Historical Description of Westminster Abbey, Its Monuments and CuriositiesAnonymous
History
Historical Description of Westminster Abbey, Its Monuments and Curiosities
Anonymous
Westminster Abbey
The next monument consists of a fine statue, full life size: in one hand
is placed a scroll, on which is inscribed, "Peace of Paris, 1814;" the
other supporting the Robes of the Garter. The pedestal bears the following
inscription:--"This statue is erected to the memory of Robert, second
Marquis of Londonderry and Viscount Castlereagh, K.G. Born A.D. 1769; died
Aug. 12th, 1822. History will record the success and splendour of his
public career during a period of unexampled difficulty in the annals of
Europe, in which he successively filled the highest offices under the
Crown; and Ireland will never forget the statesman of the Legislative
Union. This tribute to the best of brothers and friends is placed in
Westminster Abbey by Charles William Vane, third Marquis of
Londonderry."--_J. Evan Thomas, sculptor._
Lord MANSFIELD'S monument:--
"Here MURRAY, long enough his country's pride,
Is now no more than Tully or than Hyde."
Foretold by Pope, and fulfilled in the year 1793, when WILLIAM, Earl of
Mansfield, died full of years and of honours: of honours he declined many;
those which he accepted were the following:--He was appointed
Solicitor-General, 1742; Attorney-General, 1754; Lord Chief Justice and
Baron Mansfield, 1756; Earl of Mansfield, 1776. From the love which he
bore to the place of his early education, he desired to be buried in this
Cathedral (privately), and would have forbidden that instance of human
vanity, the erecting a monument to his memory; but a sum, which, with the
interest, has amounted to £2,500, was left for that purpose by A. Bailey,
Esq., of Lyon's Inn, which, at least well-meant, mark of esteem he had no
previous knowledge or suspicion of, and had no power to prevent being
executed. He was the fourth son of David, fifth Viscount Stormont, and
married the Lady Elizabeth Finch, daughter to Daniel, Earl of Nottingham,
by whom he had no issue; born at Scone, 2nd March, 1704; died at Kenwood,
20th March, 1793. The Earl is represented sitting on a seat of judgment;
on his right hand Justice holds the statera, or balance, equally poised;
on his left hand Wisdom opens the book of Law. Between the statues of
Wisdom and Justice is a trophy composed of the Earl's family arms,
surmounted by the coronet, the mantle of honour, the fasces, or rods of
justice, and curtana, or sword of mercy. On the back of the chair is the
Earl's motto--_Uni Æquus Virtuti_--"Equal to Virtue only," enclosed in a
crown of laurel: under it is a figure of Death, as represented by the
ancients--a beautiful youth leaning on an extinguished torch: on each side
of the figure of Death is a funeral altar, finished by a fir apple. This
monument is the first that was placed between pillars, so as to walk round
it.--_Flaxman, sculptor._
The beautiful north window was put up in the year 1722, and represents our
Saviour, the twelve Apostles, and four Evangelists; the latter with their
emblems, lie down, two on each side.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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