Historical Description of Westminster Abbey, Its Monuments and CuriositiesAnonymous
History
Historical Description of Westminster Abbey, Its Monuments and Curiosities
Anonymous
Westminster Abbey
Adjoining is a monument to the memory of Sir GEORGE POCOCK, K.B., Admiral
of the Blue, who distinguished himself at the taking of Geriah, and in
leading the attack at the reduction of Chandernagore; afterwards, with an
inferior force, he defeated the French Fleet under M. D'Ache in three
several engagements; returning from his successful career in the East, he
was appointed to command the fleet upon the expedition against the
Havannah, by his united efforts in the conquest of which, he added fresh
laurels to his own brow, and a valuable possession to this kingdom. A life
so honourable to himself, and so endeared to his friends and his family,
was happily extended to the age of eighty-six, and resigned, in the year
1793, with the same tranquil and serene mind which peculiarly marked and
adorned the whole course of it.--_Bacon, sculptor._
A monument to the memory of JOSEPH GASCOIGNE NIGHTINGALE, and his Lady.
The lady is represented expiring in the arms of her husband; beneath,
slyly creeping from a tomb, the King of Terrors presents his grim visage,
pointing his unerring dart to the dying figure, at which sight the
husband, suddenly struck with astonishment, horror, and despair, seems to
clasp her to his bosom to defend her from the fatal stroke.
Inscription:--"Here rest the ashes of Joseph Gascoigne Nightingale, of
Mamhead, in the county of Devon, Esq., who died July 20, 1752, aged
fifty-six; and of Lady Elizabeth, his wife, daughter and co-heiress of
Washington, Earl of Ferrars, who died August 17, 1734, aged twenty-seven.
Their only son, Washington Gascoigne Nightingale, Esq., in memory of their
virtues, did by his last will, order this monument to be
erected."--_Roubiliac._
Next to this is a monument of note, sacred to the memory of SARAH, Duchess
of Somerset, relict of John Seymour, Duke of Somerset, daughter of Sir
Edward Alston, Knt. On the base of this monument are two charity boys, one
on each side, bewailing the death of their benefactress, who is
represented in a modern dress, resting upon her arm, under a canopy of
state, and looking earnestly up at a group of cherubims issuing from the
clouds above her. Underneath is a Latin inscription to this effect:--"Here
lies the late illustrious Duchess of Somerset, celebrated for charity and
benevolence, who erected a grammar school for boys at Tottenham, in
Middlesex, enlarged the income of the Green-coat Hospital at Westminster,
largely endowed Brazenose College, in Oxford, and St. John's, in
Cambridge, for the education and instruction of youth in good piety and
literature. She was likewise an encourager of trade and handicrafts, and
had a tender regard to old age, by erecting an almshouse at Froxfield, in
Wiltshire, for thirty widows. She was very charitable to the poor of St.
Margaret's, Westminster, where she instituted a lecture, and gave many
stately ornaments to the Church." She died October 25, 1692.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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