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June 16, 1900IN CLISSOLD PARKJohn Bannister and I had a stroll into Clissold Park the other Saturday evening. The Missus,” he said, “ wanted an airing,” and would I go ? On the principle that “ two’s-company,” I seldom intrude myself in such a case, but my landlady was in so gracious a mood that I found her “ Do come, Mr. Rambleton,” irresistible.I have known Clissold Park since I was “ so high”, (say three feet or so). I have often tried to peep through cracks in the paling of tarred wood, which in old times—ere yet the L.C.C. was dreamed of—shut out the vulgar gaze, and have, later, jumped up to catch sight of the distant house through the row of iine trees which dropped their catkins on the pathway in the springtime.That was before Petherton-road was a thoroughfare, and while yet the New River was open from the bridge at Canonbury, with fields on either side of it. Though bricks for the coming buildings were then.in the making, the banks of the stream were a children’s paradise, and we played among the buttercups, and angled, with bent pins and cotton, for fish which never came, though we could see shoals of them in the blue-green water.Not far from Clissold Park I have sometimes heard the cuckoo, and two miles further up the Green-Ianes, where Harringay now stands, I have often heard it. But still we build and build, and the cuckoo and the lark are driven every year further away.■Fortunately, at the right moment, that we might not forget the look of nature, all round London, and especially in North London, parks, and commons, have been rescued from the unceasing march of bricks and mortar, and among them are few prettier, more restful places than Clissold Park.The trees are so symmetrical. There are chestnuts, and cedars, and willows, and beeches that Kew itself^ might be proud of, and the streak of New River with its iron bridges and the fish swarming it give a character to the park that others do not possess.These things are evidently appreciated.Everywhere young people were strolling inthe walks or running about the grass. Thetennis lawns were full up. Elderly people satchatting or reading in the delightful evening.The sky was cloudless, and westward therewas a golden haze through the trees. Theband was playing a Scotch fantasia on theother side of the river. “ The Blue Bells ofScotland ” and “ The Campbells are coming”were airs borne softly to us as we watched achub—John said it was a chub—quietly feedingin the shadowy waters.* * *There was other music beside that of theband. Indeed the band was but a tone in the harmony. The hum of voices, an occasional ripple ot laughter, the happy shouts of children playing, the leaves whispering over our heads, these all mingled with the persistent undertone, like the sound of the sea on a shingly Deach, of many feet on the gravel paths.I doubt if the L.C.C. have done a greater thing—and they have done many great things— than this of popularising our parks. Their help in the purchase of some of them is but a little thing compand with it. They have so watched over them; so quietly and wisely increased their attractiveness that they have made us take a delight in them unaware. They have shown their wisdom alike in what they have altered and in what they have allowed to remain.* *- *The house in Clissold Park is not a grand piece of architecture. Indeed one would be inclined to think things,” and perhaps say them if the Council had created such a building. But being there, mellowed by time, its pillared front does not seem unbecoming, and the ivy-clad wall of its southern side makes a perfect background for the bowling green.We lingered by the bowling green some time. Each alley was full up. The four players we ourselves watched were skilled players, and their bowls got very near the jack every time. The jack is the white ball, the only sphere used in the game. The bowls, of which each player has two, have one side a little rounder than the other. That is how it is they can roll round the outlying bowls with so artful a curve. I saw one almost kiss the jack. I am afraid there is much ignorance about bowls. John Bannister thought the curve was produced by a spin on the ball, as in cricket. But a bowler could scarcely get in a “ twister ” if he started the ball along the ground from his feet.Strange to say, this innocent-looking game, and I believe it is quite as innocent as it looks, was. once the object of stringent enactment. Bowling greefis and alleys were closed by Edward IV.—that very righteous and high-minded monarch—because of the gambling and dissipation connected with them. An early form of tennis, if I remember rightly, also came^under censure, because the gentlemen would wager their very doublets when watching it.* * *I should imagine these bowling greens wouldhave the reverse effect. Now I come to thinkof it, and it is worthy of remark by aPhilosopher of Things in General, gamblingis most associated with “ events ” that areunder close or private patronage. Perhapslarger encouragement and greater facility fortrue sport would discourage gambling,* * *We went out of Clissold Park—for I must notlinger in it longer—by way of Church-street..ust outside its gates is the pretty little StokeNewington Library. The Park and theLibrary ! “ Surely,” said John Bannister whoalways likes to encourage his own optimism,“ we are not quite going to the dogs. Thesethings show a growing taste for the simplepleasures which are also the best. We’ll havea merry England yet, and a wise England.”* * *“ We are sure to be merry, if we are wise,” J said I.Ralph Rambleton.Viscount Horncastbb’s name is freely mentioned as the probable first Mayor of the newly constituted Borough Council for Hackney.The Hampstead Vestry has made a profit out o* its electric lighting for the past year of £8,265’ after placing £16,221 to the reserve fund.Mb. S. Miall gave the leeturette at the New Tabernacle Pleasant Half-hour Society (1.25 to 1.55) on Wednesday last. Subject, “Rules of ModemWarfare.”The Children’s Bill was the subj ect of a very interesting debate at the St. Leonard’s temperance society on Thursday. The vicar genially presided, and the Rev. F. E. Bird ably opened the subj ect, which was dealt with from many points of view by Messrs. Wilson, Marr, Griffin, Piper, Carpenter, Ward, and Barfield, though the two most impressive speeches were those of Miss Fagg and Sister Clara, of Mildmay House. The vote was all against sending children to the public-house.J^PPS’S £1000A. The most nutritious.JVPPS’S £10 CO A. Grateful and comforting.J^PPS’S £10C0A. For breakfast and supper.E?rs,s cOCOA With natural flavour onlyJ^VPPS’S £^1 OCOA [ JFrom the finest brands.
Newspaper Details
Hackney Express and Shoreditch Observer
London, Middlesex, GB
Sat, Jun 16, 1900
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
CA 18 Jan 2022
Other Publications Near London, Middlesex
Bingleys Journal
Arminian Magazine
London Daily Mail
London Stars and Stripes
London Daily Universal Register
