[Rarebooks] FS: 1850 Manuscript Elegy to Madame Podmore, Benevolent Teacher

[Joslin Hall Rare Books, Ephemera & Photographs]

Curious 1850 Manuscript Elegy to Madame Podmore, Benevolent Teacher of 
Warwickshire.

An interesting manuscript poem, probably written by a pupil, to a 
much-loved teacher/benefactor. Many of the initial letters which begin 
each line are decorative, as is some of the spelling.

“This Epistle is designed to commemorate to the Memory the virtues of 
the late Madam Podmore on her benevolent charity. She died on the 28th 
day of March 1850 at Pailton House.

1st- Behold the raveges of time
Sweeps off the human race,
Immortal spirits rise to shine
As subjects of God’s grace.

2nd- Beyond beyond our mortal sight
Is more than we conceive
To fill the soul with pure delight
What gracious souls receive.

Characteristick - Behold with steady steps she mov’d
Open’d the cottage door,
And there was prov’d how much she lov’d
Believing needy poor.

This memory perpetual liv’s
It liv’s for evermore,
In thankfull hearts for what she giv’s
At many a cottage door.
This memory sweet to record
For all her favour’s giv’n
Acceptable before the Lord,
A record made in heav’n.

Within that school there knowledge grow’s
Children the fruits gather,
By order kind she gave them cloath’s
And cheer’d them alltogether.
Upon young mind’s much kindness wrought
Such kindness did produce,
Unto poor children such things taught
Form’d for immortal use.

By her desire so no nobly gave
Her christian mind was sound,
For no distinction there was made
No bigotry was found.

O charity thy flow’r
Thy graces sweetly play,
They bloom with heavn’ly pow’r
In everlasting day.”

Inscribed on the back in the same hand- “Most humbly dedicated unto & / 
For you”.

Pailton is a village in Warwickshire, a 1910 photo of Pailton House 
shows a sprawling 2-story house with at least 6 chimneys and surrounding 
gardens. The Reverend Robert Beresford Podmore, of Pailton House, a 
graduate of Trinity College, died at age 81 in 1842. Possibly Madam 
Podmore was his widow.

Folio sheet, 8.5”x13”. First leaf with a torn-off portion at the bottom, 
not affecting the text. Some folds and general edgewear, light soil, 
etc. [43248]  $125

Some Pictures ->
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