LEVERS'//
 
 / 
 
 POEMS, 
 
 BY 
 
 W. BLAKE ATKINSON, 
 
 " Come, read to me some poem, 
 Some simple and heartfelt lay." 
 
 LONGFELLOW. 
 
 WALLINGFORD : 
 
 PUBLISHED BY W. D. JENKINS, 
 
 FISH STKEET. 
 
 1867.
 
 
 WALLINGPORD : 
 
 FEINTED BY W. D. JENKINS, 
 
 FISH STREET. 

 
 Stack 
 Annex 
 
 5T 
 038- 
 
 SIB 0. WENTWOETH DILKE, BAET., 
 
 MEMBER OP PARLIAMENT POE THB 
 BOROUGH OP WALLINGPORD, 
 
 THIS VOLUME OF POEMS 
 is (BY PERMISSION) RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED 
 
 BY HIS PAITHPUL SERVANT, 
 
 THE AUTHOE. 
 
 1056814
 
 I 
 
 
 THE following Poems are, as most of my readers may 
 know, the production of a still youthful writer. In fact, 
 
 1 
 
 they were all, with only three exceptions, composed during i 
 
 my minority. For the " Prologues and Epilogues " I must 
 
 : . 
 
 especially claim the reader's indulgence, as they were j*A 
 
 necessarily written in a hurried manner. 
 
 W. B. A. 
 
 STONE HALL, 
 
 WALLINGFORD.
 
 PAGE 
 
 God bless the Royal Pair e 9 
 
 A Welcome to tlie Young Prince 11 
 
 Ode in Commemoration of the Inauguration of the Berkshire 
 
 Albert Memorial, at Abingdon, June 22nd, 1865 13 
 
 Harvest Time 15 
 
 The Atlantic Cable 17 
 
 The Shower of Stars, 14th November, 1866 18 
 
 The New Year's Bells 19 
 
 Wallingford 20 
 
 Mongewell 22 
 
 The Setting Sun in Summer 24 
 
 Preface to a Character Book 24 
 
 Epilogue delivered at the Eeadings in connection with the Wal- 
 lingford Mechanics' Institute, 15th April, 1864 26 
 
 Epilogue delivered at the Eeadings in connexion with the Wal- 
 lingford Mechanics' Institute, llth April, 1866 27 
 
 Prologue delivered at the First Penny Readings, in the Town Hall, 
 
 Wallingford, 26th October, 1866 28 
 
 Christmas: written for an Epilogue to the WaUingford Penny 
 
 Readings, 21st December, 1866 32 
 
 Epilogue delivered at the Last Penny Readings, 5th April, 1867 34 
 
 A Farewell 37 
 
 Notes , 38

 
 
 Wess 
 
 AN ODE WRITTEN ON THE MARRIAGE OF ALBERT 
 
 EDWARD, PRINCE OF WALES, WITH THE 
 
 PRINCESS ALEXANDRA OF DENMARK. 
 
 [These verses were sent to Their Eoyal Highnesses The 
 Prince and Princess of Wales, and graciously acknow- 
 ledged in the following terms : 
 
 " SANDRINGHAM, 
 
 April 2, 1863. 
 
 "Mr. HERBERT FISHER is commanded by Their Eoyal 
 Highnesses the PEINCE and PEINCESS of WALES to 
 thank Mr. W. BLAKE ATKINSON for his Ode and for the 
 kind feeling which prompted it."] 
 
 God bless the royal pair, 
 That they may ever share 
 
 Thy bounteous love ; 
 And may their pray'rs, addrest 
 To Thee, be ever blest 
 By happiness the best, 
 
 Sent from above. 
 
 Let Albert Edward prove 
 Worthy a nation's love, 
 A nation's pride :
 
 10 
 
 To him a Father be, 
 That he may ever see 
 Safety in having Thee 
 His path to guide. 
 
 Let Alexandra, too, 
 To his affections true 
 
 Ever be dear ; 
 
 And may our SoVreign find 
 In her new daughter kind 
 Comfort and hope combined, 
 
 Her heart to cheer. 
 
 May Britain ever be 
 
 The home of good and free, 
 
 Kept by Thy hand : 
 Do Thou upon us smile, 
 And bless our favour' d isle, 
 That war may ne'er defile 
 
 This peaceful land. 
 
 " God bless our hope in both," 
 That in their plighted troth 
 
 They Thee may own. 
 Grant them Thy face to see, 
 And let them counted be 
 Worthy to wear with Thee 
 
 A better crown. 
 
 10th March, 1863.
 
 11 
 
 Witltmt to % frag 
 
 PRINCE ALBERT VICTOR, SON OF THE PRINCE OF 
 WALES, BORN STH JANUARY, 1864. 
 
 Hail ! first-born child of England's son and heir ! 
 Hail to the son of Alexandra fair ! 
 The land most free, most blest upon the earth 
 "Welcomes with joy its future monarch's birth : 
 Glad news of thee throughout our isle has flown, 
 Heir to its crown, its sceptre, and its throne ! 
 
 In thy young form a destined king we see, 
 Born to rule o'er a nation great and free ; 
 Sprung from a parentage of royal race, 
 Of far-famed ancestors to fill the place ; 
 But, more than all, these noble gifts to claim, 
 A Briton's birthplace and a Briton's name. 
 
 Now two great races blended we behold, 
 Who fought for England's rule in days of old. 
 From Saxon forefathers thy father rose, 
 Whose bride from Danish ancestry he chose : 
 These ancient peoples, infant Prince, in thee, 
 Saxon and Dane, united now we see. 
 
 May it be thine thy country's good to choose, 
 So wilt thou ne'er its real affection lose,
 
 
 12 
 
 But on its help and guidance firmly rest, 
 By the true love of free-born Britons blest : 
 But above all be thy constant aim 
 Victoria's virtues and good Albert's fame. 
 
 Bearer of joyful tidings to our land, 
 Thou claim' st a double welcome at our hand : 
 Thy mission 'tis to cheer our Sov'reign's heart, 
 And bid the gloomy clouds of grief depart, 
 That we may view her glad'ning smile once more 
 And joy may reign where sorrow ruled before. 
 
 infant Prince ! if 'tis thy lot to bear 
 
 The regal sceptre and the crown to wear, 
 
 May'st thou be blest by providence Divine ; 
 
 And after death be it for ever thine 
 
 To own, when earthly thrones shall prostrate lie, 
 
 A home in heaven and a rest on high.
 
 13 
 
 in fcmemordiim of % $praliim of 
 
 JUNE 22ND, 1865. 
 
 This our memorial we gladly rear 
 
 To one whose name to us is ever dear ; 
 
 And round the pile thus built with willing hand 
 
 The people of the Eoyal County stand : 
 
 Proud such a hero for their own to claim, 
 
 They raise their monument to Albert's fame. 
 
 But, though with us his life was chiefly spent, 
 On all men's welfare was his mind intent ; 
 His name is cherished in a nation's heart, 
 To last till mem'ry's latest thought depart ; 
 His great endeavour was for all men's good, 
 To link the world in one great brotherhood. 
 
 Amid the ranks of battle's raging fight, 
 
 The patriot bleeds to win his country's right ; 
 
 Or, by ambition's soaring motive led, 
 
 Some mighty gen'ral tramples o'er his dead, 
 
 And, thoughtless of his slaughtered friends and foes, 
 
 Erects his triumph on a nation's woes.
 
 14 
 
 But peace her valiant heroes too can name, 
 And greater victories than war can claim ; 
 Can point to happy homes and fertile lands, 
 Where faithful brethren meet with friendly hands ; 
 Can teach us that great sum of happiness 
 In blessing other men ourselves to bless. 
 
 This was the object of our Albert's mind, 
 The bond of concord round the world to bind ; 
 To bid her bounties commerce wide to pour, 
 And men contribute to each other's store : 
 Each peaceful triumph made his joys increase j 
 His heart was happy were the world at peace. 
 
 Search through the roll of Britain's noble sons, 
 And read the record of her noblest ones ; 
 Point to the great and good who gild the scroll, 
 The mighty efforts of each mighty soul : 
 No worthier deeds than his the page shall grace, 
 And Albert's name shall hold the foremost place. 
 
 But not by costly pile and sculptured stone 
 Will our good Prince's fame be mostly known : 
 His labours for his fellow-creatures' good 
 Will earn from them their lasting gratitude ; 
 His name be treasured in a people's trust, 
 When this memorial is gone to dust. 
 
 But, though our Albert thus our praises fill, 
 Our widowed Queen to us is dearer still :
 
 15 
 
 To heaven we'll lift a nation's fervent pray'r, 
 That God may keep her in His ceaseless care, 
 That she may meet him on that happy shore, 
 Where peace shall reign and sorrow be no more. 
 
 Km 
 
 Hurrah ! hurrah for harvest ! it is with us once again j 
 It is climbing up the sloping hills, and creeping o'er the 
 
 plain ; 
 
 It spreads a train of triumph, and a golden garland weaves, 
 And crowns the laughing landscape with a diadem of 
 
 With its ever welcome treasures and its stores of golden 
 
 grain, 
 Hurrah ! hurrah for harvest ! for 'tis with us once again. 
 
 The heats of sultry noon-tide, the dews of eve and morn 
 Have nourished, fed, and ripened the waving fields of corn : 
 The sun has poured upon them its rays of warmth and 
 
 light, 
 And the moonbeams fallen o'er them in the tranquil hours 
 
 of night : 
 Across their face spring showers and summer storms have 
 
 They have rustled underneath the breeze, and rolled before 
 the blast.
 
 ,6 
 
 And now the sturdy reaper comes at the call of harvest 
 
 time, 
 
 And the ready grain is levelled in all its golden prime. 
 It bows before his sickle's edge and sinks upon the ground, 
 By willing hands 'tis gathered, and in sheaves together 
 
 bound, 
 Which, piled in heaps across the fields range far before the 
 
 sight, 
 And in the fading twilight seem like an army camped 
 
 at night. 
 
 Soon the happy cry of "harvest home" floats through 
 the evening air, 
 
 And, with overflowing gratitude for a gracious Father's 
 
 love, 
 While thus he pours His gifts below we raise our hearts 
 
 above ; 
 
 And, for all the joys and blessings that follow in its train, 
 Thank God for sending harvest to be with us once again. 
 
 1865.
 
 17 
 
 Profit Cattk 3 
 
 Beneath the heaving breast 
 
 Of troubled ocean, 
 Where the deep waters rest 
 
 Free from commotion ; 
 Amid its unknown caves, 
 
 With many a wonder stored, 
 Far, far below the waves, 
 
 There lies a slender cord. 
 
 Under the broad, blue sea, 
 
 While ebbs and flows the tide, 
 And o'er its billows free 
 
 The fleets of nations ride ; 
 Thro' the dark wat'ry mine, 
 
 Swift as the lightnings run, 
 Words flash along the line 
 
 That links two worlds in one. 
 
 All honour to the men, 
 
 Who thus have spanned the main, 
 And strove with courage when 
 
 Their efforts seemed in vain ; 
 By whose unwearied zeal, 
 
 The sea no longer parts 
 The sympathies that dwell 
 
 In two great peoples' hearts !
 
 
 18 
 
 Oh ! may this cable bear 
 
 No harsh or angry word, 
 But may its language e'er 
 
 In friendship's cause be heard, 
 To teach all human kind 
 
 To love each other, 
 And in one union bind 
 
 Brother to brother ! 
 1866. 
 
 ;e Sjjofaer of Stars/ 
 
 14ra NOVEMJBEK, 1866. 
 
 Deep in the dead of night, 
 
 While stretched the cloudless vault of heaven on high, 
 The stars in sudden streaks of flashing light 
 
 Shot through the startled sky. 
 
 As if at one command, 
 
 The shining host in showers fell thick and fast, 
 Like seeds of fire from some great sower's hand 
 
 O'er fields of azure cast. 
 
 Many a brilliant flush 
 
 Marked the quick passage of each falling star, 
 Like sparks struck forth beneath the rapid rush 
 
 Of an archangel's car.
 
 19 
 
 It seemed as we could trace 
 The Great King's progress up some heavenly street, 
 As each observant star fell on its face 
 
 To bow before His feet. 
 
 Hark ! 'tis the sudden shout of busy bells, 
 
 On the still slumber of the midnight breaking, 
 As, borne upon the winter wind, it tells 
 
 A new year's waking. 
 
 High o'er the house-tops of the sleeping town, 
 Hurry their voices with uproarious pealing ; 
 Or through some solitary valley down 
 
 Come softly stealing. 
 
 Now wide around their merry notes they fling, 
 
 In all the ecstacy of new-born gladness ; 
 And il^w with* melancholy numbers sing 
 In soothing sadness. 
 
 Ye welcome bells that welcome in the year, 
 
 "What though your sound be not an unmixed pleasure ? 
 Far distant be the day that will not hear 
 
 Your tuneful measure. 
 1st Jan., 1867.
 
 20 
 
 ^When I climb to the top of some neighbouring height 
 Where the walls of old Wallingford break on the sight, 
 My fancy the scenes of the past will renew 
 Till the forms of my forefathers rise to my view. 
 
 1 he fur-coated savage, the armour-clad knight, 
 Issue forth from its portals to join in the fight ; 
 And past generations repeople the town, 
 As o'er it the castle's high battlements frown. 
 
 I see the bold Briton contend for his home 
 In battle forlorn with the legions of Eome ; 
 And the flaxen-haired Saxon defending the plain 
 Against the wild rush of the death-dealing Dane. 
 
 Then the Norman invader appears on the scene, 6 
 
 On whose brow are the laurels of Hastings still green ; 
 
 And onward resistless his followers sweep 
 
 Till the proud flag of Normandy floats from the keep. 
 
 Next, when civil contentions the country divide, 7 
 By the river an army is seen on each side ; 
 But the high-swollen torrent bids bloodshed to cease, 
 And the factions of England are blended in peace.

 
 21 
 
 Yet again and again are the ranks in array 
 Of Briton with Briton in mortal affray ; 
 And the air rings aloud with a Puritan cheer 
 Or the answering shout of the gay cavalier. 
 
 But the vision has vanished, and faded away 
 
 Like the dreams of the night at the dawning of day ; 
 And tho feuds of old Wallingford rest and are still 
 As the ivy-crowned ruin that sleeps on its hill. 
 
 All hushed are the din and the tumult of war, 
 
 And the banners of battle are unfurled no more ? 
 
 While the husbandman ploughs and the meadow-grass- 
 
 waves, 
 
 Where forgotten the warriors lie in their graves- 
 Calm, quiet, contented, the little town stands, 
 Surrounded by fertile and prosperous lands ; 
 And, crowned with antiquity, dwells at its ease, 
 Encircled by hills and embosomed in trees. 
 
 What though restless spirits may murmur and say 
 That its glories have with former times fled away ; 
 And o'er its decay heave a pitying sigh 
 That the busy world passes it heedlessly by ? 
 
 So rest thee, fair Wallingford, just as thou art j 
 Yet still to thy country fulfilling thy part, 
 And rearing thy children, though humble they be. 
 To stand in the ranks of the land of the free :
 
 22 
 
 So live, though obscure and tmhonoured thy name, 
 
 Content in thy duty to seek for thy fame ; 
 
 And so thy old age uneventfully fleet, 
 
 As calm as the river that flows at thy feet. 
 
 1867. 
 
 There's a quiet place where I often go 
 
 When the sun is in the west, 
 And the evening breezes, as they blow 
 O'er the trees above and the lake below, 
 Seem sighing themselves to rest ; 
 
 :***- ere under the bank beneath the feet 
 There lies a hidden well ; 
 ere the hanging boughs the waters meet, 
 . the moorhen finds a safe retreat, 
 
 And the white swan loves to dwell. 
 
 For there have I heard the cuckoo's call, 
 
 And the lay of the nightingale, 
 The cooing of doves in the tree-tops tall, 
 And the distant sound of the waterfall 
 Come creeping up the vale.

 
 23 
 
 And in the far-off haze I have seen 
 
 The slopes of the circling hill, 
 And, the arching boughs of the trees between, 
 The broad expanse of the meadows green 
 Lie peacefully and still. 
 
 I have seen the water smooth as glass, 
 
 Or the ripples o'er it fleet, 
 When the winds that move it as they pass 
 Bear the scent of dew-besprinkled grass 
 
 And the odour of flowers sweet. 
 
 I have watched the shades of twilight glide 
 
 Over the peaceful scene, 
 Till the stars stole forth on the heavens wide, 
 And the moonbeams fell on the tranquil tide 
 
 In floods of silver sheen. 
 
 Oh there is no vale that ever I knew 
 That has such charms for me, 
 Where the earth assumes a brighter hue, 
 And the sky seems tinged with a deeper blue, 
 And the flowers more fair to see. 
 
 And still contented shall be my lot, 
 
 Whether I laugh or weep, 
 If, the busy cares of the world forgot, 
 I may visit that sweet, secluded spot, 
 
 Where the woods and waters sleep. 
 1867.
 
 24 
 
 Setting Swn fa Sunttr. 
 
 (A FRAGMENT.) 
 
 The eastern hills receive his parting beams, 
 While all the west is bathed in golden light. 
 Reluctantly to leave the scene he seems, 
 Ling'ring awhile to bid the world " good night," 
 Then slowly sinks below, lost to our dazzled sight. 
 
 to a 
 
 Come ! take your pen in hand, 
 
 Sit down and write ; 
 Obeying my command, 
 
 Your mind recite. 
 Your feelings here display 
 
 In full confession, 
 And put each leading trait 
 
 In my possession. 
 
 I do not wish to see 
 What you'd conceal, 
 
 But let each answer be 
 Just what you feel ;
 
 25 
 
 And what you may incline 
 
 So much unfold ; 
 But let on every line 
 
 The truth be told. 
 
 And as, in these great days 
 
 Of photographic art, 
 We view each well-known face 
 
 Upon the carte, 
 And in a book our friends 
 
 Collected are, 
 Where each on us attends, 
 
 Though absent far ; 
 
 So may this album be 
 
 A record true, 
 Where through their feelings we 
 
 Our friends may view, 
 Where to disclose their hearts 
 
 They have consented, 
 And by their mental cartes 
 
 Are represented. 
 
 Then let each one I ask 
 
 The pen engage, 
 And make a willing task 
 
 To fill the page, 
 That all who wish may scan 
 
 With thoughtful eyes 
 That noble part in man 
 
 Which never dies.
 
 26 
 
 PROLOGUES AND EPILOGUES. 
 
 DELIVERED AT THE HEADINGS IN CONNEXION WITH 
 
 THE WALLINGFORD MECHANICS' INSTITUTED 
 
 15iH APEIL, 1864. 
 
 Now Ladies all and Gentlemen, 
 
 Before you should disperse, 
 I will attempt our thanks to give 
 
 (In somewhat doggrel verse,) 
 
 For the attention you have shown 
 
 To all of us to-night, 
 And hope that our attempts to please 
 
 Find favour in your sight. 
 
 If anything you've heard has proved 
 
 Acceptable to you, 
 The pleasure you experience 
 
 To us is pleasure too. 
 
 If anything we may have done 
 
 Should to your welfare tend, 
 Our humble efforts to do good 
 
 Have met their wished-for end.
 
 27 
 
 With thanks for your attendance here, 
 
 We bid you all adieu ; 
 But hope that soon our lot 'twill be 
 
 Acquaintance to renew, 
 
 That, ere another year has cast 
 Its changing seasons o'er you, 
 
 Perhaps the honour we may have 
 To stand again before you. 
 
 DELIVERED AT THE HEADINGS IN CONNEXION WITH 
 
 THE WALLINGFORD MECHANICS' INSTITUTE, 
 
 lira APRIL, 1865. 
 
 Ladies and Gentlemen, thanks to you all 
 
 For the vote you so kindly have passed, 
 And, whilst we are glad that our Headings have pleased, 
 
 We hope they may not be the last. 
 
 As each on this platform has stood he has tried 
 
 Into play his best powers to call, 
 In order that our entertainment might prove 
 
 Instructive and pleasing to all.
 
 28 
 
 And if any trouble we may have bestowed 
 
 On the efforts to-night we've essayed, 
 The flatt'ring reception that we have received 
 
 That trouble has amply repayed. 
 
 " Success to the Institute " who would not say? 
 
 And long may it flourish to show 
 The pleasant examples of social accord 
 
 That our meetings each winter bestow. 
 
 While a hope we express that we all may be spared 
 
 Soon again to appear in your sight, 
 We heartily thank you for being here now 
 
 And cordially bid you " good night." 
 
 DELIVERED AT THE FIRST PENNY READINGS, IN THE 
 TOWN HALL, WALLINGFOKD, 26ra OCTOBER, 1866. 
 
 Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to all 
 
 Who our Headings this evening attend ; 
 And I trust our performance, with every one here, 
 
 May please from beginning to end. 
 But, however this be, one thing we will try, 
 
 And I hope you will kindly observe it, 
 That though we cannot approbation command, 
 
 We'll all do our best to deserve it. 11
 
 29 
 
 And, while I assure you, as each of us does, 
 Much pleasure your presence affords, 
 
 I ask your permission to offer at first 
 A few introductory words. 
 
 Summer once more has quickly flown away, 
 And sterner Autumn now resumes its sway ; 
 While in the dream-like day it slowly weaves 
 A crown of glory from the fading leaves, 
 Which all the woods in stately grandeur rear, 
 To grace the old age of the closing year. 
 Shorter and shorter grow the changing days ; 
 Fewer and fewer seem the sun's warm rays, 
 As the thick-rising fogs obscure his face, 
 Or o'er the heav'ns the clouds each other chase, 
 Perhaps awhile their curtain to unfold 
 To show him sinking in a sea of gold, 
 Or calmly rest, as rides the moon on high, 
 Beaming in beauty from the midnight sky. 
 
 While Autumn warnings thus around we meet 
 And on tow'rds Winter fast the seasons fleet, 
 When thus we view the days draw quickly in, 
 Long fire-side evenings once again begin. 
 Then, watchful of protracted winter nights, 
 We seek again familiar home delights, 
 As, the day's labours done, we all employ 
 The passing hours in many a social joy, 
 Or sit in circle, peacefully at rest, 
 Around the hearth by recollections blest. 
 But not at home, though thither most inclined, 
 Our only recreation do we find ;
 
 30 
 
 For other claims of public kind are made 
 
 On our attention and our willing aid. 
 
 The thriving " Institute " I2 is thus well known, 
 
 Whose merits ev'ryone will gladly own, 
 
 For many a treat its pleasant meetings give, 
 
 And all must wish that it for long may live : 
 
 Then those who seek an orator's renown 
 
 (And many such their seem within our town,) 
 
 In argument each other emulate 
 
 And join together in the keen debate. 13 
 
 While these and kindred institutions share 
 The public favour and their leaders' care, 
 A new attraction now appears in sight, 
 For Penny Eeaders gather here to -night 
 Without once wishing aught to supersede 
 And in their turn from varied authors read. 
 These to review the honest workman comes 
 And brings his wife and children from their homes 
 The man of business for the time forsakes 
 His desk or counter, and a ticket takes ; 
 The old, the young, the grave, the gay attend, 
 While welcome ladies to the room ascend, 
 Wrapt up in muff, in mantle, and in shawl, 
 To hear the Penny Eeadings at the Hall. 
 
 Of the ladies here present one favour I beg one I know 
 
 they will grant and it is, 
 That, as we attempt to the utmost to please, they will not 
 
 too unsparingly quiz.
 
 31 
 
 Yet still they are welcome, and cordially so, their keenest 
 
 of quizzing to bring, 
 And we'll meet it with pleasure, e'en seek it again, if 
 
 they'll only come forward to sing : 
 What is more, while we leave them all perfectly free our 
 
 deeds to applaud or condemn, 
 We will willingly promise that not one of us for a moment 
 
 shall criticise them. 
 
 We are so well known to most of you 
 
 Who meet us here to-night 
 That we feel we cannot fail to gain 
 
 Approval in your sight. 
 Yet let me ask that you will give 
 
 To all the same attention ; 
 And kindly think that what we do 
 
 Is with the best intention. 
 And, while I hope we all shall meet 
 
 To watch each night's proceedings, 
 Let's heartily agree to wish 
 
 " Success to the Penny Readings. " 

 
 32 
 
 WEITTEN FOR A.N EPILOGUE TO THE WALLINGFORD 
 PENNY READINGS, 21 ST DECEMBER, 1866. 
 
 Welcome once more to Christmas with all the joys it 
 
 brings, 
 
 And every cherished memory that round the season clings ; 
 With the hopes of happy meetings that endear it in our 
 
 sight, 
 And shine forth in the dreary days like the cheerful stars 
 
 at night ; 
 With the words and deeds of kindness that with it ever 
 
 come, 
 And gladden many a thankful heart and brighten many a 
 
 home; 
 With the merry church-bell chimes that fall upon the 
 
 frosty air, 
 
 And waken answering voices and echoes everywhere ; 
 With the friendly fire-side gatherings that mock the win- 
 ter's cold, 
 
 Anu give a pleasure to the young and a comfort to the old; 
 With the touch of soul-felt sympathy that opens many a 
 
 door, 
 And leads the rich to bless themselves by the blessing of 
 
 the poor ;
 
 33 
 With the "good tidings" from above that the host of 
 
 Welcome once more to Christmas, with all the joys it 
 brings ! 
 
 " Old Christmas comes but once a year," 
 
 And each visit proves a treasure, 
 While we join the friends we hold so dear 
 
 In scenes of social pleasure, 
 Which, like the breath of heaven, chase 
 
 Away the clouds of sorrow, 
 And bid us seek with hopeful face 
 
 The New Year on the morrow. 
 The customs that the time demands 
 
 We will not reckon folly, 
 But we'll hang around with willing hands 
 
 The mistletoe and holly ; 
 Nor with censorious minds will we 
 
 Suppose a man a sinner, 
 If at this happy season he 
 
 Enjoys a hearty dinner. 
 Yet let us in our merriment 
 
 Of better things be thinking, 
 Nor be our minds too much intent 
 
 On eating or on drinking ; 
 But strive the gratitude to win 
 
 Of some poor needy brother, 
 And learn our greatest comfort in 
 
 The comfort of each other. 
 
 Oh ! may this coming Christmas be a merry one to all ; 
 May hearts beat high with happiness in cottage and in hall ;
 
 34 
 
 In many homes be heard the sound of some long sought 
 
 for voice, 
 
 And Bethlehem's blessed tidings the mourner's heart rejoice. 
 And now to all who hear me, whoever you may be, 
 May you all be spared for years to come such joyful sights 
 
 to see, 
 
 For many a day to hear again the welcome ringing chime, 
 And each returning winter but prove a happier time : 
 So, with all the best accompaniments of comfort and of 
 
 cheer, 
 I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 
 
 DELIVERED AT THE LAST PENNY READINGS, 
 STH APRIL, 1867. 
 
 Ladies and Gentlemen, short seems the time, 
 
 Though in truth nearly half of a year, 
 Since I stood on this platform to welcome you all 
 
 Our first Penny Eeadings to hear. 
 And now 'tis my duty, a pleasing one too, 
 
 Your courteous behaviour to own, 
 And tender our warmest of thanks to you all 
 
 For the uniform kindness you've shown. 
 And though, at the close of such meetings as these, 
 
 We cannot but feel some regret, 
 We have this consolation, that all we have done 
 
 A hearty reception has met.
 
 35 
 
 To those who walk the busy ways of life, 
 
 Who join its bustle and who stem its strife ; 
 
 Who, in this rapid, hurrying age of ours, 
 
 Seize every minute of the flying hours, 
 
 Counting the time by its attendant gain 
 
 And all not spent in work as spent in vain ; 
 
 Whose thoughts are ever on their business bent, 
 
 And who to recreation ne'er consent ; 
 
 But to their ledgers and their counters cling, 
 
 A Penny Beading seems a trifling thing. 
 
 But he who calmly, carefully surveys 
 
 The human mind in every changing phase ; 
 
 Who knows how prone we all are to forget 
 
 The wants of those whom we have seldom met, 
 
 How party strifes and party factions rage 
 
 And often all our sympathies engage ; 
 
 Who watches well with an observant eye 
 
 The pleasures that such scenes as these supply, 
 
 How different classes with orie heart unite 
 
 In social meetings like the one to-night, - 
 
 Will wish our Headings heartily success 
 
 And his approval readily confess. 
 
 Such are the ends we've striven to attain, 
 
 And this the satisfaction we would gain : 
 
 And if we have, while meeting with you here, 
 
 Succeeded to instruct, amuse, and cheer, 
 
 Have smoothed a wrinkle, or a smile have won, 
 
 The Penny Eeaders have their duty done. 
 
 ***** 
 Come ! greet with me the glad return of spring, 
 The cuckoo's welcome voice, the swallow's wing ;
 
 36 
 
 The freshened hues that o'er the landscape creep, 
 As nature wakens from her winter sleep ; 
 The green leaves starting to a sudden birth, 
 The early blossoms sprinkled on the earth ; 
 The song of birds, the busy hum of bees, 
 The gentle breathing of the softened breeze ; 
 And all the pleasures that united bring 
 The summer's herald, merry, laughing spring, 
 Before the touch of whose persuasive sway 
 The icy bonds of winter melt away. 
 
 But now at the call of the lengthening days 
 
 These meetings we bring to a close, 
 And to readers, and singers, and audience give 
 
 The leisure of summer's repose. 
 But, when the long evenings of winter return, 
 
 May our Eeadings return with them too, 
 And may we with all who attend here to-night 
 
 Our pleasant acquaintance renew. 
 And now that our season has come to an end, 
 
 And the time for our parting is nigh, 
 We thank you once more for the kindness we've met 
 
 And bid you a hearty " Good-bye. "
 
 37 
 
 JfartWI. 
 
 Eeader, one word to meet your parting look. 
 
 If you have spent 
 One pleasant moment with my little boot, 
 
 I am content. 
 
 If my words have from your responsive heart 
 
 A welcome won, 
 My simple muse has then fulfilled its part, 
 
 My task is done. 
 
 And, though ere long I may again essay 
 
 My thoughts to teU, 
 And sing them in some unpretending lay, 
 
 Meanwhile farewell.
 
 1. " God bless our hope in both." 
 
 This motto was inscribed in Danish and English, on the triumphal 
 arch at Slough, through which the royal pair passed on their way to 
 Windsor. 
 
 2. Berkshire Albert Memorial 
 
 This handsome Memorial, containing a statue of the Prince, was 
 erected by subscription at Abingdon in the summer of 1865. It was 
 inaugurated on the 22nd of June in that year by the Earl of Abingdon, 
 Lord Lieutenant of the County. The monument stands on the 
 Recreation Ground, to which in honour of the event the name of the 
 Albert Park was given ; and is a conspicuous object for some miles 
 round. 
 
 3. The Atlantic Cable. 
 
 These lines were written to commemorate the successful expedition 
 of 1866, and were composed before the cable of 1865 had been recover- 
 ed from its ocean bed and completed. 
 
 4. The Shower of Stars. 
 
 This mighty phenomenon of nature must be fresh in the memory of 
 my readers. From midnight of the 13th of November till past two 
 o'clock on the morning of the 14th, the heavens were continuously 
 covered with falling stars, which appeared in almost incalculable num- 
 bers. 
 
 5. Wallingford. 
 
 Wallingford is a very ancient borough and market-town, pleasantly 
 situated on the western bank of the Thames, in the county of Berks, 
 about 15 miles from Reading, and 45 from London. There are reasons 
 for supposing it to have been a town in the time of the Romans, though 
 its ancient name is lost : the present, whether derived from the British 
 word Guallen, or the Roman Vallum, owes its origin to the ancient 
 fortifications with which it is surrounded, and its ford over the Thames. 
 The earliest mention of "Wallingford in history is in the year 1006, 
 when it was destroyed by the Danes. It appears to have been soon 
 rebuilt, as Sweyn, King of Denmark, was there in 1013. In Edward 
 the Confessor's reign it was a royal borough, and contained 276 
 houses, the inhabitants of which owed personal service to the king.
 
 39 
 
 The Corporation possess a copy of an Inspeximus Charter of 1 Hen. I., 
 but the Governing Charter was of 15 Charles II. From the 23rd year 
 of Edward I. until the passing of the Eeform Act, the borough re- 
 turned two members to Parliament : it now returns but one, Wal- 
 lingford is a market-town by prescription, and is mentioned as having 
 a market in the is orman Survey in the reign of William Eufus. ' 
 Leland says here were anciently fourteen parish churches. At present 
 there are but three: St. Mary's, St. Leonard's, and St. Peter's. 
 The two churches shown in the frontispiece are St. Mary's and St. 
 Peter's. The one with the tower is St. Mary's, and is a spacious and 
 handsome building, lately restored. The elegant, but peculiar spire, 
 is that of St. Peter's, which church was rebuilt in 1769, the spire being 
 the gift of the celebrated lawyer, Sir William Blackstone, who lived 
 at the Priory, and lies interred in the churchyard. St. Leonard's is a 
 pretty structure, and considered a fine specimen of tho Norman style 
 of architecture. The bridge crossing the Thames here is a substantial 
 stone structure, three hundred yards in length, with nineteen arches, 
 and portions of it are of great age. Near the river side are the mould- 
 ering ruins of the ancient castle, which in former ages was im- 
 pregnable. Camden was of opinion that it was of Roman origin. 
 Having been destroyed by the Saxons and Danes, it was rebuilt and 
 enlarged by William the Conqueror. During the contest between 
 King Stephen and the Empress Maud, the latter resided in this Castle : 
 Stephen beseiged it several times ; but all his assaults were fruitless. 
 In the reigns of John and Henry III. this fortress was the scene of 
 negociation between the kings and the discontented barons : it also 
 bore a conspicuous part in the Civil War between Edward II. and his 
 Nobles. Leland, who visited Wallingford about the time of Henry 
 VIII., found the Castle " sore yn ruine." During the Parliamentary 
 War it was again fortified, and held by the adherents of the king 
 during nearly the whole of the war. It was finally demolished in 
 1653. The portion of the ruins photographed for this book is situated 
 on the eastern side, and completely mantled in ivy. The mounds on 
 which the walls of the town stood are still to be seen in the " Kine 
 Croft " and elsewhere, and may be traced almost entirely round the 
 town. The Parliamentary Commissioners, in 1831, describe Walling- 
 ford " as a neat country-town, respectably inhabited ; " and it has 
 not lost any claim to such a description. Its population in 1811 was 
 1901, while at the last census, in 1861, the inhabitants numbered 2793. 
 The neighbourhood of Wallingford affords a rich field for antiquarian 
 research ; while the town is situated in the midst of a fertile country, 
 possessing many scenes of great beauty. Bees' a Cyclopaedia and other 
 authorities. (See two next notes.)
 
 40 
 
 6. " Then the Norman invader appears on the scene," &c. 
 William the Conqueror, after the battle of Hastings, crossed the 
 Thames at Wallingford, where, according to some historians, the keys 
 of the kingdom were delivered up to him by Stigand, Archbishop of 
 Canterbury. 
 
 7. " Next when civil contentions the country divide," &c. 
 The Civil War between Stephen and Matilda was brought to a close 
 at Wallingford. Tradition, if not history, asserts that the rival armies 
 were kept apart by a high flood, during which negociations were 
 entered into, ending in a durable peace. 
 
 8. Mongewell. 
 
 Mongewell is a small and scattered village, delightfully situated on 
 the banks of the Thames in Oxfordshire, about a mile from Walling- 
 ford. Mongewell House is a picturesque mansion close to the river, 
 surrounded by a considerable extent of park-like land, with magnifi- 
 cent trees. The beautiful little lake represented in the photograph is 
 remarkable from the fact that its waters rise from the bottom and are 
 never known to freeze. The view is taken from the upper end ; and 
 the building seen to the left was, I believe, originally erected for a tea- 
 house by a Bishop of Durham (Shute Barrington), who lived here. I 
 do not think I have in my verse at all exaggerated the beauties of this 
 lovely spot. Mongewell House is at present the residence of Geo. H. 
 Brettle, Esq., who has considerably improved the estate. 
 
 9. Character Book. 
 
 I do not know whether these books are familiar to my readers. A 
 Character Book contains various questions, the answers to which are 
 intended to be indicative of the characters of those who contribute to it. 
 
 10. The WaUingford Mechanics' Institute. 
 This Institution has been in existence upwards of twenty years. 
 11. " That though we cannot approbation command," &c. 
 
 " 'Tis not in mortals to command success ; 
 "But we'll do more, Sempronius, we'll deserve it." 
 
 Addison's Cato. 
 
 12. "The thriving Institute." 
 The Wallingford Mechanics' Institute. 
 
 13." Then those who seek an orator's renown," &c. 
 This refers to the Wallingford Debating Society, of which the 
 Author is Secretary. 
 
 WALLINGFORD . 
 PKINTED BY W. D. JENKINS.
 
 fist of 
 
 
 Sir C. Wentworth Dilke, Bart., M.P., 76, Sloane 
 
 Street, London (5 copies) 
 The Vice Chancellor Sir Richard Malins, 57, 
 
 Lowndes Square, London (3 copies) 
 Lady Malins (2 copies) 
 T. Bazley, Esq., M.P., SA, King Street, St. James's 
 
 R. Benyon, Esq., M.P., Englefield House, Beading, 
 
 (5 copies) 
 
 Colonel the Hon. C. H. Lindsay, M.P. (3 ct 
 Lieut-Colonel R. Loyd Lindsay, M.P., 
 
 House, Wantage (2 copies) 
 W. Morrison, Esq., M.P., 21, Bolton St., Piccadilly 
 Mr. C. Ahsolon, 3, Denmark Street, Islington 
 Mr. T. K. Adkins, Wallingford 
 W. Arding, Esq., M.D., 
 Mrs. Arnould, Whitecross 
 A. H. Arnould, Esq., 
 R. W. Atkinson, Esq., Wallingford 
 W. Atkinson, Esq., Cottesmore, Ewelme (3 copies) 
 Mrs. W. Atkinson (3 copies) 
 Rowland Atkinson, Esq., Hounslow 
 Capt. F. L. Austen, Brightwell Park, Tetsworth (5 
 
 copies) 
 
 Authoress of " Wild Flowers," Abingdon 
 Miss Baker 
 
 Mr. John Balchild, Wallingford 
 Rev. Albert Barff, North Moreton 
 Miss Bealby, Warborough (2 copies) 
 John Becke, Esq. , Northampton 
 Mr. W. Bolton, Wallingford 
 Mr. T. Bottomley, 
 Mr. W. Bower, 
 
 Geo. H. Brettle, Esq., MongeweU House (5 copies) 
 Mrs. Geo. H. Brettle 
 Per Geo. E. Brettle, Esq. . 
 
 Mrs. Woodruffe 
 
 Rev. W. Hutt 
 
 W. Jollands, Esq. 
 
 Mrs. Chas. Jollands 
 
 Septimus Davidson, Esq. 
 
 Mrs. Bruce 
 
 T. Webster, Esq. 
 
 W. S. Bean, Esq. 
 
 F. W- Sharp, Esq. 
 
 Geo. Dickson, Esq.
 
 P. M. Burgess, Esq. 
 
 W. Newton, Esq. 
 
 J. Hanson, Esq. 
 
 W. Midworth, Esq. 
 
 H. Kent, Esq. 
 
 Mifls Fyfe 
 
 J. Fincham, Esq. 
 
 E. Watts, Esq. 
 
 J. Goodban, Esq. 
 
 Hickson Briggs, Esq , Isleworth. (2 copies) 
 Rev. T. Brooks, Wallingfiad 
 Mr. J. J. Burgis, Benson 
 John Car the w, Esq., Wallingford 
 Mr. G. L. Castle, Winterbrook 
 Mr. H. W. Castle, 24, Denmark Road, Hammersmith 
 
 (2 copies) 
 
 E. W. Champion, Esq., Wallingford (2 copies) 
 Mr. T. A. Champion, 
 
 Mrs. Chatfield, ',6, Sloane Street, London (5 copies) 
 H. A. Clarke, Esq., Wallingford (2 copies) 
 Mr. S. G. Clarke, 
 
 Rev. E. A. Claypole, Winterbrook 
 Mr. Ernest B. Claypole, Conduit St., Gloucester 
 H. Cleeve, Esq , Green Hill, Cholsey 
 Rev. Sept Coates, Newington 
 Mr. A. M. Coleman, Wallingford (4 copies) 
 H. J. Corsellis, Esq., Benson (4 copies) 
 N. C. Corsellis, Esq., 
 Mr. H. Coster, Ewelme 
 Mr. J. Cowling, Wallingford 
 Miss C. Day, Brightwell Rectory, Tetsworth 
 R. Deacon, Esq., Wallingford 
 Mr. Leaver Dearlove, Swincombe 
 Rev. N. Denton, Winterbrook 
 Miss Dixon, Brierley Hill, Staffordshire 
 W. J. Dodd, Esq., Hailey, Oxon (2 copies) 
 W. C. Dodd, Eq., Littlestoke 
 J. T. Dodd, Esq., Wallingford 
 Mr. Walter J. H. Dodd, North Stoke (2 copies) 
 Mr. Dorchester, Wallingford (2 copies) 
 Mrs. Edwards, The Cottage, Cholsey 
 G W. Evans, Esq., 4, Baker Street, Reading 
 Miss A. Fairthorne, Wallingford 
 H. W. Field, Esq., The Paddock, Benson 
 Dr. Freeborn, F.R.C.P., Oxford (2 copies) 
 W. Freer, Esq., Benson (2 copies) 
 A Friend, Wallingford 
 
 Charles Fuller, Esq., Newnham Farm (2 copies) 
 Rev. W. Gibbon, Wallingford 
 Mr. W. Godwin. Norwood 
 Mr. W. B. Goodey, Benson
 
 Mr. H. 0. Green, Wallingford 
 
 C. Greenwood, Esq., WalLingford (5 copies) 
 
 C. Greenwood, Esq., Winterbrook (3 copies) 
 
 Mr. W. HaU, South Moreton 
 
 Mr. John Hal), Stadhampton 
 
 Miss Harris, 2, Keppel Terrace, Windsor (2 copies) 
 
 Mrs. Hazel, Winterbrook 
 
 S.-Lieut. J. Hazel, H.M.S. Helicon 
 
 Mr. W. Hazel, Winterbrook 
 
 J. K. Hedges, Esq., The Castle, Wallingford (3 copies) 
 
 C. Hedges, Esq., Newnham, Wallingford (3 copies) 
 
 Mr. D. Hewlett. Stamford Villa, Gloucester 
 
 Dr. Hicks, Wallingford 
 
 Mr. W. B. Billiard, Lower Wharf, Wallingford (2 
 
 Mr. B. W. Hilliard, 3, Carey Place, Watford 
 
 Mr. John Hilliard, 2, York Street, Bath 
 
 Mrs. Hobbs, Holtspur, Bucks 
 
 Mr. F. Hobley, Brightwell 
 
 T. H. Hodges, Esq., Moulsford House 
 
 Mr. E. Hughes, Wallingford 
 
 Mrs. John Hyatt, Warborough 
 
 Mr. W. A. Jenks, South Moreton 
 
 Mr. William Jones, 15, High Street, Abingdon 
 
 Rev. J. Langley, Wallingford (2 copies) 
 
 H. O. Lampitt, Esq., 
 
 Mrs. Large, The Priory, Wallingford 
 
 Mr. W. E. Lewis, Wallingford 
 
 Eev. H. W. Lloyd, Cholsey (2 copies) 
 
 Inspector Mansell, County Police, Wallingford 
 
 Miss Marshall, Sotwell (2 copies) 
 
 J. H. Marshall, Esq., Wallingford 
 
 Mrs. Mason, 
 
 Mr. T. Merritt, 
 
 Dr. Milsome, Chertsey 
 
 Miss Moody, Hambledon, Hants 
 
 Charles Morrison, Esq., Basildon Park (5 copies) 
 
 Mr. John Oldham, Wallingford (2 copies) 
 
 Mr. J. H. Parks, Benson 
 
 Mr. W. Payne, Wallingford (6 copies) 
 
 R. Payne, Esq., (2 copies) 
 
 Mr. Sidney Payne 
 
 Mr. J. Pearce, Farsley, Leeds 
 
 A. Peannan, Esq., Winterbrook 
 
 J. Peisley, Esq., Hounslow (2 copies) 
 
 G. J. Perry, Esq., Wallingford 
 
 Miss Perry 
 
 W. Perry, Esq., Royal Artillery 
 
 Mr. T. Pettit, Wallingford 
 
 Mr. W. Pettit
 
 John Powell, Esq., Benson (3 copies) 
 
 R. Powell, Esq., Bolton Hall, Benson 
 
 R. Powell, Esq., junr. 
 
 Mr. H. Ponking, Wallingford 
 
 Mr. J. Pounsett, 
 
 Mrs. Prowse, (2 copies) 
 
 Mrs. Rickstts, Dorchester 
 
 W. Roberts, Esq , Sotwell 
 
 Mr. F. Robinson, Slade End (2 copies) 
 
 Rev. G. C. Robinson, Benson 
 
 Mr. James Sadgrove, South Moreton 
 
 Mrs. R. Satmders, 2, High Terrace, Darlington 
 
 Mr. C. J. Sevell, Wallingford 
 
 Mrs. Shrubb, Queenford, Dorchester 
 
 Mr. R. Smith, Wallingford 
 
 W. Shaw Smith, Esq., Reading 
 
 J. H. Spokes, Esq., Cholsey (2 copies) 
 
 Mr. C. Steer, Wallingford 
 
 Miss Steer 
 
 Mr. John Stevens, Juu., Chilton, Berks 
 
 Mr. J. Swadling, Wallingford 
 
 Miss Taylor, Shillingford 
 
 J. Thompson, Esq., Nettlebed 
 
 John Thompson, Esq., Percy Circus, London 
 
 Mrs. H. Thompson, Hadley House, High Wickham, 
 Hastings 
 
 W. Thompson, Esq., Aston 
 
 Miss A, E. Thornley, Merlewood, Southport 
 
 Miss Tickell, The Rectory, Ashton-under-Lyne 
 
 W. Todd, Esq., Crowmarsh 
 
 T. Todd, Esq., London 
 
 Rev. J. Trollope, Crowmarsh (2 copies) 
 
 Mr. J. Tubb, Warborough Green 
 
 Mr. Carey Tyso, WaUingford 
 
 Mr. E. J. Upton, Wallingford 
 
 John Walter, Esq., Bearwood Park, Wokingham 
 
 E. Wells, Esq., Slade End (2 copies) 
 
 E. Wells, Esq., Wallingford 
 
 T. F. Wells, Esq., Wallingford 
 
 Miss Jane Wells, Warborough 
 
 Mr. W. J. Weston,, Clarence Street, Gloucester 
 
 James Whigham, Esq., 4, Craven Terrace, Baling (3 
 copies) 
 
 Mr. George Whiting, York Street, Northampton 
 
 George Whitlaw, Esq., Springfield House, Maiden- 
 head (4 copies) 
 
 Mr. Moses Winter, Wallingford 
 Mr. R. J. Wood, Wallingford 
 Mr. Wormsley, South Stoke 
 W. Wright, Esq., Bucklands (3 copies)