226 Effigy of Bp. Shepey discovered at Rochester. of which is taken from the Mosaic pavement of an altar in St. William's Chapel. The removal of the old pannelling in the choir allows the columns which support the groined roof and their carved corbels to be seen to perfection; on the walls of the choir, brought to light by removing the wainscot, are a series of painted niches, with columns and entablature, in the taste of the seventeenth century. The spire, built in 1749, is taken down, and it is in contemplation to case the tower on which it stood with Bath stone, and raise it twelve feet higher, with attached pinnacles at the angles. I think the loss of the spire, poor as it was, will not be compensated by any additions of that description. The tower is not grand enough to stand alone as a decoration of a cathedral. As a pinnacled tower, it will be scarcely grander than a parish church; it could have been rendered an object of eminence only by the spire being rebuilt on a loftier and improved plan. From the appearance of height such an object always possesses, there can be little doubt "but that the city would then possess an object far superior to the present tower, in the most improved state in which as a tower it can be placed. I have mentioned the chief alterations in this Cathedral; the other repairs are merely substantial: when the whole is finished I may have again to address you. E. I. C. A more minute description of Bp. Shepey's figure has been furnished by "An Admirer of Ancient Effigies,' who was present at the discovery. The Bishop lies in a recumbent posture under an elliptical arch in the North wall of the choir, which wall divides the choir from St. William's Chapel. A large piece of the mitre had been broken off, and the nose, upper lip, and chin, greatly mutilated,, evidently by a sword or other sharp instrument. An extremely beautiful band attached to, and part of the mitre, adorned with an imitation of precious stones, encircles the forehead. The head reposes on two superb cushions with tassels, the face painted of a flesh colour, the hair of the eye-brows distinctly marked, and the pupils of the eyes coloured. The hands of the Bishop, which had lost the fingers, are closed in the act of prayer, and the [Sept. feet (great part of which had been broken off) rested on two dogs, both damaged, the head of one being wanting. The external robe, called the Dalmatica vestis, or dalmatic, was decidedly of a pink colour, and represented as lined with some other colour which was scarcely visible; on the robe were figures of a diamond within a square, the collar being most beautifully ornamented Underneath the dalmatic is the stola, but the elegantly figured and painted border at the bottom is only seen. Under the left arm is the staff of the crozier, the head of which was gone. Round it a napkin beautifully bordered was wrapped, and to this staff the curved part of the crozier was fastened by an iron or brass pin, as the hole appeared in which the pin was riveted; the maniple, adorned with jewels, hangs from the left wrist. The following inscription is round the effigy: "Hic jacet d'ns Joh'nes Cheppeie epi's istius eccl'ie." Two drawings were made by a person of the name of Harris, employed by Mr. Cottingham the architect, one of which represents the effigy as it was found, and the other as Mr. Cottingham supposed it to have been, with the features perfect, and the figure highly coloured. After this, Mr. Cottingham resolved on restoring the colours on the figure, in conformity with the latter drawing, which was accordingly done. fingers, the feet, and one of the dogs' The top of the mitre, nearly all the heads, have been subsequently found, and joined to the effigy; the mitre is beard is also an addition, as it was not therefore now complete. The painted there when first discovered. The dal matic, instead of being a pink, is now of a dull scarlet, with a green lining, and the shoes are painted yellow. 1825.] Altar Piece in Westminster Abbey.-County History. brated biographical sculptures, the omission of which leaves an unpleasant blank. It consists of a series of shrines, or rather ornamented niches, canopied with a profusion of delicate tabernacle work, and divided by two side-doors within squares, the pannelings of which being of glass, admit a view of the choir from the enclosure behind. In front is placed a stone altar of elegant workmanship. 227 The original altar-piece was exactly similar, as may be seen in the representation of Abbot Islip's funeral, in the possession of the Society of Antiquaries, and published by them in the Vetusta Monumenta. The altar, however, was then surmounted by a lofty rood and images, as well as either a pinnacle or niche, which broke a certain dull and unpleasant effect arising from a plain surface. F. L. B. COMPENDIUM OF COUNTY HISTORY-WILTSHIRE. EMINENT NATIVES. ADDISON, JOSEPH, the great, the wise, and good, Milston 1672. Adelhelm, St. learned Bishop and ingenious poet, (Malmesbury) ob. 709. Allein, Joseph, Nonconformist divine, Devizes, 1623. ANSTEY, CHRIST. ingenious author of the "New Bath Guide," Harden Huish, 1724. AUBREY, JOHN, eminent antiquary, Easton Piers, 1625 or 1626. Beckham, Humphrey, untutored sculptor, Salisbury, 1588. Beckinsau, John, author of eminence and friend of Leland, Broad-chalk, about 1496. Bennett, Dr. Thomas, learned divine and controversialist, Salisbury, 1673. Blackmore, Sir Richard, eminent physician and voluminous poet, Corsham (ob. 1729.) Brewer, Samuel, botanist, Trowbridge (flourished 1726). Buckeridge, John, Bishop of Ely, Draycot, about 1562. Canutus, Robert, eminent writer in the twelfth century, Cricklade. Chandler, Mary, ingenious poet, Malmesbury, 1687. Chilmarke, John de, celebrated mathematician and philosophical writer, the Archimedes of the age, Chilmarke (flourished thirteenth century). Chubb, Thomas, noted deistical writer, Salisbury, 1679. Clarendon, Roger de, illegitimate son of Edward the Black Prince, Clarendon, Collinson, Rey John, historian of co. Somerset, Bromham (ob. 1796). Corderoy, Jeremy, celebrated divine in the seventeenth century, Chute. Coryate, George, Latin poet, Salisbury (ob. 1606). Cottington, Francis Lord, celebrated statesman, Mere (ob. 1651). Danvers, Henry, Earl of Danby, brave warrior, Dantsey, 1573. Davies, Sir John, eminent lawyer, poet and politician, Chisgrove in Tisbury, about 1570. Davis, Lady Mary, mistress to Charles II. and rival of Nell Gwyn, Charlton. Dobson, Michael, learned and ingenious barrister, Marlborough, 1732. Dryden, Charles, son to the poet, Charlton (ob. 1704). DUCK, STEPHEN, celebrated ingenious poet, Charlton (ob. 1756). Edington, William de, Bp. of Winchester, Lord High Treasurer, Eddington (ob. 1366). Edwards, Bryan, eminent merchant and author, Westbury, 1743. Eedes, John, divine and author, Salisbury, 1659. Eyre, Rev. William, advocate of the doctrine of prejustification, against Baxter, &c. Brickworth, seventeenth century. James, Lord Chief Justice of Court of Common Pleas, 1734. William, D. D. eminent historian and biographer, Salisbury, 1720. Hawles, 228 Compendium of County History.-Willshire. [[Sept. Hawles, John, lawyer, Salisbury, 1645. Herbert, William, Earl of Pembroke, the most universally beloved and esteemed of any man of that age, Wilton, 1580. Philip Earl of Pembroke, brother of the above, Wilton (ob. 1649-50). Hobbes, Thomas, metaphysician, Westport, Malmesbury, 1588. Horman, William, divine and author, Salisbury (ob. 1535). Hughes, John, poet and moralist, Marlborough, 1677. HYDE, EDWARD, Earl of Clarendon, historian, Denton *, 1608. Keate George, poet and writer of considerable eminence, Trowbridge, 1729 or 1730. - William, brother of the above, and no less celebrated as a loyalist and musician (ob. 1645). LUDLOW, EDMUND, honest and independent republican, Maiden Bradley, 1620. Malmesbury, Oliver of mathematician and astrologer, and the first English aërial voyager. (flourished in the eleventh century). William de, learned historian and librarian to the Abbey †, (flor. 12th cent.) Mann, John, divine and politician, Laycock, 1568. Marlborough, Henry of, historian (flor fifteenth century). Maschiart, Michael, Latin poet and able civilian, Salisbury (ob. 1598). Massinger, Philip, eminent dramatic poet, Wilton, 1585. Matthew, Sir Toby, celebrated Jesuit and politician, Salisbury, 1577. Maton, Robert, celebrated divine, North Tidworth, about 1607. Merriott, Thomas, divine and author, Steeple Langford (ob. 1662). NORDEN, JOHN, surveyor and topographer, about 1548. Norris, John, eminent divine, poet, and platonist, Collingbourne Kingston, 1657. PITT, WILLIAM, truly patriot Earl of Chatham, Stratford House, Old Sarum ‡, 1708. Potter, Francis, divine, and excellent mechanic, Mere, 1594. Raleigh, Dr.§ whose misfortunes during the civil wars were truly distressing, Downton (ob. 1645). Rudburne, Thomas, Bishop of St. David's, Rudburne (ob. 1442). Sacheverell, Henry, notorious political preacher, Marlborough, 1672. Salisbury, John of, Bishop of Chartres, one of the most eminent scholars of the day, Salisbury (ob. 1181). Scott. Dr. John, learned divine, Chippenham, 1638. Sedgwick, John, nonconformist divine, Marlborough, 1600. Obadiah, brother of John, and learned divine, Mariborough (ob. 1658). Squire, Dr. Samuel, learned Bishop of St. David's, and Greek scholar, Warminster, 1714. Stephens, Nathaniel, learned divine, Stanton Barnard (ob. 1677). Philip, physician and author, Devizes (ob. 1660). Tanner, Thomas, Bishop of Norwich, a most learned and useful antiquary, Market Lavington, 1674. Thornborough, John, Bishop of Worcester and excellent chemist, Salisbury, 1552. Webbe, George, Bishop of Limerick, Bromham, 1581. Willis, Thomas, eminent physician and author, Great Bedwin, 1621. Wilton, John of, sen. a learned and subtle disputant, Wilton, close of thirteenth century. Zouch, Richard, learned civilian, Anstey, 1590. MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS. At ALBOURNE King John is traditionally said to have had a hunting seat, part of which remains. This village is thought to have been described by Goldsmith in his "Deserted Village," but it is most probable that village was in Ireland. * According to some at Purton. + Some give him birth in Somersetshire. ↑ Seward's Anecdotes, vol. ii. where is a view of the house. The Editor of his Life, 3 vols. 8vo. says he was born in St. James's parish, Westminster; and another writer says in Devonshire. § Grandson of Sir Walter. At 1825.] Compendium of County History.-Wiltshire. 229 At ALDERTON died in 1684, Gore the antiquary, who was also born and buried here. (Mentioned before.) AMESBURY House was the residence of the celebrated Duke and Duchess of Queensberry, under whose patronage Gay spent the happiest years of his life, and wrote some of his best pieces here. At ANSTEY the Hospitallers had a house founded by Walter de Turbevill, temp. John. ASHCOMBE is situate upon an isolated knoll, in the centre of a circular amphitheatre, formed by the surrounding hills. "An inverted bason placed in the middle of a large china bowl will give a clear idea of this romantic spot. On the circular top of the inner bason stands the house.” BEMERTON is interesting from its having been the residence and rectory of Bishop Curle, George Herbert, and John Norris, as it is now of Archdeacon Coxe, distinguished names in the annals of literature. In BISHOPSTONE Church are two stone coffins, generally supposed to have contained the relicks of two ancient Bishops. Amongst the curiosities at BowoOD was a portrait of Oliver Cromwell, on leaf gold, by Walker, the Protector's favourite artist. Near the aviary is a remarkable echo, which repeats every word three or four times.-In the forest James I. amused himself and courtiers with hunting. In BOYTON Church are two antient altar tombs to the Giffards. On one we have the true origin of the label as a difference in armorial bearings. In the other Lady Margaret Giffard forgot the downfall of her family.-Here resides Aylmer B. Lambert, Esq. F. R. S. a gentleman well known in all our literary societies, and justly celebrated for his researches in botany and natural history. -Between Boyton and Corton is a remarkable place called Chapel or Chettle Hole; where, according to tradition, a Church was swallowed up by diabolical agency. It was probably named cezel a chaldron, from a spring rising at its bottom. The Corton beach is a vegetable curiosity. Of BREMHILL is Vicar the Rev. W. L. Bowles, the pathetic and eloquent poet. Many of his poems" were chiefly written here." At BROAD-CHALK, Aubrey possessed an estate, and here he occasionally resided. At BROMHAM was born the Rev. John Collinson, historian of Somersetshire. At CALNE the Kings of Wessex had a palace. Near Calne, on Cheril-hill, is a large white horse, formed by paring off the turf on the side of the chalk hill; executed about 1780. At CHARLTON Park are some very valuable original portraits by Vandyck, &c. CHERILL was possessed by the great king-making Earl of Warwick. CHIPPENHAM, a favourite residence of the Kings of Wessex. Alfred bequeathed the palace to his daughter Ethelfleda.-The origin of the extensive clothing trade is singular.-In Chippenham Church is a monument to Sir Gilbert Pryn, knt.-Here died Mr. Thorpe, author of " Registrum Roffense, &c." buried at Hardenhuish, where also is interred the late David Ricardo, Esq. At CHITTERNE ALL SAINTS are several memorials to the family of Matthew Mitchell, who was employed to defend Zealand against the French, and to assist the Dutch in restoring the Prince of Orange to the dignity of Stadtholder. At CLARENDON Priory, in the fifteenth century, were dug up the bones of a monster, in length 14 feet 11 inches.-Clarendon gave title of Earl to the famous Edward Hyde, Lord Chancellor.-Here the celebrated Stephen Duck pursued the humble employment of thrasher, and whether labouring at the plough, the reap-hook, or the flail, the poetical works of Milton were ever in his hands. His melancholy end was noticed under "Surrey."-Nothing now remains of Clarendon palace, the residence of some of our early monarchs, but ruined walls and heaps of rubbish. Of CODFORD ST. MARY was Rector the loyal Dr. Creed, who published a defence of Dr. Hammond's EXTEVECTEgov against Mr. Jeanes. The Vicar of CORSHAM possesses very extraordinary privileges, having episcopal jurisdiction within the parish.-At Corsham house is a valuable collection of paintings by Titian, Rubens, Vandyck, &c. &c. The river DEVERILL dives under ground like the Guadiana in Spain, and the Mole in Surrey. (See vol. XCIV. p. 33), and pursues its subterraneous course upwards of a mile; then rising, runs onward toward Warminster. DEVIZES 230 Three Egyptian Sepulchral Stones described. [Sept. DEVIZES Castle, characterized as the strongest fortress in Europe by our early historians. In the market place, many years ago, was a pillar recording a singular mark of divine vengeance. (See Beauties of England, vol. xv. p. 430.) -Many curious Roman antiquities have been discovered here. TH (To be continued.) MR. URBAN, Taunton, Sept. 20. HERE have been lately presented to the Somerset and Taunton Institution, by John Quantock, Esq. three Egyptian Sepulchral Stones, brought from the ruins of Thebes. They consist of one sculptural stone, one painted, and one inscribed with hieroglyphical characters. The figures on these stones appear to represent the Worship of Osiris. On the sculptured stone there are two compartments; in the upper, the Egyptian god, Osiris, is represented naked, sitting in a chair, with a cap on his head, like a mitre, with two projections in imitation of horns; he holds a stick or rod in his left-hand, bended at the top similarly to the pastoral staff of our Bishops-an emblem, it may be supposed, of that fatherly protection of his people for which he is celebrated in history. In his righthand he holds a whip with three thongs, which may be regarded as a symbol of punishment in his character of a judge. There is an altar before him, on which is placed a vase, and over it hangs the Lotos. A figure stands in front of him, with a staff in his right-hand, something like a crutch, but with the crutched part sideways, and in his left, which is hanging dowwards, is an hieroglyphic, which Dr. Young, in his Treatise on Hieroglyphical Literature, gives as the emblem of life; it is the figure of the Hebrew Tau, with a ring at the top, which is held in the hand. In the Museum Worsleyanum, this hieroglyphic is said to be the symbol of Ty phon, the brother of Osiris, and it is here placed, doubtless, to identify the figure of that personage. He appears as if addressing the god, and his countenance and attitude seem to breathe that defiance and violence which marked his character. Dr. Young says, that "the symbol for brother or sister appears to be the crook generally seen in the hand of Osiris." This strengthens the supposition that the figure addressing Osiris is that of Typhon, the former holding in his hand the symbol of his relationship. The lower compartment seems to S. T. be a representation of Isis, with an attendant. Both these figures are sitting in chairs, one behind the other. This stone has a piece broken off from the right-hand corner, and from the appearance of the adjoining parts, it would seem that some figure had occupied the space. The second stone is painted, and contains a representation of the god Osiris, under another form. In this figure the head is that of a hawk. Osiris being sometimes represented with the head of that bird, which, by its quick and piercing eyes, is a proper emblem of the sun, of which Osiris was the symbol. The head has the cap, similar to a mitre, as in the sculptured stone. In the painting, the god, who is represented in the human shape, except the head, is in a standing posture, clothed, holding with both hands, before him, the bended rod and whip, and also the crutched staff which is spoken of above as being held in the right-hand of the figure, who appears to be addressing Osiris in the upper compartiment. There are two female figures, one behind the other; the female in front of the god is holding up both her hands, as if in the act of adoration, whilst the figure behind her holds up only one hand. There is an altar of similar shape to that on the sculptured stone, with a vase or urn upon it, between the figure of Osiris and the two females. It has been suggested that the painted stone, and that which is sculptured, though both found in, and brought from, the same place, are of different ages. There are considerable patches of hieroglyphical writing on both stones. The third stone is wholly inscribed with hieroglyphical characters. It is divided into two compartments, upper and lower, and each compartment into seven columns. There are numerous symbols on this stone, similarly with those given in Dr. Young's work, which has been previously mentioned. Two or three observations appear to arise out of the posture of the hands of the two female figures which are represented on the painted stone. The figure in front of Osiris is holding up both |