FDA-E.1851-2015
Parts
Object number
FDA-E.1851-2015
Object type
Identification
Title
William Hall - 'Fusee'
Title Type
assigned by artist
Comments
Accompanying poem (now in file):
'Fusee.
They say, Fusee, that long ago
Your brindled but benignant cranium
Flamed like a torch of blazing tow,
Or cottage gardens' prize geranium,
And thence our sires with simple wit
Coined the name which was so enchanted
Their simpler offspring, that by it
Your proper name was quite supplanted.
But, Mr. Hall, a man whose fame
Wins him a portrait in these pages,
Deserves that his baptismal name
Should be enshrined for future ages.
Hail, then, O Hall, most courteous guide
Of touristscis- and transatlantic,
Whom even Pop's transcendent 'side',
The Lower Boy's abysmal antic,
The horrid ritual of the Block,
Head Master's whims and parents' questions
Leave all unshaken, as a rock
The surf that seethes about its bastions.
For now, while forty years have rolled,
About our ancient courts you've ambled,
While Masters fussed and Uppers lolled,
And Lower Boys around you gambolled.
And as you bustled all about
You showed how well our fathers knew you.
Nor wind nor rain could 'put you out',
However cold and hard they blew you.
And now we part, so fates decree,
For men grow o'd before they know it.
Many will miss you, good Fusee,
And not the least your humble poet.'
'Fusee.
They say, Fusee, that long ago
Your brindled but benignant cranium
Flamed like a torch of blazing tow,
Or cottage gardens' prize geranium,
And thence our sires with simple wit
Coined the name which was so enchanted
Their simpler offspring, that by it
Your proper name was quite supplanted.
But, Mr. Hall, a man whose fame
Wins him a portrait in these pages,
Deserves that his baptismal name
Should be enshrined for future ages.
Hail, then, O Hall, most courteous guide
Of touristscis- and transatlantic,
Whom even Pop's transcendent 'side',
The Lower Boy's abysmal antic,
The horrid ritual of the Block,
Head Master's whims and parents' questions
Leave all unshaken, as a rock
The surf that seethes about its bastions.
For now, while forty years have rolled,
About our ancient courts you've ambled,
While Masters fussed and Uppers lolled,
And Lower Boys around you gambolled.
And as you bustled all about
You showed how well our fathers knew you.
Nor wind nor rain could 'put you out',
However cold and hard they blew you.
And now we part, so fates decree,
For men grow o'd before they know it.
Many will miss you, good Fusee,
And not the least your humble poet.'
Other number
009
Description
Content (person)
Hall, William (Sitter)
Dimensions
height (actual size): 250mm
width (actual size): 190mm
width (actual size): 190mm
Inscription
Lettered 'William Hall - 'Fusee' / Senior School Messenger 1884-1929'
Materials & techniques note
Printed on paper, stuck to board
Production
Person
Merton, John Ralph, 1913 - 2011 (Artist)
Date
1930
History and association
Object history note
'When he was a boy at Eton J. R. Merton was asked by Penrose Tennyson, a contemporary and friend, who was the Editor of the ephemeral The Burning Bush, to produce portraits of Eton Characters for reproduction in the magazine.
These characters included Sir Henry Marten, M.R. James, C.A. ALington, 'Solomon', 'Fusee', George Pape and Oliver Rowland...
...When the drawings were reproduced in The Burning Bush included was a rhyme, appropriate to the subject, written by Penrose Tennyson's father...'
(See file for full accompanying information).
These characters included Sir Henry Marten, M.R. James, C.A. ALington, 'Solomon', 'Fusee', George Pape and Oliver Rowland...
...When the drawings were reproduced in The Burning Bush included was a rhyme, appropriate to the subject, written by Penrose Tennyson's father...'
(See file for full accompanying information).
