Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

The Lady and the Robber: A True Story

In a large and lonely house, situated in the south of England, there once lived a lady and her two maid servants.  They were far away from all human habitations, but they seem to have felt no fear, and to have dwelt there peacefully and happily.  It was the lady’s custom to go round the house with her maids every evening to see that the windows and doors were properly secured.  One night she had accompanied them as usual, and ascertained all was safe.  They left her in the passage close to her room and then went to their own which was quite the other side of the house.  As the lady opened her door, she distinctly saw a man underneath her bed.  What could she do?  Her servants were far away and could not hear her if she screamed for help, and even if they had come to her assistance, those three weak women were no match for a desperate housebreaker.  How then did she act?  She trusted in God. 

Quietly she closed the door, and locked it on the inside, which she always was in the habit of doing.  She then leisurely brushed her hair, and putting on her dressing gown, she took her Bible and sat down to read.  She read aloud, and chose a chapter which had peculiar reference to God’s watchfulness over us and constant care for us, by night and day.

When it was finished she knelt and prayed at great length, still uttering the words aloud, especially commending herself and servants to God’s protection, and dwelling upon their utter helplessness, and dependence upon Him to preserve them from all dangers.

At last she rose from her knees, put out her candle, and laid down in bed; but she did not sleep.  After a few minutes had elapsed, she was conscious that a man was standing by her bedside.  He addressed her, and begged her not to be alarmed.  “I came here, said he, to rob you, but after the words you have read, and the prayers you have uttered no power on earth could induce me to hurt you or touch any thing in your house.  But you must remain perfectly quiet, and not attempt to interfere with me.  I shall now give a signal to my companions which they will understand and then we will go away and you may sleep in peace, for I give you my solemn word that no one shall harm you, and not the smallest thing belonging to you be disturbed”.  He then went to window, opened it, and whistled softly, returning to the lady’s side (who had not spoken or moved) he said, “Now I am going.  Your prayer has been heard, and no disaster will befall you”.

He left the room, and soon all was quiet, and the lady fell asleep, still upheld by that calm and beautiful faith and trust.  When the morning dawned and she awoke, we may be assured that she poured out her thanksgivings and praise to Him who had “defended” her under His wings and “kept” her safe under His feathers “so that she may not be afraid of the terror of the night”.  The man proved true to his word, and not a thing in the house had been taken.  From this true story let us learn to put our whole trust and confidence in God.

It afterwards was confessed by the Robber, if she had given the slightest alarm he was fully determined to murder her; so that it was really God’s good guidance that told her to follow the course she took.  Then before he went away, he said, “I never heard such words before, I must have the book you read out of” and carried off her Bible, willingly given you may be sure. 

The lady was sometime after attending a religious meeting in Yorkshire where after several noted clergy and others had spoken, a man arose stating that he was employed as one of the book-hawkers of the Society, and told the story of the midnight adventure, as the wonderful power of the Word of God.  He concluded with, “I was that man”.  The lady arose from her seat in the hall and said quietly, “It is all quite true.  I was the lady”.

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

Expression of ideas

A bud is generally a more elegant and complimentary offering than a full-blown or over-blown flower.  If you wish your idea to expand, do not let the whole process of expansion take place in your own writing, or conversation; leave part of it for the mind of the hearer or reader.  Especially if you wish to act upon a deep mind leave the gunpowder to explode within, and beneath, as in a mine – it is enough to light the train.  In connection with this may be quoted a passage from Bacon: “In a set speech in an assembly, it is expected a man should use all his reasons in the case he handleth but in private persuasions in great error”.

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

In the country every thing is good, every thing is beautiful – The benevolence of Deity is every where presented to the eye, and the heart participates in the tranquillity of the scene.  In the town (Brighton) we are constantly disgusted by the vicar, follies, and consequent miseries of mankind.

Green fields are my delight, I am not only better in health but even in heart in the country.  A fine day exhilarates me, and if it rains, I behold the grass assume a richer verdure as it drinks the moisture, every thing that I behold is very good, except man, and in London I see nothing but man, and his works.  Surely a County Clergyman, or Esquire, with a tolerable income, is in a very enviable situation.  ER

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

An authentic description of Names, rather odd, but very assuring and perfectly true

J.G. Sparrow married to Miss Crowe

Mr Slapp to Miss Whipham

Mr Greengrass to Miss Hay

Captain Legge

Captain Foot

Captain Coward

Captain Slaughter

Mr Birch, schoolmaster

Fox, Hare, Leveret, Rabbit

Stoat, Mole, Bird

Rook, Grouse, Partridge

Swallow, Martin, Pigeon, Dove, Peacock

Swan, Hawke, Kite, Wren

Eagle, Robin, Crab, Stag, Deer, Roebuck

Squirrel, Salmon, Roach, Spratt

Leech, Bigg, Small, Little

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

A Highwayman well mounted stopt a Carriage in which was a gentleman alone, the highwayman with a diamond ring upon his finger, presented a Pistol at him from the window and politely said to him, “The price of this Pistol is five guineas”.  As soon as he had received the money, and delivered up the pistol, the gentleman exclaimed: “Now you rascal, unless you immediately return me the five guineas, I will assuredly blow your brains out”.  “Fire away Sir”, was the answer, “it is not loaded and I wish you a very good night”.

Another Highwayman stopt the Carriage of a Nobleman and said, “I have heard my Lord you have frequently declared you never would be robbed by a single highwayman”.  “Nor will I,” he said, “there are two of you”.  When the highwayman looked back he shot him dead.

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

The Secret of Warm Feet

Many of the colds which people are said to catch commence at the feet.  To keep those extremities constantly warm therefore is to effect an insurance against the almost interminable list of disorders which spring out of a “slight cold”.  Never be tightly shod.  Boots, or shoes when they fit closely press against the veins of the foot and prevent the free circulation of the blood.  When on the contrary they do not embrace the foot too tightly, the blood gets fair play and the spaces left between the leather and the stocking are filled up with a comfortable supply of warm air.  Never sit in damp shoes.  It is very often imagined that unless they be positively wet, it is not necessary to change them when the feet are at rest.  This is a fallacy, for when the least dampness is absorbed into the sole, it is attracted further to the foot itself by its own heat, and thus perspiration is dangerously checked.  Any person may prove this by trying the experiment of neglecting the rule, and his feet will certainly feel cold and damp after a few minutes, although, on taking off the shoe and examining it, it will appear to be properly dry.  Did every one follow these rules, there would be no more cold feet and bad colds.

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

Lines on going to Church

Some go to Church, just for a walk,

Some only go, to laugh, and talk,

Some go there for speculation,

Some go there for observation,

Some go there to meet a lover,

Some attend their faults to cover,

Some go there to meet a friend,

Some go there the time to spend,

Some go there to learn the Parson’s name,

Some go there to resound his fame,

Some go there to doze, and nod,

But few go there to worship God.

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

Who says too much, says nothing.

Persons who are good at excuses are seldom good at anything else.

Gold wins its way, where angels might despair.

Seldom abandon your ground as long as you think yourself right, and never perversely maintain it, when you know yourself wrong.

A person speaking to a very deaf man, and getting angry at his not catching his meaning said, “Why it is as plain as A.B.C.”.  “That may be, Sir,” replied the poor man, “but I am D.E.F.”.

One way to avoid failure, is not to try it.

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

Verses written in the first leaf of a Bible

Blessed is the man who by temptation tried,

In wisdom makes this holy law his guide,

Serene and undisturbed moments flow,

He does no wrong, and therefore feels no woe,

What tho’ adversity with powerful sway,

Clos’d for a time the sunshine of his day,

And o’er his head, while life’s horizon hours

Affliction, dark’ning, all her tempest pours

Calm is his breast, with conscious virtue warm

He bears, unmoved, the fury of the storm,

Taught by these flowing precepts from on high,

Learns how to live, and having liv’d to die.

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

A Mr Page, a gallant old bachelor, picked up a young lady’s glove, which he restored with the following extempore effusion:

“If but from glove, you take the letter g.

Then glove is love, which I devote to thee”.

Upon which the clever young lady immediately replied

“And if from Page, you take the letter p

Then Page is age, and that won’t do for me.”

It is better to do a wise thing, and say a foolish one, than do a foolish thing and say a wise one.

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

One of the best things is to see in a good man rewarded, the next best thing is to see a great rogue punished.

The affectionate recollection of the virtues of the dead, is the duty of the living.

The truth of our affection is tested when the object of our affection is absent.

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

Conundrum

My 1^st is called a Company – Co

My 2^nd avoids a company – Nun

My 3^rd assembles a Company – Drum

And my whole, amuses a Company.

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

In many cases a true secret of what is called good fortune; it consists only in the being never unprepared to seize a favourable opportunity when it comes.

The crooked path of cunning will always lead us into difficulties.

Silence is a friend, that will never betray.

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

The art of conversation is …

Not only to say the right thing in the right place, but, far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

The Lord’s Prayer alone is an evidence of the truth of Christianity, so admirably is that prayer accommodated to all our wants.

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

Memory

Memory would indeed be a sorrow of unmitigated pain, if it only reflected on the dark shades, and not the sunny spots of life.

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

Half of the mischief that occurs in families is occasioned by the undue interference of strangers by the idle habit prevailing in the world of commenting on the business of others, of which we know nothing, and of which did we know anything, delicacy should interdict the discussion.

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

Longfellow beautifully says that “Sunday is the golden clasp, that binds together the volume of the week”.

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

Good and wholesome advice

Never interfere in subjects you do not sufficiently comprehend: Law, Physic and Divinity.

If Law is requisite, endeavour to consult some Practitioner of integrity and character.

If you are ill, consult some Physician rather than quack yourself.

And in Religion, adhere strictly to what you have been brought up to, without looking either to your right hand, or to the left, and without entering into the labyrinth of inquiry, upon what you will never comprehend.

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

Mrs. D. of Dedham frequently called the Duchess requested she might be permitted to sit in the Vestry, the morning she was at Church, after her confinement, and which permission gave rise to the following impromptu:

“The Vicar of Dedham,

The Ladies to please,

Has converted the Vestry,

Into a Chapel of Ease.”