To the memory of Jonas Hanway, Esq., celebrated for his universal feeling for the distressed, having been an active friend to the following charities, viz.,—the Foundling, Magdalen, and Marine Society. The expense was defrayed by voluntary subscriptions. On a sarcophagus, the Society is here represented in bas-relief; viz.,—Britannia, with her emblems of Government, Peace, War, Trade, and Navigation, who, with benign countenance, distributes clothes to poor boys to be trained to sea; over this a medallion of the deceased is fixed on a pyramid, upon the top of which is a lamp, emblematic of perpetual light,—“Sacred to the memory of Jonas Hanway, who departed this life September 5, 1786, aged seventy-four; but whose name liveth, and will ever live, whilst active piety shall distinguish the Christian, integrity and truth shall recommend the British merchant, and universal kindness shall characterize the citizen of the world. The helpless Infant, nurtured through his care; the friendless Prostitute sheltered and reformed; the hopeless Youth rescued from misery and ruin, and trained to serve and to defend his country, uniting in one common strain of gratitude, bear testimony to their benefactor’s virtues: this was the friend and father of the poor.”—F. Moore, sculptor.
Sir Clifton Wintringham, Bart., is represented visiting a sick and distressed family; underneath is the figure of his lady, kneeling and bewailing her loss.—“Sacred to the memory of Sir Clifton Wintringham, Bart., M.D., who, no less eminent as a physician, both at home and in the army, than beloved on account of his virtuous life and engaging manners, died lamented by all, January 10, 1794, aged eighty-three. His widow, Ann Wintringham, caused this monument to be erected, as a last testimony of her love for him when living, and of the sincere regret she feels for her loss.”—Banks, sculptor.
A truly admirable bust of the late Richard Cobden. Born June 3, 1804; died April 2, 1865, and was buried at West Lavington, in Sussex.—Thos. Woolner, sculptor.
A bust to the memory of Major-General Sir Herbert Benjamin Edwards, K.C.B., K.C.S.I., D.C.L., LL.D., who in early life, as a Subaltern of the East Indian Company’s Army, by his fertility of resource, and in promptitude in action, struck the first victorious blow at the Insurrection in the Punjab in 1848. Who in later years, by his courage, sagacity, and mastery over men, ever animated by Christian principle, won an enduring place in the affections of the people to whose welfare he had long devoted himself, and in 1847, at a time of unexampled danger, greatly contributed to the security of the Frontier, and to the salvation of the British Empire in India. Born November 12th, 1819; died December 23rd, 1868.
To the memory of Major-General Coote Manningham.—“Sacred to the memory of Major-General Coote Manningham, Colonel of the ninety-fifth, or Rifle Regiment of Infantry, and Equerry to the King; in testimony of a friendship which commenced in early youth, was matured and confirmed by time, remains unchilled by death, and humbly looks for a reunion in eternity. The distinguished soldier to whom friendship erects this inadequate memorial, began his career of military action at the siege of Gibraltar, and concluded it at the victory of Corunna, to which his skill and gallantry conspicuously contributed. He fell an early victim to the vicissitudes of climate, and the severities of war, and died 26th Aug., 1809, aged forty-four. Yet, reader, regard not his fate as premature, since his cup of glory was full, and he was not summoned till his virtue and patriotism had achieved even here a brilliant recompense: for his name is engraved on the annals of his country. In him the man and the Christian tempered the warrior, and England might proudly present him to the world as the model of a British soldier.” Erected by Lieutenant-General Thomas Hislop, Commander-in-Chief, &c., at Bombay, in the East Indies, anno 1813.—Bacon, jun., sculptor.
George Montague Dunk, Earl of Halifax.—His Lordship’s bust conveys a very striking likeness of the original. It is supported by two emblematical figures, one holding a mirror, supposed to be Truth, with his foot on a mask, trampling on Falsehood; the other, Honour, presenting the ensigns of the Garter. It is also decorated with various other emblems, alluding to the different public posts of honour which his Lordship held at different times. The inscription is as follows:—“Sacred be the monument which is here raised by gratitude and respect, to perpetuate the memory of George Montague Dunk, Earl of Halifax, Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter, whose allegiance, integrity, and abilities, alike distinguished and exalted him in the reigns of George II. and George III. In the year 1745 (an early period of his life), he raised and commanded a regiment, to defend his King and country against the alarming insurrection in Scotland. He was soon after appointed first Lord of Trade and Plantations in which department he contributed so largely to the commerce and splendour of America, as to be styled, ‘Father of the Colonies.’ At one and the same time he filled the united great offices of the First Lord of the Admiralty, Principal Secretary of State, and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. He was afterwards appointed Lord Privy Seal; on the resignation thereof he was recalled to the important duties of Principal Secretary of State, and died (in possession of the Seals) June 8, 1771. His worth in private life was eminent and extensive, and was best testified in the honour and esteem which were borne him living, and the lamentations bestowed upon his ashes. Among many instances of his liberal spirit, one deserves to be distinctly recorded: during his residence in Ireland, he obtained the grant of an additional 4000l. per annum for all subsequent Viceroys, at the same time nobly declining that emolument himself.”—Bacon, sculptor.
Over the north door is a magnificent monument to the memory of Admiral Watson, where you see, in the centre of a range of palm-trees, an elegant figure of the Admiral in a Roman toga, with a branch of palm in his right hand, receiving the address of a prostrate figure, representing the genius of Calcutta, a place in the East Indies memorable for the imprisonment of the English garrison in a black hole, where most of them perished, and where those that survived were released by the Admiral, and the town retaken from the Nabob, in January, 1757. On the other side is the figure, in chains, of a native of Chandernagore, another place taken by the Admiral the March following. On the front is this inscription:—“To the memory of Charles Watson, Vice-Admiral of the White, Commander-in-Chief of his Majesty’s navy forces in the East Indies, who died at Calcutta, August 16, 1757, aged forty-four. The East India Company, as a grateful testimony of the signal advantages which they obtained by his valour and prudent conduct, caused this monument to be erected.”—Scheemakers, sculptor.
Against the wall, on a small tablet, is the bust of Sir William Sanderson, Knt., with an inscription in Latin, showing that he was Gentleman of the Bedchamber to Charles I.; and wrote the lives of Mary Queen of Scots, James, and Charles I.: that he sustained great hardships from the tyranny of the rebels; but that, having bravely surmounted all difficulties, he lived to the age of ninety, and died July 15, 1676.
General Guest.—On a base and pyramid of most beautiful marble, are the first enrichments and busts that are to be seen in the whole church. The inscription is short, but manly—“Sacred to those virtues that adorn a Christian and a soldier, this marble perpetuates the memory of Lieutenant-General Joshua Guest, who closed a service of sixty years, by faithfully defending Edinburgh Castle against the rebels in 1745.”
Admiral Sir John Balchen, Knt.—On this fine monument, in relief, is the representation of a ship perishing in a storm. The inscription, which is historical, is here inserted:—“To the memory of Sir John Balchen, Knt., Admiral of the White Squadron of his Majesty’s fleet in 1744. Being sent out Commander-in-Chief of the combined fleets of England and Holland, to cruise on the enemy, was, on his return home in his Majesty’s ship the Victory, lost in the Channel by a violent storm; from which sad circumstance of his death we may learn that neither the greatest skill, judgment, or experience, joined to the most firm, unshaken resolution, can resist the fury of the winds and waves; and we are taught by the passages of his life, which were filled with great and gallant actions, but ever accompanied with adverse gales of fortune, that the brave, the worthy, and the good man, meets not always his reward in this world. Fifty-eight years of faithful and painful services he had passed, when, being just retired to the government of Greenwich Hospital to wear out the remainder of his days, he was once more, and for the last time, called out by his King and country, whose interest he ever preferred to his own, and his unwearied zeal for their service ending only in his death; which weighty misfortune to his afflicted family became heightened by many aggravating circumstances attending it; yet amidst their grief, had they the mournful consolation to find his gracious and Royal Master mixing his concern with the general lamentations of the public, for the calamitous fate of so zealous, so valiant, and so able a commander; and, as a lasting memorial of the sincere love and esteem borne by his widow to a most affectionate and worthy husband, this honorary monument was erected by her. He was born Feb. 2, 1669, married Susanna, daughter of Colonel Aprice, of Washingly, in the county of Huntingdon. Died Oct. 7, 1744, leaving one son and one daughter, the former of whom, George Balchen, survived him but a short time; for being sent to the West Indies in 1745, Commander of his Majesty’s ship the Pembroke, he died at Barbadoes, in December the same year, aged twenty-eight, having walked in the steps, and imitated the virtues and bravery of his good but unfortunate father.” When the Victory was lost she had on board near one thousand souls, one hundred of whom were gentlemen volunteers.—Scheemakers, sculptor.