An emigrant's home letters/Letter from Mr. J. G. Hornblower
Inglewood,
Punt Road, South Yarra,
6th May, 1890.
My Dear Miss Parkes,
You asked me to send you some reminiscences of your father's youth. I am afraid you will be disappointed, as the incidents occurring in what may be called the 'seed-time' of his life, which had any relevancy to the prominent characteristics of his manhood, were but few and uninteresting.
Doubtless your father has told you that he was apprenticed to a Mr. John Holding, who is described in the Birmingham Directory of 1830 as a bone and ivory turner of Moseley-street. I may say that your father had great aptitude for his business, and gave much satisfaction to his employer. During his apprenticeship your father was somewhat reserved in his demeanour, had but few companions, and occupied his leisure hours in mental improvement. The cheap pocket editions of the 'British Poets' had more attraction for him than the out-door sports and pastimes common to youth, and versification became a habit before he had acquired sufficient mastery of language to efficiently clothe 'The thoughts that burst their channel into song.' I was his printer, and, unknown to my employer, worked many an hour overtime to put his evanescent thoughts into print. One of his early poetical effusions deserved to be placed among the 'Fragmentary Thoughts' of later days. The opening lines were:—
'What of earth that had wings would not wander on high
'Now the stars in their stillness have peopled the sky,
'And the ocean is fondly embracing with smiles
'Of deep fervour and gladness her favourite isles.'
Another poem of some worth was an expression of sympathy with the Poles in their final struggle for national liberty. I mention these as showing the bias of his mind. He was a most ardent and enthusiastic reformer, a member of that great and powerful association the Birmingham Political Union, which carried the Reform Bill of 1832. While that important measure was in jeopardy by the opposition of the House of Lords; the Council of the Union issued an edict that every member and every man who wished it passed should wear upon his heart the Union Jack of Old England! Jewellers, silversmiths, steel and gilt toy makers vied with each other in making these insignia of the people's will as pretty and attractive as possible, and I well recollect the one worn by your father was of ivory, the carving and painting being his own work. He was one of the multitude who assembled at New Hall Hill, and the impassioned eloquence of Thomas Attwood, Joshua Scholefield, Geo. Edmunds and others must have had great influence in the formation and growth of those political convictions which he brought with him to Australia. From 1832 to 1838 your father was in the turmoil of political excitement; the Reform Bill was a failure, and the excitement of the disappointed culminated in the adoption of the 'national petition,' which demanded all those political privileges Avliich are now enjoyed by the people of England and Australia. I forward by the same post a very scarce copy of the printed report of the Grand Midland Demonstration at Holloway Head, in 1838, at which your father was present. It will recall to his mind names as familiar as household words.
It may interest you to know that your mother's influence and example had no inconsiderable share in the formation and development of your father's religious convictions. For some years they were both regular attendants at Carr's Lane Independent Chapel, under the pastorate of the Rev. John Angell James, one of the most learned and eloquent preachers of his day. At that time it was your father's custom (and probably your mother's also) every Sunday afternoon to walk to Yardley, a village distant some four miles, teach the children, and exchange tracts with the parents on his way home. The years 1837 and 1838 were perhaps the most trying of your father's life. With too much self-respect to join the ranks of the journeymen of his trade, he rented premises in Bradford-street, and commenced business on his own account; but although his samples of turner}' would bear favourable comparison with the best, yet lack of capital and the pressure of competition forced him to retire and look to other lands in the hope of finding fuller scope for the exercise of his talents, far away from the depressing surroundings of his everyday life.
In remembrance of many pleasant hours, and in appreciation of your father's early friendship. I shall always feel a pride in having been associated with one who has risen from comparative obscurity, reached the highest pinnacle of greatness in the councils of his adopted country, and won for himself the most coveted honour England's Queen can bestow.
With kind regards,
I remain,
Yours sincerely,
JOHN G. HORNBLOWER.