Historical Description of Westminster Abbey Part 11

Captain PHILIP DE SAUSMAREZ.--The inscription on this monument is a recital of the deceased's naval exploits, one of those few whose lives ought rather to be measured by their actions than their days. From sixteen to thirty-seven years of age he served in the navy, and was often surrounded with dangers and difficulties unparalleled, always proving himself an able, active, and gallant officer. He went out a lieutenant on board his Majesty's ship the Centurion, under the auspicious conduct of Commodore Anson, in his expedition to the South Seas. He was commanding officer of the same ship when she was driven from her moorings at the Isle of t.i.tian. In the year 1746, being Captain of the Nottingham, a sixty gun ship, he (then alone) attacked and took the Mars, a French ship of sixty-four guns. In the first engagement of the following year when Admiral Anson defeated and took a squadron of French men-of-war and Indiamen, he had an honourable share; and in the second, under Admiral Hawke, when the enemy, after a long and obstinate resistance, was again routed, in pursuing two ships that were making their escape, he gloriously, but unfortunately fell. He was the son of Matthew de Sausmarez, of the Island of Guernsey, Esq., by Ann Durell, of the Island of Jersey, his wife. He was born November 17, 1710, killed October 14, 1747, and buried in the Old Church at Plymouth, with all the honours due to his distinguished merits. This monument was erected by his brothers and sisters.--_S. H. Cheere, sculptor._

Doctor CHARLES BURNEY.--A tablet with the following inscription, written by his daughter:--"Sacred to the memory of Charles Burney, Mus. D., F.R.S., who, full of years and full of virtues, the pride of his family, the delight of society, the unrivalled chief and scientific historian of his tuneful art--beloved, revered, regretted, breathed in Chelsea College his last sigh; leaving to posterity a fame unblemished, raised on a n.o.ble basis of intellectual attainments. High principles and pure benevolence, goodness with gaiety, talents with taste, were of his gifted mind the blended attributes; while the genial hilarity of his airy spirits animated or softened his every earthly toil: and a conscience without reproach, prepared in the whole tenor of his mortal life, through the mediation of our Lord Jesus Christ, his soul for heaven. Amen. Born April 7, O.S., 1726; died April 12, 1814."

JOHN BLOW, Doctor in Music.--Under the tablet is a canon in four parts, set to music, with enrichments, cherubs, and flowers. In the centre is an English inscription, by which it appears he was Organist, Composer, and Master of the Children of the Chapel Royal thirty-five years, and Organist to this Abbey, fifteen years; that he was scholar to Dr. Christopher Gibbons, and Master to the famous Mr. Purcell, and to most of the eminent masters of his time. He died Oct. 1, 1708, in his sixtieth year.

WILLIAM CROFT.--On the pedestal of this monument, in bas-relief, is an organ, and on the top a bust of the deceased, who was Doctor in Music, Master of the Children, Organist and Composer of the Chapel Royal, and Organist of Westminster Abbey. He died August 14, 1727, aged fifty.

DR. MONK, Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol.--This ecclesiastic is represented in a fine bra.s.s in the centre of the aisle, holding a crosier surmounted with the paschal lamb, the four corners representing the evangelical emblems, while the inscription informs us that he was Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol, Canon of Westminster, Dean of Peterborough, and Regius Professor at Cambridge, and died June 6, 1859, aged seventy-four.--_Hardiman._

On your left, on the choir side, against the column, is a small tablet to the memory of HENRY PURCELL, Esq., with the following inscription:--"Here lies Henry Purcell, who left this life, and is gone to that blessed place, where only his harmony can be exceeded." A short, but comprehensive epitaph, expressive of his great merit. He died Nov. 21, 1695, in his thirty-seventh year.

Sacred to the memory of Captain GEORGE BRYAN, late of His Majesty's Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards, son of the Rev. John Bryan and Eliza Louisa, his wife, of Hertford, in the island of Jamaica. He fell in the month of July, 1809, in the twenty-seventh year of his age, at the battle of Talavera, in Spain, so glorious in the annals of British valour, but so deeply afflicting to a widowed mother. His remains were interred, with every military honour, in the garden of the convent of St. Jeronimo, when even the officers of the enemy joined in evincing respect to his memory and sympathy for his untimely fate. The monument represents a mourner reclining on the bas.e.m.e.nt of a column that holds an urn, over which is the name of Talavera. Military trophies and implements of war are introduced.--_Bacon, jun., sculptor._

Sir THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES: his figure is seated on a handsome moulded pedestal in serious contemplation; the following inscription underneath:--"To the memory of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, LL.D., F.R.S., Lieutenant-Governor of Java, and first President of the Zoological Society of London; born in 1781, died in 1826. Selected at an early age to conduct the Government of the British conquests in the Indian Ocean, by wisdom, vigour, and philanthropy, he raised Java to happiness and prosperity unknown under former rulers. After the surrender of that Island to the Dutch, and during his government in Sumatra, he founded an emporium at Singapore, where he established freedom of person as the right of the soil, and freedom of trade as the right of the port, he secured to the British flag the maritime superiority of the Indian Seas. Ardently attached to science, he laboured successfully to add to the knowledge and enrich the museums of his native land: in promoting the welfare of the people committed to his charge, he sought the good of his country and the glory of G.o.d."--_Chantrey, sculptor._

ALMERICUS DE COURCY, Baron of Kinsale.--His Lordship is here represented in full proportion, reposing himself, after the fatigues of an active life, under a rich canopy, finely ornamented and gilt. He was descended, as his inscription shows, from the famous John de Courcy, Earl of Ulster, who, in the reign of John, in consideration of his great valour, obtained that extraordinary privilege to him and his heirs, of standing covered before the King. This n.o.bleman was greatly in favour with Charles II. and James II., and commanded a troop of horse under the latter. He died Feb.

9, 1719, aged fifty-seven.

"To the memory of WILLIAM WILBERFORCE, born in Hull, August 24, 1759, died in London, July 29, 1833. For nearly half a century a member of the House of Commons, and for six parliaments during that period one of the two representatives for Yorkshire. In an age and country fertile in great and good men, he was among the foremost of those who fixed the character of their time; because to high and various talents, to warm benevolence, and to universal candour, he added the abiding eloquence of a Christian life.

Eminent as he was in every department of public labour, and a leader in every work of charity, whether to relieve the temporal or the spiritual wants of his fellow men, his name will ever be specially identified with those exertions which, by the blessing of G.o.d, removed from England the guilt of the African Slave Trade, and prepared the way for the abolition of slavery in every colony in the empire. In the prosecution of these objects, he relied not in vain on G.o.d: but in the progress, he was called to endure great obloquy and great opposition. He outlived, however, all enmity, and in the evening of his days withdrew from public life and public observation to the bosom of his family. Yet he died not unnoticed or forgotten by his country: the Peers and Commons of England, with the Lord Chancellor and the Speaker at their head, in solemn procession from their respective houses, carried him to his fitting place among the mighty dead around, here to repose, till, through the merits of Jesus Christ his only Redeemer and Saviour, whom in his life and in his writings he had desired to glorify, he shall rise in the resurrection of the just." His figure is seated on a pedestal, very ingeniously done, and truly expressive of his age, and of the pleasure he seemed to derive from his own thoughts.--_Joseph, sculptor._

Above is Dr. PLENDERLEATH.--A medallion of the deceased is fixed up with ribbon, under which is Hygeia, the cup of health, a serpent twining round, and a bough of cypress lying on it. Below is written in a book--"He healed--'many that were sick of divers diseases.'" (St. Mark, i. 34.) Under the book is an aesculapius as an emblem of physic. "In memory of Dr.

John Plenderleath, third son of John Plenderleath, Esq., of Glen, in Tweedale, Scotland, Physician to the forces serving under the Marquis of Wellington in Portugal, who died at Coimbra, of a typhus fever, on the 18th of June, 1811, aged twenty-eight years. He was eminently distinguished by the strength of his mental faculties, his great cla.s.sical and professional knowledge; and no less by the humanity of his heart, which manifested itself on all occasions, and especially towards the numerous sick and wounded, both of his countrymen and of the enemy, which were committed to his care. In commemoration of his public virtues, and of his many amiable qualities in private life, this monument is erected as a small tribute of parental affection."--_Bacon, jun., sculptor._

A monument to Sir THOMAS DUPPA, prettily ornamented with flowers and foliage, and on the top with an urn wreathed. The inscription shows that Sir Thomas in his youth waited on Charles II. when he was Prince of Wales.

He was afterwards made Gentleman Usher and Daily Waiter, and then Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, in which office he died, April 25, 1694, aged 75.

Behind you, looking upwards, in the window is a monument to the Rev.

EVELYN LEVETT SUTTON, M.A., Prebendary of Westminster, Rector of High Holden, in the Isle of Thanet. Born 1777. On Sunday, 25th January, 1834, when reading the Ninth Commandment, suddenly fell down, was removed from the choir to his house, where he died the same evening. The inscription is as follows:--"The learning of the scholar, the benevolence of the Christian, obtained the esteem of the wise and the good, while his graceful wit, cla.s.sic elegance of mind, and gentle and generous heart, made him the delight of all that knew him; his widow, now happiest when recalling her husband's worth and love, seeks, on this monument, to record her loss and her affection." A female is represented in front of the pedestal, resting her head on books of divinity.--_Chantrey, sculptor._

"To the memory of Sir GEORGE LEONARD STAUNTON, Bart., of Cargin, county of Galway, Ireland. His life was devoted to his country's service, in various parts of the globe; his conduct on all occasions was distinguished by firmness, prudence, and integrity, and in a peculiar manner displayed in the treaty of peace concluded with Tippoo Sultan, in 1784, by which the British interests in India were promoted and secured. Born 19th April, 1737; died 14th January, 1801." Sir George seems expounding the law to a native. A tiger is represented at the east end of the monument.--_Chantrey, sculptor._

Beneath is a fine bust of Admiral WEST.--The inscription is remarkable for historical relation, viz.:--"Sacred to the memory of Temple West, Esq., who, dedicating himself from his earliest youth to the naval service of his country, rose with merit and reputation to the rank of Vice-Admiral of the White. Sagacious, active, industrious, a skilful seaman, cool, intrepid, and resolute, he proved himself a gallant officer. In the signal victory obtained over the French, May 3, 1747, he was Captain of the ship which carried Sir Peter Warren, and acquired peculiar honour, even on that day of general glory. In the less successful engagement near Minorca, May 20, 1756, wherein, as Rear-Admiral, he commanded the second division, his distinguished courage and animated example were admired by the whole British squadron; confessed by that of France; and, amidst the national discontent which followed, rewarded, as they deserved, by the warmest applauses of his country, and the just approbation of his Sovereign. On the 17th November following, he was appointed one of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. He adorned his station by a modesty which concealed from him his own merit, and a candour which disposed him to reward that of others. With these talents he possessed the milder graces of domestic life: to the frank and generous spirit of an officer, he added the ease and politeness of a gentleman; and with the moral and social virtues of a good man, he exercised the duties of a Christian. A life so honourable to himself, so dear to his friends, so useful to his country, was ended at the age of forty-three, A.D. 1757. To preserve to posterity his fame, and his example, this monument was erected by the daughter of the brave unfortunate Balchen, the wife of Temple West, A.D. 1761."

On the next monument are placed the arms of RICHARD LE NEVE, Esq., with the instruments of war. The English inscription informs us, that being made commander of his Majesty's ship the Edgar, he was unfortunately killed in the twenty-seventh year of his age, in that sharp engagement with the Hollanders, on the 11th August, 1673.

Sir EDMUND PRIDEAUX, Bart.--Near this monument, in one grave, in the middle aisle, are deposited the remains of Sir Edmund Prideaux, of Netherton, in Devonshire, Bart., and Dame ANN, his second wife. He departed this life, February 26, 1728, in his fifty-fifth year; and she the 10th May, 1741, aged fifty-five years. Their daughter Ann erected this monument to their memories.--_Cheere, sculptor._

Dame ELIZABETH CARTERET.--She was daughter of Sir Edward Carteret, Knight, Gentleman Usher to Charles I., and second wife and relict of Sir Philip de Carteret, and by him mother of Sir Charles Carteret, her only son, by whose death was extinguished the eldest branch of the ancient family of the Carterets, Signeurs of St. Owen, in the Isle of Jersey. She died March 26, 1717, aged fifty-two.

Opposite is the tablet of Dr. PETER HEYLIN, on the top of which are the arms of Heylin. On the face of the tablet is a long Latin inscription greatly to his praise. Died May 8, 1662, aged 63.

A tablet to CHARLES WILLIAMS, Esq.--The scrollwork and scalloping are somewhat remarkable. The inscription tells us that the deceased was of Caerleon, in Monmouthshire, a strenuous defender of the Church and public liberty, and a good and generous man. He died August 29, 1720, aged eighty-seven.

CHARLES AGAR, D.D.--This monument consists of a fine representation of the Archbishop relieving the poor, who are also finely executed, and the clergy of the diocese on the right hand, with the following inscription:--"Sacred to the memory of Charles Agar, D.D., Earl of Normanton, and Archbishop of Dublin. He was educated at Westminster School, and was a student of Christ Church, Oxford; in 1768, he was consecrated Bishop of Cloyne, in Ireland, and translated from thence to the Archbishop.r.i.c.k of Cashel, in 1779; in 1795, he was created Baron Somerton, of Somerton, in the county of Kilkenny, and Viscount Somerton, in 1800; in the following year he became Archbishop of Dublin, and in the year 1806, was created Earl of Normanton. He departed this life, July 14, 1809, aged seventy-two years, and rests near this spot, in the same grave with his uncle, the Right Hon. Wellbore Ellis, Baron Mendip. In the course of his episcopal labours, not less than seventeen churches, and twenty-two glebe-houses, for the residence of his clergy, were built under his direction and a.s.sistance; and he erected, princ.i.p.ally at his own expense, the Cathedral Church of Cashel. As a statesman and a prelate, he was an able and zealous supporter of the religion which he professed and taught, and of the country at whose councils he a.s.sisted. His care for the welfare of the Church, is testified by the numerous acts of Parliament he framed for its permanent regulation and support. The perfect state in which his dioceses were left, and the veneration impressed by his talents and virtues on the hearts of those over whom he presided, are far n.o.bler monuments than any which can be erected to his memory."--_Bacon, jun., sculptor._

In the window is the following inscription:--"To the memory of the most affectionate of brothers, GEORGE LINDSAY JOHNSTONE, Esq., this monument is erected by his afflicted sister." His remains are interred in the South Cloister. Grief is represented in a mournful posture over a coffin, on the side of which is a medallion of the deceased.--_Flaxman, sculptor._

ROBERT, Lord CONSTABLE.--On the face of the monument is this inscription:--"Near this lies the Right Hon. Robert, Lord Constable, Viscount Dunbar, who departed this life November 23, 1714, in his sixty-fourth year. Also his second wife, the Right Hon. DOROTHY BRUDENELL, Countess of Westmoreland, who departed this life January 26, 1739, aged ninety-one."

Here you pa.s.s through the gate.

THOMAS LIVINGSTONE, Viscount Teviot.--The top of this monument is decorated with the arms, supporters, and crest of this n.o.bleman, and with military trophies, alluding to his profession of a soldier. On the face of the monument is a long Latin inscription, showing that he was born in Holland, but descended from the Livingstones in Scotland; that from his childhood he was trained to arms; that he attended the Prince of Orange into Britain as a Colonel of Foot; that he rose to the rank of Lieutenant-General, and General of the Scotch forces; was made Master of the Ordnance, and a Privy Councillor; that he secured Scotland to the King, by one decisive action on the Spey, for which he was advanced to the dignity of Viscount. He died January 14, 1710, aged sixty.

EDWARD DE CARTERET.--This neat monument is ornamented with cherubs, and with festoons of leaves and fruit, finely embossed, and was erected to the child whose name is inscribed upon it, who died in the eighth year of his age, Oct. 30, 1677. He was son of Sir Edward de Carteret, Gentleman Usher to Charles II.

PHILIP CARTERET.--Figure of Time, standing on an altar, and holding a scroll in his hand, whereon are written, in sapphic verse, lines to the following import, which he is supposed to be repeating:--

"Why flow the mournful Muse's tear, For thee, cut down in life's full prime?

Why sighs for thee the parent dear, Cropt by the scythe of h.o.a.ry time?

Lo! this, my boy's, the common lot; To me thy memory entrust; When all that's dear shall be forgot, I'll guard thy venerable dust.

From age to age, as I proclaim Thy learning, piety, and truth, Thy great examples shall enflame, And emulation raise in youth."

Over all is the bust of the n.o.ble youth here alluded to, who was son of Lord George Carteret, and died a King's scholar, at Westminster, ripe for the University, March 19, 1710, aged nineteen.--_David, sculptor._

Above is a memorial window put up by friends of the great engineer, ROBERT STEPHENSON--George Stephenson, Telford, Smeaton, Robert Stephenson, Watt, Rennie:--Bonha Bridge, over the Nile; William of Wykeham; Britannia Bridge (tubular), over the Menai Straits; Hiram; Building of the Second Temple; Bezaleel; Building of the Temple by Solomon; Noah; The Erection of the Tabernacle; Tubal Cain; Building of the Ark by Noah; Victoria Bridge, over the St. Lawrence; Sir C. Wren; High Level Bridge at Newcastle-upon-Tyne; Mch. Angelo; The Colosseum at Rome; Archimedes; Building of a Roman Aqueduct; Euclid; Treasure Cities of Egypt; Cheops; Building of Nineveh.

The next is to the memory of JOSEPH LOCKE, R.A., and President of the Society of Engineers:--Our Lord in Majesty; The Lord healing the impotent at Bethesda; Our Lord healing the withered hand; Resurrection of Our Lord; Our Lord and disciples walking in the corn-field.

Above is a little monument, consisting of an urn over a tablet that has a Latin inscription, reciting the high character of Sir JAMES STEWART DENHAM, Bart., who died Nov. 26, 1780, aged sixty-seven.

Suspended by a knot of ribbons, fastened to a pyramid of various-coloured marble, is a fine medallion, with the words--"HENRY PRIESTMAN, Esq."

round the head. Underneath are naval trophies and sea instruments, most admirably sculptured, and upon the base an inscription, showing that the person to whose memory the monument is erected, was Commander-in-Chief of a squadron of ships of war in the reign of Charles II., a Commissioner of the Navy, and one of the Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral of England, in the reign of William III. He died August 20, 1712, aged sixty-five.--_Bird, sculptor._

A rostral column of curiously-veined marble, on which are depicted the prows of galleys, a Medusa's head, naval and military trophies, &c., with this short inscription:--"To the memory of JOHN BAKER, Esq., Vice-Admiral of the White Squadron of the British Fleet, who, when he commanded in the Mediterranean, died at Port-Mahon, November 20, 1716, aged fifty-six. He was a brave, judicious, and experienced officer, a sincere friend, and a true lover of his country. _Manet post funera virtus!_"--_Bird, sculptor._

A monument to the memory of RICHARD MEAD, M.D., on which are his bust and various emblematical devices, expressive of his great learning and physical knowledge, for which he was eminent. He was of an ancient family in Buckinghamshire, was Physician in Ordinary to his Majesty, Fellow of the College of Physicians, and of the Royal Society; a great promoter of the Foundling Hospital, and well known to the world by his writings. He died the 14th of March, 1754, aged eighty-one.--_Scheemakers, sculptor._

On the column, on your right hand, is a small tablet erected to the memory of GILBERT THORNBURGH, Esq., an honest courtier, faithful to his G.o.d, his Prince, and his friends, who died October 6, 1677, aged fifty-six.

In the window is a monument--"To the memory of the Right Honourable SPENCER PERCEVAL, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and First Lord of the Treasury. This monument was erected by the Prince Regent and the Parliament, to record their deep sense of his public and private virtues, and to mark the nation's abhorrence of the act by which he fell. Born 1st November, 1762; a.s.sa.s.sinated within the walls of the House of Commons, 11th May, 1812." In bas-relief he is represented falling into the arms of the officers of the House of Commons in the lobby of the House, where the members are seen rushing forward to witness the sad catastrophe: the second figure to the left represents the a.s.sa.s.sin (Bellingham). A figure of Mr. Perceval is lying on a mattress, under which is a sarcophagus, the figure of power (with the fasces) weeping over him. At his feet are two figures, Truth (with the mirror), Temperance (the bridle).--_Westmacott, sculptor._

ROBERT and RICHARD CHOLMONDELEY.--The Latin inscription informs us that the second and fourth sons of Robert Viscount Cholmondeley, lie here interred. Robert, a King's scholar, died at fourteen, February 4, 1678; Richard died June 9, 1680. Both youths of promising genius.

EDWARD MANSELL, eldest son of Sir Edward Mansell, of Margam, in Glamorganshire, Bart., who died June 20, 1681, aged 15.

Against a pillar, on a tablet of white marble, is a long inscription in English, setting forth the descent of EDWARD HERBERT, Esq. He was lineally descended from Sir George Herbert, of Swansea, in Glamorganshire, first sheriff of that county after the union of the princ.i.p.ality of Wales in 1542. He died Sept. 18, 1715, aged twenty-three, leaving one son, Thomas, then two years old.

A double monument, being two oval tables between three wreathed pillars, neatly ornamented and inscribed; the first to the memory of WILLIAM MORGAN, second son of William Morgan, of Tredegar, in Monmouthshire, who died February 1, 1683, in the nineteenth year of his age; the other, THOMAS MANSEL, eldest son of Busy Mansel, of Britain's Ferry, Glamorganshire, who died December 13, 1684, aged thirty-eight.

Mrs. JANE HILL.--This lady, who is here represented on a pedestal, in the ancient dress of her time, appears by the inscription to have been the daughter of Thomas Stoteville, of Brinkley, in Cambridgeshire, and wife, first to Edward Ellis, of Chesterton, and then to Othowell Hill, LL.D., and Chancellor of the diocese of Lincoln. She died April 27, 1631, aged seventy-eight.

In the window above, is a monument to the memory of Miss ANN WHYTELL, who died 17th August, 1788. Upon an urn are leaning two figures of Innocence and Peace, having the emblems in their hands, the dove and olive-branch.--_Bacon, sculptor._

Above is a monument erected--"To the memory of JOHN STEWART, Esq., Captain in the Royal Navy; son of William Stewart, Esq., of Castle Stewart, in Wigtownshire, and Euphemia, daughter of Lord Fortros. He entered the Navy at an early age, and distinguished himself in every rank and branch of the service, particularly when in command of the Seahorse, of thirty-eight guns, with which single ship he totally defeated a Turkish squadron, and captured the Bedere Zaffer, carrying fifty-one guns. He died in London, on the 25th October, 1811, aged thirty-six years. The knowledge, decision, and coolness which he displayed as an officer, won him the confidence of all who served with him; the gaiety and cheerfulness of his temper, the frankness of his disposition, and the warmth and goodness of his heart, rendered him the delight of all who approached him, and made his death an equal loss to private society and to his country."

On the left is a handsome monument of Governor LOTEN, consisting of a single figure, representing Generosity, attended by a lion, who is sustaining a medallion, with his portrait upon a pedestal, on which is inscribed, in Latin, his great character, and the high offices he exercised over the Dutch settlements in India, where he arrived in the year 1732; married Henrietta Beaumont, August 24, 1733, who died August 10, 1755. He returned to Europe in 1758, married in England July 4, 1765, to Laet.i.tia Cotes, of Cotes, in Staffordshire, and died at Utrecht, May 25, 1789, aetatis eighty. The lower inscription is the fifteenth Psalm, except the last verse, and concludes--"Such was John Gideon Loten."--_Banks, sculptor._