The Revs. Chard, Froude and Michell 117 



cottagers still tell me they miss him, and that they used to wait 

 at their doors just to see him ride past on hunting mornings, on 

 the chance of hearing his gentle voice. From what I know of 

 " The Bishop," not many waited in vain. 



In God's Acre at Hatch Beauchamp, close under the shadow 

 of the church, on the south side, are two marble crosses, close 

 together, one raised " To the memory of the Rev. E. Chard, rector 

 of the parish," etc., bearing the inscription : 



" To the memory of The Rev. Charles Edward Chard, 

 Born Dec. 4th, 1856. Died Sept. 12th, 1910. 



" Father, in Thy gracious keeping, 

 Now we leave Thy servant sleeping." 



The other to the memory of Col. John Merriott Chard, V.C, 

 Royal Engineers ; Hero of Rorke's Drift. Born Dec. 1st, 1847. 

 Died Nov. 1st, 1897. 



Inside the beautiful little church where the Rev. E. Chard 

 officiated for so many years there is a handsome brass to his 

 memory, placed there by his parishioners. A beautiful window 

 is also there, to the memory of the Hero of Rorke's Drift, and 

 beside it what is left of the wreath sent by Queen Victoria for 

 his grave. 



When last I visited these graves (a very short time ago) it 

 struck me as comforting and restful — the church standing as the 

 Rock of Ages, amid the peaceful surroundings of a quiet country 

 village, shut in by a high wall and well-clipped and tended 

 laurels and shrubs, over which again, the ancient trees spread 

 out big protecting arms — trees that have witnessed the cere- 

 monies and anguish of many generations, but never a word or 

 whisper tell, no sound is there but the gentle sighing of the 

 leaves ; and as I left I turned for one last look. The sun was 

 pouring over the brothers' graves, and flooding the window 

 with light to the Hero's memory. 



The rectory where " The Bishop " lived overlooks the 

 churchyard, and it was here the Hero came to end his days 

 under the care of his brother, who nursed him tenderly through 

 a long and terrible illness, to the end. It must have been a 

 comfort to Colonel Chard to be able to spend his last days under 

 the shadow of his brother's goodness. 



The tragedy of it all ! I used often, as I passed the pathetic 



