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Pages from Chilcott's The handbook to St Mary Redcliff Church

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28 ST. MARY REDCLIFFE CHURCH.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Chatter<strong>to</strong>n memorial, lately erected by subscrip<br />

tion, is placed in the enclosed spot at the north-west<br />

angle of the churchyard, between the <strong>to</strong>wer and the<br />

north porch, which is now being thrown open, by the<br />

removal of the houses that formerly completely hid that<br />

portion of the church <strong>from</strong> public view, agreeably <strong>to</strong> an<br />

act of parliament recently obtained, for forming a new<br />

street in<strong>to</strong> Thomas <strong>St</strong>reet. <strong>The</strong> monument is pentagonal<br />

on the plan, raised upon‘ three graduated steps: <strong>from</strong> the<br />

base it is divided vertically in<strong>to</strong> three compartments, the<br />

lowest is intended <strong>to</strong> contain the inscriptions, with but<br />

tresses at the angles, which rise up <strong>to</strong> the head of the<br />

next division, the space between them being occupied<br />

by a deep niche. In the centre niche is an open scroll,<br />

inscribed, “<strong>The</strong> Poems of Rowlie.” <strong>The</strong> canopies of<br />

these niches and the buttress <strong>to</strong>ps are richly carved with<br />

flowers and grotesque animals. <strong>The</strong> third compartment<br />

is formed of five small pillars, with ogee arched heads<br />

and carved spandrels, and a central pillar for the sup<br />

port of the statue. <strong>The</strong>se are surmounted by a deep<br />

cornice, with heads and flowers at the angles, and a<br />

pedestal cap. <strong>The</strong> figure of Chatter<strong>to</strong>n crowns the<br />

monument: he is represented in the dress of Cols<strong>to</strong>n’s<br />

school, where he was educated. From his left hand falls<br />

a long scroll, inscribed “ Ella, a tragedie.”<br />

<strong>The</strong> character of the monument assimilates <strong>to</strong> the de<br />

sign of workmanship of the buttresses of the north porch.<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>to</strong>tal height is 31 feet, and its cost was about £100.<br />

<strong>The</strong> city is chiefly indebted <strong>to</strong> the exertions of Mr.<br />

Chris<strong>to</strong>pher George and Mr. Charles Bowles Fripp, for<br />

the erection of this monument <strong>to</strong> one of the most cele<br />

brated of her sons, and also <strong>to</strong> the Rev. Martin R. Whish,


ST. MARY REDCLIFFE CHURCH.<br />

for the grant of the site. <strong>The</strong> design was furnished by<br />

Mr. S. C. Fripp, Architect, and the work executed by<br />

Messrs. Higgs and Godwin.<br />

<strong>The</strong> [intended] Inscriptions on the Monument, 0n thefirst side,—<br />

Reader! judge not.<br />

TO THE MEMORY<br />

or<br />

THOMAS CHATTERTON.<br />

If thou art a Christian, believe that he shall be judged by a<br />

superior Power—<strong>to</strong> that Power alone is he now answerable.<br />

On the sidefacing Redclifl'e <strong>St</strong>reet.<br />

Know all; know infidels, unapt <strong>to</strong> know,<br />

’Tis immortality your nature solves;<br />

’Tis immortality deeiphers man<br />

And opens all the mysteries of his make.<br />

Without it half his instincts are a riddle:<br />

Without it all his virtues are a dream :<br />

His very crimes attest his dignity;<br />

His sateless appetite of gold and fame<br />

Declares him born for blessings infinite.—DR. YOUNG.<br />

0n the side <strong>to</strong>wards the Porch <strong>St</strong>eps.<br />

A poor and friendless boy was he, <strong>to</strong> whom<br />

Is raised this monument, without a <strong>to</strong>mb.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re seek his dust, there o’er his genius sigh,<br />

Where famished outcasts unrecorded lie:<br />

Here let his name, for here his genius rose<br />

To might of ancient days, in peace repose!<br />

Here, wondrous boy! <strong>to</strong> more than want consign’d.<br />

To cold neglect, worse famine of the mind:<br />

All uncongenial the bright world within<br />

To that without of darkness and of sin,<br />

He lived a mystery—died.<br />

Here, reader, pause:<br />

Let God be judge, and mercy plead the cause.<br />

0n the fourth side.<br />

A posthumous child.<br />

Born in this parish, 20th November, 1752.<br />

Died in London, 24th August, 1770. iEt. 18.<br />

On the fifth side.<br />

Admitted in<strong>to</strong> Cols<strong>to</strong>n’s School, 3rd August, 1760.<br />

nunzlmus hris<strong>to</strong>ltmsis, 1768.<br />

rnmliz mtctrxxrxxxtx 1769.<br />

On the Base, under the first Inscription.<br />

Erected by subscription, A. n. 1840.

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