Part 52

In 1719 he was elected Surgeon to St. Thomas’ Hospital, where he highly distinguished himself in his operations for the stone. He was also consulting Surgeon to St. George’s and the Westminster Infirmary. In 1727 he was appointed principal Surgeon to Queen Caroline, and ten years later was chosen Head Surgeon to Chelsea Hospital, which post he held till his death. He married Miss Deborah Knight of London, by whom he had an only daughter. His practice was both extensive and lucrative, and his works on Surgery are numerous, besides which he was a frequent contributor to the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society. Mr. Cheselden died at Bath on the 10th April, 1752.

Dr. J. F. Payne says that he will always be regarded as, beyond dispute, one of the greatest of British surgeons, being one of the most brilliant operators whose achievements are upon record; he was a keen patron of athletic sports, especially boxing; his disposition was gay and genial, he was fond of society, and evidently popular, while to his patients he was always kind and tender-hearted.

On the separation of the Surgeons from the Barbers in 1745, Mr. Cheselden was named in the Act of Parliament one of the Wardens of the new Company of Surgeons, he having been Junior Warden of the Barber-Surgeons that year. His will is a remarkable specimen of brevity and absence of formality:--

Being in perfect health I write this with my own hand and declare it to be my last Will and Testament. I give to my daughter W. J. Cotes five hundred pounds and all the rest and residue of my estate of what kind soever to my wife and make her full and sole Executrix administratrix and assign Witness my hand and seal. Will{m} Cheselden (L.S.) 24th March 1749/50.

Arms. Quarterly 1 and 4 Ar a chev. betw. three crosses moline gu. (Cheselden). 2. Ar. on a fesse indented sa. three bezants (Brough). 3. Or. an eagle displayed az. beaked and feet gu. (Mongomery).

AMBROSE DICKINS, SERJEANT-SURGEON.

AMBROSE DICKINS (sometimes spelt Dickens) was the son of George Dickins of Riplington, in East Meon, Hampshire, gentleman, and was probably born about 1687. On the 17th February, 1702, he was apprenticed to Serjeant-Surgeon Charles Bernard for seven years, and on the 16th February, 1709, he was admitted to the Freedom and Livery of the Barber-Surgeons, when he was residing in James Street, Covent Garden. He married (before the 24th March, 1709) Elizabeth, daughter of Charles Bernard. On December 20th, 1721, he was elected Surgeon to Westminster Hospital. His old master, Charles Bernard, died in October, 1710, and it seems that Dickins succeeded him when quite a young man in the important office of Serjeant-Surgeon. In 1728 he was Warden of the Barber-Surgeons, and in 1729 Master of the Company. He was Surgeon to St. George’s Hospital 1733-38. On the separation of the Surgeons from the Barbers in 1745, Mr. Dickins became an Assistant of the Surgeons’ Company and an Examiner of Surgeons. He probably died in 1747, as on 7th September in that year Mr. Cæsar Hawkins was appointed Serjeant-Surgeon in his place.

Dr. John Douglas, Bishop of Salisbury, in “The Criterion,” introduces Mr. Dickins’ name in an interesting paragraph. Dr. Douglas was a firm believer in the efficacy of the Royal touch for the King’s evil, and he gives some curious particulars of Mr. Dickins’ experience in this matter which are well worth referring to.

Arms. Ermine on a cross fleury sa. a leopard’s face or.

SIR CÆSAR HAWKINS, BART., SERJEANT-SURGEON.

THIS eminent Surgeon (the son of Mr. Cæsar Hawkins, a Surgeon at Ludlow, Shropshire) was born 10th January, 1711, and by his great ability, at a very early age secured a large and lucrative practice; he was the inventor of the cutting gorget, and a remarkably dexterous operator.

1st July, 1735. M{r} Cæsar Hawkins Surgeon in Bloomsbury who had lived several years with his father a Surgeon in the Country and afterwards with M{r} Ranby a Foreign Brother of the Company seven years, but not bound an Apprentice at the Hall, was in consideration thereof, admitted into the freedom of the Company for six pounds six shillings which he paid down and was sworne. At the same time the said M{r} Cæsar Hawkins was examined touching his skill in Surgery his answers were approved of and he was ordered the Diploma under the hands of the Governors and the seal of the Company testifying his skill and impowering him to practice.

19th August, 1736. Mr. Hawkins was admitted to the Livery, and the same day was chosen a Demonstrator of Anatomy, being then but twenty-five years of age.

18th August, 1737. M{r} Cæsar Hawkins one of the Demonstrators of Anatomy attended at this Court and surrendered the said office and after returning this Court his thanks for the honor they had done him to choose him one of their Demonstrators acquainted them that he being appointed Surgeon to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and also Surgeon to one of the troops of Guards, could not perform the office of a Demonstrator and therefore the Court accepted of such surrender.

Mr. Hawkins, in addition to his other appointments, was Surgeon to St. George’s Hospital, 1735-1774, and Serjeant-Surgeon to George III, to which latter office he was appointed 7th September, 1747. By his practice as a phlebotomist alone he is said to have made £1,000 a year, it then being the custom for people to be bled at the spring and fall of the year.

His family have been Surgeons for some generations, and have held distinguished office, his brother Pennell Hawkins, his son Charles, and his grandson Cæsar Henry, having all been Serjeant-Surgeons. On the 25th July, 1778, Mr. Hawkins was created a Baronet; he died 13th February, 1786. A portrait of him, by Hogarth, is in the Hall of the Royal College of Surgeons.

Arms. Ar. on a saltire engrailed sa. five fleur de lys or.

WALTER HENRY WILKIN, ALDERMAN.

WALTER HENRY WILKIN, Esquire, who was born 1st April, 1842, is the son of the late Mr. David Wilkin, of the firm of Wilkin and Pugh. He was admitted to the freedom and livery of the Company 5th January, 1864. Mr. Wilkin commenced his career as articled clerk to a well-known firm of underwriters at Lloyds, but subsequently entered himself at the Middle Temple, where he read with Mr. Crump, Q.C., and passing his examination and obtaining the Certificate of the Council of Legal Education, he was called to the Bar; but in consequence of the deaths of his father and brother, he retired from the profession of the law to take upon himself the conduct of their business in the City. In 1878 Mr. Wilkin was chosen an Assistant of this Company, and in 1885 served the office of Master. For twelve years he sat as one of the Common Council for the Ward of Lime Street. On the death of Sir Robert Walter Carden, Mr. Alderman Cotton was transferred from Lime Street to Bridge Without, and the vacancy thus occasioned in the Court of Aldermen, was filled up by the appointment of Mr. Wilkin in February, 1888. He is a member of the Court of Assistants of the Broderers’ Company, and has filled the office of G.S. and Master in Grand Master’s Lodge No. 1. For twenty-six years Mr. Wilkin was a Volunteer, rising to the rank of Lieut.-Colonel in the 3rd Middlesex Artillery, but has now resigned his commission.

SUNDRY MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS.

1469. Robert Dallahouse (Daluss), Master 1462, died 1469, was buried at St. Martin’s in the Vintry with the following inscription on his tomb:--

As flowers in feeld thus passeth lif, Nakyd, then clothyd, feble in the end, It sheweth by Robart Daluss and Alyson his wyf Christ yem save fro the power of the Fiend. obiit 1469.

1510. John Den, buried at St. Margaret’s, Westminster.

Here lyes undyr this ston John Den Barbor Surgeon And Agnes his wyf, who to heuyn went MCCCCC and X that is verament For who soul, of your charite Sey a Pater Noster and an Ave Marie.

1580. William Green, Master 1564, died 1580, was buried in the church of Allhallows the Less.

Before this time that here yee have seene, Lyeth buried the body of William Greene, Barbor & Surgeon & late Master of that Company And Clark of this Church yeeres fiftie; Which William decesyd the truth for to say The month of December the fourth day. The yere of our Lord God as by books doth appere On thowsand fyve hundryd and eighty yere.

1598. Thomas Bankes, Master 1596, died 1598, was buried in the church of St. Michael le Querne.

Thomas Bankes, Barber Chirurgeon, Deputie of this Ward, who had to wife Joan Laurence, by whom he had issue seven sonnes and ten daughters.

1610. William Gale (Master 1595, 1610) was buried in the church at Monken Hadley, where there is a brass with the following inscription:--

Blessed are they y{t} concydereth y{e} poore & needie.

Here lyeth the bodye of William Gale Citizen & Barber Chyrurgion of London who dyed the XIX daye of November 1610. Then being y{e} second tyme Master of his Company, he had 2 wives, Elizabeth & Suzan & had issue by Elizabeth V soñes and 8 daughters and was LX and X yeares of age or thereabout at y{e} time of his death.

1655-6. John Gale (son of William Gale, Master 1595), Surgeon of Bushey, gave the Company £16 per annum for an Anatomy Lecture, died 1655-6 and was buried in Bushey Church.

Here in hope of a happy resurrection through Christ, lies the body of John Gale, Esq. who was father to Mary Gale, by his second wife Jane, and sister to M{rs} Elizabeth Terry, both which are here interred next unto him; he lived to the age of 70 years, and peaceably departed this life Jan 5{th} 1655.

1668. Charles Stamford, Master 1659, died 1668 and was buried at St. Katherine’s near the Tower.

Here lyeth interred the body of Charles Stamford, Chirurgeon, who departed this Life June 24{th} 1668; also Elizabeth his Wife, and sixteen children.

Mille modis morimur mortales, nascimur uno: Sunt hominum, morbi mille, sed una salus.

* * * * *

~Weep not for them, since they have gone before To heaven, where Barbers there are many more.~

APPENDICES.

APPENDIX A. (_See page 28._)

NORWICHE.

And a bretherhode ther is ordened of barbres, in the site of Norwyche, in the worschep of god and ys moder, and seynt Johan the Babtis, that alle bretherin and sisterin of the same gylde, als longe as xij. persones of them lyuen, they schulen offeryn a candel and to torches of wax, and this light they hoten and a-vowed to kepyn and myntenyn, and thes other ordenances that ben vnder wreton, vp-on here power and diligence, in worschepe of crist and ys moder and seyn Johan Babtis, and the to torches schul bien of xl. lib. weyght, and alle the bretherin and sisterin schullen offeryn this candel and the to torches euerie ʒer a misomere day, and they herin here messe at the heye auter atte Charunel in cristis cherge, and eueri brother and sistir offeryn an ob. wyth here candel and here to torches, in honor of god and oure lady and seynt Johan the Babtis.

And the to torches, eueri day in the ʒer, scullen ben light and brennynge at the heye messe at selue auter, from the leuacion of cristis body sacrid, in til that the priest haue vsud.

This bien the names of the men that ben maystris and kepers of the gyld.

PHILIPPUS BARBUR } And this men han in JACOBUS BARBIR } kepynge for the same THOMAS BARBYR at prechors } light, ij{s} in here box.

(MODERN ENGLISH OF THE PRECEDING.)

NORWICH.

And a brotherhood there is ordained of Barbers, in the city of Norwich, in the worship of God and His Mother, and Saint John the Baptist; that all brothers and sisters of the same guild, as long as twelve persons of them live, they shall offer a candle and two torches of wax; and this light they promise and avow to keep and maintain, and these ordinances that be under-written, upon their power and diligence, in worship of Christ and His Mother and Saint John Baptist; and the two torches shall be of forty pounds weight; and all the brothers and sisters shall offer this candle and the two torches every year at Midsummer day, and they hearing their mass at the high altar at Charunel in Christ’s church, and every brother and sister offering a halfpenny with their candel and their two torches, in honor of God and our Lady and Saint John the Baptist.

And the two torches, every day in the year, shall be alight and burning at the high mass at the same altar, from the elevation of Christ’s body sacred, until that the priest have used.

These be the names of the men that be Masters and Keepers of the guild.

PHILIP BARBUR } And these men have in JAMES BARBIR } keeping for the same THOMAS BARBYR “at prechors” } light, two shillings in their box.

GILDA IN CIUITATE LINCOLN.

CERTIFICACIO ordinac͠ois & incepc͠ois fratˀintatis TONSOꝜ LINCOLN’ virtute pˀ clamac͠ois inde fc̃e sequit{a} in vˀba HEC est queᵭa fratˀintas fcã & inchoata ex coĩ assensu omĩ tonsoꝜ Ciuitatis Lincoɫn in honore dnĩ nrĩ Jhũ xpĩ & bẽ marie & pˀcipue ad honorẽ scĩ Johis̃ Eũngeliste in Natalli dnĩ renouata vˀo in festo eiusdem anno dnĩ mil̃l̃imo CCC{mo} sexagesimo nono.

PRIMA ordinacio est qᵭ heᵬunt & custentabunt vnũ cerẽn quadrat̃n ardentem omiᵬz dieᵬz festinis pˀ annuˀ cuˀ tempus finˀt ad altare scĩ Joh̃is Eungẽs in monastio bẽ marˀ Lincoɫn. Et quiɫt fratˀ & soror dcẽ fratˀintatis ibunt in pˀcessione cñ dcã candela & quiɫt frˀ & soroꝜ offeretꝭ ad ymaginem scĩ Saluatoris oᵬ. sub pena vnius librˀ cere.

Scᵭa ordinacio est qᵭ * * * * * *

Decima ordinacio est qˀd * * * * *

Et ad confirmandꝭ plenius omẽs ordinac͠oes sup{a} dicas sigillnˀ decanatus xˀpianitatis Lincolnˀ pˀsentibʒ est appensuˀ in finem & testimoniuˀ pˀmissoꝜ DAT Lincoln die & anno sup{a} dcĩs.

IN TRĨS & teñ ad gildam pˀdcam mortificatꝭ vel non mortificatꝭ nichil hẽnt nec cãt aliqua in manibʒ ipoꝜ fratrnˀ & soroꝜ ad usum dc̃e gilde existunt nisi ex largĩoe eoꝜᵭe ad pˀdcãs deuoc͠oes sustinendꝭ & comunia iñt se non fac nisi tm̃ pˀ dilec͠oe int̃ eos nutriendꝭ.

(TRANSLATION.)

GUILD IN THE CITY OF LINCOLN.

THE CERTIFICATE of the ordinances and beginning of the Fraternity of Barbers of Lincoln, by virtue of the proclamation in that behalf made, follows in these words;--

THIS is a certain fraternity made and begun by the common assent of all the Barbers of the City of Lincoln, in honour of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Blessed Mary and observed in honour of Saint John the Evangelist, renewed in the feast of the Nativity of our Lord, A.D. 1369.

THE FIRST ordinance is, that they have and keep one “quadrate” of wax burning on all feast days throughout the year, and on other special occasions before the altar of Saint John the Evangelist in the Monastery of the Blessed Mary at Lincoln. And all the brothers and sisters of the said fraternity go in procession with the said candle, and all the brothers and sisters offer at the Image of Saint Saviour a halfpenny, under a penalty of one pound of wax.

THE SECOND ordinance is, that if any brother or sister of this fraternity shall die in the City, the Dean of this guild shall bear in order four “soule candels,” which shall burn about the corpse at the Dirige and remain until the Mass. And all the brothers and sisters, for the soul of the departed, pay a halfpenny to the poor, according to the directions of the Graceman and Wardens, wherever the greater necessity shall be.

THE THIRD ordinance is, that if any brother or sister shall die so poor, that he has not whence to be buried as he ought to be, the Graceman and Wardens, of the halfpennies collected, together with any portion of his chattels they find, shall make a general mourning, and do other necessaries that he be honorably buried.

THE FOURTH ordinance is, that if any brother or sister of this fraternity shall desire to go into the country (_i.e._, reside out of the City), he shall give to the sustentation of the aforesaid candle at his going 2_s._, twopence to the tankards (_ad ciphos_), 1_d._ to the Dean of the guild, and afterwards 6_d._ annually, which he shall pay in three “mornspeeches”[355] in equal portions throughout the year.

[355] General assemblies of the guild.

THE FIFTH ordinance is, that if any brother or sister of this guild fall into poverty or sickness, so that he cannot work and prays the charity of this house, each brother and sister of this guild shall give to him 6_d._ per annum in the three mornspeeches aforesaid, by like equal portions.

THE SIXTH ordinance is, that if any brother of this guild shall receive any apprentice to teach him his art, the same master shall pay for the said apprentice, to the sustentation of the said candle two shillings, and this at the first mornspeech after he shall have taken the said apprentice.

THE SEVENTH ordinance is, that if any brother or sister of this guild do rebellious works or speeches, and is not willing to be silent but finds fault with the ruling of the Graceman of the guild, he shall give towards the burning of the said candle, one pound of wax, . . . .[356] and that without any remission; and whatsoever master or servant within this fraternity or out of it, shall be a thief to the extent of one penny, and of that matter shall be convicted, it is agreed by common consent that he shall abjure occupying his art within the City for ever.

[356] There are two words here which I could not decipher.

THE EIGHTH ordinance is, that none shall be admitted to any Offices in the said guild, unless they have been Barbers, dwelling in the said City; and whoever shall be elected Graceman and shall be unwilling to serve shall give half a stone of wax; and whoever Dean, and shall be unwilling, shall give one pound of wax.

THE NINTH ordinance is, that by common assent, all the brethren shall have three assemblings in the year, viz.--The first, the Sunday next after the feast of Saint John the Evangelist aforesaid, to hear (the ordinances), to drink together, to settle the accounts, and to elect new officers for the year to come, The second, the Sunday next after the feast of the Apostles Philip and James, And the third, the Sunday next after the feast of the Translation of Saint Hugh.

THE TENTH ordinance is, that if any brother or sister, the aforesaid ordinances as he is able shall not content, or shall not come when he shall be summoned (unless by any reasonable cause he shall be hindered), he shall give to the sustentation of the said candle, as often as he shall trespass, one pound of wax.

AND in full confirmation of all the aforesaid ordinances, the seal of the Rural Dean of Lincoln is affixed to these presents in conclusion and testimony of the premisses. GIVEN at Lincoln the day and year abovesaid.

IN LANDS and tenements to the aforesaid guild in mortmain or otherwise they hold nothing, nor are there any chattels in the hands of them the brothers and sisters to the use of the said guild, except out of their liberality for the sustenance of the aforesaid devotions; nor do they make any gatherings between them, unless however for the purpose of cherishing love amongst themselves.

APPENDIX B. (_See page 78._)

SIR THOMAS MORE’S ORDINANCES, 1530.