man said:--It was a common custom of persons not novices
situated similarly to himself, to preface their remarks by saying
that some person of higher local distinction ought to occupy the
honourable position as chairman, and that was his request to the
committee. But as such a person was not secured, he felt proud of
the position he occupied amongst them. He little thought that the
movement would have proved so successful when he embarked in it,
for with but little effort we have received the free-will offerings
of L170. Of course printing, advertising, and other incidental
expenses were incurred, and cannot be dispensed with in order to
succeed in similar objects. The Royal Humane Society had awarded to
Ellerthorpe an especial vote of thanks; the Board of Trade, through
Sir Emmerson Tennant, had struck a silver medal in his honour; and
last, but not least, the popular Premier of England had forwarded
from the royal bounty the handsome donation of L20. Thus the
movement so humbly began, resembled the 'little spring in the
mountain rock,' which became a brook, a torrent, a wide rolling
river. By narrating the lives saved by Ellerthorpe's unprecedented
bravery, they had struck a chord in the innermost recesses of the
heart of the benevolent portion of the people. He was surprised to
find that no one had recognised Ellerthorpe's heroism before.
During a period of forty years he had saved the lives of upwards of
thirty persons. But however tardily it may appear to some,
ultimately, eternal justice will assert itself. John Ellerthorpe
never required, never expected any public recognition of his
services. The only praise sought by him was--

'What nothing earthly gives or can destroy,
The soul's calm sunshine and the heartfelt joy.'

in being the means of saving so many lives from premature death by
drowning. Never let it be said the days of chivalry were over in
England while we have such a nobleman as a Lord Beauclerc[3] of
Scarborough, and a commoner called Ellerthorpe at Hull. He believed
with those who say that the men who dares the 'tempests' wrath,'
and the 'billows' madden'd play' on the errand of saving life, to
be as great heroes as those who 'seek for bubble reputation at the
cannon's mouth.' He would rather be a bearer of thirty bless