Life in Eastville, Bristol England and the Infamous Christmas Doll

Shortly after this time (the previous post), we moved into the suburbs at the other side of town. It was called Eastville. There was a large park not far away called Eastville Park. It was a very delightful place to play in and to take walks. 

Eastville Park, Bristol



Eastville Park today

There was a large lake at the lower end with a waterfall and swans gliding gracefully around. In the summer evenings a band would entertain us.

There was an outlet at the lower end of the park and by following a narrow path through a glade and by another waterfall we would come to "Snuff Mills", then through a meadow to "Frenchay Common". It was a long walk for little feet but when we grew older it became our favorite rendezvous.

Snuff Mills Restored

Up the hill from the park, past Farmer Owen's cow pasture, was an old rustic church and every evening just at dark the chimes from the old belfry would ring out across the still air, "Now the Day is Over".





It was like a beautiful benediction, especially if we were passing after a quiet walk through the country lanes. I used to feel such a sweet sense of peace fill my soul, as though in the words of the poet, "God's in His heaven, all's right with the world". 

Church of the Holy Trinity built in 1857. This may or may  not be the church mentioned but it is in the area.

At this time, England was experiencing a bad depression and our Christmases were very meager. I well remember my first doll. I thought it was the most beautiful doll I had ever seen. It had blond curls, deep blue staring eyes that never moved, and a cloth body. Conditions were beginning to improve so we were each given the choice of one good toy.



The night after Christmas we were left to entertain ourselves while Mother and Dad went to visit some friends. We all sat around the open fire playing games and watching the flames dance up and down. This occupation was a little bit tame for my brother Herbert so he reached for the long handled toasting fork which always hung by the fireplace and with which we toasted our bread before the coals. He stuck the fork into a rubber toy which belonged to the baby of the family, rubbing it in the soot at the back of the chimney and daubing it into our faces. Finally he tired of this sport and spying my doll sitting on a chair, he stuck the fork onto the back of her and held her for a brief moment in front of the flames just to tease me. What he didn't realize was that the face was made of wax and began to melt. He was horrified when he saw what he had done and I was broken-hearted. Just then our parents came home and poor Herbert got his desserts. I could tell many stories like this but there isn't room or time to write them.


"Now the Day is Over" Full Text



1 Now the day is over,
Night is drawing nigh,
Shadows of the evening
Steal across the sky.

2 Now the darkness gathers,
Stars begin to peep;
Birds, and beasts, and flowers
Soon will be asleep.

3 Jesus, give the weary
Calm and sweet repose;
With Thy tenderest blessing
May our eyelids close.

4 Grant to little children
Visions bright of Thee;
Guard the sailors, tossing
On the deep blue sea.

5 Comfort every sufferer
Watching late in pain;
Those who plan some evil
From their sins restrain.

6 Through the long night-watches,
May Thine angels spread
Their white wings above me,
Watching round my bed.

7 When the morning wakens,
Then may I arise
Pure, and fresh, and sinless
In Thy holy eyes.

8 Glory to the Father,
Glory to the Son,
And to Thee, blest Spirit,
Whilst all ages run.

Amen.