There are many neat and well-designed marble tablets placed on the walls in different parts of the church, and one monument in particular which will be specially noticed. It would have afforded me great satisfaction to have transcribed all the tributes of affection there recorded, and also those in the Burial Ground, but the limited nature of this work would only admit of noticing a few of them. By adopting this course it will enable me to refer to a variety of interesting subjects, which otherwise in all probability must have been omitted.
The monument, to which allusion has just been made, commemorates a hero who distinguished himself during the Peninsular war:—
To the Memory of
Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable Henry Cadogan,
of his Majesty’s 71st Regiment,
who fell in the Battle of Vittoria, on June 1st, 1813,
in the 33rd year of his age.
The Officers of his Regiment have erected this Monument,
In token of their esteem and regret.
This beautiful production of the chisel of Chantrey, which is placed in the north gallery, represents two soldiers lamenting the death of their heroic commander, whose portrait is on a medallion surrounded with flags, with the Imperial eagle of France underneath; the letter “N.” is on the top of the pillar which supports the eagle. On the pedestal which supports the sarcophagus is the word “Vittoria,” encircled with a laurelled crown; the sarcophagus is ornamented with a guilloche moulding. Chastity of design and delicacy of execution are the special characteristics of this admirable specimen of art. There is another monument to the memory of this gallant officer, erected at the public expense, in St. Paul’s Cathedral, and also a third in the Cathedral of Glasgow.
During the battle Colonel Cadogan had been detached to an important position; and when it was discovered that he had been mortally wounded, it was proposed to take him off the field. “No,” said he, “my death is now certain, and very near; suffer me to conclude my life with the pleasure of seeing the continuation of our triumph; carry me to an height, from whence I can observe it.” He was carried to one, when his back was placed against a tree, and there he expired, after expressing his gratitude to those around him.
In a vault near this spot lies the remains of the Right Hon. Charles Henry Cadogan, Earl Cadogan, Viscount Chelsea, in the county of Middlesex, Baron Cadogan, of Oakley, in the county of Buckingham. Born 17th Nov. 1749, and died on the 23rd Dec. 1832.
Honoria Louisa Countess Cadogan, died September 12, 1845, aged 58.
Sophia Lucy Cadogan, wife of Lieut.-Col. Hon. Geo. Cadogan, Grenadier Guards. Born March 5, 1812; died Jan. 26, 1852.
Sacred to the Memory of
Admiral the Right Honourable George Earl Cadogan,
Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath,
Knight of the Imperial Order of Maria Theresa, of Austria.
Born May 5, 1783: died Sept. 15, 1864.
There are inscriptions on marble tablets to the memory of the following respected parishioners, amongst some others:—