A FEW THINGS ABOUT RICHARD BAXTER.
(Vol. v., p. 481.)
Your correspondent Mr. Bealby mentions that in his visit to Kidderminster in 1836, he was shown the house in the High Street in which Richard Baxter is said to have resided: a few more particulars on the subject may prove interesting.
It was a three storied, high gabled house, with low ceilinged rooms, lighted by long ranges of casement. The exterior of the house displayed a goodly proportion of wood-work, and appeared to be much in its original condition. No garden or extra-ground was attached to it, another street (Swan Street) running immediately at its back. Three or four years since the house fell before the march of modern improvements, and none of its old features can now be recognised. At the time of these alterations, the house was tenanted by a shoemaker. An ascent of four or five steps led into the shop, the long low window of which, projecting somewhat over the pavement, was tiled above, and supported underneath by wooden pillars. These also served to mark the boundary allotted to the display of the handiwork of the basketmaker who plied his trade in the capacious cellar underneath the shop.
Of course Mr. Bealby, while prosecuting in Kidderminster his inquiries about Baxter, visited Caldwall Castle (close to the town), once the
residence of Sir Ralph Clare, Baxter's sturdy opponent. In an old map of the town, the castle is represented as having eight towers; but only one of these now remains, which is attached to a modern house. The tower is octagonal, built of red sandstone, of massive proportions, and is in good preservation. It contains two rooms lighted N. and S.; a turret staircase; and a groin-roofed cellar, level with the ground, and with an exterior door. From this cellar an underground passage is said to extend to St. Mary's Church, about a quarter of a mile distant. Sir Ralph Clare was buried in St. Mary's, opposite to where Baxter's pulpit then stood. The flat stone that covers his grave has once again been restored to the light by the removal of the cumbrous sleeping-box that concealed it,—thanks to the judicious alterations now being carried on by the present vicar; alterations very different to those "beautifyings" of 1786, in which Baxter's pulpit was sold as worthless lumber. (Vide "N. & Q.,", Vol. v., p. 363.)
The Registers preserved in the vestry of St. Mary's attest the careful neatness of Baxter in his official entries. The headings of the different months are printed, and, in some cases, ornamented after the missal style. Many of the burials are set down as those of "valliant souldiers," who fell in the frequent skirmishes of those troublous times.
The row of elms on the south walk of the churchyard is said to have been planted in Baxter's time,—perhaps by his own hand.
If Mr. Bealby would like a copy of my etching of Baxter's pulpit (referred to at p. 363.), and would leave his address with the Publisher of "N. & Q.," I should be happy to forward one to him.
Cuthbert Bede, B.A.