on the other,
and at the same time cover up a terrible defeat inflicted
many years ago. The circumstances are recorded in one
of the chapters on " Politics," and will be fresh in the
memory of the reader. At the time I was awfully cut up
that the friends of my youth, the working-men of the
Colne Valley, should join the wealthy men of the place to
keep out one of their own order. I suppose it always was
and always will be so. A prophet hath no honour in his own
country reward is not often given for honest work and,
; ;
worst of all, it seems as if the workers will never learn to

help or support one of their own order, lest he should
either getup or get on.
The men of England must give up this mean policy, and
if they will and could but trust one another and do right,
and ask only for reasonable things, then the destiny of
England might be left in their hands for good. This it will
be said is problematical. Very likely so but one would
;
like, in the sere and yellow leaf of life, to go down to the

great unknown with a. sure and certain hope of better
things, for the greatest happiness for the greatest number.
And, above all, that the latter would have sense to be just,
not only to each other, but to every other class in society.
Reasonable in their demands, to do nothing to injure, but
everything to improve or reform, and to let well alone.
When they do this, one can depart in peace, but until that
time comes let us rejoice together in the glories of a
summer time, the length of days, the warmth of the sun,
the sweetness of the flowers, and the melodious songs of
the birds, who come from far and near to build their nests
and watch their young, to sweeten our lovely valley, at
once teaching us lessons of purity, honourable struggles
with great difficulties, and determined perseverance to
overcome them all.
Lives of great men (as well as little birds) all remind us

that we can make life sublime if we only follow in the
footsteps indicated, so that many a down- trodden soul just
seeing may take heart again. In the sense of all who have
eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to enjoy, what a happy
land this would be ! Some men are always after four
pennyworth of copper, as if this were the end or ideal of
life. Some will do anything to get it, and it is most
painful what men will resort to for this purpose. Nothing
could be more mistaken, for there is not one thino- that
lowers the human mind so much as when a poor mortal
gets so low down as to make sordid metal his only god.
Remember the rich and many of the so-called poor need
grace to guard against this great danger. Happily one
can say for the Colne Valley that many in all ranks of
society have worked hard to promote the prosperity of the
place ; and what matters it if a little more of this world's
gear has stuck more to one than another? A good mind
can richly " thoil " it, and a bad one is not worth
considering.
Let us then get back to nature, all smiling, that we can
hail each morn with rapture as the dawn ushers in each
live-long day to witness our most beautiful scenery, which
is a natural inheritance, belonging to the inhabitants of
the earth. The lord in the mansion, the manufacturer in
the hall, the professional in his woodbine cottage, and the
worker at the loom, and all that is therein in this united
combination are just as one. The open air is free. The
earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. What a
wonderful republic, the truest in the world, and that
because Jehovah reigns in mercy, and nature is his true
handmaid !
It is now in the merry month of May. How many

garlands will be woven by nature's own web to the universal
delight of the whole world. How puny man's vain efforts
are compared with the joys of this delightful time ! Carpets
in the hall have no charm with these on nature's own
floor, and lose all their attraction, for in the open air all
find one charm, new life, fresh hopes, and get sights of
better things, that make this earth a heaven to those who
will but see. Take just one little flower in June, viz., that
of the wild rose found in our hedges. Could anything be
so beautiful or sweet, so delicate or more lovely tinted,
proving as it does that love a cottage can be as pure
in
and as sweet as that in the hall. Indeed, nature is the
grand leveller of all human pretensions, making us all of
one common stock, liable to the same sorrows, dividing the
same joys, and driven to one common end or destiny.
Then let us drink and be merry while the summer lasts,
for winter will come again with its colds, thick mists,
drenching rain, wintry winds, and dark nights, to try the
delicate, test the strong, sober the young, and perhaps
finish the aged. No matter how, this will go on for ever
as Tennyson says of the brook :
—
" I steal by lawns and grassy plots,
I slide by hazel covers ;
I move the sweet forget-me-nots

That grow for happy lovers.
I slip, I slide, I gloom, I glance,
Among my skimming swallows:
I make the netted sunbeam dance
Against my sandy shallows.

And out again I curve and flow
To join the brimming river :
For men may come and men may go.

But I a"0 on for ever."
CHAPTER XXY.
A LlNGARDS TRAGKDY.
Not everyone will know why Broadfields are called Tanners.

For their information let me tell such that at one time
a large business was done here in tanning, which is
another of those industries lost to Slaithwaite. The pits
were filled up in my time and made into a garden for the
three cottages, to one of which my dear old friend G. Haigh
brought his lovely young bride from Golcar. Long before
the time I am speaking about lived Tanner Shaw, and this
SLAITHWAITE >-OTES. 85
is what gave it its name. He was a man of substance, a

large farmer with many head of cattle, occupying all the
lands in the bottoms as Avell as all Broadfields. In this line
he did an extensive business. It used to be one of the
.sights to see all the animals returning at night to their
—
home something like the Swiss cattle returning from the
mountains. A large number of men and women found
employment with fair wages and under a good master.
There Avas no compensation to workmen when injured,
but Tanner Shaw, when one of his wild bulls had killed
his head farmer man in the Bottoms, the kind-hearted
master ever after looked to the unfortunate family. The
New Line, known to everybody, was not then made. People
had to climb the hump-backed road leading between School
Terrace and Springfield to get to Holthead. Population
was thin and scattered. There were a few substantial
manufacturers, such as the Sykes, the Holroyds, the
Haighs, and two good blue dyehouses, one at Mellors and
another at the top of New Line, from which the Dyer's
Arms took its name, and this has only been pulled down
within the last few years, whilst the former, or what
remains, is used by Mr. Thomas Ashton for his wool
scouring. At this place also was Mr. Amos Ogden, who
married a Miss Mellor, and carried on an extensive
business in fancy waistcoats, employing nearly all the
hand-loom cottages in and about Lingards. One of the
family, a successful Manchester man, came down a few
years ago and gave £o to the Mechanics' Institute in
remembrance of the place of his birth. Lingards at an
early period was a place of some importance owing to its
many industries the inhabitants felt a little better than
;
their neighbours. They stuck to each other as they do

to-day, for where one Lingarian goes another is sure to
follow, and for religion go mostly to the Church ;but there
were always a few staunch Baptists and other dissenters,
who were the principal supporters of the Holthead General
Sunday School, which has done good work since its
erection.
The formation of the township was always beautiful.

On the Ions: side facing the River Colne to Marsden, and
commanding an extensive view of Slaithwaite and beyond,

running up to the wild moors on the south, inclusive of
Deer Hill and Shooters Nab to Meltham and beyond.
While on the east side runs that lovely little brook, one of
—
the picture spots in the locality in olden time wooded up
to its brim and very far beyond, so much so that there used
to be at times a great felling of the trees. The bark was
reserved for Tanner Shaw, and the large trunks were sent
away and the smaller pieces were burnt to charcoal, then
an article of great value, but now nearly done away with by
the modern cordite. No wonder, then, that while Lingards
was of much note and so prosperous it should excite
the cupiditjT of less favoured places and people. Slaithwaite
was in a worse condition. Many of the inhabitants were
very poor, lived in wretched dwellings on the moor side,
and had to make a living, when hand-loom weaving was
bad, by going to Sheffield, Wentworth, Woodhouse, and
other places in singing companies, at which art I have often
been told they were great experts, and generally got amply
rewarded. There were others whom I fear did worse by
forming bands of marauders, who went from place to place,
taking what they could get and hiding the same in caves
in such places as Merridale Wood — such as wool, cloth,
spirits, groceries, draperies, etc. Anyway, be this as it
may, there were men who had to go away and never
return. We will not be hard on them. They were very
poor. It was a dark age, and they knew no better. Fortu-
nately they were a small minority, driven by grinding
poverty to great distress. No wonder if they did find this
wrong means to stave off their abject misery and long
suffering. However, a time came which ended all this,
and this was the tragedy mentioned at the beginning of
this story. As we said, Lingards was better off, and
Tanner Shaw, being a man of substance, was an object of
envy to the poor.
No wonder, then, that one unfortunate night, at a
meeting of the band, it was resolved to rob this yeoman
of part of his wealth. A date was fixed, at the dark of
the Slaithwaite moon, for it had this orbit to itself then
as now. There was no gas or light of any kind. At the
4^
:>>«f EKtNCt
"
Joseph Crowther, Esq., J. P.
(Chairman of the Colne Valley Liberals).

SLAITHWAITE Nn'l'lis. 87
appointed time they sallied forth* up by the School Terrace,

on the old road to the tanner's house, amid great silence.
An entrance was made. The old tanner and his wife were
taken by surprise in their bedroom. Their money was
demanded, and, when not willingly given, was forcibly
taken, under great threats as to the consequences if
resistance were made. The rest is soon told. The men
were allowed to depart with their booty. But, alas for !
one of them who was marked, and when daylight did

appear the cry of the valley was that Tanner Shaw, at
Broadfields, had been robbed during the night. The one
principal culprit was loudest in disseminating this know-
ledge to cover his guilt. This was no good. He was
known, as mentioned before. The constable got on his
track. He was tried at York, found guilty, and when
brought back to his native village it was in his coffin,
along with the rope which had strangled his last breath,
for a crime which to-day would be oondoned by one or two
months' imprisonment. They were cruel laws, happily
repealed since then, for a more merciful and remedial
administration of justice.
CHAPTER XXVI.
HOXOLRABLE MENTION.
This subject is a —
very thin ice on which to slide how near
the Avater —andhow soon one must inevitably fall in
were he even to try to skate on so slender a substance, viz.,
as to who may have done most to build up the better
Slaithwaite, and alter the whole aspect of the Colne Valley.
It is a large and difficult question, and the honour belongs
to so many that it is impossible not to be invidious were
an attempt to be generally made, more especially when so
many good men have honourable records and deserve so
well by their devotion to promote the rise and progress of
the place.
I might be tempted to try human nature were not so

it'
weak, jealousies so great, and ambitions so vain. It is not

that one fears these things, but, like sleeping dogs, they
had better lie. Then, again, it is too soon to write about
the younger men ; these notes have a greater reference to
the old men ; and maybe I should blunder and fail, being
no great hand at unstinted praise. Besides, if I wrote up
my friends as they deserve to be, my enemies would call
me a slave, a tool, and a time-server in the hands of the
rich, a position against which my independent soul revolts.
No ; I have had my say in my time both about the rich
and poor, never failing to be free, and ever holding to
principles whether they prospered or failed. We had only
one idea, and that was : Is it right? If so, follow it. The
few utterly selfish men never thought of these things. All
they asked was: "Will it pay? With this the idealist has
no chance Avhatever, and he may at once put up his
shutters. But there is something better than this, and
that is to leave the world better than we found it. Less
misery and more joy, less sorrow and more happiness,
less suffering and more comfort, less sickness, better
health, and longer life, together with a fairer distribution
of all those better things which go to make something like
the world wdiich is to be.
I do not say all the men in the valley are imbued with
these ideas alone. They will tell you honestly that, while
they do justice to all, they are here to make money, but
the beauty of it is for humanity's sake, that they cannot
do this without benefiting the less favoured. So on the
lower ground let us be generous, and bless the day that
men have prospered, and to that extent as to make this
district distinguished both for its honourable workers and
other pioneers too numerous to mention, and, like the
organist and the old blower, the two have done it together,
and if one gets a little more than the other, the good time
is coming when it will be more equal, and until that day
let us give honour to whom honour is due.
I may be allowed to mention the woollen manufactures
down to Linthwaite only, without disrespect to the many

others equally doservincr outside. Who can or will blame
tae for saying what a family the Crowthers have been —not
—
one miss how the Coine and the Holme have run quicker
by the floods of push and energy they have been enabled
to put into the two streams, and how much they owe to
the gentle lady, their sainted mother? The good influence
she inspired has been felt in thi* district by implanting
one or more of this name into the successful commercial
life up to and around Huddersfield. Willi .Mr. Joe on the
box it is a strong team.
At Marsden, Mr. Robinson has kept up his wicket. Mr.
Bruce has been a good fielder. Mr. Fisher and Mr. Hirst
have done well at point, and the Filths are all good
players.
Pearson Brothers, at Commercial Mills J.

: Holroyd.
at Upper Mill ; William Hirst, at Shaw Carr E. Shaw,
;
at Clough House ;and Robert Bates, Piatt Mills, have

made progress. The good work taken over from the Meals
at the dyehouse by Mr. Joseph Quarmby and Mr. Samuel
Sugden, under the name of Messrs. Meal and Quarmby,
proved a greal success, beginning in a very small way
with donke}r loads to Meltham Mills and ending with two
wagons a day built the present new dyehouse, and did
;
much as one of the most successful firms in this line of

business in the district to help to build up Slaithwaite.
The same dveworks are now most successfully carried on
by Messrs. William Brook and Sons, two young men who
are keeping up the reputation of the place, providing a
large employment here and at Honley, and doing something
to advance the commercial value of the town and district.
Mr. C. H. Beaumont has done well at Old Corn Mill, since
extended to Shaw Carr Wood Mill; made much progress,
and added materially to the general prosperity of this
growing community.
Messrs. G. Mallinson and Sons and C. Lockwood and
Sons (near neighbours) are very similar in prosperity, as
also G. Cock and James Dyson, of worthy fame. And
still the stream runs on, gaining strength as it flows with
a growing tide too deep for me to enter, so I must leave
its banks or be drowned if I further attempt to
describe the volume of deserving men and even

more successful firms which follow on below and nearer
Huddersfield.
Messrs. James Woodhead, manufacturing chemist, and
Willie Yarley, joiner, each have obtained high honours at
the Technical College for special subjects in which they
had excelled, and their names are on the honourable board
of mention. Mr. Thomas Lawson (Mr. Yarley's son) has
gone one better, and become a distinguished professor in
science at a Scottish University. Mr. Cotton has developed
a large business at Tape Cotton Mill and Low Westwood:
Mr. Ashton persevered with his wool, and Mr. Blackburn
with his rugs
It may justly be said also that the Co-operative move-
ment (forand by the people) has advanced with equal rapid
strides, and many other good trades and men prospered.
have not been able to touch upon or mention all that
I
is worthy of notice, so must beg pardon for all omissions,

and if I have inadvertently wounded anyone, let it pass,
please, because such a thing was never intended.
Perhaps I should have mentioned the Freemason's Lodge,

itsgenerous founders (dead and alive), the many canty days
we have had with one another at the Lewisham Hotel, in
the far-back time of long ago the foresight of the brethren
;
in selecting so favourable a site and erecting the present

pile of useful buildings,not only for the lodge, but for
the shops to help the noble cause if need be.
Tli is 1645 was one of the hist of the lesser lights to raise
the banner from the public-house to a home of their own.
Saddleworth, Melt-ham, Thornhill, Kirkburton, Milnsbridge,
have all splendid new buildings of their own, and long may
they prosper, not only in the heart, but in numbers, to
carry out those noble principles of brotherly love, relief,
and truth.
One more matter of satisfaction to me is that Slaithwaite
has a paper all its own, not in opposition to others of older
date and greater influence maybe, but because it belongs
to the soil as it were. Lone may it live to grow in grace
and greater usefulness and materially add to the greater

happiness of its increasing population, so that the local
press, representing the intellect, may be equal to its
—
growing wealth handmaidens, if you like helping each —
other to swell the progressive tide of this most favoured
valley. To use the words of my favourite poet, Robert
Burns :
—
"Wham ne'er a town surpasses
For honest men and bonnie lasses."
CHAPTER XXVII.
The Days of My Youth.
Here and have sung and said from my heart the

before I —
joys, the sorrows, the hopes of my young life, and many
after days. In giving these I have to recall what the sufferings
of a family have been with a drunken father. In early days
this honourable man was a clever designer and weaver of
fancy shawls, etc., and was for years the foreman of
Mr. Amos Ogden, Lingards, and afterwards filled similar
situations at Spring Head and at Moldgreen. At this
time I first remember him well, coming home on the
Saturdays with some of the other boys who had just begun
to work with him. Young as I was, it was plain to be
seen that he was not as steady as in former times, ami
the bright intellect of the man was becoming injured by
the too free indulgence in intoxicating drinks. Always a
hail fellow well met, he was in constant danger, ready
to discuss any question, and always mixing with those in
better positions, who even soughl his genial company.
The reader will begin to understand that the money spent
in these directions would have been much better at home,
in the mean time the dear mother had to silently struggle
with her numerous bovs and one only girl. 1 remember
92 SLA1TNW Al IK NOTES.
one day she was very cross at something I had done that
she turned sharply round to me and said, " will not be I
talked to with thee. I have had too much to do for you
all. When tha Aver in thy cradle had to rock and weave
I
at the same time by fastening the cradle band to the sley

board of my loom, working all the day, and had to do
the home work, baking and washing, at nights."
Still we were happy. The marlocks of the younger end

were something sublime though often in straits for food,
;
never really short. This fond mother would have died

first; but of clothes they were not very numerous, nor
very fashionable, or very whole. Many of these had come
from the better people, who had a strong sympathy with
the family in their straits and difficulties. There was a
lame lad, nearest and dearest because of his misfortune,
and it was the constant consolation of the dear parent
that the Lord would in some way or other provide for the
lame and the blind. Poor soul! she believed in her Bible,
and had faith in her religion. Anyway, the lad was happy
in his youth, and in after life was respected not only at
home, but in the town of Bury, where he went to in
later life.
Those young days were the happiest of his and his brother's
lives. In summer, at Nields, the days were the longest, the
pleasure the greatest bird nesting, bathing in the River
:
Colne, which ran just below, and fighting the young battles
of life with a rich Bohemianism that no other form can
present. For instance, when a pair of trousers were given
to one of the boys, if they were too long (which was often
the case) the legs were cut short to fit, but presenting a
width which the lesser brother (for fun) would try to creep
up for the amusement of the rest. The richest in the land
were not happier, for these poor lads loved one another
with that intensity which only poverty seems to create.
A crust of bread, a smile from the dear mother, a home
to rest in at night, and the wild woods by day formed an
everlasting summer to them.
Time came when work squandered the happy family,

and nn' early struggles began by working at the mill
when eleven years of age. I had bo walk to Meltham and

back in all weathers, getting up in the morning at I-'3U
and returning in the evening at about 7-30 for ''>>. 6d. a
week wages. This was rather too much, and as soon us
possible 1 got work elsewhere, nearer home, it will be
seen by this that I could not have had much education;
indeed, the odd bit was in a very short spell with John
Mellor, at the National School. Judge, then, my position
on finding myself in this dark condition made miserable
by the worse and worse state we found ourselves by the
unfortunate habits which poor father had contracted. Oh!
the vows I made in those early days that I would never
be a drunkard. Are they not recorded in my heart, and
very likely have prevented me travelling this downward
road? Only a suffering child knows the misery of a home
lost, by drink. It is horrible it saddens everything
: it ;
blights all hope and destroys all happiness.
Myfather knew all this, but he had not the courage

to emancipate himself from the dire ruin. In his better
moments there was no fonder parent, who was sought after
for his intelligence, mixed with better men, and, alas
resorted to the public-houses, where in those days they
could play cards until morning.
This was a bad job for the home, and you must be
there if you want to know what real suffering is to a high-
spirited son who warmly resented these things. In reply
what I got was, "It is a pity, but I cannot resist it, but by
my misfortune you learn to do better." A hard lesson at
the best, but better than none at all. Judge, then, how
one had to struggle. The Mechanics' Institute became my
school; an old tea box was my library and desk, in which
I stored my class books and Cassell's Popular Educator,
which did much in those days to help neglected education,
and in this manner grew up to manhood, somewhat
respected, and in my day and generation tried to make
the world better than I found it.
J±
(
SLAITHWAITB NOTES.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Old Mallet.
A sturdy and. an upright woman, with a strong will, a

rich faith, and strong determination. The wonder was
that one so marked should have married a man who,
though much respected, was only weak when compared
with his more energetic spouse. The old lady baked bread
and went out with leeches, then largely recommended by
the doctors to get bad blood away in disease, and she was
as much in requisition as the medical man. Many are the
times when one has seen the old lady with her pots going
to a poorly house —
to the youngster it was almost like
going to a funeral and often the two things went together,
;
so that it left a gloomy effect on the mind. Sometimes

when the dear old lady could not attend, the old man was
given a chance, but he was not as expert as his wife. And,
maybe, if there was a public-house near, he might have got
a glass too much, and then would get a mild blessing when
he got home. No the people preferred the wife, for she
;
could discourse about the scripture with the skill of a

learned divine, and many are the consolations she would
give, especially to those whom she called the elect. On
this doctrine she was eminent, never missing a point or
relenting an inch.
Such was the way with a number of people at that time.

Gadsby had left a strong mark behind by his eloquent
preaching on these hillsides, which stuck to old Malley
strongly. She would talk to you at the door of her little
baking shop at Hollins Row as long as ever she could
spare time from her bread about the faith delivered to
the saints. Then the old man (her husband) in some
moods, coming home, would knock it all out again. It
was an exclusive doctrine, but if you happened (as in my
case) to be the child of one who went to her chapel, it
made all the difference in the world. You had the best of
bread to eat, and the strongest of leeches to get you well
SI, All 'I1WAITE NOTES. 95
It is a little world, a greater beyond.

but there is When
we get there we shall see " Malley " of the old or
whether
the newer faith was the better, but let us hope that both
have led sinners to salvation.
CHAPTER XXIX.
Tom Kirk.
Tins old man, when I see him limping, crooked and slow,
reminds me what the finest athlete in the world is liable
to through no fault of his own, in this case in particular,
for a quieter man or a more sober man I do not know.
He has been a honest hard worker from his youth upwards,
has brought up a respectable family, and one (Frisk) I
know well as a cheerful, good-natured, and strong man,
fondly attached to his mother, and who can or could ride
a bare-backed donkey standing up with the ease and
comfort of a first-rate artiste at a circus, going full speed
;
but, alas like his poor father, now stricken with disease.
!
The father did not shine in great deeds, but was a

most noted man as a dancer when Slaithwaite was a little
seaport town. He was a boater in those days, of steady
habits, and for single-step dancing (then in full swing) he
had no equal in the neighbourhood. The large number of
boatmen who came into the town sometimes used to try
conclusions with this marionette, for he simply was just
as if his body was held up by strings, so lithe and active
was he on his pins. No matter where they came from,
they had no chance with Tom. Dan Leno himself could
not have beaten him at this job; but, then, every young-
man could do a little at step dancing. What would feasts
and fairs have been without it? The public-house was the
areola where the village swains showed their prowess..
Many are the times that one has seen these contests.
The Commercial, the Shoulder, Dartmouth (Tidings), and
the Globe (Ephraims) were the hotels situated near the
canal, and here the contests waged fast and furious. A
9(i SLAITHWAITB NOTES.
young man and his maiden would go —

the former to
contest his and the latter to admire and encourage.
skill,
Itwas not so much drinking, as one of these things a young
buck should be able to do. I have, in later life, seen old
Mr. Joe Lumb, Folly Hall Mills, give a step at Thornton's
Hotel to let them see what old men could do.
But to come back to Tom Kirk. He was a clipper and
never beaten. Dwell on those happy day dreams, old
—
man, and think if your limbs are stiff to-day there was —
a time when none were more active, spirits more high,.
or hopes more unbounded. These feelings will help you
on many a lonely day, and spread a flower or two to
sweeten the road to the great unknown to which we are
all travelling. Poor Frisk is now dead and grone before.
CHAPTEB XXX.
Bent Ley Silk Mill.
What a busy place Bent Ley Silk Mill is to-day, now that
all the extensions are completed, and the new engine
running so smoothly !It is like a hive of bus}* bees, all
manipulating the soft skeins of the tender silkworm, where
lovely girls find clean and healthy employment and stronger
men do the harder work. Meltham finds the place a real
help in time of need to make up a little for its decaying
industries, which have been too marked during the last
few years, now especially that the woollen trade has nearly
gone, but, let us hope, not for ever. The men have found
work elsewhere, and are to be seen in the morning at
the station, going by the early trains to earn their daily
bread, and returning at night like hares to the old ground
which they love so well. Still, the old village does not
seem impoverished, for hands are not to be had, and Bent
Ley is that short-handed that workers have had to be
imported with the Nottingham branch to fill in the
vacancies. What a change for the dwellers of the good
old town of ancient history and of progressive manu-
facture ! Trent Bridge, with its boulevards ; Colwick Hall,

the ancient place where Lord Byron went to woo (now the
racecourse), and the old hall turned into an hotel, and its
ancient lake and evergreen woods the resort of the workers
of the lace city ; Clifton woods and grooves, with the
winding Trent silently slipping round the well-wooded
banks. All these will often be remembered, and the little
outs to Thurgarton and Bleasby to see their favourite river,
or to catch fishes in the famous reaches in and around
Hoveringham Ferry, together with the beautiful and
historical sights too numerous to mention. They may at
first sigh for the home they have left, but will soon find
that the land they have come to is one to make them
welcome and find remunerative work to make them
comfortable. Neither is the happy valley devoid of
beauty, sheltered as it is by the hills, which shield it from
storms, and make an amphitheatre nearly as fine as that of
Rome. What could be prettier than Hall Heys above the mill
where they work ; High Brow Hill, leading to the level
plain of South Crosland ; Xetherton, standing boldly out
on the eastern side, pointing to the early morn? Wilshaw
offers many points of attraction, leading to that charming
retreat, Wood Cottage, and again to the Isle of Skye, and
far away to the ever memorable " Bill's o' Jack's," and its
wild moorlands. These and other scenes will well compen-
sate them in summer for any loss they may have sustained,
and in the long run be an ample reward for their sojourn
in the land, which, if not flowing with milk and honey, is
a place where they can find rest and as good conditions
(perhaps better) as they have enjoyed before.
CHAPTER XXXI.
D. F. E. Sykes, LL.B.
The rising Guardian

not the only weekly paper which
is
has found a home and an
influence in the Colne Valley, in
addition to the other three well-established papers in
Huddersfield. Once upon a time there was the Northern
H
Pioneer. It came out like a flash, with a bold dash for

life and usefulness, if I remember
aright, somewhere about
the year 1880. author was a brilliant young man
Its —
—
no smoodger and had had a good education, to which were
added great natural abilities. He was a splendid speaker,
had a facile pen, and was a great Radical, full of zeal on
behalf of the working classes, wisely or unwisely exerted
it is not for me to say, only to add that it was well
meant. A lad only, one might say, yet no mean member
of the Huddersfield Corporation, where he and the author had
many well-known battles on behalf of the people against the
slow forces of retrogression. One kept the camp, while the
other went out to battle on many a memorable occasion.
How this young man fluttered the dovecotes of the old
Corporation are written in the minutes of that august
body, where we will leave them to a further review. The
3 oung man at that time had a large practice as a popular
r
solicitor in Market Street, near the Queen Hotel, Hudders-

field. He lived in good style at Almondbury, and had a
pony and trap to take him to and from his work. Many
there were who partook of his liberal hospitality. He
seemed destined for a great position, and there was no
office but what he was eminently qualified to hold if a
little more stability had been there but business is a
;
queer jade, not to be driven at will or held according to

the caprice of the individual. Anyway, law and the
Northern Pioneer were bad partners they would not run
;
together or be driven in pairs, and the result was that one

ruined the other. This Pioneer as a political venture was
too much in advance of the age. It was rather fast, and
too impatient. The leaders were warm and rapidly
progressive the get-up very like Mr. Labouchere's Truth
;
—
I should think copied after this style. Once we got this
gentleman (Mr. Labouchere) down to Huddersfield. to the
no small consternation of the milder Liberals, who, like
many of the same class to-day, have no love for this, then
and now, unrestrained free lance. Mr. Leatham spoke from
the same platform, but there was not much love between
them, and a wide gap separated their respective friends,
though to the audience these things were all dark. The
meeting in the Town Hall was a good one, and we dined at

—
Mr. Sykes' house he had then removed into Trinity Place,
Trinity .Street, Hudderstiokl. All this time there was a
greater danger on the horizon of the Northern Pioneer.
It had many writers. One only will I name, and that was
dear old Croft, of Thornton's Temperance Hotel, but not
altogether given to the same drinks. He was a good soul,
with a warm desire to benefit his fellows, and to the best
of his knowledge took every opportunity of doing so.
Being a writer of some repute, he took the first opportunity
in the Pioneer to distinguish himself, and signed his
—
productions " Melampus " a. grand sounding name, which
he used to advantage. For a bit of digression I will name
an occasion w hen this great synonym did not retain its fair
T
balance. It was Christmas time, when good cheer was

plentiful at the then Central Liberal Club at the top of
High Street. Mr. Croft being a hail fellow well met, did
not miss these things. But the fatal time approached
when all had to go home, and in such a night as was
unfit for either beast or man to be abroad. The roads
were as slippery as a glass bottle, and however poor Croft
got to the top of Chapel Hill was a mystery. But there
he was, and there he stuck, trying all he knew to get up,
but always falling back, until at last he gave up all hope,
and helplessly sat down to physically consider his recumbent
position, when he was seen and heard by a w^ag of a friend
soliloquising quietly. With all his glory gone and in
complete resignation, he was heard to exclaim, "Melampus
1
By G , ——
on his b t m, presenting a sight for gods
and men." The dark shadow hinted at was the eve
of a great strike, which is said by many to have brought
ruin and disaster to the industry of Huddersfield. Here
and now I will not take sides to revive a bitterness more
terrible than death. Then the whole district was rent as
with a holocaust, which has left nothing but deep regret
behind. Mr. Albert Shaw was a great leader of the men,
and the masters seemed to think Mr. Sykes was encouraging
the weavers, and when all their mills were standing this
did not put them in a very lovable mood. This Mr. Sykes
warmly resented, and often repeated that he was their
best friend, was against the strike, and when it unfortu-

nately took place did all he could to adjust it though, —
in my opinion, he would have done better to have left it
alone. In this, as in all wars, when the first shot had
been fired no one oould control it until it had run its fatal
course. When this came, the Pioneer languished for
support. All the money that had been put into it had
gone, and the law business, which had been neglected,
went with the paper, leaving Mr. Sykes stranded and
helpless,and causing him to leave the town a sadder if not
a wiser man.
Many things have happened since then. For years the
poor fellow wandered about the country, suffered terrible
hardships and great privations, and when he came home
brave efforts were made by good men to reclaim him. If
not altogether successful, let us hope in the coming future
that it may be so, and is (after many changes) living
happily with his wife at Booth.
" Pardon this freedom I have ta'en,

And if impertinent I've been,
Impute it not, good sir, in ane
Whase heart ne'er estrang'd ye;
But to his utmost would befriend
Ought that belang'd ye."
CHAPTER XXXII.
Country Life.
A townsman many advantages over the countryman

has
sometimes, government, combination,
in assemblage,
stieets, shops, shows, parks, music, etc., all of which go
to make an appearance which village life cannot possess
but the latter has more than its reward, if not the better
of the argument. Oh! just think of the summer, of the
country life, the mossy banks, the clear streams, the
flowing fields, the scented hedgerows, the hawthorn fences,

with nesting birds; the joyous songs of the youngsters as
they enjoy the long summer evenings ; and the modest
pairs that saunter along the lanes and by-paths, making
one sweet season seem a long dozing age of pleasant
intoxication and a never to be forgotten delight.
No wonder in after life like this that there should be
so much happiness and love of home which in a thousand
times is made dear, especially if it be at one of those
outside cottages ever to be remembered by its little garden,
cherry tree growing and spreading over the stone bench by
the door, or the fresh water at the well, which never runs
dry. Scenes like these endear all the workmen to their
homes on the hillside, to the toilsome day, and the long
winter nights ;not only this, but everything around is
noted and taken into account. The cattle, the farm, and
that which is in them, also the stranger that comes within
their gate. In a town a beggar is ruthlessly driven from
the door of the rich, who have almost lost all feeling for the
sufferings of the poor. Not so with a feeling cottager of
the country, who feels it a religious duty to give a little,
not only for pity's sake, but as I once heard a very poor
but a very dear old mother say when being remonstrated
with for giving in this way more than she could afford,
" Why ; I would rather go without myself than a poor
body should want a crust or a drink." With true Christian

charity like this, it often follows that even animals find
fond homes, and the surroundings of the place have every
consideration; and here comes in the mournful story I
have to tell of a hare and a hunt.
The former, an innocent thing, had found a quiet home
on a country farm near to the house, where it sat when
not disturbed by would-be poachers and cruel hounds.
The mother of the house (as is always the case) had a
maternal care of the poor thing so harassed by man and
beast; not only this, but when storms came such as those
of a dark December, when lanes are snowed up, the fields
all covered with snow that not a blade of grass is to be
—
found or a bit of food to be picked up -in such a moment
the tenderness of the woman and family came in, and the
102 SLAITHWAITE NOTES
poor beastie, the hare, having gained confidence by previous

considerations, came daily to the door to be fed with the
birds, etc., etc., so much so that it became an object of
endearment, was carefully watched, protected, and daily
cared for until the storm had passed ; but, alas nothing !
lasts. All things human or otherwise change; and so with

this fine hare.
One day lately the huntsman's horn was heard. A merry

throng attends him on the hunting morn, with a southerly
wind and a cloudy sky. Straight for this country side
they make, and as the scent is good they at once find this
hare at home, never hoping or dreaming of killing the poor
thing, but simply having a good run, which followed up hill
and down dale (Tally ho !), and they went right on to the
moors, where after a long and a strong run she doubled back
for the shelter of the cottage by the wood, which was never
to be hers any more, for the dogs in an unlucky moment
overtook her, and no one being near to help, she was
unhappily destroyed, to the great regret of the hunt and
the poignant grief of the dear lady and her family who
had nursed the poor innocent thing through the storm
of wind and weather to this cruel end.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
A Lovely Village Lass and her Misfortune.
There was sorrow in the house. The dog lay on the hearth
aweary, and the cat in the corner of the old farmhouse
seemed lost in thought. The mother had just come in
from milking in the barn with a cloud on her face, and the
dear old dad was foddering the cattle with a solemn mien.
which betokened a funeral at no distant date. Ah, what
was all this trouble at the lovely cottage on the hillside,
with its little garden full of wild flowers, situated near
the wood, around which the road twined to the house 1 At
this time (June), when the hedges were in full bloom, the
Maythorn clad in white, the wild rose just raising its
SLAITHWAITE NOTES. [03
sweet head, and the woodbine opening its charming petals

to the lads and lasses, who on these summer days spend
their spare time in taking their walks, keeping company.
and forming those happy associations in life which mean
either their future happiness or life-long misery.
Mary, the only daughter of the above couple, was a
pretty girl, ringlets of golden hair streamed down her fair
shoulders, which seemed to gladden the beautiful blue eyes
of the fair owner. With a mouth as sweet as strawberries
all smothered with cream ; straight as a statue and as lithe
as a willow, a fairy form with a nature as sweet as herself.
No wonder she had been won by a neighbouring lad, as
full of life as a sapling tree, ready for a romp with any
or all, and beloved by those who knew him. It was a
happy time these two young folks had, and the elder ones
looked on with satisfaction. But the Sunday before
entering on this chapter Mary and her parents had been
to chapel, to which they were fondly attached, but there
was no William there. Alas he had suddenly departed,
!
and brought a dark cloud to a home which had been one

of undisturbed joy and sweetness.
On this particular Sunday night, when they got home
the husband questioned his wife anent the gloom which had
suddenly fallen on his dear child. The wife answered
gravely that she feared that their Mary had trusted too
implicitly, for a neighbour friend who was in the confidence
of their girl had secretly confided the information that
the lover had been false ; in fact, he had run away, and
left behind a thorn that would darken the remainder of
their natural lives. The father was a Christian man, bound
to keep calm ; but if the stealer of his daughter's honour
had come across him just then there would have been death
in the pot. Instead of this, it settled to a darkness which
never departed, but not a word did he say to the victim.
Says he to the wife, " Don't upbraid the lass, but comfort
her all you can, and when the worst comes to the worst
she shall share with us to the last penny." The mother
felt this keenly, but was glad to think there would be
no adding to a sorrow of which their innocent daughter was
the helpless victim.
104 SLAITHWAITE XOTBS.
Their solemn and sacred resignation after finding out

the betrayal of their only daughter was a touching sight
to behold; locked in that tender embrace as of old, -when
Mary first kindled that sacred love to lie found only in
the deep, deep bosom of a sainted mother.
Eliza Cook says in one of her beautiful poems, when

writing in a similar strain :
—
''Would you learn the spell?
A mother sat there,
And a sacred thing
Is that old arm chair."
Can it be wondered at then that, like the dove when

wounded, the young bird made for the parent nest, helpless
and hopeless, and cried out in the biltterness of her soul,
"All is lost; nothing left but heaven and you." Nor did
she go in vain their joys had been too great to be parted
;
in their sorrow and when the girl, broken-hearted, cruelly

;
blighted, basely deceived, and disgrace looming in the

near future, sought that consolation which only a mother
can give, the reader need not be told that this great
comfort was most willingly bestowed, with a fond prayer
to their Maker that better things would come soon, if not
on earth, at least in heaven above.
Alone and alone Mary wandered and was disconsolate,
but a time came when the suffering was ended by the joy
which a dear young life brought to the home. The solace
of an injured life which was always true to the first love,
that nothing in after life could ever induce her to change
her name, while to the old parents their only delight was
in the second nursing of a dear young thing, of which they
became more fond every day, until as a man he grew to
honour and help them in their old age.
But what of the villain of the piece ? Alas he went
! !
the way of evil-doers. He nearly broke a fond mother's

heai't by departing in disgrace from the land of his birth,
to find oblivion in one of the far-up stations of one of the
young countries over the sea.
1.")
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Courtship and Marriage for the Colne Valley.
I do not know that much more can be said on this most

desirable subject, except to get it put into working order.
To do this there must be none of that oold isolation which
seems the unfortunate position of the three desired dominant
partners, viz., Marsden, Golcar, and Linthwaite. Slaith-
waite will be willing, I have no doubt, when the happy
time comes, and it is but paying the other townships a
deserved compliment to say that there are few district
councils better managed than Slaithwaite — that have better
sewage works, less rates, purer water supply, or more
advanced education. They have a town hall, with baths
and pleasure grounds, etc. From this it will be seen that
Slaithwaite is seeking no advantage, but has more to give
than receive, and has only one desire, and that is the
common weal of the Colne Valley. Then why should there
be any more delay? The whole district requires this
combination. It will be better for the poor, giving greater
securit}r to their health and well-being. The rich, better
for themselves, as they will be in an improved position
to help their neighbour by conferring greater blessings
than they were ever able to give before. One clerk, whose
duty would be to the whole borough, would be an immense
gain, and the sanitary inspector, instead of being local and
isolated, would be a power in the neighbourhood to safe-
guard the health of the people. Then they could combine
for a number of other things which with four divided
Boards is quite impossible. Besides, it would keep away
the encroachments of Huddersfield, with its high rates and
heavy burdens. What say ye, men of Linwaithe, Golcar,
and Marsden? It seems to me it all depends on you. If
you are not willing to court or be courted, there can be
no chance of marriage between you. One may be justified
in saying you have nothing to lose and all to gain in
strength, influence, and progressive power. Will you do
it, and be equal to the hour, time, and occasion? So far
you are not much behind, therefore be not so in this great

and important matter. Much of the local power would
remain as it is to-day by the respective wards retaining
command of the roads and expenses. Not only this, but
by the combination greater power would be given to the
central authority, to be equal to any municipality in
Yorkshire to well govern its people. But it is no use
further preaching it is the saving that is now wanted
; ;
and to secure salvation for all some one should take the
lead, and the most sensible step to take would be, in my
opinion, for the local authority of Slaithwaite to call a
friendly meeting of those interested to discuss the matter
fairly and frankly. You may be a little shy at first ; but
you will buckle to and make one happy family —at least,
this is the hope and belief of the writer.*
CHAPTER XXXV.
Sunday Trams.
[From the Huddersfield Examiner.^

The Sunday trams have come to stop, and the wisest thing
to do is to make the best of them. If advocates of
temperance and religion would go out into the highways
and hedges, meet the people in the open air, and arrange
services at the various termini, they would do more good
than Paul Prying to see how many of the passengers enter
public-houses, etc. Again, more might be made of them
by persons having some information about the varied
localities and their possibilities. All know the beautiful route
to Outlane by way of the far-famed Pole Moor Chapel, on by
Pleasant Pastures to the famous hostelry, " Nont Sarah's,"
and beyond to the hills about Buckstones. I wish to point
out one of the beauty spots of the Colne Valley the —
Slaithwaite Baths. In former years these were the
* Nothing came of it.

exclusive right of the better class. The opening ceremony

by the people outside the gates on the first .Sunday in May
will be well remembered by persons getting into years,
when various things were done and said on those bright
May mornings which need not be repeated. Not so the
opening on the third Wednesday in the same month, when
the ceremony was followed by the music of the cornet,
harp, and violin, to which the young folk danced merrily.
Now all is changed. A wise Urban District Council has
purchased these baths and grounds for the benefit of the
town, and they are, moreover, open to the public from all
parts of the country.
Here a lovely retreat can be found by means of the

Slaithwaite tram. A penny may be saved by stopping at
Hoyle House and walking up by Lees Mills, or one may
remain on the car to the Bath Hotel, and then down the
road to the well-kept grounds. Here the traveller can
have rest on the banks of the River Colne, which is nearly
clear on a Sunday, and when hunger prompts they can
have ample refreshment (without ale) by giving due notice
to that hale and hearty Slaithwaite lad, Mr. Haigh, the
manager, who with plain speech and kindly manner will
attend to all the visitors' wants. This over, the visitor can
wander over a prosperous little town, admire the evidences
of its public spirit, and wonder at its prosperity as
compared with its past stagnation. Or (and trams were
never intended only for those who do not attend places of
worship) those religiously inclined can go to the Parish
Church and hear an eloquent sermon from the genial Mr.
Rose and a good sing from a special choir. Those who
require stronger meat will find it at the Particular Baptist
Chapel, where the sensible minister will preach all the
good he knows while you can get the same in a little
:
milder form from Mr. Evans at the Zion. above the railway
station. The Wesleyans have just enlarged their now
beautiful chapel, and it is worth a visit. The same holds
good of the Methodist Free Church, the members of which
have within the last few months added a new organ, and
those charitably disposed may give a few shillings to defray
the cost, and to help a small body deserving of all support.
108 SLAITHWAITE ^"OTES.
In addition, there are three missions at Crimble and a

Spiritualistic Church in Laith Lane. So there is ample
choice in these directions. Then, after the ramble or after
the service, there are the trams to take the wanderer home
at the close of a pleasant and profitable day. Next week
I will describe the Crosland Moor route to Blackmoorfoot,
the reservoir, and the country around.
Last week, by your kindness, a promising route was

laid to Slaithwaite, with a mention of Crosland Moor to
follow. Though not so sylvan in its beauty, it offers many
attractions, and will do anyone good by its breezy
atmosphere and varied beauties. It beats, or otherwise,
the other in this, that at the terminus (Crosland Moor)
you have a nice walk before you get to Blackmoorfoot,
which can only be taken on fine days with comfort or
safety. Approaching Crosland Hill you find a great change
going on. The lovely trees of the ancient old hall are
unhappily dying off and being destroyed in the prosperous
operations going on in getting up the valuable stone, which
is its only interest to-day, and those who want more will
find ample reward by reading up ancient history anent the
feuds, jealousies, and battles of former days between the
barons of Elland and elsewhere. These are not for this
letter, so one must trudge on to " Hole in the Wall,"
formerly a public-house, now in a dilapidated condition. A
by-road runs alongside on the flat, at the end of which
you meet one of the most striking views of the prosperous
—
Colne Valley the river running below in its winding
course between two high ascending hills. AVhat a picture,
worth going a long way to see ! All the wealth and
prosperity of the wonderful district lies before you, and the
chimneys of the numerous factories (as has been described
elsewhere) rise high in the air like lofty minarets, and call
the faithful to work if not to prayer. Come back again
to the main road. Crosland lies low with its church at
the foot of the moor, and far away and beyond the hills
above, Meltham and Holmfirth stand off in the long
distance, and these are beautiful objects to behold, and
aloue well repay for the trouble. In going along, very

likely you will come across (and, if so, do not injure) one
of the numerous, harmless, and innocent hares happily to
be found in these parts, carefully preserved by Mr. Henry
Lockwood (not to kill, if it can be avoided) during the
winter months, when and where numerous friends find this
one of the prettiest hunting grounds in the neighbourhood,
where the best of good fellowship always prevails, and all
are made welcome to this Mecca of the chase.
By this time you Avill be hungry. If so, there is no
better place for reasonable refreshment than you will find
at what is commonly called France's and the Bull's Head.
Now you will be under the great embankment of a great
lake — the " Blackmoor reservoir,'' of 700 million gallons
of good water. So well was the work done that it cost less
money than " Butterley, in Marsden," which is little more
than half the capacity. Thanks to Mr. J. Brook, the
then chairman, Mr. Alderman R. Hirst, and many other
good men, most has been made of this charming spot by
making good roads, planting numerous trees, making
beautiful walks, and otherwise adorning nature's own with
nature's art. I dare not advocate these well-kept grounds
being open to the public, because, whatever else, the water
must be kept pure for the people. Make as many visits
as you like; they will always pay in pleasant weather,
and now with the trams you have only to drop down to
Hoyle House Clough to get home with the greatest ease,
after what should alwa}*s be a most enjoyable day up on
the mountains, on the moor, and down into the valley again.
CHAPTER XXXYI.
Success of Linthwaite Band Presentation op the
:
Crystal Palace Trophy.
By carrying off the Daily Telegraph Challenge Cup at the

Crystal Palace Contest on September 27th, the Linthwaite
Brass Band grained what is regarded as their highest
110 SLAITHWAITE >"OTES.
distinction. band have secured dining an existence

Tlie
of nearly fiftyyears hundreds of prizes, but all these are
eclipsed by their recent success, which is highly gratifying
to all lovers of instrumental music in the district, and
particularly to those residing in Linthwaite and Milnsbridge.
The band's previous reputation was by no means a low one.
For years it has occupied a premier position in this neigh-
bourhood, and in recent times perhaps the only combination
which has vied with it is the Lindley Band. Of course,
success has not at all periods attended the efforts of the
members. The band has occasionally fallen into compara-
tive insignificance for a short time, owing to circumstances
over which no one connected with it had control. But now
it may safely be said to be on the high road to such success
as the most sanguine supporter could hardly have wished
for it. It is interesting to note that the only achievement
of the band which at all approaches their recent success
was that which was secured at Edinburgh in 1877, when a
prize of £60 was awarded.
Congratulations such as the band deserved were given
to the members last night, when a meeting was held in
the Baptist schoolroom, Milnsbridge. The promoter of the
Crystal Palace Contest, Mr. J. Henry lies, was present for
the purpose of publicly presenting the cup, and the
proceedings were of an enthusiastic character, a crowded
audience evincing the liveliest interest in the ceremony
and in the splendid performances of the band. To many
the event was of a dual character, for the Crosland Moor
Handbell Ringers also gave some excellent items, and this
was the first occasion on which a proper opportunity had
been given the public of congratulating them. Needless
to say, they met with a hearty reception, and the audience
were immensely pleased with the duty of congratulating
both combinations.
Mr. A. J. Haigh (Milnsbridge) presided, and he was
supported, in addition to Mr. lies, by a number of
prominent gentlemen residing in the district, including
Councillor H. A. Whittell (Huddersfield), Councillor A.
Hanson (Milnsbridge), and Councillor J. W. Freer (Linth-
waite). The Chairman explained that he occupied that
SLAITHWAITE 2J0TES. 1 1 I
position in place of Alderman J. Sugden, of Huddersfield,

who was prevented from attending through indisposition.
Mr. Haigh also read letters of apology for non-attendance
from the Mayor of Huddersfield (Alderman E. Woodhead),
Colonel E. H. Carlile, Mr. Charles Armitage, Mr. Barrett
(Leeds), and Mr. Joshua Marshall and Mr. B. Stocks
(Huddersfield). Each of these gentlemen heartily con-
gratulated the band on its success, and the Mayor expressed
the hope that the members would stick together and
practise until they were able to take the principal prize
at the Crystal Palace Contest. The Chairman added a few
words of congratulation, and was sure everybody residing
in the neighbourhood was proud of the success which the
band and the handbell ringers had attained. He hoped
the latter would be successful next year at Belle Vue, and
that the former would gain even greater distinction than
that which had already fallen to their lot. (Applause.)
Mr. Mellor Addy read a letter which had been received

by the secretary (Mr. H. Needham) from Mr. Edwin Swift,
who has acted as conductor of the band for many years.
Mr. Swift regretted that he could not be present, but-
congratulated the band on their success. Considering the
instruments which the band possessed, the past season had
been a remarkably successful one. He, however, trembled
to think of what their prospects might be if a new set of
instruments were not secured. Mr. Swift went on to say
that it would be fifty years next February since the band
was formed, and he hoped something would be done in
the matter of providing new instruments in the jubilee
year. If something were done in this direction, then they
ought to go in and carry off the 1,000 guineas cup at the
Crystal Palace. (Applause.)
Mr. lies then made the presentation, which he considered

a very pleasant duty. He heartily congratulated the band
upon its magnificent victory at the Crystal Palace. He
was convinced that the band were deserving of greater
praise than he at first thought. It had been greatly
handicapped, having had to compete against some of the
finest bands in the country with comparatively inferior
1 lli SLAIT1IWAITE NOTES.
instruments. He was sure, therefore, that it reflected the

highest credit on the band to have, notwithstanding these
great difficulties, carried off the Daily Telegraph cup.
They were, no doubt, all very proud of the band, and
would, he was sure, do their best to support them. He
did not think anyone could estimate the importance of the
series of contests at the Crystal Palace, and he believed
there was nothing better to induce bands to keep on the
steady road of improvement. He intimated that Linthwaite
would have to compete in the first section at next year's
contest, and as they would be opposed by some of the
finest bands in the world, they would need all the support
and encouragement which could be afforded them. He
hoped they would be able to go into the contest field with
an up-to-date set of instruments second to none. The
reputation of the band was something to be proud of, and
nothing would give him greater pleasure than that they
should outshine their present success and obtain the
much-coveted cup valued at 1,000 guineas. Mr. lies
referred to the presence of Mr. Richard Stead, of
Slaithwaite, one of the judges at the contest, who was
amongst the audience. There had been, he stated, certain
statements flying about the country as to the qualifications
of the judges, but he considered their decisions were
honest, straight, above board, and altogether beyond
suspicion. He then handed the cup to the Chairman, and
after once more congratulating the .band, expressed the
hope that this success would stimulate them to greater
efforts in the future. (Loud applause.)
The Chairman accepted the trophy in a few appropriate

words.
The new instruments have been secured, and in the

order of merit at the great coming contest referred to,
Linthwaite was seventh on the list.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
Christmas at Slaithwaite Now and a Long Time Ago.
To-day progress and prosperity in the town, and in a

all is
district so busy that nearly every mill is working overtime,
and many night and day. Indeed, just now, the Colne
Valley is the marvel of all who have the pleasure to see
it, or the happy acquaintance of any of the sous and
daughters of this prosperous neighbourhood. Wages are
fairly good, and the people are learning more sense than to
spend it all foolishly. They will have their enjoyment,
but in a rational way, and who can blame them after the
long hours of hard labour.
The youngsters will get a rest from the school, and
kind mothers will fill their stockings with good things.
Christmas cheer will abound everywhere. Sunday schools
will have their great day, speeches will be made, pieces
said, and anthems sung to commemorate the great festival.
The churches and homes will be decorated, and the hearts
of the people (young and old) made glad because of the
birth of a Saviour to redeem the world.
On Christmas Eve Slaithwaite perhaps sends out more
waits than any other town of its size. All places of
worship, clubs of any kind (and they are numerous and
many), so that the inhabitants have a lively time, and in
some cases are kept awake on the happy morn with mixed
feelings not always Christian. But what of the old? Well,
had much the same, with the va.st difference of the age,
much less in population, and the people then not over-
stocked with money. The children had less in their
stockings, and the men and women fewer coppers in their
pockets but it was a great day, well observed there on
;
the hills and in the valleys.

Going over the hills on Saturday, what a change one
found The dear old cottages of a former generation were
!
deserted and boarded up. What a tale of love, life, and

death they could tell if only some kind one would find a
tongue for them to talk of the past.
I
Ill .SLAITHWAITE NOTES.
Take the Lingards side. What a tell-tale at Fox Stone

Edge, once the home of the honey bee, which gathered this
sweet morsel every day from the wild moors adjoining,
where the happy farmer lived and made out his busy life
with hand-loom weaving. There was a little dam on the
site of the present Deer Hill reservoir, and a spring of
fresh water, which the lads and lasses used to drink in
.summer, along with that richer draught which bound them
one in after life, remembering the canty days they had
with one another while musing on these scenes, the
dear old lanes, the quiet footpaths, the river banks,
the old friends, and the pleasant reminiscences of the
past. I was rudely awakened by the sight of a hearse.
"Who goes there.'" says I. "John Meal"' is the answer,
and I am reminded of another landmark gone for ever.
Ah, John Meal, another Lingards lad in early days, the
mate and co-worker of the lamented and respected Mr.
Samuel Sugden, of Springfield. In early days they worked
—
together at Upper Mill the long hours of the then
miserable factory days, when the ways were rude and the
wages little.
At Upper Mill lived in a cottage old Mr. Haigh, a
remarkable character in more ways than one, from whom
sprung the Haighs, of Quarmby and Colne Bridge. The
crutch w as an effective weapon for disorderly lads, and
T
the billy roller handy when cardings were left to run in.
It was here that poor 'Samuel Sugden had to go without
dinner. His brother John, when a mere child, had gone
a-hunting with Walter Barker, instead of obeying the
instructions of a kind mother, who had gone out charing.
The instructions were that the little brother was to put a
pint of water to a pint of milk ; boil up the same, and
then pour it into a quart can, into which the fond parent
had broken a penny cake, with a little salt and pepper;
this part done before going to her early matin of hard
work to help to feed her dear and numerous progeny.
Sam missed his humble dinner that day, but happily lived
to have many a better, and to get into that position that
he was able and ever ready to give a dinner to a wandering
hrother who might in want be passing by.
SLAITHWAITB NOTES. 1 15
But come back to this old Upper Mill. It had many

to
characteristics. One was that the wheelwrights had part
of their wage in food. One of these was very particular,
and got a name which stuck to him for life, and that was
"Broth." It came about this way: It was the custom bo
have broth, pudding, beef, vegetables, bread, cheese, and
ale. This man above mentioned objected to the broth.
Then, said Mr. Haigh, no broth, no pudding no pudding,
;
no beef. This drastic ultimatum, it is said, so settled the

disinclination that the hesitating one fell to with the whole
course, but left him a by-name which was not over pleasant
to the old gentleman, especially when he had had a little too
much beer. Otherwise he was a hard-working, honourable,
and upright man, whose greatest fault was strong language,
to which he was far too often provoked.
It was here also that John Meal got a name more common
to him than The boys playing at leap-frog in
his own.
the meal-time were often very boisterous, and not always
over jannock to avoid mischief and to act square. John
said to one of his companions, " Now, Tom, set a fair back,
and pull thi nobbin in " ; and by this (without the slightest
offence) the man was known through life. In early days
he was connected with Bolthead Sunday School in middle ;
life had great admiration for the late Charles Bradlaugh ;
later on sympathised with the Labour movement on behalf

of his brother man ; he inclined to the Wesleyans in
religion, to which his family are closely attached.
He died on Friday (getting on in life), and they buried

him on Saturday, with the deep regret of his dear relatives
and numerous friends.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Hunting : A Chapter for Slaitmwaite and its
Neighbourhood.
This old sport is as old as the Bible, and has been indulged
in at times, in all countries, and by every kingdom
all
and nation. No wonder it is so popular, notwithstanding
the strong opposition of so many religious people, and why

this should be so often makes me wonder. The hunting
stories of the Bible are very interesting — are not profane,
but are rather pretty pastoral reading, of a poetical kind,
from the dear old Book. If good Christians would think
a little broader, act a little more liberally, and think
no evil because they did none, then this world would be
all the better, and the next one sure to those who followed
the commandments, obeyed the same, and humbly followed
the Lord to the Cross. In the religion of the present day,
to my thinking, there is too much selfishness and too little
of that democracy taught by Christ when on earth. Why
should heaven be for the few and the favoured, and why
should those (at least a few) professing religion do and
say things that a man of the world would scorn and
disown 1 Let anyone just think these things over, and
maybe he will soon discover why the men of to-day cannot
be gathered into our tabernacles. A strong man making-
this discovery, and fearlessly preaching a living doctrine,
free of cant, selfishness, and hypocrisy, might (and would,
in my opinion,) bring back the people to the fold of Cod
again. What a funny digression, many will say, from the
peculiar subject mentioned to begin with, and my excuse
is that I was bound to follow the meanderings of thought
suggested by the theme considered to be so wicked by the

correct Christians, that one could not miss the chance to
lecture them a little from the standpoint of what they
deem wickedness and folly. They will say, very likely,
"Satan preaching the Gospel." Never mind; if my
surmises are not true, they will need no answering.
Let us proceed on the journey we set out with, and that

is hunting. All of my time, and those of more before me,
have reminiscences of hunting the hare in and around the
beautiful hills which surround Slaithwaite. My old mother
told me in my childhood a story of Phoebe, of Heath,
catching a poor run hare in her apron, and thus saving the
poor thing's life from the jaws of the hounds. Old Eclwa.rd
Brook, the well-known local Wesleyan preacher, used to
tell the stories of his hunting days with delight, and I
should say after all these years of reflection that anything
done under this head by him (to my

notion) never would
or could hinder him now of heaven, and this not being his
order of going in, the dear old man would have a double
entry.
We never had a real good hunting parson like Canon
Kingsley, but we have had many who would just look on,
—
but not openly avow the chase for want of courage, say
I, boldly, for whatever harm could befall the most saintly
of men by following a little healthy sport between two

animals equally equipped by their Maker ; and, besides,
the good gained in health more than repays for the
labour.
The early hunters of my day were old Tom Kaye, of
Holmfirth, a quiet and orderly man, well-beloved by all
who knew him, and maybe his memory keeps up the name
of the chase to the present generation, for they have at
this town one of what is called the best packs of working-
men's hounds in the country, supported by a few local
subscriptions, and run on such lines of economy that at
the end of each year they are not much in debt.
Whoever can forget the princely conduct of the generous
Sykes's, of Lindley, Tom Hirst, etc., etc., at the high tide
of the Honley Hunt, with the genial Sam Norcliffe, the
popular master? Nothing was short in those days, down
to the poor follower, who had many a helping hand in
various ways and glorious days of sport.
Saddleworth, too, had its pack of hounds. Mr. Malladew
was master in my time; in later days it died out under
Mr. Broadbent, and now there is nothing left to tell the
tale but the large number of trail-hunt dogs, which are
bred and kept for this latter sport, very popular over this
part of the country, embracing bits of Yorkshire,
Lancashire, Cheshire, over the hills, which are often
roamed to the scent of the aniseed, and for the prize at
the end of the trail.
Meltham from the time of " Old High Brow " has not
done much. It supplied G. Taylor, the long and popular
huntsman, to the Slaithwaite pack, who is living in happy
retirement from the chase, and, I am glad to say, in better
health. Long may he live Mr. Charles Brook, of Durker

!
Roods, the now deservedly popular master of the Badsworth,

began his hunting career with a pack of beagles at Melt ham
and on Honley moors; and, if it were a day of confession,
and one would get him to own up, I venture to think he
would say they were the happiest days of his life. If they
were not so to him, they were to me, because we could
so well keep up with the dogs without any physical pain,
and always be in at the finish.
Mr. Fred Eastwood, Huddersfield, has always been very
fond of the sport. At one time he kept his own back at
Crosland Moor. Had some splendid days together, and
may we have many more with so good a sportsman.
Slaithwaite has been more continuous. Bight well do
I remember in my early days Mr. John Horsfall and his
first beagles, under that famous hunter, Walter Barker,
who for a lifetime hunted the Slaithwaite pack under the
various masters who followed in succession, nearly to the
present day. First Mr. Horsfall. who, though passionate at
times, was a good fellow, and to his death had the shooting-
over Lord Dartmouth's estate.
Mr. John Haigh Slaithwaite man) followed Mr.
(a
Horsfall, who by had got the hounds the proper
this time
size, and for years gave splendid sport with Old Walt all
over the district. Mr. Alec Walker, Mirfield, another good
sort, followed, a modest man, who will never push himself
forward, but is always there at the finish if there is
anything to do or anything to pay. One exception I must
make, the gentleman will not make a speech, and it would
be quite as well if many who think they can talk would
do less. This leads to the last lap, and that is to Mr.
Henry Lockwood and his brothers at Black Rock Mills.
They have been so liberal in their generous support that
if this is continued the Colne Valley Hunt has a great
prospect in store. Peace has been made in Crosland;
Lord Dartmouth's Slaithwaite estate, by the kindness of
Mr. Crowther, is entirely at the Hunt's disposal the two ;
Marsdens and the dear old Daniel Hall favourable so :
that with the new huntsman comino- on nicelv and that

SLAITHWAITE NOTES. ] 1 9
friend and supporter, John Vickerman, grumbling to make

him do better, there seems in store some grand sport for
this neighbourhood in the coming by and by, and the only
wish left is that pood men may be there to see it —
a hope
not to be realised, for both dear Aleck and poor George
Taylor have gone before to their happy hunting ground.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
The Rival Shows : The Show Radical and the Show Tort.
Ox reading over the report of the Colne Valley Liberal

Association meeting, it was striking to find how alike each
other's proceedings are —almost the same identical men
playing the leading parts to a good and deserving
member. Decent fellows, every one of them, but with
unthinking injury go on playing the old game of exalted
notions of superiority over what they call their less
favoured and demented Tory brethren in the Conservative
camp, quietly and unconsciously dubbed, as if wickedness
were their normal condition, and that a time had come
when strong and sturdy men of Liberal principles and
progressive ideas were required.
Beimr only a poor mortal, one had been taught to
believe that these virtues had always been the sole rights
of those who were so loudly beating the big drums at the
show on Saturday, but it appears these wonderful attributes
are wanted just now; more in particular to purge the
country from the baneful influence of Toryism ; to arrest
retrogressive legislation to prevent Chamberlain counter-
:
acting the grave injury done to us, as it appeared to me,

by growing and hostile tariffs of Europe and America;
as if it would not be better to draw closer together that
larger Britain (of which Englishmen are so proud) by more
reciprocal relations of mutual benefit and goodwill.
How very poor the argument that when the election
came round they were to have an increased majority,
because the longer this wicked Government remained in

office the more of their bad work they (the Liberals) would
have to undo Surely increased happiness would have been
!
a better order, because the majority in the Colne Valley

is safe enough.
Then there was that recreant Education Bill to be .swept

out of the Statute Book by one of the mighty swoops of
one of the most enthusiastic supporters of the resolution.
This gentleman knows what has been done for education
by the denominations, and that at present, notwithstanding
the large sums regularly expended, the Slaithwaite Church
schools are £800 in debt, winch they will have to raise;
while the heavy expenditure of School Boards have to be
borne by the rates, to which denominational school
supporters have had to pay their fair share, in addition
bo maintaining their own. Marsden has had more sense,
as the chairman of the meeting knew, than to go in for
an expensive School Board. It is not unreasonable, then,
to ask from one so valiant that some sense of justice would
have led him to observe one, if not more, of the ten
commandments. Such is show No. 1, in all the blaze of
noon, at Slaithwaite Feast, let us surmise, bidding the
gay throng walk up, walk up, the performance having just
begun. Make haste don't delay ; We have been here
!
before, but never had such talented performers or more

variety to offer. Don't miss it, please, or you may never
have the opportunity again.
" Stop ! stop !

" says the showman from the other side
of the fair, " not so fast, my
good fellows. Come this way,
and we will give you something better, cheaper, and far
more lasting than a change of places that is nothing less
;
than the constitution of the showman's life. Let this go,

then all falls to perdition, and every chance of further
prolonging the lives of these shows will be gone for ever,
and there will be no other opportunity of preserving them
for the benefit of posterity, individual claims, and party
[in] Hilarity."
Say Mr. John Arthur Brooke (all classes will be glad to

learn that this most useful man is out of danger) as the
spokesman, supported by Mr. Hellawell (maybe), Mr.
Waterhouse (quiet man), Mr. Kirk (so faithful), and a few
friends from Saddleworth, nearly always the same men; in
this matter just like the other side. Says Mr. Brooke at the
top of his voice Don't believe all they say.
:
*'
Walk up this
way. Remember we are the great united party. We have
kepi the faith we fear God and honour the King, uphold
;
the nation and strengthen the borders, while the others

would slack out and dismember the empire. Don't believe
a word they say. Come along to our show, and we will
do you good. There are,'" he continues, " two features in
our past performances, Free Education and the Workmen's
Compensation Act, and in due time we will give you old-age
pensions, wdien the money comes to hand to carry out this
most desirable boon to the aged poor." Going on, showman
like:
" They on the other side, with all their boasted
superiority, have only given you the empty name of

councillor for your urban districts and the chairman for
the time being the doubtful honour of sitting on the county
bench of magistrates."
Now, my lads, it may be reasonably asked, What is all
this to you ? Is it the way up to see
worth walking all
-such a poor entertainment? Is it any surprise that the
bystanders get bewildered, hesitate, and say, with the
American, " I have heard this before, and cannot be
•caught with such professions I must have something more
;
up-to-date"? It is, like the old Slaithwaite Feast, gone

for ever, and he wanders off for things which he hopes will
serve him better. This fact makes the rival show wonder
what has come over the people that they do not, will not,
walk up as in former days, do as they are told, pay their
pennies, and say they like it. No ; something else begins
to attract. Patriotism is lost in the chaotic din of the
shibboleth of a new faith. What is best for the nation may
be lost sight of in the ugly rush to benefit the masses on
the same lines the classes have unfortunately taught them.
It would not matter much if the masses were likely to get
the benefit. This is very doubtful, considering the means
and proposals to beadopted to bring about the change,

but the worst part that this is the undesigned effect of
is
the two shows in the Colne Valley. Some of the Co-op.

men, with more than average selfishness, are talking of
having a member of their own. The Labour party have
tried, and are only biding their time. Ultimately they
hope to be a plague to both parties, by carrying off the
seat themselves. Chapels are falling out with churches
with uncharitableness worthy of a public-house, and, if
carried on long enough and kept bitter enough, will empty
all the faster the few houses of prayer. The grasp for
power, place, and wealth is so great that men will often
sacrifice everything to get these baubles.
Can anyone therefore predict what will come next 1 Will

there arise men and a party equal to the occasion, when
principle shall prevail, justice be done, and rights respected,
.so that when the Son of Man cometh he will find faith on
the earth, with England the greatest, the freest, and the
most prosperous nation, ready to welcome the glory of
the second Advent.
CHAPTER XL.
Marsden Moor Mi-rders.
This was the terrible calamity of the year 190.°>, in the

peaceful valley of the River Colne, in the lovely late
summer time of this beautiful and prosperous district.
All things were going on quietly. Work was plentiful;
good will universal. The churches, chapels, and schools
were all doing good work, so that by the zeal displayed
one might reasonably have expected universal goodwill on
earth —•"
Angel .Tim " in that charming novel by Hales :
but, on the other hand, unsuspecting humanity may expect

many a rude awakening, as to professions and performances,
and often the blatant virtues are mere advertisements to
deceive the very elect. Some day let us ho)>e right and
righteousness will be possessed and not flauntingly used as
a mask to cover deceit. Until then the best means in our

hands must be made use of to regenerate that blessed
word. Humanity.
With regard to the heading of this note. The days of

old presented a similar catastrophe at " Bill's o' Jack's,"
the wild moorland height on the lovely Greenfield Hills,
where father and son were done to death one dark night
in that old hostelry, and the foul murder never found out.
It then rang out with a loud clang throughout the length
and breadth of the land, calling for restitution on the
perpetrators of this foul deed; but, alas! they were never
found out, and the crime goes unpunished to this day.
How singular that this unfortunate debacle should be

repeated on the Marsden Moors, closely adjoining. On a
peaceful morning the inhabitants were terribly startled
by the wild announcement that Bob Kenyon and Bill Uttley
had been shot on the Buck Stone Moors, occupied by
Messrs. Joseph Crowther, John E. Crowther, and Tom
Ramsden. How these gentlemen were shocked, and the
whole neighbourhood upset, can only be realised by those
then living in the neighbourhood. The above gentlemen
were rebuilding the shooting box, and had done all they
could for their men. who were all good sportsmen, and the
best of their kind. How this should come to them under
the circumstances was a staggering blow to their glowing
hopefulness ;to find their best keeper lying dead by gun-
shot wounds, with his faithful dog by his side, was so
shocking as to almost deprive them of their senses at
least for a time.. But to also discover young Bob Kenyon
hidden under bracken and stones was something too terrible
for words and too horrible to describe, and yet this was
so, and all the skill of the best solicitors, men from Scotland
Yard, the police from near and far, could do nothing to
elucidate the matter or find anything to fix the crime on
the Droper shoulders. True, there were trials which got
no forrader, and demonstrations made which had been
much better let alone, but what a pity that nothing has
ever been found out. The mystery remains, and the world
still wonders.
It was a terrible time for all concerned. Those living

will never forget it, and the sympathy will always go largely
to Mrs. Uttley for the tragic death of her dear and faithful
husband, beloved by man and master as a true example
of honest worth, true fidelity, and sterling manliness ; and
here it has to be silently left for good old Father Time
to reveal or for ever retain.
CHAPTER XLI.
Merry Dale.
Does a Sunday week of content? The

well spent bring a
answer is: depends.
It all The good and religious cannot
believe this possible unless in service at church or chapel,
and in this direction much may be said and more conceded,
for it would be a bad day if the good old English Sunday
were turned into a French one of pleasure, a sort of unbelief
and anti-Christianity. Good men and women do not desire
this unhappy state of things, and workmen need have a
care that if thej generally lost the Sunday rest it would
be their disaster without a corresponding benefit of any
kind.
It seems to the writer that there is a middle course,
and that is to go to church and chapel by all means, but
he does not think it past forgiveness to make most of a
sunny day in addition. We have had very few this year,
—
but last Sunday was glorious a drop from the cold and
prolonged winter of our misery and discontent. Besides,
everything was so young and fair, kindling fresh hopes,
new joys, and pleasant possibilities. It was really grand
after dinner to take tram to Outlane, where you find every
kind of trap to finish the journey to " Nont Sarah's, " where
the traveller will be pleased to see the handsome rebuilt
inn, with all the new stables, etc. True, he will not meet
the dear old face of Mrs. Sykes, who during her long life
gave the place a habitation and a name, but he will find
SLAITIIWA1IK NOTES. 125
a ready welcome and substantial hospitality at a reasonable

cost. After this, if he will start over the moor, down by
Goat Hill to Merry Dale, and the journey so far will have
given him some of the best scenery in the county of high
hills, lovely valleys, and sweet moorland, and all the while
be breathing the most fragrant air. Scout Wood is at its
best just now. On Sunday the cuckoo's w elcome voice was
r
heard, and it was here that the bullfinch was to be found

in the good old days, when birds had a chance to live and
reproduce their young. At Merridale Cottage, Sidney
Horsfall used to have them trained to whistle most
beautiful airs, a great attraction for the young and a great
pleasure to the old. Here was the old carding mill, from
which the country people took the cardings to spin and
make into pieces. The present generation will have some
comprehension of the vast strides that have been made
since then by the tremendous improvements effected by
the machinery in our workshops of to-day. Here also was
old Richard Horsfall, who did much good in his day by the
skilful manner in which he brought about safe cures for
most of the wounds that afflicted humanity.
Sunday vras a great day. Hundreds wandered this way.
It was a busy time. But now it is as silent as the tomb
under which the old herbalist lies, save and except the
rippling brook which accompanies you down to Clough
House Mills, and afterwards down the reservoir bank to
Slaithwaite —as pleasant a journey as can be found on a
fine day, and quite within the reach and power of any
ordinary healthy person.
CHAPTER XLII.
Mosslet To-day and in the Days of Old.
It was a near thing on 24th March, 1902, when the Colne

Valley lads had taken over the great cotton-spinning firms
of this unfortunate town, under the head of Robert Hyde
Buckley and Sons Limited, with a share capital of £150, 000.
The prospectuses were out, a first instalment of payment

had been sent in, and all was going on as settled; but,
just at the last moment, there was a slip between the cup
and the lip. Others, jealous of the success which had
attended the efforts of these men, dropped by a fluke
into the arrangements, gave a few pounds more —
-a most
shabby action on the part of those concerned in the selling

— and the deed was perpetrated, one of those over-reaching
schemes which go far to shock men in regard to what one
tradesman will do to another to gain advantage. Keen
as they undoubtedly are in the valley, they have a sense
of honour, and when they do make a bargain, they keep
it, if they take good care not to let anyone make much out
of them, but in this case the action of their opponents

was downright mean and contemptible. For the sake of
Mossley, it is to be hoped that no further harm will come
of it, but out of an ill deed done good may follow for the
benefit of the town and the workpeople, who have had a
very time for a considerable period. Poverty has reigned
in place of past prosperity happiness has departed
; and
;
there has been much sorrow in place of past joy. Let us

hope this is all changed for the better, and that Mossley
will breathe freely again, and be more prosperous than
before.
It was a wonderful place once. The Mayhalls and
Buckleys used to come to the Slaithwaite Baths in great
estate by special saloons. Their dances there were the best
and of the most fashionable kind, exciting the keen interest
of the dwellers of this side of the mountain, that to-day
they stand out as some of the most dazzling things which
used to astonish the natives. So much so that, being very
poor in those days, they honestly thought that where there
was so much wealth and happiness was a land worth going
to, and with this view scores of Slaithwaite men and women
went Lancashire way to that Eldorado of wealth and
prosperity.
used to be a great thing for the wanderers to return
It
to their oldhomes at Slaithwaite Feast, the great time for
the re-union of divided families. Besides, to the young
mind, though the distance is so little, it was great at ;
SLAIT1IVVAITE NOTES. 1 27
least to young lovers, two of whom, it may be recorded,

in imagination, had found it an almost insurmountable
barrier, so as to almost break their young hearts, for they
were dear and fond lovers, who had pledged their troth
on the banks of the Colne on a lovely moonlight night-
never to be forgotten, no matter to whatever land they
were destined. This momentary separation was a painful
business —
the Sunday school had introduced them, the
singing at anniversaries had drawn them, the re-union of
feast times had charmed them, the lovely gloamings had
twined their hearts tighter; every hill had its attraction
and every valley its joy, because they so blended their
young hearts together. Judge, then, what such a separation
meant in those days, though the distance was only Mossley,
or some other portion, say, near of Lancashire, Cheshire,
or Derbyshire. The parting was so tender. The old house
at home, the village green, the little garden of lad's love,
blue lupins, daisies, sweet briar, smelling leaves, and the
wild rose, etc., etc., the dear hedgerows of the old lanes,
the Sunday school, and the companions of their youth
these had all to be left behind, but this could be borne
with equanimity if the fond lover would be true. In hopes
of this, say, the dear girl left behind her a memento,
wrought with her own delicate hands, som.e such sentiment
as this, " Forget me not," and with many a fond embrace
previous to the morning of departure, very likely, he again
would vow his fidelity. Then came the separation, never
to be forgotten. Just as it had been sunshine to be
together, it was all dark and cold to be separated. One
wondered in her absence if the Slaithwaite moon shone on
her absent lover, and he in his cottage, no doubt, and to
his numerous friends, was gloomy and sad — save and except
the brightness of the hope that it would soon be Christmas,
when they would happily meet again. Love pictures like
this are bliss beyond compare. What is like it on earth ?
None your money arrangements, social positions to be

of
obtained, or advantages to be gained. No it is a measure
;
of the honest, devotion of youmr hearts who vow to love

and help each other from youth to aee, from early life
till death.
Such are the lives of our village lads and lasses, presenting
to the world lessons of purity, honest devotion, and that
noble self-denial which has made English men and women
the pride of the world. May they never decay or be
spoiled by luxury's contagion. Wealth is poverty compared
with these beautiful ideals, and whether at Mossley or in
Slaithwaite, or in any other part of the United Kingdom,
may they always have plenty of work, ample wages, good
—
health, long life, sunshine, and happiness- the deserving
attributes of so no noble a race.
CHAPTER XLIII.
Old Bookmen.
It is said a nation of footballers, cricketers, and

we are
sportsmen, leavened with narrow religion and bitter
politics. This I do not believe, as I know we are
something better, though at times it is painful to find
what wrong things can be done under a sacred cloak, and
what tyranny can be practised under the name of liberty.
It is true that our young men are more given to games
than they were formerly. England would not suffer if
these pleasures were taken in more moderation, and the
higher aims of life better attended to. No no one ;
nowadays would dream of robbing young men and women

of their well-earned pleasure and repose. But has not a
time come when we should take stock to see where we
are with other nations? Because for me England must be
first in all things, great, glorious, and free.
and poverty stricken in the old days,

Slaithwaite, poor
had more than one public library, and a large number of
readers. Where are the latter to-day? Old one's are
mostly dead, and the libraries have become neglected,
unless it be a poor unreadable book in the Sunday schools,
which no one thinks it worth while to take out. This is
not as it should be. I would rather have a well-read
people than a rich people, because the latter would Lead

to pure selfishness of a degrading character, while the
former would elevate the mind and lift mankind to a
higher state of real happiness, so that this world would
be more worth living in.
We did not always achieve this, I am bound to own, in

the good old times of long ago. No but we tried hard
;
and made some impressions which are not altogether lost,

and can be seen in that better and bigger Slaithwaite,
which has grown to distinction with other thriving towns
on the banks of the dear little River Colne, making one
happy and prosperous community, not readily surpassed
or often equalled, and let us hope will so run on as to
reach the beautiful town of Huddersfield, to stop every
indication of decay, and give every impulse to its reviving
industries.
This preliminary leads one to speak a little of some

—
very few of the old bookmen maybe dreamers, though
supporters of the Mechanics' Institute, reading rooms,
progressive ideas, and social developments. I will not take
the wealthy ones this time, because they were very few,
though to their honour, be it said, there w ere some who
T
w ere not one whit behind their poorer neighbours in their

r
strong desire to promote the public weal.
Take at random three of my choice to-day : James

Bamforth, Inghead, known best as James o' Dickey's. He
was one of the founders of the Local Board, became one
of its first members, and was so learned in the by-laws
that he was called the solicitor general to the ruling
authority, and was able to keep them right in all matters
of difficulty, and this without fee or reward of any kind.
It could not be said of him as Brougham (in a facetious
mood) said of a lawyer, viz., that " he was a learned
gentleman who rescues your estate from your enemies
and keeps it himself." No old James was happy in
;
serving the public, and none more content than he when

at the Shoulder of Mutton Inn, with his lone- clay pipe,
a tankard of ale, and a good company, discussed the great
K
130 SLAITHWAITE XOTES.
questions of the day at the forum of the public-house, then

the cockpit, where disputes were settled, high or low,
sacred or profane.
Joe Dyson, Windy Bank, and Charles o' th' Barrett

were two of a very different class, retiring and modest
in their several ways, both great bookworms. Talking of that
Windy Bank, how deserted is the place !Not a soul to
tell the tale of its former glory, when old Mrs. Marsden
was queen, with Dyson as next-door neighbour but, oh,;
so different in character! Those tall trees sigh in vain

on stormy nights to the tumble-down barns, once the
happy home of man and beast. Here was Dyson's castle,
library, workshop, and study. He was a man of frugal
habits and a saving turn which always enabled him to be
independent, and at the finish to leave a little behind for
his relatives and friends. Dyson's mind was an ideal
one full of poetry, rich in imagination, and very great on
:
Shakespeare, Burns, and Byron. These he (Dyson) would

discuss for ever.
One dark night I remember when I was in great distress,

having just lost the dear young wife of my youth, and
mother of my three dear little girls, youngest under two
years of age. It was a sad time, and Joe was my greatest
comforter. Sitting in the house with the darlings in bed,
the housekeeper gone home, in comes a popular parson of
the day, who had been accompanied from Huddersfield to
Slaithwaite, it being Sunday and too late in the day for
trains. To put it plainly, the reverend gentleman dare not
go home alone, and abjectly begged for company on the
lonely road. In vain I pleaded that the little ones could not
be left, but it was no use we had to go, Dyson, myself and
,
the minister. On the road the first-named was all in his

glory, reciting his best poetry for the comfort of the
last mentioned, who was all gratitude and thankfulness
as long as we kept on through Cellars Clough nearly
to his door. But the sting of the whole thing was
that some time after it came to my knowledge that this
ungrateful beggar had only been having us on, and for
the benefit of his private friends was imitating Joe in his
recital of poetry, especially that part in Childe Harold's

'
Pilgrimage," canto -'3, stanza 21, beginning with
" There was a sound of revelry by night,"
and going on to
" Music arose with its voluptuous swell;

Soft eyes look'd love to eyes which spake again."
I know that Joe did not pronounce the long word

correctly, but called it " volumpious," but it never entered
my mind that it would be used against my friends as a
reward for the pilgrimage of mercy we had bestowed on
the reverend gentleman, and I may be pardoned to-day
surely for saying that ever since I have given the ungracious
scoffer a wide berth, though I have watched with j:»leasure
his greater success in a much wider sphere of influence.
Charles o'th' Barrett was a different man, cold and

calculating, and when " Essays and Reviews " came out
at Oxford he was one of the first to purchase them. He
was a very o-reat reader, and the one who first brought
to my mind Lyell's " Antiquity of Man." He was almost a
Freethinker, and encouraged all young men to go to his
house just under Pole Moor Chapel. All the young fellows
who were coming out used to be found in his den discussing
all the great questions of the day to the delight of the
old gentleman, who with many a sage advice would correct
the erring ones and help the weak. Charles had come of a
family who had money, and he never had to work, but could
live quietly in his little way in comparative comfort and ease.
He could be very satirical at times and almost ill-humoured,
for he was very peculiar. He had a large heart, and had
generous sentiments. Good natured to a fault, and he
would never let the mice running about the house be
destroyed, but would kindly feed them, and they were one
of the sights of the place. Joe Dyson and he were great
friends until near the end of their days (neither ever
married), when in an unfortunate moment they fell out
about nothing, blackguarded each other soundlv, called
132 SLAITITWAITE NOTES.
names willingly, and were indeed very foolish, to the great

regret of their numerous friends. They both lived long,
and I believe died happy. May they in this state have
met in the world they have gone to, there to renew the
fond friendship of their early days, and never to grow
older in that far-off happy land.
CHAPTER XLIV.
Noted Preachers.
In the good old days Slaithwaite had more noted local

preachers than it has to-day. Old Mr. Bamforth, of Dark
Wood, was a man of mark, led a peculiar life all his own,
was at one time a stated minister of no mean ability, and
in after time lived a long and quiet life at his old home
at Dark Wood. He was before my time, and I know little
of him beyond being strongly impressed with his personality
when we used to call on a Sunday night to see him.
Joshua o' th' Row I knew much better. This gentleman
used to come and preach at Gadsby's, and could divide
his subject as clearly as any man I ever heard, though it
was hard stuff between, but firmly believed. The Sunday
school might and did teach writing, but it could not teach
religion. This was to come from above : a queer faith
that will surprise the present generation of Sunday school
teachers.
John o' Charlotte's was not of the same mental capacity,
did not often try his hand, was more of a singer, and right
heartily he laid on when singing the bass part in the good
old tune of " Derby," and then looked round the congre-
gation for a well-merited approbation. He was a faithful
soul, and his dear wife was as peculiar in another way,
being most remarkable for her short cuts at truth, religious
or otherwise. On another occasion John took Mr. Holiday
to tea, and knowing the peculiarities of his spouse only too
well, John went on in front up the garden walk quickly.
SLAiraWAITE NOTES. 133
and called out, "Charlotte! set out the cups and plates;
here is the minister coming." " Not I, by G ," returned
the wife, tha'lt have to have thi porridge.'' The minister

*'
was shocked. John was dismayed, but the old lady ;it
last relented and made a good tea, which put everything
right, and made for peace and happiness which was not
always the lot of this good old Christian when the preacher
was away.
The preachings used to be in the weekdays on the
Wednesdajr nights at some brother's or sister's house.
Tins particular one for John was at Clough House, in a
large roomy house, with the furniture and work-things all
put back, and forms added to sit on. On this occasion,
after duly opening with singing, prayer, and a lesson, the
time of the sermon came, which was, " Owe thou no man
anything " but, do what he could, our friend John could
;
get no forrarder, and after struggling with it a long time

with no better result, old Anthony Hoyle gave out a hymn,
A prayer was said, then the pipes were brought out, and in
the discussion which followed soine one said,''
Whatever did
ta tak yond text for, John, because it is unkindly said that
tha owes Jim Clay some money, and he cannot get paid.''
Very likely this is a story of the worldly, who are ever
ready to invent something to the detriment of the faithful,
for John was a grand old man, and deservedly respected.
Among those who used to come and preach in Slaithwaite
was the great personality of Squire Brooke, briefly called
" Ned Brooke."' He was a great favourite at the Wesleyan
Chapel, then not so comfortable or handsome as it is
now. The chapel bottom was a wilderness, and used
for the Sunday school, with a square railed off for the
singing pew immediately under the pulpit. In that pew
(I can see them to-day) sat old Sam Whiteley, Tom Carter,
Joseph Haigh, Edward Varley, R. Wilkinson (with his
'cello), Frank Shaw, and myself (with a violin each), and
this was mainly the choir, who were largely called upon
in the service when the squire was preaching. It was
quaint, straight, honest, and direct. He would tell how
he used to go to church on a Sunday morning before lie
was converted, and in the afternoon g;o out into the fields
to seewhere to find a hare for the Monday morning. Then

he would take the congregation into his confidence and tell
them how smart he used to be in his shooting costume,
and dry remark, " How fine the devil had me, but, thank
God, not so after my conversion." Then he would stop
suddenly, and begin to sing " I do believe," etc., etc., in
which all the congregation heartily joined.
The old gentleman never came empty handed, and the

deserving poor had ever a helping, hand. There was one
lamentable occasion on which a drunken man in the chapel
threw his pipe at the old gentleman in the pulpit. This
was too much to submit to, so the fellow who had done
this foul thing and his mate went to beg pardon, a matter
readily granted, and they were well fed but what should
;
the wicked beggars do but steal the knives they had used
in eating the good things provided !Happily, this was
not discovered by the family at the time, but wrongdoing
does not go long unpunished, and in a short time after,
for other misdeeds, they were brought to justice.
Edmund Sykes, known briefly at the chapel as Ned o'

Billy's, one of the oldest, best-remembered, and most
respected of a family of village shopkeepers, living under
the shoj3 at what was the old post office, now occupied by
Godfrey Woodhead. Ned Lane takes its name from the
old gentleman, who was not so much of a preacher, but
a devoted member of Gadsby's Chapel, to which his wife
(a fine woman in every sense) was closely attached. The
ministers were often located there, and old Mr. Kershaw,
of Rochdale, used to tell with a relish of his first reception
there. Getting from Rochdale was not so easy as now.
He had to walk over Blackstone Edge, and came on a
Saturday. When he arrived he was not so well dressed,
a little uncouth and uncanny. He did not take Mrs. SykesV
eye, and little was the talk that night, you may imagine.
The morning was no better, so all quietly went to chapel.
The service opened, hymns were sung, lesson read, prayei
said, and a most eloquent sermon preached. And when
this was done all was changed from darkness to marvellous
light; where it had been winter cold was summer warmth.
SLAITHWAITE NOTES. L35
Ever after, Mr. Kershaw, as long as lie lived, when coming

to Slaithwaite, always stayed with the Sykeses, and was
most welcome.
Sometimes a minister did not turn up, and then one
of the deacons had to try. Mr. Sykes sometimes did duty,
who nearly always cried, so soft and tender were his feelings.
To us boys this used to be a wonder, and it generally won
our sympathy, so that we were better behaved than on
ordinary occasion. Once he did not get on a bit. He had
taken a hard text from a very complicated subject, which
lie could not open out, and had to cut it short. When he
got home his wife lovingly advised him that in future he
was to take all his texts from the Psalms, as more within
his powers, advice which never failed him after, as he
always kept his little boat near the shore, and within the
sound of the songs of David. Joseph Sykes, Lingards,
was a very good hand, was very useful at Holthead, and
latterly was a home missioner dowm Bedfordshire way.
James Wood, Hollins Row, did not do much, but had

a very clear head, and could repeat a sermon when he
had heard it. However, on one memorable occasion, wdien
he should have preached at a w eek-night meeting, he had
r
entirely lost the idea of his sermon, and could not proceed.
He w as a bellman of the town, and could tell a good tale,
T
giving a clear idea of a sale, etc. Well known and highly

respected, he brought up a large and honourable family.
Brother Mellor belonged to the old Wesleyans, and had

a respectable career. He was asked to become the clerk
at the church, which in later life he accepted. He w as a
r
very useful man,* and at the meetings which Lord Dart-

mouth attended was most welcome, often delighting his
lordship with his quaint sayings.
Messrs. Charles and John Wilkinson were long the

staunch and able supporters of the old body, in which
they spent a lifetime for the love of the cause.
John Varley did the same yeoman service for the Free
Wesleyans after the separation. This hitter body had a
hard struggle, and the only thing to be regretted (and

for which they were not to blame) was the purchasing of
the land for their new chapel in Carr Lane from a private
owner (at a profit), who had made the first purchase of
free land after Lord Dartmouth had consented to sell.
This put the sale of land back for a time, had a very bad
effect on the authorities, and was not conducive to cheap
land in the future. A bad beginning which, fortunately,
has had a o-ood ending.
CHAPTER XLV.
Manufacturers of Olden Days.
In the former chapters it was shown what the long-

windowed houses were for, what use was made of them,
and how things had changed with workers, but it is ;i
greater change with the manufacturers. In the old days

there were very few mill owners in the Colne Valley who
were manufacturers. No ; they were woollen scribblers,
millers, dyers, finishers, four separate businesses, which
found employment from the many (small and large) who
in those days were called piece makers, who put out their
material to factories in the first place to be made into
vini, which was sent home in the cop, to be again
delivered out to the weaver. These came from all the
hillsides, with their wrapper and their donkeys, principally
in a morning, the allotted time for this kind of work.
Then could be seen hundreds of them going to the various
large houses of the scattered manufacturers, who had a
busy time of it in the early part of the day; and again
on Tuesdays, when they went to Huddersfield to sell their
pieces. At other times it was one easy happy-go-lucky
existence. Most of the afternoons these men congregated
together, calling on the way at neighbouring public-houses,
and arriving at the Globe, where Ephraim was king,
brewer, farmer, and hail fellow well met, always strong
enough with characteristic personality to keep his friendly
SLAITHWAITE NOTES. I
•">
I
company together. They did not drink to get drunk.

Oh, no; was their club and rendezvous for good fellow-
it
ship. The village gossip was heard, stories were told,

valiant deeds recounted, and disasters retailed. They were
a right liood sort. No pride of family or conceit of wealth.
Then, big fortunes did not turn their heads, or a little
power make them vain. They 'had real enjoyment, and
were not above their neighbours; friendly with all, and
the good workman was often their companion. The talk
would lie general. Mr. John Crowther would tell the
company of the pleasure he had had last market day in
going to see the beautiful lass his oldest son was going
to marry, and how proud he was that she was good, which
was :etter than riches.
1 These are living to-day under
altered conditions, of which a tale could be told. Then
Mr. Hopkinson, a new comer, who was doing a large
liusiuess, would say, "Mine are too young for courting,
but it is- remarkable how the old granny is helping them.
She beats all I know, or any I have ever seen. She can
keep her shop accounts without a single book. She is no
scholar, neither knows a single letter; yet, with a bit of
white chalk and her own peculiar mark on the back of
the door, knows to a penny what everyone owes Iter "
and in those harder times the number would not be few,
or the amount small. Mr. J. Haigh said, " Tha'll be
weel off some day, Harry ; and my wife's doing same for
my son. She gets up by five o'clock i' th' morning to do
her housework, and then at eight o'clock begins to take
in his pieces from the weavers, who come in crowds from
all sides until dinnertime, and then after this she has to
help to tenter. Sometimes I wonder what he will do when
he gets his wife, for he will have to have her soon, as she
has begun to smooth his rough hair, smarten his appear
ance, and make him more presentable. The mother says
a bonnet maker will be a poor hand at a tenter, and very
little use with the weavers." Such were the notions of
these good old stagers in those days. One has lived to
see many things different in this case.
Mr. Joseph Sykes was of another class. He had no

was of a family of noted shopkeepers, and had
children,
joined this club of the manufacturers. He sold coals, pots,

clothes, greengroceries, and was a farmer, with a native wit
and a natural vein for banter. He once said, " If I have no
children of my own, there is my niece, who will be provided
for, and " — —
now addressing the landlord " they say thi
son is looking after her, so that we shall be getting mixed
up in a bit." Never mind that," says Mr. Haigh, "what
'"
said old Betty to thi the other day, when tha turned her
hens out of the field?" "Well," returned Joseph, " it was
not bad. The thing fairly settled me, and though against
myself, it was so good that I don't mind telling you, but
it must not go out of this room under any conditions, for
as overseer it would never do to get out into the town.
Well, Betty and I had a regular set-to about the hens, and
the worst of it was we were the best of friends, and old
Johnny, the husband, an old chum. The old lady says
to me, What am I to do?
'
My husband comes among you,
and leaves me and the children to provide for, and they
will have to have something to eat wherever it comes
from, and if tha will not let me keep hens I shall have to
come to thi for relief; and if I do, tha cannot for shame
give me less than '" —
naming an old sweetheart.
" Tha were fairly had there, Joe," said Mr. Horsfall, " but
I had a funnier experience this morning. You all know
we are building a new warehouse at our mill, and, trade
being good I am anxious to get it up, so I push them on
in every way. There was Tramp there, as careless as
possible, and when I asked him why he had not brought
his breakfast, he pulled a long face and answered.
'
Breakfast be d No indeed I have not, for no one
! ;
ever knows here that he will have to stay to a meal-time.'

And then when I got down to the lower mill one of the
young beggars put me in a skep, and said if I touched
him he would poise me soundly. Is this not enough for
one day? What is the world coming to when such words
can lie said and such deeds done to masters, even in their
own workshops?" Mr. G. Eastwood and the others said
nothing. The dear old landlady chimed in, "You should
have more patience with the men, treat them more kindly,
and with greater consideration. They are the same flesh
SLAITilWAITE NOTES. L39
and blood, and what a singular reflection! How narrow

a margin differentiates us ail l'r one another."
This motherly wisdom would benefit the whole world,

and bring all classes into closer union for the common
—
good of all, if only more practical a sort of just levelling
up which would increase happiness, bridge over difficulties,
and make a solid road for mankind to walk upon.
CHAPTER XLVi.
Workers at their Forum.
The Dartmouth Aims is seated round with workers who

have just begun to take a warm interest in the Co-operative
movement. Workers are no longer to be kept under.
George Jacob Holyoake is preaching his new doctrines to
listening ears of how to raise mankind. Walter Eagland
and John Bamforth eloquently expounded the scheme of
self help to their fellows, who encourage each other on, and
from this source was commenced the great Co-operative
movement in Slaithwaite, which has grown to such large
dimensions all through the Colne Valley. Anyway, here
was the commencement, and no one can tell what it will
develop into if the members be but true to one another,
and try to live for something else besides the purely selfish
" divi." There are times when brotherly love, relief, and
truth do not seem to be the order of the day even in this
well-regulated community, and when it appears as if the
least wage was the right thing to do, and the longest hours
to work was a correct code. If this be so, let us hope there
will be less of it, and more of the ideals of the early days
in the future history of Co-operation.
Speaking of the Co-operative movement, I sometimes

wonder if the promoters will ever join the Independent
Labour Party and go in for class legislation pure and
simple— to me a wrong thing either for the few of the
14:0 SLAITHWAITE NOTES.
past or the many

of the future. If it is to be purely
selfishness, be a low rung on the ladder of human
it will
progress. The best of men have not laboured for this
beyond the greatest happiness for the greatest number, but
surely there is something else than seizing by fair means,
or otherwise, the great power of production, distribution,
and exchange. Where it can be done legitimately, no
objection can be taken. The first named is a difficult
problem, and has been long in getting to the strong
position it is in to-day.
The worthy individuality of genuine brain power and

force of character must and will tell in all ages, and as
long as the world is better for them they are fairly entitled
to a just reward. If there had not been these, where would
the great industries of the day have been. Some, alas !
a little precarious just now, but by and bye they will he

put right, so as to be able to meet the world with equal
justice to the worker and the individuality of merit and
ability. It would be an insult to common decency to level
down the brightest intellect to the lowest level of
humanity. Fair play to both is my cry, and may they
work together for the good of the world, as in the past.
Distribution is somewhat easier, and here it has taken
the Co-operative movement fifty years to attain the proud
position it occupies to-day. How many shopkeepers have
been killed in the process is no part of this discussion.
We have to welcome progress which leads to greater
happiness, and if the movement can take up production
no one will object. They have their chance. The world
is before them. If the many can accomplish what the few
have done in production to the greater benefit of mankind,
a grateful age will welcome the progress but until that ;
day let there be none of that ill-natured railing, which

dnrx m i deserve the approbation of a generous public bent
it
on the improvement of the condition of men.
Exchange is a greater difficulty. Those who have the

money make the mare to go. It will take a long time to
denude our banks of their vast capital, our joint stocks of
their accumulation, and our large concerns of their wide
SLAITHWAITE NOTES. liJ
extensions. A much better plan than pulling down would

be building up, and if the men of the present age will do
what those have done in the past, they will show something
which the age will appreciate, and fit to be put alongside
the records of that glorious past which has been the envy
of the world. Be this as it may, let me proceed with my
story of the workers.
Another pioneer of progress appeared at this time, at

the same good old hostelry, to preach to the same class of
men on the higher aims of Cooperation, viz. to provide
:
their own workshops, to be their own "masters, and collar

the means of production in addition to their distribution
a subject warmly debated to-day. There will be much
more of it in the future, and if men would only be true
to each other there would be a greater chance of its success.
It all depends on themselves. Only it is a mistaken idea
to ever think that they can knock out individuality, merit,
or ability, or reduce to one common level the intellect or
capacity of men. No let those who have wings of power
;
soar the atmosphere of righteous conquest, and he who is

strong use it, not only for himself, but for the benefit of
mankind.
At Slaithwaite, they were a little before their time.
Air. Paterson, the preacher, was most eloquent, made many
converts, and unfortunately (judged by results) succeeded
in getting a companv top-ether to commence cotton spinning
in Scammonden. How they got the money to build that
unlucky mill, how they stopped short, lost all their money,
and how blighted were all their prospects was painfully
illustrated by the lamentable death of Mr. Bamforth, a
highly respectable working-man, Avho had money, and when
all was lost went and destroyed himself in the unfinished
factory, which was to have been the joy of their lives.
but ended, alas in their untimely graves.
!
"
Another class and another kind of " drouthy neebors
often met at the Bottoms, then, as now, a lovely spot on
the small river running from Deer Hill Springs. The
place was formerly an old mill with a water wheel, but at
this time it was the residence of Mr. William Varley, who
1 ±2 SLAITHWAITE NOTES.
had a brew-house, by which he did a rare trade, and had

a licence to sell ale in the low room, up to the running
brook. At the door here often sat, by an ingle bleezing
finely in reaming swats that drank divinely, a choice lot
of old Lingardians. Some of them worked at the quarry
(now idle), Windy Bank, under old Mr. Stocks, called good
old Jerry for his kind nature and cheerful disposition. Old
Johnny, the ancient, a true but dry crony, was nearly
always there. They (the company) loved him as a brother,
but this was a disaster for the sufferers at home. Then
would come in John Marks with a good hearty laugh at his
own tales, at which old Joe Beaumont would Avant to fratch
a bit, but Dan o' th' Holt would not have it. Said he one
day " We have a better thing on. Ben o' Bamforths o'
:
Carters has gotten a fortin, and we are to spend every

—
penny " and, what is more, they did. Never one of the
happy lot did anything but drink until it was all gone.
At the end of this long spree I remember Dan coming to
our house for my father. He was fairly done, and gasping.
He says to my mother, " Betty, lass, I do want something
tasty; what can you give me?" "Nay," she replied, "I
have nothing with your cursed drinking: but if a treacle
shive and a onion is anything in thi way tha can have
that." This little incident lives in Slaithwaite to this day,
and often quoted, and was a great favourite with the
is
late William Sykes, of the gasworks.
And another class of the same period foregathered at

the Rose and Crown at Cop Hill. There would be sporting
men, and the talk would be of foot racing, pigeon flying,
—
and trail hunting the latter then in c^reat votnie, and
what a pleasant sport for it is harmless compared with
!
the more cruel ones nothing killed or anything injured,

;
and a good test of the skill and strength of a dog.
One day, in having their pints, John o' Sarah says :
" Well, lads, I have been over to the Hanging Gate yonder
i' Saddle worth to meet as gradely a lot of sportsmen as
ivver I met afore. Little Enginer gave me £10 to back
his great dog Nudger to run Dip-gle Bounty,' and they
'
'
'
took it on sweetly, I can tell you. We knew we were in for

•'»
a good thing. The money was as good as in my pocket,

and when all was ready I took notice of the sign over the
door, which says :
—
"This gate hangs well, and hinders none;
Refresh and pay and travel on.'
This I did, and I asked the chaps what they were going to
have on. They supped up. Then I called again. Bailey
says Put me daan for 50s.'
'
Nay,' says John o' Tommy's,
'
ilia arn't going to have it all.'" Anyway, a good stake

was made up. "Now." said John o' Sarah's, '-our dog is
in splendid fettle. We are sure to win if all yo' fellows
will go to the race and spread yerseln aat to cover the
whole run to see fair play." I need not add they all went
their several ways that night full of the coining event,
and when the time came they were all there, and came
marching home from Saddleworth Hills and over Standedge
Moors with their favourite dog and the money rattling
in their pockets. These two famous dogs were so remark-
able in their day and generation that the Saddleworth
people became the happy possessors of both, and to-day
their names adorn respectively two signs of public-houses
at Dobcross, as a mark of their great powders, and what
working-men thought of them in those days.
CHAPTER XLVII.
What the Lasses did Fifty Years Ago, and Now.
Fifty years ago they worked at the mill when old enough.
There. was a beautiful crop of them at the silk mill oh. go
;
nice and clean. Others wove at home, and some very few-
went out to service. They were a handy lot indeed, fast
with nothing, and could do almost anything. In the first
place, they could knit and sew, bake and brew, mend their
stockings, attend to the house-work, etc., etc., and do
samplers. (These latter have gone out largely in the.se

later days, as formerly noted in Chapter XV., and varied in
this.) You can see a few remnants of the past hung up
in some of the houses in their heavy frames, representing
Bible characters, pet lambs, etc., illustrated with numerous
verses. This art was largely taught at the old " Dame's
School," Kitchen LV>ld, where a few boys were taught to
knit stockings between running out of doors; for in summer
time, when the days were tine, they used to bolt out into
the open and enjoy themselves in the fresh air, or go
fishing in the River Colne hard by. They were fine times,
and not spoilt by anticipations of punishment, for the
truant knew that at the worst it would only be a gentle
tap or two from an old strap kept for the purpose. The
hardest thing that ever came from this weapon of correction
was when the old lady had hurled it at the head of some
ill-behaved scholar, one or two of whom had the audacity
to throw it back. Then there were ructions, and the
culprit got a well-deserved punishment, which probably
troubled him for many a day. Education was not altogether
neglected either. Truth to be told, Canon Hulbeit. even
if he did take advantage of it in the interest of his church,
was one of the pioneers of this great movement, and his

schools did a useful work in teaching good reading, useful
writing, ready mathematics, sound grammar, and plenty
of geography. Then there was the Sunday school, where
si
ii tie of the Dissenters taught writing on a Sunday, and
many a girl that I know well owed her writing to one of

these places; and oh, what would have been missed if it
had not been so? It is no secret that at times, longing for
a glimpse of little reminiscences of the past, I look into a
hidden drawer for a sacred sheet of paper, reminding one •
when summer was one continuous day of sunny happiness,

and winter had no darkness. Such documents are dear to
one's heart, and that to bedew it with tears can be no
desecration, descending as it does from so pure a source,
and the writing and the writer coming from a Sunday
school one loved so well in those far-off yet happy days.
Then singing was a great art, taught at mosl of the
schools, and with this aid the young people could sing by
SLAITIIWAITE NOTES. 145
ear. was a common thing for two girls to sing duets

It
at the anniversaries,and on a Sunday evening could be
heard the choruses resounding from the mountain sides,
the loud hosannas —
the little hills rejoice and the valleys
covered with corn. Not only these, but the higher themes
could be heard of Handel's " Hallelujah," and even so far
as Beethoven, and other great masters' works.
They sing well and beautifully at this time, and perhaps

with greater training go further, but they do not do much
better than those of the remoter period. Besides, in the
higher grade, we had in my early days classes for drawing,
taught by the late and lamented Mr. Peace Sykes, of
Huddersfield, who with rare ability did for the girls in
this pleasing art what Mr. Jarmain did for the boys in
practical science as applied to trade and commerce. By
this the present generation will see we were not idle at
that time, but were sowing the seed of the greater Slaith-
waite which was to be, and in which all classes of the
community rejoice to-day, and cheerfully participate in
the labours and joys of those of the past. Then and now,
'"
With joy unfeigned, brothers and sisters meet,
And each for others' welfare kindly speers,"
the brother to defend, and the sister finds in him a rock

on which she can firmly stand, and if on this she will rely
no danger will ensue. In addition, while in the past the
Sundays schools were poor, ill adapted, out of all propor-
tion, and totally unequal to the requirements of modern
times, still good results attended the efforts of former
workers in the labour of love. The singing classes were
well attended, the books were freely taken out of the
libraries, and the recreations, though somewhat restrained,
were wholesome and pure. Neither was there so much of
these things as to interfere with the duties at home, which
were as numerous as they were varied. When a young
girl got married she had not to learn her duties. A fond
mother had taught her everything in this respect they
;
were a little better then than now, though in many modern

things a little behind. For instance, in dress. Thev were
116 .SLAITHWAITE XOTES.
not so smart, and all thenew fashions did not find their
way into the village. The fit was not so neat, the figure
was not so trim; neither were the bonnets so gay, or the
hats so large ; but there was something more nearly —
every girl could make her own frock, and often make her
own headgear. But, what is more still, she could make
her old clothes look as well as new. A lost art at home
everything or nearly so is bought at the shop or Co-op.
In this matter the old days were better than the new;
and with regard to cleanliness, this was a religion never
transgressed by saint or sinner. There was no John
Holroyd and Company to take in washing; this was all
done in the cottage as well as in the hall, and the starching
was a study, especially the white caps of the young wives,
now unhappily gone out of existence. But what matters
it which was the better, as both these things are good alike.
The classes at our schools are larger, and the rooms rebuilt
to meet modern requirements. They do much good, to
mention one only, because it is the largest, and the teacher
a kind friend to all the dear one hundred girls who attend
on a Sunday afternoon. What pleasure it gives to both
Could girls be better preserved, or their lives be made more
happy? Every birthday there is a card, not because of
its value. Every marriage a present, though not great,
yet thoughtful, and in every sorrow some comfort, and
this sincere and well-meant. "Who could spoil the plumage
of these bonny birds?
" Is there, in human form, that bears a heart,

A a villain lost to love and truth ;
wretch ; ;
That can, with studied, sly, ensnaring art,

"
Betray one of these sweet unsuspecting youths ?
No ; if so, a curse on his perjured arts, and be

and,
he at times condemned \xntil justice has been done to
all
the so ruined maid, and consolation brought to the fondling
parents o'er their child.
This nearer and dearer teacher than all others, alas

«jroneto her reward.
CHAPTER XLVIII.
Johnny, Billy, and Neddy "Walker.
Heroes do not all come from the wealthy and great. Oh,
no the cottage as well as the hall are regularly supplying
;
bright specimens. Neither are deeds of valour, the achieve-

ments in art or development of wealth, the only things
which constitute worth and distinction. They have all
their degrees, and this time let us take example from the
struggling workers who for a lifetime fought blindness
with a zeal and success quite praiseworthy. The lads
named above were the sons of Mr. T. Walker, Scan- Hall,
a slubber at Tape Mill, under Mr. John Horsfall, in the
best days of this old Slaithwaite firm. The father was an
honest hard worker, with a large family of three boys and
a number of girls. The latter were bright and intelligent,
well brought up by a good mother, and attached to the
Wesleyan Chapel. The dear old creature was so quiet that
she was beloved by everybody. She had one great sorrow,
which stamped itself on her existence. It was always
present, and considerably oppressed her, but she struggled
bravely with it, and as far as possible kept it from the
afflicted sons, who were unfortunately born very short-
sighted — in fact, nearly blind. It was a terrible misfortune
to face, but for the sake of the dear ones she never
complained, but made their lives cheerful, their surround-
ings happy, and their hopes as bright as circumstances
would permit. Unfortunately there was no school for the
blind in and about Slaithwaite, so of education they had
none. Food and comforts at home the old birds always
provided, and when the lads got bigger they took to the
iinly trade there was for them, and that was driving what
were called Midgley's donkeys, belonging to Messrs. J. and
•I. Sykes, the old coal dealers, between the hump-backed
bridges on the banks of the canal, on which they had boats,
and in which they brought house coal and distributed the
same largely by the above said process. These teams ni
donkeys were then a study. Some of the best animals in

the kingdom could be found here, and their services were
valuable, for roads were none too good. Distances were
great and the pay very small both for boy and beast, still
everybody seemed only too willing to give a helping hand
to the three dark brothers, who were heroically trying to
make an honest living rather than go to the overseer for
relief. It is wonderful how kind the poor are with one
another when misfortune overtakes one of their order, and
it is here that greatness of character comes in, which was
mentioned at the beginning of this chapter.
To-day —without the least disrespect to the rich, may

I —
say? ifwere begging on the road, sad to relate, if I
I
wanted a crust of bread, I think it would come more freely

from the cottage of the poor than from the mansions of
the great; though, truth to be told, the latter are not
wanting when true charity is required. My dear mother
and I must be pardoned if I have told this story before
made a practice of serving all beggars; a foolish thing to
do on the off chance. She, poor thing, said that if any of
her boys were starving some poor soul would take pity
—
and give them the return crumb which she could so ill
spare at that time from her humble cottage home.
This kind of thing is what this chapter means in making

out nature's heroism in humble life, and by the manly and
womanly way they meet and successfully overcome sorrow
and distress. In this sense these lads deserve well of their
order for the honest efforts they made to support them,
selves ; but greatest of all was their natural talent for
music, which, untaught, they developed with great success.
Loss of sight by a wise providence seems to be compensated
by the greater brilliance given to the ear but, still, what
;
a calamity when it is " all dark amid the blaze of noon"!

What those who can see have to be thankful for, and what
those in need of this splendid faculty have to mourn
Yet it did not bother them. They made the best of it.
always remembering that in one way or the other the Lord
would provide. Johnny, the elder, had a violin given to
him early in life, and, self taught, in time became very
SLAITHWAITE NOTES. 1 I
1
.)
proficient, and was in requisition at all the neighbouring

feasts, and dances.
fairs, At the classes taught for the
latter he was the never-failing fiddler to supply the tunes.
Al feasts and fairs he was a great draw, because in addition
to his ability with the strings he had a fair voice, and could
sing a good song to his own accompaniment; until at last,
too soon, after a long number of years of great usefulness,
one fatal Slaithwaite Feast Sunday he was taken to Broad
Fields and there ate some raw gooseberries, which gave him
a violent attack of cholera and laid him low in a few hours.
Thus Slaithwaite lost its blind idol with sympathetic
regret.
Bill}'could play no instrument, but he was the best of

rhem as a singer, and, accompanied by his brother, it was
a real treat to hear them at the Star Hotel giving their
musical concerts to appreciative neighbours and friends.
He dearly loved a song with a good chorus, in which the
company could join with a right hearty goodwill, and was
also great in a piece where talking was introduced. He
lived a fair time, and was honoured in his death.
Now comes the last, poor Neddy. Who has not heard
—
him with his concertina and his songs? a treat in either,
and a charm when combined. He, too, was in great request
at public-houses and at dances. What a friend he had in
the then genial host, Mr. G. H. Walker, of the Commercial
Inn, when this gentleman kept this popular hostelry. At
Linthwaite, too, he was a great favourite, and went there
up to the time of his death. For years he had not been
over well, and kind friends had often helped to smooth
his suffering life, and now when lie is gone the public have
come to the rescue with a gala, which, it is pleasing to
know, lias realised a fair sum of money, and if not enough,
let them try again. There is plenty of music in the Colne
Valley to help a fallen brother, a public spirit which will
not let those suffer who are left behind, and that strong
appreciation of merit and ability to do justice to the
memory of the last of the three little heroes.
CHAPTER XLIX.
Variett.
Slaithwaite people have had their feast time, and maybe

when now at work again will be interested to learn how
others spend theirs. These feasts and wakes, of what vast
importance they are in the north ! Every town and village
sends its contingent to the seaside, and what a time they
have of it! Who could find in their heart to deny it to
those who have from year to year to stare at the walls of
a factory, and to hear the machinery grind? No wonder
the young people are as merry as crickets when every
prospect pleases, and only vile when the weather disappoints
with teeming rain, as was the case at Douglas last Sunday
— one of the most Avretched days that ever the sun did
not shine upon. " Oh, the young darlints "
! The dear
young girls were kept in like caged birds, and had no
chance to turn out in their gay feathers to sport on the
promenade (poor things !), but there was nothing for it
but to make the best of it by playing like tame kittens
at the doors of their lodges. Older birds had their work
set to get through such a day without moping or thinking
of the absent ones at home. One of these old stagers,
however, managed it in this way. There was Gipsy Smith
preaching in the town. Wading through the rain up
Victoria Street, a vast throng was discovered in a large
and commodious chapel, waiting nearly one hour before
the time for this popular preacher to come in. There was
the usual well-dressed tradesman to show people to their
seats, to boss the show, and make the collection. After
long waiting the preacher turned up, with his dark
moustache, dark eyes and dark hair, well-chiselled face,
a musical voice, and a taking manner. He was at once
at his ease, and held the audience from first to last, with
his earnestness, plain speaking, and honest truths of the
John Ploughman stamp. It made one think that if every
Wesleyan minister adopted the same style it would not
take lonp; to empty the chapels of the wealthy and better-
to-do. No ; there was no chance for the religious man
who says lie does business on business lines, and that

religion a different thine.
is The latter is everything with
Smith, and the rest nowhere. There were a few there who
would wonder at this, to them a strange doctrine, but the
eloquent preacher seemed to get them to swallow it very
nicely, with now and then a bit oi' sugar.
The text was a long one from the ninth chapter of

St. Mark, and from this he drew tears and laughter, and
lifted many a bosom to heave for better things and resolve
to do better deeds, and then finished with beautifully
singing a selected hymn, along with his daughter.
After so good a morning one may be indulged with a
sacred concert for the evening, especially in the Cohie
Valley, where three of the principal performers were
Slaithwaite lads. This was at the Palace, and oh how
beautiful they have made the place since the fire! The
decorations are of the best, the balconies very tine, the
painting grand, and the floor magnificent ; but greater
than these things was the vast audience, and the galaxy
of talent for the evening's entertainment, commencing with
that well-known hymn, "Arise, Lord, and shine," to the
tune "Darwen," in which all the people joined.
The band was at its full capacity, assisted by Mr.

Daniel Wood, from London, and other clever men, and
one lady at the pianoforte, under the perfect control of
Mr. Harry Wood, who seemed to revel in the work. Dressed
to perfection, he looked much better in his evening dress
than in that short jacket, which is not so graceful or
suitable to his person, but the work he did told in every
"
department. The first piece was " In Memoriam
( Sullivan), performed faultlessly, as a tribute of respect
to the memory of the late Lord Salisbury. Then came Mr.
William Green, the tenor, with the song, " Onaway,
awake! beloved" (Coleridge-Taylor), a very fair perfor-
mance, and for an encore sweetly gave " The Anchor's
Weighed." Brightly following this was Miss Ella Russell
with that dramatic scena, " Adonais " (Langdon Ronald).
specially composed for this lady, and the words selected
from Shelley's poem by Vernon Blackburn. How she
\~)'2 SLAITHWAITB NOTES.
delighted the audience: played with the top and bottom

notes as only a very great artist can do.; and again she
fetched them with an undeniable encore by her winsome
response of " 'Twas within a Mile of Edinboro' Town,"
and again her marvellous singing of " II Bacio " (Arditi),
and " In Maytime " (Dudley Buck). In all the recalls
she did a womanly thing : she insisted in sharing the
honour with Harry Wood, the conductor, who richly
deserved it. Mr. Green also gave effectively " O vision
entrancing " (Goring Thomas) and " An Evensong
(Blumenthal) ; but to the writer two of the gems of the
evening may be fairly claimed for the youthful brother,
Haydn Wood, who was loudly applauded on making his
appearance, and more so as he retired after each clever
performance, in the first place in a piece of his own,
entitled " Souvenir de Pesth," and in the second solo,
" Rondo Capriccioso " (Saint-Saens). Such playing was
never dreamed of by the old stagers dying off, and it would
be a great pity if he were allowed to stop here. He must
go on and on, until he attains the highest rung in his
profession, and that is by going to Italy or Germany to
the greatest masters, to prepare for what all his numerous
friends believe to be a great career. The band was very
successful in a selection, Tschaikowsky's " Bridal March,"
and a great concert ended, having given delight to
thousands on a wet and miserable night.
Iwas largely the means of Harry Wood being a fiddler,
and 1 have written the above to encourage the younger
brother to be greater by sending the youth to the best
masters.
CHAPTER L.
An Annual.
For the fifty-first annual contest at Belle Vue there has
been a keen struggle between the great bands of the
North, the South being mostly out of it; at least until
very lately, when at the Crystal Palace, at the end of
SLA1TIIWAITE NOTES. 153
September, a great contest has been held during the lasl

few years, and here most of the principal prizes have been
brought North. Last year Black Dyke and Linthwaite
secured the two principal prizes respectively in the order
named. What these men have to do, the distances they
have to travel to and from practice, the natural abilities
required, and the devotion necessary, is something of a
study to those who understand these things. Without
drawing an unkind comparison, how easy it is to attain
fame in football if strength, speed, and courage be there
But it is not so in music; it takes years and years to
accomplish, and yet how popular the former, and how
badly paid and patronised the latter. It used not to be
so in the early days of contesting, when Meltham and
Linthwaite were neck and neck ; then, as each band
returned home with their prizes, the inhabitants at each
village used to turn out to welcome them, even if it were
midnight when the return journey was accomplished. Then
it was a great fight with Lancashire, tins county being
often beaten down to the lower prizes —'Besses o' th' Barn
in those days were low down, Kingston Mills came up
pretty well, Rochdale Old was not bad, Stalybridge had
a good band, Mossley was coming on, Accrington was all
there, Pemberton Old, a,s to-day, was good, and this year
for a wonder got the first prize.
This was all after the great time of the Bacup Band,
which had carried all before it for a long time, and this
old band has a history all its own with regard to winning
at Belle Vue in the days of a long time ago.
The fightbetween the Roses was just as keen as is the
battle in cricket,and to keep prominent there was some-
thing to do for Yorkshire. Linthwaite was fortunate in
getting the valuable services of that great musician, Mr.
Sidney Jones, who in his turn did much to bring out Mr.
E. Swift, one of the oldest and best bandmasters of the
day. If he were to reckon up the scalps he has taken
they would be a formidable array, and do credit to his
great worth in the brass band world, not only as a great
teacher, but also an equally eminent writer of selections
which have ever been popular with brass bands.
This year (1903) Linthwaite is his only band at Belle

Vue. What a lesson to go back to 1869, when this
combination begun to contest! Since then they have taken
many good prizes at this great musical carnival, from the
first on September 7th, 1874, down to nothing at all, as
the Irishman would say; and, what is worse, the latter
very often.
Charles Auty was a long and well-tried leader, who did
some good things in his time. John Beaumont was a born
artist. H. Haigh was a good and tried friend of the band.
J. Taylor, in 1882, won the euphonium solo competition
(£18 18s.) at Belle Vue. (4. Kaine was a wonderful acquisi-
tion, and in his time did many great things. Monk was
a good player, but did not stop long. Then, whoever was
better than H. Oldham on the tenor, or Fisher on the
bass, or Garside on the trombone? One is only remem-
bering a few of the (so-called) old fossils, while the rest of
the band were no less efficient, and not daring to mention
the young race both in and out of the band for fear of
causing jealousy, because in music (as in other things;
there is much more trouble with success than in the
ordinary course of things.
One has seen in companies shareholders quiet for years

without a dividend, but let the same company be more than
successful, then the " music " begins, and from the directors,
the manager, the workers, and the .shareholders there
conies an ugly rush, a sort of avalanche, which, if not
stopped in time, will crush all before it. The moral in
bands, men, and companies is always to be reasonable and
just, then all will come right in the end. But what has
all this to do with Belle Vue contest? Well, let us come
back to the subject.
Monday last was a great da}'. Thirty bands entered,
nineteen were selected, and each played a selection —
" Caractacus," selected and arranged by Charles Godfrey,
R.A.M., Lieut, and B.M., Royal Horse Guards. It is a

difficult piece, calculated to test every member of the band,
but so great have our bands become that they seem able
to tackle anything no matter how great or difficult. The
SLAJTHWAITE IJOTBS. 155
playing was simply wonderful, and every band deserved a

prize. The contest begun a little after one o'clock. Of the
nineteen bands, A. Owen had eight, John Gladney three,
Edwin Swift one, William Rimmer three, and the rest
divided between men less known. The first prize was £50
in money and cup second, £30
; ; £20 ; fourth, £15 ;
third,
fifth, £10; and sixth, £5. To these prizes were added
musical instruments, etc., by the various well-known makers.
What a record Mr. John Gladney has at these contests !
No matter which band, he is almost sure to win. Of tin-

above six prizes he took first, second, and sixth. Mr. A.
Owen, with eight bands, only managed to get fifth Lea —
Mount, Halifax, together with a consolation prize for Lea
Mills. Mr. Rimmer took third with Irwell Springs, and a
consolation prize with Wingates Temperance. Mr. B. Lodge,
of Primrose Hill, Huddersfield, happily took fourth prize
—
with Lindley Mr. Gladney's old band. But Mr. E. Swift
is to be sympathised with very greatly for missing to win
—
with Linthwaite. They played magnificently tone, tune,
—
ensemble, smartness, and finish were marked features
everyone declaring it was a fine performance, which only
took nine minutes (less time than any of the other bands),
but they were badly drawn between some good bands, and
third in the order of going in, while Peinberton and
Lindley were very much more favoured by coming in later
on and between some poorer bands. Indeed, Linthwaite
never was very fortunate at Belle Yue, and had their merit
to depend on their success here, they would never have
had much success. Their renown has all been Avon outside
these contests. It is thirteen years since they ever got a
prize at these gardens. Indeed, they have ever been
unfortunate here, but this year it is a double misfortune,
because they have just got their new instruments, were in
great need of the money, and had gone so well prepared
and confident. Their friends must sympathise with them
the more and rally round them with that support which
they so richly deserve. If it is some consolation to the
band and their numerous supporters, it is to know they
are in good company, for neither Besses o' th' Barn or
Kingston Mills (two of the best bands there) got one penny.
But ley Old, another good Yorkshire band, was unfortunate,

so that company in distress should make the trouble less
for poor Linthwaite, who will do better next time, and,
—
what is more, have better luck let us hope to be renewed
at London again when they go to the Crystal Palace.
There were the usual crowds from all parts of the

country, the shouters for the popular bands, the old
musicians, and those on pleasure bent. Each one here had
his or her turn, and right well did they score. All had
prizes, and there were no blanks. Fortunately, there was
less drunkenness than ever before. Better order and great
good humour, only marred by the terrible rain which set
in just after five o'clock, and made everybody miserable,
except those who had won the day.
The judges were Mr. Manuel Bilton, bandmaster 17th
(Duke of Cambridge Own) Lancers Mr. J. O. Shepherd,
;
musical director, Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool ; and Mr.

J. W. Beswiek, Manchester and it is no mistake to say
;
their decisions gave general satisfaction, although, indeed,

they were much in the nature of a surprise to a good many
there.
CHAPTER LI.
Death of Mr. E. Swift : A Friendly Appreciation.
On Tuesday morning died one of the best of our well-known

citizens, Mr. EdwinSwift, at his residence, Roadside,
Milnsbridge, Linthwaite, at the age of sixty years, honoured
and respected by all. The deceased gentleman leaves a
widow and an up-grown family to mourn his irreparable
loss, and a district to be all the poorer through his
departure to the " Better Land." For a long time it has
been seen that Mr. Swift has not been very well. About
four years ago he had a great shock by the death of his
favourite son Fred, a lad beloved by all, a great acquisition
to the Linthwaite Band, and possessing a talent almost
equal to his father, with more favourable opportunities of
Mr. Edwin Swift.
SLAITHWAITE NOTES. 1 ) t
developing- the name, and had at the time of his demise

won not only honour at home, but a great position in
Scotland. This great loss told and hurt, but still Mr.
Swift did not lose head or heart, but went on with his
work to drown his sorrows.
— —
For last September Belle Vue contest he had doubly
prepared the Linthwaite Band, and with their new instru-
ments he was expecting great results, and when the two
first prizes were given to one eminent conductor, and again
in London, a month after, the first and second prize to
another who had failed at Belle Vue, it was a case
of fairly putting out Mr. Swift's pipe —food for reflection,
and a cause of great disappointment to many good
supporters of bands — but Edwin opened not his mouth;
still it told, and he was greatly disconcerted.
Only few knew of Mr. Swift's illness ;indeed, he did

not know himself, for only the other Sunday, when the
writer went to see him for the first time, he jokingly
remarked that he was going to cheat the doctor and hoped
to be soon well again. But, alas the hopes of man are
!
often doomed to failure, and when Dr. Macgregor saw him

on the Monday he could offer no cheering hope, and after
this the spirit of the subject of our notice drooped to
hopelessness. On the Wednesday early in January he took
to his bed, on which he peacefully lay until death stole his
gentle spirit away, as above stated.
Mr. Edwin Swift was a great honour not only to the

sons of toil, but to every class. A lad from the loom,
who, mostly self-taught, had climbed to the highest rung
of musical fame in the brass band world. No one was
more popular at the welcome concerts in the park during
the lovely summer months each year with Wyke and
Linthwaite. What he has done for the latter can never
be forgotten.
In the " Slaithwaite Notes " these things have been told
with glowing enthusiasm by a friend from youth upwards,
who has been true till death, and now mourns for him
as a verra brother.
During his time Mr. Swift has clone many things —

commencing a boy as a flautist (under the late Mr.
Thornton, of the New Street Temperance Hotel), a member
of the Linthwaite Drum and Fife Band, then a woollen
weaver, and when at home studied music. He soon
discarded the flute and took up the horn, became a good
player, and then joined the Linthwaite Band, which was
just becoming popular, under Mr. J. S. Jones, the Harrogate
—
bandmaster for so many years the father not only of
bands in Yorkshire, but the proud paternal father of sons
and daughters of musical geniuses. From this gentleman
Mr. Swift learnt much, became second conductor of the -
band (under Mr. Jones), and when the latter retired became
first, a position he has retained to the time of his lamented
death. It is no exaggeration to say that nearly all the
first-class bands of the day and yesterday have greatly
benefited by his wonderful teaching — Leeds Forge, Golcar,
Holme Mills, Mossley, Mirfield, Dewsbury, Wyke, Linth-
waite, Todmorden Old, Cbrnholme, Lindley, Honley, Oldham,
Rifles, Kingston Mills, Denton Old, and hosts of others too
—
numerous to mention not only this, but his masterly
compositions and clever arranging of music for bands in
contesting and otherwise. He was self-taught, had great
natural abilities, which brought him to the top of his
profession. He was ever liked as a judge, because he was
fair, able, and honest, and when contesting the same. And
what fights they were in the long time ago, especially
between Meltham and Linthwaite ! No complaining when
he had lost, as was often honestly the case, nor even when
(as was sometimes though) he had been cruelly robbed
of a well-earned prize. This latter kind of thing has
always told adversely on bands and their supporters, and
if too often indulged in would seriously endanger con-
testing, and will lose many friends. So that to-day we
have not the rosy morn of bands, which are still the
proudest products of Lancashire and Yorkshire, and may
they long retain their pre-eminence, and young men rise
to fill up the wide gap created by the removal of this
faithful friend and brother, and that those who struggle
so hard to be first may always get that place honestly
SLAITHWAITB NOTES. 131)
then bands will come back with all that place of honour
and position to which they are so eminently entitled by
their great merit and ability. J. S.
The Funeral.
Many were the signs of regret and sorrow on the occasion

of the late Mr. Edwin Swift's funeral, which took place
at the Wesleyan Chapel, Linthwaite, on Friday afternoon
last. The weather could scarcely have been more wretched,
as rain fell incessantly during the whole of the afternoon;
but, despite this, an immense number of people either
witnessed or took part in the mournful procession. The
funeral cortege was formed at the deceased's house at
Milnsbridge, and wended its way along the plain and
unsheltered Manchester Road in the blinding rain. Heading
the' procession were the members of the Linthwaite Brass
Band in uniform, with whom were many members of the
Wyke Band, and other musicians from the Lindley, Almond-
bury, Gainsboro' Britannia, and Gainsboro' Volunteer
Bands, in ordinary mourning. With muffled drums the
large body of instrumentalists played Handel's Dead
'"'
March " all along the route, and lent a very melancholy
air to the proceedings. Following the hearse came the
carriages, in which were the widow, three sons, and three
daughters of the deceased, aaid other relatives. Several
members of the Linthwaite Brass Band Committee were in
attendance, and old players in the band were represented
by Messrs. John Beaumont, Henry Oldham, Oliver Pogson,
and James Garside, tog-ether with an old secretary, Mr.
B. Holroyd.
Amongst well-known conductors, bandmasters, and repre-

sentatives of bands were Messrs. John Gladney (Manchester),
T. Valentine (conductor of Harrogate Borough Band),
Albert Gray (conductor of the Northern Military Band,
Manchester), Fenton Renshaw (Brockholes), B. D. Jackson
(Dewsbury), John Paley (conductor of Shipley Band), John
Riley (Gainsboro' Volunteer Band), J. Bromley (Batley Old
Band), Harry Bower (bandmaster of Black Dike Band).
William Lumb and P. Turner (Wyke Band). Cooke
(Gainsboro' Britannia Baud), Ashworth and Rushton (band-

master and secretary respectively of Eagley Mills Band),
and John Brook (bandmaster of Thornhill Band), Messrs.
Richard Stead (Slaithwaite), and Edwin Stead (Meltham),
former members of the old Meltham Mills Band, were
present. Mr. T. Slatford also represented the well-known
firm of Messrs. Besson and Company, London (who supplied
the Linthwaite Band with their new instruments), and
Mr. J. Eaton represented the Cornet, whilst a deputation
attended from the Milnsbridge Liberal Club, of which the
deceased was a member. Councillors Lawley and J.
Milnes, Messrs. A. J. Haigh, J. Wadsworth, and A.
Broadbent joined in the procession. Blinds were drawn
at many houses along the route, and the knots of people
assembled to witness the procession, whilst many followed
the cortege to Linthwaite. The Rev. S. C. Hall met the
mourners at the chapel, and was joined by the Rev. J.
Short, of Milnsbridge. The coffin, upon which were placed
the family wreaths, was laid in front of the communion
rails. The Rev. S. C. Hall read the opening sentences of
the service, and Mr. J. T. Bramley played on the organ
Mendelssohn's " Rest in the Lord." The hymn " Rock
of Ages " was pathetically sung by the congregation, and
the two ministers read portions of Scripture, after which
Handel's " Dead March " was played by Mr. Bramley. The
coffin was then borne to the grave, where the rest of the
funeral service was conducted by the two ministers, and
the augmented band played " The Last Wish " twice
through. The coffin, which was of solid pitch pine with
brass mounts, bore the inscription :
" Edwin Swift, died
February 9th, 1904, aged 60 years." A sorrowing look

into the grave, where other departed members of the family
are also interred, was taken by the mourners, who then
departed. There was a very large number of floral tributes,
and in addition to those sent by relatives of the deceased,
wreaths were sentbv the Linthwaite Brass Band Committee,
Wyke and Eagley Mills Bands, Mr. John Taylor (Ball Royd,
Longwood), Mr. and Mrs. Holdsworth (Middlesbro'), Messrs.
Besson and Company, Mr. lies (proprietor of the BritisJi
Br/jidsmr/n), Messrs. Hodgson and Company (Huddersfield).
.SLAITHWAITE X0TES. 161
and Mr. W. Rimmer (Southport). The messages of

condolence received, which were very numerous, included
letters from the Contest Committee, Abergavenny, South
Wales and Monmouthshire Brass Band Association, Ferndale
Prize Band, Mr. G. T. H. Seddon (London), and Mr. John
Dixon (representing Messrs. Boosey and Company, of
London), all of which were handed to the family by Mr.
Richard Stead.
CHAPTER LII.
The Political Crisis.
Itis difficult at this time of day (January, 1901) to know where
we are politically. Since 1888 we havebeen "all over the shop."

Then our great Mr. Gladstone went astray from the path
direct into the wilderness, as many thought, to get the
Irish vote, of which he was in great need. Up to this time
he had been dead against Home Rule for Ireland, and
many, like the writer, hung on his words at Leeds, when
he said the laws of civilisation were not exhausted. How
proud we were of this manly statement, and would have
followed him to the ends of the earth on this straight line
of policy ! Judge, then, of our dismay when, without the
least hint or ever consulting us, he asked us to vault clean
over to what he had taught us not to believe. This made
a breach which has never been healed, and opened flood-
gates which have never been closed. That portion of the old
Liberals who would not go or be thrown into the Parnellite
juice have ever since had the full tide of Liberal political
hate playing upon them from their old pals, and while
regretting this very much, have been content to keep up
a show of their own, and for propagandist purposes have
allied themselves with the old Tories, who have been very
loyal and true to all their obligations. When difficulties
have arisen the settlement has always been of a give-and-
take character, but, on the whole, leaning to the side of
mercy, the greatness of the Empire, and generally, if not
altogether, beneficent to mankind. Neither side could
have its own way something must and has been conce led
;
M
162 .SLAITHWAITE NOTES.
from time to time by both parties, by which a reasonable

modus operandi has been secured, which won the nation
to steady progress, carried two great elections by large
majorities, and occupied a most commanding influence in
the world's history. But where are we to-day, and what
shall we do, is the question of the hour. We have two of
our great leaders pulling with all their might in opposite
directions
— " Joey," as lovingly called by his best friends,
forwards and the noble Duke backwards. One says there
is no chance for this country unless we alter our fiscal arrange-
ment, and Devonshire almost swears he will not have it at any
price. This is strange to me. Only a very short time ago,
when presiding at a complimentary banquet (which I was
at) to the hon. member for Birmingham at the Hotel Cecil,
the Duke spoke most eloquently of the great service which
the Colonial Secretary had rendered to the country by
the unsurpassed grip and tenacity with which he had
pulled through the unfortunate war, and more than any
other Minister helped to weld the nation together in bonds
of unity with the sons and daughters beyond the sea. But,
alas what now ? We cannot go on this way and hold
!
together much longer with such divergence of opinion

between leaders. Very likely the Liberal Unionist organi-
sation will go, and the members cast abroad, never to
return to the old fold. Then where will they wander, like
goosey goosey gander, up stairs and down stairs, and into
what kind of a political chamber. There are three courses
before us the old Conservative party, the (what is called)
:
pieced-up Liberal party, and the Independent Labour

—
combination which shall it be? Or is it possible for
another, and a better still, a National party, which shall,
as Lord Macaulay put it, only serve the State. Let us see.
CHAPTER LIII.
Conservative Party Prospects.
Have the leaders confidence, or have they ceased to believe

in themselves by believing in others'? Such a nebulous
state of mind is not conducive to a strong Government.
f* V
John Arthur Brooke, Esq., J. P.
(Chairman of the Colne Valley Conservatives).

SLAITHWAITE JSOTES. 163
It is told of a lawyer who, in conducting a case, quoted

imany sorts of laws, read twenty pages of senseless judicial
Latin, and then proposed to the judges to throw dice, and
if the numbers proved odd the defendant should be right,
if even, the plaintiff. Has it come to this with a great

party, for so long the pride and strength of the English
nation, made possible by the great Lord Beaconsfield, and
from whose brilliance and success it took prestige and high
degree. Derby did much, but Lord Salisbury did more,
by consolidating and joining the older and better Liberals
who would not go in for Home Rule at the bidding of one
of the greatest statesmen of modern times. Altogether
these things made the Tory party strong up to this year,
when, as with all human things, time brought about a
change. Success was not to be for ever. Personal ambi-
tions run high. There were those out who wanted to be in
— young, pushful men who had not the patience to wait.
They would assert themselves and show the world how
much greater they were than other men, and if they
were only at the head of affairs how much
greater the nation's happiness and prosperity would
lie. Besides, with this, was a notion in the minds of the
young bloods of the party that they were strong enough
to do without the Liberal Unionists. Mr. Winston Churchill
begun it, with the Becketts, Lord Hugh Cecil, and others,
in the early part of this year. In varying forms, adopting
other means, have they kept it up, and this in spite of
the older and wiser heads. There was bound to be " an
emeute " sooner or later, and at last it has come with a
vengeance, to disturb every home, upset every hope, and
maybe dismember the Empire, if certain politicians get
into power and join the Irish and others to belittle every-
thing dear to an Englishman who aspires to strengthen,
and not weaken, the nation.
It isa poor return for the work and struggles of the
last fifteen years. How from this can one hope much of
the Tory party? Well, Mr. Balfour is honest, true,
resourceful, and endowed with great ability, a suavity of
manner highly captivating, but at times seems indolent
and does not know what to do ; if left to himself would
have great difficulty to hold on his way. True, he has

surrounded himself with a lot of promising young men,
who will learn much and be to reckon with in future —
strong point of advantage which will tell in the long run.
But suppose the Unionist party is broken, with no chance
to piece up, how is he to withstand the attacks from
without and within and carry on a strong Government
beset on every side with vanity and vexation ?
Many of the great problems have been settled ;
great
and good work has been done; but what of the future?
You cannot stand still. What are your prospects, and
what is your programme? I fear but very meagre, and
"
that a good strong dose of " wandering in the wilderness
will be the price which will have to be paid for the
lamentable upheaval in the Government. The Prime
Minister is not to blame he has been the victim of
;
unfortunate circumstances which he has been unable to

control. Should Mr. Chamberlain win and come back,
there may be some chance but this is more than one can
;
hope for. So that the future is very uncertain, and as

one is not seeking a safe side, or sitting on the fence to
see which way the oat jumps, or afraid of hard work, all
that is wanted is Which is the best way for the individual
:
and the nation? Just now it is most difficult to say. In

the next chapter I will consider what the Liberals are
prepared to do, and see if they have something better to
offer besides enter upon this ready-made road to office by
the miserable Unionists' differences, which have been a
curse, and the forerunner of the destruction of the great
Unionist party.
CHAPTER LIV.
What will the Liberals do?
In answer to this I cannot tell. Let us be just, but when

office is in view one cannot be too careful. Human
weakness is so great, passions so strong, and failings so
numerous, that it makes it very difficult to find a right
SLAITHWAITE XOTES. 165
solution to the perplexing question before us. The past

fifteen years has been a long sojourn in the wilderness.
Has the experience taught a lesson, brought common-sense,
and will it have shown them that the nation is greater
than a party and its existence of vastly more importance
to the citizens? Further, it should have taught the lesson
that however eminent the man he must not take upon
himself the position of dictator, or, without consulting
any of the followers, enter into arrangements diametrically
opposed to those which he has been preaching. Abject
adherence would be simply hollow mockery, outraging
common decency, and it is a grand reflection that this
country has always found men to resist this, and in the
nick of time just come on to the stage to save the piece.
England is great, glorious, and free, and may she ever be
is the song of all true patriots. When danger threatens,
defenders arise, and when trouble comes helpers have been
near. Will the Liberal party rise to the occasion? We
cannot tell; it is very problematical. The past is not
very assuring. The weakness of Mr. Campbell-Bannerman
is such that, while he is a well-meaning man, with a
laudable desire to serve his country, he lacks firmness,
which undermines all his efforts. Unfortunately, he is not
Mr. Gladstone, and his past does not inspire hope. When
Minister for War he so neglected his duties that there was
no cordite, and the Government was justly turned out.
When our soldiers were undergoing their sufferings in
South Africa, spilling their blood like water, he showed
not sufficient appreciation, but said things which will never
be forgotten. But, then, the narrow doors of his little
conventicle are not wide enough to admit the stalwart
Britisher. The miserable little squabbles that have arisen
under his reign are of no more merit than that of Mrs.
Jones, who is offended because Mrs. Smith has been put
over her head at the quarterly tea meeting at the little
Zion Chapel over the way. No ; this kind of thing is too
small to govern a nation of our magnitude. The greater
England requires length and breadth. Our sons and
daughters at home and over the sea are too numerous for
a petty policy of this kind. Something will have to be
done to bind the colonies more closely and to make the

people more happy and prosperous at Lome :to fill the
United Kingdom with gladness, more interesting, more
confident, and more joyful. Who shall do it? Perhaps
Lord Rosebery from the Liberal side is most likely. He
has large and generous sympathies, eloquent and able
but has he staying power, and will he keep up to the
high standard to which he now and again attains, or will
he fall away again, and once more bow to the worshippers
in the little conventicle? If left alone, and would only
follow his own lofty ideals, he would lead a willing
following, and together they would govern well in the
interests of the greater nation, no descending to the lower
plane just to get into office. That will not do at this crisis.
Strong men are wanted, not passive registers the Little
;
England has happily gone for ever. Lord Rosebery would

be satisfactory if he were only a little more determined.
So many changes come over the spirit of his dreams.
Quite recently, at Burnley, he said that Free Trade avus
not in the Sermon on the Mount, and now no one knows
where he is, unless it be that he slid down an inclined
plane. Still, he is a noble patriot. Mr. Asquith is
able enough, but cold and unsympathetic; Sir William
Harcourt (now unfortunately dead) is out of the
question ; and honest John Morley is too much of a
litterateur. Lord Spencer might knit the units for a time
and make a possible Government but would this meet
with the present-day wants; would it be strong enough
to cope with the present difficulties and effect those reforms
necessary to bring about the greatest happiness for the
greatest number? It seems very doubtful, and when the
Labour party has been dealt with, I will try to outline a
National party which would do the work satisfactorily.
That is, in the humble opinion of the writer, who, unfor-
tunately, can give no guarantee.
CHAPTER LV.
What can the Labour Party do?
What will they or can they do in the present state of

politics? They will not help the Conservatives, and may
spoil the Liberals in playing their own hand. But what
will this do for the people? Both of the organised parties
have done something for the nation, and will do again as
opportunities arise — maybe not all that could be desired,
nor half so much as is needed but, then, the engine of
;
State moves slowly, and Rome was not built in a day.
The Labour aims are noble, and largely appeal to the

—
generous side of human nature to lift the helpless, to
lessen suffering, to destroy sorrow, and create happiness
is surely an ideal worth fighting for ; but how curiously
at times they go about it, and when not smothering each
other fall foul of capital and of Mr. Chamberlain. Just
now the latter gentleman is as a red rag to a bull to them
and the little Englanders and how curious this is when
;
the Trade Union principle is one of pure protection, and

the members often boast of the great good it has done to
their order. Has it never struck them, if it is such a good
thing for the union, that it might be the same for the
nation? But their leaders have always been the same
with regard to the hon. member for Birmingham. They,
like the sick and friendly societies, would not have old age
pensions at his hands, and the same leaders have never
yet found in their hearts to acknowledge his great boon
of compensation to workmen. Just now a large number
of the leaders have their faces turned towards Westminster,
where they will have to be provided for, and if they could
only do the good they promise they would richly deserve
all they get. But there is no royal road to the ameliora-
tion of mankind. This is a great problem which the best
of men have been trying to solve since the beginning of
the world. Some progress has been made by the forwards
of the past; men who deserve recognition, and who ought
not to be flouted. For instance, how these men rail at
capital. Well, what can the worker do without it; at

least, until he gets some of his own? Then and now the
world is open to employ or be employed; either way, if
it only leads to greater happiness for the many. In
Lancashire just now some of the Labour leaders are busy
against the Tariff Reform League, casting reflections and
making scornful allusions to fiscal reform in the County
Palatine and elsewhere, taking upon themselves to decide
for the people who have never been consulted as yet.
This is a state of Toryism worthy only of the worst days
of the past. Surely the men of the Red Rose will have a
voice in the matter, and not be like dumb cattle driven
to the slaughter under a new name. There is something
to do, and if these men will sober down to reach the
sufferings of the multitude they will deserve well of the
nation. Look at the poor mothers in our congested towns.
What a sad lot is theirs ! No houses worthy of the name,
in which the poor things have to nurse, cook, char, clean,
and sew for an entire household. Without her the only
ray of sunshine would be gone ; but, alas how soon this
!
hard life tires out, and how early decay sets in, and how
many of the dear souls are taken early away, leaving
orphans to struggle alone, unloved, and more cruelly
afflicted hy the loss of the dear one through long suffering
and dire neglect.
Here is a work to do, and if the leaders of the Labour

party would direct their energies to lessen these and other
evils, they would be sure to have a greater following, and
occupy a stronger position. We are told in a grand
manifesto that 172 trade unions, 70 trade councils, the
Fabian Society, and the Independent Labour party, repre-
senting over 1,000,000 trade unionists, are affiliated against
fiscal reform. If this is so, no one will complain. But if
they, the workers, have expressed no opinion, and are
only being dragooned into it by the leaders, as in the
ill-mannered circular of their Parliamentary Committee,
it will be a fair question for enquiry. In these days it is
not safe to dictate too much, but, whatever the result,
if the poor get better terms and conditions all true hearts
will rejoice.
There are, it is said, fifty Parliamentary Labour can-

didates in the field, and forty of them occupy jDositions so
strong that the Liberal party is not likely to oppose them.
Who will they join? What will they do? How soon, if
they act alone, will they be able to get into power? It
looks a long time hence, and by the period this may be
accomplished most of the present generation will be in
their graves. However good these men may be, or
however desirous to lift the lowly, they will not have the
chance for some time; therefore at the present a party
will have to be called into power who can act, act in the
living present, faith within, and God o'erhead. Such a
one will be outlined in the next chapter. Such a party
may be impossible and impracticable ; if so, we shall have
to muddle on until the time of selection. Then may those
who will honestly do most for the people win the day at
the next general election.
CHAPTER LVI.
A National Party.
If one could heartily sing
Sound the loud timbrel

O'er the Fiscal's dark sea ;
Truth it has triumphed,

And England is free
then our troubles would be over, and our people would

breathe more easily through every isle and every land
where proudly floats our flag of liberty.
The first chapter was the opening of the subject, showing

the rocks of the situation, the flooded rivers, and the
boisterous seas — all terribly disturbing the political arena,
and made far more difficult to deal with by the breaking
up of parties.
1(0 SLAITHWAITB NOTES.
It will have been seen that the writer in the previous

notes had almost come to the conclusion in this time of a
political chaos that none of the three parties named would
be able to do justice to the present revolution of public
thought and national sentiment.
Where the Conservatives fail is in that want of cohesion
which they once so splendidly possessed. They have now
a number of older and younger men of the Churchill class,
who are too clever by half. They have not patience to
wait. Office is their goal, and anyone standing in their
way is a bitter enemy. This is not patriotism, but selfish-
ness of the lowest order. What can Mr. Balfour do with
such a following, and how is he to show fight with such
a backing? More than this, some day soon it will be
found that the Unionists can-not have two policies one —
of the Government and one of Mr. Chamberlain. A man
cannot serve two masters neither can a party. Then, my
;
readers may ask, what about the Liberal prospects? The

answer is ready enough. Unionist differences have opened
the road to office for them lint what will they do with it
;
when they have got it? Will it be Lord Rosebery or Mr.

Campbell-Bannerman ? Which policy shall it be that of —
the noble lord and the greater England, or shall it be that
of the latter and the lesser kingdom, with maybe a joining
of the enemies of this country, and, ultimately, granting
Home Rule ? This country cannot and must not be broken
up therefore it will not do to let the latter have power.
;
If one were assured that Roseberyites would predominate,

one might have some hope but where does it come in,
;
for political promises are like pie-crusts —

they are made
to be broken.
Then some say trust the Labour —
they are the coming
men. This not so plain.
is Besides, they have much to
learn, and their leaders too often fall out, and too many
of them are most anxious to get into Parliament at the
workers' expense. True, they have very good men amongst
'them, prone to giving shows, and a little less ability than
they imagine, who might learn something from those they
are apt to despise —
they are getting on, let them learn
wisdom by experience; they have a noble mission, but
until they are able to fulfil it we must have some one to

govern. Who shall it be? The most likely seems to be
a National party, who would at once refer the fiscal problem
to a Royal Commission of experts, from whom alone can
we expect an unbiassed opinion on this great and most
important subject, and finally learn from them what would
be best for the United Kingdom at home and beyond the
seas. Going on these lines, and waiting for this with
patience, who could so well fill up the gap as a new
combination of the following the noble Duke of Devon-
:
shire, Prime Minister ;Lord Rosebery, Foreign Secretary ;

Sir M. Hicks-Beach, Chancellor of the Exchequer Lord ;
James of Hereford, Lord Chancellor Mr. Asquith, Solicitor

;
General; Mr. Ritchie at the Board of Trade; Mr. Biyce

at the Education Office and Sir Edward Grey, Colonial
;
Secretary together with a number of the able tradesmen

;
in the House of the class of the members for Colne Valley

to fill in many of the offices, instead of as to-day, when
men get positions in the Government for which they have
only political qualifications, and the consequences are that
the country has to suffer. Lawyers and professionals,
when such alone, are often a danger to the State, and
should always be carefully avoided when better men can
lie secured.
These are a line of gentlemen avIio would be able to
give some good account of themselves, and, whatever else,
would always be for the State and not for themselves. In
ordinary games the plan is to select the best men. The
cricketers whom we have sent out to Australia were chosen
because of their worth, and when the test matches are
played their opponents are the best side the colonies can
produce, and by this means the greatest results are
achieved.
Simple and correct as this is for other purposes, one
can hardly hope for so much common-sense in politics.
There are too many human passions and desires to gratify,
too much vaulting ambition to serve, and too many
interests at work (individually and otherwise), that one
almost despairs of finding one universal and wise plan to
help the people. All that can be done is to wait for the
tide,and have your boat trim, so that you may be ready

to ride on to fortune, not for the party, but for the State,
of which we form but a part, and the greater happiness
and more universal prosperity of mankind. If, at this
time, such a team cannot be got together, the writer, with
others, have to stick to the old or throw in
will either
their lot withwhat comes to hand and may be considered
the best means of securing the greatest happiness for the
greatest number.
Of course, Mr. Chamberlain wins all previous prognos-

if
tications are at an end,and the hon. gentleman's proposals

are " the only way," and if all he promises comes true,
then we may all rejoice in this universal redemption, and
in a salvation which has saved a nation, consolidated an
empire, secured English manufactures for the towns, and
opened up a better prospect for the land, on to which the
people may go with some reasonable hope, and cheerfully
leave the congested districts, in which are many dens of
suffering, misery, and want.
Mr. Winston Churchill has now gone quite over to the

Liberals.
CHAPTER LVII.
Reminiscence op Richard Cobden.
It may not be amiss, whilst Cobclen's name is in everybody's

mouth, to repeat the following story Many long years
:
ago four ardent politicians from the neighbourhood of

Huddersfield —
Mr. Joseph Woodhead, Mr. J. R. Robinson
(Marsden), Mr. Samuel Wimpenny (Holmfirth), and the
—
present writer journeyed to Rochdale on a memorable
occasion to hear Richard Cobden and to see John Bright.
Of the four, one, Mr. Samuel Wimpenny, is dead, carried
off all too soon Mr. Woodhead is still with us, wonderful
;
for his years. Mr. Robinson has retired in old age and
ill-health, as one sees from the report of Sir James Kitson's
meeting at Slaithwaite Saturday ; and the fourth

last
well, of him the the better, for he has had a long-
less said
sojourn in the wilderness, and by present appearances may
have to wander almost alone ploughing his lonely furrow.
The four put up at the Wellington Hotel, where the present
scribe was put into a damp bed, which sent him home
in such a condition that his friends thought he would
never recover. His brother, a strong Tory, described the
illness as the Cobden fever. Whatever it was, it was almost
the end of the writer.
The occasion of the great meeting at Rochdale which
the quartet had gone over to attend was the annual
address of Richard Cobden to his constituents. It was
held in Mr. Robinson's foundry, near the railway station,
as this was the largest room that could be utilised for
the occasion. Even this large room was filled to its utmost
capacity. At this meeting the great apostle of Free Trade
tackled the land question in his own masterly way. So
vigorous was his criticism and so thorough his programme
that it brought down the Times upon him the morning
after with a charge of wanting to divide the land of the
rich with the poor. After the article came the memorable
defence of Cobden from the great Tribune of the people,
which had the unique effect of drawing Mr. Delane, the
then powerful editor of the leading journal. What a stir
the event made, and what recriminations there were, and
what a hubbub in the political world It was on such
!
battlefields as these that the rights of the people had to

be fought and won, and only those who were in the thick
of it know what it cost and what sacrifices had to be
made. All honour to the brave men, dead and living,
who were privileged to render such valuable services to
the nation. It was none of your namby-pamby work of
—
present-day political clubs billiards, cards, and more or
less gambling. No. In those days it was necessary to
strip, fight, and work but for that the present generation
;
would not have the rare comfort and freedom they now
enjoy.
But to return. That meeting became historical as the
means of drawing Mr. Delane from behind the screen of
Printing House Square, and the beginning of that land

reform which, applied first to Ireland, is making of that
country a favoured nation ; so much so that it is high
time that similar remedial measures were passed for
England, and that those driven from the farms may get
back to the land again from the congested towns to find
happiness, health, and sustenance in cultivating the soil.
Such beneficence and justice was preached by Mr. Cobden
in the days to which I refer.
The enterprising four went to see Mr. Cobden the

morning after the meeting at One Ash, the residence of
Mr. Bright, to try to get him to come to Huddersfield to
advocate the same faith. We were almost struck dumb
by the evidences of physical prostration which Mr. Cobden
manifested. This was the beginning of the end of this
great patriot. Mr. John Bright, with characteristic
thoughtfulness, appealed to the deputation not to ask
Mr. Cobden to endanger his future usefulness by running
such a serious risk as would be involved in his going to
Yorkshire at that time. It need not be said that the
visitors appreciated the force of Mr. Bright's remarks, and
they came away without preferring their request, placing
larger interests before those of their own locality, since
they believed that the remaining strength of this great
statesman would be jealously reserved for the service of
the nation at large.
Alderman Sugden and Free Trade.

The following letter was sent by Alderman J. Sugden
to Mr. James Morrison, but was not read at the meeting
in honour of Mr. Cobden :
—
22, Greenhead Road,
Huddersfield,
June 4th, 1904.
Mr. James W. Morrison.
—
Dear Sir, I am much obliged for the opportunity you
so kindly give me to attend the Cobden Centenary dinner
at the George Hotel next Tuesday. I am a Free Fonder
and a universal Free Trader, but when I cannot get these
SLAITHWAITE NOTES. 17.")
tilings, to the no .small detriment of my country, I should

(if you please) just like as much fiscal reform as would
secure this most desirable end by fair and reasonable
means. Perhaps it would be best accomplished by the
appointment of a Royal Commission, to which I have
—
always been favourable at least, since the topsy-turveydom
of the Gilbertian politics begun just over twelve months
ago, landing us where we do not know where we are, or
who is who. Our gentle and honoured countryman, R.
•Cobden, whose memory we all revere, was always for
reciprocity. But, unfortunately, this is just what we don't
get. Therefore, it may be reasoned that any means to
secure fair dealing should be welcomed by all Englishmen,
and this outside politics, for once inside its whirling
cataracts nothing but destruction will ensue. Just now,
too, you do well to commemorate the memory of the
great patriot who so successfully negotiated the French
treaty, which, if not actually bringing about the pleasing
entente cordiale of to-day with our nearest neighbour across
the sea, did much to break down the barriers of past
misunderstandings, and prepared the golden bridge of
better feeling over which English and France can march
together, arm in arm, for the good of both, and in this
terrible age for war act as a forerunner of peace and
goodwill between all nations. Very sorry I cannot attend,
but you will, I am sure, let <me wish you every success,
and you are to believe me always, yours faithfully,
J. Sugden.
Patriotism and Party.
[Letter to Editor of Htiddersfield Examiner.]
—
Sir, This letter will not perhaps meet with your
approbation, but you are kind enough to find room for
sentiments of which you do not altogether approve, if
by discussion you can get at the truth. Therefore let
me kindly ask Is it possible that latter-day Liberalism
:
(like the Bourbons) will learn nothing, tolerate nothing,

abate nothing, until it is too late, and then to find it
—
banished to a longer turn in the wilderness " C.-B. " with
the Irish, and Rosebery longing for a closer union with

the Unionists? It might have had a chance if it would
only have recognised that something will have to be done
on fiscal reform, and referred the same to a Royal
Commission.
America has hit Yorkshire hard, especially since the
Dingley Tariff Bill of 1897. From this date the States
—
have rushed to unbounded prosperity mills, workshojDS,
etc., etc., have sprung up on every hand, fortunes have
been made in every direction, and the condition of the
country and its people vastly improved, in this case by
Protection alone.
It is no use shirking these facts, or denying that English

manufacturing towns have not correspondingly suffered,
especially Huddersfield. Where are the new factories here
as compared with those West? And, on the other hand,
how many have become derelicts? And what a large
number have gone out of use, so that the increase in
population and rateable value has become almost nil (the
successful do not seem to count) ! But this cannot go on
for ever, though the trade unions, the dissenters, the
co-operative societies, temperance men, and the Labour
party have been captured 1)}' the reckless disposal of
fascinating intoxicants by the leaders of a thirsty
Opposition, who have this way, I fear, traded on the
credulity of the people, so that there will some day be a
huge awakening of the shortness of the performances as
compared with the largeness of the promises ; and their
followers then, like all drunken men, will have very bad
headaches, dashed aspirations, and impaired political
strength.
Truly, the caucus is a terrible engine In my opinion

!
it ruined the Liberal party, and is fast doing the same

for the Conservatives. Even in our local parliament we
have good men masquerading as party whips, whipping
away every movement towards liberty, to the no small loss
to this town, and by it men get into power who could not
possibly do so otherwise. Indeed, unless one enters this
vortex life is often made miserable. Baseless imputations
of a personal and malignant kind are at times thrown at

the free man. The unkinder sort cannot bear even to hear
them speak unless they can descend to the abject praise of
the smaller greatness of leaders jumped into power, rather
by their wealth and position than their goodness or any-
special service they may have rendered either to State or
humanity. Alas for such Gargantuan proceedings !
When will the British workman rise superior to this

lamentable spirit of unappeasable animosity, in which there
is not much toleration? And until the sense is bowed
down to the Baal of the time being, you will run the risk
of being jolly well cuffed and kicked out of the degraded
windows of latter-day political organisations. It would be
much better if we had more patriotic solidarity and less of
the blind following of any leader, right or wrong and ;
yet I shall be told without this party could not be kept

together. Then let party as at present constituted perish,
and a more Christian doctrine come in of doing to others
as ye would that they should do unto you.
Does Lord Rosebery meet this obligation? He does in

a way, but when abusing Mr. Chamberlain he is lost in
distrust of the man. Many a time has it seemed possible
for this eloquent patriot that he would fulfil the ardent
expectation of moderate and reasonable men with regard
to the larger aspirations of the nation and its children
across the seas. Then he fell away. Imperialism with
his lordship has all the virtues, butcoming from Birmingham
it is shady. This is the painful part of it, and if it were
not that these two able men were in opposite camps, they
would be a tower of strength to the kingdom but as it is
;
they waste their force and miss their opportunity by falling

out with one another.
When shall we learn better? Read Rosebery's speech
through, and if it were not for the above strictures how
admirable it would be. Perhaps if the noble Duke of
whom he spoke so kindly comes into line he will supply
the missing link to the Rosebery tabernacle, and make it
that complete that we shall ultimately have a Government,
not of factions or self-seekers, log rollers, and vaulting
N
ambitions, but one strong enough to resist all unjust things,

and powerful enough to defend our interests in trade
tariffs or otherwise— to weld and keep this imperial nation
together with one spirit, one common hope, and one grand
march for the amelioration of the condition of the subjects
of our noble King, whether in dear old England, the British
Isles, or where the burning rays of rubies shine, on the frozen
shores of Canada, in the plains of Australia, on the
mountains of New Zealand, or in what has been that
darker Africa, to be made much brighter because it seeks
only that which is best for the millions of the sons and
daughters under England's mild, wise, and beneficent rule.
Yours truly,
" My Wat to Better Things."
Huddersfield,
June 13th, 1904.
Sr apegoat Hill Sunday School.
Last Sunday the anniversary services in connection with

the above place were held, when three sermons were
—
preached morning and evening by the Rev. B. Williams
(resident minister), and afternoon by Mr. P. E. Jones, of
Greetland. Special hymns and anthems were sung by the
teachers, scholars, and chapel choir, assisted by a few
neighbouring singers and a small band of instrumentalists,
Alderman J. Sugden, of Huddersfield, taking the lead. The
children had been trained, and were conducted at the
morning service by Mr. Friend Dj^son, and at the afternoon
and evening services by the choirmaster, Mr. J. A.
Blackburn. Mr. J. W. Whitwam presided at the organ.
The weather was somewhat against a large attendance, as
it was threatening rain most of the day, yet there were
large gatherings in the afternoon and evening, and the

collections amounted to the handsome sum of £45 10s.
At the supper table the usual votes of thanks were

accorded the musicians who had helped to make the
anniversary a success, and Mr. Sugden suitably responded.
In doing so, he said he had gone to that and the old place
for fifty years, and he contrasted the conditions of the

people of the place then and now, both in their homes,
and in their school and church. He hoped that they would
ever continue to grow and prosper in the good work
in which they were engaged.
CHAPTER LVIII.
Slaithwaite's Progress.
Is it to be another mill — 'No. 5 — for the Slaithwaite

Company, the directors and managers which deserve
of
well of the town for their determined efforts to promote
the interests of the place, and of this company in
particular; indeed,progress of the two has been
the
most remarkable and most beneficial to the district.
No. 1 was a most terrible effort, and the battle of success
was only achieved by determined effort and action. No. 2
was a much easier strain, because the first had done so
well, and in this way materially helped the second, though
all was not plain sailing. There were the faint-hearted,
and the week-kneed, and the doubters, who had no faith,
some of whom took their money out ; others foolishly sold
when they could get out without loss, and this had a
wet-blanketing effect on the shares, but still they were
held, and constantly went up in value, and this was the
best answer to the then detractors.
Still, all was not a bed of roses. The engine of No. 1

broke down very badly, various repairs had to be made,
which happily proved effective, and this considerably
relieved the directors, who had not only this and other
troubles to go through, but there was the loss by death
of some of the most able promoters. This sorrowfully
steadied the staunch team which was left, but like good
cricketers they kept up their ends, and scored all round
the wicket, such a handsome score that under an able
180 .SLAITHWAITE XOTES.
captain, they have kept pegging away ever since, with the
professional (F. Varley), who can both bat and ball.
In this way No. 3 mill came, and not long ago No. 4,
but itmuch easier to write this than it has been to
is
accomplish. Many of these men are older, their young
lives have been ispent, their pulses do not beat so strong
or their hopes run so high as in the young halcyon days
of their ardent, hopeful, and confident youth. Still, there
is no flagging, no hanging back forward is the command,
;
and every man shoulders his rifle to the music of the

march of Progress. In the olden days they were cheered
at times by the speeches made at the starting of an engine.
Such a time was when the late Mr. G. Mallinson told them
" to be diligent in -business, fervent in spirit, serving the
Lord." This was much better than the scant respect which
a few have of those in authority to-day so much so that some
;
of the ratepayers are indignant, and in passing through

Slaithwaite you can hear the remark " Yes ; they have
:
by their folly driven out No. 5, which will be the biggest

new mill, into Golcar, which township will have the benefit
of a largely increased rate and the non-reliability of any
roads." These latter become the legacy of Slaithwaite,
which authority would not take over a reasonable road
which had been well provided.
The Board have too much hard and responsible work to
do to take any notice of this idle gossip. A road here or
there will have no influence whatever on their action, and
when they build No. 5 it will be on their own land, and
most suitable for the purpose, and best adapted for the
work. These things alone, no doubt, will commend them-
selves to the directors, who, if they Avere in France, would
be deemed worthy citizens of the country for promoting its
prosperity —
at home they must be content with less things,
satisfied that in their day and generation they have done
something for the district in which they lived, and towards
bettering the condition of the people, and of making life
more happy in a valley that was once as stagnant as it is
now prosperous. This project is not yet undertaken.
CHAPTER LIX.
May Day at Slaithwaite.
This event last Sunday has no particular interest beyond

the annual Wesleyan Sunday School anniversary, which
was a great success, and at which they got the handsome
sum of £10. Fifty years ago this bright and joyous time
of the year, where all is so gay and fair, was celebrated
otherwise at and near the Slaithwaite Baths. All the roads
leading there were thronged with a jocund throng of
ardent youths from Lockwood, Crosland, Meltham, Scam-
monden, Out lane, Stainland, and all the other villages, in
the now happy and prosperous valley, but then in a state
of lethargy and decay. They had no pretty little May
Queen to crown as in many other parts of dear old
England. When this joyous season of the year is seized
upon to rejoice at the arrival of spring, with all its young
—
hopes and greater possibilities longer days, brighter
weather, warmer sunshine, and all the fresh flowers
springing wanton to be pressed and nursed out of the cold
—
and bleak winter just past in such a moment whose pulse
will not beat stronger, whose heart is not warmer, and
whose joy is not greater? Then let us rejoice that the
happy sea,son has come round again to rouse the enthusiasm
of youth, and to give another chance of a sweeter existence
and a further spell of life. True, in the old days they
were not so refined as now. Our schools have had a
look in to improve matters, and if our churches would
have less hates and more of the Sermon on the Mount,
they would have greater congregations, and more good
would be done both for this life and that which is to come.
In some things life's rough ways in the past could teach
us something, and that was to be real, honest, and true,
to be what we seemed to be. One cannot commend all the
things done fifty years ago. Our duty is to record them,
showing the changes that life has gone through, like seasons
of the year.
Just imagine a bright May morning so long ago, when

all the roads (as stated above) were crowded with a vast
throng making their way to the Slaithwaite Baths. Every cock
bird from each district went to show his paces, drink of the
water from the pump, and gallantly help the young maidens
with their cans to catch the spa water, and carry it home
to make that splendid tea which no other water can equal.
The Slaithwaite Old Band would be playing on a neigh-
bouring hill, making pleasant music, which happily
resounded through the valley and delighted the hearts of
all. But all the sweetness did not stop here. A young
spark from Marsden would challenge another from Golcar,
and then there would unfortunately be a battle, all for
the love of the thing. Then a race run to see which village
was fastest, or which of its representatives could jump
furthest.
What is it that youth will not do? The present genera-

tion may learn by these things the spirit of rivalry and
a desire to excel, and this is why it is well to record them
here and now. The Baths then were the home of the few
privileged people, and all the workers could do in those
days was to get as near the gates as possible on the
memorable first Sunday in May to celebrate the event in
their own Avay. The better-class subscribers had a grand
dance on the third Wednesday, a privileged tea, a. lovely
band made up of harp, violin, and cornet, and the bowling
green was a festive scene of youth and beauty of what
might be called the " better-to-do " of Slaithwaite ; but
the poor had no home there. Now, by the wisdom of the
best men in the place, who have worked a lifetime, and
who deserve all honour for all time, these Baths have
been secured free to the jDeople, where the rich and poor
can meet on common ground and enjoy the beauty of the
season in one of the most lovely nooks in the Colne Valley
— not only this, but the rest of the inhabitants of the
district are all free, and all join while you may. Go listen
t<> the band, and watch the rivulets as they play down by
the river bank on the bright and sunny day of what it is

to be hoped will be a warmer summer than has been
experienced for several years.
CHAPTER LX.
Old Folks' Treat at Slaithwaite.

Consequent on. a bequest of £50 made by the late Mrs.
Aspinall, of Hill Top, to the old folks of Slaithwaite, a
meeting- was held some time ago to make preliminary
arrangements for holding an old folks' treat. A committee
was formed and collectors appointed to canvass subscribers,
and as a result of those efforts a very successful function
was brought to a happy and memorable issue on Saturday
last at the Spa. Upwards of 400 people over sixty years
of age were recipients of the invitation to tea and
entertainment, and with few exceptions the old people
were present. Those who through infirmity or illness were
unable to be present were not forgotten. Many good things
were carefully stowed away in baskets, and despatched to
the homes of the unfortunate absentees. A willing band
of subscribers and committee, together with wives and
helpers, made light work of preparing and serving the
tea, and the old folks had a right merry time over their
cups. Animated conversation was kept up with never a
flao- through the whole course of the meal. After tea
some of the guests wandered about the beautiful grounds,
what time the Upper Slaithwaite Brass Band discoursed
inspiriting music from the kiosk. After the tables had
been cleared, the entertainment was proceeded with. Mr.
Thomas Varley (president) occupied the chair, and on
behalf of the committee extended a hearty welcome to all
the old folks present, and expressed the hope that they
would all thoroughly enjo}^ themselves. He had much
pleasure in asking an old Slaithwaite friend to say a few
words to them.
Alderman John Sugden, J.P., said he was thankful to be
called to a meeting of the old brigade —a function he had
—
never been at before for he liked youth, with all its
glorious promises, rather than the frosty period f
advancing years, and wished to ever be young in hopes

and aspirations for the good of the people. He might have
been wrong at times as to the modes of procedure, but
never in the object to help struggling humanity to a
higher plane, and when he considered that he had been at

it, along with others (some living and some dead), for fifty
years, it made him feel a very old man, notwithstanding

his determination to be young as long as he could. He
paid a compliment to Mr. Varley, the chairman, for the
business-like manner in which he had brought the
proceedings to such a successful issue, and said how
delighted he was that one of his dear relations had
contributed £50 to the fund which was to make the old
people of Slaithwaite and Lingards (above sixty years of
age) happy one day in each year, at least, by a grand
assemblage, a good tea, and a G-od bless their " silver
yure." It had, in spite of its brightness, a melancholy
side. It brought to him " John Anderson, my jo, John."
The time when " their locks were like the raven, when
their bonnie brows were brent " ; the many canty days
they had with one another, to the tottering down the hill
of life, when at the bottom they would have to sleep
together. Might the time be far away, and many the
happy reunions, when they could give each other a helping
hand and a winning smile, to help each other to finish the
last lap of life. They had the most beautiful grounds to
meet in, their own band of music, the large and commodious
— —
rooms all their own advantages which few other urban
districts possessed, and he paid a warm tribute of respect
to those who had devoted noble lives to secure these
blessings, not only for the present generation, but for all
—
time to come to be the happy " summer " home and hope
of the generations which are to follow —
to live happily
together in what he always hoped would be this ever-
prosperous Colne Valley, of which the Spa Grounds was
the beauty spot, and their old people's tea that day was
one of the crowning points of its glory. In all these things
he told them with Waugh, that
" It's wise to be humble i' prosperous ways,
For trouble may chance to be nee
It'swise for to struggle wi' sorrowful days,
Tillsorrow breeds sensible glee ;
He's weel off 'at's rich, iv he nobbut can feel

He's brother to them that are poor."
This to him was the highest form of riches in this world,

and long might they live to enjoy them ; and when next
they called the aged together might there be non missing,
and, like John G-ilpin, might he be there to see. (Applause.)
Mr. William Crowther, J.P., made a few appropriate

remarks, and showed his sympathy by being present. He
was as yet only a lad, and unqualified in years to be one
of the old party ; but it was fast coming on, against his
will and inclination, when he would, unfortunately, be one
of them. He thought it was a very sensible thing to have
these parties in mid-summer, when the trees, the flowers,
and the weather were all at their best, and in that way
they made it doubly pleasing, having the most pleasure
with the least possible harm. He hoped the old people
would live long, and be able to come to those very pleasant
gatherings for many years.
During the evening songs were rendered by Messrs. R.

Stead, F. Gunby, J. T. Ferrior, and James Saville — being
known as " Timmy Twist.' The latter was attired in full
fireman's toggery, and led off the solo in the " Holmfirth
Anthem," in which chorus the whole company joined with
hearty enthusiasm. Mr. T. W. Thorpe, of Golcar, delighted
the old folks with his comic reading- about a man making:
his invalid wife a pancake of cement and a Yorkshireman's
description of having his " tooith pooled." Mrs. R. Stead
and Mrs. Saile sang a duet, and the Golcar Orpheus
quartet party gave a number of musical selections. Mr.
Cowgill, of Leeds, himself nearly eighty years of age, gave
several recitations with fine elocutionary skill and dramatic
intensity. Messrs. J. A. H. Eagland, Lewis H. Eagland,
and Thomas Ferrior shared the duties of accompanist.
During the progress of the entertainment the old folks
were liberally supplied with liquid refreshment, and those
who were addicted to the fragrant weed were furnished
with " churchwardens " and tobacco of a suitable blend to
suit all tastes.
Mr. Edward Walker proposed a comprehensive vote of

thanks. Mr. Oliver Armitage seconded, naively observing
1SG SLAITHWAITE NOTES.
that if the committee thought fit to call them together

twice a year instead of once, he didn't think they (the old
folks) would object. (Laughter.)
Mr. Sam Haigh (treasurer) asknowledged the vote of
thanks on behalf of the committee, entertainers, etc., and
said that if the subscriptions in future were equal to those
of this year, the old folks' treat was an assured institution
for many years to come. (Applause.)
CHAPTER LXI.
Deanhead Thump.
Men may come and men may go, but this seems to go on
for ever and with unabated success. Fifty years since,
situated as now on the wild moors and rough grass lands,
with a very thin and scattered population, the attendance
was necessarily small as compared with the then great
feast below at Slaithwaite on one side, with its vast
saturnalia, which used to be looked for by all the inhabi-
tants, and when gone mourned as a lost friend; the one
thing in all the year above another to be reverenced and
bowed down to. Slaithwaite, though its feast was great, had
little room for its growing population —
'but none of your
hankey-pankey. The people were robust and honest, and
most of them had an average of about eight fine healthy
children, who when they grew up had to steer off to find
work elsewhere. What a lot went to Mossley, Stalybridge,
Oldham, Ashton, New Mills, Glossop, etc., etc And at
!
feast time they all came home to the old ground, like a
hare, to feaston the old pastures. The streets on a Sunday
were impassable, and high jinks and rich revels lasted for
three days. But, as last week, the glory has all but
departed. The roads were unoccupied, and the homes
deserted, according to the new order of things. Now the
feast extends from Greenfield to Huddersfield, and the
inhabitants go off to the seaside to build up for winter.
SLATTHWAITE NOTES. 1ST
Elland, the valley of the Hebden, and Brig-house, on the

other side, have done just the same, for there is nothing
left unless it be the remains of what was once the great
popular flower show on the banks of the Calder.
With all these vast changes, Scammonden holds its

own, and the feast of Sunday was much greater than in
the days of old, and that in the wet, and on a barren hill.
Few live here, and many less than of old. There is the
parsonage in the hollow of the hill, so that wherever the
—
worthy vicar roams he has always to ascend to the church
up a steep hill, or to town with far greater difficulties,
and even with the new tram he is three miles from the
terminus. But, wet or shine, this dear old pilgrim attends
to his duties as vicar of the parish and guardian of the
poor. Maybe he is a little better off than Goldsmith's
prototype, who was passing rich on £40 a year. Anyway,
money is not the object of this clergyman, neither does
hard work hurt, for he is not afraid of this, but ready
when at times he can get no help to do for himself, either
at his home or on his farm.
What say you to this, ye half-spoiled members of the

rich Dissenting congregations? Cannot you learn a lesson
from this simple man of God,instead of railing at his
church, and posing as martyrs, while ye magnify your
political importance to the jDowers that be, and make one
fear the neglect of what should be your real avocation in
life. This was not the way of the dear old Mr. Holmes, of
Pole Moor, who made a popular church in the wilderness,
midway between Outlane and Nont Sarah's. There was
—
a great crowd on Sunday 'bigger than ever, and more
and better accommodation. There are in addition to the
public-house— yes, many more and well-kept places
pleasant pastures, moorland refreshment rooms, etc. The
last-named is a most beautiful place, well-fitted, and tea
served on most reasonable terms. In addition to the
throng there was the Atheist trying to convert the
Christian, and the latter valiant to defend his faith, while
between was the charming music of the Upper Slaithwaite
Band, fit to play before a king.
The trams to Outlane have made this new popular place

easy, for on getting off at the terminus you can have a
cheap and beautiful three miles mountain ride in a
comfortable trap for sixpence. No wonder at the crowds.
Its popularity and the rapid development in the matter
of providing for the growing numbers who avail themselves
of these favourable means to get a breath of fresh air
from the mountain heather make it a real health resort.
These scenes and these memories dear remind one of a
littleevent which happened over fifty years ago — a Dean-
head Thump Monday episode. The family here referred
to were very poor, though highly respectable and honest
the father, a. very good man, who had, unfortunately,
got past hard work, and did odd jobs. On this occasion,
Joah o' Ned's, the greengrocer, had kindly fitted him up with
nuts, snap, fruit, etc., carried to the place by Dick Wood's
mule, which had been duly engaged for the occasion. The
old man took his youngest boy to assist; then a smart
lad with white hair, but very young indeed. So much so
that with the Thump, the donkey, and the merchandise,
he was fairly set up with the promise of a great oppor-
tunity, and on arriving at Sykes' public-house (beyond
Pole Moor Chapel) the goods were duly unlimbered, put
on to a stall, and exposed to an admiring crowd. Soon,
too soon, the father left the lad to do all the business, who,
being quick, soon became an expert salesman, disposing
of the goods freely, while the dear old dad was as busy
in pitching with pennies for ale, and partook of so much
of the latter, by means of the ready money from the stall,
that at night he was dead drunk, most of the cash
spent, and little left but the remainder of the stock and
the tears of the youngster, who was as helpless by his
youth as the father was from drink. However, some one
must have sent word to the dear old mother at home, for
later in the evening the two brothers came. They cleared
the stall, packed up the remainder of the goods, placed
—
them on the donkey for the return journey the boy on
the back of one dear brother, and the other took charge of
the father, whose legs had lost all control. It was a
curious picture that night parade home, and showed what
deep love this unfortunate family had always with one

another at all times and under all conditions.
Many things have happened since then. This lad is well
known in the valley,on the hill, and in the town, with
only one sister living alas! all the others are dead. One of
these two brothers left a large fortune, honourably earned,
and the other and the elder a name to be loved and
remembered by all who knew him for his kind and generous
labours for his town, his home, his church, and his
principles.
CHAPTER LXII.
Nothing New.
History repeats itself. One comes- — —

one goes one gets up
— — —
another gets down one rises another falls one reigns and
—
another is deposed one dynasty is dethroned and another rises
in its place. And thus the world goes on with seeming change ;
but it amounts to the same in the end. Maybe a variation,

but, like the seasons that come and go, repeating the saint'
thing in the revolution of time. Radicals (with just cause)
in the past have complained of the tyranny of the Tories,
but when the former get into power and pay, they imper-
ceptibly fall exactly into the same dominating evils of
intolerance and oppression if they are in the least criticised
and not explicitly obeyed. Poor men often have the goodwill
to think if they were only richer, how they would help the
needy, but when they get the needful they seem to forget,
and when over their fellows are often much worse than
their masters. Others have said, " Get money honestly,"
but most men get it when and where they can, no matter
how, and as long as this seems the main thing in creation
to command power it will continue to over-ride the law,
virtue, ability, and everything else, and it will always be
so seemingly. The church or the chapel ask no questions.
They are always ready to give absolution and the collection
boxes so long as they can be filled.
190 SLAITHWAITE >OTES.
There are many noble and true exceptions, or'life would

not be worth living, more especially for the poor and
deserving " Consider mine enemies, for they are many,
-
and they hate me with cruel hatred." These have at times

the comfort of breaking into a song of joy " The Lord is
:
my .Shepherd, I shall not want, for thou art with me

thy rod and thy staff they comfort me, and my cup runneth
over."
The kind readers of the Slaithwaitc Guardian will say,
What does this all mean, and what has it to do with the
headline " Nothing New"? The only answ er is that it is
T
a little discoursive prelude to some of the great features

of business life, in which are important lessons to be
learnt, things to improve upon, some to ignore, and others
to profit by, so that humanity may make progress in the
higher walks of life, and to higher ideals of existence.
" Thus ev'ry kind their pleasure find,

The savage and the tender
Some social join and leagues combine,
Some solitary wander."
In the latter sense, on Saturday last, a recluse wandered

to Blackmoorfoot, to find in the hunting field " nothing-
new," only change of names. The robust hills, the healthy
rompings over the mountains, and the charming descent
into the lovely dells, are all the same now as fifty years
ago. At the latter period, " Hole in the Wall " was a
public-house kept by " Belus " —
still living —
then a strong-
young man, who used to keep rabbit dogs to chase with
those of " Beth Bray," " Ned o'th Tailors," and others from
Slaithwaite. Many were the courses run at this then
popular pub. on a Saturday afternoon, but now, though
the place be dead, not half a mile away are the young
bloods of this age racing their favourite dogs at rabbits
for the stakes.
In place of old Tom Kaye, of Holmfirth, or the best of

all hunters, the Sykes's, of Lindley, we had the Colne
Valley Hunt, so o-enerously organised by the Lockwoods,
with Master Henry at the head and young Sam not far
0<
Mus. Brook.
away — the latter with one of the best horses seen on this
ground •
—
and many have been there before the Farrars,
of Honley, the best in Huddersfield, and all that money
could buy for old Sam Norcliffe and his hunt by his then
noble patrons from Lindley.
Perhaps in those days they missed few fences. On
Saturday they did miss many. Young Mr. Ingham's horse
would not negotiate, but then Mr. Schofield jumped what
he faced with his fine black horse.
The men, too, are little changed (only in name), though
on Saturday one did not see the old sparks of the chase.
Alas " Aleck Walker " and others are dead. There was
!
not the hale pioneer from Marsden, Mr. Daniel Hall, or

Richard Garner, old Mr. Denton, etc., etc., but a fair
following embraced the opportunities of one of the finest
October afternoons ever seen or enjoyed. The Traveller's
—
Inn was the same old centre the only change being genial
Tom Haigh, the landlord, smiling to serve all and sundry
who might call. There was the same fine moor and grass
land of South Crosland, with its sandy soil, just given its
generous crop of corn, all gathered in. The healthy turnips
and potatoes yet to be harvested, now sheltering many fine
hares, some of which were unearthed into a fine chase on
Saturday, with only one death, to finish with a splendid
run from Orange Wood. From here the hunters could
sit and admire the expanse of moorland, with its blooming
heather and the golden tints of an ideal autumn day, that
will be fondly remembered for many years to come.
CHAPTER LXIII.
Death of Mrs. W. H. Brook, of Slaithwaite.

Something approaching consternation was felt in Slaith-
waite on Monday morning last when it became known that
Mrs. Brook had passed away during the previous night.
The circumstances surrounding the tragic event were so
painfully sudden and unexpected that it seemed impossible
that it could be true. Mrs. Brook attended morning

service at the Parish Church on the occasion of the harvest
festival, for which event she had —
as was her wont
done a great deal towards the decoration, and again at
the service in the afternoon. On reaching home, Mrs.
Brook complained of not feeling well, and in a short time
it was observed that her speech was affected. Dr. Dean
was summoned, and was quickly in attendance. He was
so strongly impressed with the seriousness of the complaint
that Dr. Irving, of Huddersfield, was called in, but from
the first it was regarded as almost hopless. Mrs. Brook had
been afflicted with haemorrhage of the brain, and after the
first attack never again recovered consciousness. Members
of the family were summoned, her father (Alderman John
Sugden, from Huddersfield), her sister (Mrs. W. H. Varley,
of Slaithwaite), and a message was sent to Mr. Varley,
who was spending the week-end at Blackpool. Dr. Dean
was in attendance until the end, which came at midnight.
Some of the worshippers at the Parish Church had heard
at the evening service that Mrs. Brook had suddenly been
taken ill, but no one was prepared for the overwhelming
intelligence of Monday morning that Mrs. Brook had
passed away, and that the place which had known her
would know her no more for ever.
Mrs. Brook was the eldest daughter of Alderman John
Sugden, of Laurel Bank, Huddersfield, formerly of Slaith-
waite, and was forty-three years of age. The early years
of her were spent with Mrs. William Sykes, of Slaith-
life
waite, and in course of time she became a teacher at the
Mechanics' School, afterwards filling the post of infants'
mistress with conspicuous ability and uniform kindness to
the children. She held this post until her marriage,
fourteen years ago, with Mr. W. H. Brook, of the firm of
William Brook and Sons, dyers, Slaithwaite and Honley.
Mrs. Brook had two children, the elder, Maud, being
now thirteen years of age, the other, a boy, died in its
infancy. Of her associations with church life and work,
it would be difficult to do justice. The place she has left
vacant can scarcely be filled. Her capacity for organisation
and loyal devotion to detail are best known to the vicar
and church officers, and in this regard they have suffered

an irreparable One of the objects that was nearest
loss.
and dearest to Mrs. Brook was her Sunday school class.
Composed of nearly one hundred girls and young women,
this class regarded their teacher with feelings of deep
affection and tender regard. Her lessons will never be
forgotten by them. They were inspired by sincere solicitude
for the spiritual welfare of her scholars, and were often
delivered with an impressiveness, earnestness, and affection
that moved her young friends to tears. She was more
than a teacher to these girls. She was a close personal
friend, and manifested deep interest in their lives and
circumstances. Each one of these girls received a token
of remembrance and good wishes on the morning of her
birthday, and similarly at Christmas they were the
recipients of the season's greetings. Then, during the
summer months, Mrs. Brook entertained her girls to tea
at the Baths. These girls have lost more than a teacher
they have lost a friend, a counsellor, a living incentive and
inspiration to a godly life. On Monday evening they
were drawn instinctively to meet in the class-room where
they had met before so often, to condole with each other,
and consider how best to show the affection they felt for
their beloved teacher. It was a sad meeting. They
decided to obtain a floral tribute for the interment, and
afterwards replace this with a permanent wreath.
Mrs. Brook was also president of the Mothers' Union,

to which organisation she was firmly devoted. The
members had been invited to a coffee supper to be given
by Mrs. Brook on Tuesday evening, but the supper was
not held. The president was absent. This, too, was a
mournful meeting. Eyes were dimmed with tears as they
looked at the vacant chair that would never again hold
the material form of their leader and fellow-worker. Her
sympathies were not bounded by her own church. Her
charities were larger than her creed, and her acts of
kindness and helpfulness were done to all denominations.
Mrs. Brook was appointed to a seat on the Colne Valley

Education Committee on its formation, a post she was
o
194 &LAITHWAITE NOTES.
amply qualified tofill by both natural capacity and interest
in the work. Her knowledge of detail and the routine i>f

.school life made her an active and useful member of that
body.
The poor of Slaithwaite have lost a friend. Whenever
cases of poverty or distress were brought to her notice she
was ever ready to minister to their creature comforts,
without ostentation, and without patronage. Many dark
homes in Slaithwaite and district have been brightened
by her presence, and a spark of hope kindled by the 'jilt
.she left behind. To the sick and bereaved she ministered as
an angel of mercy, whispering words of hope and comfort,
and infusing faith into lives that were ready to despair.
Those who knew her best loved her most. What she was
to her friends and neighbours must have been intensified
a thousand-fold to her husband and child and the members
of her family; and to these we voice the feelings of the
people when we say that Slaithwaite mourns to-day, with
a sense of irreparable loss, the death of Mrs. Brook.
Funeral.
Not for very many years has there been so large a

funeral as that of Wednesday afternoon last. The universal
respect in which Mrs. Brook was held was testified by the
presence, not only of the members of St. James' Church,
but by people connected with other churches and chapels
in the neighbourhood, and by those who were not regular
attenders at any place of worship. A service was held in
the Parish Church, the body of which was rilled with
mourners. As the funeral party entered the church, they
were met by the choir and the vicar (Rev. H. H. Rose),
Avhile Mr. Lewis H. Eagland played Chopin's impressive
funeral march. The choir solemnly chanted the thirty-
ninth Psalm, and Mr. Rose read the opening portion of
the service for the burial of the dead. The choir also sang
" Blest are the departed," from Spohr's " Last Judgment.''
After that the congregation tried to sing " Now the

labourer's task is o'er," but their eyes were mostly dimmed
with tears, and their throats unable to articulate a sound.
SLAlTilWAITE KOTES. 195
To the deeply moving strains of the " Dead March "

in
" Saul," the cortege the church on its way to the
left
cemetery". The members of the choir, Mrs. Brook's class,
and of the Mothers' Union, walked first, followed by
members of the public, officers of the Sunday school, and
general public. Included amongst the latter were Messrs.
G. H. Walker, Edwin Gledhill (clerk to the Urban District
Council), William Sugden, W. Hirst (churchwarden), and
Messrs. Thomas Mallinson, J. P., Geo. Garside, T. Bamforth,
James Woodhead, and John Furniss, representing the Colne
Valley Education Committee.
The chief mourners were Mr. W. H. and Miss Maud

:
Brook, Mr. and Mrs. Sugden, Mary Varley, Mr. and Mrs.
W. H. Varley, Mrs. William Sykes, Mr. and Mrs. Sam E.
Sugden, Mr. and Mrs. Sugden, Mr. Georgie Sugden, Mr.
Jack Sugden, Mr. John Meal, Miss M. J. Sugden, Mr. John
Edward and Charles Gordon Varley, Mr. Edwin Brook,
Miss Brook, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. H. Eagland, Mrs. Charlesworth,
Mrs. Swift, Miss Betty Sugden, Mrs. Cotton, Mr. Joe Binns,
Mr. John Senior, Mr. Sam Sugden (Lockwood), Rev. H. H.
Hose, Rev. T. Haworth, Mr. A. C. Applebee, Dr. and Mrs.
Dean, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Sugden (Bury), Mr. and Mrs.
Sam Sugden (Bury), Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Haigh, Mr. George
Haigh, Mr, and Mrs. Thomas Varley, Mr. and Mrs. Sam
Haigh, Mr. and Mrs. Denton, Mr. and Mrs. B. H. S. Walker,
Mr. Noel Whitehead (Oldham), Mr. and Mrs. Joseph
Beaumont, Mr. and Mrs. James Woodhead, Mr. Handly
(Settle), Miss Charlesworth, Mrs. Joseph Hirst and Miss
Hirst, Mrs. William Hirst and Miss A. M. Hirst, Miss
Smith, Mr. Robert Taylor.
Private carriages were sent by Alderman John Sugden,

Mr. W. Quarmby (Buckley Hall), and Mrs. S. Sugden
(Springfield House).
The following sent wreaths Mr. and Mrs. J. H. G.

:
Roberts and family, Mr. and Mrs. H. Denton, Mrs. J. A.

Shaw and Mrs. J. H. Hirst, Ellen and Mitchell Charlesworth,
Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Cotton, Dr. and Mrs. Chevers, Mr. and
Mrs. J. S. Davenport, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Haigh, Mr. and
Mrs. William Hirst, Miss M. Hunter, Mr. and Mrs. J. A.
19G SLAITIIWAITE NOTES.
Sugden, Dr. and Mrs. Clampett, Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Bates.

Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Varley, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Beaumont,
Mr. and Mrs. Sam E. Sugden, Mrs. Hirst, Louisa and
Joseph, Dr. and Mrs. Dean, Lucy, Hildred, and Edgar
Brierley, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Greenwood, Slaithwaite
Tennis"Club, Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Haigh, Aunt Mary, Cousin
Martha and Mary Jane, Mr. Edwin and Misses Brook,
Mothers' Union, Parish Church Choir, workpeople at
Slaithwaite, Mr. and Mrs. J. Furniss and family, Sunday
School Bible Class, Parish Church Gymnasium, teachers
St. James' Church Sunday School, Mr. and Mrs. B. H. S.
Walker, Mr. and Mrs. William Quarmby, staff and children
at Nields Council School, Mrs. Sam Sugden, Mr. W. H.
and Miss Maud Brook, Mr. and Mrs. John Sugden, Mr.
and Mrs. W. H. Varley, Rev. H. H. Rose, Elsie and Lizzie
Sykes, Mrs. Enos Beaumont and family, Miss Smith, Mrs.
W. E. Cotton and family, Mr. Sam Sugden (Lockwood),
Mr. W. H. Cotton, Mr. and Mrs. George Haigh, Mr. and
Mrs. William Hirst and family, workpeople at Honley,
Bible Class, cousins Brierley.
On arrival at the cemetery, Mr. Rose read the committal

portion of the burial service, and the coffin was laid in its
last resting place. The coffin, which was of unpolished
oak, was quickly covered with the floral tributes of the
Sunday School class, and bore the inscription : —
Eliza Jane Brook.
Born September 15th, 1861 ;
Died October 17th, 1904.
Change and Decay.

To-day, the 17th of October, 1904, the flowers which
were blooming beautifully a week ago are all a-dying, and
a complete wreck compared with their former beauty.
Alas how this illustrates a painful feeling in many places,
!
and fills many a soul with grief, and for which there seems
no relief, and from which there seems no escape.
Think of it, dear reader, Mrs. Brook, the pride of the
village, gone in a moment ! Think of her largeness of
(
-'T
heart, her generous disposition, and her help to all people,

all religions, and conditions in life.
all To her church ever
devoted, and to her troops of friends most wondrous kind.
Yes the firstborn of young wedded life, her mother only
;
eighteen years of age, whom she very much resembled.

She was one of three little girls, who were left motherless
at a very early period. Lizzie, the youngest, being then
short of two years old, and now the only one living.
The middle girl, Maud, the favourite of all who knew her,
for the universal kindness she ever displayed, for the useful
life she lived, her guileless disposition, her charming
manner, and her winsome ways, which were, alas, cut short
at twenty-one years of age by that terrible disease, con-
sumption, which also robbed the family of a dear parent
in the young days of a somewhat chequered life. This
leads one back to the faded flowers of Monday as the
exact simile of the altered conditions of to-day.
Yesterday, dear Mrs. Brook, after a week of devotion to
many of her philanthropic objects, went to the afternoon
harvest festival of her church, which she had done so much
to decorate on the Saturday. She took part in the bright
and pleasant service and returned home, where all at once
she had a seizure, became at once helpless, and all that
Dr. Dean could do, and later on assisted by Dr. Irving,
was all in vain, and the dear woman died at 12 o'clock
midnight, leaving a more than kind husband, one dear
daughter, Maud, aged thirteen, the above-mentioned Lizzie,
broken-hearted, with her dear little girl, Mary, aged ten.
Her disconsolate father, mother, and four closely-attached
brothers, together with the whole village in a sort of total
eclipse, with no direct vision at hand to lighten the painful
clrrkness.
This is a much more terrible reality for all concerned
than the faded flowers of nature, but just that touch of
similitude of the long and bright summer, with all its
freshness, which, on the first touch of winter's frost, which
came a week ago, blighted all the blooms in nature to
—
decay and death. So with this nobler life only forty-
three years. Done so much. Won her neighbours.
Gathered her classes. Worshipped her God. Led others
the same heavenly way. Never still. Always up and

doing. Nothing or anybody came amiss. If a kindness
had to be shown, a helping hand to be given, or a winning
smile needed to encourage, Mrs. Brook was ever ready with
" A heart at leisure from itself,

To soothe and sympathise."
From the Slaithwaite Guardian.
Theloss to Slaithwaite of Mrs. Brook, of Field House.
is too recent and happened too suddenly to be yet f un-
realised. Her absence will naturally be felt most in her
home and in the church, but it will also be felt by the
poor and unfortunate. Mrs. Brook had the private means
to minister to the wants of the deserving poor, and she
had what many other people with larger resources have
—
not the willingness to give. If we had more people with
the kindly disposition and the generous heart of Mrs.
Brook, a great deal of class bitterness would be done away
with, and the complaining platitudes of Socialists would lose
their point. While many persons in positions of affluence
assume arrogant airs, and use their wealth for personal
display and ostentatious parade, Mrs. Brook regarded it
rather as a serious responsibility; a trust to be used for
the benefit of her fellow-creatures ; and as an incentive to
public work. That work grew beyond the capacity of one
brain and one body, however vigorous and strong to outward
seeming, with the result that the tension became too great,
and the silken cord broke beyond repair. Slaithwaite can
ill afford to lose such a useful and active life, while the
church is left poor indeed. The influence of such a noble

life, and the impressiveness of such an untimely death
cannot fail to exercise the mind of the community, and

if such influence has the effect of inspiring others to walk
in her footsteps and take up her work, the sad event will
lose something of its gloom.
Pulpit Reference.
A large congregation assembled at St. James' Church

on Sunday morning to pay tribute to the memory of the
late Mrs. W. H. Brook. The congregation for the most

part were attired in the sombre habiliments of mourning,
and conspicuous amongst the mourners were a large number
of the members of the deceased lady's Sunday school class,
who were accommodated in the northern aisle. There was
a large number of people from other denominations
present, all testifying to the respect and esteem in which
Mrs. Brook was held.
The organist, Mr. Lewis H. Eagland, A.R.C.O., played
Mendelssohn's " rest in the Lord " as an opening
voluntary. The seiwice was conducted, in the absence of
the vicar, by the Rev. T. Haworth, M.A., vicar of Linth-
waite, who was assisted by Mr. A. C. Applebee. The hymns
were " Now the labourer's task is
: o'er," " Days and
moments quickly flyino-," "How sweet the hour of closing
day."
The Bev. T. Haworth preached a helpful sermon from
the words. " There were other little ships," and before
concluding said that he was there that morning in place
of their vicar, whose life was almost crushed by the over-
whelming sorrows that had overcome him within. the past
—
few weeks first by the death of his dear wife, after years
of suffering, and now the. death of Mrs. Brook, who had
been such a tower of strength and support to him in the
carrying out of the work in that great parish. Had he
(Mr. Rose) been there that morning, they knew how words
of recognition of her services would have fallen from his
lips. He (the speaker) knew from the vicar's own mouth
that he felt her loss to be almost irreparable, and her
demise had created a void in his own life and the life of
the parish which could never be filled. As a neighbour
and friend, he joined with them in showing sympathy with
the bereaved family, and also to add a tribute of love and
respect to one who w as justly honoured in her place f oi-
y
lier self-sacrificing service to the church and to the poor

and needy, her devotion to duty, her interest in the
Mothers' Union and Sunday School, and every object which
was for the good of the church and school. Her name
would ever be remembered in love and esteem. If outward
and visible demonstrations of feeling were any testimony
1200 SLAITHWJJTE NOTES.
of inward feeling, such were not wanting on the previous

Wednesday, when the deceased lady was laid to rest. The
long procession, a full church, and crowds of sympathising
people who lined the road from Field House to church and
church. to cemetery, drawn blinds, and the peaceful and
orderly multitude who witnessed the ceremony, was in
itself a tribute which could not fail to be some consolation
for the sorrowing family. It was a tribute that men did
not pay where they did not' feel it. Though he, personally,
had only known Mrs. Brook for the past few years, ne
had known her long enough to perceive her sterling
qualities. With her there were no half measures, no half-
heartedness. Any task that she took up she entered into
with an enthusiasm that was bound to succeed. And
— —
may they not say was it not true to say that she had
been a victim of over-devotion to duty? In her self-
sacrificing spirit she had allowed her zeal and enthusiasm
to carry her beyond the limits of her not over strong
constitution. As a soldier of the battlefield sheds his blood
for his king and country, as the lonely missionaiy working
in some far-off land lays down his life for his Christ and
wins the martyr's crown, so he readily believed their dear
friend in the nobleness of her heart, in her love for the
Master, and her love for the people of Slaithwaite, had laid
down her life and won a martyr's crown. They could not
blame her now, but they must thank God that He had
given them such a blessing and example in her life, such
a self-sacrificing and devoted spirit. With her example
before them, they must strive for and pray that there
might be reproduced in their lives something of that
nobleness of character, something of that enthusiasm and
zeal for the service of God and for the good of their fellow-
men, which was so marked a feature in her life. " She has
gone from us," said the preacher. " You will miss her
well-known face, her well-known form, her sunny smile,
her cheery voice, her sympathetic look." To-day their
hearts bled as they thought of the bereaved family, and
their sympathy and prayers went r>ut to them. In the
homes of the poor and the needy she had always a glad
welcome, and her winning smile brought sunshine to the
SLAITHWAITE NOTES. 20]
sad and -weary heart. The members of* the Mothers' Union,
in -which she took such a genuine interest, had lost a wise
counsellor, for verily she was a mother in Israel. The
large class of young women were now mourning the loss
of a teacher and sympathetic guide, and a really personal
friend. And to her friends the world seemed empty,
dreary, and sad. They were decidedly poorer by the
removal of such a noble life as hers, but they must
remember that she was now at peace. Her life's work
was done; her Master had come; she had now entered
into joy and rest. She had safely entered where they also
might go at last after many struggles, after many ups
and downs. " Meanwhile Ave will never forget her, and
she will never forget us." They must go on watching and
praying day by day, for however long the hours might
seem, they would come to an end, the sun go down, and
give place to eternal light.
At the evening service the pulpit was occupied by the

Rev. T. H. Greenhalgh, vicar of Paddock. During his
discourse he made reference to the death of Mrs. Brook,
and remarked that it came as a great shock to him to
hear that one who was with them last Sunday in the
fulness of life was here with them no more.
In Memoriam.
Alas ! how soon our sister pass'd away

We knew not then t'was our last Sabbath day
That we together in God's House would spend :
How soon that happy spirit would ascend

On angel wings to meet the saints above.
Join in the song of Christ's redeeming love
No doubt, her heart that day was overjoyed,
Whilst with her youthful band she was employed
In acts of worship, love, and holy praise;
They knew not that their teacher's eyes would gaze
80 soon upon the Saviour's smiling face.

Her heavenly friend in fellowship embrace.
She cheerfully had joined with loving zest

To deck the church with fruits and flowers the best :
Thinking not that those symbols of our praise

And harvest thanks, the last that she would raise :
'"
Who is my neighbour I
"
— she by works could show
To orphans, Avidows, sufferers, she would go '.
Her Christlike kindness both to rich and pom'.

Sinner and saint were welcomed at her door.
Amongst the roses, or amidst the storm,
Her charity stood forth in willing form ;
She sought not for herself to rest on down,

But wrought with hand and heart to gain the crown.
She feared no foes time was to her no loss,
!
If she could bring poor sinners to Christ's cross.
Ye little flock, fear not keep by the side

;
Of the Chief Shepherd, he will be your guide

Let 3'our late teacher's love still urge you on
To the bright kingdom whither she hath gone.
0, let her good by you be wider spread,
That hundreds more may in her footsteps tread.
Ye Slaithwaite maids, keep your late teacher's brighl

Example e'er before you, day and night ;
New channels make where living streams shall flow.

And gardens in which Sharon's rose shall blow;
Sow seeds of piety in life's fresh morn,
Which shall with fruit your after years adorn!
William Sykes.
Crossley Place, Linthwaite,
October 26th, 1904.
CHAPTER LXIV.
A Few Selected Letters of Condolence.
Slaithwaite,
October 18th, 1904.
My dear Mr. Sugden,
—
" What shadows we are, and what
shadows Ave pursue " ! I little thought, nor you either,
that my thanks for your most kind condolences to me

would be blended with equally sincere condolences with
you. We are one in sorrow, one in hope. May God
comfort you even more than He has comforted me The!
bright rays of light beam thro' the shadows. She was

what she was, and she wa.s spared the ordeal of pain.
If we who live after her follow her as she followed Christ,
she will not have lived in vain, and will continue to live
as a blessed influence. —
With deep sympathy, yours very
sincerely,
H. Harold Kose.
. The Vicarage,
Huddersfield,
October 22nd, 1904.
—
Dear Aid. Sugden, I am grieved to hear of your great
and sudden bereavement, and respectfully offer you my
deep sympathy. I have read with interest the accounts of
her most useful and beautiful life, and feel that while your
sorrow will be greater than that of others, you will also
have comfort which all cannot share. Her character appears
in a very beautiful light in the touching memoirs I have
read. —
'With kind and sympathetic thoughts of you in your
heavy trial, I am, dear Aid. Sugden, yours sincerely,
FOLLIOTT G. SANDFORD.
56, Somerset Road,

Huddersfield,
. October 19th, 1904.
My —
dear Sir, The members of the Methodist Free
Church, Slaithwaite, desire to express their sincere
Christian sympathy with you and your family circle in
the loss you have sustained by the death of your daughter,
the late Mrs. Brook. They beg to assure you that they
will cherish the memory of her high Christian character
and her useful life. The district is the poorer for her
departure. May I associate myself personally with this
expression of sympathy? I pray that you and yours may
be consoled by the Father of mercies and God of all
comfort.— Believe me, my dear sir, yours very truly,
H. M. Booth (Minister]
Aid. Sugden, Esq.
Northgate Mount,
Honley, Huddersfield,
October 22nd, 1904.
—
Dear Mr. Sugden, Will you allow me to express my
deep sympathy with you and all your family in the great
sorrow which has befallen you in the loss of your daughter?
It is impossible to read the account of Mrs. Brook in the
paper which has been kindly sent to me without being
very deeply touched, and feeling what a terrible loss the
whole community among whom she lived have sustained.
In one sense all that Mrs. Brook was and the great blessing
her life has been to so many must be your greatest
consolation, and we can reverently thank God for it all.
But I know what a sorrow her loss must be to those nearest
and dearest to her, and I trust you will not think I am
taking any liberty in writing these few lines to you.
Yours truly,
Wk. Brooke.
Fearn Lodge,
Ardgay, N.B.,
October 29th, 1904.
—
Dear Aid. Sugden, I am writing a line to express the
heartfelt sympathy of my wife and self with you and yours
at the death of your daughter. I can assure you our
thoughts have been constantly with you since we heard.
It is indeed one of the most inscrutable of the problems
which face us why the best and most useful are so often
cut off first. May God comfort and sustain you. I am —
ever, yours most sincerely,
Johx A. Brooke.
Smedley's Hydropathic Establishment,

Matlock,
October 21st, 1904.
—
Dear John, 'May I offer to you my sincere sympathy
in your sore bereavement? I was deeply shocked when I
heard of it, and regretted being deprived of the opportunity

of paying a last tribute of respect by my absence from
home. That you, and all of you, and her widowed husband
may be supported by strength from the Most High, is my
—
heartfelt wish. Yours sincerely,
William Crowther.
Jno. Sugden, Esq., J.P.
Delph,
October 22nd, 1904.
—
My dear Friend, I am very sorry to see the account
of the death of your daughter, Mrs. Brook. Please accept
my heartfelt sympathy. Though taken away in the fulness
of her usefulness, her life is not to be measured by its
length of days, and hers was a life crowded with good
deeds. For this we may well be thankful, and be resigned
—
to God's will. With kindest regards, yours truly,
F. W. Mallalieu.
Jno. Sugden, Esq.
Rock Mills,
Brockholes,
October 17th, 1904.
—
Dear John, This is sad new s I hear Elon joins me !
in deepest sympathy with you and yours. After all, it is

something to know that your sorrows are shared by your
friends; and, as fetterfetter with the present is
after
broken, it makes the contemplation of our own
easier
dissolution, which approaches silently but surely. Let us
resolve to double our efforts for making the world happier
than Ave found it. —Yours mosl sincerely,
Alfred Sykes.
Southwood, Birdhurst Road,

Croydon,
December 7th, 1904.
—
Dear Mr. Sugden, I have duly received your letter of
the 3rd hist., and regret very much to hear that since I
saw you last you have suffered so much, and I sincerely
sympathise with you in the loss of your daughter. It is
most unfortunate at a time like that through which
you have recently been passing, that the dominant party
in the Council should deprive you of your aldermanie seat,
and their action in doing so is a very sad commentary
upon the letters of sympathy and condolence which you
received. Your work for the town, especially in relation
to its water supply, has been not only useful, but valuable,
and I have on several occasions officially acknowledged the
same, and I therefore trust that you will soon be restored
to the Council as a member, and be enabled to continue
that good work. —
With kind regards, believe me. yours
very truly,
F. C. Lloyd.
John Sugden, Esq., J. P.,
22, Greenhead Road,
Huddersfield.
SLA1THWAITE NOTES. I'D I
At a meeting of the Colne Valley Education Committee,

the Chairman moved that a vote of condolence be sent to
the relatives of the late Mrs. W. H. Brook. He was sure
the Committee would join with him in placing on record
their sense of the loss they had sustained. Mrs. Brook's
death had been very sudden and unexpected, and it would
prove a serious loss to that neighbourhood in particular.
He moved that the Committee express their deep sympathy
with Mr. Brook in his irreparable loss. Mr. T. Mallinson
seconded. He had known Mrs. Brook for many years.
She was a most amiable lady, and well qualified to occupy
the pusition she did on that Committee. She had had a
remarkable training for that work, and, very early on, he
took the opportunity of asking her if she would accept the
position in the event of a lady being required as a member.
She did not at once give her consent, but mentioned the
matter to her father, and afterwards said she was willing
to stand. They had welcomed her amongst them, and the
time she had been amongst them had testified to her
ability. They were deeply sorry for the family, for their
own sakes, and for the sake of that neighbourhood, that
she had been so suddenly taken away from them. The
motion was passed in silence, all the members standing.
CHAPTER LXV.
Robert Meeke's Tomb.
It is not generally known, even by old Slaithwaite residents,

that the tombstone of the Rev. Robert Meeke, of blessed
memory, one-time curate of this parish, stands within a
few feet of a public thoroughfare. The road leading from
Market Place to the Dartmouth Arms is said to pass
immediately over the grave of the devoted vicar and quaint
diarist.
In the south-east corner of the burial ground is to be seen

a somewhat ornate tombstone, bearing this inscription: —
" Near this Place is Interred the Body of
Mr. Robert Meeke,
Who was Curate of this Chappel
39 Years and 5 Months,
To ye Satisfaction of his Auditors.
He left £4 per annum to ye School of Slaithwaite
For Teaching 10 Poor Children,
And ye Interest on £9 for Bread and Wine,
And 133 Books for ye Use of Succeeding Curates.
He departed this Life May 31st, 1724, in the
67th Year of his Age."
The tombstone is in a wonderfully fine state of preser-

vation, and the ornamentation is perfect in every detail.
The last line of the inscription is almost on a level with
the ground, and the stone cannot be read without removing
the creepers that threaten to obscure it altogether.
Some years ago, when the local authority widened the
road, they reverently spared this grave by placing over it
an iron beam to keep it intact.
CHAPTER LXVI.
Local Obituary for 1904.
In the following local obituary for 1904, copied from the

Huddersfield Examiner, will be found the names of two
of the very interesting individuals specially noticed in this
volume, viz., Mrs. W. H. Brook and Mr. Edwin Swift: —
Years.
January 15 —F.
Vickerman 50
26—Watts Balmforth 77
26— A. Halstead 53
29— Ed. Brook (Meltham) 78
Years.
February 4 —Alderman F. Calvert 58
8—H. L. Parratt 69
9— E. Swift 60
25— W. H. Autey 53
27 —F.
Midgley 58
—
March 3 —
L. Liversedge
22— Sarah Parkin 93
25— J. Mellor 71
26—W. Brook 99
April 7—W. Child 68
15 — J. McHutchon 57
18—J. T. Kilner 77
20—W. H. Woodcock 79
21— J. W. Mellor 65
25 — J. E. Cooper 59
May 7 — H. Beardsell 55
2 1— H. J. Wadsworth 85
31— E. A. Bradbury 49
June —
-1 H. D. E. Greenwood 34
4—W. Blakeley 72
8— J. B. Matthewman 53
July 6—B. H. Bradburv 38
22— J. A. Stocks 52
August 3—E. Ellis 70
— Butterworth
1 R. 83
27 — Joseph Crosland
Sir 77
September — M. Cooke
2 81
— Moseley
7 J. 67
12— J. E. Taylor 80
16 — Furniss
T. 77
25 —Thomas Halstead 84
October 6 — Edwin Learoyd 71
17—Mrs. W.H. Brook 43
22—J. C. Broadbent 49
31— G. Bentley 79
November 7 — Jesse Clegg 73
7—J. E. Wheatley 73
21— Dr. F. W. Shaw 65
December 6 — I. Poison 57
27—J. H.Cooper 66
2llO SLAITHWAITB NOTES.
CHAPTER LXVII.
Memorial Window and Font.
At a large and influential meeting at tho Parish Church

it was unanimously agreed that the following should be
the memorial to the two dear ladies: —
A window will be placed in the south- west end of the
church, with a new font immediately adjoining. A couple
of pews will be removed for the purpose, and placed where
the old font now stands. The new font will be of white
marble, set in a floor of terazza, and will bear the following
inscription " This font was erected by the parishioners
:
and friends to the glory of God and in memory of

Catherine Ann, wife of the Rev. H. H. Rose, incumbent
of Slaithwaite, who died October 5th, 1904. 'She hath
done what she could.' "
The inscription on the window, the subject of which will
lie " Faith, Hope and Charity," would run as follows
" This window was placed by the parishioners and friends
to God arid in memory of Eliza Jane, wife

the 2'lory of
of Mr.W. H. Brook, who died October 17th, 1904. 'The
memory of the just is blessed.' "
The inscription on the old font would lie " This font
:
was placed in the old church during the ministry of the

Rev. Robert Meeke. It was transferred to the present
building in 1789, and substituted by the present font in
1905."
CHAPTER LXVIII.
Pen and Ink Sketch : Changes in Life.
He lives home on the hillside of a lovely

at a beautiful
valley, the sides of which are clothed with healthy trees
and many rich woods indeed, in the autumn it is a
;
charming district, with its fading green and yellow leaves.

The poet has sung its praises, writers have written of its
*=
A Memorial Window.
SLAITUWAITE NOTES. 211
beauties, travellers have been charmed with its scenery,

but none have done it full justice, and it would take tin-
pen of a Sir Walter Scott to succeed, so that in this feeble
attempt no one will blame this halting effort.
Where he lives was where we begin this short story, and
it is to this we must return. The house is situated at the
far side from Huddersfield, in one of the most famous
woods in the neighbourhood. Here the hare could sit in
solitude were it not for the prowling cats and weasels
here little bunny is at rest, and the birds sing gaily the
long summer days while on the ground the bracken is
;
a, thing of peculiar beauty, and in winter makes bedding

for cattle which cannot be surpassed. On the knoll of
this interesting spot the house stands high, commanding
the hills and valleys for many miles. The structure, half
Gothic to begin with, has been subject to many alterations
for the better. The billiard room is one to be remembered
for flowers and ferns. The furniture is of the latest and
best ;every comfort has been anticipated, and nothing left
to chance. In going through the modern houses, one is
pleased to note how many useful books they have, as well
as those for ornament. —
The grounds yes, the grounds
they are the charm of the place, and will be when he has
done making that quarry hole in the back, the beauty spot
of that rock's beautiful home.
But whatever there may be in that place, it is the love

at home which decorates it best indeed, he is blest with
;
a charming family, one of the best of partners, who has

been able to supply that of which he was in most need,
together with combined and successful effort.
Considering what has gone before, the numerous readers

of the Slaithwaite Guardian will understand that the
owner of the above fairy land was not always so fortunate,
and to the past this story is devoted, and not to win favour
by abject flattery or undue adulation.
Then turn to a valley almost as lovely, and there
let us
is a village that tops yon neighbouring height that many
—
a tale could tell but this time only of the other house
in which the subject of this chapter was born. Here it
p*
212 SLAIT11WA1TE NOTES.
was hard fare, but the best of mothers made a heaven of

small things by her constant devotion to her family and
the sensible manner in which she brought up her children,
and would you know the spell? She was a Slaithwaite
lass, and this to the writer has a double charm and
meaning.
Come back to her home, then, and see her numerous

family in that small house and workshop, for they weave
at home for their living, and the looms and bits of
furniture completely fill the house. And here's the rub.
How do they sleep, and where? Maybe the father and
mother have a turn-up bed, and this is the sacred thing
in the house. But what of the lads? Where do they
recline and get a good night's rest? This to the uninitiated
would be a perfect riddle, but to those in the know, and
on looking up they would have found right up to the
skylight, where in summer it was particular hot, and in
winter almost as cold as last Monday (hunting on Linth-
waite Edge Tops). Yes, at the roof, and fixed on the top
of the loom, was a bed for three. But how did they get
there? And this almost beats Crafty, the once famous
acrobat of the Colne Valley. But they did and how, think
;
you, but to climb up the loom after undressing downstairs,

for there was no room for this kind of thing neither was
;
there any mock modesty about it.
All, how happy they were when everything was pleasing

and there was nothing vile! The wealth and happiness
of latter days do not exceed the joy of the former, and, oh,
how with a miser's care he needs must look back and dwell
on the days of his youth. But one little incident was
hardly all to his liking, and that was when going to bed
one night in the dark (and they had always to do this
candles were dear, and there was no electric light as now)
no up that steep incline he must go, groping his W ay
;
as best he could, lint in an unfortunate moment lie lost

his grip and down came the climber, body and all. first
alighting on the "twelve apostles" (the bobbin wheel).
This was turned over on to the open tub, containing water
to wet the bobbins, in which he at last alighted, happily
A New Font.
11 OCT.1920
'
SLAITIIWAITE NPTBS. - 1
:
Y- ..
more wet than hurt, and the little episode, simple as it
may be, isone of the little points in a life which makes

history, though at the time quite unthinking'. :
These are some of the incidents \vhich mark the Colne

Valley. Many were the beds similarly situated; but now
how different, and how much better! But the hard lessons
learnt in the past have made most of the wise men of
to-day, and may their sons and daughters never despise
these things, but always remember that a sweet kindness
is1 letter than great riches alone.
Following this latter thought, the gentleman is now

highly respected, justly occupies many very high positions,
a director of a number of great industrial concerns, the
chairman of a district council. These all good and
important as they are, the one above all others for which
he is honoured is the large Sunday school class (at a
mission chinch) which he conducts weekly with love, care,
and ability, to the no small satisfaction of the teacher and
the taught.
CHAPTER LXIX.
Ye Old Hostelry, or the Red Brook Bogey.
Situated on the edge of the moor stands, facing south, the

well-known old inn called the Moorcock, now kept by two
ladies of the old family of Bottomleys, who have lately
become the owners. After a long absence from their native
heath they have returned, like the hares, back to the old
ground to welcome all who ma}- travel that way. There
will be bread and cheese for all, and better things provided
if due notice only be given. The attractions are numerous.
To the lamb like comes the sheep's bleat, bleat, blended in
the air with the whirring cry of the feathered game, very
numerous on the high hills and in the sheltered dells.
which abound on every hand. Here, too, may be seen the
timid white hare running helter-skelter on the least
2li SLAITHWAITB NOTES.
approach of danger, and ona hunting morn speed becomes

a matte)' of or death.
life There is no belingering here.
Nature has given them legs to run, and if well used the
innocent things do get away, to the no small joy of a
manly hunter.
But this plaee offers better attraction. Here on the
highlands of Standedge you have some magnificent scenery
and most invigorating fresh air to strengthen the lungs
of the numerous workers in the valley below, if when they
have a chance they will only embrace it. It is not far to
walk the whole way, either right on to Diggle or turn just
below the Great Western, under the shadow of the towery
Pule, down to Marsden again, by what is called the New
Road. The old one was made by Blind Jack, of Ivnares-
borough, on which in the old days ran the coaches from
Manchester to Huddersfield by way of Holthead, and might
lie called the Wuthering Heights journey of former days,
so picturesque and so grand the whole stretch over the

mountains and overlooking the lovely vales below.
The district not far from the Moorcock is darkened by

—
two foul murders the one near Buckstone* recently, where
good honest Uttley was foully shot and young Kenyon
found in the same condition, but by whom and how has
never been ascertained —the other just over the hills at
Hill's o' where the dear old landlord and his son
Jack's,
were done to death by unknown hands. How strange
neither has been found out, and yet in places so near and
in time so far apart
The old days coaching had many an adventure on
of
none of this terrible character. Bed
St;iiidedge Hills, but
Brook, famous as a starting point for trail hunts at the
time when these things ran high in Saddleworth, had many
little scrimmages. It is a lovely spot on the moors, lying
due south from the Great Western Hotel, approached from
Huddersfield in the old days by the Moorcock Inn, just
beyond which was a toll bar, and it was said that the
keeper of this gate was in league with the footpads who
The Murder at Buckstone is referred to in a former Chapter.

pestered the road by waylaying such us were not strongly

protected —sometirnes extracting money by threats and
at other times by fears.
An old stager told the writer, when out on a friendly

hunt, that one of the modes was for one of these men to
dress in a white sheet to represent a ghost, and in this
manner become a terror to all the travellers on the mad,
but his time came at last at the hands of a rough wagoner,
who had begged a pair of besom shafts at the Moorcock
Inn. When this sturdy fellow came to the fatal Red
Brook, out came the ghost in due form to tax and frighten
hut this Jehu had faced these hills too often to be fright-
ened, neither was he soft enough to pay ransom. Seizing
the stronger of these two shafts he belaboured this chap
so unmercifully that in penitence and exhaustion he prayed
for mercy, which was duly granted on an abject promise
that he would never do so any more. As a mark of surety
he was tied beyond the wagon and taken on to the next
public-houses to be shown what a poor despicable thing
the boggart of Red Brook was. He was never seen again,
and his condign punishment was just sufficient to deter
any other from following what proved to be such an
inglorious ending.
CHAPTER LXX.
An Old Slaitiiwaite Max's Reqi est.
Ix the Huddersfield Examiner of August 8th, 1871, will

lie —
found a report of Mr. Alfred Sykes then of Ramsden,
—
Sykes, and Ramsden defending a case from Scapegoat
Hill way. How many things have happened since then?
The Huddersfield borough magistrates on the bench for
the week were Messrs. Henry Brooke, Jer. Kaye, and E.
—
Huth all three long dead.
At Marsden a meeting was held to consider rules for
a proposed Liberal Club. A sub-committee was selected,
and Mr. Joseph Crowther was appointed chairman. Further
21G SLAITHWAITE NOTES.
under, Marsden is aoted as a place for a feed, on which is

drawn a fictitious picture. But more lasting is the notice
of a testimonial to the Rev. H. Pickersgill, some time a
former minister, but then of Tunstall, Staffordshire, and
who was again removing to Westmorland.
At the same time, under Linthwaite, mention is made
of the then famous band taking first prize (£26 IDs.) at
Gorton, near Manchester Kingston Mill second, and Healer
;
Hall (Rochdale) third. Judge, Mr. Jenkins, Manchester.
In the same issue was a notice of Mr. Thomas Dean,

M.D., being appointed medical officer of health for Burnley
at £500 per annum, and at this date (a Slaithwaite lad)
now living, and honourably carrying out his professional
duties most successfully.
A little lower is a notice of the Slaithwaite choir, then
under the late and respected Henry Pearson, the then
popular organist, and the father of some eminent musicians.
It also says of the Feast time " Scrub, scrub, scrub,

:
and clean, clean, clean, may

be said to be the order of
the clay, and nearly enough of it to drive an old bachelor
mad."' Describing further it says: "All sorts of vendors
have found their way into the town, with a miscellaneous
lot of articles, while beer, beef, and provision dealers have
been as throng as if a famine were coining on. Traps of
varied degree have entered the village, already filling the
Towngate, so that those who love this sort of thing are
likely to have their fill." The glory of this thing has
departed. It is a corpse in latter days, a deserted town,
the inhabitants of which have gone to the seaside.
Again, there is mention of the adult members of the

Baptist Sunday School, with their then popular minister,
the Rev. W. E. Tomsett, of a pleasant Saturday afternoon's
out to the then famous Blake Ley, kept by Mr. John Hirst,
a well-known character in his day, representing many of
the tips and downs of life —
opened again, after many years
'
of closing, by Mr. Firth, the temperance reformer.
Then follow some comments on the flower show, which

had had a verv successful career with such good men workers
as Mr. G. H. Walker, one of the pioneers of all that was

best iu Slaithwaite but it had got down to horse racing,
;
and this was what killed it. It was up to this a living

ornament to the village. The cottagers did wonders in
their successful productions, and it is anent this that a
dear old living soul has preserved a copy of my report of
1874 and treasured it with a miser's care, and now prays
for it to have a corner in my little book. It may not be
much, but it is enough to graciously grant the request of
this deserving fellow :
—
.Air. James Walker, gardener and farmer, of Hill Top,
has in his little vinery three very good vines, all in fine
condition, trained almost to perfection, the branches being-
very straight and quite filling the house, which is only
15 feet by 21 feet. It would be a difficult matter to find
an equal for the same room and conditions. The bunches
of growing grapes number about 500, and are very healthy.
About a similar number have been taken away to help the
others to grow. From these trees, which are regularly
improving, Mr. Walker took the first and second prizes at
the annual flower show last Saturday, being about the last
of these things in Slaithwaite of which he is justly proud
to-day."
CHAPTER LXXI.
HuDDERSFIELD CORPORATION.
After a strenuous young life, spent with other good men

in promoting the rise and progress of his native village —
an
epoch in the early days of his vigorous youth, as indicated
largely in these notes —
Mr. Sugden removed to Huddersfield
and entered the Town Council after a hard-fought contest
with his old friend, Mr. John Blamires, 25 years ago.
—
He has had 18 years' service therein 13 as Councillor
—
and five as Alderman and during that time has fought
many memorable battles, both inside the Council Chamber
and out, mostly on independent lines in his later days
a i
osition which required an effort to maintain, owing to
the strength of parties, which many think is to be highly
deplored in the interests of the town. Whether this be so
or not, Mr. Sugden could hardly recommend anyone to
follow his example it is much easier to gain favours and
;
promotion by following one party or another. What with

political machinery and applause, and with human nature
what it is, one can find many opportunities (on both or any
side) of showing bitter resentment, which only a very strong
—
man can resist, and, even if successful with very little
comfort to the mind but that of having fearlessly done
one's duty and for conscience' sake sacrificed everything
else —
splendid isolation, more or less, is bound to be tin-
doom of an independent course where party is at all
powerful.
Mr. Sugden was early associated with Huddersfield's
pioneers, when a galaxy of good men were developing the
resources of the town in its most material and important
aspects. There was not much water then, no trams or
electricity, no sanitation worth the name as compared with
to-day, the hospitals poor and crude, the sewage untreated,
the gasworks to be re-modelled, the education to improve,
and the Technical College to take over. All these things,
and many more, mark a great stride for Huddersfield, in
which a vast amount of work has been done by some earnest
and devoted men, a history of whom some day will be
written, when such services become better appreciated by
the general public. Here, now, and until then we will
have to be satisfied with this short mention of a few of
the things on which Mr. Sugden was especially engaged,
with others more eminent, such as the getting of the
minutes printed, securing the General Purposes Committee
for the whole Council instead of belonging to the few.
Neither is the £2, DIM) per annum profit on his sulphate of
ammonia plant to be despised. The convenience and
income from the Sunday tram comes in useful at a time
when promises of income have not been attained. The
lovely flowers in the parks and the splendid bands in the
charming summer months give delight to thousands
nowadays. An abundance of water is coming by and by.
SLA1THWAITE NOTES. 219
and tlie Technical College shall retain the trade of the town
on its higher and more artistic development by its ample
Mm greater scientific knowledge.
I The poor and the
suffering, too, when in sickness, will find comfort and help
in the splendid hospitals which have been erected fit for —
a king. All these and many others may have a good word
to say of the many worthy citizens who have thought more
of the good to humanity than of their own personal ends
(in money or otherwise), and have made many sacrifices
foi* the public good during the long years of hard work
—
which it has taken to attain men who, regardless of
personal applause or abuse, were quite content in having
done their duty in their day and generation, men of
John Bunyan's class.
" There is no discouragement shall make him once repent
His iirst avowed intent to be a pilgrim."
To such an one a seat only causes the regret of the
loss of
inability to render a further service. To him there can
be no jealousy of those who may arise. No there will !
only be a miser's care for a prolongation of their usefulness

and a brighter chance for their many virtues and that ;
all their future efforts may far eclipse those who have gone
before is my simple prayer, not only on behalf of the
people here, but all over the world. Let such arise, shine !
and be honoured as they so richly deserve to be for their

laudable efforts to lift humanity, to lessen its suffering, and
to promote its greater happiness.
CHAPTER LXXII.
Mr. Sugden's Retirement. (November. 1904.)
The Mayor proposed a resolution, thanking the retiring

aldermen for their services, and said that Alderman Sugden
and Alderman Whitehead, whose places they had filled that
morning, gave many years of service on the council with
2l'0 SLAITHWAITE NOTES.
zeal and energy in many directions and assiduity in serving

the public in many capacities. He thought it would not be
fitting if they did not place on record their sense of the

value of their services and regret at their close.
The Deputy Mayor seconded, and said that Alderman

Sugden had been a colleague of his for a long series of
years, and he was always able to look forward to assistance
from him. The same remarks, to some extent, applied to
Alderman Whitehead. He was sure the town would heartily
appreciate the services they had rendered.
Councillor Beaumont, in supporting the motion, said

that Alderman Sugden had deserved well of his town, and
he had been treated in a most scandalous manner for
conscience' sake. It was a shame that the Liberal party in
that council had kicked him out of the aldermanic bench
that day. Mention had been made of his work in regard
to the waterworks question. That was only one instance
of his many services. He acted in a straightforward and
conscientious manner in all he did, and the reward was that
the Radical party in the council had deliberately kicked
him out, and that, too, at a time when death had taken his
daughter from him and he was suffering from his bereave-
ment. His reason for speaking was to emphasise the
disgraceful way in which the Radical party treated good
servants.
[The above is copied from the proceedings of the Council,
with which the author had no concern, and expresses no
opinion thereon but one of gratitude to his yet numerous
friends, who have been constant in their devotion, and
ever faithful. May this continue until and at the last lap,
and there comfort and sustain at the end.]
John Heywood, Excelsior Printing and Bookbinding Works, Manchester.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY
Los Angeles
This book is DUE on the last date stamped below.
AEC'DYRL JAN 2.7 'CO
FormL9 —15m-10,'48(B1039)444
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
AT
LOS ANGELES
T TDD A DV
burden -
690
—
'
bhwaite
S61539 no y of Ihe — UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY
past and present III I I III I I I I I II I
A 001 016 410 1
DA
690
S615S9
Univers
SoutJ
Libi

Slaithwaite Notes Past and Present - John Sugden

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Slaithwaite Notes Past and Present - John Sugden

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

NOTES

PAST AND PRESENT,

DUE 2 WKS FROM DATE RECEIVED

PAST AND PRESENT.

29<fe30, Shoe Lane, London, B.C.

in g rateful memory of those happy and hallowed

His life was one of great humility and silent

charity, which found expression in unseen little

acts of kindness to the deserving poor.

Money did not spoil him, nor in its acquirement

He died a good Christian and closely attached

to Providence Baptist Chapel, and to this place of

worship he and I were much devoted by a long and

In the same loving spirit his ividoiv has

honoured his memory by placing in her beloved

My only reason for publishing these notes is the pressure

the sake of old times let them have a chance of preserving

in book form this little record of local history, so that

they may look at it now and again, in order to compare

In this sense alone have I consented to their publication ;

and knowing how poor and defective they are, I must

[The author is very grateful for the few kind letters

ON THE BAT'S BACK.

" Where the bee sucks, there lurk I,

In a cowslip bell I lie;

On the bat's back do I fly

Another name is added to the list of local authors. With

paper. The book is dedicated to the late Mr. Samuel

life in a West Riding clothing village during the last half-

with a freedom and a frankness that at once reveal the

Mr. J. Sugden' s Reminiscences. v.

kindness with everybody he has to mention and tells what

may be a terra incognita and its great men mere shadows,

wholly characteristic of the writer.

MR. J. SUGDEN'S REMINISCENCES.

Under the title of " Slaithwaite Notes,'' Mr. John Sugden

Slaithwaite during the last 50 years, and the interesting

mind's eye once more the well-remembered form and

vi. Mr. J. Sudden's Reminiscences.

succeeded. In his attempts to better mankind he has often

met with rebuffs which would have discouraged a man of

a Irs* sanguine temperament. He has, however, gone

with a conscience, he left his life-long associates, because

duction of Mr. Gladstone's Home Rule Bill. Since then

of"Old Slaithwaite," the mill of the Slaithwaite Spinning

high to rise. There was neither the sudden fortunes or

TO SLALTHWAITE AND MY NUMEROUS FRIENDS

readily sold out ; but thinking they were of so little

importance during my lifetime, I had agreed with my

out a second edition at my demise, for which I had placed

her native village with other good Christians, where, it is

At such a time, and at her death, I have been told it

would be well to publish now, and to add whatever was

little souvenir of a humble village lass so very dear to

of which she ever strove to lift to higher ideals of

happiness ; never sparing in hard work (especially with

saying — it is hard to say —Thy will be done ; but we must

praise, or vain gloryings, but to make the world better

With becoming humility let us say :

In addition to a new font in the body of the church to

one of the south windows to Mrs. Brook. Both of these

have been handsomely subscribed for by the generosity

White House Hotel,