The following letter from Dale Brown, Esq., was then read:—
Pilot Office, Hull, Aug. 8, 1861.
Sir,—Having made an engagement for Friday evening before I knew of your meeting, I cannot possibly attend.
Had one of our townsmen returned from India or the Crimea, after destroying half as many lives as Mr. Ellerthorpe has been instrumental in saving, he would have been considered a 'hero,' and rewarded accordingly. Surely it is more blessed to save than to destroy. Should the object of the meeting be to raise a fund for acknowledging Mr. Ellerthorpe's gallantry, I shall gladly contribute my mite. I am, Sir, yours obediently,
Mr. John Symons. DALE BROWN.
I then recounted the interview with Mr. Ellerthorpe before attending the meeting, when I asked him 'what he wished in the matter,' when he made this reply, Sir, I feel sufficiently rewarded in my own breast, without receiving any reward excepting the approbation of heaven, and the satisfaction of having won for myself the gratitude of my fellow townsmen.' This was responded to by loud and long cheering. I then called upon Mr. W. Turner to move the first resolution, and Mr. Steadman to second it, because they were the pioneers of the movement. Just at this crisis of the meeting John Eaby came forward and publicly thanked Ellerthorpe for what he had done, which called forth the most exciting cheering. Then the late Rev. Charles Rawlings (Wesleyan) rose from amongst the people, and, in a sententious speech delivered with a stentorian voice, asked, 'How much does the meeting feel towards a testimonial,' and offered the first donation as a proof of his feeling for Mr. Ellerthorpe. Our fears were then scattered to the wind; the vessel I saw was well launched. Another gentleman, Mr. Henry Taylor, came forward and said, in anticipation of a subscription being made towards a testimonial to Mr. Ellerthorpe, he had already collected a nucleus of £35. A committee was then formed of which I was chosen chairman, Mr. E. Haller, secretary, and Mr. Taylor, treasurer. Three cheers were then given for the success of the 'Testimonial Fund,' and when I rose and christened John Ellerthorpe, 'The Hero of the Humber,' and 'Champion Life Buoy of England,' the people rose en masse cheering in the most enthusiastic manner. The next morning found the Humber Dock foreman a household word. I will not weary you with recapitulating the result of our labours. From the Premier of England down to the humblest dock labourer, all vied with each other in subscribing to the homage of this valorous, humane man.
And, sir, I think a moral may be drawn from this,—that no person, however humble he may be in his circumstances, but has it in his power to bless the world. One man can do so by deeds of valour, another by hard and plodding industry, and a third by thought and mental efforts. It has been well said, 'they build up a loftier population making man more manly.' It is evidently our duty to lend a helping hand in the hour of need, either by our wisdom, power, or benevolence. This thought should act as an incentive, more or less powerful, on each person, and make him restless until he becomes satisfied that he is doing something to ameliorate the condition of his fellow men. Men should thus fulfil their mission until called to receive their reward, namely, 'Rest for their souls under the tree of Life.'
I am, dear Sir, yours respectfully,
Mr. H. Woodcock. JOHN SYMONS.
A WORKING MAN'S LETTER.
The following letter, addressed to Mr. Symons, is given as a specimen of the feeling with which the working men of Hull regarded this movement:—