(Vol. v., pp. 257. 295.)
MR. PARKER makes some inquiries relative to the ancient town-halls of
our country towns; and should the following particulars of some still in
existence be of service, I shall feel a pleasure in having been the
means of gratifying his curiosity.
The town-hall in the city of Hereford is a timber structure built upon
twenty-seven pillars, and was originally a very handsome building, but
was many years since denuded of its upper story, in which the fourteen
different trading companies of the city transacted their business. It
was erected by the celebrated John Abel, in the reign of James I. Prior
to the erection of the present county hall, the assizes were held in
this building.
The town-hall at Leominster, or Butter-cross as it is frequently called
by the inhabitants, was erected in the year 1633, by the above-named
architect; it stands upon twelve oak pillars, and was originally
ornamented with a variety of curious carvings, and the shields of arms
of those who contributed towards the expense of its erection, but which
have long since vanished. Around the building, just above the pillars,
was inscribed the following sentences, but portions of which only now
remain. On the south side:
"Vive Deo gratus, toti mundo tumulatus, crimine mundatus, semper
transire paratus."
On the east side:
"Where justice reigns, there virtue flows. Sat cito, si sat bene
vive ut post vivas. As columns do support the fabric of a
building, so noble gentry do subprop the honour of a state."
On the north side:
"In memoriâ æternâ erit Justus, 1663."
In the year 1793, this hall underwent very considerable repairs, more
properly called spoliation, by taking down the gables, and with them the
curious carvings, shields of arms, &c., which must have greatly
destroyed its picturesque effect. It contains a clock, and is surmounted
by a cupola, in which is a bell, whereon the hours strike.
The town-halls of Brecon, Kington[4], and Weobly, and probably others of
which at present I can give no particulars, were built by the same
person. Mr. Abel being in Hereford when that city was besieged in 1645,
was of great service by constructing mills to grind corn for the use of
the inhabitants and soldiers confined therein, for which Charles I.
afterwards conferred upon him the title of one of his majesty's
carpenters.
[Footnote 4: This hall had similar inscriptions to those of
Leominster.]
In Sarnesfield churchyard, in the county of Hereford, is a monument
consisting of the effigies of himself and his two wives, with the
emblems of his profession, executed by his own hands after he reached
the patriarchal age of ninety years; it has the following inscription,
being his own composition:
"This craggy stone a covering is for an architector's bed,
That lofty buildings raised high, yet now lyes low his head:
His line and rule, so death concludes, are locked up in store,
Build they who list, or they who wist, for he can build no more.
His house of clay could hold no longer,
May heaven's joy frame him a stronger.