The Madras College Archive

     


Former Teacher Biographies

Samuel Messieux ( - 1859), First Master of Modern Languages
 

The Madras College Magazine for February 1890 reports:

 

Reminiscences of Madras College Masters.
MR SAMUEL MESSIEUX


The first master of Modern Languages in the Madras College was Samuel Messieux. He was a native of Switzerland, the younger son of a proprietor there. According to the law of that country, on the death of the father the estate would fall to be divided in equal portions among the members of the family. It was evident to Samuel and his brother Adam that the portion of goods falling to them in this way would not be sufficient to support them in comfort, so they arranged to sell their shares to their oldest brother, and the two cadets came to this country to push their fortunes by mean of the liberal education which had been imparted to them.

Picture hanging in the R & A

They resided for some time in Dundee and Aberdeen, and eventually landed in St Andrews, which became the abode of Samuel for the remainder of his life. While in Dundee Mr Messieux made the acquaintance of Thomas Hood, who "sang the song of the shirt." In subsequent years, when Hood came to visit his relatives in Dundee, it was his custom to journey to St Andrews to see his friend, the French teacher. Mr Messieux possessed in manuscript several unpublished poems of Hood, the mementoes of these visits.

He was a man of considerable culture, having a very thorough knowledge of English language and literature, and being well versed in the literature of France. He was an ardent student of the comedies of Moliere and the tragedies of Racine. Of both authors he owned the most perfect and beautiful editions.

Mr Messieux's cultivated manner and genial spirit made him a favourite in all societies. He was a popular member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club. In 1825 and 1827 he was the winner of the gold medal, and in 1840 he won the silver cross at the May meeting. Among the trophies preserved in the club is a stuffed lark, said to have been: the victim of his club and ball.

He enjoyed the entire respect and confidence of his pupils. His intercourse with them was very much en bon camerade. On one occasion we remember his overhearing in class a boy — now a settler in Australia — humming to himself the air of the song of the Girondins — "Mourir pour la patrie." He asked the lad if he knew the words, and would sing the song to the class. The answer was that he did not know the words — only the tune; but this led to a conversation on French songs, and the "Marseillaise" having been mentioned, and someone having expressed a desire to hear it sung, Mr Messieux sat up in his chair and rolled out in his rich voice the stirring strain, "Aux armes ! Aux armes !"

Mr Messieux retired from his mastership on a pension from the Trustees some years before his death, and it may be interesting to some of his old friends to know that his widow is still alive and resident in Cambridge, where his daughter is a tutor in Newnham College.

T. B.

He taught classes in French, German and Italian at St Andrews University both before coming to Madras and also until his retirement in 1854. His name has gone down in history as the golfer who achieved the longest drive with a feathery ball on the Old Course. There is a story that tells of the strength of his grip. He used to apply a pair of what he called 'Swiss Gloves' as a punishment, or with friends in fun.  He held the victim's wrist between two fingers and squeezed very hard and rubbing until they roared.