THE " WHITE MAN'S BURDEN."
[To THE EDITOR OP 2IS " SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—The mingled pathos and patriotism of the enclosed inscription is an English parallel to the Highland record in last week's Spectator.—I am, Sir, &e., MARIAN BATES.
Wiseman House, Buxton, Derbyshire, February 20M.
TABLET IN ST MARY'S PRIORY, BRIDLINGTON.
"Sacred to the Memory of Thomas James Heblethwayte, of William, and of Frederic Pitts. Three brothers Who, in the zealous discharge of their professional duties, And in the perilous course of glory which they pursued, Lived distinguish. and died lamented serving their country. Williats and Frederic. Midshipmen in the Royal Navy, Already at the age of 16, ha given an earnest of future excellence, When they severally the victims of mischance and disease. William was drowned if, the British Channel, 27th August, 1806. Frederic died at sea, on . the 24th of June, 1814. Thomas, A Captain in the Corps of Royal Engineers, Served four campaigns against the French in Spain, Until, the deliverance of that country by his compatriots Transferred the scene of victory to the soil of France. At Barossa, at Badajoz, at Salamanca, The Siege of Salamanca, Madrid, Burgos, Vittoria, Cadiz, Almaria, Bidassoa, Pamplona, Nivelles, Nive, and Bayonne; In the passes of the Pyrenees, He displayed all those qualities which constitute military virtue, And on the 23rd of February, 1814, in carrying the fort of Hastingues, Fell at the age of twenty-four. Not many days before the City of Bordeaux was taken by that illustrious Army Whose laurels over shadow his grave. If the Father were too proud, the Mother too fond Of sons like these 'I hey have borne the loss of them with submission to the will of God, Whose Mercy they humbly acknowledge, That, In this sad but soothing office, Of inscribing the monument of their children, Nothing could be recorded That did not reflect honour On the authors of their being. Sons of John Pitts Esq: of Bridlington Quay in the East Riding of the County of York, (Twenty years Lieut.-Col. Commanding the Bridlington Volunteer Artillery and Light Infantry), And Frances, his wife, eighth daughter of the late John James Heblethwayte Esq: of Bridlington in the same county.
"Also of John S. Pitts, Captain, Royal Bengal Fusiliers; died in India, in 1833, aged 33. Edward Pitts, Commander Royal Navy, and K.T.S. died at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1848, aged 53. Francis Pitts, Lieut.-Col. late 72nd Highlanders, died 1st Sept. 1880, aged 78. Brothers of the above, Also of Edward William Pitts only son of the above John S. Pitts, Who died in the West Indies."
Previous page
