landed at Baynard's Castle; and in St. Paul's churchyard the procession was set in array. "First went two tall men bearing two great standards of the Merchant-taylors' arms; then came a drum and a flute playing, and another with a great [fife?], all in blue silk; then two wild men of the wood, all in green, with great beards, great clubs, and burning squibs," and two targets on their backs; then came sixteen trumpeters blowing; and then seventy men in [blue'] gowns, caps, and hose, and blue silk sleeves, every man having a target and a javelin; then came a devil; next the bachelors all in a livery and scarlet hoods; and then the Pageant of Saint John the Baptist, 10 gorgeously arrayed, with goodly speeches; then all the King's trumpeters blowing, each having scarlet caps; then the waits of the City playing, with caps and goodly banners; then the crafts; then my Lord Mayor's officers; and then my Lord Mayor and two good henchmen;" and then all the Aldermen and the Sheriffs. So they went to dinner. After dinner they repaired to St. Paul's, where all they that before bare targets carried staff-torches; and with all the trumpets and waits, passed round about the quire and the body of the church blowing, and so home to the Lord Mayor's house." In 1554, when the new Lord Mayor was Mr. Lyons, a Grocer, his "goodly " pageant" was a griffin, with a. in harness, and St. John the Baptist with a lion; together with two woods and a dulle, with squibs burning," as before. In the preceding year the place of the dinner was not named; and it might be supposed that it was not at Guildhall, 12 where it took place this year, "for there dined my Lord Chancellor (Bishop Gardiner) and all the Nobles and the Spaniards, and the Judges and Learned; Men." The Spaniards were the courtiers who had accompanied King Philip to England. In 1555 the hour of nine is mentioned as that when “ my new Lord Mayor, the Sheriffs, and Aldermen took barge at the Three Cranes,13 with trumpets and shalmes, and the waits playing;" and in 1561 the barges had returned to Paul's Wharf at twelve. In 1556 the Lord Mayor was M. Hoffeley or Offley, Merchant-taylor, and Merchant of the Staple of Calais. His henchmen were attired in crimson velvet, embroidered with gold an ell broad. 3 So again in 1562; in all the other years at Paul's Wharf; but they were nearly contiguous, and perhaps the place of landing was the same. Their awe 4 "Wodyn;" in 1554" wodys;" in 1555 "iiij tall men lyke wodys." ful appearance made them excellent harbingers to clear the road. In Smyth's Description, 1575, they are thus mentioned; "And to make waye in the streetes, there certayne men apparelled like develles and wyldemen with skybbs, and certayne beadells." We find also in Whetstone's play of " Promos and Cassandra, 1578," "Two men apparelled like Green Men at the Mayor's Feast, with clubs of fireworks, that the King and his train may pass with ease." These seem to be the prototypes of the gigantic figures still remaining in Guildhall. "Skwybes;" in 1554 " squybes." 6 The word is gone; in 1554 "rosett," russet; in 1555, 1556, 1561, and 1562, blue. The number of men varied; in 1554. it was sixty-three; in 1555 sixty-six; in 1556 there were "iiij (four score) bachelers, and they dyd gyff iiijxx blue gownes, cape, dobe, and hosse to ye iiijxx powre men;" in 1557 sixty; and the same in 1562. 7 On the targets used to be "painted the arms of all them that have byn Mayor of the same Company this newe Mayor is of." Smyth's Description, 1575. 8 "Duyll'yll';" in 1554 " dulle;" in 1555" duwll'." 9 In 1554" crimson damask;" in 1557 “satin;" in 1562" crimson damask." 10 The patron Saint of the Company; on whose feast the election of Fellows from Merchant-taylors' school to St. John's college, Oxford, still takes place. 11 Since supplied by the Sword-bearer and the Common Crier, the latter carrying the Mace. 12 However, the dinner was at Guildhall in 1557, and again in 1562, when "there dined many of the Court and all the Judges and many Noble men and women." the other years no place is mentioned. 13 In the other years the place of embarkation is not mentioned. In 11 મ NORTH CHAPEL CHURCH, SUSSEX. THIS Church was of very small dimensions, and of the coarsest style of architecture; and it is only the circumstance of its having lately been nearly demolished in order to be enlarged and repaired, that seems to give it any claim to notice. It consisted of a single aile and chancel, with a small wooden bell turret; it was 60 feet long and 20 wide, and the side walls about 8 feet high. The roof was of Horsham stone, a very heavy material, formerly much used for covering Churches in the Weald of Sussex. The whole building was entirely free from any pretension to ornament, except a Decorated window in the chancel (which is still preserved); from which it would appear that the Church had been erected probably about the middle of the fourteenth century. The above view is from a drawing by Grimm, preserved in the Burrell Collections in the British Museum. There is a neat little square font of Sussex marble, dated 1662, I which stood formerly near the west door; it is now removed into the body of the Church. North Chapel was formerly a Chapel of Ease to the northern part of the parish of Petworth, as the name implies; until by Act of 4 and 5 William and Mary, this chapelry, and the chapelry of Duncton, were separated from Pet worth, and erected into distinct parishes. In consequence of this arrangement, they are exempt from the payment of First Fruits and Yearly Tenths, and all other ecclesiastical dues. At this period the Registers of North Chapel commence, and continue entire to the present time. Baptisms and burials however took place at North Chapel, long before its separation from Petworth; but until that time the Registers were preserved with those belonging to the Mother Church. In the first Register Book is the following entry: "Mem. This Register begins at Lady Day,, A. D. 1716, at which time the chappelry of North-Chappell was (as it ever had been) a part of the rectory of Petworth, and so continued till the 17th of March, A.D. 1717, when at the decease of Dr. Edw. Pelling, Rector of the said parish of Petworth, and by vertue of an Act of Parliament made (at the request of their Graces, Charles and Elizabeth Seamer, Duke and D's of Somerset, ye joint patrons) in the reign of Kg William and Q Mary, the said Chappellry of North Chappell became a distinct Rectory of itself, and, as such was, on the 8th day of July, A.D. 1718, presented by the above said patrons to Samuel Meymott, A. M. and Fellow of St. Peter's Coll. in Cambridge, who was instituted July 14th, and inducted July 18th, 1718, into the said Rectory of North Chappell. Witness my hand, Sam. Meymott, Rector." "In the above said year 1718, John Rapley of New House, and Rich. Boxall, of ye Pheasant Court, were Churchwardens." Mr. Meymott was a man of great simplicity of character, and was a most attentive and useful clergyman; his name is revered in the parish to this day, so that in him is verified the expression of the Psalmist, "the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance." He died Dec. 16, 1770, universally regretted at the age of 79 years, 52 of which he was resident Rector of this parish; having at all times discharged the duties of his humble station with the most unaffected piety. "Remote from towns he run his godly race, Nor e'er had chang'd, or wish'd to change, his place." The next incumbent of North Chapel was Dr. Colin Milne. This gentleman never resided in the parish; he was an accomplished scholar, and in 1770 published a Botanical Dictionary, and was the author of some other papers on Botanical subjects.* Dr. Milne was succeeded in 1816 by Dr. John Johnson (the two first Rectors having held this preferment during the long period of nearly 100 years). Dr. Johnson was Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford; and retained this living with his Fellowship; he died in 1831, and left by his will a communion plate, and a sum of money in aid of enlarging the parish Church. He was a man greatly respected for the kindness and benevolence of his disposition. The present Incumbent is the Rev. Robert Ridsdale, M.A. late Fellow of Clare Hall, Cambridge. Monuments. On the north side of the altar is a marble tablet with this inscription: "P. M. S. "In a vault under the altar lieth ye body of Dorothy, the wife of Samuel Meymott, A. M. Rector of North Chappell, and daughter of Mr. John Allison, Citizen of London. She died Nov. 21, 1750, in ye 53d year of her age. Of 13 children, 7 survived her, viz. 5 sons and 2 daughters. "What wife, what neighbour, would you know what mother; [other. All virtues practice, you'l be such an"In the same vault are deposited the remains of the Rev. Mr. Samuel Meymott, M. A. and Rector of this parish 52 years. He died on the 16th day of December, 1770, in the 79th year of his age." See Gent. Mag. vol. LXXXV. pt. ii. p. 380. On the other side of the altar is the following: Ον φιλει Θεος θνησκει νεος. "Near this place lieth the body of Dorothy Meymott, eldest daughter of Samuel Meymott, M.A. (the first Rector of this parish) and Dorothy his wife. She died Sept. 13, 1734. "Those virtues which in DORCAS shone, On the north side of the aile, on a black marble slab : "In the church-yard, near this window, lieth the body of Mary, the wife of Edward Upfold Mercer, who died March ye 4th, 1747, aged 69 years. "To rich and poor, when'er she cou'd "Also in memory of Mr. Edward Upfold Mercer, who died Oct. the 18th, 1770, aged 85 years.” Under a window on the south side of the aile, is a slab of Sussex marble, with this inscription: "Near this window lieth Mary Taylor, who died a virgin, Aug. 11, 1733, aged 72. "While living she a salver gave The aile of the Church is paved with large flat stones, which have probably at different times been removed from the churchyard. All these appear to have once had inscriptions; most of them are now however entirely effaced, and those which are still legible must, in a few years more, be totally obliterated. On a stone in the chancel: "Here lyeth the body of Mrs. Ann Woollven, who was buried Jan. 6, 1694, aged 76 years." On a flat stone, opposite the reading desk: "Here lyeth ye body of William Roadway, who died April ye 27th, 1728, aged 83 years. "Here lyeth ye body of Anny, wife of William Roadway, who died Jan. ye 17th, 1729, aged 67 years." Opposite the south door is a stone commemorating William Stent, of Kirdford, and Ann his wife. In the churchyard there are but few grave-stones except some of quite modern date. A tomb surrounded with palisades near the west door, has inscriptions: "In memory of William Collens, who died Dec. 11, 1811, aged 72; James Collens, Jan. 12, 1752, aged 52; Elizabeth his wife, Oct. 30, 1789, aged 86; Elizabeth their daughter, died Nov. 4, 1789, aged 52; James their son, May 10, 1762, aged 27." On a tomb near the south door : "Mr. John Tullett, died Sept. 12, 1748, aged 59; Mr. James Tullett, died Dec. 18, 1777, aged 86; Elizabeth, daughter of William and Jenny Heath, died June 10, 1764; Mary their daughter, Sept. 27, 1745." On a tomb very near the south side of the Church: "In memory of John Rapley, who died Nov. 9, 1760, aged 89; Margaret his wife, died Oct. 17, 1762, aged 82." On a broken stone: "Peter Bridger, died Feb. .., aged 46 years. Mary, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Bridger, died April 6, 1732, aged 2 years and 8 months." On a broken stone: "Jane, daughter of Edward Eede, bvried April 25, 1665." "William Hawkins, son of John and Frances Hawkins, died April 20, 1792, aged 27." Mary, daughter of Richard and Mary Baker, died Jan. 13, 1759, aged 20 years and 3 months. Ann, John, and Richard their sons.' "Henry their son, died July 11, 1770, aged 33. Sarah their daughter, died July 15, 1770, aged 18." "Thomas Tayler, who departed this life Sept. 14, 1763, aged 56 years." "Ann Tayler, who died June 13, 1779, aged 71." From the Register of Burials are the following: May 2, 1721. William Collins of Switch House was buried. "April 4, 1736. Edward Cock was buried, aged near 100. "June 21, 1738. was buried, aged 96. Elizabeth Sadler "Feb. 22, 1781. The Rev. Thos. Hall, Curate of this parish. "Aug. 15, 1790. Ann Coward, wanting half a year of 100. "Mem. There was no burial in this parish from ye 3d of March, A.D. 1722, to the 7th of May, A.D. 1724. Laus Deo op. max. "Mem. From the 12th day of May, 1744, to Dec. 27, 1745, there was not any one belonging to the parish of North Chappell buried. SAMUEL MEYMOTT. "N.B. It was one year, seven months, and fifteen days, between the above said burials. Laus Deo. From the Register of Baptisms. “Jan. 25, 1720. Margaret, daughter of Samuel Meymott, Rector, and Dorothy his wife, was baptized by Mr. Cobden. "March 19, 1724. George, ye son of George Petow, and Elizabeth his wife, was baptized by Mr. James Bramston. "Aug. 14, 1726. Ann, a negro belonging to Mr. Glanvile, of St. John's Town in Antegoa, was baptized by me, Samuel Meymott. "May 4, 1732. William, the son of Samuel Meymott, Rector, and Dorothy his wife, was baptized by Mr. Newhouse. "Feb. 20, 1742. William Barn, a foundling child, was baptized.' The situation of North Chapel is extremely picturesque; it stands on the declivity of a hill towards the south, commanding an extensive view of Petworth Park, with the South Downs in the distance. On the north it is sheltered by the adjoining hill, called the Black Down; and the cottages surrounded, by gardens and orchards, have the appearance of comfort It is besides always and neatness. considered as being a singularly healthy spot; which is in some measure confirmed by the above extracts from the Register of Burials. It is five miles north of the market town of Petworth, on the London and Chichester road; its inhabitants are mostly occupied in agricultural pursuits; they are an industrious and peaceful race, and their respectable demeanour tends in some measure to confirm the notion that the beauty of surrounding scenery has more effect upon the character of a people than moralists are inclined to allow.* "Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife, Their sober wishes never learn to stray, Along the cool, sequester'd vale of life, They keep the noiseless tenour of their way." Yours, &c. R. R. * Vide Rectory of Valehead, p. 5. By Rev. R. W. Evans. Mr. URBAN, 6, Guildford-street, which Caxton in his prologue thus I HAD occasion lately to refer to one of the books printed by Caxton,' viz. Cicero on Old Age and Friendship, at the end of which (fol. D. v.) are two orations, purporting to be those of Publyus Cornelius and Gayus Flamyneus, with a short " argument of the declamacyon, which laboureth to shewe wherin honour sholde reste." On a reference to the usual sources of bibliographical information, I could find no other clue to the name of the author than a note by Herbert, attributing the original of the work, on the authority of Leland,3 to Banatusius Magnomontanus. As all search for any writer of that name will be fruitless, and as the real author is certainly not hitherto known to our English bibliographers, and but imperfectly to some of those of his own country," I hope the following notices will not be uninteresting to the lovers of our early literature. "And by cause it is accordyng and requysyte to haue frendship joyned to olde eage, I haue enpryntede the saide book of frendship, and annexed it to the book of eage. Which book of frendship is ful necessary and behoefful unto euery estate and degree, and aftir I have sette in this said book folowing them bothe a noble treatys of the declamacion of two noble Knyghtes Romaynes in makyng of two oracions to fore the Senate to knowe wherein noblesse resteth. Ande thus this volume is dyuydede in to thre particuler werkes. Whiche ben, of grete wysedom in olde age, very loue in frendship, ande the question wherin noblesse resteth.” This "noble treatys" is translated from a small work, intitled "Controversia de Nobilitate," written in the early part of the fifteenth century, by Buonaccorso da Montemagno, a Pistòjese noble, distinguished for his learning and eloquence. He was Gonfaloniere of Pistoia in 1421, and in the same year he was judge of the Quarter of Santa Croce in Florence, and Professor of Law in the University. In 1428, from his political talents, he was selected by the Florentines as their Ambassador to Filippo Maria Visconti,9 Duke of Milan. died Dec. 16, 1429.10 His grandfather, of the same name, had been Gonfaloniere of Pistoia in 1352. He 1 In 1481. The fifteenth in order of time. 2 Ed. of Ames, vol. i. p. 34. Dibdin merely copies Herbert's note. He 3 I add the passage from Leland: [Caxton] "impressit etiam Banatusii Magnomontani duas orationes in primis eleganteis: Pub. videlicet Cornelii et Caii Flaminii, qui rivales erant, Lucretia Fulvii filia incomparabili utrinque petita, quas ita terse, nitide, significanter etiam Tipetotus in linguam Anglorum vernaculam transtulit, ut dubites majori an gratia ille scripserit, an hic interpretatus fuerit. Libellus plane elegantissimus est, atque ingeniosus. Tantumque abfuit, ut Cornelius divitiis et stemmatibus innitens formam expectatam, operis illustre pretium, victor acceperit, ut Flaminius, melior quam ditior nobilitatis titulo, omne punctum una cum Lucretia, justo patrum cum suffragio, tum judicio tulerit." De Scriptt. Britt. p. 480. 4 Tanner, Walpole (ed. Park), Dibdin, &c. By Mazzuchelli (Scrittori d'Italia, ii. p. 2214) the work is erroneously attributed to Leonardo Bruni of Arezzo [Leonardus Aretinus]. There is no mention of the author in Cardinal Mansi's edition of Fabricius. 6 Dibdin's Ames, vol. i. p. 123. 7 Probably also from the French: an old version exists in Harl. MS. 4917. 8 Ames (to whom Herbert and Dibdin add nothing on this point), says, "Lastly, follows the two declarations made by Publius Cornelius Scipio and Gayus Flamyneus, competitors for the love of Lucresse, shewing wherein true honour and nobleness consists, the former placing it in blood, riches, and the worshipful deeds of his ancestors, without urging any thing of his own life or manners; the latter insisting that nobleness cannot be derived from the glory or merits of another man, or from the flattering goods of fortune, but must rest in a man's own proper virtue and glory." -p. 27. Ammirato, tom. ii. p. 1045, who calls him Matteo Buonaccorso. 10 Life by Giovambatista Casotti, pp. xxxvi.-xxxviii. |