Edward Atkyns and his ancestors. The first was Sir Edward Atkyns, one of the Barons of the Exchequer in the reigns of Charles I. and II., and of such loyalty as to resist the most splendid offers of the Oliverian party. He died in 1669, aged eighty-two. The second, Sir Robert Atkyns, was created Knight of the Bath at the coronation of Charles II.; was afterwards L.C.B. of the Exchequer under William III., and Speaker of the House of Lords in several Parliaments; a person of eminent learning, as his writings abundantly prove. He died in 1709, aged eighty-eight.—The third, Sir Edward Atkyns, was L.C.B. of the Exchequer at the time of the Revolution; but not approving that measure, he retired from public business to his seat in Norfolk, where his chief employment was healing breaches among his neighbours, which he decided with such exemplary justice, that none refused his reference, nor did the most litigious men appeal from his award. He died in 1698, aged sixty-eight.—The fourth, Sir Robert Atkyns, was versed in the Antiquities of his country, of which his History of Gloucester was a proof. He died in 1711, aged sixty-five years.—The inscription sets forth, that in memory of his ancestors, who have so honourably presided in Westminster Hall, Edward Atkyns, Esq., late of Kettringham, in Norfolk, second son of the last-named Sir Edward, caused this monument to be erected. He died Jan. 20, 1750, aged seventy-nine years.—Cheere, sculptor.
A medallion and inscription—“To the memory of the Right Honourable James Stuart Mackenzie, Lord Privy Seal of Scotland, a man whose virtues did honour to humanity. He cultivated and encouraged science; and during a long life, was generous without ostentation, secretly charitable, friendly, hospitable, and ever ready to oblige. He was beloved and revered by all: he had many friends, and not one enemy. He died the 6th of April, 1800, in the eighty-second year of his age. He was married to Elizabeth, daughter of John, Duke of Argyle and Greenwich, his uncle.”—Nollekens, sculptor.
John, Duke of Argyle and Greenwich.—On one side of the base is the figure of Minerva, and on the other of Eloquence; done by Roubiliac, particularly expressive. Above is the figure of History, with one hand holding a book, with the other writing on a pyramid the titles of the hero, whose actions are supposed to be contained in the book, on the cover of which, in letters of gold, are inscribed the date of his Grace’s birth, Oct. 10, 1680, and time of his death, Oct. 4, 1743. The principal figure is spirited, even to the verge of life. On the pyramid is this epitaph, said to be written by Paul Whitehead, Esq.:—
“Briton! behold, if patriot worth be dear,
A shrine that claims a tributary tear;
Silent that tongue admiring senates heard,
Nerveless that arm opposing legions fear’d.
Nor less, O Campbell! thine the power to please,
And give to grandeur all the grace of ease.
Long from thy life let kindred heroes trace
Arts which ennoble still the noblest race;
Others may owe their future fame to me,
I borrow immortality from thee.”
Underneath this, in great letters, is written—“John, duke of argyle and gr—” at which point the pen of History rests. On the base of the monument is this inscription:—“In memory of an honest man, a constant friend, John, the great Duke of Argyle and Greenwich, a General and Orator, exceeded by none in the age he lived, Sir Henry Fermer, Bart., by his last will, left the sum of 500l. towards erecting this monument, and recommended the above inscription.”
Over the door of the Chapel of St. Faith, is the monument of Oliver Goldsmith, M.D., representing the portrait of the Doctor in profile. A festoon curtain, olive branches, and books, are the chief ornaments. Underneath is a Latin inscription, of which the following is the import:—“That he was eminent as a Poet, Philosopher, and Historian; that he scarcely left any species of writing unattempted, and none that he attempted, unimproved; that he was master of the softer passions, and could at pleasure command tears, or provoke laughter; but in everything he said or did, good nature was predominant; that he was witty, sublime, spirited, and facetious; in speech pompous; in conversation elegant and graceful; that the love of his associates, fidelity of his friends, and the veneration of his readers, had raised this monument to his memory. He was born in Ireland, November 29, 1731, educated at Dublin, and died at London, April 4, 1774, and was buried in the Temple burial ground.”—Nollekens, sculptor.
Near to the door of the Chapel of St. Faith is a black marble slab, which covers the remains of Charles Dickens, born Feb. 7th, 1812, died June 9th, 1870. And near to him are the remains of Handel, Cumberland, Macaulay, Sheridan, Garrick, Samuel Johnson, and Thomas Parr, of the county of Salop, born 1483, who lived in the reign of ten Princes: viz., Edward IV., Edward V., Richard III., Henry VII., Henry VIII., Edward VI., Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, James I., and Charles I. He died Nov. 15th, 1635, at the age of 152.
A monument erected to the memory of John Gay, by the bounty and favour of the Duke and Duchess of Queensberry, who were the great encouragers of his genius. The masks, tragedy, dagger, and instruments of music, which are blended together in a group are emblematical devices, alluding to the various ways of writing in which he excelled: namely, farce, satire, fable, and pastoral. The short epitaph on the front was written by himself. It is censured by some for its levity,—
“Life is a jest, and all things show it:
I thought so once, but now I know it.”
Underneath are these verses, by Mr. Pope, who lived always in great friendship with Mr. Gay: