Historical Description of Westminster Abbey, Its Monuments and CuriositiesAnonymous
History
Historical Description of Westminster Abbey, Its Monuments and Curiosities
Anonymous
Westminster Abbey
A monument erected by the East India Company, as a memorial of the
military talents of Lieutenant-General Sir EYRE COOTE, K.B.,
Commander-in-chief of the British forces in India, who, by the success of
his arms, in the year 1760 and 1761, expelled the French from the coast of
Coromandel. In 1781 and 1782 he again took the field in the Carnatic, in
opposition to the united strength of the French and Hyder Ally, and in
several engagements defeated the numerous forces of the latter; but death
interrupted his career of glory, on the 27th April, 1783, in the
fifty-eighth year of his age. It consists of two figures as large as life;
one a Mahratta captive, weeping beside a trophy of Persian armour,
represents a province subdued; he is holding a cornucopia inverted, the
contents of which are falling into a Britannia's shield. The other, a
Victory, having erected a trophy, is decorating it with the portrait of
Sir Eyre Coote, by hanging it on a palm-tree, which rises from behind the
armour. The elephant on the sarcophagus marks the scene of action. The
Mahratta figure is particularly admired.--_Banks, sculptor._
A bust with the following inscription:--"Amidst the memorials of maturer
greatness, this tribute of private affection and public honour records the
talents, virtues, and early death of the Right Honourable CHARLES BULLER,
who, as an independent Member of Parliament, and in the discharge of
important offices of state, united the deepest human sympathies with wide
and philosophic views of government and mankind; and pursued the noblest
political and social objects, above party spirit, and without an enemy.
His character was distinguished by sincerity and resolution, his mind by
vivacity and clearness of comprehension; while the vigour of expression
and singular wit that made him eminent in debate, and delightful in
society, were tempered by a most gentle and generous disposition; earnest
in friendship and benevolent to all. The British Colonies will not forget
the statesman who so well appreciated their desires and their destinies;
and his country, recalling what he was, deplores the vanished hope of all
he might have become. He was born August, 1806; he died Nov. 29, 1848."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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