Historical Description of Westminster Abbey, Its Monuments and CuriositiesAnonymous
History
Historical Description of Westminster Abbey, Its Monuments and Curiosities
Anonymous
Westminster Abbey
THOMAS SPRAT, D.D.--This monument seems to have been designed principally
for the sake of the inscriptions, which are in Latin. Underneath are the
arms of the deceased, and on the top his arms, with those of the see of
Rochester, quarterly, between enrichments of books, &c. The first
inscription informs you,--"That Dr. Sprat was the son of a clergyman in
Dorsetshire; and that he was educated at Wadham College, Oxford; that he
first applied himself to poetry, but quitted that study to pursue the
beauties of prose, and polish the English language; that he was early made
known to George, Duke of Buckingham, and by him recommended to Charles I.,
who made him a Prebendary of Westminster, and of Windsor; from which
preferments he soon rose to be Dean of Westminster, and Bishop of
Rochester; but at length, from his firm integrity to the Church and
Monarchy, was brought in danger of his life. He died in 1713, aged
seventy-seven." The second inscription shows--"That the remains of THOMAS
SPRAT, A.M. (son of the Bishop), Archdeacon of Rochester, and Prebendary
of the Churches of Rochester, Winchester, and Westminster, lie near those
of his father. He died May 10, 1720, aged forty-one." The third
inscription imports--"That John Friend, M.D., to show his respect for
those two worthy personages, had caused this monument to be erected
jointly to their memories."--_Bird, sculptor._
Dr. JOSEPH WILLCOCKS.--Two angels holding a scroll, mitre, collegiate cap,
&c., bas-relief, exterior view of Westminster Abbey. On each side are two
beautiful figures of Faith and Hope. This Rev. Prelate was Chaplain to the
British Factory at Lisbon, afterwards Preceptor to the Princess, and
Prebendary of this Church; in 1721, consecrated Lord Bishop of Gloucester;
in 1721, translated to Rochester, also made Dean of this Church, and of
the most Honourable Order of the Bath. He died March 9, 1756, aged
eighty-three, and is buried in a vault in the Ecclesiastical Court, with
his wife Jane, daughter of John Milner, Esq., Consul at Lisbon. She died
March 27, 1725, aged twenty-eight; with Ann, their daughter, who died in
her infancy.--_Cheere, sculptor._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account