Historical Description of Westminster Abbey, Its Monuments and CuriositiesAnonymous
History
Historical Description of Westminster Abbey, Its Monuments and Curiosities
Anonymous
Westminster Abbey
In the North-west Tower is a monument to Captain MONTAGUE. He fell with
Captains Hervey and Hutt in Earl Howe's engagement, on the 1st of June,
1794, when a signal and important victory was obtained over the French
fleet. The King and Parliament, in consequence, directed this monument to
be erected. The Captain is represented with his hand resting on his sword;
Victory, alighting, is waving the laurel crown over his head; a trophy of
naval flags hangs over a basso-relievo of prisoners behind; on the front
of this pedestal is the engagement; on the right side is Neptune's
trident, and a crown of oak; on the left, a wreath of laurel containing
the word "Constitution;" the base is guarded by two lions.--_Flaxman,
sculptor._
On the right, upon a pedestal with appropriate emblems, is an exceedingly
animated and life-like bust of the Right Hon. Sir JAMES MACINTOSH, M.P.,
one of the most distinguished men of his time, and who attained to great
eminence in literature, philosophy, history, and politics. He was born at
Aldonric, on the banks of Lochness, Scotland, on the 24th October, 1765;
was knighted in 1804; in 1830 he was appointed to a seat at the Board of
Control, and died 30th May, 1832, regretted (it is said) with more
sincerity, and admired with less envy than any man of his age.--_Theed,
sculptor._
At the back is a monument sacred to the memory of the Honourable GEORGE
AUGUSTUS FREDERICK LAKE, late Lieutenant-Colonel in his Majesty's
twenty-ninth Regiment of Foot, who fell at the head of his Grenadiers, in
driving the enemy from the heights of Roliea, in Portugal, on the 17th of
August, 1808. This stone is erected to his memory by the officers,
non-commissioned officers, drummers, and privates of the corps, as a
testimony of their high regard and esteem.--_Smith, sculptor._
Beneath is a monument to the Right Hon. GEORGE TIERNEY, whose bust is
placed on a pedestal, with the following inscription:--"To the memory of
the Right Honourable George Tierney, born in 1762; died in 1830. A man
equally distinguished for the disinterested integrity of his public
conduct, and the unpretended virtues of his private life. In Parliament he
was long conspicuous for a style of oratory peculiarly his own; plain,
familiar, forcible, and persuasive, abounding in proofs of natural
shrewdness, and strokes of original learning, and sustained throughout by
an accurate knowledge of details, and an unostentatious command of clear
language. Without having obtained the rewards of wealth or station, he
secured the respect and esteem of his contemporaries, by the consistency
of his political principles, and his unwearied activity in supporting
them; by the simplicity of his manners, and the benevolence of his
character; and by an unaffected reverence for religion. His surviving
friends have raised this monument, to be a testimony of their affection,
and a reward of his talents and virtues."--_Westmacott, jun., sculptor._
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