_Bristol Tables_ (Vol. iv., p. 406.).--The four remarkable bronze
tables, respecting which E. N. W. inquires, formerly stood under the
piazza of the "Tolzey," or "Counter," in Bristol; the place where the
merchants transacted business. On the opening of the Exchange in 1743,
they were removed, and fixed in front of that building, where they now
stand. It appears that they were presented to the city at different
times, and by different persons. On a garter, beneath the surface of one
of them, is the following inscription:--
"Thomas Hobson of Bristol made me, anno 1625. Nicholas Crisp of
London gave me to this honourable city in remembrance of God's
mercy in anno domini 1625. N. C."
On a ring round the surface is this inscription:
"Praise the Lord, O my soul! and forget not all his benefits. He
saved my life from destruction, and ... to his mercy and
loving-kindness. Praise...."
On a ring round the surface of the second is the following:
"A.D. 1631. This is the gift of Mr. White of Bristoll, Merchant,
brother unto Dr. Thomas White, a famous benefactor to this citie."
On the garter round the exterior is this inscription:
"The church of the Living God is the pillar and ground of the
truth. So was the work of the pillars finished."
The third table has the following words round the surface:
"This Post is the gift of Master Robert Kitchen, Merchant, some
time Maior and Alderman of this city, who deceased Sep. 1. 1594."
On the ring below the surface:
"His Executors were fower of his servants. John Barker, Mathew
Howil, and Abell Kitchin, Aldermen of this city, and John
Rowborow, Sherif. 1630."
Six lines in verse, and a shield with armorial bearings, formerly
appeared as the centre of this table; but they are now obliterated.
The fourth table, which is supposed to be the oldest, has no
inscription.
These curious round tables, on which the merchants of this ancient city
formerly made their payments, and wrote their letters, &c., are now used
by the newsmen, who here sell the daily journals, &c. In times of
popular excitement, they have been sometimes used as pedestals, whence
mob-orators, and candidates for parliamentary honours, have harangued
the populace.