His kindred fancy still to nature just,

Copied her line, and form’d the mimic bust,

Thus from thy power, inspiring Love, we trace

The Modell’d Image, and the Pencil’d Face.”

The publication of the following celebrated Will, led to the resuscitation of a valuable charity bequeathed to this town.

EXTRACTS FROM THE WILL
OF THE
LATE REV. HENRY ANTROBUS.

“In the Name of God, Amen. I, Henry Antrobus, Rector of Himley, in the County of Stafford, and now living at Dudley, in the County of Worcester, being in perfect health, and of sound mind, memory, and understanding, blessed be God for it, do make and ordain this my last will and testament.

“For my body, I desire it may be buried in the same grave with my dear mother, in the centre of the dome of St. Edmund’s Church, in Dudley; on the right side of which I desire may be fixed in the wall, a small monument of marble, of an oval form, with this inscription:—”Near this place lies interred the body of Penelope Antrobus, widow, who departed this life the 10th day of Aug. 1756, aged 59, adding these words: “She departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.” On the left side I desire another for myself, and of the same size and form, with this inscription:—“Here lies the body of the Rev. Henry Antrobus, &c.” adding these words:—“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” As for my worldly estates, which God of his undeserved goodness hath given me, I dispose thereof as follows:—

“Whereas, it was my aunt Oliver’s desire, that I should buy Land to the value of ten pounds per Annum, to pay a School Mistress FOR TEACHING FORTY POOR GIRLS, of the Parish of Dudley, to read, sew, and knit; that they be brought to church constantly when there are prayers, and to be catechised every Friday in Lent, by the Minister of the Parish; which Land is not as yet purchased. I do hereby give, devise and bequeath MY ESTATE AT HOKEHAM, which John Whitehouse holds of me, for that purpose; and desire my executrix, hereafter mentioned, to lay out the sum of SIX HUNDREDS POUNDS, the profits whereof to make a provision for Clothing the said Girls every year, and to buy Books for the use of the School.