1925.] Dr. Drake.—William Lauder. may have occasioned your correspond ent's mistake. Dr. Drake was of St. John's College, Cambridge, and was afterwards Fellow, tutor to Earl Mount Edgecumb, with whom, I believe, he went on the Continent, was the first domestic chaplain of Archbishop Moore, afterwards Vicar of Hadleigh, in Suffolk, and finally Vicar of Rochdale, in Lancashire, where he died Sept. 12, 1819. He married one of the ancient and respectable family of Yate, in Gloucestershire. His only son died about 1815; and one of his daughters married a Mr. Niblett, who some years ago was High Sheriff of the county of Gloucester. The library of Dr. T. Balguy came into the possession of Dr. Drake, and it was a most choice one, filled with the best quarto variorum classics, and the best divinity. Mrs. Drake survived the Doctor, and, I be lieve, is still living. It certainly would be a loss, should the letters of Warburton perish; they complete and explain those from Warburton to Hurd. Yours, &c. I. E. Extracts from the Records of the Free School in Bridge Town, Barbados, relative to William Lauder. Extract of a minute made at a meeting of the Gentlemen Trustees for managing the affairs of the Free School, Aug. 3, 1754. Present, the Hon. Jonathan Bleuman, Attorney-General, Benj. Carlton, esq. Ch. Warden, and the Hon. John Harrison, Treasurer. "Then the Trustees took into consideration the appointment of a Master of the Grammar School, and Mr. William Lauder being well recommended to them, was appointed to that office, to have the usual appointment belonging to such Master; he is also to have the benefit of renting out the house in Marl Hill, near the said School, unless he choose to reside in it himself, which is to be at his election. Then the said Mr. Lauder being called up, and he signifying that he should rather chuse to rent out the house at Marl Hill, at least for the present, provided the apartments in the Schoolhouse were fitted up immediately for him; and the Trustees being willing to give him all the encouragement in their power, did resolve, and it was accordingly ordered, that the said apartments should be fitted up with all convenient speed." 29 At a meeting of the Trustees for the Free School, on the 7th Dec. 1762. Present, the Hon. John Lyte, Speaker of the Assembly, the Hon. Jonathan Bleuman, Attorney-Gen. and Henry Hasell, Church Warden. "Then the Trustees took into mature consideration the case of Mr. Lauder, the Latin Master. Upon inquiry it appeared, to their great surprise and concern, that he had been appointed to that office for above eight years, and never taught a single scholar on the foundation, notwithstanding that on his appointment four were ordered for his care out of the twenty-five, which is the whole number; and he might have chosen any four he thought most fit for the purpose. On said Lauder's being called in and charged with this shameful behaviour, he had little more to say than that he never refused to teach the boys, but none were offered him. This was the more astonishing because, although the said Lauder had frequently applied to some of the Trustees for repairs to be made to his apartment, and of the house belonging to the donation, (which for his encouragement he was allowed to rent out,) and which was always done according to his desire, yet he never once signified to any of the gentlemen, or gave the least intimation of what he now offered in his justification, nor had any of them the least reason to doubt but that, however exceptionable his character was in other respects, he did not fail to answer the intention of his appointment, and to discharge his duty to the boys it was supposed had from time to time been under his care. The said Lauder being therefore asked whether he thought it was intended he should be in that station, and receive greater advantages than any of his predecessors, without doing any thing at all for it? he answered, he would teach double the number for the future. And then being ordered to withdraw, the Trustees came to a resolution that the said Lauder should be immediately discharged; and he was and is discharged accordingly." Extract from the Register of the parish of Saint Michael, Bridge Town, Barbados. July 22. THE Obituary of the Gentleman's Magazine having been for many years one of the most authentic and respectable Records of the biographical anecdotes of deceased persons, whose See an account of him in vol, LXXXIX, characters, whether in public or private life, have been distinguished by any ii. p. 378, Occurrences 30 Account of the Bunce Family. occurrences worthy of being commemorated for talents or virtue, I am induced to communicate the following particulars respecting a beloved relative of mine, at the time of whose decease, in 1766, the arrangement of such com. munications was not equal to that which is now so classical a repository of departed worth. "To honour those who gave us birth Is Heaven's divine command:" That honour, or rather, I would say, that filial regard and veneration, which was never in any instance more strictly deserved or more deeply impressed, I have repeatedly paid at different times on the pages of your esteemed Publication; and in the course of a very long and frequent correspondence therein from youth to age, have been favoured with the insertion of some tributes of affection and respect to the merits of several departed and surviving relatives and friends; and also many occasional papers on various subjects, both literary and local, with descriptive pieces of scenery, which give so high a colouring to the progressive passages of life, and to "those painted clouds that beautify our days*," until I am become, through advancing years and infirmities, nearly unable to produce any thing new, and even find it difficult to transcribe from the manuscripts I have in my possession, those correct and authentic documents which supply the biographical particulars of my present subject, and will probably close correspondence with the Editors; and, through their favour, ultimately gratify my utmost ambition in point of any claims or pretensions I can have to the estimation or acceptance of the publick; having not only lived" one month my one little month on Urban's page," beyond the prediction of some satrical and defamatory lines pointed at my "Rural Sabbath," which was written under the Northiam Oak in 1810, and published in 1811, but many successive months and years, to gratify, I trust, a better feeling than vanity; viz. to commemorate the virtues of the friends I love and esteem, and to silence the calumnious censures of those who were disposed to traduce me. To proceed to the subject of my intended memoir. The life of a private Clergyman, though not holding any Church dig Pope. [July, nities, may be of more beneficial influence than one of a higher rank; and the Minister of a Parish, who strictly and conscientiously performs his duty, though he may not come under the modern description of Evangelical, or be possessed of that enthusiasm which the Sectaries adinire, may be of more real importance in his station than a Minister of State: the sacred duties of his profession being of a nature far superior to any temporal concerns, yet inseparably connected therewith. The Rev. William Bunce, LL.B. Rector of St. Peter's, and Vicar of St, Clement's, Sandwich, was the younger son of the Rev. John Bunce, A.M. formerly Vicar of Brenzet in Kent, and afterwards Rector of Chingford and Pitsey in Essex, who left in MS. an approved translation from the Greek (since published) of St. Chrysostom's Six Books on the Priesthood †, which are esteemed amongst the best pieces of antiquity, and whose death was thus noticed in a Canterbury paper of the 6th of July, 1741: "On Saturday last, died in this City, the Rev. John Bunce, sen.; he had for many years resided on a Vicarage in Romney Marsh, and being taken notice of by the his modest deportment and pious life, was Archdeacon, Dr. Samuel Lisle, for present by him recommended a few years since to more agreeable preferments in Essex, without seeking or even knowing of the same.' e.". Church, and sent them, duly qualified He brought up both his sons to the by his own tuition, to Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where they took their respective degrees in civil law. The elder was presented by the above-mentioned Archdeacon Lisle to the Vicarage of St. Stephen's near Canterbury; and the younger, the subject of this memoir, by the same patron, to the Vicarage of St. Clement's, Sandwich, in 1742: and on the presentation of the Crown, to the Rectory of St. Peter's in 1744. On those two small benefices, for in point of value they were then very inferior to what they are now, he passed his useful and exemplary life in the active and arduous + Rollin, in his "Belles Letters,” vol. ii. p. 301, produces the earnest dissuasion of the mother of St. Chrysostom respecting his intention to leave her, as an example of the most affecting natural eloquence. Her tender remonstrance prevailed. It is prefixed to the translation of the Books. einploy 1825.] Memoirs of the Rev. William Bunce. employment of his parochial duties, and a deportment equally amiable in all his relative and social connexions. In his person he was slight and wellproportioned; his address and manners were those of a gentleman in the first class of society; never abject, but always respectful to his superiors; of a cheerful temper and pleasant conrersation with his equals; and to his inferiors, particularly those in depressed circumstances, benevolent and charitable to the full extent of his power in principle and practice. Having done particular credit to himself and his College at the University, he was by special favour allowed to take his degree sooner than he could otherwise have obtained it, and admitted by dispensation to Deacon's Orders at the age of twenty-one, and to full orders by a similar favor; but it was not on these academical advantages, nor on any superior talents, that his best pretensions to distinction were founded; they were uniformly and constantly evinced by the whole tenour of his life. With regard to his discourses from the pulpit, he never aspired to be a popular preacher, though in his younger days he was generally followed, his voice being strong and clear, and his delivery graceful; but his style of composition admitted no rhetorical embellishments, for which he candidly confessed his inability, and judiciously made choice of the plain and practical language of "Melmoth's great Importance of a Religious Life," for his model; in which there is not a sentence, nor perhaps a word, that is not perfectly intelligible to any common capacity. "In earnest and impressive style The truth divine he taught; No other aim the Preacher had, No other praise he sought. "But faith and works in union held, From the pure sacred text, And ne'er by frantic zeal disjoin'd, Or senseless terms perplext." The only public occasion on which he was appointed to preach, was at a General Meeting of the Cinque Ports, held at New Romney on the 24th of July 1750. The sermon in MS. is in my possession: it was highly approved, and, as customary when delivered before any public assembly, requested to be printed; but this he was too diffident to consent to. The whole account of that General Meeting, called 31 a Brotherhood and Guestling, which continued several days, and has been since assembled but twice, at the distant periods of twenty and fortyyears, was published in the Canterbury paper of the 28th July 1750, in which Mr. B.'s sermon was honorably mentioned. In the Gentleman's Magazine for Sept. 1801 is a correct engraving of his residence, the old parsonage-house of St. Peter's; and in the poetical department of the same Number are some elegiac lines inscribed to his memory by his only surviving son, who, at the advanced age of seventy-three, has recently commemorated the fiftyninth anniversary of his father's decease, and now communicates the above particulars of his life, the termination of which, on the 12th of June 1766, at the age of fifty-two, was at tended with some peculiar circumstances that throw a 'lustre on his last moments, similar to that of a fine sunset at the close of a summer day. On the evening preceding his departure, with the happiest composure he took a very affectionate leave of his afflicted family, and separately gave his children his last paternal blessing; after which he was attended by his particular friend the Rev. John Conant (brother to the late Sir Nathaniel), who succeeded him in the Rectory; and he also admitted, at their own request, some few of his parishioners, to whom, in the feeble accents of his expiring breath, he gave a final exhortation and solemn benediction, as the last act of their faithful Minister, and desired them to join in the commendatory prayer at the point of departure, which they fervently did, and beheld in him the blissful tranquillity in which a truly Christian Pastor can die. Yours, &c. W. B. You Mr. URBAN, Highgate, near Birmingham, June 24. OU are not only learned yourself, but the occasion of learning to others; and your Correspondents may be compared to an agreeable, social party, assembled to receive and bestow funeral, the final exhortation and blessing *There being a full congregation at his above mentioned are transferred in the Elegy to the solemn period of interment, when the departed spirit is supposed to address them while they were assembled on that occasion at the grave. (Vol. LXXI, pt. ii. p. 837.) inform 32. Life of Dugdale.-Compendium of County History. information, in the most courteous manner. My present appearance in this friendly circle is to solicit aid towards a work which I am now preparing for the press, under the title of "The Life, Diary, and Correspondence of Sir William Dugdale." Original Letters written by, or addressed to that distinguished Antiquary, or any other documents, or information, connected with his literary or personal history, will be very acceptable, and ensure my grateful acknowledgments. The Life will be given in Dugdale's own words, from the Ashmolean MS. (July, with copious Notes. Interleaved Pocket Almanacks supply his Diary from 1643 to 1686, with the exception of only three years; and of Letters I have already collected more than one hundred and seventy, including those of Dodsworth, Somner, Spelman, Twysden, Junius, Archer, Wood, and a long train of antiquarian worthies. And now, after an intimacy of thirty years, I remain, most excellent Sylvanus, not merely "Yours, &c." but, to use the expressions of Lightfoot to Dugdale, "the unfained honourer of your worth, and one ready to serve you;" WILLIAM HAMPER. COMPENDIUM OF COUNTY HISTORY.-WILTSHIRE. SITUATION AND EXTENT. Boundaries, North, Gloucestershire: East, Hampshire and Berkshire: South, Hants. and Dorset.: West, Somersetshire, Gloucestershire, and Dorsetshire. Greatest length, 54; greatest breadth, 34; square 1372. Province. Canterbury. Dioceses. Salisbury; Kingswood, a peculiar to Gloucester; and one parish to Winchester. Circuit, Western. ANTIENT STATE AND REMAINS. British Inhabitants, Cangi, a tribe of the Belgæ; Hædui. Stations, Cunetio, Folly Farm near Marlborough; Mutuantonis, Easton Grey; Antiquities. British Earthworks, Southley-wood, near Heytesbury, (vulgarly Stanleigh 1825.] Compendium of County History.Wiltshire. $33 Stanleigh by Maud the Empress); Wilton (founded in 773 by Wulstan Earl of Wiltshire, converted into a Nunnery). Priories of Avebury (founded 1100 by William de Tankerville); Bradenstoke (founded 1142 by Walter de Eureux); Bradfield; Brioptune; Bromham (founded by Baldwin de Riperiis); Charlton, Great (founded in 1187 by Reginald de Pavely); Chissenbury; Clarendon (founded by Henry II.); Clatford (founded temp. Wm. I. by Sir Roger Mortimer); Corsham, (founded temp. Wm. I.) another (founded temp. Hen. II.); Ivychurch (founded temp. Hen. II.); Kingswood (founded in 1139); Longleat (founded by Sir John Vernun or Vernon, temp. Edward I.); Maiden Bradley (founded in 1190 by Hubert Bishop of Salisbury, formerly a hospital for leprous women, founded temp. Stephen); Marlborough (founded ante John); Monkton Deverill (founded ante 1086); Monkton Farley (founded about 1125); Okeburn (founded 1149 by Maud de Wallingford); Poulton (founded about 1337 by Thos. de St. Maur or Seymour); Ramsbury (founded in 905); Stratton (founded temp. Wm. I. or II.); Tisselbury (founded ante 720); Uphaven (founded temp. Hen. I.) Nunneries of Amesbury (founded by Elfrida, widow of King Edgar, refounded 980); Kington (founded ante 1156*); Laycock (founded in 1232); Malmesbury 2 (one founded ante 603); Wilton (founded in 800 by Elburga, sister to King Egbert, refounded in 871). Churches of Amesbury (ancient and curious); Ansty (the oldest church in the diocese); Avebury (part of its architecture old); Bishop Canning's (the interior Anglo-Norman); Boyton (but little alteration in its architecture since 1301); Calne (handsome tower at the North-east end); Castle Combe; Chippenham (some part very ancient); Chitterne St. Mary; Codford St. Mary; Crudwell; Devizes St. John (most interesting to the Architectural Antiquary); St. Mary (chancel part early Norman); Draycot; Eddington; Fisherton de la Mere; Great Bedwin (partly Norman); Great Durnford; Heytesbury; Holt; Kington St. Michael (supposed erected temp. Henry III. but apparently earlier); Laycock; Little Bedwin; Malmesbury, St. Paul (some remains visible); Marlborough, St. Mary; Melksham; Mere (one of the best in South Wiltshire with regard to its architectural appearance); Monkton Deverill; Oaksey (Anglo Norman remains); Ramsbury (considered the mother Church to Salisbury); Sherston; Steeple Ashton (handsome); Tisbury; Westbury; West Knoyle (situate, more antiquo, adjoining to the Manor-house). Chapels of Fugglestone (now used as lodgings for the poor); Little Horningsham; Salisbury, near Harnham Bridge, to receive alms of the passengers for repairs; Tytherington (founded by Empress Maud, a mean building resembling a barn); West Lavington (entirely demolished). Stone Pulpit. Codford, St. Peter, now enclosed in the wall, the first step only visible. Fonts. Ashley; Avebury; Boyton (on a large circular column, once surrounded by four smaller ones); Bremhill; Chitterne All Saints and St. Mary (both ancient and plain); Great Durnford (Saxon); Kingston Deverill; Horningsham (old, but mutilated); Longbridge Deverill; Malmesbury, St. Mary Westport; Preshute (very large and curious); Stanton St. Quintin; Stockton. Castles of Calne; Castle Combe; Devizes (built by Roger Bishop of Salisbury, temp. Henry I.) no remains; Downton; Farley (built by Robert de Curcelles, temp. Wm. I.); Laycock (ascribed to the British King, Dunwallo Mulmutius); Longford (modern); Ludgershall (ascribed to the British King Lud, hence Lud-gar's Hall); Malmesbury (built by the heroic Roger Bp. of Salisbury); Marlborough; Mere (built by Richard Earl of Cornwall in 1253); Old Sarum; Stourton (built by Sir John de Stourton, temp. Henry V. or VI. near the site now occupied by the magnificent mansion of Sir R. C. Hoare, bart.); Trowbridge (erected temp. Stephen); Wardour. Mansions. Chitterne (bearing a monastic appearance, used as a farm house); Mere Park (very ancient, originally moated); Stanton St. Quintin; Studley (formerly of the Hungerfords); Woodlands at Mere (now a farm-house); Zeals Manor House. * Tanner. Aubrey says by Empress Maud. GENT. MAG. July, 1825. PRESENT |