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CHAPTER XXIV
1885 to 1890
HOME LIFE IN ENGLAND
A very happy time now began. Colonel Ball-Acton's younger children had quite forgotten him during his absence, but he soon gained their affection and confidence, though, when he joined in their games one of them remarked that papa played cricket very badly, and suggested that he should go somewhere to learn to play. A visit to Malvern was much enjoyed by the whole party.
The Colonel's unfailing kindness of heart led him to take great interest in the condition of the poor, and his efforts to help them were constant. The cause of Temperance was, as always, dear to his heart, and he tried by all means in his power, to prevent the habits of drinking which prevailed around him. His interest in politics was very great, and he attended many meetings on this subject. Altogether his life at Tunbridge Wells was filled with interests of various kinds, both at home and outside his home. His health was not very good, and for some time he was in the doctor's hands.
In May, 1886, the Colonel was appointed to a Regimental District in Northampton. A new home had therefore to be found, and the move from Tunbridge Wells was not made without much regret at leaving friends there. But when once settled at Kingsthorpe, the Colonel was very happy in his work, and looked back afterwards on the time he spent there as the most delightful three years of his life. Following his usual custom, the Colonel tried in every way to benefit his men, and soon formed a Total Abstinence Society, and persuaded as many as he could to join it. He worked hard at his regimental duties, and established a very friendly feeling with the non-commissioned officers as well as the privates. Meetings of all kinds, religious and philanthropic, filled up his spare time, and his life was, as usual, a very busy one. On the Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887 he invited all the married people and their children to tea, and kept them as late as he could, so as to prevent their going to public-houses. He also took an active part in arranging that, when troops were marching from one place to another, a substantial tea should be provided for them, and so they should be kept from spending their time in bad places and bad company.
He and Mrs. Ball-Acton also organized 'happy evenings' for poor boys. These were held in a schoolroom lent by the vicar, arid games were provided. There was also some useful reading, and each evening was opened with prayer and singing. These evenings became very popular among the village boys.
In May, 1889, the Colonel's appointment in Northampton came to an end, and he was placed on the retired list. After an interval of visits and of staying at Tunbridge Wells,
the family went to Dresden for a year. On the way the Colonel and his three boys cycled through part of Belgium, and visited Waterloo and other places of interest.
The time in Dresden passed very pleasantly, though the Colonel had a very severe attack of influenza. He much regretted not being able to attend the English church in Dresden, but he approved neither of the very high ritual in use there, nor of the doctrines preached. He therefore attended the American Church, which he and his family liked much better. Many friends, both German and American, were made at Dresden, and excursions into Saxon Switzerland with members of the Wanderers' Club were much enjoyed.
In December, 1890, the Colonel with his family returned to England, and after some time spent in choosing a neighbourhood in which to settle, they decided on a house near Worcester — 'Blanquettes'. Here they lived for some years very happily and peacefully, the Colonel at once interesting himself in all good works, and endeavouring, by all means in his power, to raise the standard of religious life in the neighbourhood. His zeal for total abstinence was as great as ever, and he constantly sought to lead all whom he could influence to give up every form of drinking. His health was not good, as he suffered at times from a tendency to bronchitis, but this did not hinder his efforts at usefulness.
There are many references in the Colonel's diaries to his meeting with men — railway porters, commissionaires, etc — who had been in the army, and recognised him as a well-known officer. He was always pleased with these meetings, and never failed to speak some word which he hoped would prove useful to the man he had met.
There is no need to enlarge upon Colonel Ball-Acton's anxiety for the well-being of his. children. No one can doubt how much they occupied his thoughts, and he was constantly busy with plans for their good, seeking always to lead them to serve God, and to be of use in the world.
Next chapter.
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