Opposite is a monument to William Wragg, Esq.: in the centre of which is represented the fatal accident that happened to the ship in which he was embarked, when he, with many more, was drowned, September 3, 1777. His son, who accompanied him, was miraculously saved on a package, supported by a black slave, till he was cast on shore, on the coast of Holland.
“Sir Cloudesly Shovell, Knight, Rear-Admiral of Great Britain, and Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of the Fleet, the just rewards of his long and faithful services. He was deservedly beloved of his country, and esteemed, though dreaded, by the enemy, who had often experienced his conduct and courage. Being shipwrecked on the rocks of Scilly, in his voyage from Toulon, October 22, 1707, at night, in the fifty-seventh year of his age, his fate was lamented by all, but especially by the seafaring part of the nation, to whom he was a generous patron, and a worthy example. His body was flung on the shore, and buried with others, on the sand; but being soon after taken up, was placed under this monument, which his Royal Mistress had caused to be erected, to commemorate his steady loyalty and extraordinary virtues.” A recumbent figure of the Admiral lies under a tent; beneath, in bas-relief, is the wreck of the Association.—Bird, sculptor.
Above is a monument to Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bart., under a canopy of state, the curtains whereof are finely gilt, and tied up with gold strings; and on each side of the bust is a weeping cherub, one resting on a medallion of his lady, the other pointing to Sir Godfrey. On the pedestal is a Latin inscription, signifying that Sir Godfrey Kneller, Knt., who lies interred here, was painter to Charles II., James II., William III., Anne, and George II. Born in 1646, died in 1723, aged seventy-seven. He was knighted March 3, 1691, and created a baronet May 24, 1715. Among his most excellent works are the “Beauties of the Court of Charles I.” This monument was designed by Sir Godfrey himself. Bust by Rysbrack. Underneath is his epitaph, written by Mr. Pope:—
“Kneller, by Heaven, and not a master, taught,
Whose art was nature, and whose pictures thought—
When now two ages he had snatched from fate
Whate’er was beauteous, or whate’er was great—
Rests, crowned with princes’ honours, poets’ lays,
Due to his merit and brave thirst of praise:
Living, great Nature fear’d he might outvie
Her works; and dying, fears herself may die.”
Sir John Burland, Knt., LL.D.—One of the Barons of his Majesty’s Court of Exchequer; as a man, valued and beloved; as a judge, honoured and revered. He died suddenly, on the 29th of February, 1776, aged fifty-one years. On a pyramid of black marble is represented his profile in a medallion of statuary marble, decorated with emblems alluding to the qualities for which he was eminent, particularly the caduceus, denoting his eloquence, and the scales, expressive of justice.
On the left is a neat tablet, which contains the following inscription:—“To the memory of William Dalrymple, Midshipman, eldest son of Sir John Dalrymple, Bart., one of the Barons of Exchequer in Scotland, and of Elizabeth Hamilton Macgill, representatives of the Viscounts of Oxford; who, though heir of ample estates, preferred to a life of indolence and pleasure the toilsome and perilous profession of a seaman when his country was in danger. At the age of eighteen, he was killed, off the coast of Virginia, in a desperate engagement, in which Captain Salter, in the Santa Margaretta, took the Amazone, a French ship of superior force, almost in sight of the enemy’s fleet; receiving in the public despatches of his skilful and generous Commander, the honourable testimony that he was a worthy and deserving youth, who, had he lived, would have been an ornament to his profession; and leaving to his once happy parents, in whose fond eyes he appeared to promise whatever could be expected from genius, spirit, and the best gift of God, a kind and melting heart, the endearing remembrance of his virtues. Father of all! grant to the prayers of a father and mother, that their surviving children may inherit the qualities of such a brother, and that there may never be wanting to the British youth, the spirit to pursue that line of public honour which he marked out for himself and for them. Obit 29th July, 1782.”
An oval tablet, thus inscribed:—“Near these steps lies the body of Mrs. Ann Wemyss, daughter of Dr. Lodowick Wemyss, some time Prebendary of this Cathedral, and of Mrs. Jane Bargrave, his wife, who departed this life, December 19, 1698, in her sixty-seventh year.”
Sophia Fairholm.—This lady, her monumental inscription informs us, was born in Scotland, and was mother to the Marquis of Annandale, who, as a mark of his duty and gratitude, caused this monument to be erected to her memory. It is the representation of an ancient sepulchre, over which a stately edifice is raised, ornamented at top with the family arms. She died December 13, 1716, aged forty-nine.
Above are inscriptions to the memory of Rear-Admiral John Harrison, who was Captain of the Namur, under Sir George Pocock, in several successful engagements with the French Fleet, commanded by Monsieur D’Aché, in one of which he was wounded. He conducted, under the same British Admiral, the armament against the Havannah, and brought the fleet and treasure safe to England. In consequence of excessive fatigue, soon after his return, he lost the use of one side by a paralytic stroke, and remained helpless twenty-eight years. He was firm in action, prudent in conduct, polished in society, generous and humane in a profession, and upon an element, where human virtue is of the most rigid kind, and human nature is most severely tried; his modesty was equal to his virtues. He died October 15, 1791, aged sixty-nine years. Above and below are expressed, in Latin, the following words:—“God is my port and refuge: God hath shown His wonders in the deep.”
Opposite, on your left, is the monument to Sir Thomas Richardson.—There is an effigy, in brass, of a Judge in his robes, with a collar of SS., representing Sir Thomas Richardson, Knight, “Speaker of the House of Commons in the twenty-first and twenty-second year of James I., Chief Justice of the Common Pleas; and, lastly, by Charles I., made L.C.J. of England. He died in 1634, in his sixty-sixth year.” So far the inscription. This is that Judge Richardson who first issued out an order against the ancient custom of wakes, and caused every minister to read it in his church, which the Bishop of Bath and Wells opposing, complaint was made against the order in the Council-chamber, where Richardson was so severely reprimanded, that he came out in a rage, saying—he had been almost choked with a pair of lawn sleeves.—Huber le Seur, sculptor.