Historical Description of Westminster Abbey, Its Monuments and Curiosities

Part 9

Chapter 93,954 wordsPublic domain

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, classic 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 Archbishoprick 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 assistance; and he erected, principally 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 assisted. 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 nobler 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 pass through the gate.

THOMAS LIVINGSTONE, Viscount Teviot.--The top of this monument is decorated with the arms, supporters, and crest of this nobleman, 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 hoary 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 noble 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 God, 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; assassinated 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 assassin (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 principality 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 Lætitia Cotes, of Cotes, in Staffordshire, and died at Utrecht, May 25, 1789, ætatis eighty. The lower inscription is the fifteenth Psalm, except the last verse, and concludes--"Such was John Gideon Loten."--_Banks, sculptor._

Mrs. MARY BEAUFOY.--The principal figure is represented in a devout posture, with cherubs crowning her; on each side are Cupids lamenting the early decay of virgin beauty; and underneath, the arms of her family, quarterly, upheld by cherubs. The inscription on the base:--"_Reader!_ whoe'er thou art, let the sight of this tomb imprint on thy mind, that young and old (without distinction) leave this world; and therefore fail not to secure the next." This lady was only daughter and heiress of Sir Henry Beaufoy, of Guy's Cliff, near Warwick, by the Hon. Charlotte Lane, eldest daughter of George, Lord Viscount Lansborough. She died July 12, 1705.--_Grinling Gibbons, sculptor._

"ROBERT KILLIGREW, of Arwenack, in Cornwall, Esq.; son of Thomas and Charlotte; Page of Honour to Charles II.; Brigadier-General of Her Majesty's Forces; killed in Spain, in the battle of Almanza, April 14, 1707, _ætatis suæ_ forty-seven. _Militavit annis_ twenty-four." A fine piece of sculpture, cut out of one stone. The embellishments are distinct and very picturesque, and the inscription modest and soldierlike.--_Bird, sculptor._ In front of this monument Ben Jonson was buried.

On a small tablet is the following inscription:--"In memory of THOMAS BANKS, Esq., R.A., Sculptor, whose superior abilities in his profession added a lustre to the arts of his country, and whose character as a man reflected honour on human nature. His earthly remains were deposited by his desire on the north side of the churchyard at Paddington. His spirit is with God. He died Feb. 2, 1805, aged seventy years."

JOHN HUNTER.--The remains of this celebrated anatomist were removed from the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields to the Abbey in 1859. "The Royal College of Surgeons of England have placed this Tablet over the grave of Hunter, to record their admiration of his genius as a gifted interpreter of the Divine power and wisdom at work in the laws of organic life, and their grateful veneration for his services to mankind as the founder of scientific surgery." Born, 1728; died, 1793.

Sir ROBERT WILSON and Lady.--A very fine brass beside that of Hunter. He was born in 1777, died 1849.

Colonel JAMES BRINGFIELD.--This monument is ornamented with military trophies, cherubs, &c., and surrounded by a mantling, enclosing a table on which are written the deceased's military preferments, the manner of his death and burial, and the praises of his piety and virtue. He was born at Abingdon, Equerry to Prince George of Denmark, and Aid-de-Camp to the great Duke of Marlborough; was killed by a cannon ball, as he was remounting his General on a fresh horse, at the battle of Ramilies, on Whitsunday, May 12, 1706, and was interred at Barechem, in the province of Brabant, aged fifty.

One of the windows in the north aisle of the nave of Westminster Abbey has recently been filled with stained glass in memory of the late Mr. BRUNEL. Along the bottom of the window (which consists of two lights, each 23 feet 6 inches high, and 4 feet wide, surmounted by a quatrefoil opening, 6 feet 6 inches across) is the inscription, "In memory of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Civil Engineer. Born April 9, 1806. Died September 15, 1859." Over this are four allegorical figures (two in each light): Fortitude, Justice, Faith, and Charity. The upper part of the window consists of six panels, divided by a pattern-work of lilies and pomegranates. The panels contain subjects from the history of the Temple. The three subjects in the western light represent scenes from the Old Testament: viz., the Dedication of the Temple by Solomon, the Finding of the Book of the Law by Hilkiah, and the Laying the Foundations of the Second Temple. The subjects in the eastern light are from the New Testament: viz., Simeon Blessing the Infant Saviour, Christ Disputing with the Doctors, and the Disciples pointing out to Christ the Buildings of the Temple. In the heads of the lights are angels kneeling, and in the quatrefoil is a representation of Our Lord in Glory, surrounded by angels. The work was placed in the hands of Mr. R. Norman Shaw, of the firm of Nesfield & Shaw, Architects, who prepared the general design, arranged the scale of the various figures, and designed the ornamental pattern work. The figure subjects were drawn by Mr. Henry Holyday, and the whole design was executed in glass by Messrs. Heaton, Butler, & Bayne, of Garrick Street, Covent Garden.

"To the memory of WILLIAM LEVINZ, Esq., grandson of Sir Cresswell Levinz, Knt., who was Attorney-General in the reign of Charles II., and afterwards one of the Justices of Common Pleas, from which station he was displaced in the reign of James II. for opposing the dispensing power, and was one of the counsel for the seven Bishops. William Levinz, the son of Sir Cresswell, represented the county of Nottingham in Parliament, as did his son, William Levinz, till the year 1747, when he was appointed a Commissioner of his Majesty's Customs, and in 1763, Receiver-General of the said revenue, in which office he died, the 17th of August, 1765, aged fifty-two years."--_R. Hayward, sculptor._

HENEAGE TWYSDEN.--This monument is to the memory of a young hero slain in the battle of Blarignies, in Hainault, while Aid-de-Camp to John, Duke of Argyle, who commanded the right wing of the confederate army. He was the seventh son of Sir William Twysden, Bart., a youth of the greatest expectations, had not the fortune of war put an early stop to his rising merit, in the twenty-ninth year of his age, 1709. Above this are two small monuments to the memory of two of his brothers, JOSIAH and JOHN. Josiah was a Captain at the siege of Agremont, in Flanders, and slain by a cannon shot, in 1708, aged twenty-three. John was a Lieutenant in the Admiral's ship under Sir Cloudesly Shovel, and perished with him in 1707, aged twenty-four.

JOHN WOODWARD, M.D.--This is an elegant monument, and the figures most admirably finished. The head of the deceased (who was Professor of Physic in Gresham College) in profile, is very masterly, and the lady that holds it inimitable. The inscription is a kind of panegyric upon the great parts and learning of the deceased, which entitled him to the distinction he received. He died in May, 1728, aged sixty-three.--_Scheemakers, sculptor._

MARTHA PRICE.--This monument is ornamented with festoons of fruit, flowers, and foliage, and the inscription shows that she was the wife of Gervase Price, Esq., who served Charles II. in the double capacity of Sergeant-Trumpeter and Gentleman of the Bows. She died April 7, 1678.

Above is a monument to the memories of Captains HERVEY and HUTT, who were engaged in the naval action under Lord Howe. It is principally composed of two colossal figures, Britannia and Fame, placed one on each side a large vase, on which are portraits of the deceased Captains. Britannia is decorating the vase with laurel, while Fame is pointing to the names of the heroes engraven on the base which supports the vase.--_Bacon, jun., sculptor._