Графични страници
PDF файл
ePub
[merged small][graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small]

afterwards of

[ocr errors]

James II.; he married the Right Hon. Susanna Lady Bellasis, Baroness of Osgodby in her own right, but left no issue. He died Aug. 18, 1719, aged 63.

Without the Church, on the South side, is an altar-tomb on a base of freestone, in memory of Miles Carter, gent. who died Sept. 27, 1721, aged 81, and Mary his wife, died May 3, 1725, aged 77. Also Thomas Carter, son of the said Miles and Mary, died Jan. 14, 1736, aged 65; and Elizabeth his wife, died Sept. 17, 1731, aged 54 years. In the Church-yard is also another altar-tomb for William Whinn, esq. who died Jan. 31, 1734, aged 52.

[ocr errors]

as

In 1374,"D'nus Robertus" occurs "Rector de Mephale." April 1609, Mr. Barwell was rated (with the vicar of Chatteris) to find a pair of curols, and a pike furnished. Anno 1676, Mepal contained 116 inhabitants, 3 dissenters, no recusants *. Yours, &c. W. A.

I

Mr. URBAN,

FEEL perfect conviction in my own mind, that when His Majesty dismissed from his Councils the men who had the unparalleled assurance to endeavour to set themselves above their Sovereign, and to force the conscience of their King, it was his own act and deed, and a genuine exercise of his high and indisputable prerogative; and those who maintain that the King cannot act at all without advisers, do, in my humble opinion, rather mistake the Constitution they admire; for though very rarely indeed will a prudent Monarch so act, yet our noble-minded King has shewn, that he better knows the Constitution of which he is the head; that in a most serious conjuncture the voice of the Monarch may be individually heard, without a breach of the Constitution; and that the British King is not a puppet decorated with a crow a mere p crown, to be danced up and down by his Ministers, but one, and the first of the three great Estates of the Realm, to each of which belongs perfect independence, and, for the better main

Mr. URBAN,

London, June 13. been Page of Honour to the Duchess Ision into Cambridgeshire, I passed the Bedchamber to her husband King

June excur

through the little hamilet of Stuntney. The antient Chapel here being in the Norman style of Architecture, I was induced to stop, and make a sketch from it, which is much at your service, should you think it deserving a place in your Miscellany. (see Plate I.)

STUNTNEY

is in the hundred and deanery of Ely, and situated op a gentle eminence, overlooking the fens towards that city, from which it lies S. E. about a mile and a half, The Chapel consists of a nave and chancel, separated by an arch ornamented with chevron mouldings ; the doorways on the North and South sides of the nave being also enriched in the same manner. Against the West wall hang two small bells, which are enclosed in a projecting frame of wood: being a Chapel of Ease to the parish of the Holy Trinity in Ely, it is without the appropriate addition of tombs, &c.

Having spent a day most agreeably at Ely in admiring its very magnificent Cathedral, I pursued my excursion Westward for about six miles, when I reached

MEPAL,

which is situated in the hundred of Witch-ford, and deanery of Ely; the living is a rectory, and valued in the King's books at £3. 68. 8d. and in the gift of the Dean and Chapter.

The Church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and consists of a nave and chancel, with a small Chapel at the N. E. corner of the nave. The walls of the chancel, as well as the North side of the fabrick, are supported by buttresses of brick work. Instead of a tower at the West end, it has two open arches, in one of which is a bell.

The altar is elevated on two steps; and on each side the East window is a niche, with a recess or piscina. Against the North wall is a mural monument to the memory of Samuel Fortrey (son of Sam. Fortrey, esq. of ByalFen) who died Feb. 10, 1688, aged 38 58 years. Auother monument for a younger brother James Fortrey *, esq. records his descent from an antient stock in Brabant, and having

* Vide Lysons's Magna Britannia, GENT. MAG. July, 1810.

* Cole's MSS. in British Museum.

taining

taining and carrying into effect their important functions, various high rights and powers, under the names of Prerogative and Privilege. And surely, though the Constitution has wisely ordained, that whoever advises the King, shall be responsible for the advice he gives, it never meant to say that he may not be his own adviser if he will, and according to his own judgment adopt or reject the opinions of his counsellors; otherwise, what is his Veto but an empty name? Yet the Constitution has still interposed this farther check (the whole Constitution is a system of salutary checks) that, whether with or without advisers, he can only rule according to Law. Strange then that the Catholicks will persist in agitating a question which (the Constitution having already settled it) ought to be at rest for ever: but, stranger still, that with all their professions of loyalty and attachment (the sincerity of which however I do not mean to doubt), they should almost in so many words have declared, and this after knowing his Majesty's sentiments, that they will never cease teizing him upon the subject, till they have as it were compelled him to yield to their desires- compelled the well-poised mind of a Brunswick, acting on conwiction, to waver and to swerve! O wonderful delusion of persevering obstinacy! Wonderful! that such an expectation could for a moment be seriously entertained!

I consider the exclusion of Catholicism from the higher departments of the State, to be so riveted a part of the Constitution itself, that it cannot be separated from it without the most imminent danger to the whole; and to prevent the possibility of which it has fenced itself round with those venerable bulwarks, which those who inean not to destroy, would however do well to take care how they weaken. God forbid that they should ever be thrown down. But, admitting for a moment, that they were, what is the mighty benefit that is to result to the Catholicks from it? It could amount to no more than a very bare possibility of their coming into office; and surely a matter which has not even probability in its favour, is hardly worth the struggle that is made for it. Whoever sways the sceptre of these Kingdoms must be a Protestant Prince, and must have

takeu a solemn oath to maintain the
Protestant Religion as by Law estab-
lished. Is it then to be imagined,
that a Monarch so circumstanced,
will ever associate with himself in the
high offices of confidential inter-
course, men of a different religious
persuasion from himself; and more
particularly members of that Com-
inunion, whose proselytising spirit
would be ever on the alert to seek or
to seize occasions of combating, and,
if possible, overturning what in the
opinion of such his Ministers would be
the mistaken notions at least of their
heretical Sovereign; and in their
zeal for whose conversion they might
perhaps overlook, or not remember
in time, that they might be paving a
way to the abdication of the Throne!
But this will hardly be overlooked by
the Monarch himself, to whose feel-
ings surely the Constitution as it
stands is more respectful, by not al-
lowing him to choose such Ministers if
he would, than if those defences were
thrown down, leaving what would in
effect be the same exclusion to the
Catholicks, but might make the King
personally liable to the odium of a
rejection, which is however indispen-
sable. For what then do the Catho-
licks contend? Surely the power of
benefiting their country is not so li-
mited, that comparatively little can
be effected, unless they are Ministers
of State, or invested with the highest
commands. If their strong desire is
only to have an ampler scope for the
display of their loyalty, I must an-
swer, that, under their present restric-
tions, their loyalty shines a brighter
and a purer flame, than it ever could
do if those restrictions did not exist as
a fundamental part of the Constitu-
tion. Preserving that fundamental
exclusion, an exclusion not of them-
selves as individuals, but as professing
a Religion, the tenets of which are
incompatible with the State, which has
a Religion of its own by Law estab-
lished-1say, preserving that invio-
late, whatever tends to the ameliora-
tion of the condition of loyal subjects
must be grateful to all; but amelio-
ration is not to be beyond all bounds:
Toleration is not to be above the Es-
tablishment.

In this country, blest beyond all others in the enjoyment of rational Liberty, where every man has something he can call his own, where the destitute has still a freehold in its benevolence,

nevolence, and claims from its charity not merely a benefaction, but a debt; where the honest, the sober, and the industrious, may smile in the sunshine that will cheer his worthy endeavours for the well-being of himself and family; where every one is free to serve bis Maker according to the dictates of his conscience; where the property of the rich and of the poor is equally protected by the Laws; where flourish fair and beautiful the arts and graces that polish and adorn society, and to range through whose enchanting scenes leaves no need of foreign expioration to be charmed with all that ever-varying Nature can pourtray, from the mild retirement of the secluded glade, to the vast magnificence of snow-topped mountains; and where exists, amidst the shock of Empires and the crush of States, a Constitution, stupendous monument of the wisdom of ages, the boast of Britons, and the admiration of the world :—why should we quarrel with our happiness? why risk on the deJusive ocean of innovating theories, all that we know practically to be great and good? why set our hearts "be on objects unattainable? why content with nothing, if not blest with all"? or rather, why not, each calling his own ways to remembrance, begin with sincerity a Reform, the most patriotic Reform for his countny, the reform of what is in himself amiss, and endeavour each in his station to do his duty, and to cultivate with care and fidelity the patrimony which our forefathers have bequeathed to us, and which our sons look to receive at our hands uninjured and unimpaired? While the clamour of the tumult nous is passed away with the breeze that bore it, I trust the sense of the country is speaking in the still small voice that is heard above the tempest, and that it is aided by a hand-writing indelibly on our hearts,

"Nolumus Leges Angliæ mutari.” Yonrs, &c,

Mr. URBAN,

EVER

A. P.

June 4. WERY true friend to our excellent Ecclesiastical Establishment mast observe with indignation and regret, the many unfair and insidious arts used by its adversaries to lower it in the estimation of the publick; and they have unhappily proved too successful in many districts of the

kingdom. Great industry is used to work upon the minds of the lower orders by Village Preaching, &c. ; the effect of which has been, not to im press them with better, or indeed with any sentiments of Religion, but with sentiments of hatred and antipathy to the Church and her Clergy. Sorry I am to say, that a certain portion of her own Clergy, who have presumptuously assumed to themselves the exclusive title of Evangelical, and who very erroneously affirm that the Gospel is not preached in those Churches where one of their body is not employed, have contributed, in no small degree, to raise and foment the almost universally prevailing clamour against us. These men scruple not to attend the Meeting-houses of the Sectaries, but refuse to enter the doors of many of our Churches, for no other reason, as I conceive, but because the duties, as well as the doctrines of Christianity are recommended and enforced, and which prac tice they stigmatize with the epithet of mere Moral Preaching. The Farmers too, in the present age a powerful and important, though in no age an enlightened body of men, are eager to join in the general out cry; and thus it is, that many a worthy, learned, and respectable Clergyman, is insulted and defamed, for no other reason, than because he happens to be a Clergyman. Without pointing out the causes of these exist ing evils, which must be obvious to every thinking person, I rather wish to direct the attention of your Read ers to an antidote against them; for it is my firm belief, that unless some speedy and effectual measures be adopted to check the growing mischief, a serious State commotion will be the consequence., I submit, therefore, the following outlines of a Plan to restore the Clergy to that dignified and respectable rank in society to which they are entitled, and to rescue them from that state of degradation and insult in which their opponents, on all occasions, are ready and eager to place them; and of your very numerous and respectable Correspondents I will request, in the words of Horace;

"Si quid novisti rectius istis, Candidus imperti: si non, his utere

mecum.

PLAN:

hearing and sight, and danger to life first place, that the disease in the itseif, the observation of every one Harpenden cases had not been caught will, I believe, readily convince him. previously to inoculation ; for the lo confirmasion of this remark, I send usual period elapsed after this before you three cases which have lately oc- the children sickered : and it may curred in one family, at Harpenden, therefore be averred that “the deaths near St. Alban's: an inhabitant of ihis of these three infants were in consevillage named Downes, the Keeper of quence of Small-pox Inoculation, perthe l'ost-office, had five children, two formed in the customary method by of which were vaccinated about three a regular medical mau." Tbink of years since; but the Small-pox being this, all parents! think of this, all who Tately in the neighbourhood, the pa- are interested either for your own rents were uplappily persuaded to families, or your neighbours! and eshave their other three children inos pecially think of this, all medical çulated with that disorder. Of these practitioners! Rely not on your former two were twins, aged two ycars and success, cven if it have been compar. seven months, and the third an infant 'atively great. What has happened to only eight months old: nor did their another, may happen to you! but if ages only appear favourable for thic mischief less serious than what has operation; they were all fine healthy beev detailed should accidentally rechildren ; indeed, so much so as fre- sult from Small.pox Inoculation under quently to allract observation from your care; some at least is to be aptheir more opulent neighbours.. In prehe ided to those on whom you pursuance of the parents' deterinina- operate, and to others; how can you tion, these victiins were inoculated for answer for the effects of the contathe Small-pox by a regular profes- gion which you have excited ? Grant, sional man; they all took the disease, that your own immediate patients rewhich becoming confluent, onc of the coyer, may not many others through twins (it is really melancholy to relate your act be preinaturely suatched it) died on the lith, the other on the away? Most of you, I believe, are 12th, and the third child on the 14th friendly to Vaccination ; but you da day from the commencement of the not appear to recommend it with sufvariolous fover, in the paroxysm officient zçal, nor do you object to ino. which one of them suffered so much culating variolously ať the first repain that he literally tore his flesh quest of uninformed people, who, inigfroin his arm. When the disease as

led by the “ fabulæ aniles," which sumed alarming appearances, a second self-interest or obdurate prejudice medical gentlemau of established re- propagate, prefer that inanichean idol, putation and extensive practice was Small Pox, to the security and blesscalled in; but the efforts of science ings of Vaccination. were vain: it is only fair however 19 Yours, &c. HERTFONDIENSIS. add, that, from minute inquiry, no blaine seems imputable to the original Inoculator, respecting either the

Mr. URBAN,

July 23.

I or the subsequent treatment. The two intimation in a note (vol. LXXIX, eldest children of the family, whohad P: 1202,) where the office of Dean bien vaccinated three years before, Nural is explained * Perhaps some verc exposed in all possible ways to of your Correspondents will bave the the infection, even sleeping in the goodness to state how far the duties same room with thic other three, till of so very useful an office are still the stench became insupportable; and excrcised, and whether in any dioceses it is only one of ten thuasand similar besides that of Exeter. facts to say, that they wholly resisted Bishop Atterbury was Archdeacon infection. Though no other instance of Totoess, and the account of the so remarkable bas occurred, these are Dean Rural constitutes his Charge to not the only lives which have been lost the Clergy of that District 1708. pear St. Albap's in the course of the lo a late publication by Dr. Words Spring and Summer, through Small- worth he is styled Dean and Rector of pox Inoculation. Indnige mc, Mr. Urban, with only

* See Atterbury's Epistolary Corre. few. remarks. It is obvious, in the spondence, vol. II. 1783, p. 234.

Bocking,

« ПредишнаНапред »