The History of Lynn, Vol. 1 [of 2]Richards, William
History
The History of Lynn, Vol. 1 [of 2]
Richards, William
Fens, The (England); King's Lynn (England)
domestics, one of whom was a constant attendant, and employed to read to
him, after his own eyesight had failed. He is also supposed to have been
the chief agent to distribute his charities, in the mean time, among the
neighbouring poor and indigent. Close to his house he had a lime-kiln
erected, from an idea that the smell, or effluvia of burning lime
conduced to health and longevity. Thus he passed his time, in innocent
and useful retirement, during a great part of a very long life. May his
opulent survivors imitate his benevolence and charitable actions,
whatever they may think of his peculiarities. He died in 1781, in his
91st. year, and was buried in one of his own fields, in a spot which he
had fixed upon, and enclosed for that purpose, near twenty years before;
and where he had erected a tomb, or a kind of mausoleum, with a long
inscription on each of its four sides, or on four different stones. The
inscriptions, as to the style and substance of them, have no great merit.
They possess no elegance; and may be very truly said to be far more
fanciful than judicious. But of the writer’s good intention, no doubt
ought to be entertained. As he had in his lifetime distinguished himself
by numerous acts of benevolence, so at his death; and by his will, he
left divers charitable donations to the poor of Saham and the
neighbouring parishes. Thus did he, in life and in death, remember the
poor, and maintain the character of the poor man’s friend. The blessing
of the poor, and of those who were ready to perish he doubtless obtained,
and even the blessing and approbation of Him who is the common parent,
benefactor, and righteous judge of the rich as well as the poor, the
creator, sustainer, and ruler of the universe.
The parish churches on this side the Ouse, for the most part, make but a
mean appearance, compared with those of Marshland and Holland. Here are,
however, and always have been other edifices greatly superior to anything
of the kind found in those districts: that is, the sumptuous mansions and
palaces, for which this county has been long remarkable, and not
inferior, perhaps, to any part of the kingdom. Of these, the most
distinguished, in former times, were, _Rising Castle_, once a royal
palace, and the residence, for many years, of queen _Isabel_, the relict
of Edward II; _Gaywode Castle_, the principal mansion, for some ages, of
the bishops of Norwich, and one of the best houses, in the meantime, if
not the very best, in the whole county; _Middleton Castle_, the seat of
Lord Scales; _Wormegay Castle_, the seat of lord Bardolf; _Castleacre_,
the seat of Earl Warren; and _Hunstanton Hall_, the seat of the
Lestranges.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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