Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-09-30

statues, however ambltiously adorned or ex-
quisitely wrought, serve far more effectually
to illustrate Creators power, than to magni-
fy creatures rank or name.
fingered about these silent chambers Of the
mighty dead with ineuiring eyes, until the WIS.,
ilors' hours had expired. Westminster Abbey
has been so often described that it is relief
to feel that my wholly inadequate powers need
not be charged with a task of such difficulty
and magnitude. And even were it otherwise,
should not have the presumption TO attempt
it, TIE say nothing of the thousands of COM
para,ively ignoble whose undistinguished ash
les rest here, there are nearly four hundred tab
lets, moslems, statues or other obituary
memorials of persons whose history and char
acter constitute the written annals of Eng
land.
Ifsome of the inscriptions upon these monu-
ments strike others as they do me, shall not
weary your patience transcribing few of
them.
The Duke Of Buckingham, who was dis
iinguished during the reign of Charles |. lies
in brass etfigy with Roman costume, upon
an altar with this inscriptions: al lived doubt
ful, not dissolute---I die unresolvsd not unre-
signed. Ignorance and error are incident to
human nature. / trust in an Almighty and
an all good God" And below, both prepared
by himself, is this: '.For my King often, for
my Country ever"
The following is an extract from the inscrip-
ton upon the monument erected to the memo
ry of the young Princes who were murdered
by the order of Richard the Third: "Here lies
the relics of Edward V. King of England, and
his brother Richard, Richard, Duke of York,
h. ka,o naI al nd
stifed with pillows, were privately and mean
ly buried, by order of their perfidious uncle.
Richard the Usurper. Their bones, long and
anxiously inquired after, having laid 100 years
in the rubbish of the Tower-stairs, were on
the 18th July, 1874, by undoubted proofs, dis
covered"
The monument Of the Duke and Duchess
ofNewcaste is one of the most costly in the
Abbey. they lie, in bronze effigy, under a
stately canopy. The inscription, after setting
forth the Dukes qualities, states tina, his
"Dutchess was of a noble family; for all the
brothers were valiant and all the sisters virtu-
Gus. This Duchess was a wise, witty and
learned lady. which her many books do well
testify, &c."
There is an expensive and exceedingly APP
proprate monument to the memory of Sir Isaac
Newton, with an inscription closing with this
exclamation:--."How much reason mortals
have to pride themselves in the eYisance Of
such and SO great an ornament to the human
race!"
The monument 10 the memory of Major
Andre, is beautifully sculptured group, re-
presenting the first interview between Wash
ington and Andre. The figure of Washington
has been lhree different times so badly muiila.
ted that new heads were supplied. There is
now a striking and undeface likeness Of the
Father of his country 10 Westminster Hall.
The colossal marble statue Of George Can
ming, and another of James Watt, both by
Chaniry, stand conspicuously in the Abbey,
and are noble specimens of the art. Would
that The unwieldy, ilI-designed. nn-American
marble effgy Of Washington, that shocks the
national feelings of those who visit the Rolun-
da of the Capitol a, Washington, had the form
and comeliness of one Of these all but speak
ing statues.
The Monument erected by King James the
First TO the memory of Queen Elizabeth is the
most imposing and costly, as i, is mos! inter
esting in other respects, TO visitors, OF any In
the Abbey. A full-lsngth likeness of The
Queen, in her robes, is admirably Gu, in brass
and placed in a recumbent posture upon her
tomb. The inscription, among other things,
describes her "as the Mother of her Country
and The patroness of religion and learning; that
she was herself skilled 10 many languages;
adorned with every excellence Of mind and
person; aud endowed with princely virtues
beyond her sex; that in her reign peace was
established; money restored TO its just value;
Ireland. almost lost by the secret contnvances
ofSpain, recovered; the Spanish Armada de-
feated; and, in short, all England enriched;
that she was most prudent governess, and
for forty five years a virtuous and triumphant
Queen" &c. &c
The Coronation Chairs two OF which stand
10 the Abbey, are interesting, not less for their
antiquity than the uses to which they have
been so long consecraied. The most ancient
ofthese chairs was brought by King Edward
l., with Regaia from Scotland, 10 1897. The
other was made for Queen Mary. On Corona
ton occasions (Which take place here) one Of
these chairs ia covered with gold tissue, and
placed before The altar. These relics OF an
Client Monarchy, while it is evident that the
utmost skill and taste Of the artisan was be-
slowed, show that the business ofchsir.msking
10 those days in It's rudesi state.
We made an excursion 10 Windsor Castle
the day before Yesterday, which. unfortunate
ly for us. CHANGED to be the only day 10 the
week tina, the State apartments are closed. The
view, as you approach this magnificent Palace.
situated as is upon an elevation which over
looks as well the broad grounds and beautiful
park connected with it, as the villages which
dot the landscape in the other directions; and
the view of these objects from the Palace.
sbundsn,ly repays you for visit. even though
the rooms should be closed. This Castle.
you know, is one Of the most ancient as well
as the mos. splendid in England. Il covers