Part 23

Adjoining are the Citizen Steamboat Company's Works and Dock, whose steamboats leave Battersea to London Bridge and intervening piers every ten minutes from 8 a.m. till dark. Entrance: Bridge Road. Manager: Mr. M. Williams.

Situated in Wellington Road is A. Ransome & Co.'s Battersea Foundry.

S. Williams' Barge Works, Albert Road.

ORLANDO JONES & CO.'S STARCH WORKS.--Oryza is the name by which rice was known to the Greeks and Romans and which has been adopted by botanists as the generic name of the plant yielding that valuable grain. The name _Paddy_ is applied to the rice in the natural state, or before being separated from the husk. The genua Oryza has two glumes to a single flower; paleae two, nearly equal, adhering to the seed; stamens six, and styles two. The common rice _Oryza Sativa_ unlike many cultivated grams is still found in a wild state in and about the borders of lakes in the Rajahmundy Circare though the grain in its wild state is white, palatable and considered wholesome the produce when compared with the varieties of cultivation is very small. The rice plant is described as a native of India from which country it has spread over a great part of the world especially in Asia where it forms the principal portion of the food of the inhabitants. A failure of the rice crop is most disastrous as has been experienced too painfully by the natives of India during the late famine in that region. "A rice field produces a much greater quantity of food than the most fertile corn fields. Two crops in the year, from thirty to sixty bushels each, are said to be the ordinary produce of an acre." Rice is now extensively cultivated in North and South Carolina, and in Georgia, also in Italy and the South of Spain and likewise a little in Germany. There are forty or fifty varieties of rice. Dr. Roxburgh divides them into two kinds. One called in Telinga, Poonas Sans; the second division of cultivated rice is called Pedder Worloo by the Telingas.

Rice Starch is principally used for laundry purposes it will be found distinguished from all others by its singular purity and brightness of color. It will not stick to the iron in the slightest degree. It may be used with hot or cold water, and articles starched with it do not lose their stiffness in damp weather. A few of the principal sources of the various known starches are sago, arrowroot, yams, the manioc-root and horse chesnuts in addition to those resorted to by manufacturers, viz.: wheat, potato, maize and rice, the latter being a great novelty and illustrating more than any other the progress of chemical science. Wheat starch is the oldest known. It is alluded to by Pliny in the 'Natural History,' and the discovery of the method of its extraction is attributed by him to the inhabitants of the Island of Chios. The starches used three centuries ago, when such enormous ruffles and frills were in fashion were made from wheat; in fact down to modern times it was the only known source of starch. Owing to a scarcity of wheat at the commencement of the present century the use of wheat for the manufacture of starch was prohibited by a legislative enactment. The restrictions thus imposed were considered most oppressive, no one could manufacture starch without a licence and a tenement rent was exacted. The details of manufacture were subject to Government regulations and a duty of 3¼d. per pound was levied, amounting to more than 75 per cent. of the present market value of the article. These hindrances to the extension of the manufacture were wisely removed by our Legislature in the year 1833. Starch is one of the principal constituents of vegetable substance. It is stored up in the seeds, roots and piths of plants and by its decomposition furnishes the materials for keeping up respiration and supplying the animal heat. It has an organised structure and when examined by the microscope presents the form of rounded grains or granules composed of concentric layers which differ in size and shape in the starch of different plants the granules varying in diameter from 1000th to 300th of an inch. However the composition is the same, consisting of seventy-two parts of carbon and eighty-one of water. "In its pure state starch is a fine white powder without taste or smell. It is not soluble in water or alcohol, or ether, but mixed with boiling water it swells, bursts, and forms a kind of mucilage, which cools into a semi-transparent paste or jelly." The process of manufacturing starch from rice was discovered and patented about the year 1840 by Mr. Orlando Jones, founder of the house of the same name. His invention consists in the treatment of rice by a caustic alkaline solution during the steeping, grinding and macerating of the grains. The alkali used is either caustic potash or soda, of such a strength as to dissolve the gluten without destroying the starch; it must consequently vary with the character of the grain and hence the utmost nicety is required. The Battersea Works of Orlando Jones & Co. were built in 1848, the firm having previously carried on their manufacture in Whitechapel, they are situated on the banks of the Thames near the works of Price's Patent Candle Company, and occupy ground extending from the river to York Road; thus the firm possesses facilities of conveyance both by land and water--this latter is particularly valuable to them to enable them to save all dock, landing and warehousing charges. A large new store has been recently built on their wharf to which rice is barged direct from the ship. From the wharf also the manufactured article itself is conveyed to the docks for shipment to the Continent and our Colonies, with which a large trade is carried on. As an illustration of the extent of Orlando Jones & Co.'s operations it may be added that the box making department is a little factory in itself, and the machinery employed for the various purposes of sawing, dusting, cleaning, lighting, pumping, stirring, and grinding is driven by steam engines. It will be obvious that the manufacture of rice starch on a large scale requires no little capital and skill, and takes high rank among those industrial enterprises which are so peculiarly the characteristic and the glory of our age and country. Messrs. Orlando Jones & Co's manufacture has been awarded nine prize medals at International Exhibitions, and the grand distinction of the gold medal of the Académie Nationale of Paris. These medals have been awarded 'for introduction of the process,' 'for excellence of manufacture' and 'for large production.'

It is worthy of note that Messrs. Orlando Jones & Co. are the manufacturers of Chapman's Patent Prepared Entire Wheat flour especially distinguished by its richness in earthly phosphates which are essential to the development of bones and teeth. This farinaceous food for infants, children and invalids is much recommended by the medical faculty.

Battersea is becoming quite noted for Laundries. There is Strutt's (Lawn) Laundry, Orkney Street; Royal Albert Laundry, Battersea Park Road; Laundry, Sheepcote House; Latchmere Laundry; Alder's South Western Laundry, Surrey Lane; Lombard Road Laundry; Palmer's Laundry, Chatham Road, Wandsworth Common; and many others.

But one of the largest and most gigantic of Laundries is the Colossal Steam Laundry, belonging to Messrs. Spiers & Pond, erected 1879. The Laundry is situated on the North side of Battersea Park Road, it is constructed of yellow brick, with stone window-sills, and Beart's white-moulded brick for string courses, window jambs, arches, and cornices. The Building and Works are from designs by Mr. Kemp, Architectural Engineer. Mr. Priddle of Hounslow was the Contractor; and Mr. Warburton, Clerk of the Works, under whose superintendence the work was carried out.

The Building and Grounds extend over an area of one acre, the principal frontage which is 170 ft. in length, faces the East in a road leading to the South gate of Battersea Park, now called Alexandra Avenue. The central portion has an elevation of 45 ft. in height consisting of three floors containing, Manager's Residence, Clerk's Offices, etc., also a mess-room for the Employés, with bath-room and domestic lavatories. A spacious archway leads into the court-yard. This entrance is 10 ft. in width and 15 ft. in height. The wings of each side of the central portion have an elevation of two floors. Other blocks each containing one lofty floor are built on the North, South and West sides, to nearly one half the extent of the site. The remaining open space which is set apart as a drying ground is furnished with necessary appliances. Securely fixed in the ground by means of struts are 96 poles, to which is firmly attached a galvanic wire-rope for bleaching purposes. A separate block at the South West corner is for stables, adjoining which is the engine and boiler house with a chimney-shaft 70 ft. high, 7 ft. wide at the base and 4 ft. at top. This part of the Building is fitted up with a horizontal Engine and 2 Boilers by Manlove, Alliott and Co. of Nottingham of sufficient power to drive the Machinery requisite for the various processes of the Laundry; the Patent Machines used are made by Mr. Bradford of London and Manchester. The boundary wall enclosing the building and grounds is 7 ft. high. On the South side of the laundry is a sorting-room 63 ft. in length by 18 feet in width for the reception of articles as they arrive in the vans. The washing-room is 50 ft. square with large open _louvres_ in the ceiling for the purpose of ventilation and to allow the steam to escape. The drying-room is 70 ft. by 30 ft. A flue-pipe 70 ft. in length is placed horizontally immediately along the floor in this department and about 1,200 ft. of corded piping are utilized for the heating chamber. In the West block are the folding and the mangling rooms, their dimensions being respectively 40 ft. by 30 ft., and 52 ft. by 30 ft. In the North block is the ironing room which is 55 ft. by 25 ft., next to which is the packing room 40 ft. by 25.

Estimated cost of building and machinery about £12,000.

Matron, Mrs. Tobin. Number of employés 60.

Propert's (Blacking Factory) built 1878-9. Hunting Mark a fox's head. Hunting preparations, established 1835, South Audley St.

B. Beddow and Son, Sole Proprietors.

A site past Propert's factory has been selected by the London and Provincial Steam Laundry Co. Limited. Ernest Turner, Architect, 246, Regent St. W. Mr. Austin, Secretary.

The London and Provincial Steam Laundry (Company Limited) is elaborately fitted up with Machinery of the very best description--the building is said to be the largest in the world and it occupies an acre and a half of ground. Its working-staff is composed mostly of females numbering 150 including 32 who reside upon the premises, and there are 20 males. The Laundry is capable of turning out from 80,000 to 90,000 pieces weekly. The Architect was Mr. Ernest Turner of Regent Street. Messrs. Bradford and Co. of Manchester and London, supplied the machinery which was specially designed for this Laundry. The works are entered at the west by double gates which lead into a second court-yard where the vans can discharge and receive their freight in all weathers. The main body of the building is cut off from the resident portion by a second pair of gates. The general Laundry is divided longitudinally into three sections. The wash-house is fitted up with machinery adapted for speed and economizing labour.

The washing machines which are of various sizes are known as Bradford's "Vowel A." Then there is a range of boiling troughs, and again the hydros in which the articles when washed and rinsed are put and whirled round at the rate of 400 revolutions per minute "till every drop of extractable moisture is driven off through the side holes." The Ironing-room is in the central hall and occupies an area of 80 by 70 ft. being 20 ft. high. For curtains, lace, etc., there is a separate room. The boiler-house is provided with two 15-horse power horizontal engines, driven by two 20-horse Cornish boilers. There is a disinfecting chamber, and the severest penalties are demanded, not only against any person sending infected articles, but against any of the employés neglecting to give immediate notice of any case of infectious disease, with which he or she shall be brought into contact. Mr. J. T. Helby, Manager.

It is interesting to know how enormously property has increased in value in Battersea, within the last one hundred years. The Battersea Bridge Estate which contains about 4 acres, was sold by auction at the Mart by Norton, Trist, Watney and Co., 62, Old Broad Street, on Thursday, May 20, 1880, realizing £35,000. At Mid-summer 1791, this property was let on three leases for 90 years, at ground rents amounting together to £90 per annum.

The Workman's Institute erected two years ago has full complement of 150 members. It has a kitchen, library, newspapers, games, etc. One of the workmen has been thirty-eight years and a few others thirty years in the service of the firm.

The man how wise, who, sick of gaudy scenes, Is led by choice to take his fav'rite walk, Beneath death's gloomy, silent, cypress shades, Unpierc'd by vanity's fantastic ray! To read his monuments, to weigh his dust; Visit his vaults, and dwell among his tombs! _Young's Night Thoughts_.

Situated on Battersea Rise at the commencement of Bolingbroke Grove, Wandsworth Common, is St. Mary's Cemetery used as a place of interment for the parishioners. It covers an area of 8 acres, and cost £8,000, including the erection of mortuary, chapels, etc. The ground thus purchased formed part of an estate that belonged to Mr. Henry Willis. It was opened Nov. 1860. It is fringed on the north and west sides with stately elms, and partially on the east boundary with poplar trees.

Grassy hillocks, planted with flowers and evergreens, monumental inscriptions and tombstones, together with the number of each grave denote the spot where many a tributary tear of fond affection has been died by the surviving relatives and friends of loved ones who have departed this life, but whose mouldering dust lies sleeping here. The congregation of the silent dead seems to make the place sacred, and gives it a solemn air. Here lie the mortal remains of the late Venerable John S. Jenkinson, M.A., for 24 years Vicar of Battersea, he died 17th October, 1871, aged 74, much beloved and greatly lamented. An appropriate text of Holy Scripture, I Thess. 4, 14, is engraved round the beautiful block of granite that covers his grave. On the occasion of his decease the following lines were composed by a parishioner, dated October 17th, 1871:--

Our Vicar has been called away, From earthly ties has risen, To take the place prepared for him; Our Vicar rests in Heaven. His journey ended, trials o'er; Now all his sufferings cease, He's gone to be with Him who said, "In Me ye shall have peace." He ever faithful to his charge, The Saviour's love set forth To sinners that they might be saved; Was faithful unto death. Full twenty years and more he trod, God's house His flock to lead; In sickness words of comfort gave, In want assist their need. May we his flock example take, Before our sun go down; That when our Saviour comes, we too May win a heavenly crown.

A mourning or memento card headed "Falling Leaves" bears the following lines written on the Funeral of the Rev. J. S. Jenkinson:--

'Twas Autumn--and a mournful train Proceeds beneath the trees, Our Vicar in the tomb was laid, Amid the falling leaves. Fit emblem of the hoary head, And many such were there; Methought they spoke in silent words For this event prepare. The mighty shepherd of his sheep, In seasons such as these, Speaks gently, that each one may take A lesson from the leaves. A PARISHIONER.

_October_ 21_st_, 1871.

Here is a superb monument of red polished granite in memory of John Humphrey Esq., Alderman of London and late M.P. for the borough of Southwark who died 28th September, 1863. Ætat. 69.

Here is a tombstone with epitaph in memory of Mary Davies, who departed this life January 24th, 1872, aged 88 years. "For more than sixty-two years she was connected with Battersea Chapel Sunday School, where by her consistent Christian character and entire devotedness to her work, she won the esteem of all. Being dead she yet lives in the hearts of many teachers, scholars and friends, who erect this stone in remembrance of a course of quiet usefulness which they deem worthy of all honour.

"Not myself, but the truth that in life I have spoken, Not myself, but the seed that in life I have sown Shall pass on to ages--all about me forgotten Save the truth I have spoken, the things I have done."

Here is a marble obelisk.--In memory of the Rev. James Milling, A.B., Curate of St. Mary's Battersea, who entered into rest the 11th of January 1865 aged 27 years. His last words were "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour." _Titus iii_ 5 _and_ 6. This monument was erected by the parishioners and children of the Parochial Schools.

On another tombstone is an inscription to the memory of Mr. John Nichols, a devoted husband and estimable father, Baptist minister and Editor of Zion's Trumpet, a magazine devoted to the interest of the Aged Pilgrims' Friend Society and its Asylum; who fell asleep in Jesus Feb. 1st, 1867, aged 67 years.

"His presence guide my journey through and crown my journey's end."

In the faith of Christ here also rests the Rev. Philip Pennington M.A. of Christ's College, Cambridge, sometime civil chaplain of the Island of Mauritius. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain for the former things are passed away.

Many are the pledges of conjugal endearment which help to tenant these graves.

"Ah! those little ice-cold fingers, How they point our memories back To the hasty words and actions, Strewn along our backward track! How those little hands remind us, As in snowy grace they lie, Not to scatter thorns--but roses, For our reaping by and by."

We perceive here that ruthless death with his scythe pays no regard to infantile age, and that others in the vigour of their youthful prime as well as the matured adult and hoary-headed have been suddenly cut down by an awful surprise.

Here is a grave planted with flowers, the stone at the head of the grave states that William Gobell was accidentally killed on the London and Brighton Railway, March 4th, 1873, aged 65 years. Here is another stone in affectionate remembrance of William James, late Engine driver on the L.B. and S.C.R., who was killed while in the execution of his duty on the 29th of July 1876, aged 38 years. This stone has been erected by his fellow mates, as a token of respect to his memory.

Another stone is erected in memory of Henry Blunden, who was killed on the L. and S. W. Ry., on the 17th October, 1871, aged 22 years.

"All you that come my grave to see, Oh think of death and remember me, Just in my prime and folly skilled; When on the Railway I was killed, Take warning, hear, and do not weep, But early learn thy grave to seek."

Sacred to the memory of Thomas Hutchinson Higerty, who departed this life October 13th, 1869, aged 5 years and 2 months.

How very soon is age upon us, Ere we know our way to earth, But in heaven there's no sorrow, There's nothing but joy and mirth. How soon hath time closed around us, First a child and then a man, How soon he's turned to mouldering dust Which from a few years back he sprang.

The head-stone states that the above lines were written by his brother, aged twelve years.

I like that ancient Saxon phrase which calls The burial ground God's acre! It is just: It consecrates each grave within its walls, And breathes a benison o'er the sleeping dust. God's acre! yes, that blessed name imparts Comfort to those who in the grave have sown The seed that they had gathered in their hearts, Their bread of life--alas! no more their own. Into its furrows shall we all be cast, In the sure faith that we shall rise again At the great harvest, when the archangel's blast Shall winnow, like a fan, the chaff and grain. Then shall the good stand in immortal bloom, In the fair gardens of that sacred birth; And each bright blossom mingle its perfume With that of flowers which never bloomed on earth. _Longfellow._[1]

[Footnote 1: The word _Sepulchre_ comes from the Latin _Sepelio_ to bury. It is the place where the dead body of a human being is consigned, whether it be in the ground or an excavation in the rocks.

Abraham buried Sarah, his wife in the cave of the field of Ephron, at Machpelah, which he purchased in the presence of the children of Heth, for 400 Shekels of silver, 1860 B.C. Genesis 23.

The word Cemetery _Koimeterion_ comes from the Greek _Koimao (Koimaein)_ to sleep. It is the sleeping place, and "Christianity has turned the Sepulchre into a Cemetery assuring us, as it does, that those who die in Jesus, _Sleep in Him_, awaiting a future awakening, in augmented vigour, and with renovated powers. To the Christian, the grave should be associated with the idea of calm and undisturbed repose, after a life of honourable toil, with the hope of a glorious and blessed resurrection." The Greeks had their burial places at a distance from the towns. Lycurgus allowed his Lacedemonians to bury their dead within the city and around their temples that the youth being inured to such spectacles might be the less terrified with the apprehension of death. Two reasons are alleged why the ancients did not allow burials within their cities. 1st. they considered that the sight, touch or neighbourhood of a corpse defiled a man, especially a priest. 2nd. to prevent the air from being corrupted by putrifying bodies, and the buildings from being endangered by the frequency of (Cremation) funeral fires. The custom of burning bodies prevailed amongst most Eastern nations, and was continued by their descendants, after they had peopled the different parts of Europe. Hence we find it prevailing in Greece, Italy, Gaul, Britain, Germany, Sweden, Norway and Denmark, till Christianity abolished it.