Historical Description of Westminster Abbey Part 14

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 Andre, 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 Andre were deposited on the 28th November, 1821, in a grave near this monument." This is the third head now placed on General Was.h.i.+ngton'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 Was.h.i.+ngton a letter, which Andre 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 Andre, Adjutant of the British Forces in America."--_Van Gelder, sculptor._

Against the organ gallery is the monument to THOMAS THYNNE, Esq.--The princ.i.p.al 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 a.s.sa.s.sins, 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 a.s.serter 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 Dorsets.h.i.+re, 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.

An oval tablet to the memory of Major RICHARD CREED, enriched with 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 t.i.tmarsh, in Northamptons.h.i.+re."

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 a.s.sault 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 Dorsets.h.i.+re; 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 compa.s.ses, 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 Shrops.h.i.+re, 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 ill.u.s.trious 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, n.o.bly maintaining it against the usurpation of Genoese and French tyranny. By his many splendid achievements, his useful and benevolent inst.i.tutions, his patriotic and public zeal, manifested upon every occasion, he amongst the few who have merited so glorious a t.i.tle, 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 att.i.tude 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 Pembrokes.h.i.+re, 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 emba.s.sies 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, G.o.d is with us."

"I look upon all the world as my parish."

"G.o.d 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 s.e.x; 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 s.h.i.+p 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 sh.o.r.e, 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 s.h.i.+pwrecked 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 sh.o.r.e, 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 rec.u.mbent figure of the Admiral lies under a tent; beneath, in bas-relief, is the wreck of the a.s.sociation.--_Bird, sculptor._

Above is a monument to Sir G.o.dFREY 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 G.o.dfrey. On the pedestal is a Latin inscription, signifying that Sir G.o.dfrey 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 G.o.dfrey 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 s.n.a.t.c.hed 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, Mids.h.i.+pman, 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 s.h.i.+p 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 G.o.d, 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 grat.i.tude, 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 Poc.o.c.k, in several successful engagements with the French Fleet, commanded by Monsieur D'Ache, 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:--"_G.o.d is my port and refuge: G.o.d hath shown His wonders in the deep_."

Opposite, on your left, is the monument to Sir THOMAS RICHARDSON.--There is an effigy, in bra.s.s, 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 pa.s.s 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 h.o.a.ry Time, Shakspeare and Garrick like twin stars shall s.h.i.+ne, 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 a.s.sembled 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._