Part 127
That general Gladwin do take the chair at this meeting. That the Rev. Samuel Pegge be requested to preach a sermon on the occasion at Whittington church, on the 5th day of November next. That the gentlemen who intend to honour the meeting with their company do assemble at Whittington church, exactly at eleven o’clock in the forenoon of that day, to attend divine service. That immediately after service they meet at the Revolution-house, where a cold collation will be provided. That they go in procession from thence to Chesterfield, where ordinaries will be provided at the Angel, Castle, and Falcon inns. That the meeting be open to all friends of the revolution. That letters be written to the dukes of Devonshire and Leeds, and the earl of Stamford, to request the honour of their attendance at that meeting. That there be a ball for the ladies in the evening at the assembly-room in Chesterfield. That a subscription of one guinea each be entered into for defraying the extraordinary expenses on the occasion, and that the same be paid into the hands of Messrs. Wilkinson’s, in Chesterfield. That the committee do meet again on Wednesday, the 8th of October next, at the Angel inn, in Chesterfield, at one o’clock. That these resolutions be published in the Derby and Nottingham newspapers, and in the St. James’s, Whitehall, and Lloyd’s Evening Posts, and the London and English Chronicles.
HENRY GLADWIN, Chairman.
_Chesterfield, Sept. 27, 1788._
According to these resolutions, on Tuesday the 4th of November, the committee appointed to conduct the jubilee had a previous meeting, and dined together at the “Revolution-house” in Whittington. The duke of Devonshire, lord Stamford, lord George and lord John Cavendish, with several neighbouring gentlemen, were present. After dinner a subscription was opened for the erecting of a monumental column, in commemoration of the glorious revolution, on that spot where the earls of Devonshire and Danby, lord Delamere, and Mr. John D’Arcy, met to concert measures which were eminently instrumental in rescuing the liberties of their country from perdition. As this monument was intended to be not less a mark of public gratitude, than the memorial of an important event, it was requested, that the representatives of the above-mentioned families would excuse their not being permitted to join in the expense.
On the 5th, at eleven in the morning, the commemoration commenced with divine service at Whittington church. The Rev. Mr. Pegge, the rector of the parish, delivered an excellent sermon from the words “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Though of a great age, having that very morning entered his eighty-fifth year, he spoke with a spirit which seemed to have been derived from the occasion; his sentiments were pertinent, well arranged, and his expression animated.
The descendants of the illustrious houses of Cavendish, Osborne, Boothe, and D’Arcy, (for the venerable duke of Leeds, whose age would not allow him to attend, had sent his two grandsons, in whom the blood of Osborne and D’Arcy united;) a numerous and powerful gentry; a wealthy and respectable yeomanry; a hardy, yet decent and attentive peasantry; whose intelligent countenances showed that they understood, and would be firm to preserve, that blessing, for which they were assembled to return thanks to Almighty God, presented a truly solemn spectacle, and, to the eye of a philosopher, the most interesting that can be imagined.
After service the company went in succession to view the “Revolution-house,” and the room called “The Plotting Parlour,” with the old armed-chair in which the earl of Devonshire is said to have sitten; and every one partook of an elegant cold collation, which was prepared in the new rooms annexed to the cottage. Some time being spent in this, then began
_The Procession._
Constables with long staves, two and two.
The eight clubs, four and four, with flags inscribed “The Protestant Religion, and the Liberties of England, we will maintain,”--“Libertas; quæ sera, tamen respexit inertem.” “Liberty secured.”--“The Glorious Revolution 1688.”--“Liberty, Property, Trade, Manufactures.”--“In Memory of the Glorious Assertors of British Freedom 1688.”--“Revolted from Tyranny at WHITTINGTON 1688.”--“Bill of Rights.” “Willielmus Dux Devon. Bonorum Principum Fidelis Subditus; Immicus et Invisus Tyrannis.”
[The members of the eight clubs were estimated at two thousand persons, each having a white wand in his hand, with blue and orange tops and favours, with the word “Revolution” stamped upon them.]
The Derbyshire militia’s band of music.
The corporation of Chesterfield in their formalities, who joined the procession on entering the town.
The duke of Devonshire in his coach and six.
Attendants on horseback with four led horses.
The earl of Stamford in his post-chaise and four.
Attendants on horseback.
The earl of Danby and lord Francis Osborne in their post-chaise and four.
Attendants on horseback.
Lord George Cavendish in his post-chaise and four.
Attendants on horseback. Lord John Cavendish in his post-chaise and four.
Attendants on horseback.
Sir Francis Molyneux and sir Henry Hunloke, barts. in sir Henry’s coach and six.
Attendants on horseback.
And upwards of forty other carriages of the neighbouring gentry, with their attendants. Gentlemen on horseback, three and three.
Servants on horseback, ditto.
The procession paraded different parts of the town of Chesterfield to the Castle, where the Derbyshire band of music formed in the centre, and played “Rule Britannia,” “God save the King,” &c. The clubs and corporation still proceeded in the same order to the mayor’s, and then dispersed.
The whole was conducted with order and regularity. Notwithstanding there were fifty carriages, four hundred gentlemen on horseback, two thousand on foot, and an astonishing throng of spectators, not an accident happened. All was joy and gladness, without a single burst of unruly tumult and uproar. The sun shed auspicious beams, and blessed the happy day with unusual splendour.
The company was so numerous as scarcely to be accommodated at the three principal inns. The dinner at the Castle was served in a style of unusual elegance. The first five toasts after the repast were:--
1. The king.
2. The glorious and immortal memory of king William III.
3. The memory of the Glorious Revolution.
4. The memory of those Friends to their Country, who, at the risk of their lives and fortunes, were instrumental in effecting the Glorious Revolution in 1688.
5. The Law of the Land.
In the evening a brilliant exhibition of fireworks was played off, under the direction of signior Pietro; during which the populace were regaled with a proper distribution of liquor. The day concluded with a ball, at which were present near three hundred gentlemen and ladies. The late duchess of Devonshire, surrounded by the bloom of the Derbyshire hills, presented a picture scarcely to be portrayed. Nearly two hundred and fifty ball-tickets were received at the door.
The warm expression of gratitude and affection sparkling in every eye must have excited in the breasts of those noble personages, whose ancestors were the source of this felicity, a sensation which monarchs in all their glory might envy. The utmost harmony and felicity prevailed throughout the whole meeting. A hogshead of ale was distributed to the populace at Whittington, and three hogsheads at Chesterfield; where the duke of Devonshire gave also three guineas to each of the eight clubs.
At this meeting party distinctions were forgotten. Persons of all ranks and denominations wore orange and blue in memory of the great event; and the most respectable Roman Catholic families vied in their endeavours to show how just a sense they had of the value of civil liberty.[396]
The Rev. P. Cunningham, of Eyam, a place which readers of the last sheet can scarcely have forgotten, addressed some stanzas to the Rev. Samuel Pegge, the rector of Whittington, on occasion of the festivity, together with the following
ODE
_For the Revolution Jubilee_, 1788.
When lawless power his iron hand, When blinded zeal her flaming brand O’er Albion’s island wav’d; Indignant freedom veil’d the sight; Eclips’d her son of glory’s light; Her fav’rite realm enslav’d.
Distrest she wander’d:--when afar She saw her Nassau’s friendly star Stream through the stormy air: She call’d around a patriot band; She bade them save a sinking land; And deathless glory share.
Her cause their dauntless hearts inspir’d, With ancient Roman virtue fir’d, They plough’d the surging main; With fav’ring gales from Belgia’s shore Her heaven-directed hero bore, And freedom crown’d his reign.
With equal warmth her spirit glows, Though hoary Time’s centennial snows New silver o’er her fame. For hark, what songs of triumph tell, Still grateful Britons love to dwell On William’s glorious name.
[390] Kennett.
[391] A provincial name for a _Magpie_.
[392] Rapin, xv. 199.
[393] Deering’s Nottingham, p. 258.
[394] Son and heir of Conyers earl of Holderness.
[395] For the earl of Devonshire’s proceedings at Derby and Whittington, see Mr. Deering’s History of Nottingham, p. 260. Mr. Drake, p. 177 of his Eboracum, just mentions the earl of Danby’s appearance at York.
[396] Pegge’s Anecdotes of Old Times, p. lxiii, &c.
* * * * *
VIRTUOUS DESPOTISM.
CHARACTER OF ALIA BHYE.
One of the purest and most exemplary monarchs that ever existed, a female without vanity, a bigot without intolerance, possessed of a mind imbued with the deepest superstition, yet receiving no impressions except what promoted the happiness of those under its influence; a being exercising in the most active and able manner despotic power, not merely with sincere humility, but under the severest moral restraint that a strict conscience can impose upon human action. And all this combined with the greatest indulgence for the weakness and faults of others.[397]
[397] Sir John Malcolm’s Central India.
* * * * *
UXBRIDGE
AND
THE TREATY HOUSE.
REMARKABLE COOKING FOUNTAIN, &c.
_For the Table Book._
Uxbridge, the most considerable market town in the county of Middlesex, is distant from London about fifteen miles on the north-west. It consists of one long street, which is neatly paved, and its situation on the road to Oxford, Gloucester, and Milford Haven, is productive of much benefit to the inhabitants, while it imparts a constant air of bustle and vivacity to the main thoroughfare.[398] The name of this place was anciently spelt Oxebruge; and in more modern records Woxebrugge, or Woxebruge.[399] The derivation seems easily discovered:--the place was noted in distant ages for the passage of oxen from the adjacent fields in Buckinghamshire, and a bridge was constructed over the river Colne, which flows near the town.
Speed asserts that a monastery was founded here, dedicated to St. Mary; but it is neither mentioned by any other writer, nor is any trace of it now to be met with.
Uxbridge has been celebrated in history, for the treaty which took place there between commissioners appointed respectively by the king and the parliament, during the disturbances of the seventeenth century.
The commissioners met in January 1645; the numbers were sixteen on the part of the king, and twelve on behalf of the parliament, together with the Scottish commissioners. It was agreed, that the Scottish and parliamentary commissioners should give in their demands with regard to three important articles, viz. religion, the militia, and Ireland; and that these should be successively discussed in conference with the king’s commissioners.[400]
It was soon discovered that no rational discussion could be expected. The demands made by the parliament were so great, that, had they been granted, the crown would have been divested of its due weight and dignity in the state; and been rendered unable to protect those who had so faithfully adhered to the royal cause during its troubles.
The mansion in which the commissioners met is thus described by lord Clarendon:--“There was a good house at the end of the town, which was provided for the treaty, where was a fair room in the middle of the house, handsomely dressed up for the commissioners to sit in; a large square table being placed in the middle with seats for the commissioners, one side being sufficient for those of either party; and a rail for others who should be thought necessary to be present, which went round. There were many other rooms on either side of this great room, for the commissioners on either side to retire to, when they thought fit to consult by themselves, and to return again to the public debate; and there being good stairs at either end of the house, they never went through each other’s quarters, nor met but in the great room.”
This mansion, which is situated at the western extremity of the town of Uxbridge, (was formerly a seat of the Bennet family, and at the time of the treaty, the residence of Mr. Carr,) is still standing, and was a few years since converted into an inn, bearing the sign of the Crown, and has since undergone considerable repairs. The part towards the high road has been newly fronted, but one entire end, and some inferior portions of the outside, still retain their original appearance. Two principal rooms likewise remain untouched by modern innovations; one of these is the room in which Charles I. slept; the other in which he signed the treaty with the parliament, and in which the commissioners afterwards met. The treaty room, as it is called, is a spacious apartment, and is lined with panelled oak wainscotting: it contains an original portrait of Mary queen of Scots, taken a short time previous to her execution, which is greatly admired; a copy from Vandyke of Charles I.; and some excellent portraits engraved by Bartolozzi from paintings in Windsor castle, among whom are sir Thomas More, his father, (judge More,) and his son; and two females who I believe were governesses to part of the family of Charles I. The room in which the king slept is more handsomely wainscotted than the former, being in many parts curiously and laboriously carved, and has a circular oak pillar on each side of the fire-place, which is ornamented with tasteful and elaborate workmanship.
Another curiosity at this house, though not of so ancient a date, or possessing equal charms for the antiquarian, deserves a slight notice. In the garden is a fountain supplied with water, which has been obtained by boring, and which falls into a reservoir containing perch, tench, and a considerable quantity of eels;[401] at the top of the fountain is an appropriate weathercock--an angler, with his landing-net resting against his shoulder, his rod in his hand, and his line and float moving on the surface of the water, according as the figure is turned by the wind. On the water attaining a certain height it is carried off by a pipe, and falls on an overshot wheel about three feet in circumference; the use to which this is applied is very remarkable--that of turning four spits at once before the kitchen fire! I am informed that a similar plan to this is adopted in Cheshire, but I am unable to ascertain the place.
J. R. J.
[In the “Gentleman’s Magazine” for August, 1789, there is an engraving, described as “a view of the house where the unfortunate Charles I. signed the treaty of Uxbridge, Jan. 30, 1644.” The writer of the account annexed to that print says, “The house has been pulled down within these few years: it stood at the end of Uxbridge town, in the road to Beaconsfield.” ED.]
[398] Beauties of England and Wales.
[399] I believe I am right in stating (I do it from memory) that on the town measures it is spelt “Wexbrige.”
J. R. J.
[400] Whitelock, p. 121. Dugdale, p. 755.
[401] At the time of my visit I was informed there were nearly two hundred weight.
J. R. J.
* * * * *
LONDON WATCHMEN.
Had a council of thieves been consulted, the regulations of the Watch could not have been better contrived for their accommodation. The coats of the Watchmen are made as large and of as white cloth as possible, to enable the thieves to discern their approach at the greatest distance; and that there may be no mistake, the lantern is added. They are fixed at stations, that thieves, by knowing where they are, may infer where they are not, and do their best; the intervals of half an hour in going the rounds are just such as to give expert thieves a fair opportunity of getting a moderate booty from a house. That they may not be taken by surprise, they have the same accommodation in the cry of the time that was prayed for by the rats, when they asked that bells might be hung about the necks of the cats; and lastly, that the burglars may have all possible chance, even, if surprised, the watchmen mostly chosen are old, infirm, and impotent.[402]
[402] The Times, October, 1827.
* * * * *
~Garrick Plays.~
No. XXXVIII.
[From the “Fawn,” a Comedy, by John Marston, 1606.]
In the Preface to this Play, the Poet glances at some of the Play-wrights of his time; with a handsome acknowledgment, notwithstanding, of their excellencies.
“for my own interest let this once be printed, that, of men of my own addition, I love most, pity some, hate none: for let me truly say it, I once only loved myself for loving them; and surely I shall ever rest so constant to my first affection, that, let their ungentle combinings, discurteous whisperings, never so treacherously labour to undermine my unfenced reputation, I shall (as long as I have being) love the least of their graces, and only pity the greatest of their vices.
_Ipse semi-paganus_ _Ad sacra vatûm carmen affero nostrum._”
* * * * *
[Commendatory Verses before three Plays of Sir William Killigrew, by T. L.]
1.
That thy wise and modest Muse Flies the Stage’s looser use; Not bawdry _Wit_ does falsely name, And to move laughter puts off shame:
2.
That thy theatre’s loud noise May be virgin’s chaste applause; And the stoled matron, grave divine, Their lectures done, may tend to thine:
3.
That no actor’s made profane, To debase Gods, to raise thy strain; And people forced, that hear thy Play, Their money and their souls to pay:
4.
That thou leav’st affected phrase To the shops to use and praise; And breath’st a noble Courtly vein,-- Such as may Cæsar entertain,
5.
When he wearied would lay down The burdens that attend a crown; Disband his soul’s severer powers; In mirth and ease dissolve two hours:
6.
These are thy inferior arts, These I call thy second parts. But when thou earnest on the plot, And all are lost in th’ subtle knot;
7.
When the scene sticks to every thought, And can to no event be brought; When (thus of old the scene betraid) Poets call’d Gods unto their aid,
8.
Who by power might do the thing, Art could to no issue bring; As the Pellean prince, that broke With a rude and down-right stroke
9.
The perplext and fatal noose, Which his skill could not unloose:-- Thou dost a nobler art profess; And the coyl’d serpent can’st no less
10.
Stretch out from every twisted fold, In which he lay inwove and roll’d, Induce a night, and then a day, Wrap all in clouds, and then display.
11.
Th’ easy and the even design: A plot, without a God, divine!-- Let others’ bold pretending pens Write acts of Gods, that know not men’s; In this to thee all must resign: Th’ Surprise of th’ Scene is wholly thine.
* * * * *
[Commendatory Verses before the “Faithful Shepherd” of Fletcher.]
There are no sureties, good friend, will be taken For works that vulgar good-name hath forsaken. A Poem and a Play too! Why, ’tis like A Scholar that’s a Poet; their names strike, And kill out-right: one cannot both fates bear.-- But as a Poet, that’s no Scholar, makes Vulgarity his whiffler, and so takes Passage with ease and state thro’ both sides ’press Of pageant-seers: or, as Scholars please, That are no Poets, more than Poets learn’d, Since _their_ art solely is by souls discern’d, (The others’ falls within the common sense, And sheds, like common light, her influence): So, were your Play no Poem, but a thing That every cobbler to his patch might sing; A rout of nifles, like the multitude, With no one limb of any art endued, Like would to like, and praise you: but because Your poem only hath by _us_ applause; Renews the Golden Age, and holds through all The holy laws of homely Pastoral, Where flowers, and founts, and nymphs, and semi-gods, And all the Graces, find their old abodes; Where poets flourish but in endless verse, And meadows nothing-fit for purchasers: This Iron Age, that eats itself, will never Bite at your Golden World, that others ever Loved as itself. Then, like your Book, do you Live in old peace: and that far praise allow.
_G. Chapman._
* * * * *
[Commendatory Verses before the “Rebellion,” a Tragedy, by T. Rawlins, 1640.]
To see a Springot of thy tender age With such a lofty strain to word a Stage; To see a Tragedy from thee in print, With such a world of fine meanders in’t; Puzzles my wond’ring soul: for there appears Such disproportion ’twixt thy lines and years, That, when I read thy lines, methinks I see The sweet-tongued Ovid fall upon his knee With “_Parce Precor_.” Every line and word Runs in sweet numbers of its own accord. But I am thunderstruck, that all this while Thy unfeather’d quill should write a tragic style. This, above all, my admiration draws, That one so young should know dramatic laws: Tis rare, and therefore is not for the span Or greasy thumbs of every common man. The damask rose that sprouts before the Spring, Is fit for none to smell at but a king. Go on, sweet friend: I hope in time to see Thy temples rounded with the Daphnean tree; And if men ask “Who nursed thee?” I’ll say thus, “It was the Ambrosian Spring of Pegasus.”
_Robert Chamberlain._
C. L.
* * * * *
THE ACTING OF CHILDREN.
The acting of children in adult characters is of very ancient date. Labathiel Pavy, a boy who died in his thirteenth year, was so admirable an actor of old men, that Ben Jonson, in his elegant epitaph on him, says, the fates _thought him one_, and therefore cut the thread of life. This boy acted in “Cynthia’s Revels” and “The Poetaster,” in 1600 and 1601, in which year he probably died. The poet speaks of him with interest and affection.
Weep with me all you that read This little story; And know for whom a tear you shed Death’s self is sorry.
’Twas a child that did so thrive In grace and feature, That heaven and nature seem’d to strive Which own’d the creature.
Years he number’d, scarce thirteen When fates turn’d cruel, Yet three fill’d Zodiacs had he been The stage’s jewel.
And did act, what now we moan, Old men so duly, As sooth, the Parcæ thought him one, He played so truly.
_Jonson._
* * * * *
~A Dumb Peal of Grandsire Triples.~