1860 January 21st
Addenbrooke’s Hospital
On Sunday last, sermons were preached in the church (morning and afternoon) by the Rev. F.G. Jenyns, vicar, in behalf of the funds of Addenbrooke’s Hospital. The amount collected was about £3 10s.
1860 February 4th
The Penny Bank
Extracts from an excellent address recently issued by the vicar of Melbourn, the Rev. F.G. Jenyns. “The Bank was opened on November 26th, 1858, and at the end of a fortnight there were 188 depositors. I was quite surprised at this, and fully expected that not one half the number would persevere, but I am glad to say that nearly all continued, more or less to do so. The total number of depositors has been 223; of these 41 have withdrawn part of their deposits, or having withdrawn all have again become depositors; and 36 have ceased to be depositors: but of these many had good sums in before they took any out, and several have told me they intend to put in again soon. There are now therefore 187 persons who have sums in the Bank varying from a few pence to several pounds; but this includes about 15 who can hardly be reckoned in the number of depositors, have only put in small trifles some time ago, and now seem to be tired of it. The total amount of money put into the bank has been One Hundred and Forty-five Pounds, Seven Shillings, and Three-pence; of this £75 7s. 5d. has been withdrawn, so that there is now £120 4s. 10d. in the Bank; and since there are, as I have said, 187 persons who have money in, the average amount belonging to each is about 13s. The total number of deposits has been 3781, and as the bank was open 51 nights, the average number each night has been 74 – the average amount of each deposit being 9d. Of the 3781 deposits, 247 were of 1d. each; 744 of 2d.; 523 of 3d.; 233 of 4d.; 1028 of 6d.; 522 of 1s.; 81 of 2s.; 35 of 5s.; 22 of 10s.; 16 of £1, and the remaining 330 of various sums.” The friends of the poor will rejoice on reading this interesting intelligence.
1860 March 3rd
The Hurricane
On Tuesday last, about mid-day, the wind was most violent in this neighbourhood. A deal of damage is done to some of the thatched buildings, and a great many of the stacks are completely stripped of thatch. Several were blown down, and the sheaves scattered over the fields and blown in the hedges, several trees were also blown down. The oldest inhabitants say they do not remember anything to equal it.
The Budget, and the Malt-tax
On the evenings of Monday and Tuesday last, meetings were held in the infant school-room, for the purposes of signing a petition to Parliament praying for a reduction in the malt tax. The meeting was called by Mr. Peter Spark, farmer. We understand one hundred and twenty five belonging to this parish, (including all the farmers), put their names to the petition.
1860 March 17th
The Soldiers’ Friend Society
On Sunday afternoon, the 11th instant, a sermon was preached in the parish church, by the Rev. F.G. Jenyns, M.A., Vicar, in behalf of the Soldiers’ Friend and Army Scripture Readers’ Society, from the 10th of Acts, part of the 24th verse: “And Cornelius waited for them.” On the following Monday evening, a public meeting in behalf of the above society was held in the infant schoo room, when the Honourable and Venerable Archdeacon Yorke presided. The meeting was addressed by the Hon. and Rev. Arthur Saville, the Rev. F.J. Jameson (of Catherine College, Cambridge,) the deputation from the Cambridgeshire Auxilliary, and Lieutenant Colonel R.G. Wade, Little Shelford. Although it was a wet evening, the room was crowded. The speeches were interesting and instructive, and everyone appeared highly pleased iwth the proceedings. A vote of thanks to the chairman was proposed by J.E. Fordham, Esq., and carried by a show of hands. The chairman replied; and after singing the doxology, the meeting separated. The proceeds collected at this meeting and that of Sunday afternoon amounted to £7.
1860 April 21st
Testimonial
On Tuesday last, the members of the Church choir presented their conductor, Mr. F.J. Carver, with a very handsome Church service, as a mark of esteem for the indefatigable exertions he has manifested in their instruction. The cost of the service was two guineas.
1860 May 19th
The Church
We understand there is to be a special full choral service in the Church, on the evening of the 27th inst., (Whit Sunday) at 6.30p.m. The Bassingbourn, Barrington and Harston choirs are expected to join the Melbourn choir.
1860 May 26th
Choral Service
The special choral service of the Church, to take place to-morrow, the 27th, will commence at 7 o’clock, and not at 6.30 as mentioned in our last impression.
1860 June 2nd
Melbourn Concert
Next Thursday evening, the Melbourn church choir propose to give, in the British school-room, a concert of secular music, consisting principally of glees and part-songs. We wish well to movements of this king, for they tend to promote good feeling in a village, and turn leisure time to good account.
The United Church Choirs of Bassingbourn, Melbourn, Barrington and Harston
On Sunday evening, 27th May, full choral service was performed at Melbourn Church, which was crowded on the occasion; indeed, many more than the church would hold desired admission. Mr. Beard, Precentor of King’s College, Cambridge, intoned the service. The Rev. Professor Selwyn preached the sermon; his text was, Psalm lxviii. verse 24. The choristers were in number 121; consisting of 33 from Bassingbourne, 30 Melbourn, 20 Barrington, and 18 Harston. The service chosen for performance was from Marbeche. The anthem was Croft’s “We will rejoice;” the verse was sung by Mr. Eustace J. Carver (alto,) Mr. John F. Beaumont (tenor), and Mr. W.T. Crole (bass). Mrs. John F. Beaumont played the accompaniment to the anthem; Mr. E.J. Carver accompanied the service; and Mr. Amps of Cambridge played the concluding voluntary. The congregation was highly gratified. The collection amounted to 8l. 5s. 0d. After the service Mr. Peter Sparke most liberally provided refreshments for all the choirs.
1860 June 16th
Melbourn Church Choir
A concert of secular music was given at Melbourn by this society, on Friday evening 8th June. The choir, consisting of 30 voices, sang a variety of glees and part-songs so creditably as to convince their audience that no small amount of skill and care in training had been bestowed by their conductor, Mr. Frank J. Carver, who well deserves the hearty gratitude of his neighbours. We were more particularly pleased with the performance of Hatto’s “Softly fall the shades of evening” (encored), Stevens’ “Sigh no more ladies,” Muller’s “May Day” (encored), Storace’s “Lullaby,” Pech’s “The Three Wishes,” Webbe’s “Come live with me,” Reay’s “The Dawn of day” (encored), and J.S. Smith’s “As on a summer’s day” (encored). We were delighted with the Trebles – they sang as one voice, excellently in tune, and the Basses next deserve praise. To find any fault on such an occasion is perhaps ungracious, but, to be honest, we must say we were not pleased with the quality of Tenor voices, and the Altos were occasionally harsh and out of tune. We noticed, too that there was uncertainty in starting. We hope we shall not be deemed severe in this criticism; our only motive is to stimulate and encourage the Melbourn Church Choir to attain greater excellence. We thank them warmly for the great treat they afforded their auditors, and most heartily do we desire their prosperity.
1860 June 23rd
Melbourn Zion Chapel
For the purpose of liquidating the debt incurred in the enlargement of this chapel, a bazaar will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, the 27th and 28th instant, under the patronage of Lady Burgoyne. Mr. Hugh Stowell Brown, of Liverpool, will deliver a lecture on Bunyan’s Holy War on Wednesday evening, and on Thursday evening Mr. Henry Dowson, of Bradford, will preach a sermon.
1860 July 14th
Melbourn Church Missionary Society
On Sunday last sermons were preached in the church in behalf of the Church Missionary Society in the morning by the Rev. F.G. Jenyns, vicar, and in the afternoon by the Rev. Professor Selwyn. The amount collected after the services was £11 3s. 10d.
Lecture
On Tuesday evening a lecture was delivered in the infant school by Mr. Mackintosh, lecturer to the society of Arts, and lately appointed lecturer to the New Polytechnic Institution. The subject was “The Wonders of Geology,” which was dealt with by the lecturer in a very able manner. His remarks were confined principally to volcanoes, earthquakes, coral reefs, extinct animals, and the formation and elevation of chalk. Mr. Mackintosh also contributed to the enjoyment of a good audience by the creditable manner in which she performed some secular and sacred music.
The Feast
The annual village feast came off last week. There was not so much company was we have seen in former years. Amongst the halfpenny hunters was the proprietor of three sorry-looking donkeys to let out on hire at a halfpenny per ride, but the juveniles did not appear to take much interest in donkey racing.
1860 July 21st
Melbourn Sunday School Treats
On Thursday, the 12th inst., the children who belong to the Church Sunday School were entertained on the Vicarage lawns, at dinner and tea, by the hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Jenyns, and other ladies and gentlemen connected with the church, where they thoroughly enjoyed themselves during the afternoon and evening, and returned to their homes at dusk, well pleased with the days proceedings. On the same day, the children in connection with the congregational Sunday school received their annual treat at 12 o’clock, the children, numbering about 250, mustered at chapel, and then marched in procession with their teachers to a large barn, tastefully decorated for the occasion, at the Sheen farm, (kindly lent by Mr. William Flitten,) where they were welcomed by their friends who had made the most hospitable preparations to receive them. The weather was most favourable for the occasion; and ample justice having been done to the good things provided, (including plum puddings, beef and new potatoes, &c.,) the children played at several innocent games until five o’clock, when a public tea was provided in the same barn, when upwards of 400 sat down to tea, after which addressed were delivered.
The Rev. A.C. Wright (the pastor of the church) presided, and read the report, which showed that the school was in a very satisfactory state. The number of scholars at Melbourn is 198; in addition to which there is an afternoon school at Meldreth, numbering 70, scholars, which is in connection with the Melbourn school. The actual cost of the school for the year had been £7 4s. 0d., £5 5s. 0d. of which had been raised by congregational subscription, and the remainder by the profits arising from the anniversary tea meeting. There is also a separate and district Sabbath school at Shepreth, which is managed and supported mainly by members of this congregation, and numbering upwards of 70 scholars, making altogether upwards of 300 scholars in connection with this place of worship. The following ministers addressed the meeting:– the Rev. J. Trevin, Chishill; D. Davies, Triplow; R. Hoskin, Potton; J. Harrison, Bassingbourn; A.F. Bennett, Fulbourn; G.W.E. Brown, Eversden. The speeches were interesting and instructive, and all retired highly pleased. Correspondent.
1860 July 28th
Melbourn Bible Society
The annual meeting of the South Cambridgeshire Auxilliary to the British and Foreign Bible Society was held at the school-room on Thursday evening, July 19th, and was numerously attended. John Edward Fordham, Esq., presided, and in his opening address referred to the loss which the auxilliary had sustained by the lamented death of the late Francis Pym, Esq., who for more than a quarter of a century presided at their anniversary meetings. Since the last meeting at Melbourn, they had also lost a warm supporter by the death of Richard Foster, Esq., who, with the late Professor Farish, Mr. Simeon, and others, of whom Professor Sedgewick was the sole survivor, assisted in the formation of the Cambridge Auxilliary Bible Society. The Rev. Professor Selwyn move the 1st resolution, and said that the great principle of the Bible Society was one which must comment itself to all their hearts, for that principle was to give the Bible Society was one which must commend itself to all their hearts, for that principle was to give the Bible to every living man. The Rev. S.B. Bergne, one of the secretaries of the Parent Society, then addressed the meeting. After some preliminary remarks, he said there was often some misconception as to the income of the Parent Society. The total amount of the recipts during the past year was above £160,000; but of that a large portion arose from the sale of Scriptures, while the benevolent income of the society was only about £80,000, which was less than the annual income of the Church Missionary Society, or the London Missionary Society.
The Bible Society rendered great service to the various missionary societies by printing the translations of the Scriptures made by their missionaries. It was a great mistake to suppose that there was any antagonism between the Bible Society and the Christian Knowledge Society. The Christian Knowledge Society was a great and useful society, and had accomplished an important work, but it was never to supply the Scriptures for the whole world. In the countries where the missionaries of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts and of the Church Missionary Society had published translations in only a few of the languages; while for the Scriptures in the languages spoken in most of those countries, both these societies were indebted to the British and Foreign Bible Society. Mr. Bergne then referred to the efforts made by the society to supply our population at home with the Holy Scriptures; he spoke of the large grants made to schools, as well as for use in railway stations and hotels, and alluded to the labours of the London Bible women in the lowest and poorest districts of the metropolis. He then gave some account of a tour which he undertook in behalf of the society in the autumn of last year in France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Palestine and Egypt.
In France the work of the society was mainly carried on by a band of devoted colporteurs, many of whom had themselves been converted from Popery through reading the Scriptures: he gave some striking facts shewing the success that attended their labours. In Italy the work was rapidly progressing, and efforts were now being made to introduce the Scriptures into Sicilly. After a brief reference to the work of the society in the other countries which he had visited, Mr. Bergne concluded his speech, which was one of unusual interest, by appealing for increasing support to the society. The meeting was afterwards addressed by the Revs George Lea (of Christ Church, Birmingham), A.C. Wright, J. Stockbridge, and Joseph Harrison. The chairman, in conclusion, said that he had received a letter from Archdeacon Yorke, expressing his regret that he was unable to attend the meeting as he was detained at Ely, and expressing his unabated attachment to the Bible Society. The Rev. F.G. Jenyns was also prevented attending by absence from home. The collection amounted to £22 3s.
1860 September 29th
Doing the Thing Coolly
On the afternoon of Thursday week, a foreigner on tramp called at a beerhouse on the Royston road, kept by John Philpott, where he had some beer, and remained in the house several hours. In the evening after he had left, Mrs. Philpott had occasion to go into the parlour, when she missed a box off the table: she told her husband of the loss, also that she had seen the stranger go to the watercloset twice. Mr. Philpott went and looked in the watercloset, and there behind the door he found the box, which had been broken open and the contents carried off, which consisted of two silk handkerchiefs, four silk neckties, two likenesses and a number of trifling articles, the relics of a deceased child. During the evening, the deliquent came to Melbourn village and sold the handkerchiefs at a public house. He afterwards went to a beerhouse kept by John Gouldthrop, where he pulled out one of the likenesses which he had stolen, and strange to say it was the likeness of the landlady’s sister.
Of course Mrs. Gouldthrop knew it, and said she would swear to it anywhere; but her husband (instead of sending to Mr. Philpott to know if a robbery had been committed) told he to hold her tongue, and not hang a man, as she must be mistaken. No information was given to the police that night, so the thief lodged in that house all night, and on the following morning walked off unmolested, telling them he was going to work for Mr. Ward, painter, and that he would be back to breakfast at eight o’clock; but he did not make his appearance at the appointed time. On the following afternoon, information was given to Serjeant Grieg, who traced the suspected party to Cambridge, and the same evening succeeded in apprehending him in St. Andrew’s-street, with all the stolen property in his possession, except the handkerchiefs which he sold in Melbourn. He was brought back the same evening to Melbourn police-station. The prisoner, who gave the name of Joseph Henerly, aged 28, painter and grainer, of Loire, Neufchatel, Switzerland, was on Saturday remanded by J.E. Fordham, Esq., till the petty sessions here on Monday, when he was sentenced under the criminal justice act to two months imprisonment, with hard labour.
Zion Chapel
Mr. Spurgeon is announced to preach two sermons next Tuesday, at 2 and 6.30, after which collections will be made for the building fund.
1860 November 24th
Propagation of the Gospel
On Sunday, the 11th instant, sermons were preached in the church for the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, in the morning by the Rev. F.G. Jenyns, and in the afternoon by the Rev. J.M. Du Pont. The collection amounted to £5 0s. 0d.
Entertainment
On Monday, the 19th inst., Mr. E’Astes gave his entertainment in the British school room, Melbourn, entitled “Descriptive Lecture, and Musical Sketches by Dioramic views.” The room was by thinly attended, which is generaly the case in Melbourn. The music and singing were very good, and the representations were also very good, and some of them very amusing and laughable. The time to commence was said to be seven o’clock; but it was half past seven before a commencement was made.
1860 December 22nd
London Missionary Society
On Sunday last (Dec. 16th), two sermons were preached in the congregational chapel at the above society, by the Rev. B. Davies, B.A. The collection and annual subscriptions amounted to about £25.
Christmas Beef
During the week, five prime bullocks have been slaughtered in this village, weighing about 65 stones each, viz., by Mr. J. Oliver three, and by Mr. J. Jarman two; so that there is no lack of that kind of Christmas cheer for those that have got the wherewithal to pay.
