was to ancient Rome, and what its Tower. The White Tower is the most Kremlin is to Moscow-its palace, cita- ancient of the existing buildings; it is del, and stronghold, and the monument about 116 feet north and south, and 96 most closely connected with popular on the east and west sides. The Norannals and the history of the state. man Chapel is in this tower, and is now Indeed it is chiefly in this latter respect, devoted to the preservation of a portion and on account of the objects of curi- of the public records. See Chap. VI. osity which it contains, that the Tower The Horse Armoury, on the north side now possesses much interest. The sole of the White Tower, was built in 1825, feature which gives character to the and is 150 feet long by 33 wide; the exterior is the White Tower, were it centre is occupied by twenty-two equesnot for that, with its lofty structure and trian figures, clothed in the armour of turretted angles the Tower would be various reigns, from the 13th to the lost in the mass of brick and mortar 17th centuries. The arrangement was which surrounds it. According to tra- made by the late Sir Samuel Meyrick, dition, the Tower is of very ancient and they are placed in the following date; but we have no authority that it chronological order. Edward I. 1272; was erected before the time of William Henry VI. 1450; Edward IV. 1465; the Conqueror, who built the White Henry VII. 1508; Henry VIII. 1520; Tower (of which we have spoken) about Chales Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, 1078, Gundulph, Bishop of Rochester, 1520; Clinton, Earl of Lincoln, 1535; being the architect employed. Stow Edward VI. 1552; Hastings, Earl gives the following description of the of Huntingdon, 1555; Dudley, Earl uses of the building in the 16th cen- of Leicester, 1560; Lea, Master of tury: "This tower is a citadel to defend the Armoury, 1570; Devereux, Earl of or command the City; a royal palace Essex, 1581; James I. 1605; Sir for assemblies or treaties; a prison of H. Vere, Captain-General, 1606; Howstate, for the most dangerous offenders; ard, Earl of Arundel, 1608; Henry, the only place of coinage for all Eng- Prince of Wales, 1612; Villiers, Duke land at this time; the armoury for of Buckingham, 1618; Charles, Prince warlike provisions; the treasury of the of Wales, 1620; Wentworth, Earl of ornaments and jewels of the crown; Strafford, 1655; Charles I. 1640; James and general conserver of the most II, 1685. There is likewise another valuable records of the King's Courts suit, said to have been presented to of Justice, at Westminster." Our space Henry the Eighth by the Emperor Maxiwill not allow us to enter into the milian, on his marriage to Catherine general history of the Tower; we shall of Arragon. The date of the armour is therefore briefly enumerate a few mat-in every instance correct, but only ten ters and objects of interest connected suits have been positively identified. with it. Entering at the west gate of the Queen Elizabeth's Armoury is entered Tower, the visitor will be struck by by a staircase from the north-east corits rude and venerable appearance, and ner of the Horse Armoury, ornamented its amazing strength. The garden which by two coloured carvings in wood, now surrounds it was a moat, and filled called "Gin and Beer," taken from over with water until 1843, when the present the entrance to the buttery in the Great garden was planted. Besides the White Hall, at Greenwich Palace. This room Tower, there are ten towers within the contains a great variety of specimens fortress, viz., the Lion Tower, the Mid- of all the weapons in use in Europe dle Tower, the Bell Tower, the Bloody during the period preceding the introTower, the Beauchamp Tower, the De-duction of fire-arms; the bill, the velin Tower, the Bowyer Tower, the Brick glaive, the gisarme, the ranseur, the Tower, the Master's Tower, and the Salt spetum, the spontoon, the boar spear, the partizan, pike, halbert, &c., with sing of the royal children; this piece is many other curiosities of that period four feet in height; golden Salt-cellars; relating to warfare. Some of the most six golden Sceptres of Kings and Queens; interesting are―yew-tree bows, recover- the King's Sceptre, with the Cross, placed ed from the wreck of the Mary Rice, in his Majesty's right hand at the corosunk off Spithead, in 1545; Spanish nation; the King's Sceptre, with the "collar of torment ;" the "Cravat," an-dove; Sceptre found in 1814 behind other instrument of torture;_heading- the wainscot, presumed to have belonged axe, with which the Earl of Essex was to William III.; the Queen's Sceptre, executed in the reign of Queen Eliza- with the Cross; the Queen's ivory beth; thumbscrews; firelocks, of the Sceptre; Staff of Edward the Confessor, time of Henry the Eighth; cloak of pure gold, 4 feet 7 inches long, in which General Wolfe died before weighing 8lbs. 9 ounces; King's golden Quebec, and other objects of interest. Spurs, and Queen's enamelled Bracelets; Without the walls of the White Tower, the golden Salt-cellar of state; a Model on the south side, are cannon and other of the White Tower, used at the corotrophies of great interest, ranged chro- nation feast; and the Imperial Crown, nologically. The oldest is one of rough made for the coronation of George IV. workmanship, in wrought iron, of the The Church is called St. Peter's in time of Henry the Sixth, 1422; the most Vincula, and was erected in the reign of curious perhaps is one of the wooden Edward I.; certainly an appropriate guns, named "Policy," successfully em- name, when we recollect that in it were ployed at the siege of Boulogne, in the deposited the headless bodies of numeyear 1544, by Charles Brandon, Duke rous illustrious personages, who suffered of Suffolk, (who commanded for King either in the Tower or on the adjacent Henry the Eighth,) in order to induce hill. Amongst these may be mentioned, the Governor to believe the English Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, executed were well provided with artillery. 1535; Sir Thomas More, 1535; Lord The Jewel House is the room in Rochford, 1536; Ann Boleyn, 1536; which the Regalia or Crown jewels are Thomas Cromwell, favourite of Henry kept, which consist of the golden Wine VIII., 1540; Catherine Howard, 1541; fountain; the ancient Imperial Crown, and Lady Rochford, at the same time; studded with jewels of every colour; Seymour, Duke of Somerset, 1552; and the golden Orb, edged with pearls and his brother the Admiral; the Duke of girded with precious stones; this orb is Northumberland, 1563; Lady Jane placed in the king's left hand at the coro- Grey, Sir Thomas Wyatt, Devereux, nation; the Queen's Crown, composed Earl of Essex, Scott, Duke of Monentirely of diamonds of the largest mouth, 1685; Lords Balmerino, Kilsize; the Prince of Wales's Crown, of marnock, 1746, and Lovat, 1747, who plain gold; the Queen's Orb, similar was the last beheaded-the block is still to the king's, but rather smaller; the in the Tower. Our space will not Queen's Diadem, composed entirely of allow us to speak of the vast number of pearls and diamonds; the Ampulla, or illustrious persons who were incarcegolden Eagle, and the Golden Spoon, rated in the Tower at various periods. with which the sovereigns are anointed; The Ordnance stores in this building the golden Sacramental dishes; the are estimated at nearly £700,000. The Golden Chalice; the two Swords of Jus-Tower covers an area of twelve acres tice, ecclesiastical and temporal, and within the walls, The visitor should the Curtana, or sword of Mercy; the observe the portcullis, which is the only golden Tankards; golden Salt-cellars of perfect one in Great Britain. state, plate, spoons, &c. ; also the silver TRAFALGAR SQUARE. - Derives its gilt Baptismal font used in the christen- name from Lord Nelson's last victory. F The principal objects in this square are site of Westminster Abbey and the the equestrian statue of Charles I., by ground immediately surrounding it, was Le Sueur. 1633; equestrian statue of anciently called Thorney Island, having George IV., by Sir F. Chantrey; Nel- been "overgrown with thorns and enson's column, by William Railton, and vironed by water," prior to the founcolossal statue, by E. H. Baily, R.A.; dation of the minster or church. Tragranite fountain; St. Martin's Church, dition has furnished a very remote era on the east side; National Gallery, on the to this foundation. It has a tale that north; and Union Clubhouse and Col- the Romans had a temple on this spot, lege of Physicians on the west; all consecrated to Apollo; while the monks described under their different heads. of early days put forth a legend, that an MESSRS. TUSSAUD'S WAXWORK EX-oratory was raised upon this spot by HIBITION, Baker-st., Portman-square.- -St. Peter. History lends no assistance Consisting of numerous figures in wax, to substantiate these statements. One robed, in many instances, with original of the earliest accounts of this church vestments, and grouped with great is a short treatise by Sulcardus, a monk taste. There has been recently added of Westminster, an old copy of whose an additional room, containing full- manuscript is preserved in the Cotlength portraits of her Majesty, by Sir tonian Library in the British Museum. George Hayter; Prince Albert, by From that authority (which is dedicated Patten; George IV., by Sir Thomas to the Abbot Vitalis, who presided here Lawrence; William IV., by Simpson; about the year 1080) and the concur George III. and Queen Charlotte, by ring testimony of the monks, as well as Sir Joshua Reynolds and others. This from the several ancient charters which collection also possesses a variety of recognise its early establishment, we valuable relics once belonging to Na- may ascribe the original foundation of poleon. Admission 1s. Napoleon this church to Sebert, King of the East room, 6d. Saxons, who having been baptized by WESTMINSTER ABBEY.-Open daily Mellitus, Bishop of London, about the for divine service at eleven and three year 604 or 605, 'immediately," as o'clock, and may be seen between those Stow has it, "to show himself a Chrishours. There is a fee of 6d. for view- tian indeed, built a church to the honour ing the chapels. This building, with its of God and St. Peter, on the west side contents, is, without exception, the most of the cittie of London." After the interesting object in London. The death of Sebert, the church continued Statesman, the Antiquary, the Poet, and in obscurity, until King Edward the the Architect may here enjoy a feast of no Confessor made choice of it for his bu common kind, and may read the history rial-place, and determined to rebuild and of all which England holds most dear enlarge the entire monastery. The new and most admires. No other building buildings were commenced about the contains so many records of succeeding year 1050, the king appropriating to centuries. Here sleep in solemn still- the work a "tenth part of his entire ness, beyond the envy of the world, substance, as well in gold, silver, and the great departed-kings, statesmen, cattle, as in all his other possessions." warriors, poets, and philanthropists, On the day of the Holy Innocents, who have been in ages past the lights 1065, the church was dedicated, and on and glory of our country, and whose the 12th of January following, the energies and talents ourselves and our king was buried with great pomp beposterity must ever think upon with fore the high altar in the new church. gratitude. But not to occupy our space In the reign of Henry III., about 1245, with reflections, let us proceed to exa- a great part of the church was rebuilt, mine the building and its contents. The in the elegant and lofty style which was adopted in almost all the ecclesiastical South Transept. buildings of the period throughout Samuel Butler, author of “Hudibras," Europe. Both Matthew Paris and d. 1680. Thomas Wykes (contemporary histo- Edmund Spenser, author of the "Faërie rians) say that the king erected the Queene," d. 1598. work at his own expense, which cost John Milton, author of "Paradise about £30,000. The work was con- Lost," d. 1674. M. Rysbrack. tinued by Edward I., and carried on by Thomas Gray, author of the " different abbots until the reign of Henry Elegy in a Country Churchyard," d. 1771. VII., during whose reign the magnifi- J. Bacon, Sen., R.A. cent chapel that bears his name was William Mason, poet, d. 1797. built. From Henry VII. to Wil-Thomas Shadwell, poet laureate, d. liam III., the edifice suffered much 1692. F. Bird. from neglect. Sir Christopher Wren Matthew Prior, a poet and diplomatist, was then employed to repair and deco- d. 1721. Bust by Coizevox. rate it, which, with the exception of a Charles de St. Denis, Lord d'Evrelittle impropriety of style, he did tho- mond, d. 1703. roughly and well. The architecture of this Granville Sharpe, abolitionist of slavery, building is perhaps the most perfect ex- d. 1813. Sir F. Chantrey, R.A. ample of the pointed style in this kingdom. C. Anstey, d. 1805. Horwell. The ground plan is the form of a Latin John Dryden, poet and dramatist, d. cross, but surrounded by variously- 1700. P. Scheemakers. shaped chapels. The usual entrance is Anthony Horneck, D.D., d. 1696. by the door in Poets' Corner. Before Martha Birch, d. 1703. examining the monuments, the visitor Abraham Cowley, poet, d. 1667. John will naturally wish to have a view of the Bushnell. interior of the building. The best spot John Roberts. is from the choir where the transepts Geoffrey Chaucer, d. 1400. cross. Some writers recommend the S. Barton, d. 1715. west end of the nave; but the archi- John Phillips, poet, d. 1708. tectural beauty of the roof, as well as Barton Booth, actor, d. 1733. the transepts are lost in the vista, Tyler. and though the length of the building Michael Drayton, d. 1631. W. R. taking in the stained windows of the William Shakspeare, the greatest of transepts, with the lofty roof immediately above, is a sight unparalleled in Hayward. English poets, d. 1616. Scheemakers. sons," d. 1748. Spang. Nicholas Rowe, poet laureate, d. 1718. architectural beauty in England. To James Thomson, author of the "Seareturn, however, to the south transept, or as it is more usually called, Poets' Corner, we will first enumerate the monuments as they occur, passing from left to right. If the guide is about to John conduct a party through the chapels, the visitor will do well to join them, and examine the other monuments at leisure. The following are in the South Transept: Gay, author of the " Beggar's Opera," d. 1732. M. Rysbrack. Oliver Goldsmith, poet, physician, historian, d. 1774. J. Nollekens, R.4. John, Duke of Argyle and Greenwich, d. 1743. L. F. Roubiliac. Mary Hope, d. 1767. Tablet. Ben Jonson, poet laureate, d. 1637. James Stuart Mackenzie, d. 1800. J. By Rysbrack. Nollekens, R.A. South Transept, continued. Sir James Campbell, d. 1819. Nave. Still continuing to the right, the visitor will find the following monuments in the Nave: Sophia Fairholm, Marchioness of Annandale, d. 1716. J. Gibbs. tator," d. 1719. R. Westmacott, R.A. Ann Wemyss, d. 1698. George Frederick Handel, musical com- William Dalrymple, midshipman, d. poser, d. 1759. L. F. Roubiliac. Sir T. and Lady Robinson, d. 1739. Walsh. 1782, J. J. Harrison, Rear-Admiral, 1791. William Outram, D.D., d. 1679. Jane, Thomas Triplet, D.D., d. 1670. Edward Wetenhall, M.D., physician, Sir John Pringle, Bart., d. 1782. John Ernest Grabe, d. 1711. F. Bird. Sir John Burland, Knt., Baron of the Rear-Admiral Sir C. Shovell, Knt., ship- William Wragg, shipwrecked, 1777. Thomas Knipe, D.D., Head Master of died in service, 1798-1811. George Stepney, an ambassador, d. 1707. John Methuen, Lord Chancellor of Ireland, and son, d. 1706. Sir Paul Methuen, d. 1757. M. Rysbrack. Isaac Watts, D.D., author of "Divine Hymns," etc., d. 1748. T.Banks, R、A. Robert South, D.D., Prebendary of Sir Richard Bingham, military com Westminster, d. 1716. mander, d. 1598. Major Richard Creed, shot at Blenheim, 1704. George Churchill, brother to the great Van Gelder. William Vincent, D.D., Dean of Westminster, d. 1815. Richard Busby, D.D., d. 1695. F. Bird. Inscriptions on the gravestones in the Duke of Marlborough, d. 1710. South Transept. Martin Folkes, President of the Royal "To Richard Cumberland, the Te- Society, 1754. Ashton, after Tyler. rence of England," 1811. "Richard William Julius, Capt. R.N., d. 1698. Brinsley Sheridan, wit, orator, and W. Strode, Lieut.-Gen., d. 1776. dramatist," 1816. "Samuel Johnson, R. Hayward. LL.D., the great lexicographer," 1784. Major André, 1821. "Thomas Parr, of ye county of Sallop, Sir Palmes Fairborne, shot by the borne in A.D. 1483. He lived in the Moors, when defending Tangiers, reignes of ten princes, viz., King Ed- 1680. J. Bushnall. ward IV., King Edward V., King Sir John Chardin, Bart., the Eastern Richard III., King Henry VII., King Henry VIII., King Edward VI., Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, King James, and King Charles; aged 152 years, and was buried here Nov. 15, 1635." Sir William Chambers, architect, 1796. traveller, d. 1713. H. Cheere. Roger Townshend, Colonel, shot by a cannon-ball whilst reconnoitring the French lines at Ticonderoga, (North America,) 1759. Bridget Radley, d. 1679. Carter. |