a history
New Novels: A. J. Combridge & Co. Bombay: … (list includes) … Jenny’s Case, by E. F. Pinsent: Rs. 2 a 8. …
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GRO0245 Devonport: Ellen Frances Parker: 1866 – 1949
Book Borrowing farce: Last week we published a list of books which had been borrowed more than others from the Free Library, but I have had a remarkable instance this week that borrowing books, to some extent, is as farce. I cannot bring my mind to believe that people borrow books for the sake of parading them in the streets; or — ahem — because they are fond of talking with an unmarried librarian. It is very nice to know that we have popular authors residing amongst us in Harborne. I do not intend to give any pain to Mrs. Pinsent, whose residence is, I believe, on Wellington Road, but it is by means of her book that I have discovered that books are sometimes never intended to be read by the borrowers. I have taken out Mrs. “Jenny’s Case,” a book which has been favoured with the highest praise in the literary world. It has been taken out of the library four times, once on the 19th of December, once on the 28th, and twice on January 2nd. When I came. To look through it I found that even so early as page 30 two of the leaves had not been cut, and then similar evidence in more than a dozen cases throughout the book that it had not been read. So we see that the number of times a book is borrowed does not necessarily mean that it is read by the public. A good many of the bindings of the books in the Library are very gingerly done. Nearly all of them part company with the backs, even after the first or second issue. Mr. Shuttleworth tells me they cannot get them with better bindings. It seems very strange, for I am sure we have all books on our shelves which we have used hundreds of times and yet they show no signs of giving way. Even the book of Mrs. Pinsent, which I referred to above, is giving some indication of parting with Its backs.
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GRO0245 Devonport: Ellen Frances Parker: 1866 – 1949
New Public Companies: W. J. Clayton Limited: This company had just been registered by Messrs. Waterlow Brothers and Layton Limited of Birchin Lane, London with a capital of £10,000 in £10 shares. The objects are to acquire as a going concern the business of timber merchants and woodsawyers, woodcutters, etc. carried on by Mr. J. Clayton at Adderley Road, Saltley, Birmingham … The first signatories to the memorandum of association are Messrs. … (list includes) … R. A. Pinsent, Brimingham and H. A. Pinsent (sic) of Birmingham. … … see also … Book Chat: … Mrs. Pinsent’s successful novel “Jenny’s Case,” is being issued in a cheap edition at 6s by Messrs. Swan Sonnenschein and Co. …
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GRO0245 Devonport: Ellen Frances Parker: 1866 – 1949
GRO0435 Devonport: Hume Chancellor Pinsent: 1857 – 1920
GRO0738 Devonport: Richard Alfred Pinsent: 1852 – 1948
Four New Novels: (Review) … A very old story is “Jenny’s Case,” by Ellen Pinsent (Two Vols. Swan Sonnenschein and Co.), and the setting is almost as venerable. Yet it is impossible not to read it with eager interest. Miss Pinsent’s heroine is not precisely a Hetty Sorrel, though her surroundings are every bit as rustic. She has neither Hetty’s charm nor innocence, but rather the simple sophistication of the country maid who cannot help her own environment, or struggle against the traditions of her class, even though they lead her to ruin. She has been a workhouse child and is friendless. When we first meet her, she is servant at a farm, and a milkmaid like Mr. Hardy’s Tess, but a far simpler character than that extraordinary damsel. She has two lovers, a farm labourer and a policeman: one is true, and the other false; one loves her, and the other she loves; one betrays her and the other is her avenger. This is the story, but its great merit lies in the drawing of the Lincolnshire peasants — the clear-cut pictures of their homes and ways. And the talk is admirable. Nothing could be better than Sam Frith and his wife, the parents of one of Jenny’s lovers. Sam is sexton and gravedigger, and the manner in which he treats the parson is one of the most amusing things in the book. Sam had no sympathy with new-fangled ways in church; he did not approve of flowers and decoration, or the fine cover for the Communion table — which, rather to his indignation, was called an ” altar cloth,” and had to be doubled up every week and put away, instead of remaining in its place ready for use, as the old red velvet one had done. He was also an excellent critic and spoke his mind out – thus, when the parson wound up his sermon with allusions to the end of the world, he expressed his approval heartily: “Good; that theer piese was fine, almost like the ode parson. The Judgment Day, that’s Gospel; but the fore end o’ the sarmon was nobbut a-twitterin’ and a-twitterin’ just like a sparrer on the house-top.” Sam’s wife is also excellent, with her tender heart, and keen tongue. Bad times come on the worthy couple, and Sam is afraid that they will have to go to the poor- house, but his wife rebukes him. “I reckon as a man of jour years oughter have mower faith,” said Mrs. Frith severely. ”The Lord’s alwaays kep’ you and your faam’ly and me and mine out o’ the Union; and I doan’t see no reason to expect Him to do no different nowadays. Yer doan’t knaw but what yer may be took sudden any time, an’ then theer ‘ll be no botherin’ about the Union, or owt o’ that.” Farmer Donner and Mrs. Bagster are both well done, and poor Martin Frith is a good type of the faithful and unfortunate rustic lover.
[Glasgow Herald: Thursday 15th September 1892: Similar long and detailed review]
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Referenced
GRO0245 Devonport: Ellen Frances Parker: 1866 – 1949
Jenny’s Case: by Ellen F. Pinsent: – (short, one paragraph reviews from) … “Scotsman”, “Glasgow Herald”, “Daily Chronicle”, “Daily Graphic” and “Literary World”.
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GRO0245 Devonport: Ellen Frances Parker: 1866 – 1949
Advertisement: Jenny’s Case: By Ellen F. Pinsent: … includes a series of short one-paragraph review from … Scotsman, Glasgow Herald, Daily Chronicle, Daily Graphic, Literary World, … plus: … Jenny’s Case: By ELLEN F. PINSENT. Swan Sonnonachein and Co…. In these stories of English rural life there is a sad sameness among themselves, and a sad resemblance to real life. In that most tragic tale of “A Village Tragedy,” the motive was very much the same as in the present book, and no one who knows what English village life is can dare to say it is improbable. Jenny’s case is only too common a one, though all do not go on to the bitter end that seems literally forced upon this poor girl. Jenny is a farm-servant, a workhouse orphan with not a friend in the world, and a harsh and unsympathetic worrying mistress. Her prettiness attracts the village loafer, and for her sake the idle youth of good hard-working parents resolves to turn over a new leaf and work hard and honestly to provide a home for the girl he loves with all his heart. This is no easy matter for a lad with his reputation, but he is on the very point of success when he finds that poor Jenny has succumbed to the attractions of the great catch of the village—the policeman. That a man of such negotiability, so sought after and admired, should pay her, the despised workhouse drudge, attentions is too much for Jenny. She yields to fashion and respectability, as her betters have done, and clings fondly to the scoundrel’s promise of marriage. ” Mart,” when he finds her faithless, has a big drink, loses his newfound situation, enlists, and for a time passes out of the story. Jenny’s faithless lover marries a girl with money and adroitly manages to let the blame of ill-doing fall on the absent Mart. Jenny is dismissed in disgrace, and the one being in the world who has a kind word for her is Mart’s mother. But she will not stay with her to bring trouble to the old woman but finds her way to the nearest big town. Mart, when he hears at last of her ruin, deserts his regiment, and, with a stumbling, unconscious sort of blundering heroism wrecks his life, as he had been willing to redeem it, to save her. The story is powerful in its very quietness and rigid adherence to truth. The cottage life, the speech and thoughts of the labouring poor, are caught and set down in all their littleness, their simplicity, their small cunning, their pathetic helplessness, and most submissive resignation. Nowhere are the characters forced or strained, descriptions are not overdone, but the tragic story goes apparently blundering on, as such stories do go on around us. We hope the authoress will pursue the line she has marked out for herself and make for English rural life what Mr. Besant has for the city toilers, and Charles Egbert Craddock for the Tennessee settlers – a place in fiction of its own.
[see similar: Bristol Times and Mirror: Saturday 15th October 1892]
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GRO0245 Devonport: Ellen Frances Parker: 1866 – 1949
Milford: Interesting Wedding: An exceedingly pretty wedding was celebrated in the parish church on Thursday in but week, and the large amount of popular interest which centred in the event was testified by the crowded attendance at the service. The bride was Miss Ellen Frances Parker, daughter of the late Rev. Richard Parker (formerly rector of Claxby, Lincolnshire) and of Mrs. Parker, the White House, Milford; and the bridegroom was Mr. Hume Chancellor Pinsent, son of Mr. Richard Pinsent, of Plymouth. The bride’s family have only resided at Milford just over twelve months, but during that time their kindness and courtesy have won them a large amount of respect and esteem. The officiating clergymen were the Rev. John Warren (rector of Willoughby, Lincolnshire) and the Rev. C. E. Cooper (vicar of Milford). The bridesmaids were Miss Beatrice Parker (sister of the bride), Miss B. Hollway, and Miss Violet Koe; and the best man was Mr. Claude E. Thompson (Trinity College, Cambridge). The dresses of the bride and bridesmaids were most charming and elicited much admiration. The bride’s attire consisted of white silk, trimmed with pearl embroidery, tulle veil, fastened with diamond star, the gift of the bridegroom, and orange blossoms; whilst she carried an elegant bouquet, composed of white roses and lilies. The bridesmaids’ dresses were of lavender Liberty silk, trimmed with lace and cream roses, and they wore cream tulle bonnets, the silver buckles which they also wore being presented by the bridegroom. The bride was given away by H. R. J. Parker, her brother. The talented organist (Mr. J. Palmer) admirably rendered several pieces of music before the arrival of the wedding party; whilst the register was being signed the Bridal March from “Lohengrin ” was performed, and as the party left the church Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March.” The girls of the Band of Hope strewed flowers in the pathway of the happy couple as they departed from the sacred edifice after the ceremony. The church was also very tastefully decorated by some of the bride’s friends. Mrs. Parker held an “At home” at her residence, the White House, in the afternoon. and same choice music was rendered on the lawn by the excellent band of King Edward’s School, Witley. Among the wedding guests were—Mr. and Mrs. E. Radford, Mr. and Mrs. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Tallents, Mr. and Mrs. L. T. Rowe, Mr. Danby, Mr. Cracroft, the Rev. and Mrs. Cooper, Miss Cooper, Misses Harvey, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes, Miss Clarke, Mrs. French, Misses Lee, Mrs. Pattison, Misses Stewart, Mr. and Mrs. Stedman. Mrs. Holl and Miss Tulk, Miss Linzee, Mrs. Back and Miss Chaplin, Mr. and Mrs. Kinglake, Mr. Milner, Mrs. Tring, Misses Wren, Miss Hollinshead, Misses Alexander, Mr. and Mrs. Warren, Mr. and Mrs. Radford, Mr. A. Pinsent, Miss Francis, Misses Koe, Misses Hollway, Mrs. and Master Bolton, and the Misses Collin. The bride’s travelling costume consisted of a grey dress, and white straw hat trimmed with white ribbon and cock’s plume. The honeymoon will be spent on the Continent. The presents were very handsome and numbered over 100, including the following:—Diamond star, Mr. H. C. Pinsent; diamond ring, Mrs. Parker; sapphire ring, Mr. G. A. Parker; diamond pin and eight autotypes, framed, Mr. E. H. Parker and Miss E. Francis; four silver candlesticks, Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Parker; Indian china tea service, Mr. H. C. Bolton; complete set of table glass, Mr. Siviter Smith: brass candelabra and centre piece, Mr. C. Winn; two etchings and three water colour drawings, Mr. J. Radford; afternoon tea service, Mrs. J. Radford; fitted Gladstone bag and etching, Mr. and Mrs. A. Pinsent; water colour drawing, Mr. and Mrs. C. Hayes; apostle spoons, Mr. C. A. Parker; silver cream jug, Mr. H. Bond; silver spoons, Mr. W. Rawnsley; silver fruit spoons, Mr. Ryland; silver soup ladle, Mrs. Radford; silver buttons, Mr. R. Cracroft; Venetian settee, Mr. and Mrs. Warren; old oak bureau, Miss S. Rawnsley; cheque and lace fan, Mrs. Pinsent; cheques from Mr. R. Pinsent, Mr. J. S. James, Mrs. T. A. Coffin, Deaconess E. H. Parker, and Miss M. Parker: clock, children of the Band of Hope; silver pencil the cottagers at Eashing-lane; toast rack, E. and B. Bothwell; writing case, A. and J. Burdock silver filagree ornament, the Misses Brook; book, Mrs. Cooper; china basket, Miss Cooper; set of Viennese glass, Mr. C. Thompson; Moorish tea table, Mr. and Mrs. Kinglake; Venetian glass vases, Mr. and Mrs. Millar, turquoise ring, the Misses Stewart; salt cellars, Mr. and Mrs. Gleadow; ivory brushes, &c., Miss B. Parker; pictures, Mr. W. Parker; lace handkerchief, Miss B. Hollway; cushion, the Misses Lees; table cloth, the Misses Harvey. … …
(also )… … Marriages: … PINSENT – PARKER – On the 26th ult. At St. John’s Milford, by the Rev. J. S. Warren, M.A., rector of Willoughby, Lincolnshire, assisted by the Rev. C. E. Cooper, M.A., vicar of the parish, Hume Chancellor Pinsent, of Birmingham, youngest son of the late R. S. Pinsent, of Devonport, to Ellen Frances, youngest daughter of the late Rev. Richard Parker, rector of Claxby, Lincolnshire.
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GRO0245 Devonport: Ellen Frances Parker: 1866 – 1949
GRO0435 Devonport: Hume Chancellor Pinsent: 1857 – 1920
GRO0741 Devonport: Richard Steele Pinsent: 1820 – 1864
Marriage: Pinsent – Parker: On the 26th inst. at Milford, Surrey, Hume Chancellor Pinsent, to Ellen Frances, youngest daughter of the late Rev. Richard Parker, rector of Claxby, Lincolnshire: No cards.
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
GRO0245 Devonport: Ellen Frances Parker: 1866 – 1949
GRO0435 Devonport: Hume Chancellor Pinsent: 1857 – 1920
GRO0741 Devonport: Richard Steele Pinsent: 1820 – 1864