Hull, Aug. 9th, 1861.
Mr. Chairman,—I cannot let the present opportunity pass without thanking the committee for the movement they have taken in this affair. It shows that such acts of humanity may appear to slumber for a time in the breasts of Englishmen until they can bear it no longer, then out it must come; and permit me to add that the moment I heard of the movement to present some token of respect to Mr. Ellerthorpe, it put me in mind of the time when I was a boy about eight years of age: I was sailing a small boat aside of the steps of what is commonly called, Sand South End, in the old harbour, when I over-reached myself and fell in. A boy was with me at the time who ran up the steps and shouted out, 'A boy overboard.' A gentleman, who then lived in Humber Street, was sitting in his front room, he immediately ran out, leaped into the water, took hold of me just as I was going down for the third time, and saved my life from a watery grave. I have always reverenced that gentleman ever since. His name is Mr. Bean, and he was for several years an alderman for the borough. What, then, must be the feelings of the thirty-nine who have been saved at the eminent risk and peril of Mr. Ellerthorpe's life? We may help each other in a pecuniary point of view, but very few amongst us have the nerve, power, and ability to leap into the ocean and render assistance to our fellow men. I have therefore great pleasure in subscribing five shillings towards anything you may be disposed to present Mr. Ellerthorpe with.
I am, my dear Sir, your obedient servant,
WM. ALLEN.
POETIC TRIBUTE OF RESPECT TO 'THE HERO.'
Our friend's name had become familiar as a household word in all circles of society, in the town and neighbourhood of Hull, and great numbers lent their influence to this effort to acknowledge the unequalled bravery of their fellow townsman, whom we must, henceforth acknowledge as the 'Hero of the Humber.' The 'Hull Daily Express' contained the following poetic tribute of respect to our 'Hero.'
'Amid all changes evermore unfolded
By mental throe, by accident of time,
Mankind shall venerate the men who moulded
Heroic actions with an aim sublime!
O! ye who shine along life's desert places,
Who've lived for others' good to help and save,
Affection hails ye with profound embraces
And bows before a brother truly brave!
One whose gallant deeds in noble brotherhood,
Nobler far than warrior's valiant strife,
Have found their own reward in others' good
And proved a blessing in preserving life.
And who is he of whom this land is proud,
Whose name we honour and whose worth is known?
He's one who does his duty in the crowd,
A worker there—and yet he stands alone!
Without pretension, who by deeds endears
His name afar beyond his native strand,
A son of toil—yet one of Nature's peers!
Whose worth's acknowledged in his native land!
His is the praise well won for gallant action
In saving life along our Humber shore,
And there are many hearths where recollection
Returns to him in blessings evermore!
And he is worthy!—for in his soul implanted
There is a noble usefulness—his choice
For others' good, which bards of old have chanted
To those who, like him, have made hearts rejoice.
O! should these lines be found in after days—
A tribute to his fair and honoured name—
Let such accord to him the meed of praise,
Tell of his bravery and his worth proclaim!
All honour to thee, Ellerthorpe, and thine,
And as duty calls thee to thy post each morn,
May good attend thee and its graces shine,
And lead thee upward and thy name adorn.'
VOTE OF THANKS FROM THE ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY.