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NATIONAL SECULAR SOCIETY
THE
LIFE AND CHARACTER
OF
HENRY HETHERINGTON.
‘ We, the Directors of the Poor of the parish of St. Pancras, at present assembled, sincerely deplore
the loss of our much-respected friend, Mr. Henry Hetherington; and cannot allow the earliest oppor
tunity to pass without otfering this poor tribute to his worth, talent, energy, urbanity, and zeal. In
him the poor, and more especially the infant, have lost a powerful advocate, the Directors a valuable
coadjutor, the ratepayers an economical distributor of their funds, and mankind a sincere philanthropist.’
—Passed, unanimously, at a meeting of Members of the Board of Directors, on Friday, Aug. 24, 1849.
[published for the
benefit of the survivors.]
Uonlion:
J. WATSON, 3, QUEEN’S HEAD PASSAGE, PATERNOSTER ROW.
1849.
[price twopence.'
�I
J.
L
�PREFACE.
A Committee of the Directors of the Literary and Scientific Institution,
John Street, Fitzroy Square, who issue this Memorial of their late
esteemed colleague, for the benefit of his survivors, have entrusted its
compilation to me.
The various matter is extracted from the Reasoner,
where Hetherington was gratified to think that all relating to him would,
appear.
The chief abridgment for which I have to apologise is that of
Mr. Cooper’s Éloge, which could not be retained entire without greatly
exceeding the limits prescribed for this Memento.
been a task of difficulty and delicacy.
Its condensation has
But I have, I believe, preserved
its spirit entire ; and if it has lost anything in effect, Mr. Cooper s repu
tation can bear it j and I trust—the cause being considered—his genero
sity will forgive it.
G. J. Hovyoaee.
Reasoner Office,
3, Queen Head Passage, Paternoster Row,
September 8th, 1849.
�-
-íi'íj. . .
.«4®, ..
�THE
LIFE OF HENRY HETHERINGTON,
ABRIDGED FROM THE ÉLOGE
Delivered at the Literary Institution, John Street, on Sunday evening, Aug. 26, 1849 ;
by Thomas Cooper, author of the ‘ Purgatory of Suicides.’
While the instruments of royal and aristocratic tyranny have their
pompous eulogies at the close of their evil career, it becomes the advocates
of freedom to take care that the death of the humblest opposer of misrule
should not go uncommemorated. Every step in the life of a struggler
for human enfranchisement, if it could be beheld by the great Dead, must
fix their attention as big with the fate of Progress. And, surely, the
living would do well and wisely to bestow their anxieties in this humble
direction, rather than on the gew-gaws which attract the unthinking.
One word of bold and firm defiance against legalised oppression—one
act of self-sacrificing and manly resistance to privileged power—is of
deeper import to the true welfare of mankind than all the victories of
Marengo and Austerlitz, of Trafalgar and Waterloo.
Henry Hetherington was born in 1792, fifty-seven years ago, in Comp
ton Street, Soho ; and many remain, I am told, who remember the in
telligence and kindly disposition of his boyhood. He was apprenticed to
the trade of a printer, and served his time with the father of the wellknown Luke Hansard, now living. The printing business was either
dull or overstocked with hands when his apprenticeship ceased, and he
was eighteen months out of work. It was now that he went to Belgium,
and worked there at his trade for a short period. He was in the habit
of telling an anecdote, in his own felicitous way, of a conversation
with a fellow-workman in a workshop at Ghent, that is worth recording.
The report had just reached the Netherlands, of the superb munificence
with which England had rewarded her 4 iron duke,’ the conqueror at
Waterloo. Oui’ friend, full of attachment to his native country, imme
diately exclaimed, with the exaggerated emotion of youth, ‘ Ay, see
there ! Look what a fine country' ours is ! You see how we reward our
soldiers for fighting for us ! You would not hear of any other country
giving money and estates to their public servants like our country !’ The
Belgian workman was older than our friend : he darted an expressive
look at him, and then replied, in broken English, ‘ Ay, ay, it is a tam
fine country, and a tam fine ting for de Duke ; but it is a tam bad
country, and a tam bad ting for de Peuple 1’ The repartee dwelt in his
mind, and led to his ultimate Radicalism. Our friend’s marriage occurred
shortly before this visit to Belgium, or shortly after, and the fruit of it
were nine children, only one of whom—his son, Mr. David Hetherington
—is now living. Among his earliest connections was that with the ‘ Free-
�.LIFE AND CHARACTER OF HENRY HETHERINGTON.
thinking Christians’—a body of religionists at one time much talked of in
London, and numbering among its professors several names of consider
able talent. It was in relation to this society that Hetherino-ton pro
duced the pamphlet, which, so far as I know, was his first essay in print.
Its date is 1828: just twenty-one years ago; and it is entitled ‘Prin
ciples and Practice contrasted; or a Peep into “ the only true church of
God upon earth,” commonly called Freethinking Christians.’
He was one of the earliest and most energetic of working men engaged
in the foundation of the Mechanics’ Institute. His intelligence and zeal
procured him the friendship of the excellent Birkbeck. The doctor fre
quently called upon Henry Hetherington at his shop in the Strand, even
in his sorest times of persecution.
The pamphlet mentioned as published in 1828, was issued from his
shop at 13, Kingsgate Street, Holborn. Here, also, he commenced his
warfare against the false Whigs, by issuing the first number of the Poor
Man’s Guardian. This was in 1831. At the close of 1830, he was
appointed by the radical working men of London, to draw up a circular
for the formation of Trades’ Unions. That document was sanctioned by
a meeting of delegates, and formed the basis of the ‘ National Union of
the Working Classes’—which eventually led to Chartism.
William Carpenter, another distinguished name in the history of work
ing men’s politics, had issued his ‘ Political Letter’ in 1830, and been
prosecuted for it; and now government pounced upon Henry Hether
ington. Three convictions were obtained against him for publishing the
Poor Mans Guardian. He was ordered to be taken into custody, but
the Bow Street magistrates could not enforce their order for some time.
*
Henry Hetherington, with all that deliciously provoking coolness for
which he was characterised, actually sent a note to the magistrates to tell
them that ‘ he was going out of town !’ Then, he printed the note in his
Guardian, and commenced a tour through the country.
At Manchester, he narrowly escaped being taken by Stevens, the Bow
Street ‘ runnerbut he might have continued at large for some time
longer, had he not resolved to hasten up to London, in order to have a
last look at his dying mother. He reached the door of his house, on a
night in September—knocked hard, but was not answered-—the Bow
Street spies .came upon him before his second knock had been heard—
he clung to the knocker, but was dragged away ; and none of his family
knew till he was lodged in Clerkenwell gaol. Here he remained six
months. The Guardian, however, was still carried on.
At the end of 1832, when he had not been many months at liberty, he
was again convicted, and again imprisoned for six months in the same
gaol; and now it was that his friend Watson became his fellow-prisoner
—also for the same ‘ high crime and misdemeanour’ of selling, in ‘Fi •ee’
England, a penny paper without a taxed stamp ! Their treatment during
these six months was most cruel. An opening, called ‘ a window,’ but
which was without a pane of glass, let in the snow upon their food, as
they ate it ; cold and damp filled their bodies with pain; and the
‘ Liberal’ Government seemed intent on trying by these means whether
they could not break their spirits.
John Cleave and his wife were seized, as they were proceeding to
purkiss’s, the news-agent in Compton Street, in a cab, with their papers.
�LIFE AND CHARACTER OF HBNRT HETHERINGTON.
Heywood of Manchester, Guest of Birmingham, Hobson and Mrs. Mann
of Leeds__with about 500 others in town andcountry, were imprisoned
as Vendors of the ‘ Unstamped.’ The spirit displayed by the vendors is
Worthy of remembrance. They carried the ‘Unstamped in their,hats,
in theii pockets: they left them in sure places ‘ to be called for; and
when, for a few weeks, government actually empowered officers to seize
parcels, open them in the streets, and take out any unstamped publications
—Henry Hetherington (while at large) made up ‘dummy’ parcels,
directed them, sent off a lad with them one way, with instructions
to make a noise, attract a crowd, and delay the officers, if they seized
him: meanwhile, the real parcel for the country agent was sent off
another way 1
. ., ,
After the verdict of the * Justifiable Homicide upon the policeman
slain at the Calthorpe Street meeting, a letter appeared in the Poor
Man’s Guardian—signed Palafox junior, but really written by Julian
Hibbert—containing something more than inuendo, in an advice to the
people attending such meetings in future to take bread and cheese with
them, and a good long, sharp-pointed, and strong-hacked knife with which
to cut it.
,.
n
In 1833 Hetherington removed from 13, Kingsgate Street, to his wellknown shop 126, Strand. The Destrwctwe which he issued here, ironically
styled the Conservative, was also unstamped. The London Dispatch,
which followed, reached at one time 2o000 weekly. In 1834 he defended
himself on a trial for publishing the Guardian, and obtained an acquittal,
but was condemned for the Conservative.
. __
Not having grown fond of prison from his experiences of it, He took
a snug little box at Pinner, and by going out of his house in the Strand
at the back, by an outlet into- the Savoy, and by entering it the same
way—and in the disguise of a Quaker /—he contrived to enact the real
Simon Pure so well, that he evaded the keen eyes which were on the
look out for him.
.
But the government revenged themselves by making a seizure tor
£220, in the name of the Commissioners of Stamps, on the false pretext
that he was not a registered printer. They swept his premises.. But
undaunted, our heroic friend resumed his work—rising out of the midst of
ruin. Julian Hibbert, from the moment that he learned Hetherington was
in dancer of another imprisonment in consequence of the publication of the
‘Palafox’ letter, set him down in his Will for 450 guineas; nor did he
cancel the gift when the proceedings were abandoned, Henry Hethering
ton then purchased another printing machine—for no printer would un
dertake his work—and continued to publish the Unstamped, until the
government consented to reduce the newspaper stamp to one penny, when
he issued (stamped) the Twopenny Dispatch, of which Mr. James Bronterre O’Brien was the talented editor.
He incurred some embarrassments by the publication of part of an
Encyclopaedia, at the suggestion of his friend, Dr. Birkbeck. The OddFellow another penny periodical, was more successful. The comparatively
*
narrow circumstances of our friend in after years are to be attributed to
his tenderness. He could not have the heart to sue his debtors at law
though others sued him.
He wrote his ‘ Cheap Salvation’ in consequence of conversations with
�DIFE AND CHARACTER OF HENRY HETHERINGTON.
the chaplain of Clerkenwell gaol. In 1841, he was tried on a charge of
publishing a ‘blasphemous’ work—‘ Haslam’s Letters to the Clergy of
all Denominations ’—and sentenced to four months’ imprisonment in the
Queen’s Bench prison. He represented London and Stockport, in the
great Convention of 1839, of which the beloved exile Frost was a mem
ber. His latter years were devoted to Socialism and Chartism. In this
institution we have all witnessed his rare enthusiasm and fervour, and
his clear judgment, so often mingled with the humour that always ren
dered him a welcome speaker. The quality I marked in him, the very
first time I saw him—which was at the second Sturge Conference, at
Christmas, 1842—he always displayed when I shared in our common
friendship for him, in this institution: the faculty of reconciling mis
understandings and preventing ill-feeling arising from differences.
With regret, it must be stated that there is too strong reason to con
clude that our friend’s decease was hastened by a want of proper care.
His strict temperance—for he had been almost an absolute teetotaler, for
many years—warranted him in believing that he was not very likely
to fall a victim to the prevailing epidemic. When he was seized with it,
he refused—from what we must call a prejudice—to call in medical relief.
Our friend Holyoake prevailed with him to have a physician called,
after having himself stayed the cramp he suffered from. It was too late,
however, for medicines to relieve his case—although several medical
friends -were successively brought to his bed-side. His natural frank
ness and humour were exhibited even in his last hours. ‘ Why did you
not call for help sooner?’said one medical friend to him. ‘ Why, you
know,’ he replied with a smile, ‘ I don’t like you physic-folks ; and "be
sides, I have had Doctor Holyoake attending me; and he has done all
that could be done.’
Happily the gloomy bigot can forge no tales of death-bed horrors in
this instance : he can derive no lessons from it to frighten children. We
say this with satisfaction—for although the mind of man may sometimes
wander in his last hours, and the true philosopher will not resort to the
account of them for the test of a man’s opinions,—yet it is well for the
sake of others that the death of a Freethinker can be shown by unquestion
able testimony to be without the horrors in which the superstitious delight
to clothe it. I care not whether all of us agree in every item of our deceased
friend’s convictions: I, for one, do not. But we are the foes of priest
craft and superstition, and therefore we make common cause in his
opposition to those twin-plagues of the human race; and we honour his
memory for the courage with which his free thought was proclaimed in
life, and fortitude with which the confession of it was signed in death.
I add my humble testimony to his many excellences, from our friendship
of the last four years; and entreat you to follow his example wherein
he was worthy of your imitation—in his earnestness; his readiness to
labour at all times and seasons for the common good of man and for the
advancement of public liberty; in his perseverance; in his spirit of
self-sacrifice; in the fidelity of his friendships ; and in his spirit of kind
liness and good-humour. Let each man among us display the courage,
perseverance, and unsubduable energy of Henry Hetherington, and
England, Europe, the World, will soon be free and happy, and the
Universal Brotherhood be speedily realised.
�LIFE AND CHARACTER GF HENRY HETHERINGTON
HIS DEATH.
Early on Tuesday morning, August 21,1 was apprised that Hetherington was ilL
Knowing his anti-medicinal views I took medicine with me, and gave him some
instantly. I found that he had veen suffering a fortnight from premonitory
symptoms of cholerine. It is attributable to his temperate habits that he had had
so long a warning. After receiving some relief, he wanted to rise and finish the
arrangement of his books, as he seemed to think his malady might terminate
fatally. His rising I positively forbade, and had by gentle force to prevent it.
(On the preceding day he left my daily paper at my door himself.) While this
was occuring, his favourite physician, Dr. Richard Quain, was sent for. He was
unfortunately out of town. Next, Dr. Epps was summoned, who promptly sent
medicine. But as he was unable to come. Dr. Jones was called upon, when, as
fatality would have it, he was out. I immediately put on my hat and fetched Mr.
Pearse, Surgeon of Argyle Square. The next morning Mr. Kenny took a note
from me to Dr. Ashburner, of Grosvenor Street, who generously attended and
saw him twice, though at great inconvenience to himself. Mr. George Bird,
Surgeon, of Osnaburg Street, Regent’s Park, paid friendly visits, and rendered
his usual able, and unwearied assistance. Mrs. Martin, whose courageous nursing
and intelligent resources might have saved our patient at an earlier period, also
attended till a late hour on Wednesday night. Most of this day he was unconscious.
On Thursday morning, August 24, 1849, about 4 o’clock, he expired. His age
was 57. He left the following document, which speaks for itself.
LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT.
As life is uncertain, it behoves every one to make preparations for death; I deem
it therefore a duty incumbent on me, ere I quit this life, to express in writing, for
the satisfaction and guidance of esteemed friends, my feelings and opinions in
reference to our common principles. I adopt this course that no mistake or
misapprehension may arise through the false reports of those who officiously
and obtrusively obtain access to the death-beds of avowed Infidels to priestcraft
and superstition; and who, by their annoying importunities, labour to extort
’rom an opponent, whose intellect is already worn out and subdued _ by protracted
physical suffering, some trifling admission, that they may blazon it forth to the
world as a Death-bed Confession, and a triumph of Christianity over Infidelity.
In the first place, then—I calmly and deliberately declare that I do not believe
in the popular notion of the existence of an Almighty, All-wise, and Benevolent
God—possessing intelligence, and conscious of his own operations; because
these attributes involve such a mass of absurdities and contradictions, so much
cruelty and injustice on His part to the poor and destitute portion of His
creatures—that, in my opinion, no rational reflecting mind can, after disin
terested investigation, give credence to the existence of such a Being. 2nd. I
believe death to be an eternal sleep—that I shall never live again in this world,
or another, with a consciousness that I am the same identical person that
once lived, performed the duties, and exercised the functions of a human being,
3rd. I consider priestcraft and superstition the greatest obstacle to human
improvement and happiness. During my life I have, to the best of my ability,
sincerely and strenuously exposed and opposed them, and die with a firm convic
tion that Truth, Justice, and Liberty will never be permanently established on
earth till every vestige of priestcraft and superstition shall be utterly destroyed.
4th. I have ever considered that the only religion useful to man consists ex
clusively of the practice of morality, and in the mutual interchange of kind
actions. In such a religion there is no room for priests—and when I see
*
them interfering at our births, marriages, and deaths, pretending to conduct
us safely through this state of being to another and happier world, any disin
terested person of the least shrewdness and discernment must perceive that
their sole aim is to stultify the minds of the people by their incomprehensible
* This phrase, ‘when I see,’ should be when they are seen, as it does not follow that ‘any disinterested
person,’ &c. must perceive the stultifying aim of the priests in the way the remainder of the sentence
states, because Hetherington saw it. It was this non sequitur to which allusion is made farther on within
brackets.
�LIFE AND CHARACTER OF IIENRY HETHERINGTON.
doctrines, that they may the more effectually fleece the poor deluded sheep who
listen to their empty babblings and mystifications.
5th. As I have lived so I die, a determined opponent to their nefarious and
plundering system. I wish my friends, therefore, to deposit my remains in un
consecrated ground, and trust they will allow no priest, or clergyman of any
denomination, to interfere in any way whatever at my funeral. My earnest
desire is, that no relation or friend shall wear black or any kind of mourning,
as I consider it contrary to our rational principles to indicate respect for a
departed friend by complying with a hypocritical custom.
6th. I wish those who respect me, and who have laboured in our common cause,
to attend my remains to their last resting place, not so much in consideration of
the individual, as to do honour to our just, benevolent, and rational principles.
I hope all true Rationalists will leave pompous displays to the tools of priest
craft and superstition. If I could have my desire, the occasion of my death and
burial should be turned to the advantage of the living. I would have my kind and
good friend, Watson, who knew me intimately for many years—or any other
friend well acquainted with my character — to address to those assembled
such observations as he may deem pertinent and useful; holding up the good
points of my character as an example worthy of imitation, and pointing out my
defects with equal fidelity, that none may avow just and rational principles without
endeavouring to purge themselves of those errors that result from bad habits previ
ously contracted, and which tarnish the lustre of their benign and glorious principles.
These are my views and feelings in quitting an existence that has been chequered
with the plagues and pleasures of a competitive, scrambling, selfish system; a
system by which the moral and social aspirations of the noblest human being are
nullified by incessant toil and physical deprivations; by which, indeed, all men are
trained to be either slaves, hypocrites, or criminals. Hence my ardent attach
ment to the principles of that great and good man—Robert Owen. I quit
this world with a firm conviction that his system is the only true road to human
emancipation: that it is, indeed, the only just system for regulating the affairs
of honest, intelligent human beings—the only one yet made known to the
world, that is based on truth, justice, and equality. While the land, machines,
tools, implements of production, and the produce of man’s toil, are exclusively
in possession of the do-nothings; and labour is the sole possession of the wealth
producers—a marketable commodity, bought up and directed by wealthy idlers—
never-ending misery must be their inevitable lot. Robert Owen’s system, if
rightly understood and faithfully carried out, rectifies all these anomalies. Jt
makes man the proprietor of his own labour and of the elements of production
—it places him in a condition to enjoy the entire fruits of his labour, and sur
rounds him with circumstances that will make him intelligent, rational, and
happy. Grateful to Mr. Owen for the happiness I have experienced in contem
plating the superiority of his system, I could not die happy without recommending
my fellow-countrymen to study its principles and earnestly strive to establish
them in practice. Though I ardently desired to acquire that benign spirit, and
to attain that self-control, which .was so conspicuous in the character of th®
founder of the Rational System, I am aware I fell immeasurably short of my bright
exemplar; but as I never in thought, word, or deed, wilfully injured any human
being, I hope that I shall be forgiven by those whom I may have inadvertently
or unconsciously jostled in this world’s scramble. I have indefatigably, sincerely,
and disinterestedly laboured to improve the condition of humanity—believing it
to be the duty of every man to leave the world better than he found it; and if I
have not pursued this object with that wisdom and discretion that should mark at
all times the conduct of a rational man, I have zealously maintained what
appeared to me to be right;, and paid the penalty of what my opponents may
term my indiscretions in many cruel persecutions. I freely forgive all who have
injured me in the struggle; and die in the hope and consolation that a time
is approaching when the spirit of antagonism will give place to fraternal affection
and universal co-operation to promote the happiness of mankind.
(Signed)
Henry Hetherington
Witnessed by George Jacob Holyoake,
Henry Allsop Ivory,
August 21, 1849.
John Kenny
�LIFE AND CHARACTER OF HENRY HETHERINGTON.
[Hetherington, it may be necessary to explain, composed this document himself.
A year and half, or more, before his death, he gave the original in his own hand
writing to me and Mr. Watson to read, saying, that if he died in his then opinions,
he intended to leave that behind him as his testimony. He had copies made to’
distribute to a few friends. On the Tuesday (August 21) on which I was called to
him he ordered a copy to be given into my charge. On the evening of the same
day he signed the will of his personal property. On taking it away I handed to
Bim the * Testament of his Opinions,’ saying 1 Will you sign this also ?’ I spoke
in that inquiring tone which implied ‘ If you still see fit do so.’ He at once re
adjusted his glasses, looked at the paper with an air of perfect recognition, and wrote
his name with a firm hand. The copy which I received, and which he signed I
believe to be an exact copy of the original in his own hand-writing which he
formerly gave to me, as it contains (in tbe ‘4th’ paragraph) even a grammatical
error, involving a logical absurdity, which I pointed out, and at which he laughed
heartily at the time, and said he should correct it. But I found it still there
The document is incontestably Hetherington’s. Messrs. Kenny and Ivory are too
young to be able to draw up a declaration in the same maturity of tone; audit
contains some passages which I should express very differently, and others (those
relating to the priests) which I should not express at all, in any way. But I give
the ‘ Testament’ faithfully as I received it. It is a manly declaration of what was
true to the conscience and right in the judgment of him who signed it. The
signed and attested copy I have placed in the Reasoner office for the inspection of
any who are curious or sceptical.]
THE FUNERAL AND PROCESSION.
?N
ev®hing after his death, a special meeting of the committee of the John
Stmt Institute was held, when they, as a mark of respect to their deceased col
league, undertook the conduct of the burial. The arrangements were confided to
, • limn, of the New Road; and the event showed that they could not have been
placed in more judicious hands. Everything was done in quiet taste. The pro
ceedings were decorous without gloom. There was conscientious propriety with
out a particle of ostentation or affected display. The hearse was covered by a
canopy of »use coloured silk, on each side of which appeared, in silver letters,
the words of a frequent phrase of Hetherington’s—
Wg
OUGHT TO ENDEAVOUR TO LEAVE THE WORLD BETTER THAN WE FOUND IT.
At the end of the hearse appeared, in similar letters—
HENRY HETHERINGTON.
Mutes were superseded by pages with white and blue coloured wands, and the
«cere Of the John Street Institution, and various friends of the deceased, walked
with similar wands on each side the procession. The Messrs. Tiffin bore maces.
IJavMl Hetherington the only surviving son (who is with Mr. Heywood, of ManChester), a relative, Mr. Watson, and myself occupied the cab next the hearse,
i
ier cabs hiljowed, and the rear was composed of a long procession
o rnnas. lhe road, during the long journey to the cemetery, was lined with
UyP
, ta™es tbe scene was very affecting, as women following wept as
thWh Hetherington was some Christ of Labour. The ground for the interment
iately Purchased by Mr. W. D. Sauli, and Hetherington is the first who
cupies it.
1 he concourse of persons at the grave was very great. To name
*
Ml who would be known to the public if named, would occupy a page. There
were e i ors, lecturers, publishers, guardians of the poor, foreign Socialists and
politicians of note, who respected Hetherington, or had co-operated with him
Adjoining the grave is the monument of ‘ Bublicola,’ the author of the wellnown Letters of the Weekly Dispatch. The eminence was appropriate. I stood
upon that tomb to speak
ia
Vter
SaU11 annlounced at
Street that he had purchased a piece of ground
S. 1Cemetery, to serve as a burying place for our friends, Hetherington said to me-‘ Sauli
Ms bought a grave, and says he is able te give a friend a lift-there’s a chance lor u#.’
�LIFE AND CHARACTER OF HENRY HETHERINGTON
THE ORATION OVER THE GRAVE
It seems to me that he who is appointed to speak on an occasion like this should
prepare what he will say, that no effort of memory or art, in recalling a fact or
turning a sentence, should interrupt that simple expression of feeling which alone
is suitable on this spot—and that no inapt word should accur to mar the unity of
that regret, which is the only tribute left us to offer at the grave of our common
friend.
The usual Church Service on these occasions is omitted, out of obedience to the
wishes of the friend whom we lament—and its omission also meets with our own
approbation, as that service is little instructive, throws no light on personal cha
racter, and is, in some respects, a libel both on the dead and the living. And to
say this much is in accordance with the wishes of Henry Hetherington, whom we
inter here, and whose indomitable opposition to clerical error he desired to be
perpetuated after his death.
Henry Hetherington, around whose grave we stand, was the well-known pub
lisher, lately residing at 57, Judd Street, Brunswick Square. He was a native of
London, and was one of the early members of the London Mechanics’ Institution,
founded by Dr. Birkbeck, to which he owed many advantages. Henry Hethering
ton first became known to the public by the stand which he took when he thought
that institution was about to be perverted from the designs of its founders. A
printer by trade, he became afterwards a publisher; and during the struggle for
the emancipation of the press from the fetters of the Newspaper Stamp, he became
an accredited leader. He published the Poor Man's Guardian to try, as he said,
the strength of ‘ Right’ against ‘Might;’ and he continued it in defiance of prose
cutions which extended over three years and a half—during which time 500 per
sons were imprisoned in the struggle : at last a special jury under Lord Lyndhurst
declared it a ‘ strictly legal publication.’ They ought to have declared that the
brave and resolute editor was strictly invincible, and that his Guardian became
legal because it could not be put down—for Hetherington continued to conduct
it, in gaol and out, and no accumulation of imprisonment, nor amount of loss, in
timidated him. Hetherington represents the Unstamped agitation, and this is
his great political and historical distinction. It was he who was appointed to
draw up that ‘Circular’ which was the foundation of the ‘National Union of
the Working Classes.’ The Charter Newspaper, of 1839, gave his portrait as
one of the delegates to the ‘ National Convention.’ And since he has constantly
been—when not in prison for the people—working for them through the press
and in connection with public institutions.
In conjunction with his valued friends and old coadjutors, Watson and Lovett,
he exerted himself for the establishment of the National Hall, Holborn. For the
last few years his ardent services have been given to the Literary and Scientific
Institution, John Street, Fitzroy Square, which has embodied in its management
the development of his most cherished ideas of religious liberty, political enfran
chisement, and social reformation. How profoundly he was esteemed in that
institution the arrangements of this day, and the presence of the John Street
friends, testify. In the parish of St. Pancras, of which he was a Director of the
poor, he has commanded, even amid those who dissented from him, esteem for his
benevolent views, his practical ability, and good sense. And it is not a little
gratifying that the last public body which enjoyed the honour of his co-operation
was the Newspaper Stamp Abolition Committee, who are associated to accomplish
that reformation with which the name of Henry Hetherington is so honourably
and so indissolubly connected.
Whatever may be useful to others, Hetherington would desire to be said of
him ; hence it may be remarked, that though he has fallen a victim to the prevail
ing epidemic, it is highly probable he might have lived had not a fixed aversion to
medicine prevented him seeking proper aid in time. He calculated, as he had a
right to do, on a life of temperance as a great'safeguard. But though a wise tem
perance will save us from half the maladies of the day, it does not supersede the
necessity—when really in danger—for that help which the observation and ex
perience of the physician can afford us.
As respects our friend’s death, I can bear personal testimony how much it
became his life. As soon as he found himself in danger, I was summoned to his
�LITE AND CHARACTSB ST HENRY HETHERINGTON.
bed-side, and, with few interruptions, I was with him till his decease. Having
always believed to the best of his understanding, and acted to the best of his
ability, he had no reason for fear, and he manifested none. He alluded to his
probable death with so much good sense, and his bearing to the last hour was so
quiet and so full of equanimity, that I could discern no difference between his death
and his life, save in his failing strength. As sickness could not alter the evidence
on which his principles rested, they underwent no change. He died the avowed,
the explicit, the unchanging foe of Priestcraft, Superstition, and Oppression; and
he strongly and rightly concluded that a life devoted to the welfare of humanity
in this world, was no unsuitable preparation for any other.
Viewed in his public relations, Hetherington was an exemplar of the school of
politicians amid which he was reared. We are now verging on a phase in which
we chiefly affirm positive principles. The school of politicians (to which, indeed,
we owe our present liberty) now going a little out of fashion, was that which
asserted a right, and antagonised it. Of this school Hetherington was the most
perfect type which remained among us. He did not look upon a political victory
as something to be won by exposition so much as by assault. Hence he was more
soldier than advocate; and it must be admitted that political corruption never
had a more resolute opponent, nor popular right a more doughty champion.
It augments my admiration of my friend to know that he desired no blind
eulogist to illustrate his character. In a document which he put into my hands
shortly before his decease, he expressed a manly wish that his faults as well as his
virtues might be made to minister to the instruction of others. This enables me
to explain the two-fold aspect of his character. He had a two-fold character dis
tinctly marked. Many in the ranks above our friend never fully understood him.
To them he seemed to wear a repulsive air. He gave that impression through
that error of party politics, in which each man regards an opponent as an opponent
in consequence of personal interest, rather than through difference of understand
ing ; and hence. Hetherington shrank from the rich and bland, and wrapped him
self up in the integrity, and poverty, and ruggedness of his own order. He
seemed to feel that to reciprocate blandishments with wealth was to betray his
cause. He regarded it as the inclined plain, polished as marble but slippery as
glass, upon which, if the foot of the patriot was once placed, he would inevitably
slip down to political corruption. Yet he had an integrity which could stand
alone, which was as proof against smiles as against frowns; but it was not his
temper to trust it. Those, however, who approached him on his own ground, who
had the honour of working or suffering with him, never knew a more genial
nature allied to so stout a spirit. He was a personification of good-humoured
Democracy. The very tones of his voice bespoke the fulness of honesty and
pleasantry. And beneath his uncompromising exterior and jocular speech, lay
the diamond ore of courage, and truth, and toil. He had a hand as true as ever
friendship grasped. In the hour of political danger, every coadjutor knew that
the secrets of life and liberty could be entrusted into Hetherington’s keeping.
As for toil, he was unwearying. He worked till his last days. He carried out in
practice that exalted creed of duty of which Home’s great Triumvir, Mazzini, is
the exponent and highest type. With him, Hetherington seemed to hold that
‘ ease is the death of the soul;’ and when he enlisted in the army of progress, he
enlisted for life; and, as he never faltered, though he served without pay or
pension, let it be remembered to his honour:
For to side with truth is noble, when we share her wretched crust
Before her cause brings fame or profit, and ’tis prosperous to be just.
The publications which he edited, and pamphlets which he wrote, attest his
great industry—and something more; for, when he was an author, it required not
oniy ability to write, but courage to défendit. And he not only defended the
iberty of the press, he defended the liberty of conscience and the liberty of speech.
mnX?
an 1^ctment f°r blasphemy, in 1840, his defence was so well
f
Penma". ?aid him the compliment of saying that ‘he had
trih tl h * U Wlth .feelinSs of interest and with sentiments of respect and this
address683 by hlS unassuminS but firm bearing, than by his judicious
�LIFE AND CHARACTER OF HENRY HETHERINGTON
Those who know what political trials and imprisonments are at the hands of ais
oppressive government and vindictive priesthood, know that language is inadequate
to express the losses and sufferings which are included in those familiar but
frightful words. But Hetherington knew not only how to work, but how to
suffer—nor has it been in vain.
Careless seems the great Avenger ; history’s pages but record
One death-grapple, in the darkness, ’twixt old systems and th? Word :
Truth for ever on the scaffold, Wrong for ever on the throne,
Yet that scaffold sways the future, and, behind the dim unknown,
Standeth Progress in the shadow, keeping watch above its own.
No less remarkable than his political consistency was the fervour with which
our friend embraced and advocated the views of Robert Owen. They fell on his
paths like a stream of light; they mellowed his manners; they interested his
practical understanding; they gratified his humanity, and filled him with hope.
The old world is effete: there man with man
Jostles ; and, in the brawl for means to live,
Life is trod under foot.
Hetherington felt this deeply, and he never ceased to reverence Mr. Owen for his
benevolent and ceaseless labours, and his remedial proposals.
My co-operation with my friend has extended over many years. But now, as at
the first hour of our acquaintance, there are two qualities of his which I have
been struck with more than with others—his utility and his bravery. He was
decidedly the most useful public man I ever met with. At a public meeting he
was of unexampled service. He would do a man’s duty at a moment’s notice. He
would take the chair or speak. He never hesitated to do what everybody else
declined to do. He had no vanity to be consulted—no egotism stood in the way
of his co-operation with others: he had no ambition but to be useful. And he
was as brave as he was devoted. He never shrunk from danger. To the last day
of his life he would have suffered his home to be broken up, and himself dragged
to prison, to champion an important principle. Many men can be patriots in the
fervour of youth and the presence of applause. Hetherington had a spirit which
was neither chilled by age nor damped by neglect. But we have the satisfaction
of observing that the respect paid to his memory by the public, the press, and his
coadjutors, early and late, is a proof '‘Vat private worth and public service bring
with them individual esteem and general honour. A life spent like his
Will rear
A monument in Fate’s despite,
Whose epitaph will grow more clear
As truth shall rise and scatter light
Full and more full from Freedom’s height.
Let it be graven on his tomb:—
‘ He came and left more smiles behind ;
One ray he shot athwart the gloom,
He helped one fetter to unbind :
Men think of him and grow more kind?
In iienry Hetherington the people have lost an advocate and truth a resolute
partisan. Every honest politician has lost an able coadjutor, every patriot an
exemplar, and every true man among us a friend. In taking our last Farewell of
him at this grave, we should tell him (could he hear our voice) that we do it with
mingled feelings of joy and sorrow. We even feel a triumph in his life, while we
part with profound sadness at the loss of so noble a friend. In those social ieunions, where he has been so great a charm, we shall be all the meniei as we
remember his unclouded humour. And as we continue that struggle, to which his
life has been devoted, we shall take new courage from his example—we shall in
spire new confidence in what one man can do, as we remember what one man has
done : and when in future times the pilgrims of Industry shall visit this shrine,
they will exclaim—
‘ HERE LIES A POOR MAN’S GUARDIAN !'
and poor men will drop tributary tears over his grave.
�LIFE AN® CHARACTER OF HENRI' HETHERINGTON.
MR. WATSON’S SPEECH.
When Mr. Watson rose to speak, the assembly again uncovered. He laboured
under such evident emotion that it communicated itself to those around. He
said the grave at his feet was about to separate from him one who had been not
only his_ political associate, but his personal friend for twenty years. And how
ever painful it was to him, he could not resist compliance, in some form, with the
wish of Mr. Hetherington, in saying a few words over his remains. To the cor
rectness of what his friend Mr. Holyoake had said he could bear his personal
testimony. It was his misfortune to be out of town when Mr. Hetherington’s
illness was first communicated to him. He at once returned home; and when
after a long journey, he hastened to his friend’s door—it was to find him dead
*
He could assure them that he felt deep, intense, inexpressible distress that it was
denied to him to be also at his bed-side, as Mr. Holyoake had been, to administer
to his wants : and he felt deeply grateful to those who were there, as he knew that
all was. done which friendly consideration could suggest or execute. He and
Hetherington had suffered imprisonment together, and he knew that the pecuniary
difficulties which had embittered his latter years, were almost altogether induced
by his sacrifices and losses in the people’s service. And his friendship was as
disinterested as his patriotism. Himself and Hetherington were both book
sellers, but there never was between them the smallest degree of that rivalry
which was so commonly found, and which degraded trade into a low, a dis
ingenuous, a selfish, and a miserable contest. Whatever book he had under
taken, Hetherington promoted its sale just as though it was his own. They
did so by each other, and their single friendship never knew two interests.
Did his feelings leave him the power of speech, he could dwell long on the
virtues of his friend. They had heard the tribute paid him by Mr. Holyoake.
Let them inquire into its truth. It would bear the inquiry—and if they found it
true, let each go, and to the extent of his power do what Hetherington had done.
There were many young men around him. On them it devolved to carry forward
the work to which he whom they deplored had made the unwearied contribution
of his life. Let all who professed esteem for Hetherington imitate him. There
could be no tribute more eloquent—no honour to him greater than that.
Mr, W. J. Linton has forwarded to the Reasoner the following passage, which
he would fain hang garland-like on Hetherington’s tomb. The language in which
it is expressed, no less than the friendship which dictated it, entitles it to a place
in this Memorial.
TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF HETHERINGTON.
Of all the men in the battle for the People’s Right, I have known none
mor© single-minded, few so brave, so generous, so gallant as he. He was
the most chivalrous of all our party. He could neglect his own interests (which
is by no means a virtue, but there is never lack of rebukers for all failings of that
kind), but he never did, and never could, neglect his duty to the cause he had
embiaced, to the principles he had avowed. There was no notoriety-hunting in
him : as, indeed, so mean a passion has no place in any true man. And he was of
the truest. He would toil in any unnoticeable good work for freedom, in any
forlorn hope/ or even, when he saw that justice was with them, for men who
were not of his party, as cheerfully and vigorously as most other men will labour
for money, or fame, or respectability. He was a real man, one of that select and
glorious company’ of those who are completely in earnest. His principles were
not kept in the pocket of a Sunday coat (I don’t know that he always had a Sunday
change of any sort); but were to him the daily light which led his steps. If
strife and wrath lay in his path, it was seldom from any fault of his ; for though
hasty, as a man of impulsive nature, and chafed by some afflictions, he was not
intolerant, nor quarrelsome, nor vindictive. Men who did not know him have
called him violent. He was, as I said before, hasty and impetuous, but utterly
without malice; and he would not have harmed his worst enemy, though, in truth
he heartily detested tyranny and tyrants. Peace be with him, on the other side of
this fitful dream which we call life: peace, which he seldom knew here, though
his nature was kindly and his hope strong, though he loved Truth and wilfully
�MFB AND CHARACTER OF HENRY HETHERINGTON.
injured no man. One of the truest and bravest of the warm-hearted has laid
down among the tombs, not worn out, but sorely wearied. May we rest as
honourably, with as few specks to come between our lives and the grateful
recollections of those who have journeyed with us. If our young men, in the
vigour of their youth, will be but as enthusiastic and as untiring as was Hethering
ton, even in the last days of his long exertion, we need not despair of Freedom^
nor of a worthy monument to a noble life, which else would seem but as a vainlyspoken word, wasted and forgotten.
Yet again, peace be with him ; and in his place, the copy and thankful remem
brance of the worth we loved in him.
W. J. Linton.
It is a peculiarity, which has been the subject of some remark, that I read my
address at the grave. In addition to the reasons I there urged, one not noticed—
a public one—actuated me, which for public reasons I state. It seems to me that
nothing is gained by dispensing with the Church Service unless something, as
carefully considered and more personally conscientious, is put in its place. It
seems to me that, in point of solemnity and decorum, the Church Service is per
fect; and in every substitution of ours, the qualities of propriety and earnestness
should be most anxiously and effectually preserved. It has come under my obser
vation, that some burials of our friends have been conducted where the possibility
has been left open of irrelevant things being said—and sometimes they have been
said. As far as this can be guarded against it should be—and to write what facts
and thoughts are proposed to be expressed is the best precaution we can take to
prevent it. It must not be left open for any man to think that freedom of
thought, which we claim to exercise, is not quite compatible with good taste.
That philosophy which wants sensibility is false. It must be put past all doubt
that scepticism of clerical error does not deprive us of the feelings of men, or the
reverence of humanity. It does not matter to me that to read a speech is sup
posed to mar oratorical effect: this it by no means necessarily does. Victor
Hugo’s late speech at the Peace Conference in Paris, which has won so much
applause in Europe, and so moved those who heard it, was read. But if reading
did impair rhetorical effect, it would matter nothing in a funeral oration—as every
appearance of display is best banished, and that is the most effective, on such an
occasion, which is the most decorous, unambitious, simple, and earnest. My
apology for making these remarks here, is my desire to see some fixed and wellconsidered canon of taste regulate the practice of our friends on these occasions,
and this seems a suitable opportunity for suggesting it.
At the conclusion of the service at the grave, I signed my name at the Lodge
as ‘ Officiating Clergyman.’ Mr. Watson was required to do the same. We had
no power to alter an official form, but I have since been instructed by a legal
observer, that we might have written after our.names ‘ Officiating friends, thus
determining bur own qualification consistently with our views. The fact is worth
mentioning, as it may guide others. The John Street Directors provided 2000
copies of Hetherington’s ‘ Will and Testament’ for distribution to the assembly.
In order that nothing should be done, which could interfere with the etiquette
which the Committee of the Cemetery might be anxious to preserve, these were
not given except outside the gates. Several reprints have already been made of
the document, here inserted. But the distribution and sale of it, in a separate
form, has been discontinued, as it might be better circulated in connection with
the matter in this Memorial, and the proceeds, which may thence arise, be appro
priated, either to perpetuate Hetherington’s memory in some obviously durable
form or to the advantage of his survivors—there being dependents to whom he
was deeply attached—for whom it does not appear that any provision exists.
Messrs. Watson and Whitaker are assiduously engaged in the arduous and
difficult labour of adjusting his very confused and involved affairs, which his con
tinuous adversities and sudden death have left in seemingly inextricable difficulfafawM And if the matter of this brief Memorial should not sufficiently compensate
those who may purchase or circulate it, perhaps the reflection that they may us
contribute to the welfare of those whom Hetherington regarded, may prove an
adequate satisfaction. For, he who cared more for the public than he cared tor
himself, is perhaps entitled (in the persons of those belonging to him) to some
posthumous care in return.
J ■ Holyoakb.
�
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Victorian Blogging
Description
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A collection of digitised nineteenth-century pamphlets from Conway Hall Library & Archives. This includes the Conway Tracts, Moncure Conway's personal pamphlet library; the Morris Tracts, donated to the library by Miss Morris in 1904; the National Secular Society's pamphlet library and others. The Conway Tracts were bound with additional ephemera, such as lecture programmes and handwritten notes.<br /><br />Please note that these digitised pamphlets have been edited to maximise the accuracy of the OCR, ensuring they are text searchable. If you would like to view un-edited, full-colour versions of any of our pamphlets, please email librarian@conwayhall.org.uk.<br /><br /><span><img src="http://www.heritagefund.org.uk/sites/default/files/media/attachments/TNLHLF_Colour_Logo_English_RGB_0_0.jpg" width="238" height="91" alt="TNLHLF_Colour_Logo_English_RGB_0_0.jpg" /></span>
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Conway Hall Library & Archives
Date
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2018
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Conway Hall Ethical Society
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Pamphlet
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Title
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The life and character of Henry Hetherington
Creator
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Holyoake, George Jacob [1817-1906]
Cooper, Thomas
Description
An account of the resource
Place of publication: London
Collation: [14] p. ; 20 cm.
Notes: Preface signed by G.J. Holyoake. "The various matter is extracted from the Reasoner..."--Pref. Contributions by Thomas Cooper and others. Henry Hetherington was a leading British Chartist. In 1822 he registered his own press and type at 13 Kingsgate Street, Holborn (now Southampton Row). Part of the NSS pamphlet collection.
Publisher
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J. Watson
Date
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1849
Identifier
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N309
Subject
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Chartism
Rights
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<a href="http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/"><img src="http://i.creativecommons.org/p/mark/1.0/88x31.png" alt="Public Domain Mark" /></a><span> </span><br /><span>This work (The life and character of Henry Hetherington), identified by </span><a href="https://conwayhallcollections.omeka.net/items/show/www.conwayhall.org.uk"><span>Humanist Library and Archives</span></a><span>, is free of known copyright restrictions.</span>
Format
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application/pdf
Type
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Text
Language
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English
Chartism
Henry Hetherington
NSS