Mabel Alice PARKER [1053]

   Another name for Mabel was May.

  General Notes:

Julius Jottings No 2 April 1900.
Mabel Alice, born at Rowledge, May 25, 1881; educated at Winchester High School, 1897-99; went to Frankfurt to study (music?) October 1899.
Address: Rowledge Vicarage, Farnham.

Julius Jottings No 1
Jan 1900.
27 Western Strasser
Frankfurt AM
Sir
it is not within my limited means to give anything like an adequate description of Frankfurt in such a short sketch. It would be possible to write volumes about all its amusements, its music, it's beautiful operas, its sausages, and last, but not least, its fat and greasy citizens. Thinking, as I'write, of the suitable title of this elevating magazine, the Julius Jottings, I will endeavour to jot down a few of my early impressions of Frankfort, and its inhabitants. The first thing that strikes one on arriving at Frankfort, is its enormous station, which is said to he the largest in Europe, and with regard to size, capable of containing St. Peter's, of Rome, Cologne Cathedral, and St. Paul's. It is built in the form of three large colonnades, which are all roofed in with glass ; it is a wonderful sight to see the station in the evening, when it is illuminated by purple electric light. In the modern part of the town the streets are very broad, and to one who does not know his way, most perplexing. The houses are symmetrical and staring in their spotless whiteness, but one always enjoys the felicity of being free from smuts. The opera house is one of the most modern buildings ; it is very handsome outside, but more handsome within. The view from the river Maine is most picturesque and beautiful, and here one obtains the best view of the cathedral, which is built of red sandstone; every day ships are to be seen sailing down the river, laden with the same red stone, which is universally used in the neighbourhood of the Rhine. One of the sights to be seen is the old Goethe house, where Goethe passed his childhood and youth. Everything connected with him is preserved here, including many interesting portraits and manuscripts. On July 29th a great festival was held in memory of his birth, one hundred and fifty years ago. The whole town was illuminated in honour of the occasion, and the Goethe platz, where his statue stands, was buried in decorations. The English might improve their towns by imitating the delightful gardens that are always to be found in German towns. Frankfort is skirted the whole way round by gardens ; in addition to these, it possesses a palm garden, a most delightful recreation place, with a really tropical looking palm house, tennis courts, a Swiss house overlooking a waterfall, and everything imaginable for an ideal garden. From the palm garden one obtains a very good view of the blue hills of Taunus, and on clear days one catches a glimpse of the famous health-resort, Homburg, which in the season is overrun almost entirely by English people.
It is remarkable what a small amount of traffic then is in the streets; it chiefly consists of endless trams, beautiful carriages and pairs, and a few motor cars, which are held in great abhorrence in the moderate-minded inhabitants of Frankfort. Such is the town, I must now say something of its inhabitants, who, for the most part, are not so charming as their surroundings. Be it said to the honour of the Germans that more than half The population are Jews ; consequently many of them do not possess all desirable virtues, and there is no doubt that they possess much more money than good looks. It is very striking how absolutely different their whole appearance is to that of their German neighbours. They are almost without exception very dark, with yellow complexions, and genuine Jewish noses, which always make them conspicuous. They eat sausages with great ardour, and "Sauerkraut" with even more energy; the latter, however, is not so horrible as we usually imagine.
One great fault that I find in German life, is that it differs so much from English, but is very diverting and amusing for a time. The life out here, compared to the English bustle and rush, is one of unbroken peace and rest. Frankfort is one of the most easy-going towns in easy-going Germany. Everybody finds plenty of time to go to concerts and operas at all hours of the day, and to stroll around the town at an easy pace. One soon finds oneself dropping into their comfortable habits, and quite enjoying a little chat after every meal. Another striking difference is the continental Sunday. Church going is not a universal custom, especially among the male sex. Sunday-schools are quite unknown things, for Sunday is the day of pleasure and recreation, on which the country people, dressed up in their various costumes, all flood into the town, to shop and to enjoy the various amusements which offer themselves ; while the town people retire into the country either for a day in the Taunus hills, or for an afternoon's expedition to the beautiful woods, which lie in the neighbourhood of Frankfort. The town is a very cosmopolitan one, for people of all nationalities come to study music at the conservatorium, or to learn singing at the well-known school of Professor Stockhausen. They have stringent rules in the conservatorium with regard to not overworking. The average member learns one instrument, also counterpoint, harmony, and composition. The pianoforte part of the conservatorium is sternly ruled over by Professor Xwast, who was said by Rubenstein to he the best teacher living. He is held in great awe by his pupils. During his first year the young pianist has all pride crushed out of him and has bad and depressing lessons regularly twice a week. If he has pluck enough to live through all this grinding to powder, he may hope, like a phoenix, to rise out of his ashes his second year, and again be worth something. The pupil soon learns that it is the quality and not the quantity of his practising which makes him progress. The first violin master in the conservatorium is Professor Hermann, a former pupil of Joachim ; he does not seem to be well known in England, but is a very popular player on the continent, especially in Russia. During the winter, concerts are given by the best pupils of the conservatorium, as a means of wearing off their shyness for public playing. In the museum concerts go on every evening, and often one gets a chance of hearing such an orchestra as the Kaim, conducted by Veingartner, or such a pianoforte player as d'Albert or Careno. I can only express the hope that if any of our relations are travelling through Germany, they will not miss the opportunity of paying a visit to this remarkable town, with its curious mixed population.
I am, Sir, etc.,
MABEL A. PARKER.

It appears that Mabel may have been studying music in Frankfurt.

Julius Jottings No 2 April 1900.
Miss M. A. Parker has returned to Rowledge from Frankfurt A.M

Mabel became a missionary with the Zenana Missionary Society in India, a mission to prostitutes. This mission, which became famous, rather like that of Mother Therese in Calcutta, was started by Isabella Thoburn, who was invited by her brother James, a Methodist missionary in India, to join him in his work there. Sailing from New York, she arrived in Bombay in January 1870, almost exactly when the Old Vicarage was built, and made her way thence to Lucknow. She immediately began evangelizing among the women of the zenanas (harems) and, in April, she opened a girls' school in the Lucknow Bazaar. It was to this idealistic and successful venture that May Parker dedicated herself to.
Ref: Old Julius by Birch & Waight.

Mabel was unmarried.

Parker Mabel Alice of Greenhill 5 Oaklands Road Bromley Kent spinster died 11 Nov 1959 Probate London 22 January 1960 to John Osmond Julius Stevens and Jack Clifford Thomas solicitors. Effects L18660 17s 0d.
Ref: National Probate Calendar.

Parker family images courtesy of R Waight 2015

  Other Records

1. Census: England, 5 Apr 1891, Rowledge Vicarage Binsted E Hants. Mabel is described as a daughter aged 9 a scholar born Binsted

2. Census: England, 31 Mar 1901, Rowledge Vicarage HAM. Mabel is recorded as a daughter unmarried aged 19 born Hampshire