Claude Montague Hart

Claude Montague Hart

Claude Montague Hart Son of Thomas Hart Artist

Born. 1870, Landwednack, Cornwall, England.;

Died. 06 Nov 1952, Penhallow, Church Cove Rd, Landwednack, Cornwall, England.; Claude Montague Hart, Married. EVELYN BOWER WILSON, 14 Feb 1917, Landwednack, Cornwall, England.; Evelyn was born. 1876, in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England.

In the spring of 1895 Claude became friendly with a Mr Sydney Lionel James De Bac who came to Cornwall and the Lizard to try and improve his health, Claude talked about building a Studio at Polpeor Cove and Mr De Bac agreed to finance the building, the deal was that it was taken in security for the loan of the cost. Mr De Bac died on the 23rd January 1896, more about his death and will can be read on the page for Ruby Irene Hart on this site

                           The Studio at Polpeor Cove

you can see it just above the Lifeboat House

the pictures of the studio below are by kind permission of Hayley (talltales) NZ

                                       Notes for CLAUDE MONTAGUE HART:

In the 1901 Census Living at home on the Lizard recorded as an Artist Sculptor   

Cornishman – Thursday 11 September 1890

                                   THE LIZARD REGATTA

Committee comprised Dr H. Aptlatoo, Mess-s J. Bosuslow, W. H. C. C. M. Hart, Percy Hart, T. D. Hart J Jose, A Mathews, E Matthews. E. Mitchell. R Roberts T. Roberts; with Rev C S. Vyvyan (president) C Marsh Wood (hon treasurer) Sydney E. Hart

Western Morning News

                               Saturday 07 December 1895

                                                   Tenders

To BUILDERS, CARPENTERS. AND MASONS.TENDERS are Invited for the BUILDING of a STUDIO at The Lizard. Plans and specifications may seen at Polbrean, The Lizard.

Tenders should be sent to Claude M. Hart, The Lizard, not later than 14th December.  Polbrean, December 2^nd

Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser

                                   Saturday 26 July 1902

Proposed Regatta at Cadgwith. It is some years since either Cadgwith or the Lizard had a regatta. The occasional events held in former years have been well carried out, and have been the means of bringing together a large number of people, who otherwise would probably not have visited the district. Efforts arc now being made to arrange a regatta to take place about the third week in August in Cadgwith, and to make it an annual affair. The idea is to hold the regatta in Cadgwith and at the Lizard in alternate years. large and influential committee has been appointed. Mr. Grant Richards (of London) is the president, Mr. John Roberts (of London and the Lizard) vice-president, Mr. W. Cock (Cadgwith) secretary and treasurer, Mr. Coombc Hooper (the Lizard) assistant secretary, and Mr. C. M. Hart (the Lizard) chairman.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette – Saturday 01 August 1903

                 EXHIBITION OF PICTURES AT EXETER.

Worth and Co.’s autumn exhibition of pictures is now open in the Elizabethan gallery. The exhibition consists of watercolour paintings of West-country scenes by West-country artists. The collection of works well demonstrates to the public at large, and visitors to Fair Devon in particular, how rich painters the county has become. Dartmoor scenery largely attracts the lovers of the brush, is seen in the works of Morrish, of Chagford; F., T. Widgery, the popular Exeter painter; Tom Rowden, R. A. Southey, and Arthur Enoch. The four pictures by Morrish are all worthy of notice. No. 1, the Old Bridge at Teignhead,” shows very finely the mist rising over the tors; while No. 18, “Wallabrook,” depicts the moorland clad rich heather. No. 59, the companion of the latter, and a picture of the “Upper Teign, is the representation of a typical moorland stream. Southey, a new exhibitor, has two pretty little scenes of “Holne Chase” and “Chudleigh.” Widgery in No. 66 entitled “A Backwater of the Dart,” presents a fine bit of colouring; while Nos. 60 and 61 portray the characteristic effects of rain coming from wild moorland skies. Of the new contributors, Claude Montague Hart, is the most striking, and undoubtedly his pictures will become very popular. All deal with the romantic coast of Cornwall, and his treatment of the subjects is exceedingly clever and realistic. No. this artist depicts “Morning Mist at the Lizard.” The subject is treated in most happy vein. Silvery mists rise out of the ocean, shrouding the rugged Cornish cliffs. It is a typical piece of Cornish scenery. A similar study by Claude Montague Hart, is No. 10 “Fog rising at Pentreath Beach.” This again another fine work. The tops of the rough cliffs are bathed in warm sunlight, while below the bases are still draped in fog. Through the rising fog rays of sun feebly struggle, and tinge the tangled masses of seaweed with a golden hue. “The Cornish Lions” and The Lizard Head end Portreath Beach “are others of several pictures by the same artist. His brother, Sydney Hart, gives striking represent it ion of the romantic piece of scenery of Boscastle Harbour. F. J. Widgery’i work is represented in striking bits of Cornish scenery, and his well-known reputation is fully maintained. Nos. 34, 49. And 50 are from the brush of this artist, and in them the majesty of the sea dashing against the brown rocks and lashed into foam is remarkably depicted. Two little paintings worthy of notice have as their subject the “Rocks at Bude.” One of the richest pieces of colouring in the whole: exhibition is No. 86. By Reginald Smith, Bristol, entitled “Under Pentire Point” (Cornwall). In this work the painter has brought a remarkable force of treatment. The rich deep colour of the water rushes the caverns beneath the Point represented with remarkable truthfulness. The waves dashing on half-submerged rocks and breaking into foam, the water entering the niches of the cliffs, and trickling back into the ocean, give ensemble striking and true to Nature. White. R. 1.Has two charming pictures of Devonshire cottages. G. H. Jenkins is prominently represented by a picture “On the Rhym, near Shaugh” Tom Rowden has some dozen exhibits, full of life and vigour. F. J. Alridge, and Harry James are well represented, and glimpses in and around Exeter come from Leyman and Widgery.

Cornishman – Thursday 27 August 1903

At this date Claude Montague Hart, was one of the Secretaries of the Lizard Golf Club

Cornishman – Thursday 12 November 1903

The following Press references to some of our resident artists shows that Cornwall figures prominently in this winter exhibition of pictures in London:

In the upper gallery is Mr Claude Montague Hart’s, “Fog Rising at Pentreath,” which will not escape criticism by reason of the extraordinary effect produced by the line of demarcation between the sea and the clouds.

Sydney F. Hart gives a specimen of his work in” winter, Lion Rock, and Lizard Head,” which is of real interest. A rugged scene, with rocks jutting into the roaring sea, and the sun breaking from a cloud, it is sure to attract attention.

 

Western Times – Thursday 11 August 1904

                                                       ART.

                     “LOCAL ARTISTS AT WORTH’S GALLERY”.

The soft light in the quaint oak-panelled room in the old Tudor house of Messrs’ Worth’s, in the Cathedral Yard, helps to show up the merits of pictures to great advantage In excellent collection of water colour drawings by local artists may now be seen on the walls. Prominent among the contributors is the Mayor of Exeter (Mr A.J. Widgery;, who has found time amid his multifarious civic duties to paint a goodly number of works for this exhibition. .Some of them are lit his best style marked by careful drawing and bright colouring. “On the Moieton road, near Princetown,” is the title of one of the most charmiing of his contributions. The vast expanse of moor is carpeted with purple heather and in catching the true Dartmoor colouring the artist has been very successful. -Another good picture of Mr Wiggery’s style is to be seen in No. 20, ” Walla brook Bnd a c, Dartmoor,” in which the primitive stone bridge with the stream and heather-clad banks form the foreground, in the distance are the tors being rapidly enveloped in a mist denoting an approaching storm. The suggestion of distance and the atmospheric effects in this drawing are admirable. Excellent in detail is No. 45, “Near Peter Tavy, Tavistock.”

We noticed several of the artist’s “narrow gauges,” one of which depicts a delightful bit of scenery on the Eiver Exe. One has not to refer to the catalogue io ascertain that the striking architectural drawings with which the walls of the gallery are studded are by Mr A. Leyman. They are recognisable at a glance by reason of their excellence of drawing, and wealth and accuracy of detail. The artist has a penchant for discovering and making attractive pictures of quaint old houses in town and village. Exeter affords him an ample field, although it is to be feared that it is being narrowed more and more as the years pass away. The artist gives us two views of the quaint old house in which the exhibition is being held. “Mol’s Coffee House” has a long and “interesting history and these pictures must always be valuable apart from their high artistic excellence. On of them takes in a view of the little Church of St. Martin’s, stuck in as it were, at the corner. The spot is a quaint niche of old Exeter. The artist has also sent a highly finished drawing of the picturesque old Exe Bridge which has just been demolished; and views of ancient corners at Dartmouth, including the old Butterwalk. .

Another artist whose pictures will attract the attention of visitors is Mr W. T. Morrish, who delights in depicting the scenery of Dartmoor, with its bright and beautiful colouring. There are few, if any, painters who equal Mr Morrish in representing the purple heather and the golden gorse in which the Dartmoor slopes are at this season clad. One of the best of his examples is entitled “Headnor Clad, Dartmoor near Teignhead.” In the foreground is a delightful cooling stream, by the side of which a couple of sheep are resting; the banks and the middle distance are aglow with heather and gorse in full bloom and away in the distance, which is admirably suggested, are the purple hills towering? to the sky’-line. It is a charming picture. A brilliant bit of colouring is to be seen in No. 25, showing a scene on the moor near I’ernworthy, while No. 36, “Near Teignhead,” will also attract many admirers. It is a refreshing picture, depicting a moorland stream meandering along its rocky bed between heather and banks.

There are not many drawings by Mr Tom Rowden, but the few to be seen contain some of his best work. He has the talent, which is rare among artists, of being successful alike in animal and landscape painting. His most important, exhibition is entitled “Ponies on the Lyd.” It is’a-pictureisque scene, full of life and movement. Small wonder that it found a purchaser almost directly it was hung.

Mr A. Suker, who has a special gift for depicting the storm-tossed sea, sends a fine drawing, entitled “A V/inter’s Storm,” in which the breaking of the turbulent waves against the rocky cliffs, with a few seagulls hovering around,’ i« very realistic. The picture is full of movement, and its tone conveys a true, idea of the deep in the coldness of winter time. Another of his contributions, “Thunderstorm at St. Ives,” is also a marine study revealing considerable artistic power.

Mr E. H. Tozer sends one or two excellent wave studies, the chief of which is entitled “The Ever Boiling Sea,” the foam of which is very truthfully depicted. Beautiful atmospheric effects are to be seen in the works ‘of Mr A. H. Enoch, whose drawing, too, is very finished and true in detail. This is notably the case in a picture showing the mist rising from the gorge near Fingle. Fine examples of village scenes, some of them not without a streak of humour, are the contributions of Mr John White, E. 1., while Mr I. J. Aidridge sends several typical specimens of his well-known style. Other artists who have sent contributions (include Messrs’. Baragwaneth King, G. H Jenkins, A. J. Couche R. H Carter, Reuben’s Southey, A. H. S. Moyle, C.’ Gordard, John Shapland, Claude Montague Hart,, H. Sinclair Jackson, Harry James, W. Roscoe, and the late W. Cook. The exhibition will remain open for several weeks.

Western Times – Friday 17 August 1906

                                                   ART.

Fine Exhibition at Worth’s. Gallery, Exeter.

                                          SECOND NOTICE

In connection with, the excellent collection of water colours which Mr Worth has on view in his historic gallery in the Cathedral Yard, one cannot help being struck by the very ‘fine pictures contributed by Mr John Shapland some of whose Academy works are also shown in the window. Among the most noticeable of this artist’s works in the gallery may be mentioned No. 45, Near Hay Tor, Dartmoor, in which is to be seen a richly coloured foreground of heather and other moorland growths, while in the distance the soft outlines of far-away hills are very beautifully caught. In No. 78 the artist deals with an entirely different subject, viz., Starcross and Exmouth. Here we have a fine stretch of sea with wet sands and pools in the foreground, and a distant view of the two towns and the bold cliff line on either side. A strong feature of the work is the very clever treatment of wet sand. It is also very powerfully suggestive of breadth and distance. Other fine examples by Mr Shapland are Nos. 71, Staperton Tor; 62, Near Taw Marsh, Dartmoor; 88, On the Lyd, Dartmoor; 126, A View of Exmouth, etc.

Mr Claude Montague Hart, displays his ability as a marine painter in several well executed subjects. Among those should be mentioned No. 26, Lion Rocks, Lizard, in which the green Cornish sea, rocks and wet sands are admirably treated. No. 56, Coast Line, near Pentreath, is treated with great vigour and freshness. A fine bit of cloud and rising mist is to be seen in No. 104, Fog Rising, near Lizard; while the huge, sea-swept rocks are depicted with much boldness and power. Other good examples of this talented artist’s works are No. 75, Beach at Kynance. No. 138, Near Newquay, and No. 139, Watergate Bay. Conspicuous among the many good things ha be seen in the Gallery are some characteristic drawings by that well-known artist, Mr Tom Rowden. An exhibition of works by Devonshire artists would be incomplete without “Rowden’s animals.” and the specimens which are now being shown demonstrate that in depicting horses and cattle this talented painter has by no means deteriorated. No. 25, “On the Lyd. Dartmoor.” presents a fine, vigorously-drawn’ study of ponies in the foreground, while the surrounding landscape is faithfully treated. Glen Almond, Perthshire, is another striking picture, in which an effective group of Highland cattle is introduced amid the wild grandeur of Scottish scenery. Another very meritorious scene from the Land o’ Cakes is No. 23 “Loch Earn, near Comrie,” and Mr Rowden’s hand is well shown in some beautifully drawn Dartmoor ponies (127) Under Great Linkstor, Bridestowe (135), and At Porth, near Newquay (136).

Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser – Friday 02 October 1908

The Cornish Pilchard Seiners Grievance.

Correspondence has taken place as follows in the “Western Morning News” this week

Sir l was pleased to read the letter by Mr. R. Collins In your Issue of the 29th bearing on the wholesale robbery which has been going on for years at various fish curing ports in Cornwall.

It is high time that seine owners and seine fishermen should combine in forming a society for the protection of the trade against unscrupulous curers. When fish are being delivered from the seine a fisherman goes In each boat to the port of discharge to “tally out” the boat, but when he arrives be finds everyone doing his best to get as much fish as possible without payment, and he naturally finds It very difficult to tally against men who are experts the work, and who In many cases are doing all In their power (assisted by the “scoopers ’’) to get as many thousands for the buyer they possibly can without payment. I have known cases where one boat has been consigned to a straightforward, honest buyer, has turned out as much as 15,000 and 20,000 more than she has turned out when consigned to dishonest buyer. I am glad to say I have found some honest men In my dealings with the fish curers, but I have lost large amount of fish often through the “slim” tactics of these gentlemen. I would suggest that seine owners combine and appoint an independent (and expert) man each port during the seining season, to watch the “tallying out” of the boats, and to assist the local fisherman if need arises.

C. M. HART.

Secretary Lizard and Coverack Seine Fishing Co. The Studio, The Lizard,

Cornishman – Thursday 30 June 1910

                                            THE LIZARD.

Mr Claude Montague Hart, of The Lizard, has been appointed the representative at that place of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society.

Cornishman – Thursday 08 September 1910

                                                 THE LIZARD.

Concert in aid of the Shipwrecked Manners Royal Benevolent Society, presented by Mr Claude Montague Hart, and Captain H. Nicholls was given to the Lizard reading room on Friday evening- A large audience enjoyed a program of piano and violin solos, songs, duets, whistling trios, and dialogue -The Collaborators,” given by Miss Collier and Mr Geoffrey Garred, in very effective manner. The violin solos by Miss Elaine Percival Hart were much appreciated. Others taking part were Messrs’ Guy Garrod and W. Hill (London) and Miss Lawry. Mr Guy Garrod, Miss Collier, and Miss Lawry sang songs, Mr Geoffrey Garrod, in “Making a fool of himself,’ highly diverting. Capt. Harry Nicholls. On behalf of* the society, gave an address, showing the work done the society during the last few years in the Lizard district. He was encored for his two songs. Capt. Nicholls was appointed honary. Representative the Cadgwith district! Several years ago. Mr C. M. Hart was recently appointed in Lizard as representative, the position being formerly held by Dr. Harry Appleton. After the concert there was a dance the large room, many visitors taking part in it.

Claude Receiving a prestation at the Lizard Lifeboat  

Cornishman – Thursday 18 January 1917

                                             THE LIZARD.

An enjoyable tea, followed an entertainment, -was given at ‘the Lizard Hotel Dr Boyd, of Oxford, to the Lizard Scout Boys and staff. These included Mr Claude Montague Hart,, hon. secretary of the Lizard Society, and deputy coast watcher; Mr J. Burbidge, head coast watcher, and several others. The table was crowded with good things, such as ham and eggs, Jam and clotted cream, “splits,” and cakes. It was indeed merry party. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Dr. Boyd for his hospitality.

Cornishman – Thursday 22 February 1917

                           BIRTHS, MARIAGES, DEATHS.

                           MARRIAGE. HART —WILSON.

Feb. 14, Landewednack Parish Church, by the Rev. C. S. Vivyan, Claude Montague Hart, fourth son of the late Thomas Hart, of Polbrean, to Evelyn Bower Wilson, of The Hirst, Sheffield, and Cross Commons House, The Lizard.

Cornishman – Thursday 13 September 1917

THE SHOWING LIGHTS TO SEE BY VISITORS AND OTHERS.

Sir, —Will you kindly allow  me through the medium of your paper to call the attention of  visitors and others to the necessity of seeing that windows facing the sea must properly screened at night? There have been several prosecutions lately in Cornwall, and people often plead ignorance on the subject. Recently farmer who let lodgings was fined £2 for failing provide dark curtains. A great number of visitors also appear to be quite ignorant of the rules as to sketching and photographing. I am acting as a deputy in charge of coast watch- mg, and visitors continually apply me for permission, to sketch and photograph, whereas the ‘ proper people to apply to are the police in each district. Anyone desiring a permit to sketch or take photos has only to apply the police for a “defence of the Realm Permit book,” and, ha vine obtained this they should send or take it  to the Officer in Charge of coast watching for the district in which they desire to sketch or photograph Anyone using a camera without “having first  obtained this Permit  is libel to a fine and confiscation of the camera.  If people would only take the proper steps to obtain these permits they would save themselves and others lot of annoyance.

Your valuable paper with its large circulation, is read by the big majority of visitors, and I trust this letter will save many of them trouble and inconvenience the future.

Claude Montague Hart,

Deputy Coast Watching No 2 District

The Lizard Sept 7th

Cornishman – Wednesday 19 September 1923

                Claude Montague Hart’s, CORNISH PICTURES.

BEAUTIFUL PRINTS OF SEA. AND LAND.

. There must many whose pockets are not sufficiently well lined with Treasury Notes to enable them to buy original oils and water colours; but whose taste will only tolerate as substitutes beautiful reproductions of the originals such as can be given by the four-colour block process. Not many years ago the printing press could only reproduce crude, raw colours, but nowadays such fine wok the copies of Mr Claude M. Hart’s Cornish seascapes catch the spirit, the atmosphere and the charm of his delicate watercolour sketches.

In the lounge of the Queen’s Hotel, Penzance, you may see and purchase these artistic reproductions of a number Mr Hart’s pictures, and it seems almost incredible that the price is only 3s. 6d. each. Two make a special appeal for admiration. In one we see St. Michael’s Mount from the Perranuthnoe side, and the artist like Turner in his famous Mount picture, gives height and ruggedness to the craggy pyramid instead of making it appear like comparatively low stretch of land surrounded by water. There are many trees and shrubs on its south-east slopes and Mr. Hart has sketched “the hoar rock” crowned with its castle in its happiest mood and from an admirable vantage point.

The other reproduction is of a wonderful stretch of Cornish sea in the Lizard district. The misty atmosphere, the emerald waves, crowned and flanked by tumultuous foam, breaking upon the sandy beach, reveal Mr. Claude Hart and the Cornish coast in their most felicitous moods. “Grey seas and gay seas, seas of flashing emeralds” might almost have been his theme, except that the dominant quality the poetical and pensive rather than the quality of brilliance and splendour. One would never weary of such a restful and satisfying vision of sea and shore, and the next best thing to living the Cornish coast is to see on one’s walls such pleasing pictures as can be had for a nominal sum

The copies can also be obtained at Messrs’ Lake And Co.’s, printers, and stationers. Falmouth; Messrs. Netherton and Worth Truro; and Messrs’ Harris and Sons’ Fine Art Gallery. Plymouth, large numbers have been sold in South Africa.

        

                                      “THE CORNISH RIVIERA”

 Published in 1924 by The Great Western Railway and

Claude Montague Hart,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cornishman Wednesday 12 November 1924

                             “THE CORNISH RIVIERA”

                             CORNISH NOTES FOR ONE AND ALL

                             BY THE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.

                            MR Claude Montague Hart’s, ALBUM

In the old days a stereotyped guide book, posters giving railway fares and the Glacial time-tables, almost exhausted the science of railway advertising, as then understood and practised. To-day we find posters by Royal Academicians decorating the railway stations, legends and descriptive literature available on the bookstalls, and ingenious advertisements in the Press and elsewhere suggesting to the busy public why they should travel, where they should rest, or where they will find sport, novelty, instruction or recreation some kind.. you may be invited visit Wembley or the Trossochs or the Cornish Riviera; and instead of travelling in open trucks, as when the first trained steamed into Penzance station only a few decades ago (ask Mr. Giles, the station-master, or Mr. R. J. Taylor, Queen Square, Penzance, to show you the prims of those pioneer days!) you can now glide from one end ot the country to the other in luxurious carriages, relish hot and appetising luncheons, teas and dinners, and even sleep through the night, if you cannot spare the time for travelling by day and view the scenic panorama with all its varied beauty and interest. Free from responsibility and worry, you take your seat and the railway staff and rolling plant do the rest.

THE OLD COACHING DAYS. A century ago, in the old coaching days, the man who had to make the eventuall journey to London gave himself up to days of discomfort after making his will; now he is there and back before his family or business have had time to miss him. And all the’ speed, safety and comfort have evolved from the brain-wave which led Richard Trevithick, of Camborne, to hollow the wheels of his locomotive and drop them on a steel rail. Incredible millions have since been spent in making road-beds, laving the steel bands well and truly on the sleepers, and building engines and carriages speed from one end of the country to the other with their millions of passengers and every class merchandise for human and animal use. The railway system has become such a marvel of efficiency that we “grouse” if we are kept waiting a few minutes because of extra traffic somewhere between London, Birmingham or Liverpool and the Penzance terminus. As the clock strikes expect the powerful locomotive to swing around the curve and into the station —our confidence and impatience being equal tributes to the wonderful mastery of trafic problems by the executives of the inter-locked and co-operative railway groups of the country. In these competitive days even railways cannot afford to ignore the rivalry of modern road vehicles, nor of Continental attractions; and it was all for. the best that in his earlier days Sir Felix J. C. Pole handled, among other things, the editorship of “The Railway Review,” for his literary and business experience enabled him to realise the value of Publicity a means of increasing revenue. In the last few years such booklets as those dealing with the Legends of Cornwall and Wild Life in Cornwall have supplemented the more matter of fact guide books; travel articles have been broadcasted in magazines and newspapers, and a poster competition attracted a host of contributions from amateur and professional artists. In my opinion, however, the latest album or portfolio in which Mr. Claude M. Hart, of The Lizard, and the Great Western Railway have collaborated, far outstrips any book of views yet published to lure visitors to Cornwall; it can be seen at the leading hotels and’ clubs already, and in due course one hopes it may be placed on sale at all bookstalls and in all bookshops, where its unique qualities should ensure a ready sale.

CHARMS OF SEA, COAST & RIVER ct The Cornish Riviera” has a full-page cover picture of the peerless Cove in Colours, and the other reproductions of Mr. Claude Hart’s water-colours reveal the beauties of the River Fal, Mount’s Bay and the St. Ives Coast, the Isles of Scilly, St. Michael’s Mount, Newquay and other famous a, which would have spoiled the of the book, the reader is referred in the letterpress to other sources of useful and interesting information. . the circumstances I do not think I need apologize reproducing in these notes my “Foreword” to Mr. Claude Hart’s novel and notable portfolio, which may whet the appetite of many readers for the beautiful souvenir itself; and may also serve to remind the sons and daughters of the Cornish Land, whether at home or the ends of the earth, of the goodly heritage to which they lay claim and which claims their love and loyalty. At any rate, here is my tribute, and I only wish I could reproduce the MR. CLAUDE HART’S ALBUM beautiful letterpress in which it appears the Album:

“THE LAND OF REST & BEAUTY” Just Lincoln uttered a memorable saying when told his countrymen that “Government of the People, the ! People and for the People shall not perish j from the Earth,” so Tregarthen, the Cornish classic, who gave “Wild Life at the Land’s End” and “John Penrose,” coined an imperishable phrase when he described Cornwall as “The Land of Rest and Beauty.” It is a “land of sea and moor, of golden furze and sparkling shore” as Dryden ; Hosken has called it. I also have sung ‘ its praises as “the land of toil and ease,” the land of “Pasties and Cream;” and said that “Cornwall is a may-tree, a meadow and a shore, a bowl of cream, a singing bird, lump of shining ore”; but ‘ just Niagara remained with Dickens as a “vision of eternal beauty,” so Cornwall perfectly pictured only in those magical words —”the land of rest and beauty.” Even artists gravitate to various phases of beauty, so we have had painters of the cliffs and sands and seas; of fisherfolk and their cottages; of streams tumbling down woodland ways into cove and bay; of Tocks massed on purple moors, and rutted j roads winding along the sides of cams into coombes and coppices; of fishing craft and j busy harbour and gleaming water reflecting the boats, the sunshine and the clouds. Some artists have lurked in the marshes, others in the sunlit fringes of woods on the uplands, others have caught the breaking waves and the song of the sea gorgeous and’ almost incredible colours There is a Cornwall of quiet, rural and sylvan beauty; a Cornwall of breezy and boisterous but cheery and homely shore ; a Cornwall of ships in jeopardy and gallant lifeboats-rescues through boiling surf; a Cornwall stern, brooding, lonely, haunting—as Folliot Stokes will tell you, for he has tramped the moors and hills of the ‘ Hinterland; a Cornwall river-beauty, like that of the oak-bordered and queenly Fal; and a Cornwall of richly-variegated serpentine cliffs and sapphire seas, such as only Kvnance and the Lizard reveal to the astonished’ eye. For .more than thirty years I have been familiar with the work of Mr. Claude Hart, who like his noted father, the late Mr. Tom Hart, was enamoured of the coast beauty of the Kvnance and Lizard district, and has devoted his talents to picturing his beloved county in water-colours which have found their way ‘to distant homes, and helped to lure many to the sea-girt Duchy.

WHAT THE ARTIST SEES. The trained eye of the artist sees colour it misses nothing the natural tapestry of a Cornish lane or the “seas of flashing emeralds’ ; it finds more opulent colour, more vivid detail, more contrasting lights and shadows in out landscapes and seascapes than is apparent to the casual observer; but however delicate may be the tints in some of Mr. Claude Hart’s dainty studies, they are not so ethereal as the actual scenes under some atmospheric conditions; and however brilliant and startling you may find some other sketches in this memorable album, must inevitably be less spectacular than the realities which Nature, the Master Painter, displays in her more lavish and radiant mood’s. We have seen along our Cornish coast fairyland skies and enchanted seas which would baffle the brush and palette of any artist. If you visit Cornwall when the skies are grey and rainy, or when storms sweep across the peninsula to accompaniment of witches’ music, you must remember that the Cornish land has its moods and aspects ; that it is wild and’ wayward, as well as magical, seductive and caressing, like men and women in the storm and sunshine life. The sketches in this album, which I have doubt will appeal both to the Cornish folk at home and abroad and the dwellers in our great cities and towns and’ countrysides, will help to introduce to the stranger a Cornwall which is a land with a mysterious and impenetrable past; a land whose metals have been mined in dim centuries; whose people’s minds were filled with legends and superstitions, and who were children nature, long living apart from the people beyond the river Tamar; land once under the ocean, once united with the Isles of Scilly by the now sub! merged region of Lyonesse, and with Brittany across the Channel; a land of purple moorlands and hillsides aflame with golden “furze,” with contorted rocks, raised beaches, cromlechs, dolmens, hutches, monasteries, buried churches and lost languages; a land which holds native ! and visitor as though caught in the silver 1 meshes of a fairy web. \ The railway linked us to the rest of England, and rail and road those who are wise now hie themselves to “the land of rest and beauty” as mirrored in the Mr. Claude Hart’s timely and admirable book. – HERBERT THOMAS.

Cornishman – Wednesday 14 January 1925

                           THE STRANDING OF THE BARDIC.

RECOGNITION OF LIFEBOAT SERVICES.

The White Star Shipping Liverpool, and the underwriters the ship and cargo of the S.S. “Bardic,” which stranded at the Lizard August, 1924, have presented the crew of the Lizard lifeboat with £5 per man in recognition of the splendid services rendered by the lifeboat and crew in saving the crew of the ”Bardic,” and for assistance given in the work of salvage, when the lifeboat was called* out in Tough weather ta take off the stevedores and officers. At the same time the White Star Co. and underwriters gave a donation of; £6o to the Lizard branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, and presented the hon. secretary of the branch (Mr. Claude Montague Hart,), with gold cigarette case, suitably inscribed.

Cornishman – Wednesday 08 February 1928

THE LIZARD’S WORK FOR THE LIFEBOAT.

THANKS FROM R.N.L.I.

The Lizard branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution spent the sum of £342 16s. 9d., and £98 lis. 6d. was raised by local efforts towards the expenses. That the General Committee the Institution appreciate this fine work is evidenced in a letter which the local Hon. Secretary (Claude Montague Hart,) has just received from the Institution. This letter reads: — I now have the pleasure to enclose herewith the annual statement of accounts of the Lizard branch for the year ended 30th September last, and I would take this opportunity of sending the very grateful thanks of the Committee of Management to you and to all the members of the local Committee The Committee note with particular pleasure that you have maintained your list of regular annual subscribers, a matter to- which, as you know, they attach the greatest importance. The Committee are also very glad to see that in addition to its other appeals the branch has been able to hold a lifeboat day. It is the one form appeal which every class, and for that reason we are very grateful to all those who gave, their help in carrying it out.

I am sure it will be a satisfaction to you to know that the Institution’s record of lives rescued is now 61,212 since it was. Founded 104 years ago. In the honour of that great record of service humanity, our honorary officials and workers have a real share with the crews our lifeboats. For it is only by their devoted help that we are able to maintain the service, and to ensure that those who risk their lives in the actual work of rescue shall be provided with the very best in the lifeboats and their equipment.—yours very faithfully,

GEORGE F. SHEE,

Secretary.

Western Morning News – Monday 04 November 1929

                                  PICTURES FROM THE WEST

LONDON EXHIBITION FEATURES (FROM OUR LONDON ART CRITIC.) Many well-known West Country painters are exhibiting the autumn exhibition the Royal Society of British Artists, the 127th since the society was founded

Claude M. Hart, (The Lizard),

Cornishman – Thursday 19 October 1933

                      ROYAL NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTITUTION

THE LIZARD BRANCH.

Mr Claude Montague Hart, Hon. Sec of the Lizard branch of the R.N.L.I, has received the following.

12th October, 1933

Dear Sir, —-I have received your branch account papers for the year ending the 30th September, and it is a pleasure once again to send the very cordial the Committee thanks of the committee of management to the officers and members of your committee and Ladies’ Lifeboat Guild, to your honorary workers and all who, by Personal service or contributions, have made possible the completion of another splendid year’s work, for which we are deeply grateful.

This support, so willingly given, year after year, is of the greatest value in helping the institution to maintain its fleet of 120 motor and 56 pulling and sailing lifeboats. Whenever the call comes the crews are ready go out at any time of the day or night, however bad the weather may be, and we warmly appreciate the part which your workers and contributors are taking in helping provide the service with the best possible boats and equipment.  The record of the work they are helping is in five figures. Since the institution was founded 63,450 lives have been rescued from shipwreck—11 lives every week for 109 years.—yours faithfully,

1. R. Slatterthwaite

Secretary

Claude Montague Hart, Esq., the Lizard Cornwall.

Claude Montague Hart

Cornishman – Thursday 21 December 1939

                                 WRECK NEAR THE LIZARD

SMALL STEAMER SUNK CREW RESCUED BY LIFEBOAT

In one of the darkest nights experienced around the Cornish coast for many years, the Rubaan (300 tons gross), registered at Glasgow went ashore on a rock, off the Lizard in the early hours of Saturday morning, later slipping; off and floundering. The vessel was bound for Charlestown in ballast. . It was about 12.55 a.m. when signals were first observed off the shore, and the lifeboat was launched at 1.45. .

Owing to the wartime regulations maroons are not allowed to be fired and Mr Hart, the Lizard lifeboat Secretary had to get in touch with as many men as he could by telephone, while the remainder of the crew and helpers had to be aroused by calls at their homes. this resulted in considerable delay in getting the lifeboat afloat.

By this time, the crew the Rubaan —eight in number —had got away in their own boat. Searching through darkness, the lifeboat crew at last saw the light of a small torch which was being flashed about to attract attention to their plight. At last a mile and a half from the lifeboat station, the shipwrecked crew was picked up and brought to the Caerthillian Hotel, at the Lizard where they were placed in charge of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society… After being landed, the skipper Capt. Gregory —expressed a desire to back to his ship again, as he still with other watchers from the shore see lights twinkling aboard her. The life boat once again set out, but when they got to the spot where it was though was —on the Vosler, a rock near the Menear Rocks —she had disappeared having, is believed, slipped position where she had gone ashore and foundered.

Cornish Guardian – Thursday 18 April 1946

                                               AUCTIONS

                              The ‘Lizard. South Cornwall.

ATTRACTIVE detached RESIDENCE. for SALE by PUBLIC AUCTION, subject to the National Conditions of Sale and such special conditions as shall then and there be read. on THURSDAY, April 25th, 1946. at The Lizard Hotel. The Lizard, at 3 p.m., by JOHN JULIAN & Co Ltd., Auctioneers, of Newquay. Truro. Wadebridge and Falmouth, vacant possession. Delightfully situated, standing in private grounds of about one acre, facing south. 10 miles from Helston Market town, 1 mile from Kynance Cove and known as  “MORNENNA.” Church Cove, the Lizard. Soundly constructed of stone, exterior rough cast and roof tiled. Accommodation: on the Ground Floor. Entrance, Porch, Reception hall about 15′ x 14′ 3’. lounge hall 18 3 x 15′. Main 22′ x 19 10 drawing-room 21′ 6 x 21′ 3′ cloak room 10’x 5′ 6’’, tiled kitchen, tiled scullery. Larder, cupboards, large coal cellar, tiled serving and housemaid’s Pantry fitted cupboards and shelves, also sink (h. and c). On the first floor Approached by principal and secondary staircases, four Large bedrooms, 16’ 5’’ x 20′ 6’’, 11’ 6’’ x 12’ 6’’, 10’ x 15′ 3’’, 10′ x 15′ 3″ and 8’ x 15′; dressing-room large bathroom. Fitted large linen cupboard. box room. Outside: Tool-house, W.C. Electric light throughout, modern sanitation. _ _ Held on 99 years lease from 25th December.1909, thus having a term of approximately 82 years unexpired at a ground rent of £8 per annum. Vacant possession on completion of the purchase. To view: Keys with Mr. C. M. Hart. Penhallow, The Lizard. For further particulars apply to the Auctioneers at their offices 4. Victoria Parade, Newquay. Solicitors: Messrs. Ashby Rogers & Fournier, 106. Newington Causeway. London SE1

Claude died 6th Nov 1952    Penhallow, Church Cove Rd, Landwednack, Cornwall, England

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