1824.] Account of Yeovil Church, Somersetshire. tiquaries, that the flat pointed arch Mr. URBAN, THE July 10. HE ready admission which your pages have always afforded to every subject connected with the Ecclesiastical Architecture, as well as the General Topography of the Kingdom, induces me to accompany the annexed view of the Parish Church of Yeovil, co. Somerset, with a few brief particulars illustrative of its present condition, trusting that the correctness of its external delineation may be allowed in some degree to compensate for the deficiency of my description. The Church of Yeovil (see Plate I.) is a substantial and handsome fabric of that order, which is usually denominated the lighter Gothic, and partakes of those features generally characteristic of the larger sacred edifices erected within this county by Henry the Seventh, in gratitude for the zeal evinced by its inhabitants, in support of the fortunes of his family during the civil contests of the preceding reigns. The Tower is a plain structure, ninety feet in height, surmounted with a stone balustrade, and contains a clock with eight large bells, the tone of which is considered to be inferior to none of the same dimensions. The interior of the Church is divided into a nave, a large chancel, North and South ailes, and transept; the whole length of the building is 146 feet, its breadth 50 feet, and the length of the transept 80 feet. From the size and form, as well as the number of its windows, an uniform air of lightness pervades the interior, which has been in no degree impaired by the recent erection of four spacious galleries in a style corresponding with the general appearance of the Church, and affording a great accession of accommodation for a very increasing population. The altar-piece, which is highly decorated, and equally in unison with the other parts of the building, is (to GENT. MAG. July, 1824. 17 quote the words of the Historian of Somerset) very handsome, being formed into a rich portico, supported on each side by four handsome fluted pillars with Corinthian capitals, and a rich entablature. This portico is divided into square compartments, with cherubs and roses gilt, and decorated with a transparent glory encircled with clouds." Under the floor of the altar is a perfect crypt, formerly used as a vestry, but now rarely noticed, the door-way leading to which is of the Gothic order, and more ornamented than any other belonging to the Church. On the South side of the Communion-table is a piscina, and within its rails, on the opposite side, are two wellproportioned Gothic niches, which have recently been opened to view by the removal of a cupboard-door, origi nally placed there for the purpose of utility rather than of ornament. The Monuments in this Church are not numerous, nor particularly worthy of notice: amongst the principal are two in the North transept (which is enclosed as a pew, and belongs to Wyndham Harbin, Esq. of Newton House, within this parish) erected to the memory of different members of that ancient and respectable family. One of them, which is of grey and white marble, is described at length by Collinson; and of the other, it may suffice in this brief memoir to say, that it is in commemoration of Wyndham Harbin, esq. who died Feb. 26, 1740; and his son Swayne Harbin (ob. Feb. 8, 1781); also of Barbara Harbin the widow of the latter, who died June 18, 1809, æt. 80; with two of their sons, William (ob. Oct. 22, 1823, æt. 61), and Robert, who died March 12, 1808, æt. 48. Over the Door-way leading to the present Vestry-room, is a mural monument of white marble, to the Rev. John Phillips, formerly Vicar of this town, the inscription on which is given in Collinson's History; adjoining to which is a black mural tablet for Elizabeth Clarke (ob. 1714). Immediately opposite to the latter is a mural monument thus inscribed: "This monument was erected by Mr. Newman of Barwick, in the year 1790, to the beloved memory of John Newman and Mary Newman, his father and mother, Mary his sister, and William his brother. They 18 Account of Yeovil Church, Somersetshire. They were natives of this town, died, and were buried here." In the South transept is a marble monument, bearing an inscription to the memory of Mr. William Down, and other members of his family; near to which is another mural monument thus inscribed: "In a vault underneath lies buried the body of Edward Boucher, only son of Edward Boucher and Frances his wife. He died the 13th day of Nov. 1724, in the 35th year of his age. Also Edward Boucher, senior. He died May the 2d, 1725, aged 70 years. Also, Frances Boucher, wife of the above said Edward, givers of the candlestick*; she died July 25, 1741, aged 83." On the top of this monument is placed a marble bust, and it is supported by two cherubims: in its imimediate neighbourhood are two other memorials of the same family. 66 Affixed to the two centre pillars of the Church are tablets to the memory of Mary Seward (ob. 1775), and Ambrose Seward (ob. 1779), lineally descended from Samuel Seward, D. D. Vicar of this Church in the year of our Lord 1648," and also of Anne Seward (ob. 1788). The other is a record of "Edward Burton of this town, and Elizabeth his wife. She died Aug. 2, 1766, aged 51. He died Jan, 20, 1777, aged 54." In the North aisle is a monumental inscription for the Rev. F. C. Parsons, “14 years Vicar of this town,” (ob. 1798, æt. 67,) and Jane Parsons his widow, who died in 1822, aged 82. Under the Western Gallery, within one of the pews, and nearly concealed from public observation, is the following record of another Vicar, furnished by him in his own life-time, and inscribed on a black mural tablet. "Martinus Strong, A. M. E. W. P. et Hujus Parochiæ, 30ta per Aunos Vicarius, H. S. E. Una cum Uxore et tribus Filiis Filius etiam 4tus et Filia H.S.S." The candlestick is a handsome brass candelabrum of two branches, surmounted with a dove bearing an olive branch in its mouth. It is suspended from the ceiling in the centre of the Church, and is thus inscribed: "The gift of Mr. Edward Boueher, Tobacconist, 1724. Richard Rennells fecit. Bristol. [July, There are also affixed to the walls memorials of the families of Shorland, Wellington, and Shew, aud many are to be found engraven in the pathways within the Church. In the Church-yard are several tombs of the principal as well as of other inhabitants, but, in consequence of its being uninclosed, and a general thoroughfare, they are much defaeed and dilapidated. Only two brasses are to be seen within this extensive building, probably from the irregularity with which the pews are constructed (their tenure being freehold, and the property of them being vested in individuals without any reference to their local residence), others may have escaped observation, from being concealed under the different floors. Both of these brasses are in the path of the Chancel. One representing a man and his wife, in plain long dresses, with hands uplifted in the attitude of prayer, above their heads two shields, and under their feet the following inscription: "Of yor charite pray for the soules of Gyles Penne, Gentilman, and Isabell his wyf, which Gyles decessed the...... day of ........ in the yere of our Lord God 15.. and the seid Isabell decessed the 12th day of December, the yere of our Lord God, 1519; on whose soules Jh'u have mercy. Amen." And a copy of the inscription engraved on the other, which I found considerable difficulty in deciphering; but it is faithfully given, and, although the lines are very unequal in point of composition, they deserve perhaps to be rescued from total oblivion. "Here vnder lieth buried the body of John Lavor the elder, who dyed the 5th day of the moneth called Avgvst, anno D. M. 1662." "All you that doe bemoane the end Hence 1824.] Account of Yeovil Church, Somersetshire. Hence staunch your tears, and still your cry, In grav'd bye George Genge." The Font, which is hexagonal, has nothing to boast of either in point of workmanship, or great apparent antiquity. A handsome and massive brass Reading-desk, which stands on a substantial pillar of the same material, supported by four claws terminating in four lions couchant, is placed at the bottom of the nave of the Church. From this, it is apprehended, the lessons were formerly accustomed to be read, and on either side of the desk is a rude representation (now nearly effaced) of the upper half of a priest in the attitude of prayer, on a large label, whereon are two barbarous Latin lines in old English characters. The Pulpit, which was removed from its former site on the erection of the four galleries, to which I have before adverted, is now placed nearly in the centre of the Church; it is in no respect remarkable. These galleries run from East to West, and are intersected nearly mid-way, in order that the view from the North and South transepts may not be impeded, and that the general outline of the interior may not be injured. On each of those more immediately adjoining the western end of the Church, is the following inscription: "The back-range of sittings in this gallery are appropriated for the sole use of the poor of this parish, under the direction of the Minister and Churchwardens for the time being. Henry Penney, George Mayo, Churchwardens. 1818." In front of the Galleries, commencing from the eastern end of the Church, is this inscription. "The whole of the sittings in this gallery are free for the sole use of the poor of this parish, and have been obtained partly by the aid of the Society for the Promotion of Building and Enlargement of Churches and Chapels, and partly by the surplus arising from the sale of the pews in the adjoining galleries lately erected. George Welllington, John Edwards, Churchwardens, 1819." for 19 (so anxious were the parishioners to secure accommodation in a Church where the precepts inculcated by the minister are adinirably illustrated by his practice) it amounted to a sun which occasioned them to seek comparatively little aid from the Society. The building, which appears in the view annexed to the western end of the Tower, is a Charity-school, of which the Rev. Thomas Tomkins is the present master, under the appointment of the Feoffees. In a deed, dated 12th March, 1708, it is thus described: " All that late Chapel covered with lead situate within the Churchyard of the parish Church of Yeovil." To hold certain Feoffees therein named, Upon trust to and for the only proper use of the parishioners of the parish of Yeovil aforesaid, for a School-house to educate children, or such other charitable uses as to the said parishioners should seem meet." The living," with the Chapel of Preston * annexed," is a vicarage in the deanery of Marston. John Philips, Esq. of Montacutehouse is the Patron. The Rev. Robert Philips is the present Vicar. Yours, &c. URBANI AMICUS. Mr. URBAN, July 15. with liteO impart information, and to de rary subjects, is one of the chief objects of your valuable Miscellany, and I therefore trust the following communication will be acceptable. My attention has accidentally been directed to a MS poem in the Harleian Collection of the British Museum, marked No. 2393, intitled in the Catalogue," A Poem, historical, political, and moral, imperfect at the end, as wanting all after the 352d stanza. Its main subject is the unfortunate reign of King Edward II. whose ghost is introduced as relating his actions and disasters. It is written to Queen Elizabeth, as plainly appears in several places, particularly by * Preston is distant about a mile from Yeovil. The Church is a plain structure, and does not deserve any particular notice. There is also within the parish of Yeovil -the sinecure of Pitney, which is in alternate of presentation of Wyndham Harbin, and George Bragge Prowse, Esqrs. The Rev. John Harbin is the present incumbent. Tradition of no very remote date points out. the spot on which its Chapel formerly stood. The Society, in making a grant money any purpose of this sort, requires that it shall inscribed within the building; and with reference to the surplus, it may be observed, that these 20 Sir F. Hubert's Poem on Edward II. these stanzas, 9, 242, and 305, where she is named." Then follows a copy of the first stanza. 2. "The same poem revised and corrected by many alterations, additions, and omissions; being now fitted up for the perusal of King James I. as may appear by the stanzas 6, 259, 260, 326, &c.; and in the whole consists of 581 stanzas, as does another copie of it in this noble library now inscribed, 40 1. 8. The author at the end calls himself Infortunio, and perhaps might have been Mr. Edmund Spenser, who is said to have lived long and died in very low circumstances." The first stanza of the revised copy is then given. The name of Spenser, and the great beauty of the stanzas quoted in the catalogue, induced me to examine the poem with some attention, and the result impressed me with so high an opinion of its merit, that I resolved on transcribing it for publication, if on inquiry I found it had not already been printed; but a moment's reflection decided, that if the second copy was corrected by the author, it could not have been written by Spenser, who is generally considered to have died in 1598, about five years before James ascended the throne. Previous, however, to making the necessary application for permission to copy the poem, I turned to the other copy in the Harleian Collection, now marked No. 558, and which is described as "A book in 4to. written (for the most part) by the hand of Mr. Ralfe Starkey; being a large poem ; wherein the author figures the appearance of the ghost of King Edw. II. relating the transactions of his unfortunate life and reigne. The Poem consists of 581 stanzas, and the style is like that of Mr. Edmund Spenser." That a copy should be in the hand of Starkie, did not surprise me, for I was aware that that indefatigable antiquary was in the habit of transcribing any thing curious which fell in his way; nor was it until I found the following article in Ritson's valuable "Bibliographia Poetica," that the most distant idea presented itself that Starkie was the author. "Starkey (or Starkie), Ralph, the Cheshire antiquary, under the name of Infor Vide numerous articles in his autograph in the British Museum. [July, Finding the poem thus positively attributed to Starkie, I turned of course to Mr. Ormerod's admirable History of Cheshire, where it appeared, that on the authority of Dr. Gower, he is said to have written the Poem in question. An immediate reference to Gower's "Sketch of the Materials for a new History of Cheshire," became necessary, and under his account of Starkie he thus speaks of the subject: "Whether you remark it, however, or not, as I have mentioned our Antiquary in two of his superior characters, permit me to speak of him in his third: and to give you and moral poem, addressed to his mistress, a single stanza from his historical, political, Queen Elizabeth. The principal subject is the melancholy reign of Edward the Second, whose ghost is supposed to recount his several misfortunes in 581 stanzas. Why should a wasted spirit spent in woe,' &c. I have given you this specimen divested of its antiquated spelling. And I must not conceal from you, for the honour of our Antiquary, that this poem has, in one instance, been attributed to the great Spenser. It is mentioned with a perhaps, but it is most untruly conjectural. The poem is in Mr. Starkie's own hand writing; it has never been even surmised as Spenser's by the several writers of his life; and a copy of it is now existing with a variety of alterations and additions, to move the compassion of James the First. The author styles himself Infortunio, as being the unfortunate Ralph Starkie that in 1619 had unhappily incurred the displeasure of this jealous Monarch, who ascended the throne of England at least four years after the death of Edmund Spenser, which happened about 1588." P. 35, 36. Dr. Gower's ingenuity in endeavouring to prove Starkie was justified in using the expression " Infortunio," from the persecution of James the First, cannot fail, Mr. Urban, to amuse your readers, when they learn that there is but one solitary instance on record of the Government having ever interfered with him, and that the instance alluded to cannot possibly be construed into a proof that he "had incurred the displeasure" of James. The occasion in question was an order of the Privy Council, |