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1821:]

FLU

Account of Flitton Church, Bedfordshire.

Mr. URBAN, Woburn, Feb. 6. PLITTON is a small village in the county of Bedford, about three miles from the town of Ampthill. It was anciently called Flictham, and Fleet, and gives its name to the Hun. dred and Deanery in which it is situated.

The Parish Church, of which I send a drawing, (see Plate I.) is not remarkable for its architecture or antiquity; but has become celebrated as the place of sepulture of the noble family of Grey, who possessed the now, unhappily, extinct title of Duke of Kent. It consists of a nave, with North and South ailes, separated by six pointed arches, springing from elegant clustered columns. The tower at the West end is lofty, and wellproportioned, with a large turret at the South-east angle, and contains four bells and a clock. The Clerestory has six windows, with a turret at the East end. The Church, both internally and externally, is much out of repair. The Font is plain and octagonal, with rude carvings of flowers and armorial shields underneath: on the South side of the altar is a piscina. There are some slight remains of painted glass in the upper part of two or three of the aisle windows; but they are too insignificant for notice. The corbels are carved, grotesque, and grim." The arch opening into the tower differs from the others, being very plain, with semi-octagonal columns: over the entrance into the Chancel, the Royal Arms are painted in fresco, but much faded; above are the initials A. R. i. e. ANNA REGINA, and underneath, "Semper eadem." On the North side of the nave hangs a hatchment, with the motto, "nec cupias, nec metuas."- In the Church are several modern tablets, and some tombs of a more antient date, with brasses. On the second pillar on the South, is a tablet, commemorative of Bartholomew Gate, gent. who died in 1684, æt. 78, and had been 40 years "Gentleman Usher" to Annabella Countess Dowager of Kent. Within the altar rails is the tomb, with the effigies in brass, of Thomas Hill, who died April 2, 1601, aged 101, receiver-general to "three worthy Earls of Kent," Reginald, Charles, and Henry:-above is his -GENT. MAG. May 1821.

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coat of arms, and underneath the following lines:

"Aske how he lived, and you shall know
his end,

He died a saint to God, to poore a friend.
These lines men know doth truly of him

story,

Whom God hath called, and seated now in glory."

In the same part of the Church are interred three of the Grey family. Of the Monumental Chapels, one is collateral with the Chancel, and separated by an iron gate, under an arch: this was erected upwards of 200 years ago, but has been since modernized. Four others are of Grecian architecture, with semicircular arches and pilasters, and were erected (as it appears from an inscription in the centre one), and the chancel altered, by Henry Duke of Kent, A. D. 1701. The windows are in that non-descript style sometimes called Modern Gothic.

In the first Chapel are four monuments; the first, that of the Lady Jane Hart, daughter of John Evelyn, esq. of Godtone, Surrey, wife and relict of Sir Eustace Hart, and formerly of Sir Anthony Ben. This monument was erected by her daughter Annabella Countess Dowager of Kent, She died in 1671, aged 83.-Her character is pourtrayed in a long eulogium, which in the quaint style of the times, affirms that she will rise "one of the most glorious pieces of the resurrection." Beneath is a female figure of white marble, in an attitude of grief.

The next is that of Lady Elizabeth Talbot, Countess Dowager of Kent, second daughter and coheiress of Gilbert Earl of Shrewsbury; she died at "hir house in Whitefriers," Dec. 7, 1651. The third is that of Henry Earl of Kent, Lord Hastings Weisford, and Ruthin, Lord Lieutenant of Bedford; the founder of this Chapel, who died Jan. 31, 1614; and Mary bis wife, daughter of Sir Robert Cotton, of Combermere, in the county of Chester, and relict of Robert Earl of Derby, who died Nov. 16, 1680, and was buried at Great Gaddesden in Hertfordshire. On this are two fine old recumbent figures in red marble, with robes, ruffs, and coronets, their bauds joined in the attitude of prayer. Above Ismaloy woì are

2:8) make dai 28 12 ore agbist

394

Monuments of the Grey Family at Flitton.

are the family arms, with the motto, "Foy est tout."

The last has also two recumbent figures, in white marble, with full robes and coronets, and four smaller ones at the corners of the tablet above. The first represents Justice with her balance; the second, with a serpent in her hand, and her eyes uplifted, is Immortal Wisdom; the third, leaning on a broken Corinthian column, is Patience, or Fortitude; the fourth, with a broken vessel, and in a distressed attitude, is Charity. -This monument commemorates Henry Earl of Kent, &c. &c. who died in 1651, and Annabella his wife, by whom it was erected.

On the floor of this Chapel are the tombs of Henry Grey Earl of Kent, who died 1729, and Charles his brother, also Earl of Kent, who died 1723; and an antient tomb, with the effigies in brass of a man in armour, having a sheathed sword in his left hand, but the inscription is obliterated. Behind one of the pillars of Lady Elizabeth Talbot's monument is an old two-edged sword, and a rusty iron gauntlet.

In the central Chapel are the monuments of the Lady Annabell de Grey, eldest daughter of Henry Duke of Kent, who married John Lord Glenorchy, eldest son of the Earl of Breadalbane, and died July 20, 1718, leaving one son, and one daughter, afterwards Marchioness de Grey and also that of Aune de Grey, her sister, who married Lord Charles Cavendish, and died Sept. 20, 1733. Both are executed in black, white, and grey marble, and ornamented nearly in a similar manner.

In the North Chapel are three monuments. The first has a noble sarcophagus of black marble, resting on claws; on which reclines the effigies, in a Roman dress, of Anthony de Grey, commonly called Earl of Har rold, created Baron Lucas of Crudwell, who married Lady Mary Tufton, daughter of the Earl of Thaget, and died 1723. The next is that of Henrietta de Grey, third daughter of Henry Duke of Kent, who died Jan. 4, 1716-17, aged 14. On this is sculp tured a youthful form, with a pleas ing and innocent countenance, looking up to Heaven; in her hand is a book, resting on a cushion: above is

[May,

a pyramid, crowned with an urn, and encircled with a wreath of flowers. The third is dedicated to the memory of Henry de Grey, son of the Duke of Kent, who died Dec. 4, 1717, in the 21st year of his age. His effigy is in a loose dress. Above is a pyramid, similar to the last, with a wreath of flowers most minutely and beautifully sculptured. In the same Chapel is a neat urn of white marble, on a pedestal of Purbec stone, to the memory of the Lady Gregory, daughter to the same Duke of Kent.

The South Chapel has only one monument, that of Philip Earl of Hardwicke, who died May 16, 1790, erected by his wife Jemima, Marchioness of Grey and Baroness Lucas, who died Jan. 11, 1797. On this is a beautiful figure in white marble, leaning against an urn. In her coun tenance deep grief is inimitably depicted, nor can the exquisite flowings of her drapery fail to command the delighted attention of every beholder.

In the last Chapel, to the East, is one large monument of white and veined marble. In the centre is a sarcophagus of dark marble, nearly similar to the former. On this is the recumbent effigies of Henry de Grey Duke of Kent, in his full robes, with his peer's cap in his hand. By Queen Anne he was created Marquis and Duke of Kent, Lord Chamberlain, Knight of the Garter, and Lord Lieutenant of Bedford and Hereford. He was one of the regents named by George I.; afterwards appointed Lord Privy Seal, and to a variety of other offices. By George II. he was created Marquis Grey. He erected a magoificent town house, and laid out the gardens of Wrest. His character is recorded in terms of high eulogium.

On the right is the effigy of his first wife, Jemima, daughter and coheiress of Lord Crewe, who died July 27, 1728.

On the left is a tablet commemorating his second wife, Sophia, daughter of William Lord Portland, who died June 14, 1748; and underneath that of her daughter, Anna-Sophia, who married the Rev. John Egerton, successively Bishop of Bangor, Lichfield and Coventry, and Durham, and died Nov. 21, 1748.

1821.]

Silsoe, and Wrest Park.-Gardiner Family.

In the Parish of Flitton, about one mile from the Church, is the antient hamlet of SILSOE, formerly Silversho, and a town of some size and consequence, having a market on Tuesdays, granted to Ralph Fitz Richard, A.D. 1319. This has long been disused, and it has now dwindled to a small but neat village. It has still two fairs annually, May 12 and Sept. 21. A national school has been established, and a good school-house erected by the Countess de Grey, and received into the connection of the Bedfordshire National Society. Here is a Chapel of Ease, dedicated to St. James. A double tier of three plain pointed arches, resting on low octagonal columns, divides it into a nave and two side ailes, with clerestory windows, and the chancel at the East end. The interior is very neat; a handsome gallery has been erected parallel with the whole West end, and the pews have been painted, &c. The altar-piece is well wainscoted, and has a painting representing the "Adoration of the Shepherds," the production of Mrs. Mary Lloyd, and presented by her to the Chapel. Who this Lady was, I am not able exactly to ascertain. Over the West end is a small and ugly steeple and spire, containing two prayer-bells and a clock. The present Rector of Flitton cum Silsoe, is the Rev. T. T. James, whose name is known to the public by two volumes of interesting "Travels in Russia, Poland," &c.The Parish Church is dedicated to St. John the Baptist, and the living is in the gift of Christchurch, Oxford. Adjoining the village is Wrest Park, the antient seat of the Grey family. A perfect and complete account of this Mansion will far exceed the present limits, it must therefore be left to a future letter, or Correspondent. The front is neatly built of white stone, with a plain pediment in the centre, and a covered portal beneath. The interior has a fine and valuable collection of family portraits. The gardens have long been esteemed as the favourite resort of the surrounding country. They were principally laid out by the celebrated Brown, and are ornamented with imitations of antique temples, hermitages, Chinese bowers, &c. and a very noble banqueting-house. They are sur. rounded by a fine serpentine river,

395

three quarters of a mile in length. This is at present the residence of Annabell Hume, Baroness Lucas, lately created, by letters patent, Countess de Grey.

Allow me, as the Author of the "History of Woburn," reviewed in your Magazine for September, 1820, to say, that application was made for the records mentioned in "Tanner's Notitia," and that none such were known to exist. It may perhaps serve as some apology for this anxiety, on behalf of that work, to say, that it was written at the early age of eighteen years. J. D. PARRY.

YOUR

Mr. URBAN, April 6. VOUR intelligent Correspondent "X." in his account of the Church, &c. at Cuddesdon, Oxon, (given in your Magazine for March, p. 201), states, that “Sir Thomas Gardiner, Solicitor General to King Charles I. destroyed a house belonging to himself, on the South side of the Church, in order that it might not afford accommodation to the Parliamentary forces." I shall be much obliged to your said Correspondent (and to any other of your Literary friends) for information as to the biography of this gentleman; particularly also, as to the place of his interment; his family connections, and armorial bearings.

The first Baronet of the name was created in 1660, as appears by Debrett, and his predecessors Kimber and Collins; who mention, that the family of Gardiner formerly resided near Wigan, co. Lancaster; of whom Robert Gardiner, Esq. married Mary sister of Sir William Palmer, co. Bedford, and was father of Sir William Gardiner, who was created a Baronet, and K. B. at the Coronation of Charles II. and who married Anne, daughter and heiress of Robert Brocas of Beaurepaire, co. Hants, Esq.; the said Sir William being possessed of Roch Court, co. Hants; which continues to be the family seat.

The estate at Cuddesdon possessed by the present Baronet, Sir James Whalley Smythe Gardiner (the third in succession under a new creation in 1782), was, I believe, entirely derived from the marriage of his great grandfather, Doctor Bernard Gardiner of Oxford (second son of Sir William Gardiner above mentioned) with an

heiress

396

Gardiner Family.-Account of Agrigentum.

heiress of the Smythe family; sister,
I presume, to the lady whose monu
mental inscription "X." has recorded.
It appears to me probable, there-
fore, in the first place, that Sir Wil-
liam Gardiner the first baronet, did
not, at the time of his creation in
1660, possess any estate in that neigh-
bourhood. And it occurs to me se-
condly, as no mention is made by the
above authors of Sir Thomas Gardi-
ner, who most likely would have been
noticed, not only from the said offi-
cial situation which he must have
held, not more, perhaps, than fifteen
years before, but also on account of
the zeal manifested by him in the
Royal cause, as stated by "X." that
he probably was not connected with
the above family. And it has further
occurred to me also, whether, partak-
ing of the effects of his Royal master's
misfortunes, he and his connexions
might not pass into comparative ob-
scurity; exemplified, possibly, in the
race of the same name, who were oc-
cupied in the more humble, yet repu-
table sphere of tradesmen ; and whose
tombs are observable in the Church-
yard at Cuddesdon.

They were certainly inhabitants of this parish during, or shortly after, those troublesome times; and possessed (by purchase in 1664) a small freehold property; which (or other property purchased within a few years after wards) regularly descended from father to son, until 1807; at which period the owner sold it. For, residing at a distance, and the estate being in small parcels, it seemed likely to be to him (as from the same causes it had been to his predecessor), a source of very considerable trouble, with no competent advantage.

I

A CONSTANT READER.

Mr. URBAN, Queen-Sq. Bloomsbury. BEG leave to offer a few remarks on the antient City of Agrigentum, in addition to the account given in a preceding Number*.

The ruins of the antient City of Agrigentum, like those of Syracuse, are mostly converted into corn fields, vineyards, and orchards; but the remains of the Temples are much more conspicuous than those of Syracuse. Four of the Temples stood nearly in a right line, near the South wall of

*See before, p. 114.

[May,

the City. The first is called the
Temple of Venus, by many called of
Juno Lucina; almost one half of
which still remains. The second is
the Temple of Concord; this may
be considered entire, not one column
having as yet fallen; the inscription
on the entablature of white marble:
"Ferdinandi IIII. Regis
Augustissimi Providentiæ
Restituit Anno MDCCLXII."
It is precisely the same dimensions
and architecture as that of the Tem-
ple of Venus, which probably served
as the model for it. It appears to
have been built at the expence of the
Lilibitanè, after having been defeated
by the people of Agrigentum; from
the following inscription in Roman
capitals on a lare piece of marble
found there:

"Concordiæ Agrigentinorum Sacrum
Respublica Lilibitanorum
Dedicantibus M. Atterio Candido
Procos. et L. Cornelio Mar-

cello Q. P. R. P. R."

These Temples are supported by 13 large fluted Doric columns on each side, and six at each end. All their bases, capitals, and entablatures, &c. still remain entire. The third Temple is that of Hercules, now in ruins, but which was of a much greater magnitude than those of Venus and Concord. It was on this spot the famous Statue of Hercules, so much celebrated by Cicero, stood, and which the people of Agrigentum defended with so much bravery against Verres, who attempted to seize it. The famous picture of Zeuxis was placed in this Temple. Hercules was represented in his cradle, killing the two serpents: Alcmena and Amphitryon having just entered the apartment, were painted with every mark of terror and as tonishment.

Pliny says, the painter considered this picture invaluable, and could never put a price upon it, but gave it to the City of Agrigentum, to be placed in the Temple of Herculesthey are now lost.

Near the above spot lie the ruins of the Temple of Jupiter Olympus, supposed by the Sicilian authors to have been the largest in the heathen world. It is now called il Templo di Giganti, or the Giants Temple, from the astonishing size of the stones, which the people conceived could

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