for the sake of the inscriptions, which are in Latin. Underneath are the
arms of the deceased, and on the top his arms, with those of the see of
Rochester, quarterly, between enrichments of books, &c. The first
inscription informs you,--"That Dr. Sprat was the son of a clergyman in
Dorsetshire; and that he was educated at Wadham College, Oxford; that he
first applied himself to poetry, but quitted that study to pursue the
beauties of prose, and polish the English language; that he was early made
known to George, Duke of Buckingham, and by him recommended to Charles I.,
who made him a Prebendary of Westminster, and of Windsor; from which
preferments he soon rose to be Dean of Westminster, and Bishop of
Rochester; but at length, from his firm integrity to the Church and
Monarchy, was brought in danger of his life. He died in 1713, aged
seventy-seven." The second inscription shows--"That the remains of THOMAS
SPRAT, A.M. (son of the Bishop), Archdeacon of Rochester, and Prebendary
of the Churches of Rochester, Winchester, and Westminster, lie near those
of his father. He died May 10, 1720, aged forty-one." The third
inscription imports--"That John Friend, M.D., to show his respect for
those two worthy personages, had caused this monument to be erected
jointly to their memories."--_Bird, sculptor._
Dr. JOSEPH WILLCOCKS.--Two angels holding a scroll, mitre, collegiate cap,
&c., bas-relief, exterior view of Westminster Abbey. On each side are two
beautiful figures of Faith and Hope. This Rev. Prelate was Chaplain to the
British Factory at Lisbon, afterwards Preceptor to the Princess, and
Prebendary of this Church; in 1721, consecrated Lord Bishop of Gloucester;
in 1721, translated to Rochester, also made Dean of this Church, and of
the most Honourable Order of the Bath. He died March 9, 1756, aged
eighty-three, and is buried in a vault in the Ecclesiastical Court, with
his wife Jane, daughter of John Milner, Esq., Consul at Lisbon. She died
March 27, 1725, aged twenty-eight; with Ann, their daughter, who died in
her infancy.--_Cheere, sculptor._
Above is a curious monument, sacred to the memory of RICHARD TYRRELL,
Esq., who was descended from an ancient family of Ireland, and died
Rear-Admiral of the White, 26th June, 1766. Devoted from his youth to the
naval service of his country, and being formed under the discipline, and
animated by the example of his renowned uncle, Sir Peter Warren, he
distinguished himself as an able and experienced officer in many gallant
actions, particularly on the 20th of November, 1758, when commanding the
Buckingham, of sixty-six guns, and one hundred and seventy-five men, he
attacked and defeated three French ships of war; one of them was the
Florin, of seventy-four guns, and seven hundred men; but the Buckingham
being too much disabled to take possession of her, after she had struck,
the enemy, under cover of the night, escaped; during the action he
received several wounds, and lost three fingers of his right hand. Dying
on his return to England from the Leeward Islands, where he had for three
years commanded a squadron of his Majesty's ships, his body was, by his
own desire, committed to the sea, with the proper honours and ceremonies.
On a piece of rock--"_The sea shall give up her dead, and every one shall
be rewarded according to his works._" The figures History, Navigation, and
Hibernia, are well cut; they are represented among the rocks, with the sea
above their heads, the Admiral himself ascending amidst heavy
clouds.--_Nathaniel Read, sculptor._
On a pedestal stands the bust of Dr. ZACHARY PEARCE. The features bear a
striking resemblance to those of the original. On each side are the
ensigns of his prelatical dignities; and underneath is a Latin
inscription, of which the following is a translation:--"Sacred to the
memory of the most Reverend Zachary Pearce, S.T.P., Bishop of Rochester,
Dean of this Church, and of the most Honourable Order of the Bath. The
seeds of learning, which were early sown at Westminster School, he
cultivated to maturity at Cambridge: how rich the produce, both as a
critic and divine, his works, already printed and published, will
abundantly show. At length, growing fond of retirement, and earnestly
desirous of leisure for elucidating the Scriptures, he resigned the
Deanery of Westminster, as he wished to have done that of his Bishoprick,
could it have been permitted. Having lived to finish what was the wish of
his heart,--his Commentary on the Holy Evangelists and the Acts of the
Apostles,--he rested from his labours, June 29, 1774, aged
eighty-four."--_Tyler, sculptor._
"In memory of the Very Rev. WILLIAM BUCKLAND, D.D., F.R.S., Dean of
Westminster, and of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, formerly Canon
of Christ Church, Oxford, Trustee of the British Museum, First Professor
of Geology and Mineralogy in the University of Oxford; founder of the
Museum of Geology, which he bequeathed to that University. Endued with
superior intellect, he applied the powers of his mind to the honour and
glory of God, the advancement of science, and the welfare of mankind. Born
March 12, 1784; died August 14, 1856, aged seventy-two. 'For the Lord
giveth wisdom, out of his mouth cometh knowledge and
understanding.'--_Prov._ xi. ver. 6. Erected by his children."--_H.
Weekes, A.R.A., sculptor_, 1859.
The next is a bust, highly finished, and emblems of sacred offices. The
Latin inscription is to the following purport:--"Sacred to the memory of
the Reverend JOHN THOMAS, LL.D., Bishop of Rochester, Dean of this
Collegiate Church, and of the most Honourable Order of the Bath. Having
passed through the school at Carlisle with reputation, he proceeded to
Oxford, to gather a more abundant harvest of knowledge, where he became
both the ornament and patron of genius, good morals, and of polite, as
well as of profound learning. With increasing fame everywhere spreading
itself, he did honour to dignities by his merit, improved riches by
bestowing them, presided over the Church with wisdom, defended it by his
authority, regulated it by his example; ever active in duties, and
unwearied in attentions, added to the strictest economy; till, after a
well-spent life, himself exhausted, but not his patience, by a long and
painful illness, he resigned his soul to God, August 20, 1793, aged
eighty-one years. His nephew, G.A.T., A.M., to whose lot it fell to
perform it, offers this unavailing tribute, as a testimony, though small,
of Duty and Affection."--_Bust by Nollekens._
KATHARINE BOVEY.--The principal figures here are Faith, with her book
closed, and Wisdom, lamenting the death of her patroness; between which is
a lady's head in an amulet of black marble, curiously veined. Over it is
an English inscription, giving a character of the deceased, who died
January 21, 1727, in the fifty-seventh year of her age. Mrs. Mary Pope,
who lived with her near forty years in perfect friendship, erected this
monument to her memory.--_Gibbs, sculptor._
Lord Viscount HOWE.--The emblematic representation on this monument is a
figure of the Genius of the Province of Massachuset's Bay, in a mournful
posture, lamenting the fall of this hero, and the family arms, ornamented
with military trophies. Beneath is the following inscription, in large
characters:--"The Province of Massachuset's Bay, in New England, by an
order of the Great and General Court, bearing date February 1, 1759,
caused this monument to be erected to the memory of George, Lord Viscount
Howe, Brigadier-General of his Majesty's Forces in North America, who was
slain, July 6, 1758, on the march of Ticonderoga, in the thirty-fourth
year of his age; in testimony of the sense they had of his services and
military virtues, and of the affection their officers and soldiers bore to
his command." He lived respected and beloved: the public regretted his
loss: to his family it is irreparable.
Beneath is a bust to the memory of JOHN IRELAND, D.D.--The Latin
inscription sets forth, that he was a native of Ashburton, Devon. Having
pursued his studies at Oriel College, in the University of Oxford, he was,
in 1802, enrolled amongst the Prebendaries of this Church; and afterwards,
in 1816, raised to the Deanery of the same. Deeply sensible of the
benefits that were divinely showered upon him in early life, he sought in
after years to prove that he was not unmindful of them. Whilst still among
the living, he annually gave liberal prizes for the encouragement of
youthful studies, both at Oxford and in the Royal School at Westminster.
He also, by his last will, bequeathed a munificent pecuniary legacy,
partly to endow a Professorship of Theology at Oxford, partly towards the
support of needy students of Oriel College, and partly that some
assistance might be furnished for rightly educating his townsmen of
Ashburton. He died September 2, 1842, aged eighty.--_Turnouth, sculptor._
A neat tablet erected to the memory of Dr. ROBERT CANNON, Dean of Lincoln,
and Prebendary of this Church, who died March 28, 1722, aged fifty-nine.
Over the West Cloisters door is a most stately monument to the memory of
General GEORGE WADE. In the centre is a beautiful marble pillar, enriched
with military trophies highly finished. The principal figures represent
Fame preventing Time from defacing his military honours. The whole is
finely executed, and cannot be too much admired. The General's head is in
a medallion; and the inscription runs thus:--"To the memory of George
Wade, Field Marshal of his Majesty's Forces, Lieutenant-General of the
Ordnance, Colonel of his Majesty's Third Regiment of Dragoon Guards,
Governor of Fort William, Fort Augustus, and Fort George, and one of his
Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council. He died March 14, 1748, aged
seventy-five."--_Roubiliac, sculptor._
A monument of General Sir JAMES OUTRAM, with the following
inscription:--"To the memory of Lieutenant-General Sir James Outram,
G.C.B., K.S.I., &c., a soldier of the East India Company, who, during a
service of 40 years in war and in council, by deeds of bravery and
devotion, by an unselfish life, by benevolence, never weary of well-doing,
sustained the honour of the British nation, won the love of his comrades,
and promoted the happiness of the people of India. This monument is
erected by the Secretary of State for India in Council. Born January 29,
1803; died March 11, 1863. Interred in this Abbey at the public cost,
March 25, 1863." Under the bust is represented in high relief an exquisite
sculpture of Lord Clyde and Outram shaking hands, with General Havelock
between them and other figures in the background; and on each side two
figures of the Scinde and Bihil tribes, lamenting the death of their
"great friend."--_Noble, sculp._
CHARLES HERRIES, Esq., Colonel of the Light Horse Volunteers of London and
Westminster, died April 3, 1819, in the seventy-fourth year of his age. So
much was he respected, that the regiment followed him to the grave with
filial reverence; and as a lasting tribute of honour to his memory, raised
this record at his virtues and their affection. The monument consists of a
bust, a strong resemblance; on the base is represented a female, seated on
bales, as the city of London, over whom a warrior is holding a shield; by
him stands his horse, which he seems ready to mount for
defence.--_Chantrey, sculptor._
CAROLA HARSNET.--This tomb has two learned inscriptions upon it, one in
Hebrew, the other in Greek; and was erected to the memory of the wife of
Sir Samuel Morland, Baronet, who died in child-bed of her second son, Oct.
10, 1674, in the twenty-third year of her age. The inscriptions are thus
translated:--"Blessed be the Lord, my wife was precious! Blessed be thy
remembrance, oh, virtuous woman!" Thus far the Hebrew. The Greek
thus:--"When I think on thy mildness, patience, charity, modesty, and
piety, I lament thee, oh, most excellent creature! and I grieve
exceedingly; but not like such as have no faith, for I believe and expect
the resurrection of those who sleep in Christ."--_Stanton, sculptor._
A beautiful monument to JOHN SMITH, Esq. The design is a pyramid and
altar, on which sits a lady veiled, mournful, and disconsolate, resting
her right arm on a fine bust in relief. On the base is a Latin
inscription, setting forth his descent from the Smith's in Lincolnshire:
and issue, viz., two daughters, Ann, the eldest, first married to Henry
Parker, Esq., son of Sir Harry Parker, of Warwickshire, and afterwards to
Michael, Lord Dunkellin, eldest son of the Earl of Clanrickard; and Mary,
the youngest, married to Edward Desboverie, of Langford, in Wilts, Bart.
John Smith died July 6, 1718.--_Gibbs, sculptor._
Above is a monument erected to the memory of JAMES FLEMING, Major-General
of his Majesty's Forces, and Colonel of a Regiment of Foot, who, having
served forty-four years a commissioned officer, died March 17, 1750, aged
sixty-eight. At the top of a beautiful pyramid of marble, is a medallion
of this General, at the base of which are the figures of Minerva and
Hercules, employed in binding the emblems of Wisdom, Prudence, and Valour
together, as characteristics of the hero. The decorations are military
trophies.--_Roubiliac, sculptor._
ANN FILDING.--This tomb, on which are two very learned inscriptions, one
in Hebrew, the other in Ethiopic, is erected to the memory of the second
wife of Sir Samuel Morland, Baronet. The Hebrew inscription is to this
effect:--"Oh, thou fairest among women! oh! virtuous woman! the hand of
the Lord hath done this! the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, and
blessed be the name of the Lord." The Ethiopic inscription is thus
translated:--"Come, lament o'er this monument with a beloved husband, for
thee; but in certain hope that thou art united with Christ. This lady was
truly religious, virtuous, faithful, mild as a dove, and chaste; while she
continued in life, she was honoured, and is happy, through mercy, in
death." This is one of Mr. Addison's _modest inscriptions_, that has not,
perhaps, been three times read in more than threescore years. Under the
Ethiopic is this inscription:--"Ann, daughter of George Filding, Esq., and
Mary, his wife, the truly loving (and as truly beloved) wife of Samuel
Morland, Knight and Baronet, died February 20, 1679/80, ætatis
nineteen."--_Stanton, sculptor._
DIANA TEMPLE.--This old-fashioned monument seems to have been designed not
for one person, but for all Sir William Temple's family, as appears by the
inscription, written by Sir William himself, in which is mentioned Diana
Temple, who died at fourteen; Dorothy Osborn, probably Sir William's lady,
aged sixty-six; William Temple, aged seventy; and Martha Giffard, called
Lady Giffard, Sir William's sister, aged eighty-four.
Sir CHARLES HARBORD, Knight, and CLEMENT COTTRELL, Esq.--On the base of
this double monument is represented in relief, a dreadful sea-fight; and
on the top, in a wreath of laurel, this inscription:--"To preserve and
unite the harmony of two faithful friends who lost their lives at sea
together, May 28, 1672." These two young gentlemen, of the most promising
expectations, both perished in the Royal James, with the Earl of Sandwich,
who commanded in her as Vice-Admiral against the Dutch, in that memorable
fight off the coast of Sussex, in Charles the Second's time. The Royal
James being set on fire, Sir Charles Harbord, First Lieutenant, though he
might have saved himself by swimming, yet out of pure affection to his
worthy Commander, chose to die with him. Young Cottrell was a volunteer;
and having returned to his ship unwounded, from being the first man that
had boarded a Dutchman of seventy guns, and pulled down the ensigns of her
with his own hands, perished also with his friends. This gentleman
understood seven languages, though but twenty-two years of age. This
moving story is recited at large on the monument, but too long to copy.
Above is the monument of WILLIAM HARGRAVE, Esq., Lieutenant-General of his
Majesty's forces, Colonel of the Royal English Fusileers, and Governor of
Gibraltar, who having been fifty-seven years a commissioned officer, died
21st January, 1750, aged seventy-nine. The figure of Time is represented
to have overcome Death; he is breaking the dart of Death across his knee;
the pyramid is destroyed at the sound of the trumpet, the dead rising, and
the crown of Death is fallen to the ground.--_Designed and executed by
Roubiliac._
A fine bust to SIDNEY, Earl GODOLPHIN, with a rich cravat. In 1661, he was
Groom of the Bedchamber to Charles II.; 1679, Commissioner of the
Treasury; in 1684, Secretary of State, and the same year created Baron of
Rialton, in Cornwall, by James II. After the Revolution he was made First
Commissioner of the Treasury, and soon after Lord High Treasurer, which
office, as his inscription shows, together with that of Chief Minister, he
held during the first nine glorious years of Queen Anne's reign. He died
Sept. 15, 1712, aged sixty-seven.--_Bird, sculptor._
Colonel ROGER TOWNSHEND.--Here is a sarcophagus, supported by two Indians,
on the front of which is represented in bas-relief, the fall of this great
commander, with his officers attending him in his dying moments. This
monument is decorated with military trophies, and beneath is the following
inscription.--"This monument was erected by a disconsolate parent, the
Lady Vicountess Townshend, to the memory of her fifth son, the Honourable
Lieutenant-Colonel Roger Townshend, who was killed by a cannon-ball, July
25, 1759, in the twenty-eighth year of his age, as he was reconnoitring
the French lines at Ticonderagoe, in North America. From the parent, the
brother, and the friend, his social and amiable manners, his enterprising
bravery, and the integrity of his heart, may claim the tribute of
affection. Yet, stranger, weep not! for though premature his death, his
life was glorious, enrolling him with the names of those immortal
Statesmen and Commanders, whose wisdom and intrepidity, in the course of
this comprehensive and successful war, have extended the commerce,
enlarged the dominion, and upheld the majesty of these kingdoms, beyond
the idea of any former age."--_Eckstein, sculptor._
Above is a tablet to Mrs. BRIDGET RADLEY, wife of Charles Radley, Esq.,
Gentleman Usher and Daily Waiter of James II., who erected this monument
to her memory. She died November 20, 1769.
A monument to Sir JOHN CHARDIN, Bart., and is very emblematical, alluding
to the travels of this gentleman, by which, as his motto expresses, "_he
acquired his fame_." The globe, round which a number of geographical
instruments are represented, exhibits a view of the different countries
through which he travelled; and the motto beneath refers to the dangers he
providentially escaped, for which he ascribes to God the glory. A journal
of his travels into the Eastern countries he has published--a book in high
esteem.--_Henry Cheere, sculptor._
Beneath is a monument with this inscription:--"Sacred to the immortal
memory of Sir PALMES FAIRBORNE, Knight, Governor of Tangier, in the
execution of which command he was mortally wounded by a shot from the
Moors then besieging the town, in the forty-sixth year of his age, October
24, 1680." The following is the epitaph, written by Mr. Dryden:--
"Ye sacred reliques which our marble keep
Here, undisturb'd by wars, in quiet sleep,
Discharge the trust which (when it was below)
Fairborne's undaunted soul did undergo,
And be the town's Palladium from the foe!
Alive and dead, these walls he did defend:
Great actions great examples must attend.
The Candian siege his early value knew,
Where Turkish blood did his young hands imbrue;
From thence returning, with deserv'd applause,
Against the Moors his well-flesh'd sword he draws,
The same the courage, and the same the cause.
His youth and age, his life and death combine,
As in some great and regular design,
All of a piece throughout, and all divine.
Still nearer heaven, his virtues shone more bright:
Like rising flames expanding in their height,
The martyr's glory crowns the soldier's flight.
More bravely British Gen'ral never fell,
Nor Gen'ral's death was e'er reveng'd so well,
Which his pleas'd eyes beheld before their close,
Follow'd by thousand victims of his foes.
To his lamented loss, for times to come,
His pious widow consecrates this tomb."
On a lofty dome is the deceased's arms, with this motto, "_Tutis si
Fortis_." Over it a Turk's head on a dagger, by way of crest, which he won
by his valour in fighting against that people in the German
war.--_Bushnall, sculptor._
Major ANDRE.--On a moulded panelled base and plinth stands a sarcophagus,
on the panel of which is inscribed:--"Sacred to the memory of Major John
André, who, raised by his merit, at an early period of life, to the rank
of Adjutant-General of the British Forces in America, and employed in an
important, but hazardous enterprise, fell a sacrifice to his zeal for his
King and country, on the 2nd October, 1780, aged twenty-nine, universally
beloved and esteemed by the army in which he served, and lamented even by
his foes. His gracious Sovereign, King George III., has caused this
monument to be erected;" and on the plinth--"The remains of the said Major
André were deposited on the 28th November, 1821, in a grave near this
monument." This is the third head now placed on General Washington's
figure; several others are new, the originals, being so well executed,
were too great a temptation for the curious pilferer to withstand. The
projecting figures: one of them (with a flag of truce) is presenting to
General Washington a letter, which André had addressed to his Excellency
the night previous to his execution, worded thus:--"Sir, buoyed above the
terror of death, by the consciousness of a life devoted to honourable
purposes, and stained with no action which can give me remorse, I trust
that the request which I make to your Excellency at this serious period,
and which is to soften my last moments, will not be rejected; sympathy
towards a soldier will surely induce your Excellency, and a military
tribunal, to adapt the mode of my death to the feelings of a man of
honour; let me hope, Sir, that if aught in my character impresses you with
esteem towards me,--if aught in my misfortunes mark me as the victim of
policy and not of resentment,--I shall experience the operations of those
feelings in your breast, by being informed I am not to die on a gibbet. I
have the honour to be, your Excellency, John André, Adjutant of the
British Forces in America."--_Van Gelder, sculptor._
Against the organ gallery is the monument to THOMAS THYNNE, Esq.--The
principal figure is represented in a dying posture, and at his feet a
cherub weeping. It has this inscription:--"Thomas Thynne, of Longleate, in
Co. Wilts, Esq., who was barbarously murdered on Sunday, the 12th
February, 1682;" which murder was conspired by Count Koningsmarck, and
executed by three assassins, hired for that purpose, who shot him in
Pall-Mall, in his own coach. The motive was to obtain the rich heiress of
Northumberland in marriage, who, in her infancy, had been betrothed to the
Earl of Ogle, but left a widow, and afterwards married to Mr.
Thynne.--_Quellin, sculptor._
Opposite, is a tablet of fine marble to General STRODE, decorated with
military trophies, and bearing this inscription:--"Near this place lie the
remains of William Strode, Esq., Lieutenant-General of his Majesty's
Forces, and Colonel of the sixty-second Regiment of Foot. He departed this
life, January 14, 1776, in the seventy-eighth year of his age, who
constantly attended his duty both at home and abroad, during a course of
sixty years' service. He was a strenuous asserter of both civil and
religious liberty, as established at the glorious Revolution of William
III. Military reader! go thou and do likewise."--_Hayward, sculptor._
Above is a tablet to Captain WILLIAM JULIUS, who commanded the Colchester
man-of-war, and died Oct. 3, 1698, aged thirty-three.
GEORGE CHURCHILL, second son of Sir Winston Churchill, of Dorsetshire,
Knight, and brother of John, Duke of Marlborough. He was early trained to
military affairs, and served with great honour by sea and land under
Charles II., James II., William and Anne. He was Captain in the English
fleet, at burning the French at La Hogue in William the Third's reign; and
for his bravery there made one of the Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty. In the succeeding reign he was made Admiral-in-Chief. He died
May 8, 1710, aged fifty-eight.