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will become a complete but uninteresting ruin.

We were shewn over the house by an intelligent woman, who lives in a cottage in the grounds, and who had been house-maid to Lord Rokeby during the last five years of his life. She related many interesting particulars of her old inaster-who having been dissuaded in early life from a marriage with a widow, and this widow, burthened with seven children, devoted himself to a life of celibacy and retirement; not that he wholly secluded himself from society: he received his friends and neighbours very hospitably, but never returned their visits. He was in the habit of attending the market at Hythe, for the purpose of buying and selling cattle, of which he was a good judge; and sometimes went to Canterbury, and to Maidstone: on which occasions he hired a postchaise, though he usually accompanied the chaise on foot, being a great walker.

During the last twenty years of his life he let bis beard grow long, as seen in the engraving; while his long white hair, floating on his back and shoulders, gave him a patriarchal, venerable, but very extraordinary appearance. He seldom wore a hat; but always carried one, of antique form, under his arm; and he is said to have looked singularly ill with a hat on. His coat, of good fine cloth, was old fashioned. His waistcoat, of swan-down, without a back; with tapes to keep it up. His stockings were of coarse yarn, without feet, excepting enough to cover the heels, and thereby prevent the stocking from riding up. His shoes were of thin leather, with remarkably thick soles; and so very long, that they never could have kept on, had they not come up very high.

Lord Rokeby had long given up the use either of bed or body linen. He wore flannel shirts with sleeves, to which were tacked the old-fashioned appendage of ruffles. He changed them three times a week. He slept in the very finest new blankets; which were changed every three weeks in Summer, and every six weeks in Winter. They then were washed and passed to the servants beds as required; their old blankets being distributed amongst his poor. He always washed in salt water, never using any kind of

soap, and dried himself with a flannel towel. He was very fond of bathing; and used to remain very long in a cold bath, in a grove near the house. He rose at five; and passed much of his time out of doors-beginning the day by drinking some water from a favourite spring near the house, fetching it himself, or watching the servant who went for it, that he might be sure of its freshness. Latterly, his breakfast consisted of beef-steaks; of which he was very fond. He never tasted beer, wine, tea, or coffee, but frequently drank milk. He dined at four-took his meals standing, at a very small round table, just large enough for one dish, and one plate; it was about three feet high, and was covered by a table-cloth of unbleached linen; he used wooden trenchers, a very common knife, silver threepronged forks; never eat either pepper, salt, vinegar, or mustard; disliked boiled meat, and vegetables of all kinds; preferred steaks, game, poultry, and beef-tea.

He would frequently in Winter go into the kitchen, a very small, indifferent one, while the servants were at tea; desire them not to disturb themselves-listen to their chat-sometimes fall asleep-and indeed remain so long, that they desirous of going to bed, made noises to awaken him. He preserved his sight to the last; had a keen and penetrating eye; latterly he became rather deaf; and when out of humour pretended to be more so; peevishly saying, he could not hear. His establishment consisted of three men and three maids. The butler lived forty-two years with him. Lord Rokeby had a rooted dislike to bank-notes; and always paid servants in guineas, constantly expressing fears, that the next time he must pay them in paper. At his death much gold was found in his possession.

his

One of his brothers generally paid him an annual visit; but though on excellent terms with his family, it always seemed a restraint on Lord Rokeby; and before the fortnight or three weeks was over, he became fractious, as the maid said, and to those used to his ways, evidently uneasy: and as if relieved from a weight, when Mr. Morris quitted him.

His death was occasioned by a mortification in his foot. He suffered much pain-sent for many physicians,

but

but never followed their directions. He had occasionally suffered much from the tape-worm during the earlier part of his long life.

Monument. Parliament, we have heard, has it in contemplation to vote 200,000l. for the erection of a fabrick, which may be a permanent memorial of British glory. Sir William Scott, says Fame, proposes that LLOW me to request insertion of the money be expended upon a grand ALLOW meto request inhe Gover edifice in Waterlee Place, whither the

Mr. URBAN,

Jan. 9.

nors of Christ's Hospital, relative to the Rev. William Hetherington's Charity to the Blind established in 1774: as it will remove some erroneous reports which have lately been circuÏated.

PHILO.

"Whereas the above-named Gentleman (the Rev. W. Hetherington) in his life-time, enabled the Governors of this Hospital to pay annuities of 107. to each of 50 blind persons, in the hope that his example would be followed by other benevolent characters, the Governors give this public notice, that from the very munificent additions made to Mr. Hether

ington's original fund, by deed of gift, and by will, they are now enabled to extend the annuity to upwards of 500 persons.

"The Governors give this public no tice, that from the 7th of October to the 3d of November, in every year, they are ready to issue from the Counting-house of the Hospital, upon the personal application of a friend *, petitions for any blind persons duly qualified.

"The leading qualifications are stated hereunder; and unless the parties can respectively prove themselves strictly within them, the applications in their behalf will be entirely fruitless:

"Birth in England, to the exclusion of Wales and Berwick-upon Tweed.

"Age, 50 years, and upwards. "Residence, three years in their present abode; and total blindness during that period.

"Those who have ever begged, received alms, or are deemed objects for parish relief, are excluded from the benefit of these charities, which are intended

for those who have been reputably brought up, and who want some addition to what they have, to make life more comfortable under the misfortune of blindness.'

"THOMAS WILBY, Clerk."

Jan. 10.
Mr. URBAN,
IT has been rumoured, and is ge-

Scott has suggested an admirable idea concerning the proposed National

*"From the great extent of this Charity it is found impracticable to attend to letters."

British Museum shall be removed,
and which shall include also a grand
Temple or Gallery of our trophies,
acquired in the late war, &c. &c.
Possibly there cannot exist a doubt,
but that the site of the present British
Museum would bring a large sum for
a new square and streets; and for the
necessity of such removal, it has been
stated, that the building at present is
insecure from the bulk and weight of
the articles contained in it, and the
large crowds who daily frequent it.
However this may be, it is impossible
not to feel gratitude to Sir William
Scott for the suggestion. It would
combine both utility and ornament ;
and the addition of the Museum would,
as it were, be a permanent biographi-
cal account of the thing and its in-
tention.
B. C.D.

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from which all labouring families in
the country may at any time procure
themselves a ready supply of animal
food, a moderate daily proportion
of money, and at the same time ren-
der a general good to the crops of
their neighbours.-We too frequent-
ly pass over the means which Pro-
vidence has put in our way for our
preservation, and at the same time,
unjustly repine at not possessing them;
whereas, did not laziness or want of
thought destroy our energies, we
should perceive that the Supreme Be-
ing has provided more for our wants
than by properly appropriating we
are willing to admit. Of this kind is
the one in question. It must have
excited the attention of others, as
well as myself, to see at this time
of the year, and for two months pre-
ceding, the immense and numerous
flocks of sparrows that during and
after the harvest infest the different
crops, to the great annoyance of the
farmer; now, Sir, I have purchased
a few of these birds, and have par-
taken of some excellent soup made
from them, and can affirin, that I
never ate better nor finer flavoured:
it is to this I wish to draw your atten-
tion. It may be said, that a labour-
ing man cannot find time to obtain
them; be it so, but his children can,
and if he has no children and can
work, he is not one who ought to
receive charity in these days. To em-
ploy the many little beings that rush
out of every poor cottage as a
stranger passes, is, I conceive, a mat-
ter of much moment; since it will
instil a desire to be industrious, and
inspire a partial independence when
they are able to provide for them-
selves. Children are seldom chid for
catching birds for sale, and often to
become the sport of their wanton
cruelty. Encourage the sesame chil-
dren to entrap them for food, and
you will then stimulate their inge-
Quity. Recollect also, Mr. Urban,
what only an additional sixpence is
thought of by the deserving poor
when they apply to a Workhouse for
relief; then why not be taught to
save that sum when they can, and thus
double the bounty. Again, there is an
Act which an old magistrate has in
formed me he has acted upon, which
obliges (remember, Sir, it is not mat-
ter of choice, but obligation) Over-
seers to pay to every and any person

a given sum per dozen or score for these birds when brought to them; and they, the Overseers, are then only allowed to retain their heads, the remaining part of the birds being still the property of the party receiving the bounty; thus then, is there another door open for making a little addition to their share of animal food, and a means offered them for additional gain. Trifling as it may appear at first sight, it will cease to be so on reflection; and I hope sincerely to find some good people, who wish to urge the idle to industry, recommending a plan which at first may be treated with ridicule, but ultimately crowned with success. The hours which are best adapted for taking these birds, are those when labour is over; and surely it would be less detrimental to a poor man's health to repair with his folding nets, or any other ingenious means, to the hedges and stacks, than ruin his health and his family at the door of the pot-house. If he takes but a score each night, and is allowed by the parish officers only two pence per score, he gains one shilling a week in money, and makes each day as much good soup as will serve three people, with bread in addition; for six birds will make a pint of very good soup, together with a few vegetables. Thus he will save at least two shillings a week more, even without employing his children; and he can, I am quite sure, dispose of the birds to many neighbouring families when he is inclined to change his diet, which of course must be expected occasionally. Indeed the plan seems to me so feasible, that I shall not offer any additional apology for troubling you with it.

Yours, &c. HENRY THOMPSON, Surgeon, Apothecary, &c. attending the Poor.

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N reading the Review of "A Churchman's Answer to Religio Clerici," vol. LXXXVIII. ii. p. 344. I was struck very forcibly with the coincidence not only of ideas, but also of modes of expression, that subsists between the Reviewer and myself, respecting the new-fangled Associations that have lately been formed in this country, and more particularly those denominated " Bible Societies."

In a Letter which I wrote to a friend, about two months ago, after commending his mode of doing good-silent, steady, uniform, and unostentatious and contrasting it with those wild and extravagant schemes of philanthropy and benevolence, that so much abound in our days; I adverted to "Bible Societies," and the noise and commotion which they had so generally excited, and then added as follows:

"Having completely succeeded (as I think I am warranted in saying) in my engagement, by the help of Providence, to detect and put down that most insolent and unprincipled Quaker, Joseph Lancaster, with his noisy party and seditious adherents; -I would now, with equal pleasure and confidence of success, undertake by

the same aid to write down what are termed Bible Societies,' were it not that I fear to offend, or shock the feelings of those numerous, worthy, and pious, but weak and credulous persons, who, according to custom, have become the dupes of a crafty, insidious faction; and who, in the warmth of their zeal, might be tempted to charge me with impiety and blasphemy; as despising that which is good, and as labouring to oppose the spread of the Bible,' and the promulgation of the blessed Gospel.'

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“But while I most solemnly and utterly disclaim all views of this nature, and every thing bordering thereon, or tending thereto; while my soul abhors and shudders at the bare idea of such imputations;-still, I can, in the language of truth and soberness, although with a mixed emotion of indignation and sorrow, take upon me to affirm, that, in the present day, The Spread of the Bible' is, with wicked and designing men of all descriptions, merely the specious pretence and the significant war-hoop of Sectarism, just as Liberty and Reform are of Jacobinism — and that the connexion between one and the other is much closer than those virtuous and good men, who have been cheated and imposed upon, can well imagine. Let such persons, however, beware. Let them recollect, that, when it serves his purposes, even Satan himself can be present among "The sons of God." Let them consider-for the fact is established; that, in all ages,

it bath ever been the deepest policy of a villain, to counterfeit Religion.

"As to those trumpery, farcical,and pantomimical exhibitions that are daily played off in London, and too frequently in the country-in churches or playhouses, alehouses or mansionhouses, prisons or shambles, barns or booths-no matter where-which attract all the idle, silly women of the vicinity, who have no children to attend, nor any stockings to darn at home; and all the equally idle and silly inen, who happened rather to prefer, or to judge themselves more at home in a lounge of this description, than one in Bond-street or the contiguous Mall-the actors and exhibitors, all the while, as idle, if not as simple as themselves;-these very ridiculous displays, I say, with the infinity of whimsically odd and quaint novel denominations, such as branch, district, parent, penny-week, auxiliary, &c. &c. which these religious coxcombs give to their associations— not forgetting the never wanting, never varying finale of clamorous begging upon every occasion-are rather to be bantered than reasoned

against-or, considered, at best, in the light of flebile ludibrium, may serve to blend the sigh of concern with the smile of contempt, in the breasts of all judicious, reflecting, and truly pious men.

"But Jam satis.

Oh! miseras hominum mentes! Oh! pectora cæca!"

Thus far my Letter to my Friend, Mr. Urban, which I submit to you as supplementary to Mr. B.'s Review, and as declaratory of my own sentiments on the subject to which the Review relates. Yours, &c.

Mr. URBAN,

ΤΗ

ALPHA.

Oct. 5.

HE following Entry, copied from a leaf of an old pocket-book may be thought applicable at the distance of 99 years:

"In 1719 it was a very dry somer, and the drought begun before May-day, and did hold till the 5th day of November, and then it rained all day, and there was a big bellied cow was somered with Will Chaplin, and she cost 21 shillings, and at Micklemas was sold for 8 shillings, and calv'd at Martlemas after." Yours, &c.

A TRAVELLER.

Mr.

I

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SEND you a View of the handsome Tower of Beminster Chapel, Dorsetshire (see the Frontispiece to the present Volume), drawn by the accurate pencil of Mr. J. Buckler, F.S.A. The Chapel is dedicated to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and is dependent on the mother Church of Netherbury.

Bea inster Chapel is a handsome, though not splendid building. It consists of a body with North and South ailes, a chancel, with an aile or chapel attached to the North side, a porch on the South side of the body, and a magnificent tower at the West end. This tower is the chief object of admiration. It is near 100 feet high, and extremely well proportioned, consisting of three stories, with double buttresses at the angles, enriched with niches towards the basement, and terminating with small angular shafts, which do not rise above the battlements, but originally supported pinnacles. At the North-west angle is an octagonal stair-case turret. The West-front of the tower exhibits a design and variety of decoration peculiarly handsome. In the basement story is a plain, heavy-pointed door, and a large window, the tra cery of which has been altered in the head of the arch. A band or cornice of enriched quatrefoils extends round the fronts and sides of the tower at the springing of the arch of the door; and a similar cornice above the window divides the stories. The second or middle story contains a small square window, having over it a large niche with smaller ones containing figures at the sides; beneath, an elegant niche and detached pannels and pinnacles, which form altogether a very handsome design. In each side of the upper story are two lofty windows; above which are the cornice and battlements, the latter containing perforated quatrefoils.

The tower contains eight bells, and a clock and chimes.

It may be remarked that this tower bears a great resemblance to the towers of Somersetshire Churches ; and being contiguous to that county, it is very probable that if it did not owe its extreme beauty to the cause which raised so many noble and-magGENT. MAG. January, 1819.

nificent structures in the neighbourhood, it was built at that period *.

The font is very ancient, and resembles a peculiar kind of Saxon capital, the bason part being square, ornamented with four arched pannels on each side, and sloping to a circular shaft and base.

For the numerous epitaphs in the Chapel, I must refer your Readers to the new and much improved edition of Irutchins's "History of Dorsetshire," vol. 1. p. 452. Yours, &c. N. R. S.

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your last Number, “A Native of Cornwall" is surprised to observo that Trelawny, the seat of Sir Henry Trelawny, bart. is omitted in the Compendium of the History of Cornwall: "This most ancient and respectable family not being mentioned is unaccountable. It is extraordinary that Bishop Buller should be named, and his grandfather, Sir Jonathan Trelawny, omitted, absolutely one of the Seven Bishops."-Trelawny-house is inserted among the "Seats,” and “Sir Jonathan Trelawny, Bishop of Winchester, in the " Biography" of Cornwall.

In your Number for last June, "Biographicns," who obligingly rectifies an error in the "Peerage," adds, "In the Biography the writer omits Jeremy Taylor, Bp. of Down and Connor, who was a native of Cambridge." "Jeremy Taylor, Bp. of Down and Connor," is inserted in the “Biography" of " Cambridge +."

Most probably your two Correspondents have merely read the Addenda to the Counties of Cornwall and Cambridge, without taking the trouble of looking at the original summaries.

I feel persuaded that there must be many inaccuracies and occasional omissions in all the Compendiums, and particularly in the "Seats," from the constant change of proprietors, by death, sale, or otherwise. Being fond of the subject, I was desirous of entering into it; but, owing to my dis

* In 1503, a legacy was given towards building the new tower here, which probably marks its age.

+ See vol. LXXXVI. ii. 415, 507.

tance

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