It is a pleasure to turn from these gruesome stories to the records of the noble deeds which brighten the page of history. Every nation has its true heroes, ever ready to risk life and limb to serve others without hope of reward or thought of re cognition ; and although many such cases are brought to the notice of the various humane societies, there are many others who never trouble about publicity, and can hardly be induced to accept the honours which are thrust upon them. Of men who have spent their whole lives in the performance of brave deeds, the two swimmers who perhaps stand out most promi nently are Mark Addy of Salford, Manchester, England, and Captain W. D. Andrews, of Toronto, Canada.
So greatly was Mark Addy held in respect by his fellow townsmen, that on his death vast crowds testified their appre ciation of his worth by attending the funeral or lining the streets along whici, the procession passed. At almost every house in the Borough signs of mourning were visible. Mark Addy's father was a boat-builder and waterman in Manchester, and young Mark was born at 2 Stage Buildings, Parsonage, Black friars Street, Manchester, in April 1838. Addy gained his knowledge of swimming at the old Greengate Baths, Salford, but before acquiring the art he began his noble career as a life-saver when but thirteen years of age by rescuing a lad in danger of drowning in the Irwell. In this his first case the rescue was effected by means of a hastily constricted raft. Addy saved life after life, and after his thirty-seventh rescue it was decided to publicly reward him for his noble work. On January 12, 187E, a large and enthusiastic meeting was held at Salford Town Hall, under the presidency of the then Mayor of Salford (Mr. Alderman Walmsley). Members of Parliament, town councillors, and many prominent burgesses gathered together to do honour to this simple-minded brave man, who took all the honours meekly, as befits a hero. The hall was filled to overflowing, and throughout the proceedings there was a large crowd outside clamouring for admission. The address to Addy, which was accompanied by a purse of two hundred guineas, was as follows : Mark Addy,—Your townsmen of Salford have long and ad miringly watched your heroic devotedness in rescuing from immi nent death the many precious lives which, but for your bravery, would have been lost to society. Mere admiration fails to satisfy the impulses which your generous deeds of daring have awakened, and, therefore, not as a reward, but as a small token of their high and earnest appreciation of the repeated risks to your own life, in snatching from the jaws of death the lives of others, they ask your acceptance of a purse of zoo guineas. It is but a poor contribution
if reckoned as a recompense. There are services rendered to humanity which it is impossible to over-estimate, and yours are of them, and this is less a requital than a simple recognition in earnest words intensified by such pecuniary sacrifice as your numerous admirers can afford. Tile highest acts of manly daring and de votion that awaken human admiration are those in which the rescuer from death, totally forgetful of self, and inspired only with compassion for those in danger, disregards his own life in his eagerness to save theirs from peril. The badges of honour which associated philanthropy and royal patronage confer for such courage you have in part already received.
Accept now from your neighbours and friends their humble weed of commendation. And if this is but feebly expressed com mensurately with your deserts, still be assured that the offering is enriched with the homage of a thousand hearts that recognise your worth, and throb with a generous enthusiasm at the remembrance of your deeds of valour and self-sacrifice, only then can the gift acquire its true proportion and significance.
The presentation was made by Mr. W. Charley, M.P., and immediately after the ceremony Mr. James Smith, a member of the Humane Society for the Hundred of Salford, presented an address to Addy and the gold medal of the Society. The bronze and silver medals had previously been awarded to him. But a greater honour was in store for Addy, for on January 14 another large gathering was held in Salford Town Hall, the Mayor, Mr. Alderman Robinson, presiding, when the Albert medal of the first class, which had been awarded by Her Majesty the Queen, was publicly presented. The following autograph letter from the late Earl of Beaconsfield was received by Addy in connection with this award : so Downing Street, Whitehall, 6th November, 1878.
Sir,—The attention of the Sovereign having been called to the repeated acts of heroism performed by you in saving at the risk of your own life those of many of her Majesty's subjects from drown ing in the river Irwell, I have the gratification to inform you that the Queen has been graciously pleased to confer on you, in recog nition of your gallantry and daring, the honour and distinction of the Albert medal of the first class. I have, accordingly, instructed the Secretary of State to take the necessary steps to give effect to her Majesty's commands.—I have the honour to he your obedient servant, After this much-coveted decoration had been presented to him, Addy modestly expressed his thanks for the honour which had been done him in making known to the Queen his efforts to save life.