"Alas; the grat.i.tude of men Hath oftener left me mourning."
But our friend performed the n.o.blest deeds, and grateful returns were always as pleasant to him as cold water to a thirsty soul. He says, "I was always well satisfied if they manifested grat.i.tude, but I must confess, that when they never came near me, nor in any way communicated with me, as was the case with some whom I have saved,--for instance, Mr.
Leeson and Miss Hill--I was not satisfied. My pleasure at the remembrance of what I did for them is mixed with pain. It may be a weakness of mine, but an ungrateful man is, in my opinion, one of the biggest sinners in the world. I hate ingrat.i.tude, and I can affirm, that no rewards I have received from societies and individuals have ever given me half the pleasure that the grat.i.tude of some of those I rescued gave me."
And can we wonder that he should thus write? Shakespeare says:--
"I hate ingrat.i.tude more in a man Than lying, vainness, babbling, drunkenness, Or any taint of vice whose strong corruption Inhabits our frail blood."
Ingrat.i.tude for favours conferred is a most unnatural disposition, and is reproved even by the brute creation; for they manifest a strong instinctive feeling of grat.i.tude towards their benefactors. "The ox knoweth his owner and the a.s.s his master"s crib." Some time ago, a steamer sunk beneath the surging wave, with upwards of two hundred souls on board. The captain, who was as n.o.ble a man as ever steered a vessel, sank with the rest of the pa.s.sengers and crew. Fortunately, however, he came up again, and seizing a plank, he clung to it until rescued by a vessel that happened to be pa.s.sing. "Ah," said he, on telling the story afterwards, "If my heart"s affection ever clung to anything besides my wife, and my mother, and my child, it was to that plank; it saved my life." And yet, some forgot our friend, whose skilful hand and brave heart bore them through the foaming waters to land.
[Sidenote: HIS SERVICES RECOGNISED BY THE GREAT.]
All did not. "You shall lodge in my heart, and I will never ask you for rent," said a grateful Irishman to one who had done him a favour. And our friend found a welcome and a home in the warmest affections of many of those whom he rescued. The blessing of many who were literally ready to perish came upon him. W. Turner, whom our friend saved in Burlington Bay, says, "What a mercy it is that G.o.d has provided such a man as Mr.
Ellerthorpe, to render a.s.sistance when a.s.sistance is required at his hands; for he is ever willing at any moment, and at the first call, to risk his life. I question whether there is such another man in the world. He has a good and kind heart, and in his general conduct displays kind feelings towards all and everybody. I hope he will remain long with us, and that at last we shall meet him in heaven, never to part again."
Robert Tether, speaking of his deliverance, says, "Some one said to me on the occasion, "My boy, you ought ever to remember that man," and I do remember him and will never forget him. If I had but a shilling in the world, John Ellerthorpe should have half of it, if he needed it. I can say that from the time he delivered me I have always liked to see him, and I never think the place is right if I do not see him there. He shall never want if I can help him. May he live long, and always have plenty." These, and similar expressions of grat.i.tude, recorded on former pages of this work, were more valuable, in our friend"s estimation, than stores of gold.
[Sidenote: HIS INTERVIEW WITH LORD WENLOCK.]
Though Mr. Ellerthorpe never urged his claims to public recognition, yet we rejoice to state that his humane and gallant deeds were not permitted to pa.s.s unnoticed and unrewarded. Persons of high distinction, and of great authority in the social world, spoke to him words of greeting, commendation, and encouragement. Lord Wenlock, having had recounted to him some of the incidents recorded in the last chapter, said, "How pleasant it is, Ellerthorpe, to have the satisfaction, while living, of having done our fellow creatures good."
Captain Wilson, whose gallant conduct enabled him, during the American War, to re-capture his ship, "Emile St. Pierre," from a greatly superior force, and who received, for his valorous deed, a silver tea and coffee service from 170 merchants of Liverpool, and also 2,000 guineas from the owners of the "Emile St. Pierre," paid a visit to Hull, and requested to have an interview with Mr. Ellerthorpe. In company with Captain Hurst, he went to the Humber Dock Gates to see him. They shook each others hand for some time; at length, Captain Wilson said, "I"m glad to see you. I have often heard of your bravery in saving your fellow men from drowning, and I have sometimes wished I could see you; you are what I call a brave, clever fellow. They say I have done a clever action, but I may never do another. But your life has been crowded with deeds of gallantry. Go on and prosper, my good fellow, and may G.o.d bless you; and rest a.s.sured if I again come near where you are, I shall come and see you." It must have been a pleasing sight to have seen these two men, of brave hearts and n.o.ble deeds, grasp hands in recognition of each others services.
Towards the close of the year 1835 the following statement appeared in the Hull newspapers:--
"We understand some gentlemen are interesting themselves in favour of Ellerthorpe by representing his repeated exertions in the cause of humanity, and sending the particular cases to the Royal Humane Society. We shall be ready to receive any subscriptions for the purpose of rewarding one so highly deserving recompense from his fellow men. Ellerthorpe is married and has two children."--_Nov.
23, 1835._
The appeal to the Royal Humane Society was sent, and Mr. Ellerthorpe received the following response:--
Society"s House, _January 21st, 1836._
The Secretary of the Royal Humane Society is directed to inform John Ellerthorpe that at an adjourned general court of the Inst.i.tution, held on the 18th inst., the Honorary Medallion of the Society was unanimously conferred on him for his courage and humanity in saving the lives of nine persons at different times.
John Ellerthorpe, Barrow, near Barton-on-Humber, Lincoln.
[Sidenote: THE MEDALLION OF THE ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY.]
The Medallion bears this inscription:--
[Ill.u.s.tration: HOC PRETIUM CIVE SERVATO TVLIT
_J. Ellerthorpe_,
SIT OB SOW
DOVO DAT
_Soc. Reg. H.V.M._
1836.]
[Sidenote: ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY"S THANKS ON VELLUM.]
The following testimonial, inscribed on vellum, accompanied the medallion:--
[Ill.u.s.tration]
Royal Humane Society,
INSt.i.tUTED 1774.
FOR THE RECOVERY OF PERSONS APPARENTLY DROWNED OR (DEAD).
_Patron_--The King. _Patroness_--The Queen.
_President_--His Grace the Duke of Northumberland, K.G.
At a General Court holden at the Society"s House, Chatham-place, Blackfriars, on Monday, the 18th day of January, 1836.
Colonel c.l.i.therow, _Vice President_, in the chair, it was resolved unanimously--
That the n.o.ble courage and humanity displayed by
JOHN ELLERTHORPE,
a Seaman of the New Holland Steam Packet, on the 19th of November, 1835, in jumping overboard to the relief of a Sailor, named Robert Brown, at Hull, whose life he saved; and the repeated heroism which Ellerthorpe has on former occasions manifested for the preservation of human life, wholly regardless of the risk he himself incurred, and by which he saved eight persons from drowning, has called forth the most lively admiration of this General Court, and justly ent.i.tles him to the Honorary Medallion of the Inst.i.tution which is hereby unanimously awarded him.
Northumberland, _President_.
Besleley Weshopp, _Secretary_.
James c.l.i.therow, _Chairman_.
[Sidenote: APPEALS ON BEHALF OF MR. ELLERTHORPE.]
In the year 1846, a number of merchants and gentlemen sought to secure for our friend the highest rewards the Royal Humane Society could bestow; but to their application they received the following answer:--
Royal Humane Society, Office No. 3, Trafalgar Square, _8th July, 1846_.
Dear Sir,--In reference to your letter of yesterday"s date, I beg to inform you that the pecuniary rewards of this Society are limited to London and its environs. But honorary rewards are given for cases which may occur at any distance, upon the particulars being well authenticated by persons who witnessed the exertions of the claimant.
Should John Ellerthorpe have risked his life on the occasion you now allude to, and thereby merit an _Honorary_ Testimonial from the Society, I shall be most happy in submitting the particulars to the committee, on their being forwarded agreeably with the enclosed instruction paper.
I remain, dear Sir, H. D. R. Pease, Esq., J.P. Yours very obediently, Hesslewood, near Hull. J. CHARLIER, _Sec._
A second application was made to the Royal Humane Society, in 1852, when the following reply was returned:--
Royal Humane Society, Office No. 3, Trafalgar Square, _28th September, 1852_.