Next these follow a groupe
[sic]
of Statesmen, Warriors, Musicians, &c. among whom is Col. Bingfield, who lost his head by a cannon ball, as he was remounting the Duke of Marlborough, whose horse had been shot under him.
The famous musicians Purcell, Gibbons, Blow, and Crofts, have here their respective monuments and inscriptions; as has also that eminent painter Sir Godfrey Kneller, with an elegant epitaph by Mr. Pope. As you enter the west door of the church, on the right hand stands a monument with a curious figure of Secretary Craggs, on whom likewise Mr. Pope has bestowed a beautiful epitaph. On the south side is a costly monument, erected by Queen Anne to the memory of that brave Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovel, who was shipwrecked on the rocks of Scilly. In the same aisle, and nearly opposite to this, is a beautiful monument of white marble, to the memory of Thomas Thynne, of Long-Leat, in the county of Wilts, Esq. who was shot in his coach, on Sunday the 12th of February, 1682: In the front is cut the figure of him in his coach, with those of the three assassins who murdered him. At the end of this aisle, and on one side of what is called the Poets' Row, lies covered with a handsome monument, and his effigy a large as the life, the very famous Dr. Busby, Master of Westminster School, whose strict discipline and severity are every where so much talked of.
I must now take notice of the Poets, whose monuments stand mostly contiguous. Here are the ancient monuments of Chaucer and Spencer, with those of Ben Johnson, Drayton, Milton, and Butler; also of the great Dryden, the ingenious Phillips, the divine Cowley, the harmonious Prior, and the inimitable Shakespeare, of whose curious effigy I have spoken before: nor must I omit the gentle Mr. John Gay, to whose memory his Grace the Duke of Queensberry has erected a noble monument, which Mr. Pope has adorned with a very elegant inscription in verse. I must here end my remarks, but cannot take leave of this venerable place, without observing, that it has many curious painted windows, a noble choir, a fine organ, and a magnificent altar-piece.
I am, Honoured Madam, &c.
A memorable Saying of the Duke de ORLEANS, at the Surrender of Gravelling, with a generous Action of that Prince.
WHEN Gravelling was surrendered to the Duke of Orleans, just as he entered into town he was heard to say these words: "Let us endeavour, by generous actions, to win the hearts of all men; so we may hope for a daily victory. Let the French learn from me this new way of conquest, to subdue men by mercy and clemency."
With what a matchless virtue did this Prince dismiss a gentleman that was hired to murder him! This assassin was suffered to pass into the Duke's bedchamber one morning early, pretending business of grave moment from the Queen. As soon as the Duke cast his eyes on him, he spoke thus: "I know thy business, friend: thou art sent to take away my life. What hurt have I done thee? It is now in my power, with a word, to have thee cut in pieces before my face. But I pardon thee; go thy way, and see my face no more."