Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 36.djvu/428

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Mason
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Mason

compositions which had not been exhibited before: ‘The Return from Milking,’ ‘Wetley Rocks,’ ‘Wind in the Wolds,’ ‘Ploughing in the Campagna,’ ‘La Trita,’ ‘Love,’ and ‘Home from Work.’

‘The End of the Day,’ ‘The Cast Shoe,’ ‘The Harvest Moon,’ and ‘The Return from Milking’ were etched by R. W. Macbeth, esq., A.R.A.; ‘The Evening Hymn’ and ‘The Anglers,’ by Waltner; ‘The Gleaner,’ by Damman; ‘The Blackberry Gatherers’ (for the ‘Art Journal,’ 1883), ‘Girls Dancing,’ and a small one of ‘The Return from Milking,’ by Ragamez. A woodcut of ‘The End of the Day,’ the property of the queen, appeared in the ‘Art Journal,’ 1883.

[Personal knowledge; information from friends; Royal Academy Catalogues, 1867 to 1872; Catalogue of the Burlington Fine Arts Club, 1873; articles in Architect, 27 Dec. 1879, in Contemporary Review, 1873 (by Mr. John Forbes White), Portfolio 1871 (by Mr. Sidney Colvin), in Art Journal, 1883, Men of the Reign, 1885, Spectator, Pall Mall Gazette, Times.]

MASON, GEORGE HENRY MONCK (1825–1857), British resident at Jodhpore, born in 1825, was son of Captain Thomas Monck Mason, R.N., by his second wife, Mary, daughter of the Hon. Sir George Grey. His father was brother of Henry Joseph Monck Mason and William Monck Mason, and nephew of John Monck Mason, all of whom are noticed separately. In 1842 George was gazetted ensign in the 74th regiment of native infantry at Bengal, became lieutenant on 3 Oct. 1845, and was chosen assistant to the agent at Rajpootana on 11 May 1847. He distinguished himself in this capacity by his energy in capturing several robber-chiefs on the borders of Scinde. In these expeditions he was often accompanied by only a few sowars, and had to traverse vast tracks of barren country on camel-back, riding as many as seventy or eighty miles within the twenty-four hours, and subsisting for days upon chupatties and arrack. His services were rewarded by his being appointed political agent at Kerowlee, a small Rajpoot state. There he remained about six years, and his tact in dealing with a disputed succession to the rajah's throne gained him the thanks of the governor-general (Lord Dalhousie).

In March 1857 Mason succeeded Sir Richmond Shakespear as resident at Jodhpore. The mutiny of the Jodhpore legion, in Au- gust, placed him in a situation of fearful responsibility and danger. Many Europeans, including women and children, sought refuge in the residency. Mason rapidly provided for their safety, and sent a body of men to protect the sanatorium on Mount Aboo where others had taken shelter.

Soon afterwards intelligence was received at Jodhpore of the approach of the small force under General George Lawrence [q. v.], which was detained before the strong fort of Ahwa, then held by the rebels. Mason persuaded the rajah of Jodhpore to despatch troops to Lawrence's assistance, and insisted upon accompanying them. On approaching the fort the party entered a thick jungle, impassable to cavalry. The men accordingly halted, and Mason, attended only by two servants, proceeded on foot with the intention of making his way to Lawrence's camp. He suddenly came upon a group of sowars whom he supposed to belong to the British force, and he accepted their guidance. They were in reality mutineers, and when they had gone a few yards, two of them came up from behind and shot Mason dead (18 Sept. 1857).

Mason was an intimate friend of Sir Henry Lawrence [q. v.] He married Louisa, daughter of Dr. Cheyne, queen's physician in Ireland, by whom he had issue Gordon, an Indian official, and two daughters.

[Private information from the Rev. Thomas E. Hackett; Gent. Mag. 1858, pt. i. pp. 105-6; East India Register.]

MASON, HENRY (1573?–1647), divine, younger brother of Francis Mason [q. v.], archdeacon of Norfolk, was born at Wigan, Lancashire, about 1573, entered Brasenose College as a servitor in 1592, and was elected Humphrey Ogle's exhibitioner on 2 Nov. 1593. He graduated B.A. in January 1593-4, and M.A. (from Corpus Christi College) in May 1603. He had previously taken holy orders, and became chaplain of Corpus Christi College in 1602. He proceeded to the degree of B.D. in June 1610, and in the following year was collated to the vicarage of Hillingdon, which he resigned in 1612, when he became rector of St. Matthew's, Friday Street, London. Dr. John King, bishop of London, appointed him his chaplain, and on 14 Feb. 1613 he was collated to St. Andrew Undershaft with St. Mary Axe, London. In 1616 he was installed prebendary of Willesden in St. Paul's Cathedral. This prebend he resigned in March 1637, retaining the rectory of St. Andrew until 1641. Wood records that 'by his exemplary life, edifying and judicious preaching and writing he did great benefit, and was accounted a true son of the church of England.' When the presbyterians became dominant, he resigned his rectory, and retired to his native town, where he died early in August 1647, and was buried