NOTES BY THE WAY.
interments therein, 1713-1826, finds a resting-place in the College of Arms."
His Hymn
and
Tune Book.Dr. Rippon is also remembered for his Tune Book. In 'N. & Q.' for the 27th of November, 1897, Mr. Alfred Payne, in referring to the work, mentions the accuracy with which the names of the various authors are given. Although the Tune Book has fallen into disuse, Rippon's selection of hymns is still used in some Baptist Churches. I have a beautiful copy, presented to my father by
Rippon, as well as the Tune Book. The Doctor was his own publisher; to purchasers of six copies he gave a seventh gratis. My
father was a member of his church, superintendent of the Sunday School, and a trustee of the Rippon Almshouses.
His
Almshouses.In The Sword and Trowel of December, 1888, Spurgeon wrote: "The close connexion of Mr. Francis with the ancient Baptist Church in Southwark ceased before the advent of the present pastor, but he remained a trustee of Dr. Rippon's Almshouses, and hence when anything had to be done in reference to that institution he received the usual legal summons. To this he attended promptly, and in all business matters he showed a wisdom and common sense which made us feel that it was a distinct gain to have such a man united to us even by the slender filament of a trusteeship." This feeling was mutual, for my father often said he never met a man of greater business ability than Spurgeon.
His brother
Thomas.Rippon's brother Thomas was chief cashier of the Bank of England (1761-1835). He succeeded Abraham Newland, and during fifty years of service took but one holiday, which he abridged to three days. The 'Dictionary of National Biography' states that Thomas accumulated a fortune of 60,000l.
Pilgrims to the grave of Charles and Mary Lamb in Edmonton Churchyard will notice next to it a monument of the Rippon family: that of Gideon, the son of the cashier of the Bank of England. The two graves are side by side. A simple head and foot stone marks the place where dear Charles and Mary rest. In Scribner's Magazine for March and April, 1890, appear articles 'In the Footsteps of Charles Lamb,' by Benjamin Ellis Martin. Among the beautiful illustrations is one showing the two monuments.
His grand-nephew
Charles Room.The Rev. Charles Room, Dr. Rippon's grand-nephew by marriage, gave up the pastorate of New Park Street on Rippon's death and went to Portsea. After a very successful ministry there he retired, but preached occasionally for Dr. Brock of
Bloomsbury and for Caleb Morris, who for many years had a chapel in Fetter Lane, but removed to Eccleston Chapel. Most of Room's time, however, was devoted to literature, and he was fond from early years of putting his musings into poetry. One of his volumes he sent to Walter Scott, and years afterwards on visiting Abbotsford he found the book in the library
