Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 19.djvu/346

 North Warwickshire in 1868, but was not elected. In 1873 he removed his residence to London, and being a great lover of horses he spent the remainder of his life in an endeavour to mitigate the sufferings caused by the use of improper harness, tight bearing-reins, and gag-bits. In these efforts he was to a certain extent successful. He died at 35 Hyde Park Gardens, London, 26 March 1883, and his widow Celina died 2 March 1884, aged 79. He left three sons, Charles Edward Flower, William Henry Flower, C.B., LL.D., F.R.S., director of the Natural History Department, British Museum, and Edgar Flower. The books he published were: 1. ‘A Few Words about Bearing Reins,’ 1875. 2. ‘Bits and Bearing Reins,’ 1875; seventh edition, 1886. 3. ‘Horses and Harness,’ 1876. 4. ‘The Stones of London, or Macadam v. Vestries,’ 1880.

[Bits and Bearing Reins, 1886, pp. 3–15, with portrait and memoir; Victoria Mag. May 1878, pp. 67–8, with portrait; Illustrated London News, 7 May 1864, p. 453, with portrait; Times, 27 March 1883, p. 7.] 

FLOWER, ELIZA (1803–1846), musical composer, elder daughter of Benjamin Flower [q. v.], was born at Harlow, Essex, 19 April 1803. Her first published compositions, a series of ‘Fourteen Musical Illustrations of the Waverley Novels’ (1831), followed by ‘Songs of the Seasons’ and a number of other pieces, indicated the musician's power of sympathetic expression. Among a few political songs, ‘The Gathering of the Unions,’ a juvenile composition, has been republished as having been performed at the great Birmingham meeting in May 1832, where, in fact, the words had been sung, but to another musical setting. Of a higher character, though equally simple, is the widely known chorus, ‘Now pray we for our country’ (1842). The chief work of Miss Flower's musical life was the composition of ‘Hymns and Anthems, the words chiefly from Holy Scripture and the writings of the poets,’ arranged in five parts, ‘Adoration’ (1841), ‘Aspiration,’ ‘Belief,’ ‘Heaven upon Earth’ (1846), and ‘Life in Death’ (as yet unprinted). Eighteen of these pieces were republished in 1888, and a further selection is contemplated. The object of the composer was to supply a musical service for the congregation of South Place Chapel, Finsbury, which had no liturgy, and was accustomed to simple psalmody led by a precentor. A choir was, however, formed, and many of these compositions, full of melody and musical feeling, and at the same time truly devotional in character, were performed. Among the anthems deserving special mention are several to poetry written by her sister, Mrs. Sarah Flower Adams [q. v.], including ‘Darkness shrouded Calvary,’ and the well-known ‘Nearer, my God, to Thee,’ to the music of which many admirers of this hymn are strangers. Among the more simple hymns are Sir John Bowring's ‘Ancient of Ages’ and Milton's ‘Defend the Poor and Desolate.’ For the South Place Chapel choir a hymn-book was specially compiled by Mr. W. J. Fox, to which music from the best composers was adapted by Miss Flower. This highly gifted and enthusiastic musician died of consumption 12 Dec. 1846, and was buried in her father's grave near Harlow. Her portrait, drawn from memory by Mrs. Bridell Fox, lithographed by Vinter, has been published by Charles Fox.

[Private information; Brown's Dict. of Musicians, p. 249; The Reasoner, December 1846.] 

FLOWER, JOHN (fl. 1658), puritan divine and preacher, born about 1624, was the son of William Flower of Cubley, Derbyshire. He became a commoner of New Inn Hall, Oxford, in Act term 1640, proceeded B.A. 2 April 1647, and was created M.A. by the parliamentary visitors, 14 April 1648. According to Wood ‘he was soon after preacher of God's word at Ilmington in Warwickshire, and afterwards at Staunton in the county of Nottingham, where I find him in 1658’ (Fasti Oxon. ed. Bliss, ii. 101, 112). He wrote: 1. ‘The Free and Honourable Servant, set forth in his Privileges and Prerogatives,’ 8vo, London, 1652. 2. ‘Several Quæries concerning the Church of Jesus Christ upon Earth, briefly explained and resolved,’ 8vo, London, 1658.

[Wood's Fasti Oxon. (Bliss), ii. 101, 112; Notes and Queries, 2nd ser. xii. 46.] 

FLOWER, ROGER (d. 1428?), speaker of the House of Commons, son of William Flower, sheriff of Rutland in 1386-7, by Elena his wife, was returned to parliament for the county of Rutland in 1396-7, again in 1399, 1402, 1404, 1413-14. He was one of the feoffees of the Brigitine nunnery founded by Henry V in 1414. Still representing Rutland county he was chosen speaker four times—in 1416, 1417, 1419, and 1422—a distinction hitherto unprecedented except in the case of Thomas Chaucer [q. v.] From his holograph will (dated 15 April 1424, proved 20 June 1428) it is clear that he was a lawyer. Not only is it plainly the composition of one well versed in legal technicalities, but it contains a bequest of chattels 'in mine inn' in London, where the inn referred to can only be one of