Children of Charles James and Alice Spence

We have but little liking for Mr. Robert Spence's "Fra Angelico," with its modern sentimentality bordering on the grotesque, or for his "Michael Angelo," which shows a Buonarroti much too old for that still early phase of his career, as he hews from the marble the gigantic "David." Better in some respects is the same etcher's "Penn's Treaty with the Indians," which is—or would be—wholly Rembrandtesque, both in grouping and chiaroscuro.

Mr. Spence's drama is of a more legitimate character—that is, the motives and their expression are more natural, more real in spirit and emotion. We feel that the figures of his 'Fox and the People of Dreams' are moved by their own impulse, not arranged at the call of the stage manager. This is an intense vision of considerable imaginative force, and, if less vigorous in external action, hints of the inward passion that stirred the 'tender' George Fox [ . . . ]

[ . . . ] Mr. Robert Spence's powerful and imaginative prints deserve high praise, particularly "Mr. Pepys at Gravesend" (45) and "George Fox and the Evil Eye" (44).

Mr. Robert Spence contributes seven of his series of subjects suggested by George Fox's Journal—a theme that he treats with apparently unfailing invention and to which his highly individual style admirably lends itself. "Pepys and King Charles" (6) is one of the best etchings Mr. Spence has yet given us; and "The Bear Skin" (4) shows an unusually good realisation of texture.

"Struwwelhitler," by Robert and Philip Spence, is an up-to-date version of a book which most of us knew in early years. The verses and pictures tell the story of a much naughtier boy than even Struwwelpeter, together with the stories of such other bad characters as "Little Gobby Poison Pen" and "Hermann Who Wouldn't Have Butter." The verses and the pictures are well matched in their liveliness.

The book, the profits from which to to the "Daily Sketch" War Relief Fund, is on sale at all bookstalls, bookshops and newsagents, price 1s. 6s.

GRAND NATIONAL TOBOGGAN RACE.

WON BY A NORTH SHIELDS GENTLEMAN.

Mr Philip Spence, son of Mr Charles J. Spence, of North Shields, succeeded in winning the Grand National Tobogganing Race on the Cresta Run at St. Moritz, on the 8th inst., in the fasted time on record. There were fifteen competitors, among whom were several experienced riders, the Comte de Bylandt coming in second. The Alpine Post states that Mr Spence, who takes the Grand National Challenge Cup and a pair of silver candlesticks as first prize, "ran with excellent judgment and with excellent pluck from start to finish. He has never wavered in his persistance to pull off first honours, and he richly deserves his well-earned success.

The local attraction was the meeting Mr. Joseph Miller and Mr. Philip Spence, of Newcastle, who met in the final of the Newcastle Fencing Club's tournament for the president's prize, which consisted of an Elizabethan rapier and dagger. The contest proved a one-sided one, Mr. Miller winning by five hits to one.

LOCAL WEDDING.

SPENCE—SPENCE.

The marriage took place, yesterday, at the Congregational Church, North Shields, of Mr. Philip Spence, second son of the late Mr. Charles James Spence, of South Preston, and Miss Alice Edith Spence, second daughter of Mr. J. Shewell Spence, banker, North Shields. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Lewis A. Johnson. Miss Mary Spence, sister of the bride, was the bridesmaid, and Mr. Frank Spence, brother of the bridegroom, was best man. The proceedings were of a private character. Afterwards the newly married couple left for the Lake district.

"How Sir Lancelot Rescued the Queen from the Fire," by Philip Spence, Newcastle, is one of the most ambitious figure subjects in the watercolour gallery. It shows Sir Lancelot with sword drawn scattering the monks, armed with javelins, who are preparing faggots for the burning of the queen, and a group of spectators in a stand forming the back ground. The figures are well grouped, accurately drawn, the various colours of the draperies agreeably harmonised, and the whole picture a meritorious composition.

A drawing, representing "motherhood" and suitably inscribed, was presented to Lady Browne. It was the work of Mr. Philip Spence; [ . . . ]

At the Moot Hall Police Court, Newcastle, yesterday, Pte. Harry Gamble and Pte. Arthur Randall, natives of Leicester, and attached to the Leicester Regiment, were jointly charged with having broken and entered the house, Melbreak, Gosforth, and stolen a quantity of jewellery, a clock, boots, and other articles, valued at £60, the property of Philip Spence, between March 29 and March 30.

Ralph Williams, of the Royal Field Artillery, in uniform, was charged on remand at Gateshead Borough Police Court, yesterday, with having broken and entered Roath House, Low Fell, on May 27, and with having stolen therefrom property belonging to Philip Spence; and also with having damaged a square of glass, a chair, and a writing desk, the property of Philip Spence. [continues . . . ]

"Ravello," Italy, by Philip Spence, is deliciously delicate in tone and finely drawn. This seascape is full of tender perception and sweetness of colour harmony. It is an example of exact and refined vision, and of capacity to convey atmosphere.

Carful draughtsmanship is identified with all of Mr Philip Spence's sketches done in the Dolomites and elsewhere. He manages magnificent scenic effects among the snow-capped mountains and verdant valleys with conspicuous ease, and his tawny study of the pastoral charm of Buttermere is a sweet concession to the call for contrast in natural beauty.

Philip Spence, whose beautiful and finely finished work is familiar to all of us, shows two extremely fine and arresting representations of Scottish scenery—"Glen Urquhart" and "Loch Ness." So delicate and soft is the colouring, so perfect the harmony of these lovely watercolours that they have in them a remarkable suggestion of remoteness, the loneliness of a "silence where hath been no sound."

"Struwwelhitler," by Robert and Philip Spence, is an up-to-date version of a book which most of us knew in early years. The verses and pictures tell the story of a much naughtier boy than even Struwwelpeter, together with the stories of such other bad characters as "Little Gobby Poison Pen" and "Hermann Who Wouldn't Have Butter." The verses and the pictures are well matched in their liveliness.

The book, the profits from which to to the "Daily Sketch" War Relief Fund, is on sale at all bookstalls, bookshops and newsagents, price 1s. 6s.

PRE-HISTORIC

WHEN you are in the Museum at Saltwell Park spare the time to examine the remarkable collection of prehistoric animals and reptiles modelled and loaned by Mr. Philip Spence of Low Fell.

The represents his life's hobby.

He has built up the models on a papier mache framework, and each specimen has the colouring natural to it in life.

GENTLEMAN FOUND SHOT DEAD.

A tragic affair occurred at North Shields this morning, resulting in the death of a son of a well-known resident of the town. It appears that from information received from Dr Rolland, Sergt. King, of the borough police force, proceeded to South Preston Lodge, North Shields, this morning, and found in a workshop at the north side of the house, the dead body of Mr Gilbert Spence, who was 26 years of age, and a son of Mr Chas. James Spence, banker, who resides at Preston Lodge. He was fully dressed, and lying on his back. A five-chambered revolver was near him from which one cartridge had been discharged. He had a bullet wound in the roof of his mouth, and he was lying in a large pool of blood.

The deceased man was last seen alive by the gardener (Mr Dix) about seven o'clock this morning. The sad affair has created a painful sensation in the town, and deep sympathy is felt for Mr Spence and family who are held in very high esteem.

On Saturday last, at South Preston Lodge, North Shields, Mr Gilbert Spence, son of Mr C. J. Spence, banker, shot himself with a revolver. From the evidence at the inquest on Saturday night it appeared that Mr Spence had suffered from insomnia, and the jury found that deceased had shot himself whilst temporarily insane.

It has been my painful duty very frequently of late to refer to the passing of well-known and well beloved fellow-townsmen, and no more painful occasion has there been than the sad story of the past week. A young man, full of life and promise, the bearer of an honoured name, has gone from us under circumstances of a most pathetic nature. He was a worthy son of a worthy father, a member of a family whose name is "familiar in our mouths as household words," and a name that has ever been a synonym for good deeds. The gifted mind was too strong for the physical frame, and the dreaded insomnia claimed him as a victim. Modest in his bearing, unostentatious but zealous in his work, the late Mr Gilbert Spence endeared himself to all who knew him, and he leaves behind him a memory that will last for many years. There is sorrow in many hearts to-day, and a sympathy which no pen can express for the family over whom the cloud has fallen. The sorrowing and the suffering in this district have known the warmth of the hearts of those who are now mourning their dead, and a thrill of deepest feeling will go out to those whose sorrow is at present unspeakably great. May the best of all comfort be the experience of the bereaved. It would be unwise to intrude on such a bereavement, but I am sure that the Coroner, in expressing his personal sympathy with Mr Spence, voiced the sentiments of the entire Borough, in whose esteem and respect that gentleman holds a high place.

A banjo troupe consisting of Miss Sadie Spence, Miss Mary Spence, Miss Watson, Miss Winnie Watson, and Miss E. Spence played two selections with skill and acceptance, being favoured with a hearty recall [ . . . ]

MARRIAGE OF MISS SARAH SPENCE.

Yesterday, the marriage of Mr Guy Clephan, youngest son of Mr R.C. Clephan, of the firm of Messrs Clephan and Wiencke, Tynemouth, to Miss Sarah Spence, daughter of the late Mr Chas. Jones [sic] Spence, of the banking firm of Messrs Hodgkin, Barnett, Pease and Spence (now Lloyd's Bank), North Shields, was solemnised at the Friends' Meeting House, Pilgrim Street, Newcastle. The bridesmaids were were Miss Constance Clephan, Miss Josephine Clephan, and Miss Winifred Watson, and Mr Kennett [sic] Watson was the best man.

Following the wedding ceremony, Mr Philip Spence, brother of the bride, and his wife, gave a reception in the Grand Assembly Rooms, Barras Bridge, and amongst the guests present were Mr G. Brandon, Miss Bryant, Mr and Mrs R.C. Clephan, Miss K. Clephan, Miss D.F. Clephan, Mrs Eugene Clephan, Miss A. Clephan, Mr and Mrs H.W. Clephan, Miss Clibborn, Mr H. Clibborn, Mr and Mrs A.C. Clibborn, Mr and Mrs H. Corder and family, Mr and Mrs R. Corder and family, Miss Ruth Corder, Mr J.W. Corder, Mr and Mrs Percy Corder and family, Mr and Mrs Walter Corder and family, Mr Alex. Corder, Mr Leonard Corbett, Mr Dendy, Mrs Wm. Douglas, Mr Ericsson, the Misses Ericsson, Miss Fayle, the Misses Garvie, Mr E. Garvie, Mr and Mrs G.B. Gibbs and family, Mr and Mrs R.O. Heslop, Mr H. Heslop, Mr and Mrs T.E. Hodgkin, Mr H. Mounsey, Mrs Marshall, Mr Mundahl, Dr Ouston, Mr and Mrs Pattinson, Mr and Mrs F. Pollard, Mr and Mrs Pumphrey, Mrs Procter, Mr Alan Procter, Mr Stephen Procter, Mr Basil Procter, Miss Procter, Mr J.C. Procter, Mr Henry Procter, Mrs Redfern, Mr and Mrs David Richardson, Mr and Mrs Laurence Richardson, Mr Henry Richardson, Miss O. Richardson, Mr Hugh Richardson, Mr Foster Spence, Mr and Mrs H.C. Spence, Mr and Mrs J.S. Spence, Miss Mary Spence, Miss A.C. Spence, Miss M.E. Spence, Mr and Mrs R.F. Spence, Mrs Sturge, Mrs Spence Watson, Miss Spence Watson, Miss A. Watson, Mr Bryan Watson, Mr and Mrs Jas. Watson Mr and Mrs M.F. Watson, and Mr and Mrs J. Watson. The honeymoon will be spent in Switzerland.