Social Victorians/1885-05-19 General Gordon League

General Gordon League

Logistics of the Founding

• 1885 May 19, Tuesday afternoon
• At the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Cyril Flower, in Hyde Park Place

Who Was Present

1. Cyril Flower (and Mrs. Flower?)
2. Princess Louise
3. The Marchioness of Hamilton
4. The Countess of Aberdeen
5. The Countess of Lathom
6. The Countess Somers and Miss Somers-Cocks
7. the Viscountess Lewisham
8. Dowager Lady Belper
9. Lady Romilly
10. Lady George Hamilton
11. Lady Agneta Montagu
12. Lady Augusta Noel
13. Lady Campbell
14. Lady Playfair
15. Hon. Mrs. Eliot Yorke
16. Baron Ferdinand and Lady de Rothschild
17. Hon. Mrs. Percy Wyndham
18. Hon. Mrs. W. Lowther
19. Mrs. Brand
20. Mrs. and Miss Higginson
21. Mrs. A. Paget
22. Sir Baldwyn Leighton
23. Mr. Arnold White
24. Mr. F. D. Mocatta
25. Professor Drummond
26. Mr. F. Loch

People Invited Who Sent Letters of Regret

1. the Marquis of Lorne
2. the Earl and Countess of Pembroke
3. Lady Carrington
4. others

Present as an Attendant

In attendance on Princess Louise

1. Lady Florence Balfour
2. Colonel Arthur Collins

Anthology

For the Purpose of Founding

<quote><a league in memory of General Gordon [to carry] on work among the poor on the lines adopted by Gordon himself at Gravesend. ... The object of the league, which it was proposed to found in memory of General Gordon, was to provide entertainments in London and the neighbourhood for the large class of people who had now but little chance of recreation, and had in too many cases to endure severe misery. They desired to start halls in various parts of London, where from time to time those who had leisure and education would mix with the people on terms of equality, and show to them in no spirit of patronage or mawkish philanthropy the sympathy of brotherly love and kindness./quote>, Mr. Cyril Flower, M.P., presiding (AGL)

Debate at the Meeting

<quote>Mr. Arnold White, in proposing a resolution advocating the formation of the league, disclaimed any spirit of rivalry either towards other schemes for honouring the memory of Gordon or other plans for aiding the poor. They did not appeal for money, that was already forthcoming, but they wanted persons full of sympathy and love for the poor to go amongst them, to endeavour to cheer their lives and encourage them to seek higher enjoyments than the sordid and degrading pleasures that were now available to them. An effort would he made to substitute for the paid agency of societies, however philanthropical, voluntary and personal service. The Neumeyer Hall, in Bloomsbury, had been taken as a starting point, and other halls would be secured. He moved the following resolution: — "That this meeting approves of the formation of a league for the purpose of carrying on General Gordon's work among the poor and friendless, and pledges itself to promote the objects of the league by all the means in its power."— Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. — Professor Drummond was then called upon to address the meeting in support of the scheme, but he said that, though warmly sympathising with its lofty aims, he thought its constructive features failed in not providing for a more definite plan of evangelisation. — The Rev. W. Barker, on the other hand, maintained that the Gordon League was likely to succeed by personal individual effort, winning over the poor and miserable by the exhibition of human brotherhood, where organised evangelistic work had failed. — The Chairman said that it was impossible on that occasion to formulate a definite scheme, but details would be forwarded to all who were present, or who had been invited, Meanwhile a council would be formed, of which her Royal Highness Princess Louise had graciously accepted the office of president. The members would include the Earl and Countess of Pembroke, Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, Mr. Arnold White, Mrs. Cyril Flower, and himself, with power to add to their number. — The proceedings then terminated.</quote> (AGL)

Bibliography

• AGL "A Gordon League." Morning Post 20 May 1885, Wednesday: 5 [of 8], Cp. 7B. The British Newspaper Archive. http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000174/18850520/046/0005 (accessed November 2014).