Isaac Binns

Isaac Binns, as far as i know wasn't a poet as such but a writer GM Tweddell had a high respect for...

Isaac Binns
Died August 6th, 1884.

From  http://www.vivientomlinson.com/batley/p16.htm

Dear, genial gifted friend! Thy death to me,
And all who knew thee well, doth sorrow bring
But we in memory will closely cling
To thy bright wit and sound philosophy.
Where shall we another Yorick find? 5
“Flashes of merriment” and humorous lore,
“Were wont to set the table on a roar”
Yet all were innocent, and wise, and kind.
Thou went to learn of Nature, and well knew
She is the best of teachers; tree and flower, 10
Bird, insect, quadruped, each had the power
To interest and please thee; and the True
To winnow from the False was joy to thee,
Who loved all wisdom and true liberty.

George Markham Tweedale [sic] George Markham Tweddell
Rose Cottage, Stokesley.

Notes supplied by Paul Markham Tweddell from GMT
Last week it was our painful duty to record the death of this
gentleman, which took place on Wednesday the 6th August at his
residence in Purlwell Lane, and his mortal remains were consigned to
their last resting place in the Batley Cemetery on Saturday afternoon.
The funeral was attended by a large number of friends of the
deceased, of whom he had very many, from near and afar, also by the
Mayor and Corporation of the borough, the borough officials, the
members of the Britannia Mill Company, and many others, by whom
Mr. Binns was held in high esteem. Before proceeding to the cemetery
the corpse was taken into the new Purlwell Wesleyan Chapel, where a
very impressive funeral service was held, the sacred edifice being
crowded with spectators. The Rev. W. H. W. Evans (Wesleyan) and
the Rev. James Rae (Independent) performed the funeral obsequies.
On the route to the Cemetery and at that place, large numbers of
persons were assembled to witness the mournful procession.
On this occasion it will not be considered out of place if we append a

few particulars respecting our departed townsman and friend Mr.
Binns. He was the son of Abraham and Sarah Binns, who resided at
the bottom of Soothill Lane, where they kept a small grocer’s shop,
the business being still carried on by Mrs. Binns. He was born on the
October 20th, 1844. The father, who was for many years employed as
a woolsorter by Mr. Abraham Brooke, died at the same age as his son
Isaac, and left the same number of children surviving, he being the
eldest and quite a boy at the time. He was educated at the Wesleyan
day school kept by Mr John Osborne, and afterwards remained as a
pupil teacher, under the instruction of the same master. Being
naturally quick and intelligent, he very readily learnt everything he
undertook, and succeeded in passing his examinations particularly
early. But the scholastic profession does not seem to have been
adapted to one of so lively a temperament, and at the expiration of his
time he relinquished that profession and took a responsible situation as
cashier at Messrs. Ward & Co’s., wholesale provision merchants,
Kirkgate, Leeds. Whilst here he married Sarah, eldest daughter of Mr.
John Robinson, of Batley. He then removed to Birstall, where for a
period of about eight years he was the valued manager at the Britannia
Mill. Whilst he was the servant of this company he applied for and
obtained the situation of Borough Accountant for Batley, which office
was rendered vacant by the death of Mr Robert Shackleton. This was
on October 15th 1874, since which time he has fulfilled the arduous
duties with great credit to himself and satisfaction to his employers.
In fact, as a financier, there were few in England that excelled, if
equalled Mr. Binns, and by his death the corporation has lost a most
valuable servant, whose place it will be difficult to fill. By
whomsoever employed, the deceased at all times performed his duties
in such an efficient and exacting manner as to win for him their
admiration, approval, and respect; and he was also highly respected by
everyone with whom he came in contact. In everything to which he
gave his mind he was first and foremost, and amongst other things in
which he took an initiatory part were the formation of Heckmondwike
and the Batley Naturalist Societies, which pursuits were particularly
congenial to him, and as a naturalist he was widely known. As an
antiquarian he was also well known, but next to being a smart
arithmetician, Mr. Binns shone most brilliantly as a literary man.
Whilst a youth, on the formation of the Batley Rifle Corps, he joined
as a volunteer, and the experience he gained as such had doubtless
some influence in bringing forth one of his first literary productions,
“Tom Wallop”, a very comic and racy brochure, which is vividly
remembered even yet. This was followed by “T’Bag o’ Shoddy” and
“T’Coddy Miln” Almanacs and other similar productions, all written
in gushing Yorkshire dialect, and full of wit and humour. He also
edited “Country Words,” “T’Barnsla Foaks” and “Tommy Toddles”
Almanacs, and wrote “Outlines and Notes,” “On the Line,” “The
Argonaut,” “At their Last Victory,” “Fanny the Orphan” “After
Fifteen Years” and other serial stories, which were brimful of original
ideas, and exceedingly racy. But amongst his best efforts as a literary
man is to be named one of his last productions, “From Village to
Town”, which appeared in our columns some time ago, and has since
been published in book form at 1s.6d.
In addition to the foregoing and other works Mr. Binns compiled and
published other tables on the repayment by sinking fund of loans to
corporations.
We must also state that he was a Fellow of the Royal Historical
Society, English Dialect, Folklore and Yorkshire Archaeological and
Topographical and other societies, and in connection with these the
name of Isaac Binns was known beyond even the limits of the county.
It will also be remembered that a short time ago the subject of these
remarks applied for the borough treasurership of the city of Worcester,
and was one of the selected applicants, though he lost the appointment
by one vote.
On Good Friday, as stated by us last week, the deceased was taken ill
with quinsy, followed by rheumatic fever, from which, however, he
sufficiently recovered to attend to his duties, but only for a week,
when he had a relapse and succumbed, as already stated, at the early
age of 39 years. He leaves a widow and five children, in addition to a
large circle of friends and acquaintances to whom he had become
deeply attached by his warm heart and genial disposition.
We may add in conclusion that at Thursday’s meeting of the Batley
Town Council a high tribute was paid by Alderman Fox and the
Mayor to the respect in which the deceased was held, and to the
abilities which he ever displayed.
.....................................


You can read more of Isaac Binn's biography on Vivian Tomlinson's site if you scroll down to the entry on him on this site here http://www.vivientomlinson.com/batley/p16.htm

Vivian Thomlinson writes "

"Isaac Binns must have had a wide circle of friends and correspondents, and among these was George Markham Tweddell , the Cleveland author, whose wife Elizabeth also wrote dialect works under her maiden name of Elizabeth Cole. George and Elizabeth were also strong supporters of a movement to improve conditions among the poor by giving them wider educational opportunities. This they put into practice by moving to Bury, where George became Head of a new Industrial School, and Elizabeth its Matron. On the closure of the school they returned to Cleveland, but with a growing family the 1870s saw a period of financial hardship and Isaac was one of the contributors to a "Purse of Gold" raised by George's friends to assist him.11In November 1881 Isaac Binns received a letter from George with a biography of his wife, Elizabeth, whose work Isaac must have been interested in publishing" View the envelope from Tweddell to Isaac Bins here http://www.vivientomlinson.com/batley/e108.htm

Chaucer

Chaucer.

“Chaucer! Bright day-star of our English song—

Blest Patriarch of England’s minstrelsy!
Enduring honours unto thee belong;
And all our bards must homage pay to thee,
As father of their strains. In darkest days 5
Of Albion’s ignorance, thou didst sing the lays
That will not die until the ‘crack of doom’
For thou hadst love for Nature and the true,
And well the worth of honest Wycliff knew,
And how priests’ traffick’d for the basest ends 10
Pity it is that, ere thou found the tomb
A shelter from all harms, thy truth should be
The cause of bondage and of poverty
To thee, who number’d Petrarch ‘mongst thy friends.”

George Markham Tweddell as -
‘Peter Proletarius’
[This poem introduced a chapter on John Gower (Gower the Moral) in Tweddell's book The Bards and Authors of Cleveland and South Durham 1872  p. 39 which can be downloaded from the Tweddell Hub here http://georgemarkhamtweddell.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/bards-and-authors-of-cleveland-and.html

And there's another chapter on Gower (that builds on Tweddell) here in W H Burnett's Old Cleveland - which can also be downloaded here http://georgemarkhamtweddell.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/old-cleveland-local-writers-and-local.html

Cedmond (Caedmon)

Cedmond.
(This poem introduces Tweddell's chapter on Cadmon in his book The Bards and Authors of Cleveland and South Durham 1872. You can down load the book on the Tweddell Hub here http://georgemarkhamtweddell.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/bards-and-authors-of-cleveland-and.html
and in Old Cleveland by WH Burnett - here http://georgemarkhamtweddell.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/old-cleveland-local-writers-and-local.html

“The old Brigantes from our bosky brooks
And heather-covered hills far were driven;
The Roman legions had been call’d away
From Britain’s isle, to cross their swords with men
Who, rear’d in savage wilds, had over-run 5
Fair Italy, and sought to rule the world;
The hardy Saxons, from Teutonic woods,
Had made our shores their own, and fixed their feet
So firmly on the sod, that nought could shake
Their footsteps from our soil; when he arose, 10
Cedmon, the humble herdsman of the swine
That fed on mast of Cleveland’s oaks and beeches,
Or tended beeves that then were wont to graze
In Cleveland’s pastures. He heard old ocean
Dash his wild waves in fury at his feet 15
Of Cleveland’s Iron cliffs, and saw them foam
As if with rage,—anon lie sleeping on
Our silver sands, their motion as serene
As maiden’s breasts, which merely heave with breathing;
He saw the morning sun rise in its beauty, 20
Shine in its glory, and in splendour set;
The moon and stars for him adorn’d the night,
As they had done for Homer; flowers came forth
In all their rustic beauty at his feet;
And birds and bees made music for his ears; 25
And he became—a poet!”

George Markham Tweddell
[Bards and Authors p. 21, under ‘Peter Proletarius’]

Sonnet [to L. W. Crummey]

Cleveland Sonnets,
Third series No. 36 (1890)
[Published with the approval of
Middlesbrough Library,
Listed Tweddell Collection MPLib]

Sonnet [to L. W. Crummey]
In affectionate Remembrance of LAWSON FLECK CRUMMEY,
M.R.C.S., Author of “Extracts from the Diary of a Living
Physician,” and other Works; who was Born at Stokesley, Oct.
23rd 1808; practised his Profession there and at
Middlesbrough for several Years; Died at Great Ayton, June
25th, and was Buried at Stokesley, June 28th, 1886.

Near Fifty Years we had been faithful Friends;
No angry word or look e’er broke the charm
Which brightens life, despite of the alarm
Adversity may raise, although she sends
Her troubles thick upon us. He who blends 5
True Friendship with his acts through life, will find
That all our various human Ills combined
Are powerless to destroy Bliss, which depends
On neither Wealth or Fame. And when Disease
Has seized upon us, then such skill as he 10
Loved to exert for poor humanity,
Has often to the sufferers brought ease.
Both pathos and humour in his life did blend,
As in his writings. Such was my dear friend.
NOTE,—The Manuscript of my departed friend’s unpublished
Vagrancy Sketches having been kindly presented to me by his
Widow and Daughters, it is my intention to give them in the little
Annual which I am attempting to establish for the North of
England.

George Markham Tweddell

To the Rev. E.G. Charlesworth Vicar of Acklam and Author of “Ecce Christus,” &c

To the Rev. E.G. Charlesworth
Vicar of Acklam and Author of “Ecce Christus,” &c
(Composed whilst Smoking and Evening Pipe of some Choice Tobacco,

which he had considerately sent me, as “a Christmas Present.”

Some, Friend and brother Bard, would call it Sin
For thee to encourage Smoking: they would let
Poor Poets o’er a thousand troubles fret,
And break the Pipes that soothe them. There is in
The “fragrant weed,” when it is rightly used, 5
An innocent pleasure, which they never knew,
That to the o’ertasked brain brings solace true;
Though, like all other bounties, oft abused.
All Evil is mis-use of something Good;
And every Good Thing in excess is Bad! 10
That which in moderation most will add
To human happiness, poisons the blood
When over-indulged in; and the Passions we
Allow to master us alone bring Misery.

George Markham Tweddell

Book by
Rev. E.G. Charlesworth
http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/edward-lamplough/yorkshire-battles-ala/1-yorkshire-battles-ala.shtml

Edward Marsh Heaviside

Edward Marsh Heaviside
(Born at Stockton-on-Tees, November 20th 1820; resided at Stokesley

four years, 1843-47, of which place his Mother was a native, and here
he composed and published his “Songs of the Heart, the Meeting of
the Minstrels, and Miscellaneous Poems,” 1845; and Died at his
native place, of Asiatic Cholera, September 6th 1849, Æ 28 Years.)

Son of a sterling Bard, himself as true
A Poet as e’er felt the inspiration;
Cut off from earth ere half his neighbours knew
Their Minstrel’s manly worth; yet will our nation
Honour his name, as one who laboured well 5
To spread the light of poësy o’er the land;
And they who knew the Man, will ofttimes tell
Of all his virtues. Ye who understand
The Poet’s art divine; will comprehend
The claims of genius; deem not a friend 10
Too partial claims a merit more than due.
I knew his soul, and much it long’d to give
To earth a treasure that for aye might live;
And so he gave us Poems as musically sweet as true.

E. M. Heaviside’s Flute.
“Like the old English Minstrels and provencal Troubadours,
our Poet was equally distinguished as a Musician; and they
who but once had the pleasure of listening to his sweet
performance on the German Flute, will not soon forget his
pleasing strains. But he was taken from us ere half his talents
were fairly developed”.—PETER PROLETARIUS.

’T is forty years since last I heard the Flute,
Breathed by the Poet’s lips, whilst Music came
Forth, as he touched its keys, to raise the flame
Of patriotism,—or, like an Aeolian lute,
Breathed by the lips of zephyrs, rendered mute 5
The soul, subdued to silence by the power
Of too much feeling in that sacred hour
When finest senses all were too acute
For aught save tears. And yet at times I seem
To clearly listen to its tones once more, 10
As I so loved to do in days of yore,
And cannot rouse me from my waking dream:
Yea, do not wish,—for Recollection then
Seems to restore him to my hearth again!

George Markham Tweddell

Read more about Edward Marsh Heavisides in W.H. Burnett's Old Cleveland - Local Writers and Local Poets - which can be downloaded on the Tweddell Hub. http://georgemarkhamtweddell.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/old-cleveland-local-writers-and-local.html

And more about his father Henry Heavisides - here http://georgemarkhamtweddell.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/henry-heaviside-stockton-printer.html

Read on Line or download EM Heaviside's book The Poetical and prose remains of EM Heavisides - here
http://archive.org/details/poeticalandprose00heavuoft

In Bards and Authors of Cleveland and South Durham - GM Tweddell wrote about Stockton poet TJ Cleaver - The intro to EM Heavisides book contains a poem by him about EM Heaviside here -

Richard Wright Proctor (“Sylvan”)

Richard Wright Proctor (“Sylvan”)
(Born in Salford in December, 1816; Died in Long Millgate,

Manchester, September 11th, 1881.)
















I
A genuine lover of all rural life,
Fitted, methinks, with dryads well to mate,
In city close pent up, was a hard fate
For such a sylvan soul. How much at strife
Were inclination and the pressing need 5
Of earning bread! Well loved he the green fields
And wildflowers gay; songs such as the throstle yields
Singing uncaged: each tree, bush, herb, and weed;
The whimpling brooks; the mountains, and the dales,
All charm’d him with their beauty: but instead 10
Of a bucolic life, the one he led
Was that pent up where Commerce closely jails
Her slaves as prisoners. Yet, even there,
His gentle heart ne’er bow’d down to Despair.

II
’T is not alone on banks of bosky streams— 15
In dells or woodlands—by old Ocean’s shore—
On the hill tops—on battle-fields of yore—
Or where some ruin’d castle or abbey gleams
In beauty, lit by Sol’s or Luna’s beams—
That Poësy is found. 20
’T is true that these to her are hallow’d ground;
But where’er human hearts beat, there she deems
Is her fit dwelling-place. My dear friend knew
That not one street of Manchester but teems
With history and romance, beyond the dreams 25
Of all her gifted bards,—and so he drew
These unto him, till he became, perchance,
The only man to give them fitting utterance.

George Markham Tweddell


Protor writes about many of the poets that GM Tweddell knew in his Manchester book - John Critchley Prince, James Montgomery, Rogerson etc.

From http://www.mancuniensis.info/Chronology/Chronology1881FPX.htm"11th. September Sunday
Mr. Richard Wright Procter, barber and author, died at his residence, Long Millgate, on September 11. He was born in Salford on December 19, 1816, and at ten years of age was apprenticed to a barber. In this business he remained all his life. In 1840 he endeavoured to improve his income by establishing a circulating library in the house in which he lived. His first attempts in authorship were some verses which he sent to the Manchester and Salford Advertiser under the assumed name of "Sylvan." In 1855 he issued a volume named Gems of Thought and Flowers of Fancy, and shortly afterwards a book of much pure humour entitled The Barber's Shop. In 1860 appeared his Literary Reminiscences; in 1862, Our Turf, Stage, and Ring; in 1866, Manchester in Holiday Dress; in 1874, Manchester Streets; and in 1880, Bygone Manchester. His quiet and kindly disposition won him deserved respect. There is a biographical sketch of him by Mr. W. E. A. Axon prefixed to the second and posthumous edition of the Barber's Shop."

Memorials of Manchester Streets,' 1874 can be downloaded or read on line here - 

http://archive.org/details/memorialsbygone00procgoog

Poet's Corner Manchester

From Wiki - here - http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Procter,_Richard_Wright_(DNB00)
"PROCTER, RICHARD WRIGHT (1816-1881), author, son of Thomas Procter, was bom of poor parents in Paradise Vale, Salford, Lancashire, on 19 Dec. 1816. When very young he bought books and sent poetical contributions to the local press. In due time he set up in business for himself as a barber—the trade to which he had been apprenticed—in Long-Millgate, Manchester. Part of the shop was used by him for a cheap circulating library. In this dismal city street he remained to the end of his days. When his shyness was overcome, he was found to be, like his books, full of geniality, curious information, and gentle humour. In 1842 he was associated with Bamford, Prince, Rogerson, and other local poets in some interesting meetings held at an inn, afterwards styled the 'Poet's Corner,' and he contributed to a volume of verse entitled 'Festive Wreath,' which was an outcome of these gatherings. He also had some pieces in the 'City Muse,' edited by William Reid, 1853. He died at 133 Long-Millgate, Manchester, on 11 Sept. 1881, and was buried at St. Luke's, Cheetham Hill. He married, in 1840, Eliza Waddington, who predeceased him, and left five sons.

He published:
'Gems of Thought and Flowers of Fancy,' 1855, 12mo; a volume of poetical selections, of which the first and last pieces are by himself.
'The Barber's Shop, with illustrations by William Morton,' 1856,8vo; containing admirably written sketches of the odd characters he met. A second edition incorporated much lore relating to hairdressing and to notable barbers, published, with a memoir by W. E. A. Axon, 1883.
'Literary Reminiscences and Gleaning with Illustrations,' 1860, 8vo; devoted chiefly to Lancashire poets.
'Our Turf, our Stage, and our Ring,' 1862, 8vo; being historical sketches of racing and sporting life in Manchester.
'Manchester in Holiday Dress,' 1866, 8vo; notices of theatres and other amusements in Manchester, prior to 1810.
'Memorials of Manchester Streets,' 1874, 8vo and 4to.
'Memorials of Bygone Manchester, with Glimpses of the Environs,' 1880, 4to."