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ring to the King, which he had unknowingly given to St. John as an alms, when he met him in the form of a pilgrim; this was attended with a message from the Saint, foretelling the death of the King; and the fourteenth shews the consequential haste made by him to complete his pious foundation.

The next place we enter is directly opposite to the staircase that we now descend, and is called

ST. ERASMUS'S CHAPEL.

The first on the right hand as you enter, is handsome monument to the memory of Mrs. Mary Kendall, daughter of Thomas Kendall, Esq. by Mrs. Mary Hallett, of Killigarth, in Cornwall, who died in her 33d year. Her many virtues, as her epitaph sets forth," rendered her every way worthy of that close union and friendship in which she lived with Lady Catherine Jones; and in testimony of which she desired that even their ashes, after death, might not be divided, and therefore ordered herself here to be interred, where she knew that excellent Lady designed one day to rest near the grave of her beloved and religious mother, Elizabeth Countess of Ranelagh." She was born at Westminster, November 8, 1677; and died at Epsom, March 4, 1710.

In this chapel is an ancient monument, erected to the memory of Sir Thomas Vaughan, Knt. Chamberlain to Edward Prince of Wales, and Treasurer to King Edward IV.

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Next to this is a monument erected to the memory of Colonel Edward Popham, an officer in Oliver Cromwell's army, and his Lady, whose statues, in white marble, as large as life, stand under a lofty canopy, resting their arms in a thoughtful posture, upon a marble altar, on which lie the gloves of an armed Knight.

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Thomas Cary, second son of the Earl of Monmouth, has a monument in this chapel, erected to his memory. He was Gentleman of the Bedchamber to King Charles I. and is said to have died of grief, in 1688, at the age of 33, for the unhappy fate of his Royal Master.

Under this is a tombstone of grey marble, to the memory of Hugh de Bohun, and Mary his sister, grandchildren to King Edward I.

Thomas Cecil, Earl of Exeter, Baron Burleigh, Knight of the Garter, and Privy Counsellor to King James, has a large monument in the middle of this chapel, whereon is his effigy, in his robes, with a lady on his right side, and a vacant space on his left, for another. The lady on his right side is Dorothy Nevil, his first wife, daughter and coheiress of the noble Lord Latimer; and the vacant space was left for his second wife, Frances Bridget, of the noble family of Chandos; but as the right side was taken up, she gave express orders, by her will, not to place her effigy on his left; notwithstanding which, they are all buried together in one vault, as the inscription expresses.

But the most magnificent monument in this chapel stands against the east wall, in the very place where stood the altar of St. John the Baptist. It was erected to the memory of Henry Carey, first cousin of Queen Elizabeth, created Baron of Hunsdon, in Hertfordshire, in 1558; was some time Governor of Berwick, Lord Chamberlain to Queen Elizabeth, Privy Counsellor, and Knight of the Garter; but not being preferred as he expected, he laid the disappointment so much to heart, that he languished for a long time on a sickbed, at which the Queen being moved too late, created him an Earl, and ordered the patent and robes to be laid before him, but without effect. He died July 23, 1596, aged 72.

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"Sacred to the memory of the Right Honour able Elizabeth, Countess of Mexborough, who departed this life June 7, in the year of our Lord 1821, aged 59. Her afflicted husband, John Earl of Mexborough, hath erected this monument to her memory, in token of his deep sorrow for her loss, and of his sincere love and affection." A female figure is represented weeping over an urn.

Against the south wall there is a very ancient stone monument, where, under a Gothic canopy, lies the figure of a Bishop, properly habited, supposed to be Thomas Ruthall, made Bishop of Durham by Henry VIII He had been Secretary of State to Henry VII. and was by Henry VIII. made a Privy Counsellor, and sent on several embassies abroad. He died immensely rich, in 1524.

William of Colchester, Abbot of Westminster, who died in the year 1420, has also an ancient stone monument in this chapel, whereon lies his effigy, properly habited, the head supported by an angel, the feet by a lamb.

A third ancient monument here, is that of George Fascet, Abbot of Westminster, in the time of Henry VII. of whom we can find nothing material. He died about the year 1500. On this monument stands the stone coffin of Thomas Millyng, Bishop of Hereford, some time Abbot of Westminster, and Privy Counsellor to King Edward IV. who died in 1492.

OF THE TOMBS, &c. IN THE CHAPEL OF ISLIP,

OTHERWISE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST.

In this chapel of Islip there are but two monuments of considerable note; that of John Islip, Abbot of Westminster, the founder; and that of Sir Christopher Hatton, son and heir of John Hatton, and nearest in the male line to Christopher Hatton, Chancellor

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Chancellor in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, whose estate he inherited after the death of Sir William Newport, the Chancellor's sister's son.

That of Islip is a plain marble table, and formerly stood in the centre, supported by four small pillars of brass; over which, on the roof, was anciently a fine painting of our Saviour on the cross, destroyed by the Puritans in Cromwell's time, who were enemies to every thing that favoured Popish idolatry, though ever so masterly.

This Islip was a great favourite with Henry VII. and was employed by him in decorating his new chapel, and in repairing and beautifying the whole Abbey. He dedicated his own chapel to St. John the Baptist, and died January 2, 1510.

The tomb of Sir Christopher Hatton is worth notice. The principal figures are a Knight in armour, and a Lady in deep mourning; both the figures resting on the middle by a trunkless helmet. Over their heads is a neat piece of architecture, in the centre whereof is a scroll with their arms, held up by naked boys, one of whom holds a torch over the Knight, put out and reversed, to shew that Sir Christopher died first; the other over the Lady holds his torch erect, and burning, to signify that she survived him. This lady was Alice, daughter of Thomas Fenshaw, Esq. by whom Sir Christopher had twelve children, and of whom six survived him. He died Sept. 10, 1619.

WAX FIGURES.

In a chantry over this chapel are handsome wainscot presses, which contain the effigies of Queen Elizabeth, King William and Queen Mary, and Queen Anne, in their coronation robes. But what eclipses the brilliancy of those effigies, is the admirable figure of the great Earl of Chatham in

his parliamentary robes, lately introduced at a considerable expence. It so well represents the original, that there is nothing wanting but real life; for it seems to speak as you approach it. The eagerness of connoisseurs and foreign artists to see this figure, and the satisfaction it affords them, justly place it among the first of the kind ever seen in this or any other country.

Here is a wax model of Frances Teresa Duchess of Richmond, relict of Charles Stuart Duke of Richmond, who died in 1672, and daughter of Walter Stuart, M. D. who died Oct. 13, 1702, and is interred in the Richmond vault. This figure is dressed in the very robes her Grace wore at the coronation of Queen Anne. On a perch is the stuffed parrot that lived thirty years, and died three days before her Grace.

Adjoining is the wax model of Katherine, relict of John Duke of Buckingham and Normandy. She is dressed in the robes she wore at the coronation of George II. Also by her stands the effigy of her son, the Marquis of Normandy, who died February 1, 1714, aged three years and seven weeks.

Also is placed here a very striking resemblance of our departed hero, Lord Nelson, modelled in wax from a smaller one, for which his Lordship sat, dressed in full uniform, and decorated with all his orders; the clothes (excepting the coat) were his Lordship's. On his hat is represented the diamond challengk, or plume of triumph, presented to him by the Grand Seigneur; in the middle of the real challengk is a large diamond, that can be set in motion by watch-work for two hours. The words, "Victory, or Westminster Abbey !" done on the glass in gold letters, were used by his Lordship previous to the battle, thinking this would be the place of burial.

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