The True History of the Elephant Man by Peter Ford & Michael Howell

Author:Peter Ford & Michael Howell [Ford, Peter & Howell, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780749040499
Publisher: Allison & Busby, Limited
Published: 2011-09-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

‘Such a Gentle, Kindly Man, Poor Thing!’

Even during the early days following his admission to the London Hospital, the case of Joseph Merrick began to attract the attention of people who were in a position to bring social influence to bear on his behalf. Outstanding among these was the actress, Mrs Kendal, to whose actor husband, W. H. Kendal, Mr Wardell Cardew mentioned the fact of Joseph Merrick having been in Ostend. Wardell Cardew went on to suggest that Mr Kendal might care to go to the London Hospital to see the Elephant Man for himself, and so he did. In fact Kendal had studied medicine for a time before deciding to make his career in the theatre, and among his friends was John Bland-Sutton. He had made a point of keeping up his interest in medical topics.

When he returned home his wife asked him whether he had enjoyed himself amid all the medical activity. According to her memoirs, Dame Madge Kendal by Herself, he replied decisively:

‘No … I have not. I have seen the most fearful sight of my life.’

‘Don’t tell me about it,’ I replied.

‘The extraordinary thing,’ declared my husband, ‘is that out of the distorted frame came the most musical voice.’

The experience so affected him that he could hardly speak. When he recovered, he told me that Mr Cardew had said they would never allow Merrick to be in the hospital permanently, although he ought to be in there, as it was not fit that he should be seen in public.

‘Wouldn’t they let him remain in the hospital,’ I asked, ‘if the money was raised to pay for his keep?’

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