Curiosities Of Great Britain: England And Wales Delineated Part 21

_Markets_, Wednesday and Sat.u.r.day.--_Fairs_, February 14; (Holloway) July 10; and Aug. 10, (Lansdown) for cattle, horses and all kinds of merchandise. The Falmouth Mail arrives 7.54 morning, and departs 6.30 afternoon. The Carmarthen Mail arrives 7.48 morning, and departs 6.56 afternoon.--_Bankers_, (Bladud Bank) Tufnell and Co.; draw on Jones, Lloyd and Co.; Tugwell and Co., draw on Barnard and Co.; (Old Bank) Hobhouse and Co., draw on Jones, Lloyd and Co.; (City Bank) Smith and Moger, draw on Barclay and Co.--_Inns_, York Hotel, White Hart, White Lion, Greyhound, Castle, and Elephant and Castle.

[Sidenote: Account of the celebrated Beau Nash.]

[Sidenote: Refused to be knighted.]

[Sidenote: Conduct of Nash towards the Princess Amelia.]

[Sidenote: His death.]

[Sidenote: Dissenting Chapels.]

[Sidenote: Use of the waters in certain disorders.]

[Sidenote: The Theatre.]

[Sidenote: Sydney Gardens.]

Map Names of Places. County. Number of Miles From +--+-----------------+----------+-------------+-------------+ 34 Bathampton pa Somerset Bath 2 Chippenham 11 34 Bathealton pa Somerset Wivelis...o...b..3 Milverton 3 34 Batheaston[A] pa Somerset Bath 3 Chippenham 10 34 Bathford pa Somerset ... 4 ... 9 30 Bathley to Nottingham Newark 4 Muskham 1 34 Bathwick pa Somerset Bath 1 Chippenham 12 45 Batley pa & to W.R. York Wakefield 7 Leeds 8 15 Batsford pa Gloucester Moreton 2 Campden 4 35 Batterley ham Stafford Sandbach 8 Barthomley 1 43 Battersly ham N.R. York Stokesley 5 Gisborough 7 37 Battersea[B] pa Surrey Clapham 2 Putney 3 36 Battisford pa Suffolk Needham 2 Ipswich 4 +--+-----------------+----------+-------------+-------------+ Dist. Map Names of Places. Number of Miles From Lond. Population.

+--+-----------------+------------------------+-----+-------+ 34 Bathampton pa Devizes 15 104 314 34 Bathealton pa Wellington 5 153 98 34 Batheaston[A] pa Devizes 14 103 1783 34 Bathford pa ... 13 102 870 30 Bathley to Southwell 7 128 197 34 Bathwick pa Devizes 16 105 4035 45 Batley pa & to Bradford 8 189 11335 15 Batsford pa Stow 7 88 107 35 Batterley ham Newcastle 8 158 242 43 Battersly ham Helmsley 14 242 77 37 Battersea[B] pa Hammersmith 3 4 5540 36 Battisford pa Bildeston 8 71 436 +--+-----------------+------------------------+-----+-------+

[A] BATHEASTON. This village is situated on the London road from Bath.

The upper part contains the church, and amongst some handsome houses, is one which was formerly the residence of John Wood, Esq., the ingenious architect, to whom Bath owes many of its n.o.blest buildings. The church is antique. At the west-end it has a fine square tower, one hundred feet high. The inside is remarkable for its neat and decent appearance. A custom long observed at the villa of Sir John Millar, Bart., displays his elegance and refinement in the choice of his amus.e.m.e.nts, as well as of his visitors. He had purchased an antique vase, discovered at Frescati, in Italy, in 1759; and having placed it in a room convenient for the purpose, he consecrated it to Apollo, and ordained Lady Miller, high priestess. He then issued a general invitation to all votaries of the muses, to a.s.semble on a certain day in each week, and offer their poetical oblations at the shrine; the degree of merit each possessed was decided by the public voice, and the author of the best was crowned with myrtle. A collation succeeded. This attic pastime continued for some years, till some witling contaminated the purity of the urn by a licentious composition, and the vessel was closed for ever. Two small volumes of these effusions have been published.

[Sidenote: The vase of Apollo.]

[B] BATTERSEA is seated on the Thames, and gives the t.i.tle of Baron to the family of St. John. The church contains many monuments, chiefly of the above n.o.ble family; particularly one in grey marble, to the memory of the celebrated statesman, Henry St. John, Viscount Bolingbroke, and of his second wife, whose profiles are sculptured in ba.s.s-relief. A monument near the south wall, represents Sir Edward Wynter in the act of performing two extraordinary exploits, thus described in his epitaph:--

Alone, unarmed, a tyger he oppressed, And crush'd to death the monster of a beast.

Twice twenty mounted Moors he overthrew, Singly on foot, some wounded, some he slew, Dispersed the rest--what more could Sampson do?

A neat tablet, at the east end of the church, commemorates Thomas Astle, who was long a distinguished member of the Society of Antiquaries, Keeper of the Records in the Tower, a Trustee of the British Museum, and author of Treatise "on the Origin and Progress of Writing." He died in 1802, and left a valuable collection of ma.n.u.scripts. Here are also interred, Arthur Collins, Esq., known as the author of an "Historical Account of the Peers and Baronets of England;" William Curtis, author of the "Flora Londinensis," and the Rev. Joseph Gardner, author of "Views on the Rhine," and otherwise distinguished by his attachment to the arts. Bolingbroke House was a s.p.a.cious edifice, said to have contained fifty rooms on a floor, of which a few only remain; among which is the favourite apartment of Lord Bolingbroke, wainscotted with cedar. A horizontal air-mill now occupies the site of this mansion, and in the gardens have been erected bullock-houses. Sherwood Lodge, near the Thames, is the residence of James Wolf, Esq. whose valuable collection of plaster-casts, from antique statues, are deposited in a gallery of Doric architecture, remarkable for the purity of its style. A wooden bridge was built over the Thames at this place, in 1771.

[Sidenote: Sir E. Wynter's exploits.]

[Sidenote: Bolingbroke house.]

Map Names of Places. County. Number of Miles From +--+-------------------+-------+-------------+-------------+ 38 Battle[A] m.t. & pa Suss.e.x Tunbridge 26 Hastings 8 48 Battle[B] pa Brecon Brecon 3 Trecastle 9 +--+-------------------+-------+-------------+-------------+ Dist. Map Names of Places. Number of Miles From Lond. Population.

+--+-------------------+---------------------+-----+-------+ 38 Battle[A] m.t. & pa Bexhill 6 56 2999 48 Battle[B] pa Builth 15 174 192 +--+-------------------+--------------------+------+-------+

[A] BATTLE, anciently called Epiton, derived its present denomination from the conflict between William the Norman, and Harold Harefoot, which decided the fate of these realms, and gave to the former the surname of Conqueror. This engagement happened on the 14th of October, 1066, and continued from morning until sunset, when the Normans had sustained a loss of 15000 men, and the English four times that number, among whom was their king. The Conqueror, grateful for his victory, and in performance of a vow, commenced the foundation of an abbey on that part of the field where the battle had raged most fiercely, causing the high altar to be raised on the spot where the body of his valiant antagonist; or, as others say, his standard had been found. This abbey was dedicated to St. Martin, and the privileges enjoyed by the superiors within its precincts were almost regal; an exclusive right of inquest in cases of murder--the property of all treasure discovered there--free warren and exemption, even for their tenants, from all ecclesiastical jurisdiction--right of sanctuary for their church in cases of homicide--and the power of pardoning any condemned thief whom they should meet going to execution. From the foundation of this abbey, till its dissolution, it was governed by thirty-one abbots. Sometime after the latter period, it was the property of the Montagues, who sold it to Sir Thomas Webster, and that gentleman made it his residence. Sir G.o.dfrey Webster, Bart., is the present owner. In its present state, Battle Abbey bears ample testimony to its ancient magnificence, the ruins being extensive, and exhibiting a mixture of the light Norman with the solid Saxon architecture. These remains occupy two sides of a quadrangle, of which one is an ancient gateway. Nine elegant arches, now filled up, are all that remain of the church. Two detached buildings, supposed to have been refectories, are now converted into offices. The town of Battle consists of one street, and has a handsome church, the windows of which are embellished with stained gla.s.s. The chancel contains a fine altar-monument to the memory of Sir Anthony Browne, armour-bearer to Henry VIII. This place is celebrated for a manufacture of gunpowder, inferior only to that at Dartford.

_Market_, Thursday.--_Fairs_, Whit-Monday; Nov. 22, cattle and pedlary; second Tuesday in every month, cattle.--_Bankers_, Smith, Gill, and Co., draw on Spooner and Co.--_Mail_ arrives 4.20 morning; departs 9.40 afternoon.--_Inn_, George.

[Sidenote: The Abbey.]

[B] BATTLE. The church is placed upon an eminence on the east side of the Escir river. It is a low edifice surrounded by a cemetry, bounded by a wall. A few straggling houses give this place the name of a village.

History has fixed this spot as the scene of action where the fate of Brecknocks.h.i.+re was decided, upon its attack by Bernard Newmarch. The vestiges which indicate such an event, are, a well called Ffynon Pen Rhys; a lane called Heol y Cymri, and a long upright stone below the church on the south side; no other vestiges remain to recall the event.

Half a mile eastward from Battle, appears the stately residence of the vicar of Llandevalle. Upon the wall of an inner court is an inscription in Latin. From the windows of this house are three most beautiful views; on the east side through a small vista, are seen the village of Llanddew, and in the back ground the black mountain beyond Talgarth.

From the library, in which is a capital picture of our Saviour bearing the Cross, by Correggio, looking west, is the vale of Usk, with the highly ornamented grounds above Penpont; beyond which, Abercamlais, and the mountains in Llywel and Devynock close the scene. Nearly opposite is the gradually rising knoll of Benni, covered to the top on all sides with wood, beyond which appear the precipitous and majestic summits of the Beacons. Merthyr Cynog, or Saint Cynog, lies about four miles north.

Cynog or Canoc, was the illegitimate son of Brychan Brecheinog. He was slain or murdered in one of the early eruptions of the Saxons into Wales, in the 5th century, on the summit of a hill in this parish, nearly opposite Castlemadoc, called Vanoleu, and according to Owen, was buried in Merthyr church. The edifice which remains, does not appear to be of an earlier date than the Norman era; it is situated upon a lofty ridge between the vales of Escir fawr and Escir fechan, in nearly the centre of the parish. It resembles a large barn, in which are some divisions, like pens for sheep, thrown in disorder to rot, when unfit for use.

[Sidenote: Scene of a Welsh battle.]

Map Names of Places. County. Number of Miles From +--+--------------------+----------+--------------+-------------+ 25 Battle Bridge ham Middles.e.x Holborn Bars 1 Paddington 2 3 Battleden[A] pa Bedford Woburn 3 Hockliffe 2 33 Battlefield[B] pa Salop Shrewsbury 4 Wem 9 16 Baughurst pa Hants Basingstoke 7 Kingsclere 3 4 Baulking ham Berks Farringdon 4 Wantage 6 34 Baumber pa Lincoln Horncastle 6 Wragby 8 15 Baunton pa Glocester Cirencester 2 Northleach 9 56 Bauseley to Montgomery Welch Pool 10 Shrewsbury 12 41 Baverstock pa Wilts Wilton 4 Salisbury 7 29 Bavington, Great to Northumb Hexham 12 Bellingham 12 29 Bavington, Little to Northumb ... 11 ... 12 +--+--------------------+----------+--------------+-------------+ Dist. Map Names of Places. Number of Miles From Lond. Population.

+--+--------------------+-------------------------+-----+-------+ 25 Battle Bridge ham Hoxton 2 1 3 Battleden[A] pa Leighton 4 39 145 33 Battlefield[B] pa Shawbury 4 155 70 16 Baughurst pa Newbury 11 54 434 4 Baulking ham Lambourne 7 66 185 34 Baumber pa Louth 12 141 356 15 Baunton pa Gloucester 17 91 144 56 Bauseley to Oswestry 11 165 365 41 Baverstock pa Shaftesbury 13 292 166 29 Bavington, Great to Newcastle 20 88 70 29 Bavington, Little to ... 2 291 72 +--+--------------------+-------------------------+-----+-------+

[A] BATTLEDEN lies between the two great north-western roads. The family of Firmband, or Fremband, twice represented the county in parliament, as early as the reign of Edward III. In the reign of Elizabeth it became the property of the Duncombes; and it is to one of this family that we are indebted for the accommodation of the now antiquated sedans, or close chairs; and in the year 1634, Duncombe is said to have procured a patent, which vested in him and his heirs the right of carrying persons "up and down in them," for a certain term. "It is probable, (observes Lysons,) that Sir Saunders, who was a great traveller, had seen them at Sedan, where Dr. Johnson, supposes that they were first made; and it is remarkable that Captain Bayley first introduced the use of Hackney Coaches in the same year." In the year 1706, this manor was purchased by Allen Bathurst, Esq., a distinguished political character during the reigns of Queen Anne and George I. It was for many years the country seat of Lord Bathurst, and the resort of a celebrated constellation of wits, of whom he was the patron and friend.

[Sidenote: The invention of Sedan chairs.]

[B] BATTLEFIELD is a parish in the liberties of Shrewsbury, and derives its name from a sanguinary battle which was fought there on Sat.u.r.day the 21st of July, 1403, between Henry the Fourth and the Rebels, under Percy, Earl of Nothumberland, and in which Lord Henry Percy, well known as the valiant Hotspur, was slain, together with nearly 2300 gentlemen and others, and upwards of 600 common soldiers fell on that memorable occasion. After this signal victory, Henry the fourth caused a collegiate church to be erected on the spot for secular canons, which was dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene, the battle having been fought on the anniversary of that day. This college was dissolved in the general wreck of establishments of this kind, when its revenues amounted to 54 10s. 4d. per annum; it is now the parish church. At the east end, over the altar window, is a figure of Henry the Fourth, much defaced by the corroding hand of time. In a niche in the south wall, is a rude carving in wood of the Virgin and child; and in the east window are still to be traced some mutilated remains of stained gla.s.s; but the most interesting object in this church, is a splendid gothic monument, recently erected to the memory of the late John Corbet, Esq. of Sundorne. This beautiful specimen of architecture is called the Tudor gothic; the interior represents the miniature aisle of a cathedral or cloister, with its elaborately groined roof, and the front is adorned by the heraldic blazonings of the family. This fine and highly prized piece of art was designed by the Rev. Archdeacon Owen, of Shrewsbury, and most admirably executed by Messrs. Carline of that town, in a warmly tinted fine grained stone, from the Grins.h.i.+ll quarries in the neighbourhood.

[Sidenote: Battle between Henry the Fourth and Percy of Northumberland.]

[Sidenote: Splendid monument.]

Map Names of Places. County. Number of Miles From +--+----------------+---------+-------------+--------------+ 27 Bawburgh pa Norfolk Norwich 5 Wymondham 5 27 Bawdeswell pa Norfolk Reepham 4 Swanton 3 34 Bawdrip pa Somerset Bridgewater 4 Glas...o...b..ry 11 36 Bawdsey pa Suffolk Woodbridge 8 Orford 10 27 Bawsey pa Norfolk Lynn 3 Cas. Rising 4 46 Bawtry[A] m.t. W.R. York Doncaster 9 E. Retford 8 39 Baxterly pa Warwick Atherstone 5 Tamworth 7 41 Baydon pa Wilts Ramsbury 4 Lambourne 4 27 Bayfield pa Norfolk Holt 2 Cley 2 18 Bayford pa Herts Hertford 4 Hatfield 6 34 Bayford pa Somerset Wincaunton 1 Bourton 3 36 Bayleham pa Suffolk Needham 3 Ipswich 7 22 Bayley to Lancaster c.l.i.theroe 6 Blackburn 7 25 Bayswater[B] ham Middles.e.x Tyburn 1 Acton 4 +--+----------------+---------+-------------+--------------+ Dist. Map Names of Places. Number of Miles From Lond. Population.

+--+----------------+-----------------------+-----+--------+ 27 Bawburgh pa E. Dereham 12 105 440 27 Bawdeswell pa 7 107 587 34 Bawdrip pa Stowey 12 136 373 36 Bawdsey pa Ipswich 13 80 454 27 Bawsey pa Middleton 3 99 39 46 Bawtry[A] m.t. Gainsboro' 13 153 1149 39 Baxterly pa Coles.h.i.+ll 7 111 189 41 Baydon pa Swindon 10 69 358 27 Bayfield pa Wells 10 122 17 18 Bayford pa Hoddesdon 5 21 332 34 Bayford pa Mere 6 107 36 Bayleham pa Bildeston 9 72 238 22 Bayley to Preston 12 219 25 Bayswater[B] ham Southall 8 1 +--+----------------+-----------------------+-----+--------+

[A] BAWTRY is a small town situated on the edge of Yorks.h.i.+re, adjoining Nottinghams.h.i.+re. It is handsome and well built; and the high street, through which lies the great North Road from London to Edinburgh, is very broad, and contains some elegant houses. At the upper part of this street is the market-place, in which are some excellent shambles. The town stands on a gentle but pleasant eminence, which slopes from the north and east down to the river Idle, which river is navigable to this place for small craft. On the western side of the town the ground is high and exceedingly pleasant, but the eastern, or marshy side, is subject to frequent winter inundations. The object which most travellers consider more especially worthy of attention, is the elegant mansion of the Viscountess Galway. The edifice is built of brick and is pleasantly situated at the southern extremity of the town; it has an extensive and handsome front, but a high brick wall secludes it from public view. The pleasure grounds which are kept in excellent condition, are stocked with Chinese pheasants, and other rare and curious birds. Near this place the Archbishops of York had a palace; and at this mansion, Archbishop Savage, in the time of Henry VII. delighted to take his pleasure in hunting; and in the next reign it was the residence of Cardinal Wolsey.

The palace stood in a very low and damp situation, close to the confluence of the small river Ryton with the Idle. The great gateway, and the porter's lodge, were taken down towards the end of the last century, and what remains of the palace has been converted into a farm house.

_Market_, Sat.u.r.day.--_Fairs_, Whit-Tuesday; and November 22, for cattle and horses.--_Inn_, Crown--_Mail_ arrives 2.0 afternoon; departs 11.30 morning.

[Sidenote: Seat of the Viscountess Galway.]

[B] BAYSWATER is situated on the Oxford Road, and is the first place pa.s.sed after leaving London; it has been much increased of late by the building of new streets and genteel residences. A reservoir, under the same management as the water works of Chelsea, is in the neighbourhood.

Bayswater Tea Gardens were formerly the Botanic gardens of Sir John Hill, who cultivated there his medicinal plants, and prepared his Water Dock, Essence, and Balsam of Honey. The reservoir before mentioned, was intended for the supply of the palace at Kensington, and the bason before the palace was to be kept constantly full by the proprietors; and, it was upon this condition that the property was granted them. It now supplies that part of the city estates situated in about Bond-street, with water.

Map Names of Places. County. Number of Miles From +--+-----------------------+----------+-------------+-------------+ 14 Baythorne End Ess.e.x Haverhill 4 Ridgewell 2 42 Bayton pa Worcester Bewdley 6 Tenbury 8 57 Bayvill pa Pembroke Newport 3 Cardigan 9 4 Bayworth ham Berks Abingdon 2 Oxford 4 5 Beachampton[A] pa Bucks Buckingham 6 Stratford 3 27 Beachamwell pa Norfolk Swaffham 6 Stoke Ferry 6 18 Beaches ham Herts Buntingford 7 Standon 7 15 Beachley[B] ham Gloucester Chepstow 3 Bristol 13 27 Beacon Norfolk Cromer 6 Lt. Houses 10 5 Beaconsfield[C] to & pa Bucks Uxbridge 8 Wycombe 6 +--+-----------------------+----------+-------------+-------------+ Dist. Map Names of Places. Number of Miles From Lond. Population.

+--+-----------------------+------------------------+-----+-------+ 14 Baythorne End G. Yeldham 5 55 42 Bayton pa Mamble 2 130 445 57 Bayvill pa Fishguard 10 248 160 4 Bayworth ham c.u.mnor 5 58 5 Beachampton[A] pa Newport 9 53 254 27 Beachamwell pa Marham 5 94 263 18 Beaches ham Barkway 6 32 15 Beachley[B] ham Monmouth 18 131 27 Beacon Bacton 5 135 5 Beaconsfield[C] to & pa Amersham 6 23 1763 +--+-----------------------+------------------------+-----+-------+

[A] BEACHAMPTON. The remains of the mansion of the Bennetts have been converted into a farm-house, but the great hall is still standing. In the parish church are some monuments of this family; among which there is one to the memory of Sir Simon Bennett, who was created a baronet in 1627, and is recorded in history as having been a great friend to the poor, and to University College, Oxford. This monument, it appears, was set up by the college 100 years after his death, and great blame is imputed to them for having delayed it so long. Mr. William Elmer, by his will, bearing date 1648, founded a free grammar school in this parish.

The school-house was finished in 1667. The master, by an express clause in the founder's will, must be a single man, and is to reside in the school-house. It is endowed with lands, which are charged with the payment of a certain pension of 2. per annum, to eight poor men, and 1. per annum to as many poor women; and it is further provided, that three of each of these shall be inhabitants of this parish.

[Sidenote: Free grammar school.]

[B] BEACHLEY from its almost insulated situation, has always been of great importance in a military point of view, for there are extensive earthworks of British origin still remaining. Offa's-d.y.k.e, which terminates here, is still to be traced. In the civil wars this place was considered of much importance, for Prince Rupert despatched a body of 500 horse and foot to occupy and fortify it. But history relates, that even before the fortifications were completed, the garrison was dislodged with great loss, by Governor Ma.s.sie. After this, a battle was fought between the royalists and the parliamentary forces, under Sir John Wyntor, when the latter was defeated with the loss of 220 men; and it is currently reported that he himself was forced to leap from the cliff into the river Severn, where a small boat lay ready to receive him; it is certain the place still goes by the name of "Wyntor's leap."