A little eastward of Palace Street or Court, is the public square, on which area are two relics of the olden time, Brenton Church, a cruciform structure with a steeple, ** and the old Magazine, an octagon building, erected during the administration of Governor Spottswood. (a) The sides of the latter are each twelve feet in hori- a 1716
* Norborne Berkeley (Baron de Botetourt) obtained his peerage in 1764. He was appointed Governor of Virginia in July, 1768, to succeed General Amherst. He arrived at Williamsburg in October, and was received with every demonstration of respect. After taking the oath of office, and swearing in the members of his majesty's council, he supped with the government dignitaries at the Raleigh Tavern. The city was illuminated during the evening, and balls and festivities succeeded. * His administration was mild and judicious. He died at Williamsburg October 15, 1770, and was succeeded by John Murray, earl of Dunmore. The following year the Assembly resolved to erect a statue to his memory, which was accordingly done in 1774.
** This church was built at about the commencement of the last century, and was the finest one in America at that time. Hugh Jones, who wrote "The present State of Virginia,'' &c., and who was one of the earliest lecturers in that church, speaks of it as "nicely regular and convenient, and adorned as the best churches in London." I was informed that the pew of Governor Spottswood remained in the church in its original character until within a few years. It was raised from the floor and covered with a canopy, and upon the interior was his name in gilt letters.
* In an ode sung on the occasion, the following air, recitative, and duet occur. It is copied from the "Virginia Gazette," first independent paper published in Virginia.
AIR.
He comes! His Excellency comes,
To cheer Virginia's plains!
Fill your brisk bowls, ye loyal sons,
And sing your loftiest strains.
Be this your glory, this your boast,
Lord Botetourt's the favorite toast!
Triumphant wreaths entwine.
Fill your bumpers swiftly round,
And make your spacious rooms rebound
With music, joy, and wine.
Search every garden, strip the shrubby bowers
And strew his path with sweet autumnal flowers!
Ye virgins, haste, prepare the fragrant rose,
And with triumphant laurels crown his brows.
DUET.
Enter virgins with flowers, laurels,
See, we've stripp'd each flowery bed;
Here's laurels for his lordly head;
And while Virginia is his care.
May he protect the virtuous fair!
Ancient Powder Magazine.—The Old Capitol.== Resumption of the Historical Narrative.—Plan of Williamsburg.
zontal extent. Surrounding it, also in octagon form, is a massive brick wall, which was constructed when the building was erected.
