Page:Dictionary of National Biography. Sup. Vol I (1901).djvu/216

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Beale
154
Beard

curate at Brooke in Norfolk and Sopley in Hampshire, he applied for the office of naval chaplain, and was appointed to H.M.S. Sybille in that capacity (8 Dec. 1852). Fortunately for students the Sybille was sent to the China station, and, taking advantage of the opportunity thus offered him, he devoted his spare time to the study of the Chinese language. So proficient did he become in the colloquial as well as the literary dialect that during the war of 1858-8 he acted as naval interpreter. But his main object in studying the language was to qualify himself for the task of elucidating the dark phases of Chinese Buddhism. In this undertaking he was one of the pioneers, and happily left many of the results of his labours. On his return to England he was appointed chaplain to the marine artillery, and later to the Pembroke and Devonport dockyards in succession. He was at Devonport from 1873. In 1877 he was appointed rector of Falstone in Northumberland. Three years later he was transferred to Wark in the same county, and ultimately (1888) to Greens Norton in Northamptonshire. In all these changes of scene he remained constant to his Chinese studies, and some of his best work was done in the country rectories which he occupied. In 1877 he was appointed professor of Chinese at University College, London, and in 1885 the degree of D.C.L. (Durham) was conferred upon him in recognition of the value of his researches into Chinese Buddhism. He died at Greens Norton on 20 Aug. 1889. Among his principal works were:

  1. 'The Travels of Fah-hian and Sung-yun; translated from the Chinese,' 1869.
  2. 'A Catena of Buddhist Scriptures from the Chinese,' 1871.
  3. 'The Romantic Legend of Sakya Buddha, from the Chinese,' 1875.
  4. 'Texts from the Buddhist Canon,' 1878.
  5. 'A Life of Buddha by Asvaghosha Bodhisattra; translated from the Chinese,' 1879.
  6. 'An Abstract of four Lectures on Buddhist Literature in China,' 1882.

[Boase's Collectanea Cornubiensia; personal knowledge; information kindly given by Dr. Aldis Wright.]

R. K. D.

BEALE, THOMAS WILLERT (1828–1894), miscellaneous writer, only son of Frederick Beale (d. 1863), of the music publishing firm of Cramer, Beale, & Addison of Regent Street, was born in London in 1828. He was admitted student of Lincoln's Inn on 18 April 1860, and was called to the bar in 1863; but music claimed his interests, and, having received lessons from Edward Roeckel and others, he managed operas in London and the provinces, and toured with some of the most notable musicians of his time. Under the pseudonym of 'Walter Maynard,' which he frequently used, he wrote an account of one of these tours, with reminiscences of Mario, Grisi, Giuglini, Lablache, and others, entitled 'The Enterprising Impresario' (London, 1867). He originated the national music meetings at the Crystal Palace with the object of bringing meritorious young musicians to the front, and took a leading part in the institution of the New Philharmonic Society, at which Berlioz conducted some of his compositions by Beale's invitation. It was under his management that Thackeray came out as a lecturer. He wrote a large number of songs and pianoforte pieces, besides 'Instructions in the Art of Singing' (London, 1853), and a series of 'Music Copy Books' (London, 1871). In February 1877 he produced at the Crystal Palace a farce called 'The Three Years' System,' and a three-act drama, 'A Shadow on the Hearth;' an operetta, 'An Easter Egg,' was produced at Terry's Theatre in December 1893. His autobiography, 'The Light of other Days as seen through the wrong end of an Opera Glass,' was published in 2 vols., London, 1890. He died at Gipsy Hill on 3 Oct. 1894, and was buried at Norwood cemetery. Late in life he married the widow of John Robinson of Hong Kong; she was a good singer and musician.

[Autobiography as above; Musical News, 13 Oct. 1894; Musical Times, November 1894; Brown and Stratton's British Musical Biography.]

J. C. H.

BEARD, CHARLES (1827–1888), unitarian divine and author, eldest son of John Relly Beard [q. v.] by his wife Mary (Barnes), was born at Higher Broughton, Manchester, on 27 July, 1827. After passing through his father's school, he studied at Manchester New College (then at Manchester, now Manchester College, Oxford) from 1843 to 1848, graduating B.A. at London University in 1847. He aided his father in compiling the Latin dictionary issued by Messrs. Cassell. In 1818-9 he continued his studies at Berlin. On 17 Feb. 1850 he became assistant to James Brooks (1806-1854) at Hyde chapel, Gee Cross, Cheshire, succeeding in 1854 as sole pastor, and remaining till the end of 1866. He had accepted a call to succeed John Hamilton Thom [q. v.] at Renshaw Street chapel, Liverpool, and entered on this charge on 3 March 1867, retaining it till his death. In his denomination he took first rank as a preacher, and was equally success-