Part 13

"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.

EDWARD WETENHALL, M.D., an eminent Physician, who died August 29, 1733. His father was Dr. Edward Wetenhall, who was first advanced to the See of Cork, in Ireland, but was afterwards translated from thence to Kilmore and Ross. He died November 12, 1713, aged seventy-eight.

Dr. STEPHEN HALES.--Here are two beautiful figures in relief, Religion and Botany; the latter holds a medallion of this great explorer of nature to public view; Religion is deploring the loss of the divine; and at the feet of Botany, the winds are displayed on a globe, which allude to his invention of the ventilator. The Latin inscription is to the following effect:--"To the memory of Stephen Hales, Doctor of Divinity, Augusta, the mother of that best of Kings, George the Third, has placed this monument, who chose him, when living, to officiate as her chaplain; and after he died, which was on the 4th of January, 1761, in the eighty-fourth year of his age, honoured him with this marble.

"About the tomb of Hales, whose fair design And polish great Augusta caus'd to shine, Religion, hoary Faith, and Virtue wait, And shed perpetual tears in mournful state. But of the preacher, render'd to his clay, The voice of Wisdom still hath this to say-- He was a man to hear affliction's cry, And trace his Maker's works with curious eye. O Hales! thy praises not the latest age Shall e'er diminish, or shall blot thy page; England, so proud of Newton, shall agree She had a son of equal rank in thee."--_Wilton, sculptor._

THOMAS TRIPLETT, D.D., who was born near Oxford, and educated at Christ Church, where he was esteemed a wit, a good Grecian, and a poet. In 1645, he was made Prebendary of Preston, in the Church of Sarum, and had also a living, which being sequestered in the Rebellion, he fled to Ireland, and taught school in Dublin, where he was when Charles I. was beheaded. Not liking Ireland, he returned to England, and taught school at Hayes, in Middlesex, till the Restoration, when he was made Prebendary of Westminster, and of Fenton in the Church of York. He died at a good old age, July 18, 1670, much beloved and lamented.

A bust of Dr. ISAAC BARROW, representing this truly great man, who, as the inscription shows, was Chaplain to Charles II., Head of Trinity College, Cambridge; Geometrical Professor of Gresham College, in London, and of Greek and Mathematics at Cambridge. His works have been said to be the foundation of all the divinity that has been written since his time. He died May 4, 1677, aged 47.

Above this monument the arch is plastered and painted with the figure of a stag, which was done by order of Richard II.; the following motto was on the collar:--

"When Julius Cæsar first came in, About my neck he put this ring; Whosoever doth me take, Use me well for Cæsar's sake."

It is said he lived three or four hundred years.

WILLIAM OUTRAM, D.D.--The Latin inscription sets forth that he was born in Derbyshire, fellow of Trinity and Christ Church Colleges in Cambridge, Canon of this Abbey, and Archdeacon of Leicester; an accomplished divine, a nervous and accurate writer, an excellent and diligent preacher, first in Lincolnshire, afterwards in London, and lastly at St. Margaret's, Westminster, where he finished his life with great applause, August 23, 1679, aged fifty-four. The inscription on the pedestal shows farther, that after a long and religious life, and forty-two years of widowhood, Jane, his wife, died Oct. 4, 1721.

A fine figure of JOSEPH ADDISON, Esq., on a circular basement, about which are small figures of the nine muses. The Latin inscription is to the following purport:--"Whoever thou art, venerate the memory of Joseph Addison, in whom Christian faith, virtue, and good morals, found a continual patron; whose genius was shown in verse, and every exquisite kind of writing; who gave to posterity the best examples of pure language, and the best rules for living well, which remain, and ever will remain sacred; whose weight of argument was tempered with wit, and accurate judgment with politeness, so that he encouraged the good, and reformed the improvident, tamed the wicked, and in some degree made them in love with virtue. He was born in the year 1672, and his fortune being increased gradually, arrived at length to public honours. Died in the forty-eighth year of his age, the honour and delight of the British nation."--He was buried in front of Lord Halifax's monument, north aisle of Henry the Seventh's Chapel.--_Sir Richard Westmacott, sculptor._

LORD MACAULAY.--The body of this eminent historian is deposited close to the statue of Addison. Born October 25th, 1800; died December 28th, 1859.

Near the statute of Addison are two fine busts, one on each side, of LORD MACAULAY, by Burnard; and THACKERAY, by Marrochetti.

GEORGE FREDERICK HANDEL.--This is the last monument which that eminent statuary, Roubiliac, lived to finish. It is affirmed that he first became conspicious, and afterwards finished the exercise of his art, with a figure of this extraordinary man. The first was erected in the gardens at Vauxhall, therefore well known to the public. The last figure is very elegant, and the face is a strong likeness of its original. The left arm is resting on a group of musical instruments, and the attitude is very expressive of great attention to the harmony of an angel playing on a harp in the clouds, over his head. Before it lies the celebrated Messiah, with that part open, where is the much-admired air,--"_I know that my Redeemer liveth_." Beneath, only this inscription:--"George Frederick Handel, Esq., born Feb. 23, 1684. Died April 14, 1759."

Sacred to the memory of Major-General Sir ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL, Knight of the Bath, M.P., Colonel of the seventy-fourth Regiment of Foot, Hereditary Usher of the White Rod for Scotland, late Governor of Jamaica, Governor of Fort St. George, and Commander-in-Chief of the Forces on the coast of Coromandel, in the East Indies. He died equally regretted and admired for his eminent civil and military services to his country; possessed of distinguished endowments of mind, dignified manners, inflexible integrity, unfeigned benevolence, with every social and amiable virtue. He departed this life March 31, A.D. 1791, aged fifty-two. "Alas, piety! alas, fidelity! like that of old, and warlike courage! when shall you have his equal?"--_Wilton, sculptor._

Here also lies the body of his nephew, Lieutenant-General Sir JAMES CAMPBELL, Bart., G.C.H., and C.SS., F.M., who served during the whole of the last war in many distinguished situations; was Commander of the Forces in the Ionian Islands at the general peace of 1814, and died at London upon the 6th of June, 1819, aged fifty-four.

[Illustration: POET'S CORNER, _p. 103_.]

On a tablet is the following inscription:--"To the memory of MARY HOPE, who died at Brockhall, in the county of Northampton, on the 25th of June, 1767, aged twenty-five, and whose remains lie in the neighbouring church at Norton, this stone, an unavailing tribute of affliction, is by her husband erected and inscribed. She was the only daughter of Eliab Breton, of Forty Hill, Middlesex, Esq., and was married to John Hope, of London, Merchant, to whom she left three infant sons, Charles, John, and William.

"Tho' low in earth, her beauteous form decay'd, My faithful wife, my lov'd Maria's laid. In sad remembrance, the afflicted raise No pompous tomb inscrib'd with venal praise. To statesmen, warriors, and to kings, belong The trophied sculpture, and the poet's song; And these the proud expiring often claim, Their wealth bequeathing to record their name. But humble virtue, stealing to the dust, Heeds not our lays, or monumental bust. To name her virtues ill befits my grief-- What was my bliss can now give no relief; A husband mourns--the rest let friendship tell; Fame, spread her worth! a husband knew it well!"

Sir THOMAS and Lady ROBINSON.--This monument to the memory of the Dowager Baroness Lechmere, eldest daughter of Charles Howard, third Earl of Carlisle, and widow of Nicholas Lord Lechmere, afterwards married Sir Thomas Robinson, of Rookby Park, in the county of York, Baronet, on October 28, 1728, and died April 10, 1739, aged forty-four. Sir Thomas, after enjoying many honourable and lucrative employments in the State, spent the latter part of his life in retirement, dying March 3, 1777, aged seventy-six.--_Walsh, sculptor._

EDWARD ATKYNS and his ancestors. The first was Sir Edward Atkyns, one of the Barons of the Exchequer in the reigns of Charles I. and II., and of such loyalty as to resist the most splendid offers of the Oliverian party. He died in 1669, aged eighty-two. The second, Sir Robert Atkyns, was created Knight of the Bath at the coronation of Charles II.; was afterwards L.C.B. of the Exchequer under William III., and Speaker of the House of Lords in several Parliaments; a person of eminent learning, as his writings abundantly prove. He died in 1709, aged eighty-eight.--The third, Sir Edward Atkyns, was L.C.B. of the Exchequer at the time of the Revolution; but not approving that measure, he retired from public business to his seat in Norfolk, where his chief employment was healing breaches among his neighbours, which he decided with such exemplary justice, that none refused his reference, nor did the most litigious men appeal from his award. He died in 1698, aged sixty-eight.--The fourth, Sir Robert Atkyns, was versed in the Antiquities of his country, of which his History of Gloucester was a proof. He died in 1711, aged sixty-five years.--The inscription sets forth, that in memory of his ancestors, who have so honourably presided in Westminster Hall, Edward Atkyns, Esq., late of Kettringham, in Norfolk, second son of the last-named Sir Edward, caused this monument to be erected. He died Jan. 20, 1750, aged seventy-nine years.--_Cheere, sculptor._

A medallion and inscription--"To the memory of the Right Honourable JAMES STUART MACKENZIE, Lord Privy Seal of Scotland, a man whose virtues did honour to humanity. He cultivated and encouraged science; and during a long life, was generous without ostentation, secretly charitable, friendly, hospitable, and ever ready to oblige. He was beloved and revered by all: he had many friends, and not one enemy. He died the 6th of April, 1800, in the eighty-second year of his age. He was married to Elizabeth, daughter of John, Duke of Argyle and Greenwich, his uncle."--_Nollekens, sculptor._

JOHN, Duke of ARGYLE and GREENWICH.--On one side of the base is the figure of Minerva, and on the other of Eloquence; done by Roubiliac, particularly expressive. Above is the figure of History, with one hand holding a book, with the other writing on a pyramid the titles of the hero, whose actions are supposed to be contained in the book, on the cover of which, in letters of gold, are inscribed the date of his Grace's birth, Oct. 10, 1680, and time of his death, Oct. 4, 1743. The principal figure is spirited, even to the verge of life. On the pyramid is this epitaph, said to be written by Paul Whitehead, Esq.:--