Historical Description of Westminster Abbey Part 9

"Thus while on earth, who joy in mutual love, Beyond the grave shall find their joys improve."

--_Wilton, sculptor._

The next is to the memory of RICHARD KEMPENFELT, Esq., Rear-Admiral of the Blue, who was lost in his Majesty's s.h.i.+p Royal George, which overset and sunk at Spithead, on the 29th August, 1782, by which fatal event about nine hundred persons were launched into eternity, and his king and country deprived of the services of a great and meritorious officer, in the sixty-fourth year of his age. This monument was erected pursuant to the will of his brother, Gustavus Adolphus Kempenfelt, Esq., who died at his seat, Lady-place, Hurley, Berks.h.i.+re, on the 14th of March, 1808, aged eighty-seven, of whose philanthropy and humanity, his liberal subscriptions and bequests to most of the charitable inst.i.tutions in this country, will be lasting records.--_Bacon, jun., sculptor._

The next consists of a delicate female figure, mourning over two urns, holding a scroll, on which is expressed--"I shall go to them, but they shall not return to me.--2 Sam. xii. 23." BENJAMIN JOHN FORBES, late Lieutenant in his Majesty's seventy-fourth regiment of foot; and RICHARD GORDON FORBES, late Lieutenant in the first regiment of Foot Guards, the eldest sons of Lieutenant-General Gordon Forbes, Colonel of the twenty-ninth regiment of foot, and Margaret, his wife, eldest daughter of the late Benjamin Sullivan, Esq., of Dromenagh, in the county of Cork; both of whom fell in the service of their king and country, deeply regretted by their regiments and the detachments of the army in which they served. The former at the a.s.sault of Kistnagherry, in the East Indies, 12th November, 1791, aged nineteen years; the latter near Alkmaar, in North Holland, the 19th of September, 1799, aged twenty years. This monument, no less a tribute of justice to exemplary merit, than a record of the tenderest parental sense of filial piety, is erected and dedicated A.D. 1803.--_Bacon, jun., sculptor._

A third, to the memory of General STUART, having a fine medallion of him; the Latin inscription is to the following purport:--"In memory of a man truly n.o.ble, the Honourable Sir CHARLES STUART, Knight of the Bath, fourth son of John, Earl of Bute, who began his military career in America; and was afterwards sent, during the raging of the war with France, Commander-in-Chief against Corsica and Minorca, both which he happily subdued. He was again called forth, agreeably to the wishes of all good men, and already destined, by the favour of his Sovereign, to greater appointments, but died at Richmond, in the year of our Lord 1801, aged forty-seven, leaving the public, as well as his friends, to deplore, and that deeply, the loss of so great a man, on whose extraordinary talents, military conduct, and approved valour, whether dangers were to be averted, or her wrongs avenged, his country could at all times rely with the greatest security and confidence."--_Nollekens, sculptor._

The last in this Chapel is one to the memory of Lieutenant-General WILLIAM ANNE VILLETTES, second son of Arthur Villettes, Esq., his late Majesty's Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Turin, and Helvetic Cantons, who died near Port Antonio, on the 13th July, 1808, aged fifty-four years.

"The sculptur'd marble shall dissolve in dust, And fame, and wealth, and honour pa.s.s away Not such the triumphs of the good and just, Not such the glories of eternal day."

W. Cartwright, T. Bowdler, J. Cazenove, have erected this tablet as a tribute of friends.h.i.+p.--_Sir Richard Westmacott, sculptor._

At the north end of this Chapel is an elegant painted window, representing St. Cecilia playing upon an organ, accompanied by three angels, in memory of Mr. VINCENT NOVELLO, by Lavers and Barraud. Born 1781; died 1861.

Opposite to you, on leaving this Chapel, is the monument to the memory of Field-Marshal Lord LIGONIER, which has a striking likeness of his Lords.h.i.+p, in profile, and the medallions of Queen Anne, George I., II., and III., under whom his Lords.h.i.+p served. The inscription is only a recital of his t.i.tles and places, his age ninety-two, and his death the 28th of April, 1770. On the scroll held by History, is the following list of battles:--Sch.e.l.lenberg, Blenheim, Ramilies, Oudinarde, Taniere, Malplaquet, Dettingen, Fountenoy, Rocoux, and Laffeldt.--_Moore, sculptor._

NORTH TRANSEPT.

Pa.s.sing through the gate, immediately on your right is a pedestal of rich grey marble, on which is placed a statue of the late Right Honourable Sir ROBERT PEEL, Bart., represented in the costume of a Roman Orator, in the act of addressing the Commons House of Parliament, where he had so greatly distinguished himself for a period of more than thirty years; and although past the middle age of life, the death of this great statesman may be considered as premature, he having been thrown from his horse while riding up Const.i.tution-hill, which caused his death in a few days afterwards, viz., on the 2nd day of July, 1850.--_Sculptured by Gibson, at Rome._

Sir GILBERT LORT.--This monument is chiefly ornamented with cherubs and family arms, and is inscribed to the memory of Sir Gilbert Lort, of Stockpole, in Pembrokes.h.i.+re, Bart., by his sister, Dame Elizabeth Campbell, relict of Sir Alexander Campbell, of Calder, in Scotland, Bart.

Sir Gilbert died Sept. 19, 1698, in his twenty-eighth year. She died Sept.

28, 1714, in her forty-ninth year.

Above is a small monument, consisting of a bust and naval ornaments, to the memory of JOHN STORR, Esq., of Hilston, in the county of York, Rear-Admiral of the Red Squadron of his Majesty's Fleet. He was born Aug.

18, 1709; died Jan. 10, 1783, and interred near this place.--_Tyler, sculptor._

A small tablet, up high, with an inscription in Latin to the following effect:--"William Vincent, D.D., Dean of this Collegiate Church, caused this tablet to be erected a perpetual monument of his affection. Sacred to the memory of HANNAH, his most beloved wife; the fondest and most prudent mother, handsome without pride, pleasant without levity, a good Christian without superst.i.tion; descended from a respectable family of the Wyatts, of Whichwood, in Oxfords.h.i.+re, daughter of George Wyatt and Hannah Wood.

Born August 3, 1735; married August 15, 1771; died Feb. 17, 1807."--_Gayfere, sculptor._

Admiral Sir PETER WARREN.--The back ground is a large flag spreading in natural folds behind the whole monument; before it is a fine figure of Hercules, placing Sir Peter's bust on its pedestal; and on the other side is the figure of Navigation, with a laurel wreath in her hand, gazing on the bust with a look of melancholy, mixed with admiration. Behind her a cornucopia pours out fruit, corn, &c., and by it a cannon, an anchor, and other decorations. The inscription is as follows:--"Sacred to the memory of Sir Peter Warren, Knight of the Bath, Vice-Admiral of the Red Squadron of the British Fleet, and Member of Parliament for the city and liberty of Westminster. He derived his descent from an ancient family in Ireland; his fame and honours from his virtues and abilities. How eminently these were displayed, with what vigilance and spirit they were executed, in the various services wherein he had the honour to command, and the happiness to conquer, will be more properly recorded in the annals of Great Britain.

On this tablet, Affection with truth must say, that, deservedly esteemed in private life, and universally renowned for his public conduct, the judicious and gallant officer possessed all the amiable qualities of the friend, the gentleman, and Christian; but the Almighty, whom alone he feared, and whose gracious protection he had often experienced, was pleased to remove him from a life of honour to an eternity of happiness, on the 29th of July, 1752, in the forty-ninth year of his age."--_Roubiliac, sculptor._

GRACE SCOTT.--Affixed to the adjoining pillar is a neat tablet, on which is this inscription:--"Grace, eldest daughter of Sir Thomas Mauleverer, of Alterton Mauleverer, in Yorks.h.i.+re, Bart., born 1622, married to Colonel Scott, a member of the Honourable House of Commons, 1644, and died February 24, 1645:

"He that will give my _Grace_ but what is hers, Must say her death has not Made only her dear _Scott_, But Virtue, Worth, and Sweetness, widowers."

Above, is a little tablet to the memory of CLEMENT SAUNDERS, Esq., Carver in ordinary to Charles II., James II., and William III., son of Sir W.

Saunders, Knight, of the county of Northampton. Died August 10, 1695, aged eighty-four.

Sir JOHN MALCOLM.--His figure is in full uniform, on a pedestal.--"In memory of Major-General Sir John Malcolm, G.C.B., &c., born at Burnfoot of Eske, Dumfriess.h.i.+re, 1769, died in London, 1833, employed confidentially in those important wars and negociations which established British supremacy in India. By the indefatigable and well directed exertions of those extraordinary mental and physical powers with which Providence had endowed him, he became alike distinguished as a statesman, a warrior, and a man of letters; disinterested, liberal, and hospitable; warm in his affections, and frank in his manners; the admirer and patron of merit. No less zealous during the whole of his arduous and eventful career, for the welfare of the natives of the East, than for the services of his own country, his memory is cherished by grateful millions; his fame lives in the history of nations. This statue has been erected by the friends whom he had acquired by his splendid talents, eminent public services, and private virtues."--_Chantrey, sculptor._

WILLIAM CAVENDISH, Duke of Newcastle.--This monument is a stately piece of architecture. Under a rich canopy of state, lie in a c.u.mbent posture, on a double mat, "the loyal Duke of Newcastle (as the inscription beneath sets forth), and his d.u.c.h.ess, his second wife, by whom he had no issue; her name was Margaret Lucas, youngest sister of Lord Lucas, of Colchester, a n.o.ble family; for all the brothers were valiant, and all the sisters virtuous. This d.u.c.h.ess was a wise, witty, and learned lady, which her many books do well testify; she was a most virtuous, loving, and careful wife, and was with her Lord all the time of his banishment and miseries; and when he came home, never parted from him in his solitary retirements."--So far the English inscription. The Latin shows farther, "that he was Knight of the Bath and Baron Ogle in right of his mother; Viscount Mansfield, and Baron Cavendish of Bolsover, Earl of Ogle, Earl, Marquis, and Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Lord Lieutenant of the counties of Nottingham and Northumberland, First Lord of the Bedchamber to King James I., Guardian to Prince Charles, Privy Councillor, and Knight of the most n.o.ble Order of the Garter; that for his fidelity to the King, he was made Captain-General of the forces raised for his service in the North, fought many battles, and generally came off victorious; that when the rebels prevailed (being one of the first designed a sacrifice) he left his estate, and endured a long exile. By his first wife, Elizabeth, daughter and heiress to W.

Ba.s.set, of Staffords.h.i.+re, Esq., he had two sons and three daughters; Charles, who died without issue, and Henry, heir to his honours; Jane, married to C. Cheyne, of Chesham, Bucks; Elizabeth, to John, Earl of Bridgewater; and Frances, to Oliver, Earl of Bolingbroke. He died December 25, 1676, aged eighty-four."

A statue of EARL CANNING, Viceroy of India, son of George Canning Foley.

On the left is one to the memory of GEORGE CANNING, born April 11, 1770; died August 8, 1827:--"Endowed with a rare combination of talents, an eminent statesman, an accomplished scholar, an orator, surpa.s.sed by none, he united the most brilliant and lofty qualities of the mind, with the warmest affections of the heart; raised by his own merit, he successfully filled important offices in the state, and finally became first minister of the Crown. In the full enjoyment of his sovereign's favour, and of the confidence of the people, he was prematurely cut off, when pursuing a wise and large course of policy, which had for its object the prosperity and greatness of his own country, while it comprehended the welfare and commanded the admiration of foreign nations." This monument was erected by his friends and countrymen. The figure is on a pedestal, and represents him speaking in the House of Parliament.--_Chantrey, sculptor._

The next is a magnificent monument to JOHN HOLLES, Duke of Newcastle, whose effigy rests upon a sarcophagus of darkish-coloured marble, having in his right hand a general's staff, and in his left a ducal coronet. On one side of the base stands the statue of Wisdom; on the other of Sincerity. On the angles of the upper compartment sit angels in no very meaning att.i.tude; and on the ascending sides of the pediment sit cherubs, one with an hour gla.s.s, alluding to the admeasurement of man's life by grains of sand; the other pointing upwards, where his life shall be no longer measured by duration. On the base of this monument is this inscription:--"John Holles, Duke of Newcastle, Marquis and Earl of Clare, Baron Haughton, of Haughton, and Knight Companion of the Most n.o.ble Order of the Garter, whose body is here deposited under the same roof with many of his n.o.ble ancestors and relations of the families of Vere, Cavendish, and Holles, whose eminent virtues he inherited, and was particularly distinguished for his courage, love to his country, and constancy in friends.h.i.+p, which qualities he exerted with great zeal and readiness, whenever the cause of religion, his country, or friends, required. In the reign of Queen Anne he filled with great capacity and honour, the several employments of Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal and Privy Councillor; Lord Lieutenant and Custos Rotulorum of Middles.e.x and Nottingham, and of the county of the town of Nottingham, and of the East and North Ridings of the county of York; Lord Chief Justice in Eyre, north of Trent, and Governor of the town and fort of Kingston-upon-Hull; to all which t.i.tles and honours his personal merit gave a l.u.s.tre, that needed not the addition of the great wealth which he possessed. He was born January 9, 1661-2, and died, July 15, 1711. He married the Lady Margaret, third daughter and heiress of Henry Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle, by whom he left issue only one child, the Lady Henrietta Cavendish Holles Harley, who caused this memorial of him to be here erected in 1723."--_Bird, sculptor._

Admiral VERNON.--On a pedestal is a bust of that gallant Admiral, with a fine figure of Fame crowning him with laurels. This monument is elegantly ornamented with naval trophies. Beneath is the following inscription:--"Sacred to the memory of Edward Vernon, Admiral of the White Squadron of the British Fleet. He was the second son of James Vernon, who was Secretary of State to King William III., and whose abilities and integrity were equally conspicuous. In his youth, he served under the Admirals Shovell and Rook. By their example he learned to conquer; by his own merit he rose to command. In the war with Spain of 1739, he took the fort of Porto Bello with six s.h.i.+ps--a force which was thought unequal to the attempt. For this he received the thanks of both houses of Parliament.

He subdued Chagre, and at Carthagena conquered as far as naval force could carry victory. After these services he retired, without place or t.i.tle, from the exercise of public, to the enjoyment of private virtue. The testimony of a good conscience was his reward--the love and esteem of all good men his glory. In battle, though calm, he was active, and though intrepid, prudent; successful, yet not ostentatious, ascribing the glory to G.o.d; in the senate, he was disinterested, vigilant, and steady. On the 30th day of October, 1757, he died as he had lived, the friend of man, the lover of his country, and the father of the poor, aged seventy-three. As a memorial of his own grat.i.tude, and the virtues of his benefactor, this monument was erected by his nephew, Francis, Lord Orwell, in 1763."--_Rysbrack, sculptor._

Sir CHARLES WAGER.--On this elegant monument, the princ.i.p.al figure is that of Fame, holding a portrait of the deceased in relief, which is supported by an infant Hercules. The enrichments are naval trophies, instruments of war, navigation, &c., and on the base, in relief, is the representation of the destroying and taking the Spanish galleons in 1708:--"To the memory of Sir Charles Wager, Knight, Admiral of the White, First Commissioner of the Admiralty, and Privy Councillor: a man of great natural talents, who bore the highest commands, and pa.s.sed through the greatest employments, with credit to himself, and honour to his country. He was in his private life humane, temperate, just, and bountiful: in public station, valiant, prudent, wise, and honest; easy of access to all; plain and unaffected in his manner, steady and resolute in his conduct; so remarkably happy in his presence of mind, that no danger ever discomposed him. Esteemed and favoured by his King, beloved and honoured by his country, he died May 24, 1743, aged seventy-seven."--_Scheemakers, sculptor._

Lord PALMERSTON.--A magnificent statue, representing the distinguished statesman in the robes of a Knight of the Garter.--Erected by authority of Parliament to Viscount Palmerston, in testimony of the public admiration and attachment and heavy loss which the country sustained by his death.--_R. Jackson._

The Right Hon. WILLIAM PITT, First Earl of Chatham. He is represented as speaking in the Houses of Parliament. At his feet are figures of Prudence and Fort.i.tude; below is a figure of Britannia, with the trident supported by Earth and Ocean. On the base is the following inscription:--"Erected by the King and Parliament as a testimony to the virtues and ability of William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, during whose administration, in the reigns of Geo. II. and III., Divine Providence exalted Great Britain to a height of prosperity and glory unknown to any former age. Born November 15, 1708.

Died May 11, 1778."--_Bacon, sculptor._

Lord ROBERT MANNERS, aged 24; Captain WILLIAM BAYNE, aged 50; Captain WILLIAM BLAIR, aged 41. Upon a rostral column decorated with the hulks of three seventy-four gun s.h.i.+ps, Genius has hung three medallions, containing the portraits of the Captains. Neptune is sitting upon a sea-horse, pointing them out as examples for posterity to emulate, and worthy of being recorded in the annals of their country, to Britannia, whose majestic figure, accompanied with a resemblance of a lion, supporting a s.h.i.+eld of the arms of Great Britain, is standing on the opposite side beholding them with a fixed countenance, expressive of sorrow; while Fame is standing upon the top of the column, with a wreath of laurel to crown Lord Robert Manners, Captains Bayne and Blair, who were mortally wounded in the course of the naval engagements under the command of Admiral Sir George Brydges Rodney, on the 9th and 12th of April, 1782. In memory of their services, the King and Parliament of Great Britain caused this monument to be erected. The bas.e.m.e.nt is adorned with different naval implements, the whole highly executed by Mr. Nollekens.

In front of this monument is a highly polished slab under which lie the remains of LORD PALMERSTON. Died Oct. 18, 1865, aged 81. And LADY PALMERSTON. Died Sept. 11, 1869.

Near this spot lie the remains of the Marquis of Londonderry, Pitt, Wilberforce, Canning, Fox, and Grattan.

The next monument consists of a fine statue, full life size: in one hand is placed a scroll, on which is inscribed, "Peace of Paris, 1814;" the other supporting the Robes of the Garter. The pedestal bears the following inscription:--"This statue is erected to the memory of Robert, second Marquis of Londonderry and Viscount Castlereagh, K.G. Born A.D. 1769; died Aug. 12th, 1822. History will record the success and splendour of his public career during a period of unexampled difficulty in the annals of Europe, in which he successively filled the highest offices under the Crown; and Ireland will never forget the statesman of the Legislative Union. This tribute to the best of brothers and friends is placed in Westminster Abbey by Charles William Vane, third Marquis of Londonderry."--_J. Evan Thomas, sculptor._

Lord MANSFIELD'S monument:--

"Here MURRAY, long enough his country's pride, Is now no more than Tully or than Hyde."

Foretold by Pope, and fulfilled in the year 1793, when WILLIAM, Earl of Mansfield, died full of years and of honours: of honours he declined many; those which he accepted were the following:--He was appointed Solicitor-General, 1742; Attorney-General, 1754; Lord Chief Justice and Baron Mansfield, 1756; Earl of Mansfield, 1776. From the love which he bore to the place of his early education, he desired to be buried in this Cathedral (privately), and would have forbidden that instance of human vanity, the erecting a monument to his memory; but a sum, which, with the interest, has amounted to 2,500, was left for that purpose by A. Bailey, Esq., of Lyon's Inn, which, at least well-meant, mark of esteem he had no previous knowledge or suspicion of, and had no power to prevent being executed. He was the fourth son of David, fifth Viscount Stormont, and married the Lady Elizabeth Finch, daughter to Daniel, Earl of Nottingham, by whom he had no issue; born at Scone, 2nd March, 1704; died at Kenwood, 20th March, 1793. The Earl is represented sitting on a seat of judgment; on his right hand Justice holds the statera, or balance, equally poised; on his left hand Wisdom opens the book of Law. Between the statues of Wisdom and Justice is a trophy composed of the Earl's family arms, surmounted by the coronet, the mantle of honour, the fasces, or rods of justice, and curtana, or sword of mercy. On the back of the chair is the Earl's motto--_Uni aequus Virtuti_--"Equal to Virtue only," enclosed in a crown of laurel: under it is a figure of Death, as represented by the ancients--a beautiful youth leaning on an extinguished torch: on each side of the figure of Death is a funeral altar, finished by a fir apple. This monument is the first that was placed between pillars, so as to walk round it.--_Flaxman, sculptor._

The beautiful north window was put up in the year 1722, and represents our Saviour, the twelve Apostles, and four Evangelists; the latter with their emblems, lie down, two on each side.

It is much to be desired that they who wish to record in Westminster Abbey their estimation of the character or public services of their relatives or friends, would adopt this manner of perpetuating their memory, as combining with their special object the further enrichment of the n.o.blest Cathedral or Collegiate Church in England, and so contributing to the completion of the general design, by representing that "the Holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge G.o.d." A commencement in this direction has been made in the seven memorial windows in the North Transept, of which a special description is subjoined.

The object of the painted gla.s.s in the seven Lancet Windows in the North Transept and West Aisle of the same is briefly stated in the inscriptions on the floor immediately beneath the windows.

"To the glory of G.o.d, and in memory of Major-General Sir HENRY W. BARNARD, K.C.B.; Lieutenant-Colonel CHARLES JOHN WOODFORD, Rifle Brigade; Captain WILLIAM FREDERICK THYNNE, Rifle Brigade; Captain WILLIAM ROBERT MOORSOM, thirteenth Light Infantry, D.A.Q.M. General; LOVICK EMILIUS COOPER, Ensign, Rifle Brigade; WILLIAM GEORGE HAWTREY BANKES, Cornet, seventh Hussars; who died in the service of the Queen and their country in India, in 1857 and 1858, the six lancet windows of this Transept were enriched with stained gla.s.s by their relatives or comrades of Sir James Outram's division, 1860."

And in the West Aisle of the North Transept, a similar inscription states the window to be enriched in memory of Brigadier the Hon. ADRIAN HOPE, C.B., by his relatives.

The general design throughout the windows is, by the representation of certain chosen men by whom Almighty G.o.d is recorded in the Holy Scriptures to have effected the deliverance of the Israelites out of the hands of their enemies, to ill.u.s.trate the power of G.o.d, and attribute to His mercy the wonderful success of the British forces in the suppression of the Indian rebellion, in which service the officers above named, with many others, fell.

The first figure on the right hand is designed to represent Moses as the leader and commander of the army of the Israelites. In the medallion beneath, he is shown with his hands stayed up by Aaron and Hur, as described in Ex. xvii. 12. This window is erected by Lady Barnard, widow of Sir Hy. Wm. Barnard, K.C.B.

The second figure is that of Joshua, and the medallion is intended to describe the appearance of the "Captain of the Lord's Host" to him.--Joshua v. 13, 14. This window is erected by General Sir Alexander Woodford, G.C.B., father of Lieutenant-Colonel C. J. Woodford, Rifle Brigade.

The third figure is Caleb, and the medallion represents his victory over the sons of Anak.--Joshua xv. 14. This window is erected by the Reverend Lord John Thynne, Canon of Westminster, father of Captain William F.