Part 7
Admiral VERNON.--On a pedestal is a bust of that gallant Admiral, with a fine figure of Fame crowning him with laurels. This monument is elegantly ornamented with naval trophies. Beneath is the following inscription:--"Sacred to the memory of Edward Vernon, Admiral of the White Squadron of the British Fleet. He was the second son of James Vernon, who was Secretary of State to King William III., and whose abilities and integrity were equally conspicuous. In his youth, he served under the Admirals Shovell and Rook. By their example he learned to conquer; by his own merit he rose to command. In the war with Spain of 1739, he took the fort of Porto Bello with six ships--a force which was thought unequal to the attempt. For this he received the thanks of both houses of Parliament. He subdued Chagre, and at Carthagena conquered as far as naval force could carry victory. After these services he retired, without place or title, from the exercise of public, to the enjoyment of private virtue. The testimony of a good conscience was his reward--the love and esteem of all good men his glory. In battle, though calm, he was active, and though intrepid, prudent; successful, yet not ostentatious, ascribing the glory to God; in the senate, he was disinterested, vigilant, and steady. On the 30th day of October, 1757, he died as he had lived, the friend of man, the lover of his country, and the father of the poor, aged seventy-three. As a memorial of his own gratitude, and the virtues of his benefactor, this monument was erected by his nephew, Francis, Lord Orwell, in 1763."--_Rysbrack, sculptor._
Sir CHARLES WAGER.--On this elegant monument, the principal figure is that of Fame, holding a portrait of the deceased in relief, which is supported by an infant Hercules. The enrichments are naval trophies, instruments of war, navigation, &c., and on the base, in relief, is the representation of the destroying and taking the Spanish galleons in 1708:--"To the memory of Sir Charles Wager, Knight, Admiral of the White, First Commissioner of the Admiralty, and Privy Councillor: a man of great natural talents, who bore the highest commands, and passed through the greatest employments, with credit to himself, and honour to his country. He was in his private life humane, temperate, just, and bountiful: in public station, valiant, prudent, wise, and honest; easy of access to all; plain and unaffected in his manner, steady and resolute in his conduct; so remarkably happy in his presence of mind, that no danger ever discomposed him. Esteemed and favoured by his King, beloved and honoured by his country, he died May 24, 1743, aged seventy-seven."--_Scheemakers, sculptor._
Lord PALMERSTON.--A magnificent statue, representing the distinguished statesman in the robes of a Knight of the Garter.--Erected by authority of Parliament to Viscount Palmerston, in testimony of the public admiration and attachment and heavy loss which the country sustained by his death.--_R. Jackson._
The Right Hon. WILLIAM PITT, First Earl of Chatham. He is represented as speaking in the Houses of Parliament. At his feet are figures of Prudence and Fortitude; below is a figure of Britannia, with the trident supported by Earth and Ocean. On the base is the following inscription:--"Erected by the King and Parliament as a testimony to the virtues and ability of William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, during whose administration, in the reigns of Geo. II. and III., Divine Providence exalted Great Britain to a height of prosperity and glory unknown to any former age. Born November 15, 1708. Died May 11, 1778."--_Bacon, sculptor._
Lord ROBERT MANNERS, aged 24; Captain WILLIAM BAYNE, aged 50; Captain WILLIAM BLAIR, aged 41. Upon a rostral column decorated with the hulks of three seventy-four gun ships, Genius has hung three medallions, containing the portraits of the Captains. Neptune is sitting upon a sea-horse, pointing them out as examples for posterity to emulate, and worthy of being recorded in the annals of their country, to Britannia, whose majestic figure, accompanied with a resemblance of a lion, supporting a shield of the arms of Great Britain, is standing on the opposite side beholding them with a fixed countenance, expressive of sorrow; while Fame is standing upon the top of the column, with a wreath of laurel to crown Lord Robert Manners, Captains Bayne and Blair, who were mortally wounded in the course of the naval engagements under the command of Admiral Sir George Brydges Rodney, on the 9th and 12th of April, 1782. In memory of their services, the King and Parliament of Great Britain caused this monument to be erected. The basement is adorned with different naval implements, the whole highly executed by Mr. Nollekens.
In front of this monument is a highly polished slab under which lie the remains of LORD PALMERSTON. Died Oct. 18, 1865, aged 81. And LADY PALMERSTON. Died Sept. 11, 1869.
Near this spot lie the remains of the Marquis of Londonderry, Pitt, Wilberforce, Canning, Fox, and Grattan.
The next monument consists of a fine statue, full life size: in one hand is placed a scroll, on which is inscribed, "Peace of Paris, 1814;" the other supporting the Robes of the Garter. The pedestal bears the following inscription:--"This statue is erected to the memory of Robert, second Marquis of Londonderry and Viscount Castlereagh, K.G. Born A.D. 1769; died Aug. 12th, 1822. History will record the success and splendour of his public career during a period of unexampled difficulty in the annals of Europe, in which he successively filled the highest offices under the Crown; and Ireland will never forget the statesman of the Legislative Union. This tribute to the best of brothers and friends is placed in Westminster Abbey by Charles William Vane, third Marquis of Londonderry."--_J. Evan Thomas, sculptor._
Lord MANSFIELD'S monument:--
"Here MURRAY, long enough his country's pride, Is now no more than Tully or than Hyde."
Foretold by Pope, and fulfilled in the year 1793, when WILLIAM, Earl of Mansfield, died full of years and of honours: of honours he declined many; those which he accepted were the following:--He was appointed Solicitor-General, 1742; Attorney-General, 1754; Lord Chief Justice and Baron Mansfield, 1756; Earl of Mansfield, 1776. From the love which he bore to the place of his early education, he desired to be buried in this Cathedral (privately), and would have forbidden that instance of human vanity, the erecting a monument to his memory; but a sum, which, with the interest, has amounted to £2,500, was left for that purpose by A. Bailey, Esq., of Lyon's Inn, which, at least well-meant, mark of esteem he had no previous knowledge or suspicion of, and had no power to prevent being executed. He was the fourth son of David, fifth Viscount Stormont, and married the Lady Elizabeth Finch, daughter to Daniel, Earl of Nottingham, by whom he had no issue; born at Scone, 2nd March, 1704; died at Kenwood, 20th March, 1793. The Earl is represented sitting on a seat of judgment; on his right hand Justice holds the statera, or balance, equally poised; on his left hand Wisdom opens the book of Law. Between the statues of Wisdom and Justice is a trophy composed of the Earl's family arms, surmounted by the coronet, the mantle of honour, the fasces, or rods of justice, and curtana, or sword of mercy. On the back of the chair is the Earl's motto--_Uni Æquus Virtuti_--"Equal to Virtue only," enclosed in a crown of laurel: under it is a figure of Death, as represented by the ancients--a beautiful youth leaning on an extinguished torch: on each side of the figure of Death is a funeral altar, finished by a fir apple. This monument is the first that was placed between pillars, so as to walk round it.--_Flaxman, sculptor._
The beautiful north window was put up in the year 1722, and represents our Saviour, the twelve Apostles, and four Evangelists; the latter with their emblems, lie down, two on each side.
It is much to be desired that they who wish to record in Westminster Abbey their estimation of the character or public services of their relatives or friends, would adopt this manner of perpetuating their memory, as combining with their special object the further enrichment of the noblest Cathedral or Collegiate Church in England, and so contributing to the completion of the general design, by representing that "the Holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge God." A commencement in this direction has been made in the seven memorial windows in the North Transept, of which a special description is subjoined.
The object of the painted glass in the seven Lancet Windows in the North Transept and West Aisle of the same is briefly stated in the inscriptions on the floor immediately beneath the windows.
"To the glory of God, and in memory of Major-General Sir HENRY W. BARNARD, K.C.B.; Lieutenant-Colonel CHARLES JOHN WOODFORD, Rifle Brigade; Captain WILLIAM FREDERICK THYNNE, Rifle Brigade; Captain WILLIAM ROBERT MOORSOM, thirteenth Light Infantry, D.A.Q.M. General; LOVICK EMILIUS COOPER, Ensign, Rifle Brigade; WILLIAM GEORGE HAWTREY BANKES, Cornet, seventh Hussars; who died in the service of the Queen and their country in India, in 1857 and 1858, the six lancet windows of this Transept were enriched with stained glass by their relatives or comrades of Sir James Outram's division, 1860."
And in the West Aisle of the North Transept, a similar inscription states the window to be enriched in memory of Brigadier the Hon. ADRIAN HOPE, C.B., by his relatives.
The general design throughout the windows is, by the representation of certain chosen men by whom Almighty God is recorded in the Holy Scriptures to have effected the deliverance of the Israelites out of the hands of their enemies, to illustrate the power of God, and attribute to His mercy the wonderful success of the British forces in the suppression of the Indian rebellion, in which service the officers above named, with many others, fell.
The first figure on the right hand is designed to represent Moses as the leader and commander of the army of the Israelites. In the medallion beneath, he is shown with his hands stayed up by Aaron and Hur, as described in Ex. xvii. 12. This window is erected by Lady Barnard, widow of Sir Hy. Wm. Barnard, K.C.B.
The second figure is that of Joshua, and the medallion is intended to describe the appearance of the "Captain of the Lord's Host" to him.--Joshua v. 13, 14. This window is erected by General Sir Alexander Woodford, G.C.B., father of Lieutenant-Colonel C. J. Woodford, Rifle Brigade.
The third figure is Caleb, and the medallion represents his victory over the sons of Anak.--Joshua xv. 14. This window is erected by the Reverend Lord John Thynne, Canon of Westminster, father of Captain William F. Thynne, Rifle Brigade.
The fourth figure is Gideon, and in the medallion he is occupied in threshing the corn, as when he received his call and commission to deliver Israel from the Midianites.--Judges vi. 11. This window is erected by the comrades of Captain William Robert Moorsom, forming the first division of the army in Oude, under the Command of Sir James Outram, of which he was Deputy-Assistant Quartermaster-General.
The fifth figure is David, and the medallion exhibits his triumph over Goliath.--1 Sam. xvii. 15. This window is erected by the Rev. T. Lovick Cooper, Vicar of Empingham, Rutlandshire, father of Lovick Emilius Cooper, Rifle Brigade.
The sixth window is Jonathan, and the medallion refers to the account of his surprising and discomfiting the garrison of the Philistines, with no other assistance than of his armour-bearer.--1 Sam. xiv. 4-6. This window is erected by Mrs. Bankes, mother of William George Hawtrey Bankes, Cornet, seventh Hussars.
The seventh window in the West Aisle of the North Transept is erected in memory of Brigadier the Honourable Adrian Hope, by his relations, and is illustrative of those passages in the career of Asa, as recorded in 2 Chronicles xiv. 5. 11, 12. His destruction of idols in the city of Judah, verse 5; his prayer, verse 11; his victory over the Ethiopians, verse 12.
Sir WILLIAM WEBB FOLLETT, Knt., who was at the time of his decease representative in Parliament for the City of Exeter, and Attorney-General to Queen Victoria. Of unblemished conduct in every relation of life, of manners gentle and prepossessing, combining with great legal knowledge extraordinary powers of persuasive eloquence, he attained, with the esteem, admiration, and good-will of all who witnessed his brilliant career, the highest eminence as an advocate and a Parliamentary speaker. The general hope and expectation that he was destined for the highest honours of the law were blighted by his untimely death. Died June 28, 1845, aged forty-eight.
A bust to the memory of GEORGE GORDON, Earl of Aberdeen, K.T., K.G. Born January 28th, 1784; died December 14th, 1860. Ambassador, Secretary of State, Prime Minister.--_M. Noble, S.C._
Next to this on your left is a monument sacred to the memory of ELIZABETH WARREN, daughter of Henry Southwell, Esq., of Wisbeach, in the county of Cambridge, and widow of the Right Rev. John Warren, D.D., late Lord Bishop of Bangor:--"She was distinguished for the purity of her taste, and the soundness of her judgment; her prudence and discrimination were in no instances more conspicuous, than in selecting the objects of her extensive charity. The widow and the fatherless were protected and relieved, and the virtuous who had fallen from prosperity, had peculiar claims to her benevolence. Though mild and gentle in her manners, yet she was remarkable for the firmness and vigour of her mind. Stedfast in the faith of Christ, she lived to illustrate his precepts, and died reposing on his merits and intercession. She departed this life, March 29, 1816, aged eighty-three. Her surviving sister, Mary, widow of the Right Honourable Sir James Eyre, Knt., Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, in testimony of her sincere affection, has erected this monument to her memory."--It represents a houseless wanderer with an infant in her arms, on a square pedestal; the figure with its draperies is very generally admired.--_Sir Richard Westmacott, sculptor._
Sir HENRY BLACKWOOD, with this inscription:--"Sacred to the memory of Vice-Admiral the Honourable Sir Henry Blackwood, Bart., K.C.B., G.C.H., who died December, 13, 1832, aged 63 years, 51 of which he had spent in the active service of his profession, distinguished by his energy, promptitude, and bravery, qualities which derived additional lustre from the virtues which adorned his personal character; with valour combining a strong sense of religion, and the elevation of an upright noble mind, with all the endearing feelings of a manly, generous, and benevolent heart. This tribute of sorrow and affection to the memory of one so justly honoured and beloved, is offered by his deeply afflicted widow and his surviving children."--_Behnes, sculptor._
In memory of the Right Honourable Sir GEORGE CORNEWALL LEWIS, Baronet, of Harpton Court, in the County of Radnor; successively Chancellor of the Exchequer and Secretary of State for the Home and War Departments. The bust is erected by many friends, to mark their affectionate esteem and admiration, and to record his honoured name among the illustrious dead who lie buried within these walls. Born April 21, 1806; died April 13, 1863.--_Weekes, R.A., sculptor._
A monument erected by the East India Company, as a memorial of the military talents of Lieutenant-General Sir EYRE COOTE, K.B., Commander-in-chief of the British forces in India, who, by the success of his arms, in the year 1760 and 1761, expelled the French from the coast of Coromandel. In 1781 and 1782 he again took the field in the Carnatic, in opposition to the united strength of the French and Hyder Ally, and in several engagements defeated the numerous forces of the latter; but death interrupted his career of glory, on the 27th April, 1783, in the fifty-eighth year of his age. It consists of two figures as large as life; one a Mahratta captive, weeping beside a trophy of Persian armour, represents a province subdued; he is holding a cornucopia inverted, the contents of which are falling into a Britannia's shield. The other, a Victory, having erected a trophy, is decorating it with the portrait of Sir Eyre Coote, by hanging it on a palm-tree, which rises from behind the armour. The elephant on the sarcophagus marks the scene of action. The Mahratta figure is particularly admired.--_Banks, sculptor._
A bust with the following inscription:--"Amidst the memorials of maturer greatness, this tribute of private affection and public honour records the talents, virtues, and early death of the Right Honourable CHARLES BULLER, who, as an independent Member of Parliament, and in the discharge of important offices of state, united the deepest human sympathies with wide and philosophic views of government and mankind; and pursued the noblest political and social objects, above party spirit, and without an enemy. His character was distinguished by sincerity and resolution, his mind by vivacity and clearness of comprehension; while the vigour of expression and singular wit that made him eminent in debate, and delightful in society, were tempered by a most gentle and generous disposition; earnest in friendship and benevolent to all. The British Colonies will not forget the statesman who so well appreciated their desires and their destinies; and his country, recalling what he was, deplores the vanished hope of all he might have become. He was born August, 1806; he died Nov. 29, 1848."
A bust sacred to the memory of the Right Honourable WARREN HASTINGS, Governor-General of Bengal; Member of his Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council, LL.D., F.R.S., descended from the elder branch of the ancient and noble family of Huntingdon. Selected for his eminent talents and integrity, he was appointed by Parliament, in 1773, the first Governor-General of India, to which high office he was thrice re-appointed by the same authority. Presiding over the India Governments during thirteen years of a most eventful period, he restored the affairs of the East India Company from the deepest distress to the highest prosperity, and rescued their possessions from a combination of the most powerful enemies ever leagued against them. In the wisdom of his counsels, and the energy of his measures, he found unexhausted resources, and successfully sustained a long, varied, and multiplied war with France, Mysore, and the Mahratta states, whose power he humbled, and concluded an honourable peace, for which, and for his distinguished services, he received the thanks of the East India Company, sanctioned by the Board of Control. The kingdom of Bengal, the seat of his Government, he ruled with a mild and equitable sway, preserved it from invasion, and, while he secured to its inhabitants the enjoyment of their customs, laws, and religion, and the blessings of peace, was rewarded by their affection and gratitude; nor was he more distinguished by the highest qualities of a statesman and a patriot, than by the exercise of every Christian virtue. He lived for many years in dignified retirement, beloved and revered by all who knew him, at his seat of Daylesford, in the county of Worcester, where he died in peace, in the eighty-sixth year of his age, August 22, 1818. This memorial was erected by his beloved wife and disconsolate widow, M. A. Hastings. Over the inscription is a bust, greatly like him, executed by Mr. Bacon.
A statue to the memory of FRANCIS HORNER, who, by the union of great and various acquirements, with inflexible integrity, and unwearied devotion to the interests of the country, raised himself to an eminent station in society, and was justly considered to be one of the most distinguished members of the House of Commons. He was born at Edinburgh in 1778, was called to the bar both of England and Scotland; and closed his short but useful life at Pisa, in 1817. His death was deeply felt, and publicly deplored in Parliament. His affectionate friends and sincere admirers, anxious that some memorial should exist of merit universally acknowledged, of expectations which a premature death could alone have frustrated, erected this monument, A.D. 1823.--_Chantrey, sculptor._
Brigadier-General HOPE, Lieutenant-Governor of the province of Quebec, where he died in 1789, aged forty-three years. The design of it is simply an Indian, whose affection has drawn her to the monument; she kneels on the pedestal, and bending over the sarcophagus, expresses that sorrow which the loss of such a benefactor has occasioned. A rudder is introduced, emblematical of his situation as Governor: the serpent and mirror, engraved thereon, point out the prudence of his administration; and a cornucopia conveys the idea of the felicity of it.--_Bacon, sculptor._
To the memory of JONAS HANWAY, Esq., celebrated for his universal feeling for the distressed, having been an active friend to the following charities, viz.,--the Foundling, Magdalen, and Marine Society. The expense was defrayed by voluntary subscriptions. On a sarcophagus, the Society is here represented in bas-relief; viz.,--Britannia, with her emblems of Government, Peace, War, Trade, and Navigation, who, with benign countenance, distributes clothes to poor boys to be trained to sea; over this a medallion of the deceased is fixed on a pyramid, upon the top of which is a lamp, emblematic of perpetual light,--"Sacred to the memory of Jonas Hanway, who departed this life September 5, 1786, aged seventy-four; but whose name liveth, and will ever live, whilst active piety shall distinguish the Christian, integrity and truth shall recommend the British merchant, and universal kindness shall characterize the citizen of the world. The helpless Infant, nurtured through his care; the friendless Prostitute sheltered and reformed; the hopeless Youth rescued from misery and ruin, and trained to serve and to defend his country, uniting in one common strain of gratitude, bear testimony to their benefactor's virtues: this was the friend and father of the poor."--_F. Moore, sculptor._
Sir CLIFTON WINTRINGHAM, Bart., is represented visiting a sick and distressed family; underneath is the figure of his lady, kneeling and bewailing her loss.--"Sacred to the memory of Sir Clifton Wintringham, Bart., M.D., who, no less eminent as a physician, both at home and in the army, than beloved on account of his virtuous life and engaging manners, died lamented by all, January 10, 1794, aged eighty-three. His widow, Ann Wintringham, caused this monument to be erected, as a last testimony of her love for him when living, and of the sincere regret she feels for her loss."--_Banks, sculptor._
A truly admirable bust of the late RICHARD COBDEN. Born June 3, 1804; died April 2, 1865, and was buried at West Lavington, in Sussex.--_Thos. Woolner, sculptor._
A bust to the memory of Major-General Sir HERBERT BENJAMIN EDWARDS, K.C.B., K.C.S.I., D.C.L., LL.D., who in early life, as a Subaltern of the East Indian Company's Army, by his fertility of resource, and in promptitude in action, struck the first victorious blow at the Insurrection in the Punjab in 1848. Who in later years, by his courage, sagacity, and mastery over men, ever animated by Christian principle, won an enduring place in the affections of the people to whose welfare he had long devoted himself, and in 1847, at a time of unexampled danger, greatly contributed to the security of the Frontier, and to the salvation of the British Empire in India. Born November 12th, 1819; died December 23rd, 1868.