military trophies; and on it there is this inscription:--"To the memory of
the honoured Major Richard Creed, who attended William III. in all his
wars, everywhere signalizing himself, and never more himself than when he
looked an enemy in the face. At the glorious battle of Blenheim, 1704, he
commanded one of those squadrons that began the attack; in two several
charges he remained unhurt, but in the third, after many wounds received,
still valiantly fighting, he was shot through the head. His dead body was
brought off by his brother at the hazard of his own life, and buried
there. To his memory, his sorrowful mother erects this monument, placing
it near another, which her son, when living, used to look upon with
pleasure, for the worthy mention it makes of that great man, Edward, Earl
of Sandwich, to whom he had the honour to be related, and whose heroic
virtue he was ambitious to imitate. He was the eldest son of John Creed,
of Oundell, Esq., and Elizabeth, his wife, only daughter of Sir Gilbert
Pickering, Bart., of Titmarsh, in Northamptonshire."
Also a tablet in memory of Lieutenant RICHARD CREED, of the Bombay
Artillery, who was killed in Upper Scinde, on the 20th of February, 1841,
whilst fighting at the head of a party of volunteers from his troop, whom
he had gallantly led to the assault of the fort Hujjack; thus prematurely
closing, in the twelfth year of his services in India, and the
twenty-eighth of his age, a career of high credit and brightest promise,
throughout which, his ability, prudence, and devotion to duty, secured not
less the esteem of his superiors, than his uniform kindness and
conciliatory demeanour won the confidence and marked attachment of his
humbler companions in arms. This tablet was erected by the officers of his
regiment, to whom his generous nature, amiable deportment, and Christian
virtues have, in no common degree, endeared his memory.--_Thomas,
sculptor._
Above, on a plain marble stone, is an English inscription, reciting the
military glories of Sir RICHARD BINGHAM, who was of the ancient family of
the Binghams, of Bingham Melcomb, in Dorsetshire; and served in the reign
of Queen Mary, at St. Quintin's; in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, at
Leith, in Scotland; in the Isle of Candy, under the Venetians; at Cabo
Chrio, and in the famous battle of Lepanto, against the Turks; in the
civil wars of France in the Netherlands, at Smerwick. After this he was
made Governor of Connaught, in Ireland, where he overthrew the Irish
Scots, expelled the traitor O'Rourke, suppressed the rebellion, and was
finally made Marshal of Ireland, and Governor of Leinster. He died at
Dublin, January 19, 1598, aged seventy; from whence he was brought, and
here interred, by John Bingley, some time his servant.
Above is a monument erected to the memory of MARTIN FOLKES, of Hillington,
in the county of Norfolk, Esq., who, under the auspices of Newton, happily
employed his talents, industry, and time, in the study of sublime
philosophy. He was chosen President of the Royal Society in 1741, and
calmly submitted to the common lot of man on the 28th June, 1754, at the
age of sixty-three. He is represented sitting, with his hands resting on a
book, shut, as if contemplating; above is an urn, covered with drapery,
that a boy holds up; there are two more boys, one of whom seems much
surprised, from looking through a microscope, while the other, with a pair
of compasses, is measuring the globe.--_Ashton, sculptor._
Opposite, on your left, is a monument--"Sacred to the memory of General
Sir THOMAS TRIGGE, Knight of the most Honourable Order of the Bath,
Lieutenant-General of the Ordnance, and Colonel of the forty-fourth
Regiment of Foot; who spent a long life in active service, and enjoyed the
uniform approbation of his sovereign and of his country to his latest
hour. He begun his career as Ensign in the twelfth Regiment; served during
the seven years' war in Germany; was present at the battles of Minden,
Fellinghausen, Williamsdahl, and others: he commanded the same regiment
during the whole of the memorable defence of Gibraltar, and was
afterwards many years Lieutenant-Governor of that fortress. While
Commander-in-chief in the West Indies, he captured Surinam, and various
islands; and for his services was made K.B. He lived respected and
beloved, and departed this life in his seventy-second year, on the 11th
January, 1814."--_Bacon, sculptor._
THOMAS OWEN, Esq.--On this monument is a fine figure of a Judge in his
robes, leaning on his right arm, and over him an inscription, showing that
he was the son of Richard Owen, by Mary, daughter and heiress of Thomas
Otley, of Shropshire, Esq.; that from his youth he had applied himself to
the study of the laws, and was first made Serjeant temp. to Queen
Elizabeth, and afterwards a Justice of the Common Pleas. He died Dec. 21,
1598.
PASQUALE DE PAOLI.--A bust strongly resembling the deceased, with the
following inscription under it:--"To the memory of Pasquale de Paoli, one
of the most eminent and most illustrious characters of the age in which he
lived. He was born at Rostino, in Corsica, April 5, 1725; was unanimously
chosen, at the age of thirty, Supreme Head of that island, and died in
this metropolis, February 5, 1807, aged eighty-two years. The early and
better part of his life he devoted to the cause of liberty, nobly
maintaining it against the usurpation of Genoese and French tyranny. By
his many splendid achievements, his useful and benevolent institutions,
his patriotic and public zeal, manifested upon every occasion, he amongst
the few who have merited so glorious a title, most justly deserves to be
hailed the father of his country. Being obliged by the superior force of
his enemies, to retire from Corsica, he sought refuge in this land of
liberty, and was here most graciously received, amidst the general
applause of a magnanimous nation, into the protection of his Majesty, King
George III., by whose fostering hand and munificence he not only obtained
a safe and honourable asylum, but was enabled, during the remainder of his
days to enjoy the society of his friends and faithful followers in
affluent and dignified retirement. He expressed to the last moment of his
life the most grateful sense of his Majesty's paternal goodness towards
him, praying for the preservation of his sacred person, and the prosperity
of his dominions."--_Flaxman, sculptor._
Against the pillar is an oval tablet to JAMES KENDALL, Esq., supported by
a Death's head. He was chosen a member of the last Parliament of James
II., and served in several Parliaments afterwards in the reign of William
III., by whom he was made Governor of Barbadoes, and one of the
Commissioners of the Admiralty. He died July 10, 1708, aged sixty. Then
turning yourself, you see opposite--
A little monument of white marble, erected to the memory of Dr. ISAAC
WATTS. It is divided by a fascia, over which a bust of that eminent divine
is exhibited, supported by Genii, who seem pleased with the office to
which they are allotted. Underneath, in a circle, is a fine figure of the
Doctor sitting on a stool, in the attitude of deep contemplation, which
is finely expressed by an Angel opening to him the wonders of creation,
while in one hand he holds a pen, and with the other points to a celestial
globe. His name, the dates of his birth and death, are inscribed on the
plinth:--"Isaac Watts, D.D., born July 17, 1674. Died November 25,
1748."--_Banks, sculptor._
GEORGE STEPNEY, Esq., descended from the Stepneys of Pendergraft, in
Pembrokeshire, but born at Westminster, 1663, elected into the College of
St. Peter's, at Westminster, 1676, and entered of Trinity College,
Cambridge, 1682. In 1692 he was sent Envoy to the Elector of Brandenburgh;
in 1696 and 1697, to the Electors of Mentz, Triers, Cologne, Palatine,
Landgrave of Hesse, and to the Congress of Frankfort, on his return from
which he was made Commissioner of Trade; in 1698, was sent a second time
Envoy to the Elector of Brandenburgh; in 1699, in the same quality to
Poland; in 1701, a second time to the Emperor; and lastly, in 1706, to the
States General. All these several embassies he conducted with such
integrity, application, and ease, that he generally exceeded the
expectations of his sovereigns, William and Anne, by whom he was employed.
He died at Chelsea, 1707.
Above is a monument erected to the memory of JOHN METHUEN, Esq., who died
in the service of his country, in Portugal, July 13, 1706, and was here
interred, September 17, 1708.--_Rysbrack, sculptor._
Also to that of his son, the Right Hon. Sir PAUL METHUEN, of Bishop's
Canning, Wilts, one of his Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council, and
Knight of the most Honourable Order of the Bath, who died April 11, 1757,
aged eighty-five.
Beneath is a bust--"To the memory of CHARLES BURNEY, LL.D., L.D., F.S.A.,
et R.S., in the Royal Academy, London, Professor of Greek and Latin,
Chaplain in Ordinary to his Majesty George III., Prebendary of the Church
of Lincoln, Rector of Cliff, and of St. Paul, Deptford, in the county of
Kent, eighteen years master of Greenwich School. He died on the 28th Jan.
1818, in his sixty-first year, and was buried at Deptford." The Latin
inscription sets forth, that "he was a man of various and deep learning,
of a judgment of critical nicety and elegance of style, polished by
unremitting exercise, and in solving difficulties in metrical composition,
of exquisite skill. His pupils, from a collection raised amongst
themselves, caused this monument to be erected."--_Gahagan, sculptor._
JOHN WESLEY, M.A. Born June 17, 1703; died March 2, 1791.
CHARLES WESLEY, M.A. Born December 13, 1708; died March 29, 1788.
"The best of all is, God is with us."
"I look upon all the world as my parish."
"God buries His workmen, but carries on His work."
THOMAS KNIPE, S.T.P.--This monument was erected by Alice, second wife of
this learned man, who, for fifty years, was employed in Westminster
School, sixteen whereof as Head Master. He was also a Prebendary of this
Cathedral. The long Latin inscription contains nothing more than a
laboured recital of a good man's virtues, and that he died August 8,
1711, aged seventy-three. At his feet is the grave of his affectionate
scholar, WILLIAM KING, LL.D., without any inscription. Here hath been
lately added an inscription in memory of two brothers, who both died in
the service of their country: Captain JOHN KNIPE, 90th regiment, at
Gibraltar, October 25, 1798, in the twenty-second year of his age; Captain
ROBERT KNIPE, 14th Light Dragoons, at Villa Formosa, May 17, 1811, aged
thirty-two.
Opposite, on your left, is the monument to Dame GRACE GETHIN.--This lady,
married to Sir Richard Gethin Grot, in Ireland, was famed for exemplary
piety, and wrote a book of devotion, which Mr. Congreve complimented with
a poem. She died October 11, 1697, aged twenty-one.
ELIZABETH and JUDITH FREKE.--A long inscription, setting forth the descent
and marriage of these two ladies, whose busts in relief ornament the
sides. They were, as the inscription says, the daughters of Ralph Freke,
of Hannington, in Wilts, Esq. Elizabeth was married to Percy Freke, of
West Belney, in Norfolk, and died April 7, 1714, aged sixty-nine. Judith
married Robert Austin, of Tenterden, in Kent, and died May 19, 1716, aged
sixty-four. They were both great examples to their sex; the best of
daughters, the best of wives, and the best of mothers.
Opposite is a monument to WILLIAM WRAGG, Esq.: in the centre of which is
represented the fatal accident that happened to the ship in which he was
embarked, when he, with many more, was drowned, September 3, 1777. His
son, who accompanied him, was miraculously saved on a package, supported
by a black slave, till he was cast on shore, on the coast of Holland.
"Sir CLOUDESLY SHOVELL, Knight, Rear-Admiral of Great Britain, and Admiral
and Commander-in-Chief of the Fleet, the just rewards of his long and
faithful services. He was deservedly beloved of his country, and esteemed,
though dreaded, by the enemy, who had often experienced his conduct and
courage. Being shipwrecked on the rocks of Scilly, in his voyage from
Toulon, October 22, 1707, at night, in the fifty-seventh year of his age,
his fate was lamented by all, but especially by the seafaring part of the
nation, to whom he was a generous patron, and a worthy example. His body
was flung on the shore, and buried with others, on the sand; but being
soon after taken up, was placed under this monument, which his Royal
Mistress had caused to be erected, to commemorate his steady loyalty and
extraordinary virtues." A recumbent figure of the Admiral lies under a
tent; beneath, in bas-relief, is the wreck of the Association.--_Bird,
sculptor._
Above is a monument to Sir GODFREY KNELLER, Bart., under a canopy of
state, the curtains whereof are finely gilt, and tied up with gold
strings; and on each side of the bust is a weeping cherub, one resting on
a medallion of his lady, the other pointing to Sir Godfrey. On the
pedestal is a Latin inscription, signifying that Sir Godfrey Kneller,
Knt., who lies interred here, was painter to Charles II., James II.,
William III., Anne, and George II. Born in 1646, died in 1723, aged
seventy-seven. He was knighted March 3, 1691, and created a baronet May
24, 1715. Among his most excellent works are the "Beauties of the Court of
Charles I." This monument was designed by Sir Godfrey himself. Bust by
Rysbrack. Underneath is his epitaph, written by Mr. Pope:--
"Kneller, by Heaven, and not a master, taught,
Whose art was nature, and whose pictures thought--
When now two ages he had snatched from fate
Whate'er was beauteous, or whate'er was great--
Rests, crowned with princes' honours, poets' lays,
Due to his merit and brave thirst of praise:
Living, great Nature fear'd he might outvie
Her works; and dying, fears herself may die."
Sir JOHN BURLAND, Knt., LL.D.--One of the Barons of his Majesty's Court of
Exchequer; as a man, valued and beloved; as a judge, honoured and revered.
He died suddenly, on the 29th of February, 1776, aged fifty-one years. On
a pyramid of black marble is represented his profile in a medallion of
statuary marble, decorated with emblems alluding to the qualities for
which he was eminent, particularly the caduceus, denoting his eloquence,
and the scales, expressive of justice.
On the left is a neat tablet, which contains the following
inscription:--"To the memory of WILLIAM DALRYMPLE, Midshipman, eldest son
of Sir John Dalrymple, Bart., one of the Barons of Exchequer in Scotland,
and of Elizabeth Hamilton Macgill, representatives of the Viscounts of
Oxford; who, though heir of ample estates, preferred to a life of
indolence and pleasure the toilsome and perilous profession of a seaman
when his country was in danger. At the age of eighteen, he was killed, off
the coast of Virginia, in a desperate engagement, in which Captain Salter,
in the Santa Margaretta, took the Amazone, a French ship of superior
force, almost in sight of the enemy's fleet; receiving in the public
despatches of his skilful and generous Commander, the honourable testimony
that he was a worthy and deserving youth, who, had he lived, would have
been an ornament to his profession; and leaving to his once happy parents,
in whose fond eyes he appeared to promise whatever could be expected from
genius, spirit, and the best gift of God, a kind and melting heart, the
endearing remembrance of his virtues. Father of all! grant to the prayers
of a father and mother, that their surviving children may inherit the
qualities of such a brother, and that there may never be wanting to the
British youth, the spirit to pursue that line of public honour which he
marked out for himself and for them. Obit 29th July, 1782."
An oval tablet, thus inscribed:--"Near these steps lies the body of Mrs.
ANN WEMYSS, daughter of Dr. Lodowick Wemyss, some time Prebendary of this
Cathedral, and of Mrs. Jane Bargrave, his wife, who departed this life,
December 19, 1698, in her sixty-seventh year."
SOPHIA FAIRHOLM.--This lady, her monumental inscription informs us, was
born in Scotland, and was mother to the Marquis of Annandale, who, as a
mark of his duty and gratitude, caused this monument to be erected to her
memory. It is the representation of an ancient sepulchre, over which a
stately edifice is raised, ornamented at top with the family arms. She
died December 13, 1716, aged forty-nine.
Above are inscriptions to the memory of Rear-Admiral JOHN HARRISON, who
was Captain of the Namur, under Sir George Pocock, in several successful
engagements with the French Fleet, commanded by Monsieur D'Aché, in one of
which he was wounded. He conducted, under the same British Admiral, the
armament against the Havannah, and brought the fleet and treasure safe to
England. In consequence of excessive fatigue, soon after his return, he
lost the use of one side by a paralytic stroke, and remained helpless
twenty-eight years. He was firm in action, prudent in conduct, polished in
society, generous and humane in a profession, and upon an element, where
human virtue is of the most rigid kind, and human nature is most severely
tried; his modesty was equal to his virtues. He died October 15, 1791,
aged sixty-nine years. Above and below are expressed, in Latin, the
following words:--"_God is my port and refuge: God hath shown His wonders
in the deep_."
Opposite, on your left, is the monument to Sir THOMAS RICHARDSON.--There
is an effigy, in brass, of a Judge in his robes, with a collar of SS.,
representing Sir Thomas Richardson, Knight, "Speaker of the House of
Commons in the twenty-first and twenty-second year of James I., Chief
Justice of the Common Pleas; and, lastly, by Charles I., made L.C.J. of
England. He died in 1634, in his sixty-sixth year." _So far the
inscription._ This is that Judge Richardson who first issued out an order
against the ancient custom of wakes, and caused every minister to read it
in his church, which the Bishop of Bath and Wells opposing, complaint was
made against the order in the Council-chamber, where Richardson was so
severely reprimanded, that he came out in a rage, saying--he had been
almost choked with a pair of lawn sleeves.--_Huber le Seur, sculptor._
An ancient monument of marble and alabaster, gilt, on which lies a warrior
at full length, representing WILLIAM THYNNE, of Botterville, Esq., a
polite gentleman, a great traveller, and a brave soldier. In 1546 he was,
by Henry VIII., made receiver of the marches, and fought against the Scots
at Musselburgh. But his latter days were spent in retirement and devotion
in this Church, to which he constantly repaired, morning and evening. His
brother was Sir John Thynne, Secretary to the Duke of Somerset, from whom
descended that unhappy gentleman whose story we have already related. He
died March 14, 1584.
Rev. Dr. ANDREW BELL, LL.D., Prebendary of this Church, the eminent
founder of the Madras, now the National System of Education, throughout
the British dominions. He is represented examining the boys under his
system. Died 27th January, 1832.--_Behnes, sculptor._
Here you pass through the gate; the monument of Garrick is on your right.
South Transept; or, Poets' Corner.
A bust of GEORGE GROTE, Historian of Greece. Born 17th November, 1794;
died 18th June, 1871.
"To the memory of DAVID GARRICK, who died in the year 1779, at the age of
sixty-three.
"To paint fair Nature, by Divine command--
Her magic pencil in his glowing hand--
A Shakspeare rose; then, to expand his fame,
Wide o'er this 'breathing world,' a Garrick came.
Though sunk in death the forms the Poet drew,
The Actor's genius bade them breathe anew;
Though, like the bard himself, in night they lay,
Immortal Garrick call'd them back to day;
And till eternity, with power sublime,
Shall mark the mortal hour of hoary Time,
Shakspeare and Garrick like twin stars shall shine,
And earth irradiate with a beam divine."--PRATT.
"This monument, the tribute of a friend, was erected in 1797."--_Webber,
fecit._ Garrick's throwing aside the curtain, which discovers the
medallion, is meant to represent his superior power to unveil the beauties
of Shakspeare. Tragedy and Comedy are assembled with their respective
attributes, to witness and approve the scene.
JOHN ERNEST GRABE: a curious figure, large as life, representing him
sitting upon a marble tomb, contemplating the sorrows of death, and the
sorrows of the grave. He was a man deeply skilled in Oriental learning. He
died Nov. 3, 1711, aged forty-six, and was buried at Pancras, near
London.--_Bird, sculptor._
Sir ROBERT TAYLOR, Knight, who was a famous architect. He died on the 26th
of September, 1788, aged seventy years.
WILLIAM CAMDEN, the great recorder of our antiquities, who is represented
in a half length, in the dress of his time, with his left hand holding a
book, and in his right his gloves, resting on an altar, on the body of
which is a Latin inscription, setting forth his "indefatigable industry in
illustrating the British Antiquities, and his candour, sincerity, and
pleasant good-humour in private life." He was son to Samson Camden,
citizen of London, and paper-stainer; was born in the Old Bailey, May 2,
1551, and received the first rudiments of his education at Christ Church
Hospital. In 1566, he entered himself of Magdalen College, Oxford, but
afterwards removed to Pembroke, where he became acquainted with Dr.
Goodman, Dean of Westminster, by whose recommendation, in 1575, he was
made second master of Westminster School, and began the glorious work of
his Antiquities, encouraged thereto and assisted by his patron, Dr.
Goodman. In August, 1622, he fell from his chair, at his house, in
Chiselhurst, in Kent, and never recovered, but lingered till Nov. 9, 1623,
and then died, aged seventy-four. _This monument was repaired and
beautified at the charge and expense of the University of Oxford._
In front of Camden's monument lie the remains of JOHN IRELAND, Dean of
Westminster, and in the same grave those of his friend, WILLIAM GIFFORD, a
distinguished critic, satirist, and dramatic annotator. In private life
Mr. Gifford was modest and unassuming, and amongst the numerous parties,
poetical, political, or religious, none of them ever ventured to
recriminate by attacking the moral character of the Editor of the
Quarterly Review. He was born at Ashburton, in 1757, and died 1826.
ISAAC CASAUBON.--This monument was erected by the learned Dr. Moreton,
Bishop of Durham, to the memory of that profound scholar and critic, whose
name is inscribed upon it, and who, though a native of France, and in his
younger years Royal Library Keeper of Paris, yet was so dissatisfied with
the ceremonial part of the Romish worship, that upon the murder of his
great patron, Henry IV., he willingly quitted his native country, and at
the earnest entreaty of James I., settled in England, where, for uncommon
knowledge, he became the admiration of all men of learning. He died, 1614,
in the fifty-sixth year of his age.
The monument to Casaubon is not without interest to the mind of the
curious, as upon close inspection may be seen the initials and date of
"good old Izaak Walton" (I. W., 1658), Author of "The Complete Angler."
This renowed piscator has somewhere said that he went into Westminster
Abbey to visit the tomb of his departed friend, Casaubon, and while there,
in contemplation before his monument, he ventured to scratch his own
initials and date upon it.
Sir RICHARD COXE, who was taster to Queen Elizabeth and James I., and to
the latter, Steward of the Household; a man commended in his epitaph for
his religion, humanity, chastity, temperance, friendship, beneficence,
charity, vigilance, and self-denial. He was third son of Thomas Coxe, of
Beymonds, in Hertfordshire, and died a bachelor, in the sixty-ninth year
of his age, December 13, 1623.
A small tablet to the memory of JAMES WYAT, Esq., who was architect of
this church, and Surveyor-General of His Majesty's Board of Works.
Departed this life on the 4th day of Sept., 1813.
Above is a monument to Sir JOHN PRINGLE, Bart. The inscription sets forth
that he was Physician to the Army, the Princess of Wales, and their
Majesties; President of the Royal Society. He was born in Scotland, in
April, 1707; and died in London, in January, 1782.