Real “Man Who Was.”

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 1, 6 January 1909, Page 12

Real “Man Who Was.”

Marlborough-street Police Court, London, so often the stage where the last scenes in real life’s tragedies are set, has seldom given such a brief and pitiful tragedy as that of Francis Birch. He came into the dock charged with begging, remarks the "London Express.” His garments were ludicrous travesties of clothing. His frock coat was green with ago and sullied with mud, and he wore it buttoned up to the neck to hide his lack of collar. His feet were shod in worn and rotting goloshes; in his hand he held a faded, age-worn slouch hat. He was the Wreck of a gentleman. the court missionary said that Francis Birch was an old Clergyman, who had come down from wealth to poverty. He bad rich friends who were willing to do something for him if he would prove himself worthy of it. "Is that true?’ Mr. Plowden asked. “Yes,” said the man, hugging his. tattered frock coat to him. His voice was the cultured voice of a scholar and a Gentleman. "I was for fifteen years rector of Belaugh, in Norfolk. 1 gave it up of my Own accord. Ihe tithe was ou a decreasing scale. I had a big house to keep up, and rates and taxes in two unions to pay, besides my bell-ringers, sexton, etc.” Ho paused and then said in a weary Voice. “I’m sorry I gave it up now.” The records showed that he had been charged once before with begging, and, therefore, Mr. Plowden sentenced him to twenty one days. So Francis Birch, a real "man who was,” shuffled out of the dock back to the cell.