A Lady of England 1

A Lady of England 1

A Lady of England

The Life and Letters of Charlotte Maria Tucker

 

Author: Agnes Giberne

 

AUTHOR’S PREFACE

The principal mass of materials for this Biography was placed in my

hands last summer by the Rev. W. F. Tucker Hamilton, nephew of Charlotte

Maria Tucker (A. L. O. E.), and since then many other relatives or

friends, both in England and in India, have contributed their share of

help, either in the way of written recollections or of correspondence.

A paucity of materials exists as to the early part of the life; but

in later years the difficulty is of a precisely opposite description,

arising from a superabundance of details. Hundreds of letters, more or

less interesting in themselves, have had to be put ruthlessly aside, to

make room for others of greater interest. From first to last the long

series between Charlotte Tucker and her own especial sister-friend, Mrs.

Hamilton, takes precedence of all other letters in point of freedom,

naturalness, and simplicity. The perfect trust and unshadowed devotion

which subsisted between these two form a rare and beautiful picture.

 

It has seemed to me, and it may seem to others, that the main question in

the Life of Miss Tucker is, not so much what she _did_ here or there,

in England or in India, as what she _was_. Many a discussion has taken

place, and doubtless will again take place, as to the wisdom of her

modes of Missionary work, and as to the degree of success or non-success

which attended her labours. I have endeavoured to give fairly certain

opposite views upon this question, even while strongly impressed with the

conviction that no human being is capable of judging with respect to the

worth of work done in his own age and generation. Subtle consequences,

working below the surface, are often far more weighty, far more lasting,

than the most approved ‘results’ following immediately upon certain

efforts,--results which are, not seldom, found after a while to be of the

nature of mere froth. Nothing can be more unprofitable, usually, than

the task of endeavouring to ‘count conversions.’ It is of infinitely

greater importance to note with what absolute self-devotion Miss Tucker

entered into the toil, with what resolution she persevered in the face of

obstacles, with what eagerness she did the very utmost within her power.

 

In writing the story of Miss Tucker’s life at Batala, it has been

impossible not to write also, in some degree, the story of the Infant

Church at Batala. My main object has of course been simply to show what

Charlotte Maria Tucker herself was; and Mission work, Mission incidents,

Missionaries themselves, come in merely incidentally, as part of the

background to her figure. Mention of them is accidental and fragmentary;

not systematic. At the same time there is no doubt that nothing would

have gratified Miss Tucker more than that any use should have been made

of her letters likely to help forward the great work of Missions among

the Heathen. Some years before the end, when in severe illness she

thought herself to be passing away, she spoke of the possibility that

her long correspondence about Batala might be so employed, and earnestly

hoped that, if it were so, no one-sided account should be given, but that

shadow as well as sunshine, the dark as well as the bright aspect, should

be frankly presented. I have endeavoured to carry out her wishes in this

particular.

 

It is to be regretted that at least a few letters from Mrs. Hamilton to

Miss Tucker cannot be interspersed among the many from Miss Tucker to

Mrs. Hamilton. None, however, have come to hand. Before Miss Tucker went

to India she destroyed the bulk of her papers, after a ruthless fashion;

and it does not appear that while in India she kept any of the letters

that she received.

 

After some hesitation I have decided to give generally the names in full

of those Missionaries, with whom she was most closely associated. I have

also decided _not_ to give the names of Indian Christians, with very

few exceptions,--as of the Head Master of the Native Boys’ School at

Batala, whom she counted a personal friend; also of one or two Ordained

Native Clergymen, and one or two contributors of slight material towards

this _Life_. In many instances it would be very difficult to decide

wisely at so great a distance, and without a knowledge of the individuals

themselves. It is therefore best to be on the safe side. Many of the

initials are the true initials; but many are not even that,--especially

in the case of those who are still Heathen or Muhammadan.

 

In the spelling of Indian words and names I have endeavoured to follow

mainly the more modern plan, adopted of late years, except in the case

of a very few words which are practically Anglicised. Miss Tucker’s own

spelling of Indian words and names varies extremely; the word being often

given differently when occurring twice in a single page. The spelling has

therefore been altered throughout her correspondence. To avoid confusion

in the minds of English readers, I have also taken the same liberty with

letters from some others who have not adopted the modern mode.

 

In conclusion, I have only to express my sincere thanks for the most kind

trouble taken by many friends of A. L. O. E. in contributing materials

for my guidance.

 

AGNES GIBERNE.

 

WORTON HOUSE, EASTBOURNE.

 

 

 

 

PREFACE

 

 

It would scarcely be fitting that this Volume should go forth to the

Public without a few words of Preface from one of A. L. O. E.’s own

family.

 

Only my beloved Mother--the ‘Laura’ of these pages--could have penned the

words which should adequately tell all that my dear Aunt was to those who

knew her best and loved her most fondly. And _she_, little as she had

expected it, was the first of the two to be called Home.

 

It has, however, been a great satisfaction to me to intrust the

preparation of the _Life_ to Miss Giberne; and I am glad to have this

opportunity of expressing my hearty appreciation of the literary skill,

the sympathy, and the fidelity to truth with which she has accomplished

her task.

 

Averse as my Aunt ever was to any fuss being made about her, nothing

would have reconciled her to the publication of a Biography, save

the hope that its story might be used of God to stimulate others to

consecrate their lives to the Service of Christ, whether in the Foreign

or Home Mission Field. It is in such hope that it is now sent forth, with

the earnest prayer that HIS blessing may rest upon it.

 

W. F. TUCKER HAMILTON.

 

CHRIST CHURCH, WOKING.

 

NOTE.--Any profits derived by A. L. O. E.’s relatives from the

publication of this volume will be apportioned among those Missionary

Societies in which she was especially interested.

 

 

 

 

CONTENTS

 

 

 

PAGE

PART I

 

LIFE IN ENGLAND

 

CHAPTER I

 

THE STORY OF HER FATHER 3

 

CHAPTER II

 

CHILDHOOD AND GIRLHOOD 13

 

CHAPTER III

 

EARLY WRITINGS 27

 

CHAPTER IV

 

A ‘FARCE’ OF GIRLISH DAYS 39

 

CHAPTER V

 

HOME LIFE 62

 

CHAPTER VI

 

GRAVITY AND FUN 71

 

CHAPTER VII

 

THE FIRST GREAT SORROW, AND THE FIRST BOOK 83

 

CHAPTER VIII

 

CRIMEA, AND THE INDIAN MUTINY 100

 

CHAPTER IX

 

LIFE’S EARLY AFTERNOON 112

 

CHAPTER X

 

A HEAVY SHADOW 126

 

CHAPTER XI

 

GIVING COMFORT TO OTHERS 137

 

CHAPTER XII

 

THE OLD HOME BROKEN UP 146

 

CHAPTER XIII

 

VARIOUS CHARACTERISTICS 159

 

CHAPTER XIV

 

AN UNEXPECTED RESOLVE 173