and the Rev. Mr. Biddulph*, at that time Vicar of Padstow, the aspiring artist was introduced to Mr. Prideaux, and there is an anecdote related in the short memoir prefixed to his Lectures on Painting, which has reference to this excursion.- "One of these expeditions was to Padstow, whither he set forward, dressed as usual in a boy's plain short jacket, and carrying with him all proper apparatus for portrait painting. Here, amongst others, he painted the whole household, even to the dogs and cats, of the ancient and respectable family of Prideaux. He remained so long absent from home, that some uneasiness began to arise on his account; but it was dissipated by his returning dressed in a handsome coat, with very long skirts, laced ruffles, and silk stockings. On seeing his mother, he ran to her, and taking out of his pocket twenty guineas which he had earned by his pencil, he desired her to keep them; adding that in future he should maintain himself." These paintings have the advantage of his country experience, being executed about the year 1780, a short time previous to his departure for London; and, although perhaps void of [Nov, that grace which can only be acquired by an intimate knowledge of the art, they are remarkable for their boldness of effect, simplicity of composition, and inflexible regard to the truth of Nature; and the writer thinks he may venture to affirm that his Padstow productions would not disgrace the high name which he afterwards attained. a The town of Padstow is situated in fertile valley, the eminences around which are clothed with flourishing plantations. The harbour is thas noticed by the Rev. Mr. Warner, in his Tour through Cornwall in the autumn of 1808.-"The beauty of the Harbour, on the western side of which Padstow stands, powerfully arrested our attention. The tide was at flood, and filled the whole of a vast and deep recess, the mouth of which being concealed by the juttings of the land, the expanse assumed the appearance of a noble lake. Had not Nature denied it the general accompaniment of wood, Padstow Harbour would be one of the most majestic objects in Britain. The chief curiosity in the immediate neighbourhood are its rocks, honey-combed into romantic caverns, and resorted to in fine and warm weather for the purposes of pleasure and enjoyment. But in stimulating the ministers of our national church to the more active performance of their sacred functions. The ardent but rational attachment which Mr. Rawlings ever entertained for that church was made only subservient to his well-tempered zeal in the cause of genuine piety; and his warm-hearted benevolence and judicious advice were unremittingly devoted to the interests of the serious clergy in the West of England. The death of the Rev. Mr. Walker of Truro deprived him of an endeared and highly valued friend, but, though the bond of affection was prematurely severed, it left a permanent impression on his mind, and threw a bright colouring over his future life. It is unnecessary to dwell upon the affectionate constancy which he displayed in the tenderer claims of domestic relationship, or upon the gentle manners and unaffected humility which graced his character. The more public sphere of his usefulness was widely extended by his removal from St. Colomb to Padstow about the middle of the last century, to the prosperity of which latter town he contributed in an eminent degree. By Catherine, the daughter of Mr. Warne of St. CoColumb, he left two sons, Thomas Rawlings, esq. since deceased, and the Rev. William Rawlings the present Vicar of Padstow, to whom his valuable collection of books, selected with great judgment, and enriched with approved editions of the Greek and Latin classics, was bequeathed. Amidst the multiplicity of his engagements, "Vacare literis" was to Mr. Rawlings an unfailing source of delight, and those will not readily forget him who have witnessed his intelligent countenance beaming with all the kindlier feelings of our nature, in the seclusion of his library, and in the enjoyment of his literary avocations. Tully beautifully remarks (De Senectute III. 25.) “Aptissima omninò sunt arma senectutis, artes exercitationesque virtutum: quæ in omni ætate culta, cùm multùm diuque vixeris, mirificos efferunt fructus, ne in extremo quidem tempore ætatis deserunt." This sentiment was remarkably exemplified in the closing scene of this excellent man, when the faith of that holy religion which he professed shed its sacred influence over his soul, and amidst extreme bodily infirmity, purified and elevated the soaring spirit to a nearer and more intimate communion with his God. His piety in life had been an active quickening principle of virtue; in death therefore it abounded with consolation; and while friendship and affection mourned their loss, the blessings of the poor and the afflicted followed him to the grave. • The father of the Rev. T. T. Biddulph of Bristol. woe 1825.] Beauties of Padstow Scenery. woe betide the wretched mariners who are involuntarily driven towards them by the blast of the storm! Escape is hopeless their black perpendicular heads frown inevitable destruction on every vessel that approaches them, and seldom does one of the unhappy crew survive to tell the horrors of the shipwreck." After having quoted this passage, the writer is induced to offer a few remarks on a voyage round Great Britain, by Messrs. Daniell and Ayton, a work of considerable pictorial embellishment; this is, however, its only recommendation. As a topographical sketch, there are parts in which misrepresentation is too palpably evident, and where, in the words of poor Sheridan, "the Gentlemen are indebted to their imagination for their facts, and to their memory for their jests."-The descriptions indeed are wonderfully influenced by the entertainment which the residence of the country Gentleman, or the more humble table of the village-inn might afford them, and ill did that place fare which failed to gratify their favoured propensity. No attainment of the pencil can propitiate for the absence of that animated perception of Nature's loveliness so sweetly expatiated on by the bard of Childe Harold: “To sit on rocks, to muse o'er flood and fell, To slowly trace the forest's shady scene, Where things that own not man's dominion dwell, And mortal foot hath ne'er or rarely been; To climb the trackless mountain all unseen, With the wild flock that never needs a fold; Alone o'er steeps and foaming falls to lean; This is not solitude; 'tis but to hold Converse with Nature's charms, and view her stores unroll'd." But even if the beauties of Padstow were converted into spleen by our fastidious voyagers, they might have found in the immediate vicinity a fine illustration of that scenery which they at times profess to admire. Mr. Warner, a gentleman unbiassed by local 413 predilections, in whose well-cultivated mind good temper and genuine feeling richly abound, thus expresses himself.-"An agreeable transition of scenery occurred shortly after we quitted the Kistvaen. The wild unbroken views that had so perpetually recurred, were now changed for close sequestered glens, which the most romantic parts of Devonshire could not have rivalled in beauty. The character of the perfect picturesque may be justly claimed by the village of Little Petherick, where a rude arch thrown over the road, an old mill, an ivied church, and several cottages, sprinkled on a very irregular spot of ground, produced a most striking and lovely effect. The magic of this combination is completed by an exuberance of foliage which breaks the form of the objects, and only partially admits the light." The charm of Little Petherick *, however, has been broken, by the extension of a bridge across the stream, erected a few years since by gratuitous contribution; and although the busy traveller may offer a passing tribute of gratitude to the liberality of the neighbouring gentlemen, and to the praiseworthy exertions of the Rector, yet the writer has sighed in vain for the bubbling brook and the rugged bridge; for the romantic mill, and the venerable ivy-mantled arch; all distributed in such happy unison, and imparting an interest so indescribable to the scene; and often has he felt inclined to exclaim like the lyric poet of old to his much-loved retreat, "O rus, quando ego te aspiciam!" Δ. Nov. 3. BOOK has lately made its appearance, called a History of Chivalry," in which the author, in his generalizing system, is lavish in his abuse of the study of costume. As is usually the case where the feeling is in reality at variance with the doctrine avowed, notwithstanding an attempt to deride detail in such matters, where The village of Little Petherick is situated in the fertile manor of Ide, the royalties of which extend over several estates in the parishes of St. Jessey, St. Breock, St. Eval, St. Ervan, and Padstow. It was formerly part of the lands of the late Thomas Rawlings, esq. but is now the property of John Paynter, esq. of Blackheath, Kent, who married a daughter of that gentleman. The pinnacles of the church, and probably some other parts of the edifice, were brought from the old chapel of St. Cadoc near Padstow, where there was formerly a considerable village. the 414 On some Arabic Paintings at Grenada. the author fancies he has discovered a new fact, he is curiously minute. The passage which has called forth these observations is the following: "In a pictorial representation of a tournament at Grenada, between Moorish and Christian knights, the former are drawn with the broad shovel shoes of their country, while the latter have long pointed toes, like the cavaliers of the North. See Murphy's Arabian Antiquities of Spain." Now there are but three paintings copied in Murphy's work, Plates XLII. XLIII. and XLIV. not one of which represents a tournament. The first of these seems to be referred to, and that is evidently commemorative of some legend. A lady, who has a lion chained sleeping at her feet, and holds the chain in her hand, is seized by a savage hairy man, from whom she appears to be rescued by a Spanish knight bearing on his shield three birds; he having thrust his spear into the chest of the monster. In another part of the picture this same knight is encountered by an Arab, who plunges his lance into his body. Instead then of there being Moorish and Christian knights, there appears but one of each; and as to the broad shovel shoes, if worn, which I doubt, they are invisible, owing to the broad stirrups which Mr. Mills seems to have mistaken for them. These paintings have given rise to much difference of opinion in travellers, as to whether they should be attributed to the Moors or Spaniards. Swinburne inclines to the latter opinion, and gives as his reason the anathema denounced by the Koran against all representation of animated beings, He concludes that they were executed by some Spanish artist soon after the conquest of Grenada. Murphy on the other hand observes, that "it is well known that the Spanish-Arab Kalifs disregarded this prohibition. The lions which support the celebrated fountain that bears their name are a proof full in point; and in addition to this evidence, we know that one khalif (Abdurrahman III.) placed the statue of a favourite mistress over the magnificent palace which he had erected for her use; while others, in defiance of the Prophet's mandate, caused their [Nov images to be stamped on their coins. There is therefore every reason to believe, that the paintings in question are really the work of an Arabian artist." To decide this point nothing is requisite but an acquaintance with costume; for the painters of old times invariably represented the events they intended to commemorate in the garb of their own day, no matter when they might have happened. This very instance, therefore, is a proof of the value of such a study as the true art of verifying dates. Now the habiliments of the Christian knight are precisely those of the time of Edward the Third, while his military belt has on it an Arabic inscription. This and the other paintings are at the extremity of the Court of Lions, and contiguous to the apartments occupied by the Curate of the Alhamṛā, in the ceiling of a recess. Murphy says, "they are finished with a considerable degree of strength, and much stiffness prevails in the figures and countenances." Plate XLIII. is from another of these paintings, and exhibits a knight in the same Spanish costume of the time of our Edward III. but without the Arabic inscription on the girdle, in the act of transpiercing a lion; and Plate XLIV. shows a horseman in a mixture of Arabic and Spanish dress, killing a wild boar. That apartment of the Alhamrā, called the Hall of the Abencerrages, is ornamented with figured tiles, glazed, having in their centres a shield of the precise form of Edward the Third's time, bearing an heraldic bend, on which is an Arabic sentence implying "None can conquer but through God;" and one of these is in my possession. done by a Spanish artist on the conNow if these paintings had been quest of Grenada, we should have met with indications of the period of our Henry VII. instead of that of Edward III. But Pedraza tells us that the Alhamra was enlarged and beautified by King Abal Uexis about the year 1336, which, by giving the same date as the costume, decides the question in favour of the Arabian artists. Yours, &c. S. R. M. COMPENDIUM 1825,] Compendium of County History.-Worcestershire. 415 Boundaries, North, Staffordshire and Shropshire: East, Warwickshire: South, Province, Canterbury; Diocese, Worcester; Tenbury in Hereford diocese; ANTIENT STATE. British Inhabitants, Cornavii or Dobuni. Saxon Octarchy. Mercia. Antiquities. British Encampments of Clent Hill; and near Four Shire-stone. Roman Encampments of Bredon; Kemsey (of considerable strength); Malvern-hills; Witchbury-hill; and Woodbury-hill (either Roman or Saxon). Danish Encampments of Conderton-hill, in Overbury; Iccomb. Abbeys, of Bordesley (founded by Empress Maud in 1138); Evesham (founded by Egwin Bp. of Wiccia in 709); Pershore (founded by Egelward Duke of Dorset, about 604); Worcester, St. Mary's (founded ante 743). Priories, of Astley (founded by Ralph de Todeni in 1160); Blockley (founded ante 855); Bredon (founded by Eanwolfus King of Mercia); Dodford (founded temp. John); Kemsey (founded ante) 799; Little Malvern (founded by Jocelin and Edred, brethren and dominicans, in 1171); Great Malvern (founded by Aldewine in 1083); Wicton (founded by Peter de Corbizon, alias Studley, temp. Henry I. or Stephen); and Westwood (founded temp. Ric. II). Nunneries, of Claines called Whitstane (founded by Walter de Cantelupe, Bp. of Worcester); Cokehill (founded in 1260, by Isabella Countess of Warwick *). Churches, of Alvechurch; Astley; Bredon; Chaddesley Corbet; Church Lench (all Saxon remains); DROITWICH; Eastham (Saxon remains); EVESHAM, All Saints (erected 13th century); Great Malvern (Saxon nave); Holt (the most complete specimen of Norman Architecture in this county); Kidderminster; Leigh; Naunton Beauchamp (built by Urso d'Abitot the Norman); Northfield; Pedmore (curious sculpture over Saxon door); Ribbesford; Rock (Saxon); Stockton (Norman remains); Stoke Prior; WORCESTER, St. Alban (originally erected by the Saxons); St. Andrew (erected 11th century); St. Clement (Saxon_edifice). Chapels, of Bordesley (belonged to the Abbey, and still entire); Bredon (in ruins); another dedícated to St. Katharine of the Rock (founded by Richard de Michgros, temp. Henry III.); Cokehill (belonged to the Nunnery); DROITWICH, on the bridge; Hallowe; Frankley; KIDDERMINSTER (now changed to a Free School); King's Norton; Knighton (part Saxon); Linch; Newland (framed with timber like many antient buildings); Trimpley (no remains); Wittenton (very ancient); Wollashul (totally destroyed). Stone Pulpit at Worcester Cathedral (of very beautiful workmanship). Fonts, of Chaddesley Corbet; Eastham. Castles, of Bengeworth (belonged to the Beauchamps, no remains); Castle Morton; Elmley (the earliest settlement of the family of Beauchamp); Hagley (probably erected by Henry IV. in 1401); Hanley (the residence of the Nevills' Dukes of Warwick); Hartlebury (begun by Bp. Cantelupe and embattled by Bp. Gifford, temp. Henry III.); Holt (built by Urso A charter, however, exists as early as 1198. d'Abitot, 416 Compendium of County History.-Worcestershire. [Nov d'Abitot, temp. Wm. I.); KIDDERMINSTER, called Caldwell (probably erected by Henry IV. in 1401); Weoly; WORCESTER (built by Urso d'Abitot, about 1088). Caves of Malvern; Upton (discovered in 1787). PRESENT STATE AND APPEARANCE. Rivers. Avon; Arrow; Ledden; Rhea; Salwarp; SEVERN; Stour; Teme. Inland Navigation. Droitwich canal (planned by the self-taught Brinley); Dudley extension canal, joining the Dudley canal near Netherton; Leominster canal; Staffordshire canal; Stourport canal; and Worcester and Birmingham canal. Eminences and Views. Abberley Hills, seen from every part of the county ; Areley Church, as fine a prospect as any in the county; Aylesborough, pleasing though confined views; Blackstone rocks; Broadway hills; Bredon hill, 900 feet high, fine view of Evesham vale; Cleeve Prior, extremely picturesque scenery; Clent hills, affording some pleasing prospects; Cliftonupon-Teme, decked with all the beauties of the most picturesque woods and hills, for which the course of that rapid river is remarkable; Croome court; Cropthorne; Farnham abbey; Hampton; Kyre park; Malvern hills, 1313 feet above the Severn, "beyond the power of an Antiquary to describe the beautiful prospects, &c. ;" Madresfield; Spring grove; Stagbury hill, fine bird's eye view of the river, forming a picturesque range of scenery; Stanford Court, extensive and delightful views; Winterdyne, a charming view of the Severn and its romantic scenery; Witchbury hills rising in three beautiful swells; Woodbury hill; Worcester bridge, a beautiful view of the Malvern hills. Natural Curiosities. Abberton wells, little, if at all inferior to Epsom; Bredon chalybeate spring; Bromsgrove chalybeate spring, and petrifying well; Churchill mineral water; Droitwich salt springs; Hallow-park chalybeate spring; Kidderminster, dropping well and two mineral springs; Malvern, St. Anne and Holy wells; Upper Areley, sulphuric spring discovered in 1795 by Dr. Johnstone of Worcester; Worcester chalybeate spring discovered in 1816. Public Edifices. Bellbroughton School. Bengeworth Free School, founded by John Deacle, esq. in 1709. BEWDLEY Bridge; Free Grammar School, founded by James I.; Town-hall; Broomsgrove Free Grammar School, founded by Edward VI. Dudley Free Grammar School, founded in 1562 by Thomas Wattewood and Mark Bysmor of London. EVESHAM Bridge, over the Avon, part erected as early as 1374; Free Grammar School, founded by Abbot Litchfield in 1546, re-founded by Henry VIII.; Town-hall. Feckenham Free School, founded in 1611 by James I.; School founded by Sir Thos. Cookes, bart. founder of Worcester Coll. Oxford. Hartlebury Free Grammar School, foundation not known, but ante 1400, re-founded by Elizabeth. KIDDERMIN STER Free Gramınar School, founded by Charles I. in 1637; Town-hall, containing the prison underground, market on ground floor, and council-room principal story. King's Norton Grammar School, founded by Edward VI. Martley Free Grammar School, founded ante 1579. Pedmore Free School, founded about 1699, by Thomas Foley, esq.; Rock Grammar School, founded by Edward VI. Stourbridge Free Grammar School, founded by Edward VI. 1553. Stourport Bridges, one built in 1775, and one of iron. Swinford Hospital or School, founded by Thos. Foley, esq. ob. 1677. Tenbury Bridge, over the Teme, of six arches. Wolverley Free Grammar School, founded by Wm. Seabright, by will, dated 1620. WORCESTER, Berkeley's Hospital, endowed temp. Wm. III. by Judge Berkeley; Bridge opened 1781; Charity Schools, founded by Bishop Lloyd in 1713; City gaol, formerly House of Grey Friars; College or King's School, founded in 1541-2 by Henry VIII.; County prison, erected 1809; Free Grammar School, founded by Elizabeth in 1561; Guildhall, a handsome edifice built in 1721-3; House of Industry, delightfully situated, built 1794; lufirmary, established 1745, built 1767; Market-house opened 1804; Moore's Hospital, founded by Anne, sister of Judge Berkeley; St. Oswald's Hospital of very ancient foundation, built and endowed by Thomas Haynes, 1682; Subscription Free School, erected 1810; Theatre; Trinity Hospital endowed by Queen Elizabeth. S. T. (To be continued.) |