Pages from Chilcott's The handbook to St Mary Redcliff Church
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
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.