Povey Prattle

Lord, tet me not live to be useless. (John Wesley) John Wesley’s care and concern for the poor; his work for prison reform; and his opposition to slavery were commendable. But he was a high Tory, and his concern for the poor was rooted in the notions of self-improvement. That concern, laudable as it was, did not take into account that the cards were stacked against the labouring classes. In 1799/1800 the Government of William Pitt the Younger passed what are known as the “Combination Acts” Pitt the younger was a reactionary, unlike his father William Pitt the Elder who had also been Prime Minister. ( Pitt the Elder was most sympathetic to the cause of the American Colonists, and for him are named Pittsburgh, PA, and also Pittsfield, MA [where I served for 16 years]) But under Pitt the Younger, various reactionary Acts were passed. Habeas Corpus was suspended (shades of George Bush the Younger), and Combination Acts were passed by Parliament in 1799 and 1800. These Acts forbad t...

Just over 50 years after the end of the English Commonwealth, and the demise of the Levelers a new movement, towards a more egalitarian society, was spawned with the birth of John Wesley (1703). I can certainly remember events from 50 years ago, and with the tales of my parents and grandmother I am aware of the events of 100 years ago (for example, my grandmother told me of the time when she, as a school-girl, saw Queen Victoria). So it is at least possible that John Wesley had heard of the Commonwealth period, and of the Levelers. Born in Epworth, Lincolnshire, to his parents Susannah and Samuel Wesley; young John (following in his father’s footsteps) was ordained as Priest in the Church of England when he was 24 years old. He served for a while as a Chaplain in the colony of Georgia, but priggish as he was, he fell afoul of Governor Oglethorpe. Returning to England he experienced a change from head religion to heart religion, through the influence of Moravian Christians. This took ...

In England in 1536 there came about what was in due course labeled the “Pilgrimage of Grace ”. This was a popular protest against the policies of Henry VIII. First in Lincolnshire, and then in Yorkshire these “spontaneous” protests were aimed not at Henry, but at his henchman, Thomas (not Oliver – he comes later) Cromwell. The issues were the unpopular dissolution of the monasteries and seizing of Church lands, and “believe it or not) high taxation. The Lincolnshire group dispersed under the threat of military action. The Yorkshire group was ably led by one Robert Aske , who was determined that this would be a well organized and peaceful demonstration. 35,000 protesters converged on Pontefract in Yorkshire. A deputation met with the Duke of Norfolk in Doncaster, Yorkshire where they presented their claims. A smaller deputation went to London, leaving Aske in charge of the larger group in Yorkshire. Henry VII played for time and stalled in his response to the protesters. Cunni...

There have been a series of “wildcat strikes” in Britain, for what I believe are good enough reasons. They have been in response to the practice of Companies hiring workers from outside of Great Britain for various (mostly construction) jobs in the country. We are not talking here about undocumented immigrants (too often known as “illegal aliens”) . (Nor are we talking about racism, or primitive xenophobia) Rather the strikes are precipitated when (for instance) Companies from the European Union win contracts for projects in Britain (all fair and square), then import workers from their native lands, possibly/probably pay them below market rate wages, and in at least one case, house these workers in barges moored in a local river or harbor. The following Guardian story may give you some background. http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/feb/02/sellafield-wildcat-strike What has pissed me off is the reaction of Britain’s ruling Labour Party. It’s leaders have been less than supportive...

I planned to start a four part series about the labour movement in England (c.f my Chartist Hymn posted yesterday). But togther with Gabriel I was at dinner with the Thompsons tonight. We had a splendid time with them and with their Brasilian friend Vera - and her American husband Phil. So I have run out of time for my series which I'll begin tomorrow. For today, here is a copy of an e-mail I received from Budapest. (It shows that you cannot hide from Goo-gle!) Dear Reverend Povey, I read your blog and was happy to read that you enjoyed our orchestra’s concert. We certainly enjoyed our recent stay in Sarasota. In fact, our whole tour, starting in Carnegie Hall in New York, was a great success. All being well, we’ll be back in Sarasota soon. We are now publishing an international newsletter for the orchestra. If you would like to receive it as an email attachment, please let me know. Christopher Daniels International Development Director Budapest Festival Orchestra Alkota...

God save our Gracious Queen. Why? God bless America. Why? God save the people - YES. See this 19th Century Chartist Hymn (below). And if you care for working people, please do your own research on Chartism. When wilt Thou save the people?O God of mercy, when? Not kings and lords, but nations,Not thrones and crowns, but men! Flowers of Thy heart, O God, are they;Let them not pass, like weeds, away; Their heritage a sunless day: O God, save the people! Shall crime bring crime forever,Strength aiding still the strong? Is it Thy will, O Father,That man shall toil for wrong? “No,” say Thy mountains; “No,” Thy skies; Man’s clouded sun shall brightly rise, And songs ascend, instead of sighs: O God, save the people! When wilt Thou save the people?O God of mercy, when? The people, Lord, the people,Not thrones and crowns, but men! God save the people; Thine they are, Thy children, as Thine angels fair: From vice, oppression, and despair, O God, save the people

JOZSEF LENVAY SR JOZSEF LENVAY Jr. THE CIMBALOM OSZCAR OKROS I was back at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Centre in SRQ for a concert given by the Budapest Festival Orchestra. Gabriel joined me, and first we had dinner at Sangria, a very good Tapas Bar on Main St., SRQ Of course I had mussels. Every other item on a menu blurs into nothing once I have seen that a restaurant offers mussels. The more the merrier. It was an excellent concert. In the first part we enjoyed two Hungarian Dances by Brahms, and the Hungarian Rhapsody # 3 by Liszt. Ivan Fischer, the Music Director introduced these pieces and told us about the Hungarian Gypsy melodies which inspired Brahms and Liszt. His comments came to life, as also on stage were two Gypsy musicians, father and son - both named Jozsef Lenvay. In the Gypsy tradition the father, who has been taught by his father, then teaches his son. And it’s always the same instrument which is...