Gurney

“ The mother of Gurney died while he was an infant, so that his domestic training fell to a large extent to his elder sisters, and especially to Mrs. Fry. Of a tall and manly figure, a handsome face, and a very affectionate disposition, Gurney was a favourite both with young and old. In his boyhood he was sent to study at Oxford under a tutor, though being a quaker he never became a member of the university. He was greatly and permanently attracted by classical study, and found that its discipline harmonised well with the discipline of self-control so characteristic of the Friends. ”

“ Gurney, who was a conservative in politics, was a justice of the peace and deputy-lieutenant for the county of Norfolk, and filled the office of high sheriff in 1853. He married in 1822 the Lady Harriet Jemima Hay, daughter of William, fifteenth earl of Erroll, by whom he had a numerous issue; she died in 1837. Gurney himself died, 14 June 1880, at his seat near North Runcton, Norfolk. ”

“ GURNEY or GURNAY, EDMUND (d. 1648) , divine, was son of Henry Gurney of West Barsham and Ellingham, Norfolk, by his wife Ellen, daughter of John Blennerhasset of Barsham, Suffolk. He matriculated at Queens' College, Cambridge, on 30 Oct. 1594, and graduated B.A. in 1600. He was elected Norfolk fellow of Corpus Christi College in 1601, proceeded M.A. in 1602, and B.D. in 1609. ”

“ Gurney’s poems reaching thousands of readers, could they but be known, for it is a book to carry out with one into the woods, upon the hills, to read on a voyage or in the train, to dip into at night before sleep comes, or to open on a dull and weary day and catch its light and hope and beauty. ”

“ Two years before his death he was prime warden of the Fishmongers' Company, of which he had been a member for many years. Gurney was a man of slight frame, but strikingly handsome. In private life he was remarkable for gentleness, courtesy, and an affectionate nature. ”

“ Gurney's sound mathematical knowledge, clear method of teaching, and powers of organisation were found of such value that he became in 1877 managing partner of the firm of Wren & Gurney, which rapidly acquired celebrity as a preparatory establishment for young men wishing to enter the army, the Indian civil service, and other home or foreign office departments. ”

“ GURNEY, JOSEPH JOHN (1788–1847) , philanthropist and religious writer, born at Earlham Hall, near Norwich, on 2 Aug. 1788, was the tenth child and third son of John Gurney, a member of a well-known quaker family, and a successful banker in Norwich, who was descended from Joseph, younger brother of John Gurney (1689–1741) [q. v.] Joseph John was therefore a brother of Samuel Gurney [q. v.] and Daniel Gurney [q. v.] Of his sisters, Elizabeth, the third, became Mrs. Fry [q. v.] , and Hannah became the wife of Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton [q. v.] ”

“ Gurney is offering himself for a mission in Afghanistan."
"The thing is impracticable," said Sir Cæsar in the tone of one who lays down the law. "My term of service being nearly completed, in two months we shall start for England, and Walter had better come with us. You will have your uncle's interest to give you a good start in life," he continued, addressing himself to young Gurney; "I advise your entering on a course at the bar. ”

“ Mr. Gurney, therefore, was not altogether satisfied that he would have strength enough to resist the temptations to which he would be exposed when he met his old associates in Rochester. He plainly told Ashton what his fear was, but the latter assured him he would pass through the ordeal and come out unscathed. So Mr. Gurney expressed the hope that he would bring his business to a successful issue, and return with improved health from his trip, and he then bade him a kindly good-bye. ”

“ GURNEY, ANNA (1795–1857) , Anglo-Saxon scholar, youngest child of Richard Gurney of Keswick, Norfolk, who died 16 July 1811, by his second wife Rachel, second daughter of Osgood Hanbury of Holfield Grange, Essex, was born on 31 Dec. 1795, and when ten months old was attacked with a paralytic affection which deprived her for ever of the use of her legs. She passed through her busy, active, and happy life without ever having been able to stand or move without mechanical aid. At an early age she learnt Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and Anglo-Saxon. ”

“ I cannot omit a reference to the Gurney family, with some of whom I came into pleasant connection during my Kensington residence. As a boy, I had some knowledge of their ancestral relatives; and now I came into close friendship with Mr. Bell, brother to Mrs. John Gurney, who was mother to Samuel Gurney, the renowned London Quaker, and also to Joseph John Gurney, of Earlham, near Norwich—an equally renowned banker, and also a Public Friend, as preachers of that denomination then were wont to be called. Mr. ”

“ When asked on another occasion the secret of his success, he said: "I never put one hand to anything on which I could throw my whole self." "Be a whole man at everything," wrote Joseph Gurney to his son, "a whole man at study, in work, and in play." ”

“ Despite the fact that Bob could borrow on the strength of the property as much money as he needed to carry on the work, he was very anxious to convince Mr. Gurney of the value of his scheme, and on the day when that gentleman was to arrive, insisted that Ralph should go to Bradford with him early in the afternoon, in order that he might be able to arrange with the gentlemen of whom they were purchasing their supplies to meet Mr. Gurney, and tell him exactly what they thought of the proposed well. ”

“ He shall visit Earlham p. 10Hall, the birthplace of that great “sister of charity,” Elizabeth Fry, and her brother, the philanthropist, Joseph John Gurney, and beneath its avenues of chestnut, by the quiet waters of its little lake, and the banks of bright anemones, that lay spread like a rich carpet, in the early spring time, along its garden borders, inhale sweet odours, and drink in refreshing draughts of pure unsullied poetry, fresh from the fount of nature, and fragrant with the love that breathes through all her teachings, the first child of the Great Parent of good. ”

“ Gurney is rector of Mary-le-Bone parish, one of the largest districts in London; and he is, I have been told, one of the court chaplains; a man of the most cultivated and agreeable manners, earnestly and devoutly engaged in the business of his calling. As one of the working men of the church establishment, I felt a strong interest in his views and opinions, and he seemed to take no less interest in mine, as coming from a country where there is and can be no church establishment. He asked many questions about America; the general style of our preaching; the character of our theology ”

“ Gurney? These creatures, with, no backbone, infest and curse the Churches of to-day, and I have no doubt they will prove the greatest curse to the temperance cause. A half-hearted friend in the citadel is more to be dreaded than a foe without."
"Yes, Mr. Brown; more to be dreaded, and generally more to be despised."
"I understand, Mr. Gurney, the liquor party are jubilant over the result of the trial. I heard Captain McWriggler expatiating upon it this morning, and he said the Act and all sumptuary laws of similar character are a humbug." ”

“ During his year of office Gurney showed himself a zealous royalist. On Charles's return from Scotland Gurney met him at Kingsland on 25 Nov., and was knighted. On the same day he entertained the king and court at the Guildhall (Nalson, Collection, iii. 675–681) . Two days later Charles received a deputation from the London aldermen, and promised to confer a baronetcy on Gurney, and the patent was accordingly issued on 14 Dec. following. On 11 Dec. the city petitioned the commons in support of Pym's policy. ”

“ He smiled. "You have given it him. He isn't old when he can inspire such devotion. He is to be envied."
He rose and held out his hand. As she took it, Miss Gurney's flame-like gaze rested on him a moment and grew soft.
"If you want to know, it was Lucia Harden who sent me your poems," said she. ”

“ We lingered on the way with Miss Anna Gurney, a little old lady, who was paralysed at a very early age, yet had devoted her whole life to the good of those around her, and who, while never free from suffering herself, seemed utterly unconscious of her own trials in thinking of those of others. She lived in a beautiful little cottage at Northrepps, full of fossils and other treasures, close to the sea-coast. ”

“ Rupert rested the point of his cutlass upon the seat in front of him and looked over at me curiously.
“Young man,” he said, “your life is forfeit to me, and it hath never been said that Rupert Gurney spared an enemy. Yet, inasmuch as you are of my blood and but raw in the world, I have half a mind to make terms with you. Will you make your apology for the violence you put upon me in the tavern, and swear to repeat its terms before all those who were witnesses of our dispute?” ”

“ Gurney sighed and began to analyse the instinct within himself, to find precisely why he wanted to do it.
“Well, I must go,” said Thrale, getting to his feet, “I’ve got to find some sort of lodging.”
“I thought you were going to stay with those Gosling people of yours,” said Gurney.
“No! That’s off. I went to see them last night and they won’t have me. The old man’s making his £300 a year now, and the family’s too respectable to take boarders.” Thrale picked up his hat and held out his hand. ”

“ During the year 1847, several eminent men were called away from the sphere of their earthly honour and usefulness. Among these was Mr. Gurney, of Norwich, a man who attracted a considerable share of public attention by his talents, energies, and benevolence. As a member of the Society of Friends, he became very influential in that body, and was recognised as one of the most enlightened of their ministers. He took part with his sister, the celebrated Mrs. Fry, in prison visitations. His interviews with M. Guizot concerning negro slavery were very influential with that statesman. ”

“ In Jermyn Street Thrale was arguing with Gurney, trying to persuade him into a philosophic attitude.
“Yes, I suppose there’s absolutely nothing to be done but sit down and wait,” said Gurney. [83]
“Personally,” returned Thrale, “I have no intention of spending my time flying from country to country like a marked criminal. That way leads to insanity. I’ve seen men become animals before now under the influence of fear.”
“Yes, of course, you’re quite right,” agreed Gurney. “One must exercise self-control. After all, it’s only death, and not such a terrible death at that.” ”

“ If you see he's not the farming sort, when he's thirteen or fourteen or so, take Mr. Gurney's advice, and bind him to a trade. Mr. Gurney'll pay the premiums for him and he can have the balance of the money—for I've left him to manage it all, for himself and Louie too—when he's fit to set up for himself.—You and Hannah'll deal honest wi 'em?'
The question was unexpected, and as he put it with a startling energy the dying man raised himself on his elbow, and looked sharply at his brother.
'D' yo think I'd cheat yo, or your childer, Sandy?' cried Reuben, flushing and pricked to the heart. ”

“ The last of these dying without male issue, about the commencement of the reign of Charles II., the old family estates at that period became dispersed amongst females. The name of Gurney was, however, honourably continued through a descendant of one of the younger sons of an earlier generation, John Gurney, the ancestor of the present family. He was born in the year 1655, and notwithstanding his family connections, commenced life in Norwich in somewhat straitened circumstances. ”

“ Gurney's undergraduate course had been lengthened by broken residence, caused by a depression of body and mind which was apt with him to follow upon moods of high enthusiasm and consuming activity. As soon as he took his bachelor's degree in 1871, being in moderately easy circumstances, he was free to follow his natural bent. This now turned him to philosophy, though he always retained the keenest interest in letters and poetry. Strongest, however, remained his passion for music. ”

“ Gurney; "and so will all unprincipled demagogues. They are willing to pander to the liquor interests, or anything else—no matter how low and demoralizing it may be—if it only helps them to power. I understood what he was at. He said to Mr. Martin, 'I told you it would end in a fizzle;' and then continued talking to him in a similar strain for some time: and when he was through, the latter said 'he thought he was about right.' But you know as well as I do, Mr. Gurney, that Martin is weak, and easily influenced." ”

“ The profession of shorthand-writer or teacher yielded at that time a slender income, and Gurney was glad to continue his business as a clockmaker, and to supplement his income by designing patterns for calico-printing for one of his friends who was a manufacturer. He held his appointment at the Old Bailey till his death on 22 June 1770. He is said to have been a shrewd, humorous, well-informed man, who could do many things well, and a good oil-painting of him, which still exists, confirms this tradition. ”

“ After all why not? The horrible suggestion sprang up in Gurney’s mind with new force. That remote city seemed suddenly near. He saw in imagination the train leaving Paddington, and only a journey of six or seven hours divided that departure from its arrival at Liskeard. It might come in at any moment, bearing the awful infection. Why should he wait? ”

“ An Afghan seized on one, perhaps in hopes that the metal was silver, wrenched it open, then flung it from him with an exclamation of disgust, and a curse.
"Dogs of Kafirs! (unbelievers) ; they eat the unclean beast!" he cried, surveying the Europeans with a look of intense hatred.
"If we are to proceed, we had better go at once," said Walter to Denis. The Irishman's quick temper was as a lighted cigar, and Gurney saw that those around him were as gunpowder ready for explosion. ”