Unable, in consequence of a delicate constitution, to foll follow the cabinet-making business to which he had been apprenticed, Mr. Giles applied himself with diligence to the musical profession. He first played the organ at the Croft Chapel, next at St. Clement's Church. and finally at All Saints Church, where after many years' unceasing attention to his duties, he had to make way for a younger man, with a new organ. Notwithstanding that he received a testimonial and gratuity, his sensitive nature yielded to a feeling of dejection at his separation from his organ and choir, and this sorrow was afterwards deepened by some other trouble of a private nature, His dots word- of the song quoted site (words and music by Mr. Cumberland) "None was there who knew him but loved the good man."
To the above is added the following extract from "Rhymned Reminiscences.
Learnt I it with childish gumption
That my aunt was in consumption,
Ending in her death;
Told she long, and told it surely,
When grim Death would prematurely
Take away her breath.
At the age of twenty-seven
'Twas believed her soul in Heaven
Resting-place would find;
When as thought-her Saviour sought her,
Mrs. Giles had son and daughter,
Which she left behind,
Still, protection they had, rather,
In a kind and doting father,
For a year or two;
"Daddy," thence, alas! was ailing,
With his health more greatly failing,
Till his spirit flew.
Without father, without mother,
Two young children-girl and brother
Orphans thus were left;
Having been by Fate, most cruel,
Of the means of food and fuel
Grieviously bereft.
Growing up from ages tender,
With relations' aid but slender,
And with prospects small,
They, with work and prudence acting,
Both respected and respecting,
Gained the love of all.
Short time hence, without a murmur,
One will change from Giles to Fermor
And a fam'ly rear,
Who will be a credit to her,
And with filial love will woo her,
As their mother dear.
But her brother-ay! her brother,
He will follow his poor mother,
Borne upon his bier;
Freed from cares and sorrows weighty,
In the year of one less 'Eighty.
Near his 60th year. (1)
Though of disposition cheery,
He, at length, will feel him weary,
With full grief oppressed;
Then will those who've shared his gladness
Sing this new-made song of Madness,
WEARY MINSTREL, REST!
"A winter of sadness had scarce passed away, [play,
While bleak winds of March round our dwellings did
And waiting were we for the Spring and its flowers,
And warblers that gladden this life-span of ours,
When one who had helped us and shared in our glee,-
Whose dear homely face was a picture to see,-
In life's troubled waters was found to be cast,
To sink 'neath his burden, heart-broken at last.
He's gone, and his home is now now silent and lone;
The spirit that charmed it for ever has flown;
His kind, cheering words in our mem'ries will reign,
Though spoken by voice that will ne'er speak again.
None was who knew him but loved the good man,
The gentlest of natures through all his deeds ran;
A stout-hearted hero in labours of love,
Has been called to his rest in the bright land above.',
