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“Charles Martin, Vocalist.” Daily News, Dec. 3 1892, p. 3
SIR, — A day or two since, Charles Martin, a feeble old man of 85, was charged at Westminster with singing at the door of a public-house, and holding out his hat for half-pence. The magistrate consigned him to St. James’s Workhouse, with a threat that if he repeated the offence he would be sent to gaol for a month. I think we owe this poor old warbler an apology for the Vagrant Act, for had he been a member of a strident German band he might have rung with impunity at every street bell in London in quest of sixpences. It would be a pity if the poor old fellow were to go to God with the smack of workhouse water-gruel in his mouth for singing such good old songs as “Tom Bowling,” “Wapping Old Stairs,” “The Death of Nelson,” and “The Old Arm Chair.” Not a bad répertoire this, in these Tarara-Old Kent Road days! Surely an old man of some taste and refinement! He pleaded, not without a touch of pathos, that “there were some who appreciated him” — some, perhaps, who were touched by memories associated with these fine old songs, now, alas! so seldom heard. Let some of those who read “The Daily News” enlist themselves in this appreciative band, and contribute a sum that will send this poor old singer to Heaven with a pleasant taste in his mouth, and a forgiving memory of a world that has hitherto dealt hardly with him. I will gladly take charge of any contributions that may be sent to me, and I undertake to supply whatever may be necessary to keep the old man comfortably alive. — Your obedient servant,
W. S. GILBERT.
Grim’s Dyke, Harrow Weald.
“Charles Martin, Vocalist.” Daily News, Dec. 6 1892, p. 2
SIR, — In reply to my appeal on behalf of the old ballad singer in his eighty-sixth year I have to acknowledge the receipt of the following sums: W. Raphael, 2l; Lucy Gardner, 2 l.; Daniel Mayer, 2 l. 2s.; Allan Field. 1l. Is.; Mrs. W. Palmer, 1 l. 1s.; P.H. Hanlon, 1 l. 1s.; Ernest Thompson, 1 l; Mrs. Bayley, 10s.; C.W. Taylor, 10s.; “Tom Bowling,” 10s; J.D. Duff, 10s.; O.L. Warrens, 10s. 6d.; “A Viennese Woman," 5s.; J.W. Franklin, 5s.; smaller sums, 13s. 6d. Total 16l. 16s. 6d. To this sum I have added 10l. 10s., making altogether 27l. 6s. 6d. I shall be very glad of additional contributions. — Your obedient servant,
W.S. GILBERT
Grim’s Dyke, Harrow Weald.
Page modified 13 April 2020