ow spent his boyhood. That 'old King the carpenter'--I
believe he called himself a builder, but perhaps this was when he grew
more prosperous--was my great-great-uncle. One of his sons became
physician to Prince Talleyrand and married a sister of John Stuart Mill.
One of his great-nieces was my grandmother, and her mother's family, the
Parkers, had lived in Norwich for many generations. So on the strength
of this little piece of genealogy let me claim, not only to be a good
Borrovian, but also a good Norvicensian. Grant me then a right to plead
for a practical recognition of Borrow in the city that he loved most,
although he sometimes scolded it as it often scolded him. I should like
to see a statue, or some similar memorial. If you pass through the
cities of the Continent--French, German, or Belgian--you will find in
well-nigh every town a memorial to this or that worthy connected with its
literary or artistic fame. How many memorials has Norwich to the people
connected with its literary or artistic fame? Nay, I am not rash and
impetuous. I would beg any one of my hearers who thinks that Borrow
might well have a memorial in marble or bronze in your city to wait a
while. You are busy with a statue to Sir Thomas Browne--a most
commendable scheme. To attempt to raise one to Borrow at this moment
would probably be to court disaster. Nor do I advocate a memorial by
private subscription. Observation has shown me what that means: failure
or half failure in nearly every case. The memorial when it comes must be
initiated by the City Fathers in council assembled. That time is perhaps
far distant. But let us all do everything we can to make secure the high
and honourable achievement of George Borrow, to kindle an interest in him
and his writings, to extend a taste for the undoubted beauties of his
works among all classes of his fellow-citizens--that is to secure Borrow
the best of all monuments. More durable than brass will be the memorial
that is contained in the assurance that he possesses the reverence and
the homage of all true Norfolk hearts.

IV. TO THE IMMORTAL MEMORY OF GEORGE CRABBE

An Address delivered at the Crabbe Celebration at Aldeburgh in Suffolk on
the 16th of September, 1905.

I have been asked to say something in praise of George Crabbe. The task
would be an easier one were it not for the presence of the distinguished
critic from the University of Nancy who is with us to-day. M. Huc