304 Compendium of County History-Shropshire. At SHIFFNALL died, in 1776, Mary Yates, aged 128. [April, At SHREWSBURY first commenced in this kingdom that terrible disease the Sweating Sickness. April 1, 1774, 50 houses burnt. July 9, 1788, the old Church of St. Chad fell down. In the Abbey church is the monument (re-| moved from old St. Chad's) of Sir Richard Onslow, Speaker of the House of Commons in 1565, ancestor of Sir Richard afterwards Lord Onslow, who was Speaker in 1709, and of Arthur Onslow who was Speaker during the whole│ reign of George II. In St. Alkmond's Church is a finely-painted window by Egginton, emblematic of Evangelical Faith, and the monuments of Sir Thomas Jones, Lord Chief Justice, 1683; and of Thomas Jones, once sheriff of the county, six times bailiff, and the first mayor of the town. In St. Chad's Chancel window is the "Resurrection" by Egginton, removed hither from the East window of Lichfield Cathedral; and in this Church is a tablet for Job Orton, friend and biographer of Doddridge, 1766. In its old Church were buried Rowland Lee, Bishop of Lichfield, 1543, and Thomas Mytton, Parliamentarian General, 1656. In St. Giles's Church-yard is the tomb-stone of John Whitfield, surgeon, with only the inscription "Composita solvuntur." In St. Julian's Church is a window of painted glass, with a large figure of St. James, brought from Rouen. In St. Mary's Church were buried its ejected minister Francis Tallents, author of Chronological Tables, 1708; and Robert Cadman, with a curious poetical epitaph, recording his death in January 1740, by the breaking of a rope, on which he had attempted to descend from the top of its steeple to a field on the other side of the Severn. Among the eminent men educated at the Free-school, were SIR PHILIP SYDNEY; his friend Fulke Greville, Lord Brooke; Lord Chancellor Jefferies; Lord Chief Justices | Jones and Price; Prelates Thomas of Salisbury, and Bowers of Chichester; Dramatist Wycherley; Poet, Ambrose Philips; Antiquary, Clarke; Classical critic, Dr. John Taylor; and Mathematician, Waring. It contains an excel. lent library; a small museum of antiquities, principally Roman, found at Wroxeter; and some natural curiosities. Its present master is Dr. S. Butler, editor of Eschylus. Of the two children taken by the eccentric but amiable Thomas Day, author of "Sandford and Merton," from the Foundling Hospi tal, now House of Industry, in this town, there is a curious and interesting account in Miss Seward's "Life of Darwin." The Quarry-walk by the side of the Severn is one of the finest promenades in the kingdom. The antient Pageant called "Shrewsbury show," is held on the second Monday after Trinity Sunday, but has greatly fallen off in its splendour and attendance. This town has been frequently honoured by Royal visits; in 1490 Henry VII. bis Queen Elizabeth of York, and his son Prince Arthur, attended Mass at a solemu festival at St. Chad's. The last Royal visit was by James II. in 1687. His present Majesty passed through the town in his way to Ross-hall, in 1806. In TONGE Church are many superb monuments, among which are those of Sir Fulk Pembridge and his Lady, who founded the Church in 1410; Sir Henry Vernon, Governor and Treasurer to Arthur Prince of Wales; Sir Richard Vernon, Governor of Calais, and the last person who held the high office of Constable of England for life; and a large tomb of Sir Edward Stanley, with an epitaph written by SHAKSPEARE. The great bell given by the Constable Vernon, is six yards in circumference, and weighs 48 cwt. At WEм, March 3, 1677, the Church, market-house, and 140 dwelling. houses destroyed by fire. Here died in 1784, Mary Jones, aged 110. WENLOCK was represented in Parliament by the poet Isaac Hawkins Browne. In WHITCHURCH Church are monuments of JOHN TALBOT first Earl of Shrewsbury of his family, the valiant Lord Marshall of France, slain at Chastillion with his heroic son Viscount Lisle, in 1453; and of its rector Christopher Talbot, fourth son of John the second Earl. Here also were buried its rector Dr. John Rawlinson, Principal of Edmund Hall, Oxford, and author of "Sermons," 1631; and Nicholas Bernard, Dean of Ardagh 1661. The old Church fell down in 1710. At WOMBRIDGE, died in 1807, Mary Heyward, aged 112. In WROXETER Church are handsome altar-tombs of Sir Thomas Bromley, Lord Chief Justice, 1555; Sir Richard Newport, 1570; Francis first Lord Bradford, 1708; his brother Andrew, 1699; and Thomas Earl of Torrington, 1719. BYRO. Mr. ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY. HE annexed Engravings (see lustrative of the laudable and philanthropic objects of the ROYAL Hu MANE SOCIETY *, No. 1. represents the method adopted by the Society's agents for recovering persons immersed under the ice. The Serpentine River, in Hyde Park, is the scene intended. At the season of the year, when the river is frozen over, ladders and ropes are always in readiness for occasional accidents; and people employed by the Society are constantly on the spot to afford immediate succour. The ladder adapted to the purpose is of considerable length, and united by joints, or hinges, so that each part, united by the joints, can be folded together. When a person is immersed under the water, by the breaking in of the ice, the ladder is instantly slided to the spot, and the end of it, by means of the hinge, falls into the water, or broken part of the ice. One of the assistants then runs along the ladder to the broken place, and stepping down the jointed part, descends into the water. He is thus enabled to raise the exhausted person upon the ladder. Should it unfortunately happen, that the individual has al. ready sunk, or is struggling under the ice, as the annexed design represents, then the Society's assistant immediately introduces a long pole under the ice, with several hooks attached to the end. He feels around until the object of his search is discovered, when he instantly hauls him to the surface of the water. The unhappy man is then placed on the ladder, and the assistants at the other end drag it with ropes to a place of safety. In the back view of the same design appears the Society's principal Receiving House. It is situated on the North side of the Serpentine River, in Hyde Park. The ground upon which it is erected, was liberally presented by his late Majesty to the Directors and Governors, expressly for the benevolent objects to which *They were adopted in the last Annual Report, and the Society have kindly permitted us the use of them. GENT. MAG. April, 1821. it has been devoted. In this house, necessary cation of the resuscitating process is provided, and kept in constant readiness. A bed is fitted up-a warm bath and electrifying machine are in a state of preparation for instant use apparatus and medicine, of every kind, necessary in a case of suspended animation, are deposited there; and, during the bathing season in summer, and the frosts in winter, a medical gentleman attends for the purpose of rendering immediate and effectual assistance on the occurrence of acci dents. Although this is the principal Receiving House, others have been established in the most appropriate and convenient places along the banks of the Thames, in the immediate neighbourhood of dangerous pieces of water, and in various parts of the Metropolis and its vicinity. And to en sure the due and prompt application of the processes and means of the Society, respectable Professional Gentlemen residing near the Receiving Houses, are appointed Medical Assistants. On the outside of all these Receiv ing Houses are placed large and couspicuous boards, announcing their object. These Houses are furnished with drags, poles, and other necessary apparatus; all of which are under the constant superintendance of the Society's Surveyor, and are thus kept in a state of repair and readiness for immediate use in case of accident. The Receiving Houses are not exclusively applicable to the assistance of the Drowned; they may be of frequent use in other cases of sudden or accidental death. Nos. 2. and 3. are copied on wood, by Berryman, from large and valua ble prints, engraved and published in 1787, by Mr. Pollard, from paintings by Robert Smirke, Esq. R. A. No. 2. represents an unfortunate individual reduced to a state of suspended animation, from incautiously venturing too far into the water whilst bathing. The alarm has been given the boat is launched-the bold swimmer dives to the bottom the inanimate body is recovered-but, alas! 306 The Royal Humane Society. alas! the vital spark is apparently extinguished the breath of life for ever fled! The agonized father beholds the corpse of his darling son— the shock is too powerful-the fond and distracted mother is bereft of her senses and the most anxious suspense is strongly pourtrayed in the countenances of all around. The resuscitative process, recommended by the Royal Humane Society, is instantaneously applied. No. 3. is an admirable representation of the young man just recovered from a state of suspended animation, after the resuscitative means have been successfully applied. Dr. Hawes, the original promoter of this godlike Institution, is observed sitting on the bed, supporting the resuscitated youth; whilst Dr. Lettsom is introducing the delighted mother to witness the auspicious scene. The grateful father, transported with joy, is returning thanks to the Supreme Disposer of all events, and every countenance seems to beam with inward delight. The general utility of this Institution has now become so universally known, that it would be superfluous to dwell upon its merits; particularly as its objects have been so frequently noticed in our former Volumes: and we feel considerable satisfaction in stating, that from them a complete History of the Royal Humane Society might be gleaned. The Gentleman's Magazine was the principal organ in giving publicity to its proceedings in its infant state, when the voice of prejudice would have destroyed it in the bud. The Editors have uniformly supported the practicability of its objects, and incessantly endeavoured to promote its interests. They have now the pleasing gratification of beholding it liberally supported by the most illustrious individuals of the realm *, and duly appreciated by the whole world. In referring to our Volume for 1774, we find the following remarks in the Preface so applicable, that we feel pleasure in extracting them verbatim: "From the year 1745 to that of 1763+, His Majesty is Patron, and the Duke of Northumberland the President. "In vol. XXXIII. p. 486, the case of an English sailor, who accidentally fell [April, the Editors of the Gentleman's Magazine have laboured occasionally to recommend to public consideration the possibility of preserving the human species, by extending the medical art to persons under the appearance of sudden death; but it was not till the year 1767, that a few wealthy gentlemen of the city of Amsterdam, struck with the variety of instances in which people falling into the water were lost for want of proper treatment, formed themselves into a society, at their own expense, to attempt the recovery of drowned persons. These gentlemen pursued their design with so much zeal and success, that, in the space of six years, they had the satisfaction to find, that, in not less than 210 cases, drowned persons were recovered by the means pointed out by them, and recommended in the United Provinces by advertisements, and other publications. "The great success of this undertaking, and the advantages accruing from it to the State, soon induced each of the Provinces of the Low Countries to take proper measures for securing the benefit it offered, by enjoining all public persons, over whom their strict rules of police gave them a constant sway, to observe the Society's directions, and to lend their assistance in following them, through their sure, mulets, and punishment. This wor respective districts, upon pain of displeathy Society communicated to us, from time to time, the result of their proceedings; and we, as often as room would permit, co-operated with them, in making known the means used, and the success that attended their laudable endeavours. (See vol. for 1771, p. 512; vol. for 1773, p. 174.) The salutary effects of this Institution remained not confined to the United Provinces. The Boards of Health at Venice, at Milan, and Padua, adopted it the city of Hamburgh did the same: the Empress of Russia countenanced it, and ordered the Dutch publication and instructions to be translated for her dominions: the Empress of Germany, by special edicts and mandates, gave very particular encouragement to the practice: the French have found means to unite it with the particular police of their capital: aud England has, at length, also received it, our Metropolis having now its Society for the Recovery of Drowned Persons, under the sanction of a late first Magistrate." overboard, in the river Douro, in Portagal, and who was taken up without any signs of life, and recovered, is produced as an example to encourage further trials. Many other cases, much more extraordinary, were adduced; but they were then thought so extraordinary, that their reality was doubted." Frederick Bull, Esq. Lord Mayor. |