- Collection type
- Object
- Description
- Sampler with a poem 'Charity' in the centre.
- Long description
- Sampler with a poem 'Charity' in the centre and embroidered images of birds, flowers and a house. In a frame. [El.B 22/04/2008]
- Geographical reference
- Cultural groups
- English
- Date / Period
- Date made: 1826
- Date collected
- By 1948
- Acquisition information
- Purchased: 1948
- Materials and processes
- Material Textile, Material Yarn, Process Embroidered, Process Woven
- Dimensions
- Length x Width: max 480 x 360 mm inc. frame
- Object numbers
- Accession number: 1948.6.3B
- Research and responses
The text at the centre of the sampler reads:
Charity
Did sweeter sounds adorn my flowing tongue,
Than ever man pronounc'd or angel sung;
Had I all knowledge, human and divine,
That thought can reach, or science can define;
And had I pow'r to give that knowledge birth,
In all the speeches of the babbling earth;
Did shadrach's zeal my glowing breast inspire,
To weary tortures, and rejoice in fire;
Or had I faith like that which Israel saw,
When Moses gave them miracles and law;
Yet gracious charity, indulgent guest,
Were not thy power exerted in my breast;
Those speeches would send up unheeded pray'r;
That scorn of life would be but wild despair;
A cymbal's sound were better than my voice;
My faith were form; my eloquence were noise.
Charity, decent, modest, easy, kind,
Softens the high and rears the abject mind;
Knows with just reins and gentle hand to guide
Betwixt vile shame and arbitrary pride.
Not soon provok'd, she easily forgives;
And much she suffers as she much believes.
Soft peace she brings whenever she arrives;
She builds our quiet, as she forms our lives;
Lays the rough paths of peevish nature even;
And opens in each heart a little heav'n.
See biographies for further information about Jane Ann Allchin who was a relative of Gwladys Allchin. Louisa, Jane Ann and Emma Allchin are likely to be sisters [AP 30/11/2006]
1948.6.3B
Sampler with a poem 'Charity' in the centre.
1948.6.3B
Digital asset copyright: Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford
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