Part 12
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.
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 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.