Gents Mag 1862 part 1 p.470

Gents Mag 1862 part 1 p.470




	introduction


	list, 3rd qtr 19th century


	obituary

	Gentleman's Magazine 1862 part 1 p.470
Blamire Memorial
	Blamire Memorial THE BLAMIRE MEMORIAL. IN our pages a short time ago^e was duly recorded the decease of Mr. Blamire, late Chief Tithe, Copyhold, and Inclosure Commissioner, a man whose merits as a public servant have been often acknowledged in Parliament and elsewhere. His friends have now resolved to take steps to institute some lasting tribute to his memory, and accordingly a meeting was held at the Bush Hotel, in Carlisle, on the 1st of March, at which Philip Henry Howard, esq., of Corby Castle, presided; Captain James, of Barrock Park, the Rev. J. Monkhouse, of Lyzzick Hall, and several other gentlemen, took part in the proceedings. From the statement of the Chairman it appeared that Mr. Blamire was the son of Dr. Blamire, of the Oaks, a highly-esteemed physician, and was christened by his father's intimate friend, Dr. Paley, whose views, as expressed in the second volume of his "Principles of Political and Moral Philosophy," it was afterwards his task to work out. His mother was the sister of Mr. Christian Curwen, of Workington Hall, and under the eye of his uncle the young man acquired that intimate knowledge of agriculture and that enlightened regard for the general interests of the community which at all times distinguished him. He went into Parliament, and when Lord Althorp brought in his bill for the commutation of tithes, Mr. Blamire, in a most luminous speech, and in a friendly manner, criticised the bill and threw out some hints by which it might be remodelled. The Government immediately adopted his suggestions, and Earl Russell, unsolicited, asked him to take charge of the bill when it should have passed the legislature. Having been appointed to the office of Chief Tithe Commissioner, many other kindred occupations or branches of local improvement were naturally in time attached to that office. There was enclosure, and everything connected with drainage, and there were other local improvements which were all naturally connected with the Tithe Commission. Mr. Blamire was intimately acquainted with customary as well as the copyhold tenure of land, and in carrying out these measures - which were at first voluntary - he conferred lasting benefit on his countrymen. Throughout his life his conduct was thoroughly disinterested; he used his official means to promote the benefit of his fellow-countrymen, and not to lay by treasures; for, he might say, like Pitt he died poor. But his memory would be embalmed in the recollection of a grateful posterity. Captain James, after a remark that the clergy were as much interested in the happy result of the labours of Mr. Blamire as the land-owners and occupiers, moved a resolution, "That in recognition of the many kind and disinterested services rendered by the late Mr. Blamire to the people of Cumberland for a long series of years, and of the arduous and faithful discharge of most important public duties as Chief Tithe, Copyhold, and Inclosure Commissioner, rendered by him to the country at large, this meeting is of opinion that steps should be taken to institute a lasting tribute to his memory." which was unanimously carried; and on the proposition of the Rev. Mr. Monkhouse, a subscription was at once opened, and about £70 was contributed before the close of the meeting. Beside the county friends and admirers of Mr. Blamire, Earl Russell, and Mr. Josiah Parks, C.E., are contributors; and Henry Robinson, Esq., solicitor, Carlisle, will receive any sums forwarded on account of the Blamire Memorial. The form of this must of course depend on the amount subscribed, but a tablet in Raughten-Head Church, and an annual Blamire prize at the East Cumberland Agricultural Show, have been suggested. ^e GENT. MAG., Feb. 1862, p.242

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