“Dr Mark and his Little Men” was a remarkable musical phenomenon in mid-19th century Britain. Between 1851 and 1868 Dr Bertram van der Mark travelled ceaselessly around the British Isles playing to packed halls with his band of around thirty boys and young men. All of them were enrolled in his ‘Bristol Conservatoire of Music’ and then in his ‘Royal College of Music’ in Manchester, many of them were orphans or from poor families, and all were taught by Dr Mark and his assistants according to a ‘simple method’ that ‘effected the rapid progress of [his] Pupils’.

As far as we know given the limited evidence, Charles Bertram van der Mark was born in Germany in 1816, arrived in England in the early 1840s, and established a conservatoire of music in Bristol in 1849. He promoted his method of teaching instrumental skills by giving concerts with his band of pupils in Bristol and surrounding towns before embarking on a provincial tour in 1851. Moving to Manchester following insolvency in Bristol in 1853, he eventually established another conservatoire in Bridge Street, Cheetham in 1858, renaming it the ‘Royal College of Music’ following the band’s invitation to play for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert at Windsor Castle in the same year. We have yet to discover if there was any form of royal recognition for his college, but Dr Mark was not averse to hyperbole in his efforts to promote his cause, so we suspect not. (Furthermore, his doctorate was clearly self-awarded, although no-one seemed to mind at the time!)

Dr Mark’s ideas were broadly in line with prevailing attitudes towards poverty and the perception of social disintegration that had arisen as a result of rapid industrialisation. There were frequent proposals for music schools in towns and cities across the country from the late 1830s onwards, usually with social reform and ‘moral improvement’ as the primary objective, and the brass band and singing-class movements were also gathering pace.

He proposed a national network of conservatoires of music for children of the working class, suggesting that “On the ground of public economy, I would … especially recommend the establishment of institutions for the teaching of music”. He went on to argue, “How many thousands of pounds are expended annually on the institutions for preventing and punishing crime, and on how many juvenile offenders has the retention and punishment in the county gaol no other effect than to degrade and harden their hearts! Would it not be better to vote a small sum annually on such institutions as would, by their powerful influence over the minds and affections, improve the condition, purify the tastes, restrain the evil propensities, and prevent crime?”

A major flaw in his plan to establish conservatoires across the country was, however, the fact that he was attempting to do so singlehandedly and with very little financial assistance. Indeed, the list of patrons in the concert programme featured above appears to be overburdened with impecunious reverends and rather light on wealthy lords, dukes and duchesses, despite royal approval and a few impressive names. He probably lacked the crucial political and diplomatic skills required to build a robust organisation to support his work and to attract and retain effective patronage, and was left with no option other than to tour the country with his band of ‘Little Men’ to raise money for his conservatoires.

The concerts were undoubtedly popular, but the high cost of travelling around the country with a large group of children, combined with the expense of running his schools, often outweighed takings at the box office. He was declared bankrupt again in 1861, and his subsequent tireless and much-admired efforts to repay all his creditors may well have driven him to his grave in 1868 aged 52.

How do we assess Dr Mark and his work with the limited evidence currently available? It is easy to form the impression, particularly from his advertisements, that Dr Mark was a dodgy showman and charlatan who exploited vulnerable children for financial gain. (Surely today, OFSTED and Social Services would have rapidly descended and shut down his establishments!) But looking beyond the exaggerated claims and the extravagant language of his pronouncements, it becomes clear that Dr Mark was an idealist who was passionate about his cause. He and his English-born wife Eliza were well liked, widely respected and much admired for their work at the time. Later accounts by former members of his band (see below) are uniformly positive and indicate that the children were well looked after and that their experiences as ‘Little Men’ were generally happy. Furthermore, it appears that the original group of children he enrolled in Bristol were intensely loyal. They remained with the band to the end, and after his death continued giving concerts in an attempt to provide for Mrs Mark.

His obituaries, together with a remarkable correspondence between former members in the Manchester Times twenty-three years after his death, provide the best available account of his life and work, including hints as to his otherwise obscure origins. We have transcribed and edited an extensive selection below.

APPENDIX 1.

Obituaries

The Era, 2nd February 1868

The Late Dr Mark.

The name of Dr. Mark, whose decease we noticed a short time ago, has long been associated with musical enterprise- at least with a branch of it peculiar in its character, and novel in its design. “Dr. Mark and his Little Men” is a phrase too well known to the public to require any explanation here, nor do we think that any who have listened to the musical performance of the juvenile orchestra referred to, will require more than the mention of the name to recall happy reminiscences of the profitable pleasure they enjoyed. Dr. Mark’s musical career was not of yesterday. In 1841 he opened a College in Bristol for the teaching of music, on a system original, and, as results showed, thoroughly practicable. The objects he had in view were various. He conceived that the youth of this country possessed the elements of musicians to a greater extent than at that time was believed to exist, and he determined to put it to the test – his belief being strengthened by his conviction that music ought to be made a branch of social education, and that even the minds of the lower classes would be benefited by a carefully-conducted study of its theory and practice. At the opening of the College classes were formed, comprising some hundreds of pupils, who, in an incredibly short time, proved by their public performance the worth of the system under which they were being trained. The College was in existence for ten years, and in 1851 the Doctor collected a number of the youngest of his pupils, took them under his care, and began a Provincial tour, throughout which he was met with the greatest enthusiasm, receiving from the highest in the land frequent and unsolicited testimony of respect and admiration. In 1858, Dr. Mark determined to repeat in Manchester the same experiment he had tried in Bristol. The distinctive feature of the Manchester College was that 200 children should receive a general and musical education on the payment of a nominal sum, or for their services at a series of cheap concerts, which were proposed to be given. This Institution, as most of our readers will remember, was opened in Bridge-street, in 1858. The results, though promising at first, were not so gratifying as was expected. For three years Dr. Mark fought a hard up-hill battle, under the greatest difficulties, his honourable character being visible through them all. To those difficulties he was at last compelled to succumb. An unconditional discharge was granted to him from all liabilities. And one fact has only to be stated to show the character of the man, viz., that from that time till shortly before his death he devoted a large proportion of his income to the settlement of those claims from which the law had released him. He returned from a musical tour about six months ago in ill-health. He placed himself under medical treatment, and hopes were entertained of his recovery, until a relapse unfortunately took place, after which he rapidly sank, and died at his residence in Manchester on the 2d ultimo, from enlargement of the liver, succeeded by dropsy. His remains were followed to their resting-place, in St. Luke’s Church, Cheetham, by a large number of sincerely sorrowing friends, who mourned his loss as that of a man honourable in his character, kindly in disposition, and an ornament to the Profession in which he occupied a prominent place. The praiseworthy efforts which Dr. Mark made to disburse his liabilities incurred in a philanthropic and national undertaking have, as may readily be conceived, left his widow entirely unprovided for. We understand that arrangements are being made for a concert in Manchester to supply, to some extent, the deficiency. To say that we wish such an undertaking every success is saying no more than the memory of a man deserves who was respected and beloved by all who knew him.

Edinburgh Evening Courant, 6th January 1868

DEATH OF DR MARK.—We deeply regret to notice the death of this gentleman, so well-known for his great exertions in popularising music among the young. For a good many years Dr Mark, has annually given concerts in Edinburgh, which were always highly appreciated by parents, and crowded with delighted juveniles. From the last report of Dr Mark’s college, we learn that “during the past twenty years he has given no fewer than 9586 concerts and 6260 lectures. He has had the honour of playing before her Majesty and the royal family several times, also before 7,645,781 children and 6,246,689 adults; played the National Anthem 9982 times, travelled 296,690 miles, expended £125,000, independent of £25,000 of his own resources. He has established the Royal College of Music, and several conservatories of music, organised a number of juvenile bands, and upwards of 5500 private and class pupils have been taught upon his system, many of them being educated and maintained free of expense. Dr Mark has been presented, unsolicited, with numerous testimonials from musicians of the first rank, including Halle, Mlle Piccolomini, Guiglini, Jullien, Russell, H. Phillips, &c. &c.; and his entertainments have been patronised by royalty and the principal aristocracy of the country.” We sincerely hope that some means will be taken to maintain Dr Mark’s training college and his admirable little band, so that the excellent work of which he was the originator may be perpetuated for the benefit of the rising generation.

APPENDIX 2.

Later correspondence between former members

1. Manchester Times, 12 December, 1890

[528) DR MARK AND HIS “LITTLE MEN” –
Can any of your readers give particulars respecting this interesting company of musicians, once so young popular in Manchester? – HARDY.

2. Manchester Times, 19 December 1890

In reply to inquiry, I beg to say Dr. Mark had his establishment in Bridge-street, Manchester, I believe where the Queen’s Theatre is now situated. I well remember, when a girl, attending his juvenile balls at the Freetrade Hall. What a glorious night it was for us young people, all dancing to the strains of the delightful music played by the “Little Men,” led by Dr. Mark! … I believe some of the “Little Men” made a name for themselves; and probably they may speak out and say a word or two about their old master.
ADA MARRIOTT

Pendleton.

3. Manchester Weekly Times, 9th January 1891

… Dr. Mark formed his company of “Little Men” in Bristol, and after training them as musicians, commenced his travelling tour. He augmented his band during his travels, mainly by selecting lads from amongst his afternoon audiences (generally given to school children, and extended to juvenile charities) whom he thought were bright enough and apt enough to take music well. I and a schoolmate were so selected at Bolton in 1857, but I was the only who joined his band. My father paid a premium (£5 I think was the sum), and I was apprenticed for three years. I was a performer at the doctor’s first juvenile ball in the Free-trade Hall, and at several others, both there and in other parts of the country. I travelled right through England and Scotland with the “Little Men,” and have very many pleasant memories of those happy boyhood’s days. I have never been to Scotland since (33 years ago), but I have vivid recollections of Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood, and Arthur’s Seat, and often think of standing at St. Andrew’s Church gates in Edinburgh one New Year’s Eve, watching the excitement of the Scotsfolk hailing each other as the day was heralded in. Dr. Mark was a kind man, and I feel after all these years that he had as great an affection for us as most parents have for their children. He ruined himself by his unbounded charity. He had one daughter, Leila Mark, who married a schoolmaster, Mr. Harwood, who afterwards, I think, I became stationmaster at Accrington. Of course, the Bristol boys, being the best instrumentalists, were more favoured than the rest. I have often marvelled that not one of those boys has become famous in the world of music, as they had extraordinary powers as children, particularly Joseph O. Sturge (violin), Edwin Sturge, his brother (cornet), James Beard (violin), and Henry Donovan (baritone). Dr. Mark composed much of his own music, and some of it was popular 20 years ago. … Will some other “Little Man” write? There won’t be many left now, I am afraid.
L.SAUNDERS.
450, Oldham Road, Manchester.

4. Manchester Weekly Times, 30th January 1891

… Mr. L. Saunders is correct on many points, but not on all. I am sorry I cannot remember him, but it is possible he left the Little Men immediately before I joined. Bristol was the birthplace of Dr. Mark’s enterprise. E. Sturge and J. Sturge were among the earliest of his pupils, and never left the good ship while one plank remained. It is true the doctor was a kind man. I was about saying I never saw him strike a boy. But he once hit a boy over the head with a violin for persistently making the same mistake at rehearsal, and next day the boy received a stroke of double the value. A mistake of Mr. Saunders’s is this: Miss Lelia Mark (as she was always called) was a daughter of Mrs. Mark, by her first husband. Dr. Mark had no children, except his Little Men. …

I joined Dr. Mark and his Little Men in April, 1859, at Rugby, and travelled with them for a month before being sent to the college. After twelve months’ tuition I joined the band as a travelling member. During my stay at the college lessons were given to me upon an instrument of my own choice, viz. the ophecleide, and I had the good fortune to have as a teacher one well known in Manchester in years gone by as the finest ophecleide trombone player in England, the late Harry Russell. So well did he push me on that I one day saw myself advertised for a concert in the Corn Exchange, Manchester, as the smallest ophecleide player in the country. I remember my solo well, “II Balen,” and how delighted I was with the encore. I never missed a tour after that – travelling several times as far north as Inverness, to South Jersey, to West Galway, and East Yarmouth.

Of the old boys, J. Sturge made a good name for himself as a prominent member of Sir Charles Halle’s band, but he has now joined the great majority. His elder brother, Edwin, was, the last time I heard, bandmaster at Yarmouth. Issac Taylor died at his post as first violin under Jacobi, Alhambra, London. Willie Kay (whose sister was matron at the college), has taken his place. C. Hadfield, now acknowledged the finest trombone in London, is in the same orchestra. The last I heard of J. Hopkins was as a music seller in Grimsby. C. Smith, of Yeovil; Butterworth, of Hanley; Sam Arnold, Birmingham; Willie Norman, Bedford ; Bishop, Hereford; G. Coy, Newcastle; Baker, Newcastle; Scott, Long Sutton; J. Shepherd (“The Darkey”), Plymouth, and many prominent members I have lost sight of. One word for the dog “Tiger.” He knew “God save the Queen” as well as any of us, and would join lustily in it. But there is one I have not mentioned who was as dear to us all even as a mother. I can now recall her encouraging smile, her gentle rebuke, her sorrow at our little troubles, her joy at our pleasures. Dear Mrs. Mark I have not heard from her for the last four years.

I may say that we tried hard to keep the band together for the benefit of Mrs. Mark, but, play as well as we might, we soon found that “Dr. Mark’s Little Men ” were not so acceptable to the public as “Dr. Mark and his Little Men.” Our last concert took place in Wrexham. It fell to my lot to make the farewell speech, and hard work it was. In conclusion, I hope all the “Old Little Men” have been treated by the world as well as it has treated me.
ALFRED KNIGHT.
East Lynne, Park Avenue, Oswestry.

P.S. I had forgotten one important item. During the years I was a “Little Man” (now quite 6ft.) we had only one death. The boy died at Luton, and was buried in the cemetery there. We all followed him to the grave. His name I forget. Can any of the old boys give it me? A. K.

5. Manchester Weekly Times, 6th February 1891

… When I joined Dr. Mark we had not the advantage of a stationary residence. We changed from town to town almost daily, so that I had not the same chance of swift progress in learning that fell to Mr. Knight’s lot. It is wonderful to notice the diverse habits and tastes of people in different towns. At most places we were well received, at many places the halls were packed to overflowing; but at a certain place in Scotland, I remember, at an afternoon performance we had an audience of one! We gave the concert, however. No one died during my term, but two boys (brothers) from Walsall ran away. The Doctor summoned their father at Liverpool, and as the father’s defence was that they were not properly fed (they were weakly lads), Dr. Mark took nine of his red-cheeked fat lads into court to disprove it. I was one of the nine. The rest had a little sea trip, I remember, that day, but we nine were feasted with fruit and sweetmeats to our appetite’s content when the Doctor won the case. When I joined the Doctor his little men were costumed as representing the armies and navies of Europe. I was dressed as a Zouave, Joe Sturge as a sailor (and a nice lad he was), and so on.

Good bands were very scarce 30 years ago, and when one excelled in precision and play it was not unusual for the performers to travel as public entertainers. Thus we frequently crossed “Jullien’s Band,” and I recollect that at Stourbridge the wonder of the country was brought out to face Dr. Mark and his Little Men in the shape of a band of boys, trained like our industrial school bands now, by a Mr. Bullock. I shall never forget the excitement among us that night when Mr. Bullock led his band through the first part of a special programme. But when our turn came they weren’t in it! We frequently met the late “international” and deservedly popular singer, Mr. Henry Russell, to whose panoramas we were admitted when not on duty, …”

The “Darkey” was with Dr. Mark, and also a pure Highland lad (wearing kilts), in my time, as well as Butterworth, from Hanley; Tom Donovan (double bass), Henry Donovan (afterwards in the Dragoons’ band), Jim Beard (leader, violin), Edwin Jancey, all brilliant lads from Bristol. – Where are they now? If Mr. Knight ever comes to Manchester, the under- signed will be glad indeed to see him.
450, Oldham Road.
L. SAUNDERS.

6. Manchester Times, 13th February, 1891

Dr. Mark was a German by birth, and also an officer of the German army, but for some cause he and some brother officers had to leave their country, so that in a sense he was an exile. Landing in England, I believe he settled in Bristol. The first band he organised there consisted of Germans, and I have heard it said that it was one of the finest bands in that part of the country. Dr. Mark was not a “poor German,” but a gentleman of independent means. Having money and time at his disposal, he commenced his musical career by establishing the Bristol Conservatoire of Music, in 1849, for the promotion of native talent. After a time he gave concerts with his pupils, to show the people his new system of musical education, namely, teaching them to play from memory instead of from notes. … I travelled with them for nearly five years, and I can truthfully say we never had a music score on the platform the whole time we were with him. My friend Mr. Saunders has mentioned the boys’ parents paying a premium of £5. I believe this was done by those who were in a position to pay. But what was £5, when the Doctor had to clothe and keep the boys, and find them their instruments, and educate them for three years? I know that in several cases where the parents were poor the Doctor took the boys for nothing, and I am proud to say that those “Little Men” are occupying good positions in the country to-day, thanks to the exertions of kind-hearted Dr. Mark.

… Dr. Mark being a strict Churchman, we all had to go to church on Sunday morning, with the exception of the two brothers Donovan. Those brothers, being Roman Catholics, went to their own place of worship. So it will be seen we had not very much time for tuition, but what time we had the Doctor made good use of, both in the railway carriage and at the hotel where we happened to stay till we were ready to perform on the platform with the rest of the boys. And those were very happy days. … My friend Mr. Knight says he never saw the Doctor strike a boy but once while he was with him. I can say that I have seen him do it a score of times, but not without a cause, and you may be sure that where there are 40 boys together there will soon be a cause. …

I can fully endorse all my two friends have said respecting Dr. and Mrs. Mark’s kindness towards us while under their care. We shall never see their like again. The Manchester people might appropriately perpetuate Dr. Mark’s memory, considering his unwearied labours in the promotion of music. Had it not been for him I do not think the Royal College of Music in London would have been established, for I believe it was the Doctor who first set the ball rolling.
W. W. RICHARDS.
Railway View, Waterloo-street, Oldham.
… … … …

Mrs. Mark, widow of Dr. Mark, wishes to convey her sincere thanks to the “Little Men” who have so kindly expressed, through the medium of “Notes and Queries,” their good feelings with regard to her late husband. Dr. Mark was, as is represented on his monument in St. Luke’s Churchyard, a genuine Christian – all that was kind and true, generous and good, and was beloved by all who knew him. In the same grave with him rest the remains of a grandson and a granddaughter. It is not too much to express the belief that his “Little Men” would never have attained the position which many of them have done, had it not been for his bright example.
ELIZA MARKS.
111, Stocks-st., Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester.

7. Manchester Times, 20th February 1891

… I joined Dr. Mark in 1859, at the Royal College of Music, Bridge-street (recently burnt down). There were a good number of boys from different parts of the country, and many Manchester boys. I did not remain long at the college. My size and appearance suited the Doctor’s entertainment, and I commenced to travel as one of the “Little Men,” and from that time I was constantly travelling, until we finally disbanded. I travelled with them through England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and the Channel Islands, several times, and no matter where we visited we were always well received. We were favourites with the public; no entertainment was better patronised. We had the honour of per- forming before Royalty several times, and before many of the leading statesmen, &c., of the day. If distinguished patronage was worth anything, the Doctor would have carried all before him. He tried hard to keep the college on, but it was a great expense to him, and he was compelled to give it up. The boys who were there all went home. We, the “Little Men,” kept on travelling as usual for several years. I was with the Doctor through it all, and had no wish to leave him …
J. D. HOPKINS.
Cleethorpe Road, Grimsby.

… … … …

I have read with great interest the correspondence in regard to Dr. Mark and his “Little Men,” and should like to give a little information on the same subject. I was apprenticed to Dr. Mark when he first came to Manchester, and travelled with him and his “Little Men” for seven years in various parts of the country. In regard to the building in Bridge-street that Mr. Knight and Mr. Saunders speak about, I am of opinion they are both a little in error. If my memory serves me right, the building, before Dr. Mark took it, went under the name of the London Hotel. I remember it very well, with its stables and coachyard, &c.; and have a lively recollection of how a portion of the building was converted into a schoolroom, and the cottages adjoining into a practice room, and I look back with pleasure to the bright and happy times we spent there. The building has changed its name several times since, having become by turns the Royal College of Music, the London Amphitheatre, the London Music Hall, and, lastly, the Queen’s Theatre. The boy who died at Luton was known amongst the “Little Men” by the nickname of “Sally.” The inhabitants of Luton erected a stone over his grave out of respect to him.

I joined the “Little Men” as drummer in the place of Harry Topham, who had gone to be drummer at Wombwell’s Menagerie. After a time Harry gave up the post of drummer, and became the “lion tamer.” The last time I heard of him he had left the menagerie, and was engaged as a master bill-poster in Edinburgh. Only a few months since I saw one of the “Little Men,” Johnny Goodwin, who is engaged in bookbinding in Manchester. …
W.E. NUTTALL
(Formerly Drummer with Dr. Mark’s Little Men)
Manchester

8. Manchester Times, 6th March 1891

I have read with much interest and pleasure the various comments of friends on the good old days of “Dr. Mark and his Little Men,” when we were boys together. I remember well Knight of Rugby and Hopkins of Kettering, though I was a “little man” two years before they came amongst us. I joined the band in March, 1857, when eight years of age, and was one of the nine witnesses in the Liverpool trial when the brothers Lamb pleaded “not properly fed.” The mainstay of the band during my term of apprenticeship was the seven Bristol boys — Tom and Henry Donovan, John and Jim Beard, Joe and Ted Sturge, and Edwin Jancey ; John Beard (not Jim) acting as leader, ably supported by Joe Sturge. Many faces are still very familiar to me — lsaac Taylor, Charlie Fogg, Willie Kay, Skinner (the kilted boy), Topham, Butterworth, Bishop, Baker, Leigh, Butler, Smith (of Birmingham), Nicholson, Nuttall, Scott, and others. The College in Bridge-street was not established when I joined, and we almost daily itinerated from town to town, and I remember after a few weeks with what pride I stood up to join the band in the National Anthem (the only tune I could then manage), having sat behind the Doctor’s piano during the whole of the concert, anxiously waiting for the “Queen,” as the dog Tiger used to do in after years. The Doctor was always good and kind to the boys, and would remember us with a little present on our birthdays. Often during the concerts, before the song “Merry, merry souls are we” (which, by-the-by, I sometimes now sing for my children), he would say, “Laugh well, boys, and after the concert, oranges;” and he always kept his word. And didn’t we laugh, led by the rosy-cheeked, curly-headed “Leigh” from Wellingborough! When Taylor, Scott, and myself first ventured to play the “Caliph de Bagdad” without copy at the concerts, arranged for piano and two violins, he rewarded us with a large silver coin each. Such was his kindness of heart. In reference to the patronage of Royalty, it was by command of her Majesty, we travelled from York to London on February 10, 1858, the anniversary of her wedding day, and in Buckingham Palace, before the Royal family and the guests assembled, we gave a bit of our best. And didn’t we boys enjoy the “spread” afterwards! Doubtless we each stood an inch higher, and the following evening we performed in the ancient city of York. Subsequently we played before the Queen on two occasions in my time, as well as before the Prince of Wales at Oxford. Lord Palmerston at Romsey, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland at Dublin, &c. It was, I think, during our stay in Dublin that one of “Julien’s” band, hearing the remarkable playing of Ted Sturge, remarked “Koenig is dead, but Koenig is alive again,”
THOMAS COLBECK
Huddersfield.

APPENDIX 3.

Two of the correspondents above refer to ‘a pure Highland lad (wearing kilts)’, and ‘Skinner (the kilted boy)’. This was James Skinner (1843 – 1927) from Aberdeenshire, who became famous in Scotland as a fiddle player and dancing master.

James Skinner’s biography can be found on the Undiscovered Scotland website:   http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usbiography/s/jamesscottskinner.html