MALACCA MEMORIES
William Shellabear the strict
disciplinarian
A family picture of the Rev Shellabear and family.
Back row, from left, Mrs Emma Shallabear, son Hugh, and
the Rev Shellabear; front row, from left, daughters Fanny and Margaret.
'FATHER had been accustomed to
severe discipline in his army life, and he kept himself under
severe discipline here in Malacca, rising at 5.30 am with the
first streaks of daylight.
First of all, he would go down the back stairway, dressed in his
Malay sarong and baju, to the men's bathroom below, where he shaved
and had a cold bath. Then he dressed and went to his study for
his quiet hour and some study before breakfast. From breakfast
until dinner (lunch) and again all afternoon, he was seated at
his desk, working without a break on his translation work.
Since he held himself to such strict discipline, he expected similar
discipline in those associated with him, and we were all required
to keep the daily routine strictly. All meals had to come according
to the clock. During the hours of study and translation, father
seemed very serious and almost stern to us, for he was so much
absorbed in his work, but after tea he felt free and was then
eager for a walk or some play with his girls.
One day after tea, father called out to us, "Girls, how would
you like to walk to the back of the garden with me?" This
was always a treat, so Margaret took one of his hands, I took
the other, skipping along and trying to keep with his long strides.
Father showed us some banana trees he had
planted and how quickly they had grown, then we looked at the
coconut trees. After that we walked back to the old pond which
was considered too dirty for us to play in. Then we walked back
to where tapioca was growing and to a large coconut grove. We
saw some coconut trees which had fallen down, and it was great
fun to walk on these trunks when suddenly we heard his stern voice
calling out to us, "Girls, jump to your left and run to me
as fast as you can." We never questioned father's commands
as he always expected obedience …
When we reached him, he told us where to stand and he went to
cut a long bamboo stick with his pocket knife. Margaret and I
watched him go over to the fallen coconut tree, and we then discovered
that there was a snake, for father was beating something with
all his strength. When the long black snake was dead, he hung
it over the bamboo stick, and we all three walked back to the
house, very proud of the six-foot cobra which father had killed.
As we neared the house, mother was looking out from the upstairs
verandah and called out, "William, where in the world did
you find my velvet belt?" Father laughed as he brought it
closer so that mother could see the poisonous snake. We were thankful
that day that father was always strict ...
… Our father was very particular about us being ready for
meals on time, and we knew that we were expected down at the tea
table at 4.30 pm. One day after our afternoon rest and reading,
we had our baths and were in our petticoats ready to slip into
our white dresses and run down to tea.
At that moment, Margaret happened to look out of the window and
saw our servant and some other people talking below, and she had
a bright idea. In the medicine cupboard was the enema syringe,
and Margaret took it out. I held the enamel basin full of water
near the window behind the curtain, and Margaret squirted water
on all the people who passed below. We were having so much fun
and were so busy that we forgot all about tea, and after calling
us twice, father came up to the bathroom to see what we were up
to.
We were caught in the midst of our bad behaviour. Father said
very little but told us to come to his study. We knew what that
meant … I being the youngest went in first. Father was seated
on his revolving chair, and he turned me over his knee and used
a slipper on the appropriate spot. Then Margaret received the
same treatment, and two very subdued girls made their way out
to the tea table.
Needless to say, we were never late for tea again, and never did
we squirt water on the servants after that.' - Fanny Shellabear
Blasdell, Malacca Memories, Part I, pp.13 and 15.
Earnest Lau, the
Associate Editor of Methodist Message, is also the Archivist of
The Methodist Church in Singapore.
QUOTE:
'Since he held himself to such strict discipline, he expected similar discipline in those associated with him, and we were all required to keep the daily routine strictly. All meals had to come according to the clock.'
-- Mrs Fanny Blasdell, referring to her father, the Rev William Shellabear.