Historical references to London's sounds

A meeting of the Surrey Chapel Temperance Society in Southwark

The monthly meeting of the above society took place on Monday evening, when an entertainment was given by the Poland-street Teetotal Bell-ringers, which consisted of some very beautiful airs rang on the bells by five of their members - Messrs. Miller, Handy, Whiteman, Avon, and Brown. Recitations and songs of a temperance character were also given. A Miss Whalley sang a temperance song to the air of "Home, sweet home" apparently under nervous exictement, which in a measure marred the effect. This young lady requires a careful training to be equal to such an attempt.

The Rev. Newman Hall presided, and the Rev. Mr. Charlesworthy opened the proceedings with a temperance hymn and prayer. The chairman, who received his usual compliment of a most hearty welcome from his audience, which crowded every part of the chapel, said his first acquaintance with those gentlemen who had come gratuitously to entertain them, was on last Christmas Eve, when, after sitting up late in pleasant conversation, he was about to retire to bed he was arrested by the sweet music of these gentlemen. He had often been annoyed by the discordant noise known as the "waits," which had both broken his slumbers and disturbed his faculties; but the sounds he then heard were most harmonious, and he instantly emerged from his residence and tendered them half a crown as a compliment, when he was patiently told by them that they did not need pecuniary aid, but as they had just visited Judge Payne, and as they equally admired him (Mr. Hall), they had paid him also a complimentary visit on their way home. (Applause.) He invited them into his house, where, arranged round the dining-table, he (Mr. Hall) and fmaily were entertained by their singing, playing, and merry tale-telling, until 2 o'clock in the morning. On that occasion they promised to pay us a visit, which was last Christmas.

Now we have March here, and the promise and fulfilment have both come round to us. The speaker then went on to allude to the two entertainments given last week. The crowd and crush of last Monday and Tuesday had been a matter of complaint - complaints also of disorder, others of congratulation for the perfect order. The lecturer himself declared how delightful it was to him to see such perfect order in so vast an assemnly, and had it been otherwise he would have been the first to detect it.

[. . .]

A popular air then followed upon the bells, in which excellent time and execution drew forth repeated marks of approbation. At the conclusion, Mr. Miller recited a temperance tale, entitled "Jim the Slave." My. Handy then sang a temperance song of "Farewell, John Barleycorn." Mr. Whiteman then recited "The Dying Child," also a temperance subject, which elicited much applause. Ringing was then resumed, which was followed by a chorus, in which all present joined with great fervour:

And though opponents stoutly assail,
Temperance shall at length prevail.
Doubt it not then, doubt it not then,
Truth at last it must prevail.

Mr. Miller then, in a most amusing mimicry, recited a logical essay upon "Peter Prosy," which was both effective and complete. The bell-ringing was again resumed with admirable precision, and received well-merited applause. Miss Walley next sang a temperance song to the air of "Home, sweet home."

[. . .]

"There is nae luck about the house" was then played on the bells. At the conclusion long-continued applause followed, and the doxology terminated the evening's amusement.

[Surrey Chapel was on Blackfriars Road, near where Southwark tube station is today.]