A A = H 1 c AS -^— ° 1 5 1 = o 1 3 m — — ^ 1 ^^ > 1 =^= 1 — 1 9 I 33 | 8 1 == > 1 ^= 33 1 "*- 1 8 1 ^— > 1 6 1 ^-^ r 1 H 1 ^— ■< | 5 " fe*J \r\y/~\ mMm •^■^ jfek 0-^ ft t ,^\ iWS 'rs'r\ r"S : M £v ./-v: ; /^ mm - ..■•- ^-- . "*y • |j- r\HK mmh mm «^/^ HE^WSSM *%^ \ /~\ rs fas r £&Jf£k 1 1 H \ _ /-\ Mi ^ — , ^ /*~* ■nnH wwdlfiife • /""V : /rv ^r ^Br --•l -" U- ;'r*\fli; ^MM !| i?=5v '"V , '" fcViSS fei H.^ z" 1 ***,' DEVONSHIRE CELEBRITIES BY T. L. PRIDHAM, M.R.C.S.,L. ILLUSTRATED WITH PHOTOGRAPHS EXETER HENRY S. ELAND, HIGH STREET LONDON : BELL & DALDY, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN 1869 WILLIAM POLLARD, PRINTER, 58, NORTH STREET, EXETER. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EARL FORTESCUE. My Lord, I have to thank your Lordship for the honor of being permitted to dedicate my publication of the "DEVONSHIRE CELEBRITIES" to your Lordship, a representative of one of the most ancient, noble, and distinguished families in Devon. Long may you live an ornament to your country, exercising those acts of philanthropy for which your life has been distinguished. ■^' I have the honor to subscribe myself, With great respect, Your Lordship's obedient Servant, T. L. PRIDHAM. PREFACE. In the year 1865 the writer of the following pages had the honor, as President of the British Medical Association for the West of England, to deliver an Address to the members of the profession, in which he spoke of some of the memorable deeds of remarkable men in North Devon from the time of the Norman Conquest, but more particularly of those who lived in the eventful reign of Queen Elizabeth. This part of the Address appeared to excite so much interest, that the writer resolved to devote an hour or two in the early morning, before the labours of the day commenced, in extending his researches amongst ancient and voluminous works, as well as those of more modern date, in order to record more fully the history of some of The Devonshire Celebrities. The writer is aware that there are many, very many, of whom he has not spoken, he can only say that if this publication meet with the approval of its readers, he may at some future time endeavour to make good the deficiency in a second edition, or a second volume. He begs to express his best thanks to those friends who have furnished him with original documents and anecdotes which have given an increased interest to his undertaking. CONTENTS. Acland, Sir John, Km. Adulphus, Bishop of Crediton Alfric, 8th Bishop of Crediton Alfuoldus, 6th Bishop of Crediton Alwolfrus, 7th Bishop of Crediton Babbage, Charles, Astronomer Babington, Bishop of Exeter Baldwin, Abp. of Canterbury Bampfield, Sir Coplestone, Knt. Basset, Colonel Arthur Bath, Judge Bany, John Beaufort, Margaret, Countess of Richmond Berry,SirJohn,GovernorofDealCastle Blackall, Bishop of Exeter . Blondy, Bishop of Exeter . Blundell, Peter, Benefactor . Bodley, Sir Thos. Bowring, Sir John, Knt. Brentingham, Thomas Brewer, Bishop of Exeter . Brice, Andrew, Historian Brounscombe, Bishop of Exeter Bruce, Sir T. Knight, Judge . Burchard, Bishop ot Wurtzburgh in Germany . Capern, Edward, Poet Carew, Sir Nicholas Carew, Sir Thomas Carey, Bishop of Exeter Champernown, Sir Arthur . Channel, Baron, Judge Chaunter, Bishop of Exeter. Chichester, Bishop of Exeter Page. I 3 3 3 3 4 4 6 6 ii 12 14 17 18 21 21 22 24 26 28 29 3i 32 33 35 35 38 40 50 5i 52 53 53 Page. Chichester, Sir Arthur . . 54 Churchill. John. Duke of Marlborough 55 Clifford, Baron . -57 Cocke, Captain . . 58 Coffin. Sir Wm., Knt. . . 60 Coleridge, Rt. Hon. Sir John Taylor. 62 Copleston, The Great . . 63 Courtenay, Lord Hugh . . 65 Courtenay, Archbishop of Canterbury 65 Courtenay, Sir Peter . . 66 Courtenay, Richd., Bishop of Norwich 67 Courtenay, Peter, Bishtp of Winchester 67 Courtenay, Lord Edward . . 69 Crediton, Bishop of Utrecht . 7 1 Crewys, Sir Robert, Knt. . . 72 Davies, John . 73 Devonius, Confessor to King John . 74 Dodderidge, Sir John, Judge . 74 Drake, Sir Bernard . . .76 Drake, Sir Francis . . .78 Drake, Robert . . -83 Drew, Edward, Recorder of London . 83 Eastlake, Sir Charles, Painter . 84 Elgarus, 5th Bishop of Crediton . 86 Ethelgarus, 4th Bishop of Crediton. 86 Eudolph, Bishop of Devon . • 86 Fitz, Ralph, Primate of Ireland . 87 Foliot, Bishop of London . . 89 Follett, Sir William, Attorney General 90 Fortescue, Lord Chief Justice . 9 2 Froude, James Anthony . • 94 Fulford. Sir Wm.. Knt. ■ . 95 Gay, John, Poet . . -97 Gibbs, Sir Vicary . 99 Giffard, Colonel . . 100 Page. Gifforcl, Lord Chief Justice . . 101 Gilbert, Sir Humphrey . . 102 Grenvill, Sir Theobald . . 105 Grenvil, Sir Richard . . 108 Grenvil, Sir Bevil . . 108 Granville, Hon. Bernard . .110 Hankford, Lord Chief Justice . 112 Harding, Thos., D.D. . .114 Harris, Sir William Snow . .119 Hawkins, Admiral Sir John . . 120 Henrietta, Princess . . . 121 Hody, Lord Chief Justice of England 122 Holland, John, Duke of Exeter . 123 Hooker, Richard, Master of the Temple 125 Hopkins, Bishop of Raphoe. . 128 Hughes, Arthur . . .129 Iscanus, Bishop of Exeter . . 130 Jewell, Bishop of Salisbury . 131 Keats, Admiral Sir Richard . 136 Kebie, Bishop of Anglesea . . 149 Kelland, Philip, Senior Wrangler . 150 Kempthorn, Lord High Commissioner 152 King, Peter, Lord Chancellor of England . . . 155 Kingsley, Rev. Charles, Professor of Modern History . . 155 Kitto, John, D.D. . . .156 Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury. 158 Leofricus, 1st Bishop of Exeter . 159 Lovelace, Jacob . . .160 Monk, George, Duke of Albemarle 162 Morice, Sir Wm., Secretary of State 172 Morris, Colonel . . .174 Mowbray, Rt. Hon. John Robert . 175 Page. Northcote, James, Painter . .176 Northcote, Rt. Hon. Sir Stafford H. 1 77 Odon, Earl of Devon . .177 Orgar, Duke of Devon . 1 79 Palk, Sir Robert. Bart. . 182 Palk, Sir Lawrence, Bart. . -183 Patch, Thos., Engraver . .183 Petre. Sir Wm , Secretary of State in four Reigns . . .184 Pollard, Sir Lewis, Judge of Common Pleas . . . .187 Pomerai, Sir Ralph, Lord of Berry . 189 Poole, Sir William . . .190 Portsmouth, Earl of . .194 Prideaux, Bishop of Worcester . 194 Puta, Bishop of Tawton . .198 Raleigh, Sir Walter. . .19b Reynolds, Sir Joshua . . 204 Richmond, Margaret, Countess of . 17 Risdon, Tristram , . . 205 Risdon, Thomas, Recorder . . 206 Robsart, Amy . . 207 Rolle, Dennis . . . 207 Russell, Lord John . . 210 Russell, Rev. J. . .212 Smith, Sir Montague, Judge. . 221 Speke, John Harming . . 221 Stapledon, Bishop of Exeter , 224 Tracey, Sir William . . 227 Turner, J. M. W., Painter . . 228 Wadham, Sir John . . . 230 Westamus, First Bishop of Tawton . 231 Winf-ed, Bishop Boniface . . 232 LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHS. Acland, Sir Thomas Dyke, from his Statue. Carew, Sir Nicholas. Churchill, John, Duke of Marlborough. * Courtenay, Lord Edward. « Drake, Sir Francis. 1 Fortescuc, Earl, from his Statue. Grenvill, Sir Bevil. * Jewel, Bishop r Keats, Admiral Sir Richard. ' Monk, George, Duke of Albemarle.' Raleigh, Sir Walter. » Russell, Rev. John ACLAND. ACLAND. This ancient family resided at Acland House, in the parish of Landkey, near Barnstaple, as far back as 1 154 ; near the mansion was an extensive oak forest, called " Aukland Forest," from which, it is supposed, the family took their name. The ancient Christian name of Acland was Baldwin. Before passing on to the present noble representative of this ancient family, we must mention John Acland, created Knight by James the 1st in the Tower of London. He was second son of Sir John Acland, Knight, of Acland. His mother was the daughter of Hugh Ratcliff, of Stepney, near London, a rich heiress, who, although she had many sons, made her younger son John her heir. He married a daughter of George Rolle, of Stevenstone, who was the widow of Robert Malet, of Wooley, near Torrington ; he married secondly, another widow, a daughter of — Portman, Esq., of Orchard Portman, in the County of Somerset ; she was the widow of — Hawley, Esq., who left her great wealth, and thus increased the property of Sir John Acland, her second husband. At this time he was pricked for the office of Sheriff for Devon, and became a leading man in his native County, and it is said that his " goodness exceeded his great- ness," for his hand was ever ready in the performance of acts of charity ; and many of his charities are recorded in letters of gold in Exeter, which are to be seen in various parish lists of benefactions, viz. : St. Sidwell's, St. Mary Major, Holy Trinity, All-Hallows-on-the-Walls, All-Hallows-Goldsmith-Street ; and many other parishes in the County may be named as having benefited by his liberality, such as Barnstaple, Silverton, Bradninch, Southmolton, Torrington, Cullompton, Landkey, Broadclist, Pilton, &c. He rebuilt and contributed largely towards the annual income of several Churches in this County. He also founded two Fellowships for the benefit of Exeter College, Oxford, re- built its Common Hall almost at his own expence ; this was done when Dr. Prideaux was rector of the College. Sir John Acland was buried in the parish Church at Broadclist, where a stately monument is erected to his memory, as well as that of his two wives. Sir John Acland died without issue A.D. 1613, and was succeeded by Sir Hugh Acland, who was also a man of high reputation. It may be truly said that the present possessor of Killerton, Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, Bart., inherits the virtues, greatness, and goodness of his ancestors. No better man has ever adorned this County of Devon : he possesses all the fine qualities of a true English gentleman, his hand is ever ready to bestow its bounties, and his heart is filled with every Christian grace ; even in his life time a statue of him, in white marble, has been erected on Northernhay, that beautiful public walk in Exeter, by his numerous friends, a lasting proof of love and esteem. On the pedestal is inscribed the following : " Erected as a tribute for private worth and public integrity, and in testimony of admiration of a generous heart, and open hand, which have been ever ready to protect the weak, to relieve the needy, and to succour the oppressed, of whatever party, race, or creed." 3 ADOLPHUS. Adolphus was consecrated Bishop of Crediton, a.d. 912 ; he succeeded Puta, who had been brutally murdered on his journey from his Palace at Tawton, to Crediton, to pay respects to Alfred the Great, who was encamped near Crediton with his army. The King being enraged at the foul deed, directed that Tawton should no longer be the seat of the Episcopacy, and in consequence it was removed to Crediton. ALFRIC. Alfric, eighth Bishop of Crediton, is said to have been a native of the County of Devon ; he flourished about the year 980. He was a relative of the Saxon King, Alfred the Great, and received his education at the celebrated monastery of Glastonbury, where his learning was highly esteemed by the Monks. ALFUOLDUS. ALFUOLDUS, sixth Bishop of Crediton, from 952 to 960, is reported to have been a native of Devon. ALWOLFRUS. ALWOLFRUS, was the seventh Bishop of Crediton, from 960 to 980, ib also reported to have been a native of Devon. BABINGTON. Babington, created Bishop of Exeter a.d. 1593, and translated to the Bishopric of Worcester A.D. 1597, is said to have been born at Ottery St. Mary, and educated at Cambridge and at Oxford. His first appointment was that of Chaplain to the Earl of Pembroke, Knight of the Garter, whose excellent Countess (Mary Sidney) translated the Psalms of David into English metre. Babington became Treasurer to the Church at Llandaff, after that he was created Bishop of Exeter, A.D. 1593. It was in this Bishop's time that the manor of Crediton was alienated from the Church at Exeter ; the Manor of Crediton had been affixed to the Bishopric of Exeter from the time of Eudolphus, Bishop of Devon, A.D. 907 to A.D. 1594, computed to be worth a thousand marks a year, a large sum in those days. Babington wrote several learned books, amongst others, Commentaries on the Five Books of Moses, Commentaries on the Lord's Prayer, The Creed, and the Ten Commandments. He died 16th of February, 161 o, and was buried in the Church at Worcester. BABBAGE. Charles Babbage is a native of the County of Devon, born A.D. 1792, one of the most celebrated mathematicians and astronomers of the age. We are informed he took high mathematical honors at Trinity College, Cambridge. " By his astronomical calculations he discovered that the logarithmic tables by which the larger calculations were carried out before his day were very defective ; navigators were well aware of these imperfections, but did not know how to correct them, until a new system of calculating was brought into use by Mr. Babbage." It is by his calculations that the data are derived by which a vessel can now be correctly navigated. Mr. Babbage having been made aware of the imperfec- tion of certain calculations set his comprehensive mind to work, in order to ascertain if it were possible to establish the unerring movements of mechanism in the preparation of logarithmic tables. In order to carry out his views he visited various centres of mechanical labour on the Continent and in England, where he studied the mechanism of different wheels, levers, valves, &c, &c, and their functions ; he then directed the construction of an instru- ment entitled "A Difference Engine." This instrument performed its required functions admirably, by which he was enabled to construct his "tables of logarithms of the natural numbers, from I to 108,000. This invaluable work has been received with feelings of the deepest gratitude throughout the whole of Europe, and has been translated into various languages. Mr. Babbage has produced another work of great value entitled " The Economy of Manufactories." As a proof of the high estimation in which Mr. Babbage was held by the members of his College, they elected him Mathematical Pro- fessor, the most distinguished honor that Trinity College could bestow. The great Sir Isaac Newton once occupied the same chair at the University. In addition to various scientific works, Mr. Babbage is the author of the " Ninth Bridgewater Treatise" This work goes to refute an opinion supposed to be implied in the first volume of that series, that ardent devotion to mathematical studies is unfavourable to Christian faith. Mr. Babbage in his writings appears to take a desponding view of the state of science in England ; this opinion is openly expressed in his volume entitled " Decline of Science" as well as in his volume entitled " The Great Exhibition" published in 1851. BALDWIN. Baldwin, Archbishop of Canterbury, A.D. 1 184, was born at Exeter of humble parentage. By his industry in study he was thought worthy of being sent to the Abbey of Glastonbury, where he made great progress. After a time he became a Monk in the Abbey of Ford, in this County, and then Abbot of that noted Convent. In the reign of Henry the 2nd he was made Bishop of Gloucester A.D. 1 181, and in 1183 he was translated to the Archbishopric of Canterbury, and made Primate of all England. He built the Palace at Lambeth. He was a man of great learning, not only in theology, but also in philosophy, and was gifted with great powers of elocution. It was in Baldwin's time that Richard the 1st of England raised a mighty army of 35,000 men to rescue "the Holy Sepulchre of the blessed Saviour " out of the hands of the infidels. Baldwin, though of great age, joined the King in this crusade, in which undertaking his life was sacrificed A.D. 1191, and he was buried at Tyre in Syria ; he dedicated as many as eighteen volumes to Iscanus, Bishop of Exeter. BAMPFIELD. SIR COPLESTON BAMPFIELD, Bart., was the eldest son of a family of nineteen children ; his father was Sir John Bampfield, Bart., and his mother the daughter and co-heiress of Copleston of Copleston and Warley ; their son was born in the year 1636, at Poltimore, about four miles to the east of the city of Exeter. The manor of Poltimore comprises the whole parish ; there were attached to the mansion a park and extensive woods. The house has recently been rebuilt by the late Lord Poltimore, who was created a peer during the early part of this century. Sir Copleston Bampfield was educated at Corpus Christi College, where, from his great wealth, he lived in a most generous and sumptuous style ; and on leaving the University, he presented his College with a gift of rich plate, which was afterwards stolen from the Collegiate chest. Sir Copleston Bampfield, living in very turbulent times, joined a number of very influential men in his native county, in taking a decided stand on the side of loyalty, and assisted greatly in restoring Charles II. to the throne. He narrowly escaped falling into the hands of the Puritans, by secreting himself in the house of his friend, Sir John Drake. At length, he, with other gentle- men of distinction, resolved to petition Parliament for the restora- tion of order and monarchical government ; accordingly, they signed a protest to that effect, and sent it to the Speaker of the House of Commons. The protest was presented to the Speaker by Thos. Bampfield, a near relation of Sir Copleston. The landed proprietors of Devon were the first who dared to take this step ; their example was followed by many in various parts of the king- dom, which greatly accelerated the restoration of Charles II. Soon after which, Charles entered London, escorted by Bampfield's kinsman, General Monk, with his regiment of Coldstream Guards, and many nobles of the land, who were in favour of the Restora- tion. Sir Copleston Bampfield was deputed by the men of his county to present a memorial to General Monk, expressing the debt of gratitude England must ever feel towards him for his admirable foresight in bringing about the blessing of the union of Church and State, together with the rights and privileges of the people. Nor was Bampfield less serviceable in quelling the dis- affected spirit which prevailed, with those who had to give up property, which anarchy and depredation had placed in their hands ; in this he was greatly assisted by Sir William Courtenay, •who raised volunteers for that purpose. Sir Copleston Bampfield was appointed Sheriff for Devon by Charles the Second after his restoration ; an office he filled with great splendor, such as had never been seen before. On King James the Second coming to the Throne, he directed that this noble gentleman should be deprived of his Commission of the Peace and also of his Deputy Lieutenancy ; this act was so little approved of by his countrymen that they at once elected him as their County Member. Sir Copleston's health declining, his only son succeeded him in the command of the Militia, at the time that William of Orange and Queen Mary landed in Torbay, when in the place of his father, he waited on his highness to welcome him to our shores as the preserver of our laws and our religion. A sad event in the Bampfield family is said to have greatly hastened Sir Copleston's death : his only son, Colonel Hugh Bampfield, was accidentally thrown from his horse and killed on the spot ; he was a young man of veiy great promise, inheriting his father's nobleness of character. Sir Copleston died in the year 169 1, aged 55. Sir Copleston Bampfield is reported to have been one of the finest grown and handsomest men of his time, with a countenance and manner which endeared him to all those who were acquainted with him ; he was a man of good judgment and dignity of character, and always moved with a splendid retinue of servants and equipages. The following interesting anecdote of the Bampfield family must not be omitted ; it was related by the Rev. Richard Bampfield some forty years ago to the writer, who happened to be dining with him at the family mansion. Whilst walking through the gallery of paintings, of which there were some good and many bad ones, mostly family portraits, a remarkable picture at the end of the gallery attracted attention ; it represented a man in a hunting costume, with a hound reclining its head on his knee, and on his ringer a hawk. "This portrait," said Mr. Bampfield, "though badly executed, is one full of interest to our family, as we are descended from the man it represents/' The anecdote was related as nearly as possible in the following words, " The portrait is a likeness of " Dick the Hunter," as he has always been called ; he lived some centuries ago, and the tradition is this : there were twin sons, born to the house of Bampfield, whose parents died in their infancy. The children were committed to the care of the nurse and thrived for some time ; at length one of the children died, and was buried in the family vault at Poltimore, the other was said to have pined and died also, and the ceremony of an interment was gone through. The Bampfield property was consequently left in the hands of trustees, who, after a time, took possession of the estate (as no lawful heir made his appearance), and for many years the proceeds of the estate were divided between the gentlemen in question, who were of high standing in the county. At length, however, one of them think- ing he had not his full share of the booty, sought a quarrel with his co-trustees ; during the dispute, mention was made of the existence of the rightful heir ; the conversation was overheard by a servant, who immediately informed a magistrate ot all he had heard. An enquiry was at once made into the circumstances of the case : the family vault was opened, the lid of the first coffin was raised, and there were the remains of a departed child ; the second coffin was also opened, and behold it was filled with sawdust and stones. How to find the lost one was now the difficulty ; it fortunately happened that the woman who had nurtured the children was still living, and enquiry was made of her whether there was any mark or peculiarity in either of the children. Her answer was, "On the right breast of the younger child there was a mark, by which means it was always known from the IO firstborn ; I was not however present at the death of the second child, for it had previously been removed from my care." This state- ment of the nurse was the means, however, of causing a search to be made, which ultimately led to the discovery of " Dick the Hunter," who was found residing in a hut as gamekeeper to some gentleman in the county of York. The evidence as to identity was so clear that he was at once put in possession of his property and estate. He would not, however, take up his abode in the mansion, but lived in a cottage in the midst of the preserves at Poltimore until his death ; his wealth greatly accumulating whilst he was in such retirement. It does not appear who was the wife of "Dick the Hunter," but he left a son in whom the property was vested, and from whom the present family of Bampfield is descended." Before concluding this brief account of the family, an incident which occurred in the early part of this century may be interesting to the reader. It is well known that George the 3rd often went to Weymouth to enjoy the sea breezes there : on one occasion, when the king was walking on the sands, he was struck with the appearance of a remarkably handsome lad, and was induced to ask his name, " My name is Bampfield," said the boy, " and I live at Poltimore, in Devonshire, and since you have asked me, my name, may I ask you, yours ?" The good natured king said, " Oh, my name is George ! King George, I mean ; you have heard of him I daresay." " Oh, yes, sir," said the boy, " to be sure I have, he is an intimate friend of my father's, he drinks his health every day after dinner." The quick reply greatly delighted the king, and he often narrated the loyal saying of the handsome young Bampfield. II BASSET. Colonel Arthur Basset was born in 1597, at Heanton Court, near Barnstaple. He was the son of Sir Robert Basset, and was de- scended from illustrious ancestors : the first named is Osmund Basset, and from him descended many nobles of the land. In addition to Heanton Court, another splendid mansion belonging to the family stood at Umberleigh, about eight miles to the south of Barnstaple, said to have been the palace of King Athelstan. Sir Robert Basset the father of the Colonel, being by descent a Plantaganet, and of the blood Royal, laid claim to the Crown of England in the reign of James I., which claim failing he was obliged to fly into France to save his head. This circumstance also impoverished the knight, he was obliged to sell thirty manors of land to free himself. Colonel Basset was a man of high attainments, and received his education at Oxford. He then studied for the Bar. He married a daughter of Leigh, of Borough, in the parish of Northam, near Bideford, a lady of good estate. Colonel Basset, in the reign of Charles the Martyr, entered the field to defend the rights of the Crown, and was made by the King governor of Barnstaple, which town, however, surrendered to General Fairfax after he had brought Exeter under his subjection. Basset had to pay a large sum of money for his loyalty. At length affairs took a turn, and"] by| the efforts of General Monk (Basset's kinsman, neighbour, and friend), Charles II. ascending the throne of England, order and good government followed, and Colonel Basset had his Honors and his lands restored to him. He is said to have been a man of untarnished character, just and upright to all men, and his loyalty unrivalled ; and he was willing to make any sacrifice to prove it. He died at Heanton in his 75th year, and was buried in the parish church, where there is a noble monument erected to his memory. 12 BATH. Sir Henry Bath (or de Bath, or Bathon), one of the judges in the Court of King's Bench, was born at Bath House, in the parish of North Tawton. In very early days there were vast estates belonging to this family in the County of Devon ; and among the men of fame who lived in the days of Henry the 3rd, is found the name of Sir Walter de Bath, of Bathon, in the parish of Colebrooke. There is an ancient tradition connected with the family seat at North Tawton, which is thus spoken of by Prince in his " Worthies of Devon." In front of Bath House is a large excavation of some depth, which, under ordinary cir- cumstances, is perfectly dry, but before any great national event, or family calamity, a spring rises and pours forth its waters into it, so that it becomes perfectly full.* This circumstance was seen to occur three times in thirty years. There is a similar coincidence spoken of in Hertfordshire, the locality being called Wo-mer, another in Cheshire called Meer. Whether these phenomena are ever seen in these days the writer knows not ; but true it is, they are spoken of as occurring in former days, on apparently good authority. Sir Walter de Bathon was Sheriff of the County of Devon as far back as 12 17, and continued in the same office for fourteen years, which bespeaks the great influence this family had in this county and in the state. The following account is given of the family by Sir William Pole. Sir Henry Bath and Hugh Gifford, of Wear Gifford in this county, were both appointed judges by King Henry the 3rd. Bath was also appointed one of the Justices Itinerant (as they were then called) for Hertford, Kent, Essex, Surrey, Lincoln, and Southampton, for all which services, he was allowed the " great sum " of one * An eye-witness informs the writer that at the death of the great Duke the springs rose, so as to fill the pond with water. *3 hundred pounds a year ; this sum is named by way of com- parison with the sums received by our judges of the present day. De Bath afterwards fell into disgrace with his king for various acts of corruption brought against him by some members of the government ; but there appears to be doubt as to his guilt in the matter, as what follows will shew, for so indignant were his kinsmen, and the leading men of the county in conse- quence of the charges laid against him by secret enemies, that they accompanied Bath to London, where he was summoned before Parliament to answer to the charges. Amongst his power- ful friends were the Bassets and Sandfords, so that the violence of his enemies and his prosecutors was daunted, and the charges were not sustained. But the king who was present at the trial thought him guilty, and raising himself on an eminence in the midst of the assembly, he thus proclaimed, " Whosoever shall kill Henry De Bath shall be quit of his death, and I do hereby acquit him:" he then departed. There were many present who would at once have executed the king's terrible sentence, had it not been for Sir John Mansel, one of the king's privy council, who, after the departure of his Majesty, said in a loud voice, " It is not necessary to put that presently in execution which the king in his anger hath commanded ; it may be, that when the king's wrath is overblown, he will be sorry he hath said it, and moreover, if any outrage be done to Bath, his friends are here who will have their revenge on you." This wise council was well taken, for which it appears the king was glad ; for by paying a fine, and by the intercession of the Earl of Cornwall, the king's brother, and Falco Basset, bishop of London, Bath was not only forgiven but restored to his former places of trust, and also to the king's good graces. If Bath were innocent, well ; but if guilty, he escaped judgment better than Sisamnes, one of the judges of Cambyses ; who, having given an unjust judgment, was condemned by that 14 heathen prince to be flayed alive and his skin hung over the judgment seat ; he then bestowed the office of the father on the son, telling him that if he were to be guilty of injustice he would meet the same fate as his father. The following is the translation of the words spoken by Prince Cambyses : " Thou judge that sittest in this seat, Uprightly deal therein ; And for thy guide take thou the light, The law, and father's skin." So completely did Bath prove himself to be innocent, that he was, by the king, with the advice of his privy councillors, appointed Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench, which high office he could never have held if suspicion had rested on him. Bath died 1 261 ; there is no note as to where he lies buried. BARRY. The following incidents in the history of John Barry, an old military veteran, now a pauper in the Bideford Union, aged 94, will be read with interest. It will be seen that he has fought in several important engagements, and that after fighting in the service of his country for many years, being only a seven years' soldier, he was discharged without a pension, subsequently becoming a labourer on the parish roads in the Bideford district, and ultimately a pauper in the Workhouse. " I was born in the parish of Washfield, Tiverton, in the year 1775, so that I am now in my 93rd year. Early in life, when a farmer's servant, I joined the North Devon Militia, from which I volunteered and joined the Third Regiment of the Line — the Buffs, commanded by Colonel Muter, on the 3rd of April, 1809, who was afterwards killed in the battle of Talavera. In May, 1809, I was in my first engagement, the battle of Oporto, under the command of General Tindal, in General Hill's second division ; General Wellesley commanded the first division. On the 29th July, 1809, I fought in the battle of Talavera ; my third engagement was the battle of Busacoa in 18 10 ; my fourth engagement was in the battle of Albuera, May 16th, 181 1, on which occasion we were overpowered by the superior force of the French soldiers. This was a most desperate fight. The French thought they had taken the colours of our regiment from us, but it was not so ; the brave officers who carried our colours were Lieutenant Welsh and Lieutenant Fereruson the former was desperately wounded, and the latter was killed. They had both, however, concealed the colours inside the breasts of their military coats, having torn them from the staffs in their struggle with the enemy. I then fought in the battle of Almarez ; I was afterwards engaged in the battle at Burgos in 18 13, and I then crossed the Ebro with my regiment, and marched over the Pyrenees, fighting the way. On the 22nd of June, I was engaged in the battle of Vittoria in 1 S r 3, and at Talavera in 18 14; after which my regiment marched against the forces of Marshal Soult, and we fought our way into France, under the command of General Colburn, afterwards Lord Seaton. Soon after this, my regiment was ordered off to America under the command of General Sir George Prevo, where I had more fighting, in 18 14, in attacking the city of Plattsburgh. In 1815 I sailed for Ostend, from thence we marched to Paris, and joined the Allied Forces there when peace was proclaimed, the war being over. My regiment at that time was commanded by Major General Clinton. In the year 18 16 I was discharged with a medal, but without a pension, having entered the army as a seven years' soldier only. On my coming to England, I resided at Northam, North Devon, as a labourer, where I remained until I came into the Workhouse at Bideford, keeping myself free from parish relief until I was in i6 my eighty-fourth year, at which time I was employed by the parish in breaking stones on the highway, and had to walk four miles twice a day to and from my place of labor — namely, from Appledore to Northam Ridge, on the Torrington road. I have been twice wounded by sabre cuts on my head and face." On being asked if, at the age of ninety-four, he could handle a musket again, he said, " If my Queen and country required it, I could bring down one of those traitors (meaning a Fenian), for my eye-sight and memory still remain ; but I am rather stiff in my arms." Before concluding what he had to say of himself, he informed the Avriter that a General Officer (General Frazer, R.A.,) a few years ago came to see and to talk with him, and after giving him half-a-crown to drink the health of a general officer, he said : " I tell you what, old veteran, you are so like the great Duke, that if you had on a Field Marshal's dress, and were mounted on the Duke's old charger, and were to ride down Pall Mall, the Londoners would say the Duke of Wellington was come to life again." " The above statement of John Barry may be relied on as being, I believe, perfectly true. "F. L. BAZELEY, Rector of Bideford." This is the plain unvarnished tale of John Barry, in his 94th year, who takes charge by day of the gates at the entrance of the Union Workhouse at Bideford. His face has ever a smile on it ; his person is erect and of a military bearing, and when he opens the gates to the gentry, as he calls them, he gives a kind of military salute. Should the person who enters cast his eye into the porter's room, he will generally see the old man's spectacles beside the best of books, the Bible, which he has just left to attend to the duties of his calling. The signature to the statement was written without the aid of spectacles. [The above was sent to Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, who has been pleased to direct £5 to be forwarded to Mr. Pridham, to procure any little comfort for the old soldier, John Barry ; and through the generosity of his royal benefactor, he now takes a glass of port wine daily at eleven o'clock, in which he does not fail to drink health and long life to Queen Victoria.] 17 BEAUFORT. MARGARET Beaufort, Countess of Richmond, mother of Henry VII., lived, it is recorded, for many years at the Manor House in Great Torrington. The acts of munificence of this noble, good, and generous lady, are matters of history. She endowed St. John's and Christ's Colleges in the University of Cambridge. It is well known that she gave the Manor House and lands attached to the Rector of Torrington and his successors for ever, in con- sequence of the rectory at that time being far removed from the Church. The ancient rectory, known as Priestcote farm, still stands, and the Vicar at the present time resides at the Vicarage, built on the site of the old Manor House, whilst a portion of the glebe is situated at Priestcote. Many other acts of piety and goodness might be recorded of this remarkable lady. It is worthy of remark that the town of Torrington, situated on the summit of a lofty hill, can boast of many interesting historical records of bygone days. It is stated in the Doomsday Book, that the Crown possessed most of the lands in the parish of Great Torrington. Githa, the mother of Earl Harold, had her dowry in the lands of the tything of Torrington in the tenth century ; it is also said that she resided there for a season, and at the time of the Conquest she held the Saxon castles of Rougemont, in Exeter, and that of Torrington ; the former still remains a magni- ficent ruin, whilst of the latter there is scarcely a vestige to be seen. In the reign of Henry VIII. that king bestowed the living of Torrington on no less a person than Cardinal Wolsey, who, it is said, on taking possession of the living, preached in the parish church. Wolsey was the last rector of Torrington ; and it was Wolsey who alienated the great tithes, and handed them over to Christ Church College, Oxford, which College holds D IS them in possession to this day. The celebrated Nonconformist Divine, John Howe, lived and preached at Torrington ; he was private chaplain to Oliver Cromwell ; his works are much read and admired by many, even in this day. T. L. P. BERRY. Sir John Berry, Knight, Governor of Deal Castle, and one of the Commissioners of the Navy, was born at the Vicarage of Knowstone, near Southmolton, in 1635 ; he was the second of seven sons, his father was vicar of Molland, and his mother, daughter of John Moore of Morehays. The family flourished in Bery-nerber, a village near Ilfracombe, at the time of Edward III. The original name was Herbert de Berry. In later times the family resided for many generations at Eastleigh House, in the parish of Westleigh, adjoining Bideford. The father of Sir John, Mr. Daniel Berry, fell in the rebellion, in the reign of Charles I. Prior to his death the rebels seized the whole of his property, even the bed on which he slept ; his property and personal effects were sold by public auction ; his library, which contained numerous valuable books, was seized by a neighbouring gentleman. These misfortunes brought on an illness from which Mr. B^rry never recovered. He left a widow and nine children, who were destitute, and lived in the greatest poverty for many years. At length, John, the second son, when old enough, bound him- self apprentice to a Mr. Robert Mining, a tradesman at Plymouth, who not long after failed in business, and John was dismissed. Not knowing what to do, he trudged his way to London, and got employment in a small vessel, in which he learnt something of 19 navigation and the management of the little craft, which enabled him to get the appointment of boatswain on board King Charles II. 's yacht, the Sivalloiv in which he sailed to the West Indies in company with a small fleet ; it so happened that in the Gulf of Mexico a great storm came on, when two of the ships were lost and all on board them perished ; the Swallow lost all her rigging, and for sixteen weeks she drifted up and down the Bay of Mexico, and at last was driven into a Spanish port ; the crew of the Szvallozv were then in almost a starving state, having subsisted on the fish they had the good fortune to catch and on the rain which fell during the time. The Szvallow having been refitted, put to sea again, when she fell into the hands of pirates, who placed her crew in heavy irons, and gave them the choice of either being put to death or to be landed on an uninhabited island. The crew, trusting in Providence, preferred the latter, and soon after they landed had the good fortune to see a vessel from the Island of Barbadoes approach for a supply of water ; the captain kindly took the crew of the Swallozv on board his vessel, and landed them in safety at Jamaica, where they met with the greatest kindness from the Governor, Mr. Thomas Middeford, of Exeter. After a time Berry and his brave comrades put to sea again, and went in search of the pirate ship, which had previously taken them, and after three weeks found her in Hispaniola Bay ; the captain of the Szvallozv, failing in courage, feared to attack the pirates, saying she was of superior force, and her men so welf trained for war, that there was no chance of her capture ; whereupon Lieutenant Berry intimated that he was ready to take the command of the Szvallozv, and said the Captain had better go below if he was afraid. The crew heartily joined with Berry, and a desperate fight took place, which ended in the Szvallozv taking the pirate ship, and killing nearly all her crew ; but matters did not rest there ; the. Captain of the Szvallozv as soon D 2 20 as he landed called for a Court-martial to try Lieutenant Berry for usurping the Captain's office ; he was, however, honourably acquitted, and the Caotain disgraced as a coward. Soon after this, Berry was promoted to a captaincy, and com- manded the Maria, a fourteen gun frigate. He, with his brave crew, took no less than thirty-two prizes in four months ; this gained him great credit, and he was sent against the French with a fleet of nine ships. The French having taken from the English no less than three of our islands (St. Christopher, Antigua, and Montserrat), and contemplating an attack on the fourth (Nevis), Captain Berry, with his squadron, came down upon the French and Dutch fleets, and, although the odds were at least two to one in their favour, they were fairly beaten, and those ships of the enemy which were able made off for Martinique and Virginia for safety. Berry returned to England in 1672. A second war with Holland broke out, in which England and France united their forces against the enemy. In this war Captain Berry was the means of saving the life of the Duke of York, (the Lord High Admiral,) who was overpowered by the enemy ; for which service he was knighted on board the Royal Sovereign by King Charles II. Soon after this, Berry was ordered to convey the Duke of York to Scotland in his ship ; on which occasion he was a second time enabled to save the Duke's life, for the ignorant pilot, acting contrary to Berry's advice, ran the ship ashore, when 300 souls perished. Berry was afterwards employed on some important occasions at sea, and was made Commis- sioner' of the Navy. In the reign of James II. Berry was made Rear Admiral, and afterwards sole Commander of the British Navy. Admiral Berry was highly esteemed by King William III., and was consulted by him on all sea affairs. Berry died in 1 69 1, at Portsmouth, where it is strongly suspected he was poisoned by some unknown hand. He is reported to have been 21 a very humane man, a Christian, and a most dutiful son ; he left a widow, but no children, and was buried in Stepney Church, where a handsome monument records his goodness and renown. T. L. P. BLACKALL. BLACKALL was created Bishop of Exeter, about the beginning of the seventeenth century ; he was celebrated for his learning, and was kind and generous in his disposition ; through his means the Episcopal Schools were established in Exeter. Members of this family have from time to time been ornaments to the city. H. Blackall, M.D., was a distinguished physician, and greatly adorned the profession to which he belonged ; he passed a long and useful life in his native city of Exeter, where he followed his profession for nearly fifty years, in the early part of the present century. BLONDY. RICHARD BLONDY, Bishop of Exeter, was born in that city ; he was son of Richard Blondy, Mayor of Exeter, A.D. 1213. He is said to have been an Abbot prior to his having been con- secrated Bishop of Exeter by Boniface, Archbishop of Canterbury ; he lived at the time when the Monastery of Newenham was com- menced, and he dedicated the site on which it was built A.D. 1246, in the reign of Henry III.; the principal founder of which Monastery was Reginald de Mohun, son of Lord Mohun, of Dunster Castle, in the County of Somerset. Bishop Blondy was endowed with many estimable qualities ; he was Bishop of Exeter during a period of twelve years, and he is reported to have been a good, generous and pious man ; his motto was : "Truth will overcome." 22 BLUNDELL. Peter Blundell, the founder of the celebrated School at Tiverton, in which so many of our aristocracy and men of fame have, from time to time, been educated, was born in Tiverton A.D. 1520, of the most humble parents, being himself, as a boy, employed in running errands for the carriers who frequented the town, and assisting to look after their horses ; in this way he saved a little money, which he laid out in the purchase of some kind of woollen material, which was manufactured in the town of Tiverton. This" article one of his friends (a carrier) under- took to convey to London (gratis), and to sell it to the best advantage, and the amount thus obtained he handed to the boy. This was his first venture, and the foundation of his future wealth. By his industry he obtained sufficient money to purchase enough of the woollen fabric to load a horse, with which he set out for the great city, and sold at a good profit ; he then engaged him- self in the employ of one who sold extensively the article he had brought with him to London, and soon saved sufficient money to set up a manufactory for himself in the town of Tiverton, and in this way he amassed his great wealth. At his death he left much of his large estate for charitable purposes. The following list of benefactions, taken from his last will and testament, dated January 9th, 1599, i- s worth citing : To Christ's Hospital, London „ St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London „ St. Thomas Hospital, London „ the Bridewell, yearly ,, Tiverton Church • , „ amend Highways, Tiverton ,, Twelve chief Companies in London „ the relief of poor Prisoners and others . Towards poor Maidens' Marriages in Tiverton • £5oo • 250 • 250 8 • 5o 100 . 1,800 . i,8oo . 400 23 To be lent to poor Artificers in the City of Exeter . . £900 For Four poor Boys to be apprenticed to Husbandry yearly . 20 To maintain Six Scholars, Three at Oxford und Three at Cambridge, the sum of .... 2,000 But to crown his great acts of munificence, he caused to be erected a noble school-house in Tiverton, which he richly endowed. The building stands at the east end of the town, in form some- what resembling the college halls in Universities ; it contains two school rooms, each 100 feet long and 24 feet broad, there are also two good houses attached, one for the master and the other for the usher, with gardens to each. The master's income was fifty pounds a year, the usher twenty pounds a year, a goodly sum in those days. In front of the school is the playground, an acre in extent, surrounded by a high wall with a handsome gateway, over which was the following inscription, which time and weather have greatly effaced : " This free Grammar School was founded at the only cost and charge of Mr. Peter Blundell, of this town, some- time a clothier." A sum of money is left in order to keep in good repair the schoolhouse and grounds attached. At the present day there are four scholars maintained at Baliol College, Oxford, and four at Sidney College, Cambridge, from the Blundell funds. To Sidney College he gave five pounds a year for a Hebrew lecture, as well as five pounds a year to each of the Scholar- ships at Sidney, by way of exhibition. Since the death of Mr. Blundell, the property has greatly increased, which has given the trustees power to increase the number of exhibitions. The names of the trustees mentioned in Mr. Blundell's will are as follows : Sir Francis Popham, Lord Chief Justice of England, Anthony Pollard, Richard Bluet, Charles Bere, Roger Ashford, Roger Ware, Roger Gifford, James Clark, and Henry Worth, for the most part residing near Tiverton ; besides these there were nineteen other Trustees, who were most of them clothiers in the town of 24 Tiverton ; the Trust was made to them and to their heirs after them. He also left a large sum in order to establish a pre- paratory school. He gave moreover ten thousand pounds to his relations and friends in Tiverton, five thousand pounds to his friends in London ; nor did he forget the poorer class who had assisted him in the way of trade. After all the above claims were satisfied a goodly estate remained, which he gave to his executors Mr. William Craven (ancestor of Earl Craven), and Mr. William Parker, both Merchants in London. It is computed that the sum left by Peter Blundell for charitable purposes amounted to forty thousand pounds, but it is not known how much more he left to friends and others. His latter days were spent in London in the parish of St. Michael, and he was interred in the parish church there. He died on the 4 May, 1601, at the advanced age of 81. Perhaps there is no case on record so remarkable as that of Peter Blundell of Tiverton, both for the rapidity with which his vast fortune was acquired, and [ its judicious disposal for the benefit of mankind. Within the last few years a great change has taken place in the character and management of Blundell's School, it having been thrown open for the education of all classes, whether for the advantage of the school, or the good of the town of Tiverton, let others say. T. L. P. BODLEY. Sir Thomas Bodley, a native of Exeter, born in 1544; he was descended from the ancient family of Bodley, of Dunscombe, near Crediton ; his mother from the family of Hone, of Ottery 25 St. Mary. This remarkable man has written some account of him- self and his family. He says, that his father in the days of Queen Mary, being violently opposed to Popery, was so cruelly treated, that his life, and that of his family, were in danger of the stake ; consequently, they all fled into Germany, and remained for some time at Wessell, where they met with many of their countrymen tvho resided there in peace and safety ; they afterwards removed to the city of Geneva, where there were also many hundred Protestants assembled. At this time his father, being careful to give his son Thomas a good education, placed him under the tuition of some of the most learned men of that University ; and he soon distinguished himself as a scholar and a divine. The family resided at Geneva until the death of Queen Mary, when they hastened to England, and took up their abode in London. Thomas Bodley soon after entered at Oxford, and studied under the celebrated Dr. Humphrey. In 1563, he was chosen Proba- tioner of Merton College, and in 1564, he was admitted a Fellow. In the year 1569, he was elected Proctor, and afterwards Uni- versity Orator. In 1576 he resolved to travel, and visited France, Italy, and Germany. After his return, he was employed by Queen Elizabeth to procure the assistance of the German princes in order to aid the King of Navarre, afterwards Henry IV. of France. He was next employed on a mission to France, which tended greatly to the protection of the Protestants there. After a time, Bodley was deputed to go to the Hague, in order to carry out an important mission, which was performed to the satisfaction of the Queen and her Parliament, and for which he had the gratification of receiving from the Queen many autograph letters of warm commendation. On returning from the Hague in 1597, where he had been so successfully employed as ambassador, he appears to have gained E 26 the friendship and good opinion of the Lord Treasurer Burleigh, and the Earl of Essex. There however existed great jealousy between these noblemen, Essex endeavouring to put Bodley in the post occupied by Burleigh's son ; this placed Bodley in an awkward position, with regard to his old friend Burleigh, and so much strife existed between the noblemen concerning this affair, that Bodley determined to quit the scene, and give up all State matters : from this resolution he could not be turned, although the Queen and her ministers often sought his counsel. He was, more- over, entreated to be the ambassador to the Court of France, but nothing would tempt him to enter the arena again, and he deter- mined to devote the remainder of his life to the good of the University of Oxford — that seat of learning where he had passed so much of his time. He therefore determined to restore and rebuild the Library of the University, which he accomplished almost entirely at his own expense, expending in the undertaking .£20,000. He lived to see his noble work accomplished, and the Bodleian Library at Oxford was considered the most complete library in the world. BOWRING. SIR JOHN BOWRING, Knight, is descended from an ancient Devonshire family, their estate being Bouringsleigh, in the parish of West Allington. The father of Sir John was Charles Bowring, who lived at Larkbear, adjoining the city of Exeter, where, for many generations, the family had been distinguished as merchants and serge manufacturers. Sir John's mother was the daughter of the Rev. Thomas Lane, of St. Ives, Cornwall. His early education 2 7 was conducted at Moretonhampstead. He, at first, entered a mer- chant's office in his native city, where his abilities were soon seen to be beyond his position in life. His business frequently called him into distant lands, where he made the best use of his time, and his great facility in acquiring languages was the means of much of his distinction and success in life. In early life he made the acquaintance of Jeremy Bentham, and afterwards edited the Westminster Review. At the death of Bentham, Mr. Bowring published the biography of this great man, together with a collec- tion of his works, amounting to twenty-three volumes. Bowring became master of several European languages, and published many translations of poems from them, in which undertaking he became known to most of the Continental writers of the day. He was sent into Holland by Mr. Herries, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to report on the public accounts of that country, and at that time received the diploma of LL.D. from the University of Groningen. For his publications on Holland he received from the King of the Netherlands a gold medal ; and for his two volumes of Russian Anthology, Alexander I. presented him with a diamond ring. Sir John made Political Economy his study, and was appointed Com- mercial Commissioner with the Earl of Clarendon to France in 183 1, which paved the way to an increase of trade with that country, as the following statistics will shew: In 1831 the export trade to Great Britain was £602,688; in 1857 it amounted to £4,816,558; whilst the import trade from France to Great Britain in 1S31 was £3,192,300, and in 1857 it amounted to £15,467,055. Sir John's commercial missions also extended to Egypt, Syria, Lombardy, Tuscany, Rome, Switzerland, and the German States. Sir Henry Parnel and Dr. Bowring wrote reports on the Exchequer, which have become the law of accountancy in Great Britain. Dr. Bowring has been twice returned to Parliament, once for Kilmarnock, and once for Bolton. Sir Robert Peel adopted many E 2 28 of his recommendations in commercial affairs. He wrote a portion of Mr. Hume's Report to the House on Import Duties, which has been translated into every language in Europe. In 1849 he was nominated British Consul at Canton, and in 1853 he was made Plenipotentiary in China, Commander-in-Chief, and Vice-Admiral of Hongkong. He was then knighted, and made a member of the Royal Society. In 1854 he published a volume on the decimal system of numbers, coins, and accounts. In 1855, Sir J. Bowring proceeded on a special mission to Siam, and con- cluded a treaty of commerce with the two kings of that country, in which other plenipotentiaries had failed. This treaty is considered of vast importance to this country, as proof of which, six vessels yearly, previous to the treaty, traded with Bangkork, since which, 195 have been the average. During Sir John's administration in Siam, an insult was offered to the British flag, which resulted in a war with China, and led to the temporary removal of Lord Palmerston from office in 1855. Sir John has now retired on a pension from the Superannuated Fund, and employs his leisure hours in contributing articles to the Fortnightly Review, Cornhill Magazine, All the Year Round, and Once a Week. Sir John has been twice married, first, to a daughter of Samuel Lewin, of Hackney ; and, secondly, to Deborah, the daughter of Thomas Castle, of Bristol. His three sons have taken •a high position in the literary and scientific world. BRENTINGHAM. Thomas Brentingham, a native of Exeter, of which Sec he was a Bishop, was also Lord High Treasurer of England as well as Treasurer to King Edward III., when that heroic prince 29 took the town of Calais from the French 1347. He was con- secrated Bishop of Exeter 1370, at which time both the Bishops of Exeter and Hereford died. So great was the repute of Brentingham, that he was offered either Bishopric ; he preferred that of Exeter, it being his native place. He died 1394, at his palace at Clist, and was buried in the Cathedral at Exeter. BREWER. William Brewer, Bishop of Exeter. This remarkable prelate is believed by Prince to have been born at Tor Brewer, though many antiquaries have disputed the point ; be that as it may, we will give credit to Prince as the most learned and able historian we possess connected with our county. He states him to have been the son of Lord Brewer, of Tor Brewer, who built Tor Abbey, on the site of St. Saviour's Church, which had fallen to decay. It is not settled where he had his education ; it is only surmised that it was at Oxford. His father, who was Privy Counsellor to Henry III., procured for his accomplished and learned son the bishopric of Exeter, and he was consecrated as such by Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury, 30th De- cember, 1225. About this time Gregory, the ninth, Pope of Rome, was most anxious to wrest from the hands of Infidels the City of Jerusalem and the Holy Sepulchre ; for which purpose he published a Bull, entitled the Crusado, wherein he called on princes, and those of noble birth, to carry out his design. The Crusaders were all solemnly signed with the sign of the Cross, and ordered to wear the badge of the Cross on their breasts. Frederick, Emperor of Germany, and numerous other princes, were amongst the great host who were ready to give battle in this pious and noble exploit; it is said that no less than 400,000 English nobles and others joined the foreign Crusaders, who were commanded by Peter Rupibus, knight, Bishop of Winchester, and by William Brewer, Bishop of Exeter. If all this be true, it shews the great zeal for religion in those days, and the ardent desire to defend that which is holy and sacred, In order to increase the number of Crusaders, the Friars were directed to preach the forgiveness of sin and crimes to those who would join the expedition to redeem the Holy Sepulchre out of the hands of the heathens. With this immense army, the two Bishops set sail in 1227 for the Holy Land. Acting as Generals in command of the forces, they arrived in Phoenicia, where they met the Emperor Frederick. The Bishops remained at their posts for six years, and by their knowledge and discretion gained the good opinion of the Emperor, and all others who had engaged in the Holy War. On Bishop Brewer's return to his native land, he was made one of the Privy Council. Henry III., having given his consent to the marriage of his sister (the beau- tiful Isabella) with Frederick, Emperor of Germany, Bishop Brewer was intrusted with the care of the Princess, to see her safely conveyed into Germany to become the wife of the powerful Prince Frederick. The Archbishop Collein and the Duke Lorraine were the ambassadors on the occasion. King Henry III., with a com- pany of 3,000 horsemen, accompanied his sister and the depu- tation as far as Sandwich, from whence they set sail for Antwerp, and arrived there in safety in the month of May, 1235 ; the marriage was solemnized in the City of Worms, with great pomp and magnificence, there being present on the occasion three kings, eleven dukes, and thirty marquises, besides a great number of prelates. On Bishop Brewer's return to England, he was received by the 3i king and nobles of the land in a most gracious manner; the king retaining him about the Court as his most trusty counsellor. At length, old age advancing, Bishop Brewer returned to his diocese and his palace at Exeter, where he devoted himself to the duties of his office, and to acts of charity. He constituted the first Dean and twenty-four Prebendaries within his Cathedral Church, and bequeathed ample funds to maintain the dignity of the office of the Dean, and a certain income to each of the Prebends. The first Dean of Exeter was Robert Serlo. Bishop Brewer founded a priory for nuns in the parish of Heavitree, in honor of St. Catherine ; he also founded the lazar house of St. Mary Magdalen, for those who were afflicted with leprosy. This noble act of charity for the afflicted poor of his city was greatly prized, so much so, that the Mayor of Exeter coveted the patronage of the lazar house for himself. The Bishop and his successors were patrons of St. John's Hospital, whilst the Mayor took possession of the lazar house. This great and good man died on the 24th July, 1244, and was buried in the Choir of the Cathedral ; over his remains is placed a marble slab, on which is recorded his worth. BRICE. ANDREW BRICE. This extraordinary man was born in Exeter about the year 1690. His universal knowledge became quite proverbial in his native city ; he published a quarto volume con- taining 1746 pages, a very extensive work, entitled The Grand Gazctcer or TopograpJiic Dictionary, both general and special, ancient 32 as well as modern. This work bespeaks him to have been a man. of great research and profound knowledge. It gives a geographical description of the various countries in the then known habitable world, more especially in Great Britain and Ireland ; in fact, wherever England had trade, commerce, and correspondence. The work is written in a quaint style, but very correct, considering the age in which it was written ; it was a great book of reference, and was printed by the author in the year 1774, and published by Barnabas Thorn, of Exeter. Brice's intellect remained perfect until near his ninetieth year. During his life he was part proprietor of Trewman's Exeter paper, which was first published under the names of Brice and Trewman, about the year 1750. This paper still exists, and has always been considered consistent and loyal. BROWNSCOMBE. Walter BROWNSCOMBE, Bishop of Exeter, was a native of that city. Born of very humble parents, he was educated at Oxford at the expense of his friends, for his father was not able to con- tribute much towards his education. He first became Archdeacon of Surrey, and on the death of Bishop Blondy, he was conse- crated Bishop of Exeter. It is stated that at the time of his promotion he did not even hold holy orders, and it was con- sidered as a marvel that within fifteen days he passed through all the stages, from a layman to a Bishop, at the hands of Boniface, Archbishop of Canterbury, in 1257. He is charged with having secured several estates and manors of lands by unfair and unholy means ; and it is said that he so obtained the manor of Bishopclist. The story runs thus : " Sir Ralf Sacvil, Lord of Clist-Sacvil, being commanded to attend King Henry into France, mortgaged the manor of Clist to the Bishop, subject to incidental expenses which the Bishop might incur during his absence. The consequence was that the Bishop laid out so much on the property during the absence of Sir Ralf, that the charges exceeded the money lent, and in fact, the value of the whole of the property, so that it all fell into the hands of the Bishop, who built a stately palace on it, which he left to his successors, the Bishops of Exeter. The manor then bore the name of Bishop's Clist, but it was afterwards alienated, and passed into the hands of Lord Russell, through Bishop Veysey ; after a time, it was sold to Richard Beavis." Bishop Brownscombe died 1280, having governed the Church at Exeter twenty-three years ; he is interred under a noble alabaster tomb on the south side of the Lady Mary's Chapel, in the Cathedral at Exeter ; over the tomb is a stately arch, supported by pillars of marble, and adorned with angels. The first angel has the following motto on its breast : " Soli Deo honor et gloria." On the next angel is inscribed : "Deum adora, omni die, omni hora." Bishop Brownscombe built several hospitals for the poor and needy. BRUCE. The Right Honourable Sir James Knight Bruce, d.c.l., F.R.S., F.S.A., Senior Lord Justice of the Court of Appeal, was born at Fairlinch, in the parish of Braunton near Barnstaple, A.D. 1791. One of his ancestors was Lord Chief Justice of England A.D. 1266, F 34 and two of his ancestors had been Judges in the King's Bench in the same century ; and another ancestor was one of the Scottish Judges, who was also ambassador from James VI., of Scotland to the court of Queen Elizabeth. On the accession of James VI. to the throne of England, he was created Baron Bruce, and Master of the Rolls. The late Lord Justice Bruce, by Royal licence and permission from Queen Victoria, took the name of Bruce, in the place of Knight, his paternal name ; his mother's family name being Bruce. In 1812 he entered as a student in Lincoln's Inn ; was called to the Bar in 18 17, and soon became a leading member of his profession. In 1829 he was appointed King's counsel, and was returned Member for Bishop's Castle in 183 1. He was a supporter of the Conservative Government. In 1841, Parliament having decided that two additional judges should be appointed, in order to assist the Lord Chancellor in his arduous duties, Knight Bruce was solicited to fill the office of Vice- Chancellor, on which occasion he was knighted, and sworn in as a member of the Privy Council. It is said of the judge, whilst a leading counsel in the Court of Vice-Chancelior Shadwell, that he was second to none in brilliancy, force, and learning, and his faculty for business was unrivalled ; he had, moreover, a singular gift of language, with a great acuteness of intellect, never wander- ing from the point at issue. As judge, no amount of labour seemed too much for him, for in 1850, the other two judges of of the Court of Chancery being too ill to attend to their duties Knight Bruce undertook their duties to the great satisfaction of the Court. He dispatched the business with great discrimination, ability, and good temper, so much so, that a public expression of admiration was elicited from the whole Bar, in an address from the Attorney General. Sir Knight Bruce married the daughter of Thomas Newton, Esq., of Duval, Devon, by whom he had five children, three sons and two daughters. 35 BURCHARD. Saint BURCHARD was born about the year 728, and is reported to have been a native of Devon. He became Bishop of Wurtzburgh in Germany. He was brother to St. Swithin, and nearly allied to Boniface, whom they assisted in his Apostolic office. Burchard passed forty years in the discharge of his sacred office, and died at the age of ninety, and was buried with great pomp in the Cathedral at Wurtzburgh. Few bishops are more highly spoken of for piety and his gracious acts. His feast is observed in the Romish Church on the 14th of October. CAPERN. Edward Capern, the rural postman, is one of the most re- markable poets of modern times, whose early history the writer here records, having known him for many years, and been somewhat instrumental in bringing- him and his works before the world. He was a native of Tiverton ; his father being a baker, living on the banks of the Exe, close to Tiverton Bridge. At nine years of age, Edward Capern had learnt to read and to spell from some old woman who kept a school, and who predicted that the child would become a wonder. At the age of nine he went to work at the factory at Tiverton, where he remained for some years. He afterwards learned to mend shoes ; he then became a house carpenter, at four shillings per week. Taking a higher flight he became a portrait painter, and travelled about taking likenesses, some of which the writer has seen of a very ordinary character. By this time Capern had learned to write, and one who knew F 2 36 somewhat of his mental powers, procured for him the office of letter carrier, in which capacity he remained for seventeen years ; he has often said, that his study of nature, whilst thus employed, opened his imagination and brought out his latent poetical talent, for he studied the change of seasons, which brought with them the wild flowers in their due succession, the opening leaf with vernal green and autumnal tints, the notes of various birds, and the running streams, all which, gave him subjects for his muse, and his habit was to record his thoughts, in a poetic strain, after his return to his quiet home. In this way did he write many of his most beautiful and touching odes which he was induced to publish. During the Russian war, when the hearts of all true Englishmen were grieving for the suffer- ings and privations of their fellow countrymen, when the battle of the great Redan was fought, and the storming and fall of Sebastopol took place, Capern's poetic spirit was inspired to record these events, and brought from his pen some of the finest poems which were written on the war in the east ; these poems were presented to the Queen by one of her ladies in waiting, and Her Majesty was graciously pleased to express her approbation. After this, Capern's fame rapidly spread, and opinions com- mendatory in the highest terms flowed in from literary men and poets, as well as from the greatest nobles of the land ; amongst them, first and foremost, was the late Lord Palmerston, who procured for Capern a pension of forty pounds a year ; and it has been stated by one who knew his lordship well, that Capern's poems were always to be seen on the drawing- room table at Broadlands, and that few things gave his lordship more pleasure than to take up a volume of Capern's poems, and read aloud those he admired. Almost the last act of Lord Palmerston's life was to increase Capern's pension to sixty pounds a year ; nor will the writer omit to mention the meed 37 of praise which has been bestowed on the poet in a letter, which he has in his possession, from the late Home Secretary- Mr. Walpole, in which that accomplished English gentleman thus expresses himself, " I am greatly pleased with Capern's poems which you recommended me to purchase, they are so natural, so cheerful, so gentle and just, in their sentiment, with such a true vein of poetry running through them, that I have marked many for reperusal." Walter Savage Landor, one of the most able critics of the day, also writes and says, " I consider some of Capern's poems equal to the best of Burns " ; what more need be said of this self-educated man, or what more completely proves him to have been born a poet. As the reader may not have met with Capern's poems, one is here transcribed in order to shew his style of writing : TO THE WILD CONVOLVULUS. " Upon the lap of Nature wild, I love to view thee, Beauty's child, And mark the rose and lily white Their charms in thy fair form unite : I love to see thy trailing flowers, Quaffing the nectareous showers ; I love to scent thy fragrance too, When all thy cups are full of dew. When shadows cross the solar beam, Like sadness o'er a poet's dream. Oh, how I joy to see the ray, Again upon thy bosom play ! I know not whether others feel A pleasure by thy side to kneel, And bless the Maker of the skies, For kindling up such ecstacies. But when the old green lane I pace, And gaze upon thy smiling face, Such feelings thrill my inmost soul, As Reason's self cannot controul. 38 There is a beauty in thine eye Which only Poets can descry ; There is a halo round thy head Which only God himself can shed Ay, there's a glory circling thee, Which borders much on mystery, A type to favoured mortals given, Of Beauty's antitype in Heaven." CAREW. There is great reason to believe that this ancient and right noble family is descended from the kings of the Suevi, a brave and warlike German people, inhabiting a district of somewhat indefinite extent ; the Baltic being called the " Suevic Sea." The Carews seem to have inherited the distinguishing qualities of this ancient race, as many of them have made themselves a name in English history, as men of considerable renown. Sir William Pole traces their ancestors in England as far back as the Norman Conquest. The first of the line, of which there is any special record, bore the name of Walter de Windsor, from his being made Castellan de Windsor, or governor of Windsor Castle. His father's name was Otho. Walter de Windsor had two sons ; William, from whom the Lords of Windsor are descended, and Gerald, from whom the Carews and Fitzgeralds spring. The latter was Cas- tellan or keeper of Pembroke Castle in Wales. He was much esteemed by Henry I., and distinguished himself in the battle field. He married Nesta, a beautiful princess, the daughter of Rees, prince of South Wales, whose dowry was the castle and lands of Carew, in South Wales. By this marriage he had three sons, 39 William, Maurice, and David. David, the youngest, was Bishop of St. David's, in Wales. The noble families of Desmond and Kildare, in Ireland, are descended from the second son, Maurice Fitzgerald. The eldest son, William, Lord of Cams, had two sons, Raymond and Otho ; Raymond married a sister of Strongbow, Earl of Pembroke. Otho de Carew, the second son, had one son, William, to whom King John made the grant of Mullisford. In the reign of Edward I., we find a Sir Nicholas Carew summoned to Parliament by the special writ of the king, who had. at that time, a right to grant that writ under his " sign manual.' Sir Nicholas married a daughter of Sir John Peverel, of Weston Peverel, by whom he obtained great estates, such as Weston Peverel, Ashford Peverel, Mamhead, and other places. This was in the thirteenth century ; ever since which time the family of the Carews has maintained its influence and wealth in the county of Devon, many branches having settled in it, marrying and intermarrying with many noble families. The family of the Carews, of Bed- dington, in Surrey, sprang from the said Sir Nicholas, Baron Carew. He had three sons, John, ; Thomas, and William. John married a daughter of Sir William Mohun, of Ottery, younger brother of Lord' Reginald de Mohun, of Dunster Castle, in Somerset. His second wife was the daughter of Lord Talbot, of whom was born the celebrated Sir John Carew.* Mohun Ottery was the seat of the Carews from early days (1350) down to the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The mansion stood in the parish of Luppit, * In the parish Church of Beddington are to be seen many noble monuments to the memory of the Carew family, erected in a Chapel bearing their name. The oldest monument bears date i6ir, to Sir Francis Carew, son of Sir Nicholas Carew, Knight of the Garter, Master of the Horse, and Chancellor to Henry VIII. Sir Francis having no heir, adopted his sister's son, Sir Nicholas Throgmorton, who took the name of Carew. The Church at Beddington stands in a park, in which the old family mansion is also placed, now going to decay, and believed by the country people to be haunted- 4 o near Honiton, where Sir John Carew resided ; he flourished in the reign of Edward III. (1350), whom he served valiantly in France; he was, moreover, a great statesman. He was present at the battle of Cressy ; it was in this battle that Sir J. Carew's eldest son, was slain, who was also a knight of great renown. On returning to England, being considered by King Edward a man of great mental powers, Sir John was sent to Ireland as Lord Deputy, in which honourable post he continued for many years. He died May nth, 1363, and is buried in the parish Church of Luppit. Sir Thomas Carew, a near kinsman of Sir John, served in the wars under King Henry V. in France, and was present in that memorable battle of Agincourt, in which the English captured more prisoners than there were soldiers in their own army. Sir Thomas Carew was appointed to keep and defend the passage over the Somme. In the sixth year of the reign of Henry V., he married a daughter of Sir William Bonvile, of Shute, whose son married a daughter of Sir Hugh Courtenay, of Haccombe ; and so the family descends to the reign of Edward IV., when a Sir Nicholas Carew was a great statesman. He and his wife lie in Westminster Abbey, amongst the Kings and Queens of England. Sir Nicholas died 1470, and his wife in 147 1. A Sir John Carew lived in the reign of Henry VIII. He was a brave soldier, as well as sailor. He served with Lord Admiral Howard against the French. He perished in an engagement with a French carrick ; the French blew up his ship, and caused the destruction of 700 souls. We now come to Thomas Carew, who was the first of the family who resided at Bickleigh, near Tiverton.* He was a son of Sir Edmund Batten Carew, who married a daughter of Sir William * There are still the remains of a stately mansion which belonged to the family, not far from Bickleigh Bridge, which spans the Exe about five miles from Tiverton, on the road leading towards Exeter. 4i Huddesfield, Attorney General to Henry VII. Sir Edmund was a brave soldier, and proved himself to be such in the wars with France. Thomas, his son, also distinguished himself as a soldier. Eickleigh Court was sometime the residence of the Courtenay family, and was a portion given to a younger son of Sir Philip Courtenay, of Powderham Castle. He died early, and left one daughter, who was entrusted to the care of Sir William Carew, the elder brother of Thomas, who had married the cousin german of the young lady ; it was, therefore, not unlikely that Thomas Carew, the younger, should fall in love with the accomplished and lovely girl. The result was, that their hearts being united, they took an opportunity of forming a clandestine marriage. Taking advantage of a dark night, she fled from the house of her guardian. This act greatly enraged the elder brother, and the hero of the tale was sent to the wars, "he being powerful and brave withal." The next we hear of him is at the battle of Flodden Field. The Scots, taking advantage of King Henry's absence in France, assembled an army of one hundred thousand men in order to in- vade England. This powerful army was met by the Earl of Surrey, the Lord Lieutenant of the North, with twenty-five thousand men. The position of the Scotch army, with their king, James, was on the summit of a lofty hill, so that it was impossible to make an attack, which was at all likely to be successful. At the same time the English were encamped in a valley beneath, near Flodden Hill. After a while, the Scots descended, and gave battle to the English ; and, who has not heard of Flodden Field, in which King James IV. was killed, with many of his nobles, and thirteen thousand of his soldiers, the rest flying before the victors. The English losses were only one thousand killed. The greatest hero of that day was Thomas Carew, who accepted the challenge before the battle began of Andrew Barton, a Scottish knight, who, for the honor of his country, offered to engage in a single G 42 combat any Englishman who would come against him. Thomas Carew petitioned his chief to let him have that honour. He slew his enemy, to the great delight of his commander, and the joy of the whole army. Doubtless, it was looked on as an ill omen by the Scots, whose king had been warned not to war with England. Not long after the battle of Flodden Field, another occa- sion happened, which still added to the fame of the brave youth. He being on horseback, and in company with Lord Howard, saw at a distance some of the enemy lying in wait for them near a narrow bridge. He entreated his commander (thinking his life of more value than his own,) to exchange his armour and gay attire with him ; this done, they proceeded ; Carew with his trusty sword led the way, killing several of the Scots, and making a way of escape for Lord Howard. He himself was taken prisoner and conveyed to Dunbar Castle, where he was most cruelly treated, and confined in a dungeon, which produced a disease from which he never quite recovered. At length he was redeemed, and returned to his home at Bickleigh Court, enjoying the society of his wife, and the friendship of Lord Howard, who on many occasions did him good service. He outlived his wife who settled on him all her wealth. Amongst other manors of land was that very remarkable one of Haccombe, which, in former days, had only two houses, the manor house and the parsonage. It is out of any hundred, and beyond the precinct of any officer, civil or military, and by a royal grai\t from the Crown, is free from any taxes. These privileges were granted by the Crown for services rendered by this noble family. The Rector of the parish has the privilege of sitting next the Bishop, not being amenable to him, but only the Archbishop of Canterbury. He also wears lawn sleeves, and is styled an "Arch- Priest." There is a curious circumstance, well authenticated, with respect 43 to the door of Haccombe Church. On this is now to be seen a horse-shoe, the only one remaining of four, which were worn by a horse on which, some centuries ago, a Carew swam a considerable way into the sea at Torbay, for a wager, with Sir Arthur Champernowne. The wager was, which would swim the furthest on horseback ; Carew won a manor of land by the wager. His horse's shoes were nailed to the Church door, and the horse was allowed to be free from labour as long as he lived. The story is well told in the following old ballad : G 2 *£> "The feast was over in Haccombe Hall, And the wassail cup had been served to all, When the Earl of Totnes rose from his place, And the chanters came in to say the grace. But scarce was ended the holy rite, When there stepped from the crowd a valiant knight ; His armour bright, and his visage brown, And his name, Sir Arthur Champernowne. ' Good Earl of Totnes, I've brought with me, My fleetest courser of Barbary ; And whether good or ill betide, A wager with thee I mean to ride.' 1 No Barbary courser do I own ; But I have,' quoth the earl, ' a Devonshire roan ; And I'll ride for a wager by land or sea, The roan 'gainst the courser of Barbary. " Tis done !' said Sir Arthur, ' already I've won : And I'll stake my manor of Dartington 'Gainst Haccombe Hall and its rich domain.' So the Earl of Totnes the wajrer has ta'en. The land is for men of low degree ; But the knight and the earl they ride by sea. 44 4 To horse ! to horse !' resounds through the hall, Each warrior's steed is led from its stall ; And with gallant train over Milburn Down Ride the bold Carew and the Champernowne. And when they came to the Abbey of Tor, The abbot came forth from the western door, And much he prayed them to stay and dine ; But the earl took nought save a goblet of wine. Sir Arthur he raised the bowl on high, And prayed to the Giver of victory ; Then drank success to himself in the course, And the sops of the wine he gave to his horse. Away they rode from the Abbey of Tor, 'Till they reached the inlet's curving shore ; The earl plunged first in the foaming wave, And was followed straight by Sir Arthur the brave. The wind blew hard, and the waves beat high, And the horses strove for the mastery ; 'Till Sir Arthur cried, ' Help, thou bold Carew ! Help, if thou art a Christian true ! ' O save for the sake of that lady of mine — Good earl of Totnes, the manor is thine? The Barbary courser must yield to the roan, And thou art the lord of Dartington !" The Earl his steed began to restrain, And he seized Sir Arthur's horse by the rein ; He cheered him by words and gave him his hand, And brought Sir Arthur safe to land. Then Sir Arthur, with sickness and grief opprest, Lay down in the abbey chambers to rest ; But the Earl he rode from the Abbey of Tor, Straight forward to Haccombe chapel-door. And there he fell on his knees and prayed, And many an 'Ave Maria' he said; Bread and money he gave to the poor, And he nailed the roan's shoes to the chapel door." (Trom the November number of Bdgravia. 45 In the Church at Haccombe are several ancient monuments in memory of noble knights in the reign of Edward II. and Henry VIII. In the reign of Elizabeth, the Carews were cele- brated for their acts of valour in the defence of their country. In company with their countryman Sir Walter Raleigh, they on one occasion went into France to protect and rescue the Pro testants in that country, for which service the queen greatly rewarded them by giving them possessions in Ireland. The family of the Right Honourable Lord Carew, of Castle Borough in Ireland, is a branch of the Devonshire family ; he obtained a peerage in the year 1838. -Sir Walter Carew of Haccombe, how- ever, is the elder branch of the old stock. It is recorded in the days of Edward III. that the heads of two ancient families, who resided not many miles apart, were always at feud with each other, namely, Sir Alexander Cruwys and Carew, the former residing at his mansion at Cruwys Morchard and the other at Bickleigh Court ; and accidentally meeting on Bickleigh bridge, the former wishing to avenge himself for some imaginary wrong, drew his sword, which was the sign for single combat ; Carew was quickly armed for self-defence, and a desperate fight ensued, in which Carew was slain, and his dead body was thrown over the bridge by Cruwys into the river Exe, and thus was ended a deadly hatred, which had existed for many a long year. The news of Carew's untimely fate soon reached the ears of the king, who greatly esteemed Carew for his many acts of valor in defence of his country, and he directed that twenty- two manors of Cruwys' vast estate should be forfeited. This family still reside on their ancient domain, although little re- mains of the former mansion. Before concluding the history of this noble family, some in- cidents must be related of that celebrated character, Bampfield Moore Carew, "The King of the Gipsies," who preferred living 4 6 a wandering life with the gipsies, rather than the enjoyment of domestic life with parents who appear to have been devoted to him when a boy. He was educated at the Tiverton Endowed Grammar School, under the tuition of the head-master, Mr. Reyner, and from his proficiencies, promised well for a successful career in life. Strange as it may appear in these days, the school-boys kept and hunted a small pack of stag hounds, and chased the wild animals which frequented the forest of Exmoor and the ad- jacent country. On one occasion, whilst following the chase in the month of September, so much injury was done to the standing corn, that great complaints were brought to the master of the school, who, calling the young gentlemen before him, threatened them with the severest punishment, to escape which, Carew and two of his companions absconded, and joined a band of gipsies (about eighteen in number, of both sexes) who happened to be in the neighbourhood ; their mode of life so charmed the young gentlemen, that they solicited to be admitted as members of the tribe, which was allowed them after passing through certain cere- monies, and taking certain oaths. Young Carew soon became one of the most expert and successful of this wandering tribe ; his first exploit was to " do " out of twenty guineas an old lady at Taunton ; he made her believe, by his knowledge of astrology, he could discover a hidden treasure on her property. Carew continued to live nearly two years with these gipsies, during which time he often heard of the distress his absence caused his parents, they having offered great rewards for the discovery of his whereabouts. About this time Carew's heart relented, and he sought his home and the forgiveness of his parents, who at first did not recognize him; his return was the cause of great rejoicing in the parish of Bickleigh, as well as the adjoining parishes. Carew's strong inclination for a wandering life caused him again to leave a comfortable home, and unite himself to his former companions. 47 The character which he now assumed was that of a shipwrecked sailor, which brought great gains to his tribe. His next character was that of a ruined farmer from Kent, whose lands had been subject to the floods, by which all his farming stock had been destroyed ; but his most favourite and most successful disguise was that of a shipwrecked sailor, which character he assumed to the very life. On one occasion he appeared as a clergyman in the greatest want and distress, having been driven from his parish, Aberystwyth in Wales, by the persecution of hisjparishioners, who, he said, were a set of infidels, and would not listen to the pure words of the gospel which he preached ; his appearance on this occasion is thus described : he was equipped in a clergyman's attire, with a band, a large white wig, and a broad brimmed hat ; his pace was solemn and slow, his countenance grave and thoughtful, his eyes turned to the ground, from which he occasion- ally looked up to heaven as if in prayer, so that the hypocrite seemed to be overwhelmed with that modest merit which is evinced when obliged to solicit the hand of charity. After this he assumed the garb and character of an unfortunate quaker who had been wrecked on the Cornish coast, on a voyage to Philadelphia ; so completely did he play his part with the fra- ternity, that he brought some hundreds of pounds to the tent for the use of his friends the gipsies. There is an instance related of his having deceived a great friend of his family, Colonel Strangeways, of Melbury, in Dorset, who had declared that he knew so well every line in his face, that it was impossible for Carew to deceive him. Carew hearing of this remark, determined to try to take him in ; and accordingly placed himself in the road where he knew the Colonel must pass when returning from hunting. He was there to be seen, a most pitiable object, with crutches, one leg, and a long white beard ; so greatly was the heart of the Colonel touched at the sight of the 48 object that he threw him half-a-crown, for which gratuity the beggar was overcome, even to tears ; he then enquired of the Colonel the way to one Colonel Strangeway's house, who, as he had heard, was a very charitable and good man ; and so they parted, Carew going to the house where he had disguised himself, and having put on a respectable dress, then called on the Colonel, who was glad to receive him as the son of his valued friend, the rector of Bickleigh, and invited him to dine, when in the course of conversation the subject of the wretched vagrant turned up, and his pitiable ap- pearance ; Carew enquired of the Colonel if he had never seen the beggar before ; the reply was, " Never that I know of." Then said Carew, " You see him again now, and you were mistaken when you once said, you should know me under any disguise." With this the company, consisting of several neighbouring gentlemen and ladies, went into fits of laughter, and the merriment was greatly increased by the artful beggar narrating many of the events of his past life. One more anecdote of this remarkable man must suffice. It came to Carew's knowledge that his father and his mother were to dine with the Earl of Devon, at Powderham Castle, on a certain day. About half-way between Bickleigh and the Castle, the carriage of the Rev. Mr. Carew was halted to give alms to a poor shipwrecked sailor, who had lost an arm in the service of his country, and was otherwise a most deplorable looking object, so much so, as to excite the pity both of Mr. and Mrs. Carew, who did not fail to bestow alms liberally on one whom, they believed, had fought and bled for his country, and was now in the most abject poverty. Mr. and Mrs. Carew having arrived at the Castle, and whilst seated at dinner narrating the story of the old veteran, an aged beggar woman, with two infants on her back, appeared at the open windows, seeking alms of those who were partaking of the bounties and luxuries of the table ; in vain did the servants 49 warn her to be off, she would not go, making a pitiable story known to the guests, which so moved them, one and all, that a goodly sum was handed to the poor wretched creature, for which her apparently heartfelt gratitude was so intense that she cried aloud ; she then, with the assistance of two crutcJies, moved away, and was seen far down the park exhibiting the feebleness of age, oppressed with the burden, too weighty for her back. Not many days after this, the Rev. Mr. Carew received a letter informing him that both he and Mrs. Carew had failed to identify their son, who had recently appeared before them un- detected twice on the same day ; in short, so mobile were the features of this extraordinary man, and such his power of moulding them into forms scarcely human, that his nearest of kin could not recognize the cheat. Thus did Bampfield Moore Carew spend forty years of an eventful life, in the latter period of which he reigned king of the gipsies, to which distinguished honor he was promoted, as the most worthy of his subjects, by the ex- piring monarch, one Clause Patch ; he was faithful to his trust until his death at the age of Jj, about the year 1779 ; his remains, which were embalmed, as is the custom, lie buried in Bickleigh Church-yard, under the south wall, without a monument, or even a grave-stone, to record his death or his history. The interment of the king of the gipsies in Bickleigh Church- yard must have been an interesting scene, as, doubtless, many hundreds of the tribe collected to bid farewell to the remains of the departed, who had for forty years been one of the principal mem- bers of their tribe. It would be interesting to know what part the Carew family at the Rectory took, which is close to the Church, on seeing the remains of a long lost relative brought to its last resting place. The funeral ceremony of the gipsies is peculiar. The writer well remembers when he was at the grammar school at Honiton, a H So report reaching that town that the queen of the gipsies had died in a tent about four miles off, on Sidmouth common. The boys of the school begged for a holiday to go to the common to visit the tent, where, to their surprise, open to view, lay the dead body of the gipsy, which was embalmed and lying in state, surrounded by some hundreds of the tribe, who had journeyed from all parts, in order to pay a last tribute of respect to their queen. The clergyman of Honiton, the Rev. D. Honywood, was requested to perform the funeral service over the dead body, which, after interrogating the gipsy who applied to him, as to the Christian belief of the tribe, he tvillingly consented to do. After the service was over and the grave closed, music was heard, and hundreds of gipsies were seen dancing near to the spot where their queen was buried. On being asked why they did not pay more respect to the dead, they replied, It is our custom to rejoice when a brother or a sister goes to his or her last home ; but when a child is born, Ave mourn for the sorrows of this world which it has to pass through. GARY. Joiix Gary, Bishop of Exeter, 141 8, a native of Devon, was son of Judge Gary. He was made Bishop by Martin V., Pope of Rome ; he only lived six weeks afterwards, and never sat in the Episcopal throne. 5i CHAMPERNOWN. Sir Arthur Ciiampernown, who flourished in the reism Queen Elizabeth, was born at Court House, in the parish of Modbury, he was descended from noble ancestors, who flourished for fourteen generations in the house where he was born. The Champernowns married into the families of the Courtenays, Ashleighs, Bonvils, Carews, Mountjoys, Pophams, and many others of equal celebrity in this county. There were three daughters, of one of this family of Champer- nowns, who married respectively, Monk, Fortescue, and Trevilian. One of the family settled at Dartington, near Totnes, a place once inhabited by Lord Holland, Duke of Exeter. A branch of the family flourished at Umberleigh, near Barnstaple, North Devon, in the reign of King John. The last of the name of Champernown, who lived at Umberleigh married a Willington, of Glocestershire ; this lady declined to take the name of her husband, and determined to be called Lady Joan Champernown. From this lady the estate of Umberleigh has been possessed by the Worths, the Waltons, the Beaumonts, and the Bassets, in whose family it now remains. Since the days of the Champernowns, the mansion at Umberleigh has lost much of its former grandeur. Mr. Williams, son of Sir Michael Williams, of Cornwall, who married a daughter of Arthur Bassett, of Watermouth, is now the owner of Umberleigh. The Champernowns have, from the earliest time, been celebrated for their valorous deeds, but no one of them was of greater renown than Sir Arthur, who was the son of John Champernown, of Modbury ; his mother was the daughter of Richard Edgcombe, of Mount Edgcombe. He was a great general, and served in the Irish wars under the brave Earl of Essex, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whose father, Walter Devereux, the first Earl of Essex, deeply lamented the troubles which, he feared, were coming on this countrv ; they haunted him night and day, so that on one H 2 52 occasion he indited the following prayer, which, in these days of growing infidelity, may not be considered out of place here, though written just three hundred years ago : " O Lord, save that noble country of England, for the miseries that shall shortly befall her are many ; I know, I know them, this night hath God showed them unto me. And great is the cause that it should be plagued. For the Gospel, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is preached unto them, but they are neither Papists nor Protestants, they are of no religion, there is nothing but infidelity and atheism in them : no religion ! no religion ! no religion ! they lean all on policy and let go religion ; but, I would to God, they would lean on religion and let go policy. Oh, Lord, bless old England. Amen." Sir Arthur Champcrnown died at Modbury in the early part of the reign of James I. BARON CHANNEL. Baron Channel. Although this favourite of fortune is not a Devonshire man by birth, yet his family are natives of Appledore, a sea-port about three miles to the north of Bideford, where they at present reside. He was first articled to a solicitor in London, at which time he greatly distinguished himself in debating societies ; and from his sound arguments and his eloquence on such occasions his future rise was predicted, and he is now highly esteemed as a lawyer, as well as an impartial and upright judge. S3 CHAUNTER. JOHN the CHAUNTER (so called from his having a most beautiful voice, with "which he used to chant the Mattins, Vespers, Obits, &c.) was consecrated Bishop of Exeter 1184. It is not stated who his parents were, or what was his origin. Bishop Chaunter greatly assisted in the building of the Cathedral of Exeter, but died before its completion ; he remained bishop about four years, and is said to have been a good and learned man. He lies buried near the south door which leads to the palace. CHICHESTER. ROBERT CHICHESTER was descended from an ancient family in the northern part of this county. He became Bishop of Exeter, 1 1 28. His ancestor was Sir Thomas de Chichester, Knight, and Lord of the manor of Mary Church, in the south of Devon. A daughter of Sir Robert Chichester married Lord Bruce. This lady was highly endowed with every grace that should adorn a woman. There is a monument recording her many virtues in the Cathedral at Exeter, where she was buried ; it was erected by her husband, Lord Bruce. The diflerent seats of the Chichesters in North Devon, are Arlington, Hall, and Youlston Park, where Sir Arthur Chichester now resides ; whilst Robert Chichester resides at Hall, and Sir Bruce Chichester resides at Arlington Court. 54 CHICHESTER. Sir Arthur Chichester, Knight, Baron of Belfast, and Lord Deputy of Ireland, was born at Raleigh, near Barnstaple, North Devon ; he was second son of Sir John Chichester, and Gertrude, his wife, a daughter of Sir William Courtenay, of Powderham Castle. They had five sons, three of whom were created knights, one a baron, and one a viscount ; they had also eight daughters, who married into distinguished families in this county namely, the first to Sir Hugh Pollard, of Kingsnympton ; the second to Hugh Fortescue, of Filleigh ; the third to Sir Arthur Bassett, of Umbcrleigh ; the fourth to Richard Bluet, of Holcombe Rogus ; the fifth to Thomas Hatch, of Holler ; the sixth to John Fortescue, of Buckland Filleigh ; the seventh to Sir Edward Prideaux, of Farway ; and the eighth to Trevillian, of Nettlecombe, in Somerset. Sir Arthur Chichester first studied at one of the Universities, which did not quite suit his genius ; he then went to the wars, and served his Sovereign well both by sea and land. The French king, Henry IV., honoured him with knighthood for some notable ex- ploit in France. He was created by King James I., Baron of Belfast, 1604 ; after governing and bringing Ireland into subjection by his judicious rule for eleven years, his Sovereign called him home, and sent him as ambassador to the German court, where he greatly distinguished himself in the discharge of his trust and the duties which he had to perform. On returning to England he fell into ill health, and died 1620, in favour with God and man. He left no issue, and his estates went to his youngest brother, Sir Edward Chichester, who was created Baron of Belfast, 1624, and afterwards Viscount of Carrickfergus. It is reported that Edward Lord Viscount Chichester, who became one of his Majesty's privy counsellors, was a most worthy and emi- nent person, as well suited for war as peace. At Eggesford House . ' '///>,>/', 1,7, /■' III ■ 55 the scat of the Earl of Portsmouth, there was an effigy of this nobleman, and in the Church at Eggesford is a fine monument to his memory, as well as to that of his wife, which was commenced by himself, but finished by his son Arthur, Earl of Donegal ; on it is inscribed the following : — " In memory of Edward Lord Viscount Chichester, and Dame Ann his wife, and in humble acknowledgment of the good providence of God, in advancing their house." Lord Chichester married a daughter of John Copple- stone, of Eggesford. JOHN CHURCHILL. JOHN Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, one of the greatest generals England has ever known, and a diplomatist of no ordinary tact and knowledge, was born at Ashe, in the parish of Musbury, in the County of Devon, 1650. His father was Winston Churchill, who was a warm and devoted servant of Charles I. His first step in life was that of a page in the household of the Duke of York. He afterwards entered the army, and distinguished himself in defending Tangier against the Moors, as well as at the siege of Nimequen and Maestricht. His future greatness was then pre- dicted, and he was made Lieutenant Colonel. He married the beautiful and accomplished Sarah Jennings, the favourite of Queen Anne. He was created a Baron by Charles II., in 1682 ; then Brigadier General, and on his return from France was raised to the Peerage. He greatly assisted in subduing the Monmouth insurrection. He, however, was guilty of betraying his master, 56 whilst professing to love him, and advocated the cause of the Prince of Orange. He assisted at the coronation of William III., on which occasion he was created Earl of Marlborough, and Privy Councillor. He had the command of the British forces in the Netherlands ; after which he was again suspected of acting a traitor's part, in furthering the cause of James II., for which offence he was sent to the Tower, but he was again restored to the favour of the king in 1697. On the breaking out of the Spanish war, he received the command of the united forces in the provinces. His great generalship was shewn in attacking the preponderating forces of France, and gaining over that nation several victories, which were so momentous to England. The famous battle of Blenheim was ' fought and won by Marlborough, for which he received the thanks of Parliament ; a general thanksgiving was ordered on the occasion, and he was presented with the manor of Woodstock. His fortune at length changed, and, notwithstanding the great victories he had gained, and the service he had rendered to his country, a jealousy arose amongst the people, who said his power and influence were becoming too great. He was accused of peculation ; be this true or not, he left his country with his Duchess, having been deprived of all his honors. After remaining some time in seclusion, he again returned to England in 1714, was received into the good graces of George I., who reinstated him in all his honors, which he lived to enjoy about ten years. He died of an attack of apoplexy in 1722. The character of the Duke of Marborough is one of the most extraordinary on record, shewing him to have been a valiant warrior and consummate statesman ; while at the same time he was guilty of acts of the greatest treachery and duplicity, betraying, when his ambition prompted him, both his king and country. Many accounts of him are on record, some laudatory and many condemnatory. It 57 would be difficult to come to a right estimate of his character, not knowing the feelings and necessities of the times in which lie- lived. It is indeed difficult to imagine any man possessing qualities so diametrically opposed to each other : the one for good, and the other for evil. Let us therefore sum up with what may justly perhaps be said : — he was born for the age in which he- lived ; counting him, at all events, amongst Devon's most remark- able men, as he is universally spoken of as " The great Duke of Marlborough." CLIFFORD. THOMAS Clifford, Baron of Chudleigh, and Lord High Trea- surer of England, born about 1630, at Ugbrook, in the parish of Chudleigh, in the county of Devon. He was the son of Colonel Hugh Clifford, a good commander, in the time of Charles I., against the Scots. The Cliffords have married into many noble families, and are allied to Henry Lord Clifford, Earl of Cumber- land. Clifford is a very old family name in this county. Lord Thomas Clifford was educated at Oxford, under an able tutor, Baldwin Ackland, who was fellow of Exeter College. He then travelled for some time. Early in life he was twice elected M.P. for the borough of Totnes, which place he represented at the time of the restoration of Charles II., 1660. His accomplishments and learning were the means of his soon being introduced at court, and he became a great favourite of King Charles, by whom he was knighted. Although he was so great a favorite at Court, he followed his inclinations, and took to the sea, and was in several engage- ments under the command of the Duke of York. On his return I 58 from sea, he was appointed envoy to Norway and Sweden, with full powers to treat for peace with these countries. After which he went to sea again, and fought under those celebrated comman- ders, Prince Rupert and the Duke of Albermarle. On his returning to England again, he was appointed, in the place of Sir Hugh Pollard, comptroller of the King's Household, and was sworn in as one of the Privy Council. These honors were conferred on him for gallant services, performed in the wars against the French and the Dutch. On the death of Lord Fitz-Harding, Clifford was ap- pointed Treasurer of the King's Household, and one of the Lord Commissioners of the Treasury. He was Secretary of State in the year 1672, in which year he was created Baron Clifford of Chudleigh, and he was soon appointed to that most honorable and profitable office of Lord High Treasurer of England. He afterwards be- came afflicted with a most dreadful malady, which terminated his life at the age of 45, and he was buried in the parish church of Ugbrook. He married a daughter of H. Martin, of Lindridge, by whom he had many children, to whom his estates and honors descended. COCKE. Captain COCKE was born at Plymouth. This remarkable and gallant man, in the time of England's greatest danger, when the formidable Armada threatened our shores, equipped a ship of his own, to do battle together with so many of the brave men of our country, to defend England from the destruction which at that time appeared to await her. It is a remarkable fact, that the year 1588 should have been prophesied by the celebrated astronomer Conningsberg to be an eventful one (Annus mirabilis)]; 59 just loo years before its fulfilment, and was looked for, with anxiety, by all Europe. This was the year, when Philip II. of Spain determined, if he could, to subdue Protestant England to the Church of Rome ; and with this intent equipped an immense fleet, which the Pope named the "Invincible Armada," consisting of 130 ships, 65 galleons, and 19 pinnaces, carrying 2,630 cannon, 8,350 seamen, 19,290 soldiers, and 2,080 galley slaves. This immense fleet was under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia, and put to sea May 29, 1588. It at first encountered a great storm, which disabled many of the ships, and obliged them to put back to be refitted and repaired, but again sailed for the English coast on the nth July. England and her brave sons were now called on to do their duty, and 100 ships were quickly ready to meet the enemy. Amongst the number was Captain Cocke's little craft, which con- trasted with the tonnage of the present day, might well be called a cockboat. On the 20th July the Spanish fleet entered the English Channel, making its way towards Plymouth, in the form of a half moon. So great was the number of the Spanish ships, that they reached, from end to end, no less than seven miles. The English fleet was ready to meet them, and in a few days the mighty Armada was shattered and dispersed, fifty-three ships only returning to Spain, causing not only dire disappointment to the Spanish king and nation, but much misery to the nobles of the land, for there was scarcely a family amongst them that had not lost a relation. Out of the whole English fleet, only one man of note was killed, and that was Captain Cocke, who, bravest of the brave ! found a sailor's grave. About one hundred seamen and soldiers were killed in this memorable engagement ; at the head of them was certainly one of our celebrities of Devon — Captain Cocke. I 2 6o COFFIN. Portledge, in the parish of Alwington, about three miles to the westward of Bideford, has been the seat of the Coffin family for many centuries* A Sir Richard Coffin lived at Portledge in the reign of Henry II. ; but the name in connection with that place may be even traced as far back as the Norman Conquest, as is proved by a still extant boundary deed written in Saxon. Acts of valour have won for many knights of this name the gilded spur; Sir Elias Coffin, of Ingarly, in the reign of King John, and Sir Jeffrey Coffin, of Combe Coffin, in the time of Henry III., Avere among the number. One of the most celebrated men of this family was Sir William Coffin, who lived in the reign of Henry VIII., and was much about his court. He was Master of the Horse at the coronation of Anne Boleyn, at which time the king knighted him. Sir William held a post of great confidence and trust, being one of the gentlemen of the Privy Chamber, of whom there were forty, whose office it was to wait on the king in public and private ; they were all knights or esquires of distinction, and according to the custom of those days the attendance of two was required at each meal, to help and serve their royal master ; they had also to sleep within call of the king at night. Sir W T illiam Coffin distinguished himself at the " Field of the Cloth of Gold," where he appears to have been chosen by Henry VIII. as one of the champions in those celebrated tournaments. A curious story is told of Sir William Coffin which is worth recording. He was on one occasion passing Bideford churchyard, and seeing a number of people standing idle, he enquired the reason, and was told that the corpse of a man had been brought * In the time of James II. it is spoken of as being surrounded by an extensive deer park, and was noted for its well-stccked library. 6i there to be interred, and the mourners were all assembled ; but the priest had refused to read the burial service, as the friends of the deceased would not render up the dead man's cow, which was the only property that was left, out of which to pay the priest's fee or mortuary. On hearing this Sir William sent for the priest, and required him to perform the duties of his office, which, on his still refusing to do, Sir William ordered the sexton and others to place him in the new-made grave and bury him instead of the corpse ; but the priest, preferring life to such a kind of death, repented ere it was too late, though not until the threat had been in a great measure carried out. This act of Sir William's might have proved of serious consequences to himself, for, in those days such an offence against a priest would be looked upon as most cul- pable, and might have cost any other man his life. As it was, the circumstance was made known to the king, and Sir William was summoned before parliament ; however the interest which he pos- sessed in the House, and the favour he was in at court, saved him from punishment. Coffin seized the opportunity to draw the atten- tion of Parliament to the mischievous consequences of the priests' arbitrary demand of mortuaries : he begged parliament to take the matter into serious consideration, and so diverted the storm which he had expected would have fallen on his own head. An act was soon passed which put a stop to such disgraceful practices. A scale was made limiting, in favour of the poor, the extent to which such demands could be carried. At Sir William Coffin's death, it was found that he had bequeathed his best horses and a cast of his best hawks to his master, the king. The bulk of his large estates he bequeathed to his elder brother's son, Richard Coffin. He died in the year 1538, and was buried at Standon, in Hertfordshire, of which place he had been High Steward. 62 The manor of Portledge is still in the possession of the descend- ants of this ancient family. At a time of religious persecution in England, many of the family of Coffins emigrated to America, where they have ever since maintained a good position. COLERIDGE. The Rt. Honble. Sir John Taylor Coleridge, one of the Judges of the Court of Queen's Bench, was born at Tiverton, Devon, 1790. He was educated at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, of which College he was a scholar with Dr. Arnold and Mr. Keble, and from which he obtained a first-class in classics, 1 8 12. He became a fellow of Exeter College, where he won the Latin verse prize, 18 10; the English Essay prize in 1813 ; and the Latin Essay prize the same year. He was called to the Bar 18 19, and went the Western Circuit. In 1832 Mr. Coleridge became Sergeant-at-Law, and in 1835 was made one of the Judges of the King's Bench, when he was knighted. In 185 1 he was made Privy Counsellor, at which time he retired from the judicial bench. He was a man of considerable attainments, and edited the Quarterly Revieiv, between the time of the death of Gifford and the appointment of Lockhart, in 1826. He published an edition of BlackivoocT s Commentaries. His eldest son, John Duke Coleridge was a scholar of Balliol College, and afterwards fellow of Exeter College, Oxford. He was appointed Recorder of Portsmouth in 1S35, made Queen's Counsel in 1 86 1, and now represents the city of Exeter as an advanced Liberal. *3 COPLESTON. JOHN COPLESTON (surnamed the Great) was born at the ancient seat of the family, named Copleston, in the parish of Colebrook, about four miles to the north-west of Crediton, in this county. It is difficult to say from whence the name is derived, the family dates back to a period before the Norman Conquest, there is an old saying which runs thus : — " Crewys, Hole, and Coplestone, When the Conqueror came were all at home." There is also evidence of their owning large estates ; a moor stone is placed on the high road leading into North Devon, near to where the ancient mansion of the Copleston's once stood, just at the junction of four parishes, namely, Colebrook, Sandiord, Down St. Mary, and Coplestone ; the inscription on the stone cannot now be deciphered, although there are indications of letters on it, as well as fragments of stone which appear to have given the stone the form of a cross, which from time immemorial has gone by the name of Copleston cross. The large possessions belonging to the family are said to have been seized by the Norman conqueror, and given to his knights, which is known to have been the case with many of the Saxon race. John Copleston, of whom we are writing, was the son of Ralph Copleston, and Ellen, daughter of Sir John Arundel, a Cornish gentleman, from whom Sir John became possessed of large estates. The family of Copleston have married into many noble families in Devon, namely, the Courtenays, the Bovils, the Pollards, the Chichesters, the Bridges, as well as the Poulets of Somer- setshire. There does not appear that any attained the rank of knighthood in early days, as they were satisfied to be called " Esquires of the White Spur," an honor conferred by the Crown, and one of high degree. The ceremony was performed 6 4 by the king in person, who first places round the neck of him whom he intends to honor a silver collar, bearing on it a number of S's. After this ceremony a pair of silver spurs are buckled on the heels, and hence arises the title of " Knight of the White Spur." This distinction was conferred on two families only in the west country, viz. : Copleston and Winslade who resided in the parish of Buckland Brewer. It is recorded that a crime of great magnitude was committed by Copleston, a Cornish branch of the family, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, which might have led to the capital punishment of the perpetrator had it not been for the influence of friends, who obtained from the Queen a pardon, on condition that the culprit forfeited thirteen manors of land to the crown. The document is said to be preserved at Warley house. In later days there are members of the Copleston family who have distinguished themselves, one in particular, a son of the Rector of Offwell, near Honiton, in the eastern part of the county, Avhose early education was conducted by his father. At fifteen years of age he Avent to Oxford, and was elected to a scholarship at Corpus Christi College, in 1793 ; he gained the Chancellor's prize for a Latin poem in 1795 ; and was elected fellow of Oriel College ; he afterwards became Dean of Chester, then Dean of St. Paul's, and in 1827 was consecrated Bishop of Llandaff. He was highly esteemed for his great learning and his writings. He died 1849. 65 COURTENAY. Hugh COURTENAY, second Earl of Devon, was a warrior of great renown in the time of Edward III. He married the daughter of Humphry de Bohun, Earl of Essex and Hereford, granddaughter of Edward I., and died 1377. The Earl and his Countess lie buried in the Cathedral of Exeter, and a noble monument is erected to their memory. COURTENAY. William COURTENAY was born 1334, in the parish of Exminster, four miles from the city of Exeter. He was created Lord Arch- bishop of Canterbury in the year 1381, and was also a cardinal of the Roman church. He was the fourth son of the Earl of Devon, his mother was the daughter of the Earl of Essex, and on her side he was near of kin to Edward I. We find the name Courtenay in the " Battle Book," but the first of this noble family that came to this country, of whom we have any further record, was Reginald de Courtenay, from France ; he was the younger son of Florus, who was the youngest son of Louis le Gros, King of France, who began to reign 1109. It was Bishop Courtenay who cited Wicliffe to appear before the convocation at St. Paul's 1377, which ended only in words. Courtenay was afterwards made Archbishop of Canterbury, and Lord High Chancellor, in which office he showed a bitter spirit against all reformers, especially the Wicliffites. He is said to have played quite a double part, in appearance he was a reformer, but in heart a bitter Papist, caring little for the crown or the weal of the people. K 66 Courtenay having presided over the church of Canterbury for twelve years died at his palace at Maidstone, 1396. Two accounts exist as to his place of interment : one is that by his own desire he was buried under a lowly stone in Maidstone church- yard ; the other that by order of King Richard II. he was buried in the church of Canterbury with great pomp. Dr. Holland says that another branch of the family of Courtenay, in France, came to be Emperor of Constantinople. COURTENAY. Sir Peter Courtenay, Knight of the Garter, was the sixth son of Hugh, Earl of Devon, and was the brother of Gourtenay Archbishop of Canterbury, flourished 1390. He was a valiant soldier as well as sailor. His first act of valour was in the expedition of the celebrated Duke of Lancaster, who went to claim the crown of Spain in right of Constance, his second wife. He was celebrated at the court of France for his prowess at a tournament, in which he showed great skill, so much so, that he was greatly honoured by the King of France himself. He appears to have offered com- bat to many a knight, both in France and in England ; in some of which encounters he was wounded. At last he challenged a mighty champion, his superior in strength, by whom he was foiled and killed. He lies buried in the Cathedral of Exeter, near to his father, the Earl of Devonshire. The following lines were formerly to be read on his tomb : — [a translation.] The Earl of Devonshire's son, Peter by name, Kin to a King, Lord Chamberlain of Fame, Captain of Calais, for arms well approved ; Who dying, was above the stars removed ; And well beloved, went from the world away, To lead a blessed life in Heaven for aye. 67 COURTENAY. Richard COURTENAY, Bishop of Norwich, 141 3, was born at Powdcrham castle, the noble seat of the family to this day. He was the second son of Sir Philip Courtenay. His mother was daughter of Sir Thomas Wake, of Bisworth. He was educated by his uncle, William, Archbishop of Canterbury, who adopted him as his son. He went to Oxford, where he became learned in civil and common law. He was Chancellor of the University of Oxford in 1406, 1408, 141 1, and in 1412 ; and was in great favour with King Henry IV. and King Henry V. He was consecrated bishop by Arundel, Archbishop of Canterbury, in the presence of the king and his nobles. He attended into France King Henry V., who carried his victorious sword into that country, and demanded the crown as his right. The bishop died of dysentery in Normandy, (where he was with his warlike Prince), on the fourteenth of September, 141 5. His remains were brought to England, and buried at Westminster, near the tombs of the kings, on the north side of the high altar. He was a prelate of eminent learning, and was consulted by his king in all matters which required good judgment. His appearance was handsome and tall, and his manners most winning with all those with whom he had inter- course. COURTENAY. Peter COURTENAY, Lord Bishop of Winchester, 1477, was son of Philip Courtenay, of Powderham castle. This castle w r as in the days of Edward II. in the possession of John Powderham, a tanner's son, who alleged that he had been changed for another K 2 68 child in infancy, but was, in fact, the true son of Edward I. Peter Courtenay was first of all Bishop of Exeter. He completed the erection of the north tower of the Cathedral ; he gave the great bell for the tower, and also the clock, recording the days of the week and the days of the month, the changes of the moon, and the hours of the day — a wonderful production, con- sidering the limited mechanical knowledge of that day. Peter Courtenay, after being Bishop of Exeter for nine years, was appointed Bishop of Winchester, which was a much more lucrative see. This took place in 1486, under the influence of King Henry VII., to whom he had proved himself very loyal against the bloody usurper, King Richard III. This bishop died 1492, and lies buried in the Cathedral at Winchester, though there does not appear to be any monument erected or any inscription to be found to his memory — the more remarkable, as he was known to be a man of learning, and a good and generous bishop. Some have thought he was buried in the church at Powderham, where there are the remains of a monument of a bishop in his pontifical robes ; but no name can be traced nor any inscription. As the successor of Bishop Courtenay was a remarkable prelate, it will not be uninteresting to the reader to hear something of Bishop Fox, though we cannot claim him as a native of Devon. He was born at Gra-ntham, in Lincolnshire. This bishop was the successful counsellor of King Henry VII., who promoted him, in his life time, to four different sees, viz : Exeter, Bath and Wells, Durham, and Winchester. He was Lord of the Privy Seal and Privy Counsellor to King Henry VII., and also to his son, Henry VIII. It was by his wise counsel that the union of England and Scotland took place, which has since proved a blessing to both countries. 6 9 COURTENAY. LORD Edward COURTENAY, Earl of Devon, was born at Tiverton castle; he flourished 1553, and was one of the most remarkable of this ancient race, as will be seen by this short notice of his life. He was the only son of Lord Henry Courtenay Earl of Devon and Marquis of Exeter, by his wife Gertrude Blount, daughter of Lord Mountj oy ; he was the son of Lord William Courtenay, by Katherine, his wife, the youngest daughter of King Edward IV., and sister to the royal consort of Henry VII * Lord Edward's father, the Marquis of Exeter, was at one period of his life greatly in favour with Henry VIII., but after- wards he was strongly suspected of conspiring against that king's life, having joined himself with many of the king's enemies, of whom it is said Cardinal Poole was the chief, the cardinal as- piring to the throne of England, being in blood both a Tudor as well as a Plantaganet. The Marquis was committed to the Tower November 5, 1538, and being tried by Lord Audley, the high steward, was found guilty of treason, condemned to death, and beheaded. It is said that Henry VIII. was jealous of Courtenay from his great influence with his countrymen, and his near alliance with the crown increased that feeling. The king, thinking that Lord Edward must partake of his father's guilt, committed him to the tower, where he lingered for many years, till Queen Mary came to the throne of England, who lost no time in paying a visit to the tower, and there she was graciously pleased to pardon four prisoners who had been incarcerated by King Henry VIII., namely, the Duke of Norfolk, the Duchess of Somerset, Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester, and Lord Edward Courtenay, the latter of whom she restored to his honors * She died at Tiverton, 1527, and is buried in the Church of that town ; her son erected a Chapel to her memory, and a noble monument, which stands on the south side the Altar. 7o and titles ; the Queen having saluted them all, they departed from their fasthold. This Edward Lord Courtenay is reported to have been a person remarkably handsome, with high attainments, as well as accom- plishments, so much so, that Queen Mary entertained a great penchant for him, which was but too apparent, from her recom- mending him to marry, saying there was no lady in her realm, let her rank be ever so high, who would refuse his offer of marriage ; thus pointing out herself to him, as plainly as was consistent with her dignity as Queen of England. It is said that there were two reasons why he did not take advantage of his position : one was, that he was fearful to aspire quite so high ; and the other was, that he had formed an attach- ment for the Queen's sister, Elizabeth, who became that most glorious star of Old England, reigning over her people for so many years in happiness and great prosperity. Courtenay's preference for the Princess Elizabeth was, in the eyes of Queen Mary, no less than an act of treason. This feeling was greatly increased by Sir Thomas Wiat, of Kent, who had raised a considerable army to oppose Queen Mary. He having been taken prisoner, in the hope of pardon, accused Courtenay and the Princess Elizabeth of being privy to his conspiracy. Notwithstand- ing the falsehood of the charge, they were both committed to the tower as state prisoners ; and it was at this remarkable period, when that subtle question was put to Elizabeth in the tower, by Bishop Gardiner, whether the true body of Christ was in the bread administered in the Holy Sacrament, to which question the ever-memorable reply was made by this noble Princess : — "Christ was the Word that spake it ; He took the bread and brake it ; And what the Word doth make it, That I believe, and take it." 7i These noble personages did not long remain in the tower, for Wiat, at his death, declared that Princess Elizabeth and Courtenay were both innocent of the charge he had laid against them. After which time the council selected three personages, any of whom they wished Queen Mary to choose as a husband for herself, namely, Cardinal Poole, Courtenay, and Philip Prince of Spain ; the former the Queen thought too old ; the second, though handsome and courteous, and one whom Mary had regarded with no ordinary feelings of affection, partook of the Lutheran doctrine ; so that Philip, the eldest son of the Emperor Charles V. of Spain, was the one selected. At this time Courtenay resolved to travel, and accordingly went into Italy and other countries, and having reached Padua, he was supposed to have died of poison in that city. He lies buried in the Church of St. Anthony, in Padua, where a noble monument is erected to his memory. A descendant of this Earl of Devon married a daughter of Sir Jonathan Trelawney, the Bishop of Exeter, a man remarkable in his time. CREDITON. FREDERICK DE CREDITON was born at Crediton, eight miles to the north of Exeter, about the year 760. It is also stated he was born at Frisons in Germany; however that may be, he was closely related to that great Divine, Boniface, a native of Crediton, and who was entitled the Apostle of Germany. Frederick de Crediton went for his education into Germany, and was the constant companion and friend of Boniface. He became Bishop of Utrecht, and was the means of converting many to the Christian 72 faith. This was in the time of Ludovicus Pius, son of Charles the Great. On one occasion the bishop was dining with the king, who implored him to be faithful to the trust reposed in him. His reply was, " You do well to encourage a poor, weak man, in the discharge of his important office. There is one thing causes me great trouble, (said he) and I will discover it to you by this example : you see before us a large fish ; pray, your Majesty, at which end should I begin to help it ?" The king, not perceiving the subtlety of the question, said at once " The head." " That is right," said the bishop, " therefore, your Majesty, being our head, let Christian faith and piety oblige you to mend your ways, so that your subjects may follow your example : — renounce, therefore, (said Frederick,) your incestuous marriage with your nearest kinswoman." The king made no reply, but soon after obtained a divorce, and the lady was shut up in a monastery ; but Judith did not forgive the injury done her by the bishop. A conspiracy was formed, in order to murder him. Two assassins entered his room, who, at first, would not perform the deadly act, they being charmed by his manner and conversation ; the bishop, knowing their design, bared his breast, and commanded them to strike the mortal wound ; and so he died a martyr, in the faithful discharge of his duty. CREWYS. Sir Robert CREWYS, of Crcwys Morchard, not far from Tiverton. This ancient family was here seated before the Conquest, and some of its members are still the residents of the ancient mansion there. " Crocker, Crewys, and Copplestone, when the Conqueror came, were all at home." The possessions of this 73 family were extensive at one time, and would have remained so, had not Sir Alexander Crewys, in the reign of Edward III., slain his neighbour, Carew, in single combat on Bickleigh Bridge, which circumstance having been communicated to the king, as well as the injustice of the quarrel which led to the death of Carew, he caused the knight to forfeit twenty-two manors of land, as a punishment for the deed he had committed. Sir Robert Crewys was the eldest son of Sir Alexander. He sought fame in battle, and fought for his king and country, obtaining great renown, under the command of Lord Walter de Manny, a great general, in the reign of Edward III. This general fought many victorious battles in France, in which Sir Robert Crewys took an active and brave part. It is said of this noble knight that on returning from France, laden with the spoils of war, as well as great renown, he called all the creditors of his family together, and paid his father's debts. The creditors were called into the Church porch, and there he paid them all in full, which redounded so greatly to his credit that he was esteemed the most honourable of men ; and this generous and noble act must ever throw a lustre on his family. DAVIES. JOHN DAVIES was an eminent navigator ; he was a native of Dartmouth, South Devon. He went to sea early in life, and in 1585 sailed, with two vessels, to seek a north-west passage; and discovered the straits which to this day bear his name. He afterwards explored the coasts of Greenland and Iceland. In 1 59 1 he went with Cavendish in his unfortunate voyage to the L 74 South seas. After this, he went five voyages to the East Indies. He met his death in an engagement with some pirates off the coast of Malacca. He wrote an account of his voyages, and invented a very useful quadrant. DEVONIUS. DEVONIUS DE FORDA, who doubtless took his name from the county in which he was born, the place of his birth being Forda, near Musbury, in Devon, flourished 1206. He became the abbot of Ford, and grew in great favour with King John, who made him his father confessor. He was very learned, and wrote nine volumes of books on the records of Ford Abbey, where he was buried, near the tomb of the foundress of the monastery, Adeliza, daughter of Baldwin Brioniis, Viscount of Devon. DODDERIDGE. SIR JOHN DODDERIDGE. — As to the birthplace of this learned judge there are various accounts given ; some say he was born at Southmolton, of humble parents ; whilst others affirm that he was born at Barnstaple, being the son of an affluent merchant in that town. At the same time it may be stated that there existed an ancient family in the parish of Crediton, of the name of Dodderidge. His early education, it would appear, was obtained at Barnstaple. At seventeen years of age (1572) we find him a sojourner at 75 Exeter College, Oxford. From Oxford he removed to the Inner Temple, London, where he made great proficiency in common law, and became a barrister of considerable note. He is highly spoken of by writers of his time, and described as " a good artist, divine, and an admirable lawyer, both in common and civil law." His sense of justice has been thus portrayed : He is represented holding the balance of justice with so steady a hand, that neither love, nor lucre, nor fear, nor flattery, can make it shake or yield the weight of a grain. He wrote several very able works, amongst which were — The History of the Ancient and Modern Estates of the Principalities of Wales, the Dnchy of Cornwall, the Earldom of Chester, &c; the English Lawyer; a work on Antiquities ; Lawyers' Light ; a Complete Parson ; Law of Nobility and Peer- age, or the Magazine of Honor, and other books, all which bespeak him a man of great learning. He died without leaving any issue, though he married three wives. He purchased much land in the neighbourhood of Southmolton, the estate bearing the name of Bremridge. He was in the habit of closing his eyes during a trial, which gave him the appellation of "the sleeping judge." This habit he contracted, it is said, that his mind might not be absracted by outward objects. Dodderidge died September 13, 1628, in the seventy-third year of his age, at Forsters, near Egham, and was buried, by his own desire, in the Cathedral of Exeter, near St. Mary's Chapel, where there is a handsome monument erected to his memory, as well as to the memory of his wives, their effigies being cut in alabaster, bearing an inscription, as follows : — "To the memory of Sir John Dodderidge, Knight, who was. first, Serjeant- at-Law to Prince Henry, afterwards Solicitor General to King James, of famous memory ; after that, principal Serjeant-at-Law to the said King James ; and, lastly, was called by him to be one of the Judges of the honourable Court of King's Bench, whereof he remained Judge the rest of his life, for the L 2 7 6 space of seventeen years. He departed this life at Forsters, near Egham in Surrey, 13th September, A.D. 162S, about the 73rd year of his age, and, as lie desired, was here buried on the 14th of October." EPITAPH. '■ Learning adieu, for Dodderidge is gone, To fix his earthly to a heavenly throne. Rich urn of learned dust ! scarce can be found More worth enshrined, within six foot of ground." Dodderidge's brother's son succeeded to his estate, and resided in the town of Barnstaple. DRAKE. Sir Bernard Drake was born at Ash, in the parish of Musbury, near Axminster. This estate was given by John Lord Courtenay, lord of the manor, to Henry de Esse (or Ash). This ancient family came originally from Exmouth. The father of Sir Bernard Drake married a daughter of Roger Grenville, of Stow, in Cornwall. She was the mother of Sir Bernard Drake, who, from his accomplishments as a courtier and his conduct as a warrior, was in great favor with Oueen Elizabeth. She was pleased to confer on him the dignity of knighthood — an honor she never bestowed but on one who maintained her dignity as queen, and also did honor to his country. His great services were rendered at sea, and he was considered to rank, as an admiral, with Raleigh, Sir Francis Drake, Admiral Hawkins, and Sir Humphry Gilbert. These were the great naval heros when England had such long and glorious wars with Spain, her powerful enemy ; who has never since reared her head high enough to make any impression, or cause any fears, for England's safety. 77 One of Sir Bernard's acts of bravery was his engaging a large Portuguese ship of war, which was constantly on our coast, committing great depredations. He succeeded in taking her, after a desperate struggle, and brought her into Dartmouth harbour. The prisoners of war were sent to Exeter, to be confined in the gaol there. At the following assize, whilst the prisoners were being tried, a most loathsome and noxious vapor arose from some of the prisoners, who were suffering from gaol fever. The result was that many of those then in court sickened and died of the disease ; amongst whom were the Judge (Flowerby), Sir Arthur Basset, Sir John Chichester, and Sir Bernard Drake, who were at the time seated on the bench. Nor did the plague stop here ; for eleven out of the twelve jurymen died in consequence of it. Many others also fell a sacrifice to the disorder. Sir Bernard Drake married the daughter of Bartholomew Fortescue, of Filleigh, in this county, by whom he had several children. Many of his sons were knighted. A curious story is on record respecting the two Drakes — Sir Bernard and Sir Francis — the former being the high born gentle- man ; the latter commencing life in a small trading vessel. Sir Francis, thinking it possible he might be able to trace a relationship with Sir Bernard's family, took the coat of arms of Sir Bernard for his own, whereupon Sir Bernard sought an occasion within the precincts of the court to rail at him for his presumption and impertinence. It ended in Sir Bernard boxing the ear of Sir Francis. This indignity was made known to Queen Elizabeth. She was greatly displeased with Sir Bernard ; and, to show her displeasure, she directed that such a coat of arms should be given to Sir Francis which would immortalise his name. The coat of arms is thus emblazoned by Guillim : Diamond, a fesse wavy between two pole stars, arctic and antarctic, pearl. His crest was to be : a ship on a globe under ruff, held by a cable, 78 by a hand out of the clouds ; in the rigging of the ship is hung up by the heels a wyvern, gu., which is Sir Bernard's arms. This being made known to Sir Bernard, he took occasion to inform the queen that her Majesty could give a nobler, but not a more ancient coat of arms to Sir Francis than the one he and his family bore. Sir Bernard Drake was buried in the parish church of Musbury, 1585, and his effigy is represented by a statue. A representative of Sir Bernard Drake is the present highly respected vicar of Seaton, the Rev. C. Mackworth Drake. DRAKE. Sir Francis Drake was born at Tavistock. His father was a minister, who, not being well off in the world, bound his son apprentice to the master of a small vessel, in which he learned navigation, and endured much hardship in voyages to France and Zealand. He attributed much of his future greatness to thus early having to encounter the roughs of life. His master, at his death, bequeathed his vessel to him for his faithful services. Not long after, Drake sold his ship, which fell into the hands of the Spaniards. Having gained some prize money, he purchased two small vessels, the Dragon and the Sicau ; he now obtained a commission, which so elated him that he resolved, in company with his brother, and about seventy volunteers, to set sail for the West Indies, and attack the city of Nombre de Dios, where much wealth was stored for the Spanish Government. He met with but little opposition in taking the place, and Drake and his crew helped themselves to bars of silver from the treasure house in the city ; -unJide fart\G,*c vamtn& Ducts Tinted jJ riuum fmffUtem jui i.'tc set: arum crhc , iupnm annnium. ct menjium derem fharto , Z-evhirts jaacn I i/«> (M'CUmdvcCO, i njlijm feats r 'vrr-ius , 4 C j/ OcivbfT liStnc J rrrru t'Fo r«-ui/iir cum arret r-"-ru /vliu/sct /J. > 1- --■»"■*» **—■- 1 *-** -■,.»« i.htm l»r> 79 Drake was badly wounded in the affray. His next attempt was on Vera Cruz, which he took and rifled, and on his return to his vessels he fell in with a number of mules and their drivers, each mule being laden with about 300 pounds weight of silver, and several wedges of gold. Drake's riches now rapidly increased, chiefly by his successful attacks on, and plunder of the Spaniards. He returned again to England, with a great number of bars of silver and wedges of the purest gold, all of which treasure he shared with those who ventured their lives with him : nevertheless, he secured enough for himself to purchase five vessels and equip them with every- thing necessary for a long and venturesome voyage, which no spirit but Drake's would ever have contemplated, the largest ship being only 100 tons. The crews of all these vessels com- bined, amounted to 164 able seamen. Drake took great care to provide all things necessary for the comfort and well being of his men ; he also took with him various kinds of merchandize to tempt the natives in whatever part of the world he might happen to be. On November 15, 1577, Captain Drake set sail from Plymouth Sound ; being overtaken by a great storm, he with his little fleet were obliged to put back with some damage. On December 13, in the same year, he again set sail with more prosperous winds, and made Cape Verde, and from thence having sailed sixty-three days without the sight of land, they reached the coast of Brazil in April. During this long voyage the little fleet never parted company, but having passed through the Straits of Magellan, into the South (Pacific) Sea, the fleet met with a great storm which dispersed them, and Drake was left alone with his ship, the name of which was the Pelican, an appropriate name, under existing circumstances. After reaching Lima, he was fortunate in taking great treasures from Spanish ships, consist- ing of hundreds of bars of silver and a great quantity of gold. 8o Being now north of the line, Drake considered it high time to push on his way home by discovering the north-east passage. He therefore sailed north, and touching at Aguatulca, a place inhabited by Spaniards, proceeded to refit his vessel, and procure a supply of fresh water and bread. Leaving this place, they sailed fourteen hundred leagues in six weeks, which brought them into a cold region ; and there encountering thick fogs and contrary winds, were driven southward, and landed on an island where they were well received, the king coming and placing presents before them, and offering Drake a crown and a sceptre, which he received, and called his new kingdom Nova Albion, in the name of his Queen. He also erected a monument, on which was placed a plate of brass and on it was written in the name of Queen Elizabeth, an assertion of her right, as well as that of her successors to the place ; under- neath were inscribed the arms of England. Drake now bent his course eastward, reached the Molucca Islands, and landed at Terrenata ; there the king graciously received him, and said they must be brothers, as they believed in the same religion — he not worshipping graven or carved images, as others did. On leaving Terrenata, his ship struck on a rock, and had the wind not abated, she and her crew must have been lost ; fortunately, the wind changed, and blew off shore, and so, by God's mercy, they were saved. Drake now resolved to bend his course homewards, and made the Island of Java, where he was well received by the king. Leaving Java, he made the Cape of Good Hope, and passing the coast of Africa, returned safe to England. With grateful and joyful hearts Drake and his crew got safe within the Sound at Plymouth on September 26, 1580, after a voyage of two years and ten months. In this voyage this heroic captain, after many discoveries and strange adventures, gave names to many islands and countries. Amidst dangers innumerable, he circumnavigated the globe, and was the first Englishman who ever performed this 8i wondrous exploit. In his reckoning, however, he lost one day, which may be easily accounted for by imperfect nautical measurement of degrees and time. Drake having brought his ship to Deptford, Queen Elizabeth honoured him with her presence on board, and conferred on him the honour of knighthood, in the year 1581. After this, Drake is heard of in the West Indies in 1585, with his fleet, taking the islands of St. Jago, St. Domingo, Carthagena and St. Augustine, services rendered to this country of the greatest value. He then beards the Spanish admiral, and destroys 10,000 tons of the Spanish shipping in the Spanish ports. The crowning act of Drake's sea fights, which renders his name illustrious, was his heroic bearing on the occasion of the Spanish Invincible Armada making its appearance in the Channel in hostile array. The English fleet was commanded by Lord Howard of Effingham (the Lord High Admiral of England), and Drake was the Vice Admiral. The fleet consisted altogether of 100 sail, nine of which were manned by gentlemen volunteers. Howard was the first to attack the enemy ; Drake, Hawkins, and Frobisher soon followed and were in the midst of the fight, which lasted four days. The Spaniards lost 82 ships, out of the 134 which formed what they named their Invincible Armada. Drake's conduct on this me- morable occasion is recorded as most judicious and brave ; on him fell the greatest share of the fight, and had not the English been victorious, England would have been at once under the yoke of Spain. It is on record that Don Pedro, one of the Spanish Admirals, struck his flag without engaging his enemy, when he knew that it was with Drake that he had to contend, so terrible was the name of Drake in the ears of this Don of Spain. It is said that Drake died at sea of dysentery, brought on by vexation and grief, in consequence of disappointment at not ob- taining certain Spanish treasure of great value, which had been removed from Nombre de Dios and other places. He was not M 82 only great in the profession of which he was so bright an ornament ; but his mind was always at work for the good of mankind, and he rarely thought a task too difficult for him to accomplish. It was from a plan of his that Plymouth was supplied with fresh water ; the want of which was so great, that the inhabitants were obliged to fetch water a mile off, and even then there was not a sufficient supply. Drake having surveyed the neighbouring country, determined to bring a stream, seven or eight miles distant from Plymouth, into the town. It was a most arduous and difficult undertaking, for a channel had to be made, some thirty miles long, through hill and dale. He, however, lived to see this great work accomplished ; and amusing it is to read the account of " the mayor, corporation, and a large concourse of people, headed by Sir Francis Drake, going out from Plymouth to welcome so great a blessing about to be bestowed upon the inhabitants. All things being prepared for the gradual flow of the stream, the procession marched into Plymouth, the water following close after it ;" — and this supply of water has been bountiful and good ever since. This act alone of Sir Francis Drake is enough to immortalise him. — " The waves became his winding sheet, the waters were his tomb, But for his fame the ocean sea has not sufficient room." Drake is reported to have been a man of religious feeling, just in all his dealings, true to his word, merciful, and, above all things, hating oppression and idleness. He left no issue. His estate came to a younger brother. He is still represented by many of the name of Drake in this county of Devon. 83 DRAKE. ROBERT DRAKE was born at Sprathays, in the parish of Littleham, near Exmouth, at the mouth of the river Exe. He was educated at Oxford, and afterwards became a member of the Inner Temple. He settled at Daleditch, in the parish of East Budleigh. Having no children, he gave his money by will for ever, for several charitable purposes ; amongst these, to the ministers of Littleham, Withycombe Raleigh, and East Budleigh, to each seven pounds a year for ever ; to the poor of the said parishes six pounds a year for ever. He also bequeathed seven pounds a year for ever, in order to dine his nearest of kin together every year, either at Exmouth or Littleham. This was aptly called a "love feast," as it contributed to foster love and charity amongst those of his family who might come after him ; in truth, no bad idea, and well worth following by those who have the heart and the means. He also contributed liberally to several other charities, as well as to the fund for rebuilding the Chapel at Withycombe. To the Churchwardens of Littleham, Withycombe, and Budleigh, he gave for ever the sum of one pound, to be spent in wine, or any other beverage, on the day they make up and pay their accounts ; that is, if their accounts are proved to be correct. He died 1628, and is buried in Littleham Church. DREW. Edward Drew, Serjeant-at-Law, Recorder of Exeter in 1592, and afterwards Recorder of London, was born at Sharpham, near Totnes, where his family had lived from an early date, prior to which the family resided at Modbury. In the reign of Edward IV. M 2 8 4 in this parish of Modbury a certain estate was bequeathed by- John Drew to his son Henry, out of which a chaplain was to be paid annually a certain sum, to pray for the souls of Henry Drew, Agnes, Alice, and Joan, his late wives ; and also for the souls of John Drew and Joan, his wife ; and for the souls of Sir Richard Champernown and Ratheria, his wife ; Sir Thomas Carew and Elizabeth, his wife ; Walter Regnal and Robert Hill, and many more whose names appear in the deed. The family had property in the parish of Drewsteignton ; they also possessed a handsome seat called Drew's Cliff. This family of Drew dates as far back as Henry II. Serjeant Drew appears to have amassed great wealth ; he purchased estates in the parishes of Combe Raleigh, Broadhembury, Broadclist, and other places, and lastly took up his residence at Killerton, which his son afterwards sold to Sir Arthur Ackland. The Serjeant left issue Sir Thomas Drew, who was knighted by King Charles II., 163 1. He died at Killerton, and was buried at Broadclist, where a handsome monument records his great worth and learning. EASTLAKE. Sir Charles Lock Eastlake, born 1793, was the son of a solicitor at Plymouth. He was educated at the Charter House, where he evinced considerable artistic powers. He entered the Royal Academy, and studied under Fuseli, and afterwards at the Louvre, where he was employed in copying several cele- brated pictures; he then returned home and painted portraits in his native town. When the Bellerophon, with the great Napoleon on board, arrived in Plymouth Sound, Eastlake had the oppor- tunity of sketching a likeness of the Emperor, taken whilst at 85 the gangway of the ship : from this sketch he painted a full length portrait of this remarkable man, which is considered a great success. Mr. Eastlake visited Greece and Italy in company with Sir Charles Barry ; he then went to Sicily and Rome, where he re- mained several years in order to study the great masters. He first exhibited pictures at the Royal Academy, in the year 1823. The production of the paintings of The Bridge and Castle of St. Angelo, the Coliseum and St. Peter s at Rome, at once proved him to be a man of great genius and power. His picture of the Girl of Albano leading a Blind Woman to Mass, was exhibited, and is greatly prized. In 1827 Mr. Eastlake was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy. His painting of the Pilgrims arriving in sight of Rome is another of his first rate pictures. In the year 1830 he attained the rank of Royal Academician. His Francesco di Carrara and his Wife is considered his most successful effort amongst his numerous productions. His Arab selling his Captives, his Gaston de Foix, are excellent productions. Later in life Mr. Eastlake turned his attention to religious subjects. His Christ weeping over Jerusalem, Christ blessing Little Children, Agar and Ishmacl, and other works, are most highly esteemed. He was in succession appointed Royal Commissioner of Fine Arts and Keeper of the National Gallery ; and on the death of Sir Martin Shee, 1850, he was elected President of the Royal Academy, and received the honour of knighthood. In 1855 he was appointed Director of the National Gallery, since which there have . been no productions from his easel. Sir C. Eastlake was a poet as well as painter, and has contributed useful works on the art of painting. He died at Pisa, December, 1865, and was buried at Kensal Green Cemetery, London, on the 18th January, 1866. 86 ELGARUS. ELGARUS was the fifth Bishop of Crediton, from 942 to 952,. and is reported to have been a native of Devon. ETHELGARUS. ETHELGARUS, fourth Bishop of Crediton. He flourished in the reign of Athelstan, and is said to have been a native of Devon. He was remarkable not only for his learning and goodness, but also for his prudence and forethought, in surrounding the city of Exeter with walls of great strength, so as to protect the city from the invasions of the foreign enemy, as well as from those domestic enemies who endeavoured to overthrow the laws both of Church and State. He lies buried within the walls of his church at Crediton ; which, it is to be hoped, will not fall into decay, as there are many interesting historical records associated with it. There is an old saying, which runs thus — " When Exeter was a fursey down Certon* was a cathedral town." EUDULPH. EUDULPH, Bishop of Devon, so called in ancient times, was a native of this county ; he was the brother to Alfius, Earl or Duke of Devon, who lived in his castle at Exeter. Eudulph was born about the year 860, and was constituted Bishop of this Diocese * Crediton. 87 by King Athclstan, probably consecrated Bishop by Plegmundies, at that time Archbishop of Canterbury. Eudulph was the first Bishop of Crediton, and built the Cathedral there A.D. 910. King Edward, surnamed the Elder, endowed the bishopric of Crediton with many manors of land ; its bishop was ordered to visit the county of Cornwall once a year, as the people there were in a sad state of darkness on religious matters, until the appointment of a bishop for Cornwall, who first resided at Bodmin, and after- wards at St. Germans to the year 1032; up to that time there had been twelve bishops of Cornwall, after that the Sees of Cornwall and Exeter were united under the last bishop of Crediton. It was Bishop Eudulph who built the town of Launceston, then the capital of Cornwall, and surrounded the town with a wall. Considering the age in which Bishop Eudulph lived, which was designated sceculum obscurum, he attained to great learning and piety. He was bishop of Crediton twenty-two years ; he died 932, and lies buried in the Church there ; a large white stone is placed over his grave, with the figure of a bishop in brass laid on it. FITZ-RALPH. Saint Richard Fitz-Ralph was a native of Devon. He was Primate of all Ireland, and created Archbishop of Armagh by Pope Clement VI. According to Prince, his family flourished in this county from the time of the Conquest, and resided at Widdicombe-on-the-Moor, not far from Ashburton, where are to be seen the remains of an ancient mansion, which is considered to have been the residence of the family of " Fitz-Ralph." Fitz- 88 Ralph studied at Oxford, where his learning was considered so great that it was said the students of the whole University flew to his lectures, as bees fly to their hives. Before he was made bishop, Edward III. created him Chancellor of the Uni- versity of Oxford. He was violently opposed to the teaching and practices of the mendicant friars, against whom he wrote and preached that which a Romish divine has stated should be written in letters of gold. Fitz-Ralph is held as a saint in the church of Rome to this day. He translated the Holy Bible into the Irish tongue ; he also translated the New Testament for the Irish people ; which translation he hid in a wall in the church of Armagh. At the end of this book he wrote these remarkable words: — "When this book shall be found," the truth shall be manifested to all the world, for Christ shall soon appear." This book was found 1530, at the time of the Reformation, when the church at Armagh was being repaired, more than 150 years after its being hid in the wall. Fitz-Ralph lived to a great age, and was buried at Dundalk, in the church of St. Nicholas. On his death, a cardinal of the church of Rome declared, " That on that day a mighty pillar of the Church had fallen." He is said to have written upwards of thirty books, on divine subjects. The people of Ireland wished to claim " Fitz-Ralph" as a native of that country, where he resided so many years ; and their admiration of him is evidenced by the following chant, which is sung even to this day. — " Many a mile have I gone, and many did I walk, But never saw I a holier man than Richard of Dundalk." 8 9 FOLIOT. Gilbert FOLIOT, Bishop of London, was born at Tamerton Foliot, in Devonshire ; deriving his surname, according to the fashion of the time, from his birth-place, considered one of the most learned men of his age ; having entered the Church, he became Abbot of Gloucester ; and afterwards Bishop of Hereford, to which see he was raised in 1149; King Henry II. created him Bishop of London in 1161. His great ambition was to be created Archbishop of Canterbury ; in this he was frustrated by Becket, who was at that time a great favourite of the king's ; though Becket had not been educated for the Church, he had been a soldier, and served in many battles, and at that time, held the civil appointment of Chancellor ; so great was his influence with the King that he was created Archbishop of Canterbury, passing through the different degrees in the Church in the short space of three weeks, and becoming Primate of all England, a circumstance which caused Foliot to record the following remark, viz. : " The king has wrought a great miracle, for he has changed a soldier into a priest, and a layman into an archbishop." Under these circumstances Foliot refused to take the oath of canonical obedience to the new archbishop ; not- withstanding his disapprobation of Becket's elevation, he remained faithful to his king in all matters connected with the Church and State ; whilst, on the other hand, Becket became hostile in every way to his sovereign, endeavouring to overthrow the king's prerogative, and defended the priesthood in crimes which were most atrocious and wicked. At length Becket's audacity and insolence were so great, and the clergy were so intolerant, that the king banished many of them from the kingdom, and ordered the revenue of their benefices to be paid into the exchequer, which order Foliot was deputed to see carried into effect ; whereupon N 90 Becket excommunicated Foliot, and the sentence was confirmed by the Pope. Foliot immediately called a synod in London, which declared the sentence void. Soon after this Becket was murdered in his cathedral at Canterbury, four knights having swoin to deliver the king from so deadly an enemy. One of these knights is stated to have been Sir William de Tracy, a Devonshire man. At the time of the murder the Archbishop evinced the most undaunted courage, and appeared to desire the death of a martyr. Foliot remained Bishop of London for twenty years, and is reputed to have been a man of wisdom, and of great learning, faithful to the trust of his various duties, which he performed with becoming dignity. FOLLETT. Sir William Webb Follett, Knight; born in 1798, was the son of Benjamin Follett, merchant, at Topsham, a seaport about four miles to the south of the city of Exeter. His earliest educa- tion was commenced under the tuition of Mr. Folliot, a member of the Society of Friends, in the town of Topsham. He was afterwards removed to the Exeter Grammar School, and placed under the celebrated scholar and teacher, the Rev. Dr. Lempriere, who early predicted that Follett would rise to eminence from his great ability in retaining what he learned. He completed his education at Trinity College, Cambridge, became a member of the Inner Temple in 18 18, and commenced practising as a special pleader in 1823. In 1824 he was called to the bar, and as he soon achieved a considerable reputation, his rise in his profession was very rapid. His superiority as an advocate on the Western 91 Circuit was universally admitted. In 1834 he was first appointed Solicitor-General under Sir Robert Peel's government, and knighted ; and, in 1844, on the elevation of Sir F. Pollock to the bench, he was raised to the rank of Attorney-General. He was returned member for the city of Exeter in 1837; and again in 1841. The labours of his profession greatly impaired his health, and he was compelled to remove to the Continent for perfect rest and change of climate ; but he did not rally, and returned to his native country, only, however, to survive a short time, as he died in June, 1845. No man at the bar ever gained more respect than did Sir William Follett. To his high legal attainments he added a gentlemanly bearing and courteous manner. He seldom failed in his efforts to procure a verdict in any case in which he was engaged. The writer of these few lines was a fellow-townsman and early friend of Sir William Follett's ; and while writing of the " Celebrities of Devon," he gladly bears witness to his admirable qualities. A noble statue is placed to the memory of Sir William Follett in St. Paul's Cathedral, and one of equal beauty, in his robes of office, and of large proportions, stands in the reading-room of the chaste building erected to commemorate the greatness and goodness of the late Prince Albert, and called the "Albert Memorial Museum," which stands in Queen-street, in the city of Exeter. N 2 9 2 FORTESCUE. Sir John FORTESCUE, Knight, appointed Lord Chief Justice of the king's bench (1442) and Lord Chancellor of England in the reign of Henry VI., was born at Norreis, in the parish of North Huish. The ancient family of the Fortescues formerly resided at Wimondeston, in the parish of Modbury, which manor was in their possession from the time of King John to that of Queen Elizabeth, nearly four hundred years. The name of Fortescue is deduced from the strength of a shield, as their motto is — Forte Scutum A Slrong Shield Salus Ducum. Doth Safety Yield. And the name was probably conferred on the member of the family who was shield bearer to William the Conqueror. Many great men have been born to the house of Fortescue. Sir Henry Fortescue, a famous warrior, in the days of King Henry V., was governor of Meux, in France ; Sir Henry Fortescue was Lord Chief Justice of Ireland ; Sir Adrian Fortescue was porter to the tower of Calais, and came to this country with Henry VII. Sir Edward Fortescue, of Fallapit, who served King Charles I. with great courage, was high sheriff of the county of Devon, and greatly distinguished himself in the Civil War. On the death of Charles I., he was obliged to fly from his country, and is buried at Dolft, in Holland, where a handsome monument is erected to his memory. There was also a Sir Nicholas Fortescue, Knight of Malta, who was killed in Lancashire, in the civil wars. Sir Faithful Fortescue, another of this ancient family, residing at Buckland Filleigh, was an eminent soldier, and was much commended for coming over to King Charles I. at the battle of Edghill, with his troop of horse. Sir John Fortescue, the Lord Chief Justice, was a man of profound learning and high character, 93 and has been styled, " The great and famous laivyer, and upright judge." It is said that he followed his master, King Henry VI., to the battle of Tewksbury, where the king was taken prisoner in 147 1 ; he lived to the age of ninety. There was another Fortescue of great note, who flourished in the days of Queen Elizabeth, and was Chancellor of the Exchequer and Privy Counsellor ; he was tutor to Princess, afterwards Queen Elizabeth, he being master of the Greek and Latin tongues, and the queen was known to say, " That two men did outdo her expectation — Fortescue for his integrity and learning ; and Walsing- ham for his subtilty and officious services." He died 1608, at Newport, in Buckinghamshire, where he had large estates. It is a remarkable fact that, from the time of Henry VI. to the seventeenth century, there were eleven sheriffs of the county of Devon bearing the name of Fortescue. The late second Earl Fortescue, prior to his being raised to the Peerage, on various occasions contested the county of Devon (which he represented from 1832 to 1839), with Sir Thomas Acland and Mr. Bastard, who were in the Tory interest. These elections were of great cost to each party. He also held the important offices of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland as well as Lord Lieutenant of the county of Devon. The present Earl, born in 1818, succeeded to the title in 1861, he was educated at Harrow, and Trinity College, Cambridge, be- came Lord of the Treasury, and Secretary to the Poor Law Board. He sat as Lord Ebrington for Plymouth and Marylebone in the House of Commons. He resides chiefly at Castle Hill, South Molton, where he is generally beloved for his noble charac- ter, and many acts of munificence. 94 FROUDE. James Anthony Froude was born on the 23rd of April, 1818, at Dartington, of which parish his father was rector, as well as Archdeacon of Totnes. Mr. Froude went at an early- age to Westminster School, where he remained until he entered at Oriel College, Oxford. He graduated in classical honours, and obtained the Chancellor's prize for the English essay on political economy. In 1842 he was elected to a Fellowship at Exeter College. At first he attached himself to the High Church party, and took deacon's orders ; but his opinions undergoing some change, he was not ordained priest, and two books which he published incurred the serious disapprobation of the University authorities. A later and more elaborate work still in progress, the History of England from the fall of Wolsey, ranks amongst the most classical productions of the day. The opinions he expresses with regard to the character and motives of Henry VIII., as well as of Queen Elizabeth, vary considerably from those entertained of these sovereigns by former English historians ; and his writings have consequently caused much discussion amongst the reading public, and have been subjected to severe criticism. Mr. Froude resided for some time at Pill Head, in the parish of Bideford, where some of his History of Engla?id was written. Mr. Froude has written several other works, and contributed articles to the Westminster Review and to Eraser's Magazine. He married a daughter of Pasco and the Hon. Georgina Grenfel ; the Rev. Lord Sidney Godolphin Osborn, and the Rev. Charles Kingsley married sisters of Mrs. Froude. 95 FULFORD. SIR WILLIAM FULFORD, Justice of the King's Bench, flourished about the year 1396. He was born at Great Fulford, near Crediton. This most ancient family of Fulford, according to the Book of Doomsday, is descended from the Saxon race. Their large and stately mansion suffered much during the civil war in the reign of Charles I. but has since been restored. The Fulfords have inhabited it for more than seven hundred years, the present owner being Baldwin Fulford, Esq. The Fulfords have married into many noble families, viz., the Courtenays, the Earls of Bath, Lord Bonvill's, Lord Paulet's, the Tuckfields, and many others of high distinction. There have been many noble knights of the Fulfords, viz., Sir Amis Fulford, in the reign of King Edward I. ; Sir Baldwin, in that of King Edward IV ; many others might be named, who were devoted to their country's honor and renown. The above named Sir William Fulford was, in the reign of King Richard. II., constituted one of the Barons of the Exchequer, and was appointed by King Henry IV. one of the Judges of the Court of King's Bench. A memorable occurrence took place whilst Fulford was judge : Scroop the Archbishop of York, the Earl of Northumberland, Earl Marshal Mowbray, and many other nobles, with a thousand followers, conspired against the life of King Henry IV. for unlawfully deposing Richard II.; their forces were met at Yorkswould-down by the Earl of Westmoreland, who, seeing he was out-numbered by men at arms, sought a parley with the Archbishop, and they retired to a distance from their respective forces. The Archbishop, not suspecting the designs of the Earl, was induced to dismiss his army, and so apparently did the Earl of Westmoreland, but on a sudden a troop of horse came up and 9 6 seized the Archbishop and the Earl Marshal, and brought them prisoners to the king at Pomfret, who ordered them to be imme- diately tried for high treason, by Chief Justice Gascoyne and Justice Fulford. They were found guilty, and a scaffold was immediately raised for their execution, which was a most cruel and bloody one, especially as regards the Archbishop, who was first placed on a poor half starved horse and obliged to ride with his face to the tail of the animal, the officials having no regard for the dignity of the noble prelate so celebrated for his learning. In this way he was conducted to the place of execution. The executioner, who was not skilled in his office, struck several blows with the axe before the head fell from the body. This act occurred A.D. 1405, at the time when the Pope was supposed to have ecclesiastical dominion in England. The Pope, hearing what had been done, was so greatly enraged that he excommunicated all those who had taken part in so cruel a deed. The affair was the more remarkable, since neither the king nor his judges had regard to the Pope's power. It was popularly said that God's vengeance fell on King Henry for he was soon afterwards attacked with that awful disease, leprosy, of which he could not be cured. A grandson of the judge, Sir Baldwin Fulford, was a brave soldier, of whom the story is related, that he engaged in single combat with a gigantic Saracen, who had a royal lady imprisoned in his castle. Sir Baldwin having slain the giant, the fair prisoner was released, by which act the knight obtained great honor and renown ; there is to be seen, carved in oak, a representation of this combat in the hall at Great Fulford, in this county, representing the respective sizes of the combatants. 97 GAY. JOHN Gay. — This eminent English poet was born at Barnstaple, at the corner of Joy Street, facing Holland Street, in 1688. In early life he was apprenticed to a silk mercer in London, but soon left that uninteresting employment, and [devoted himself to literature and the muses. He dedicated his first book, on Rural Sports, to Pope, who was at that time just coming before the world as an author. The compliment paid to Pope was the means of introducing Gay to that distinguished author, and ever afterwards they were intimate friends. Gay's first good fortune was that of being appointed private secretary to the Duchess of Monmouth. Gay was the author of several works, viz., Trivia, The Shepherd's Week, Two Volumes of Poems, and Gay's Fables, written by him expressly for the instruction of the youthful Duke oi Cumberland, and dedicated to him in 1729. It added greatly to his popularity. After this he wrote the celebrated play of the Beggars Opera, which had a run of sixty-two nights at the theatre. It was partly a satirical attack on those in power, for not estimating or re- warding his efforts in a way he thought they deserved, and partly a burlesque on the taste for operative performances then developing. The offence was so great that the Lord Chamberlain refused to license for performance the second part, entitled Polly. This becoming known to Gay's friends and admirers, they raised for him, by subscription, the sum of twelve hundred pounds. The Duke and Duchess of Oueensbury were amongst his most ardent admirers, and with them he lived for many years, dying under their roof, 11 December, 1732, in the 44th year of his age. He was buried in Westminster Abbey, where a monument is erected to his memory, bearing the following epitaph, written by Pope. O 9 8 " Of manners gentle, of affection mild ; In wit, a man ; simplicity, a child. With native humour temp'ring virtuous rage, Form'd to delight at once and lash the age : Above temptation, in a low estate, And uncorrupted e'en among the great. A safe companion, and an easy friend, Unblam'd through life, lamented in the end. These are thy honours ! not that here thy bust Is mixed with heroes, or with kings thy dust ; But that the worthy and the good shall say, Striking their pensive besoms, — Here lies Gay !" The monument is by Rysbraeck, the eminent sculptor. It is said that when Gay applied to the manager of Drury Lane Theatre to bring out his celebrated play of the Beggar's Opera, the manager declined, either not perceiving its merits, or perhaps, fearing the consequences of bringing the vices of the age so prominently before the world. Gay afterwards applied to Mr. Rich, the manager of Lincoln's Inn Theatre, whose circumstances were at that time reduced to the lowest ebb, and his theatre about to be closed. Rich at once saw the great merits of the play, and undertook to bring it out. The result was that the play was performed sixty-two nights in the season of 1728, and in thirty-two successive nights it produced ^5,351, of which sum Gay received £693, and he afterwards sold the copyright for ^"94. Dean Swift says " the play placed all kinds of vice in the strongest and most odious light." At the time the play of the Beggar's Opera obtained so much celebrity at the Lincoln's Inn Theatre, it was well said to be "the means of making Gay rich, and Rich gay." When Incledon, the celebrated singer, was on a professional visit to Barnstaple, he one night delighted the people of that town, by singing unsolicited, in front of the house where Gay was born, many of the songs in the Beggar's Opera. 99 Not long since a common old armed chair was purchased at a pawnbroker's shop in Barnstaple, in which was discovered a secret drawer, containing many of Gay's unpublished poems ; the chair was traced as having belonged to the family of Gays. GIBBS. SIR VlCARY GlBBS. — This eminent lawyer was born in the city of Exeter in 1752, his father being a distinguished surgeon there. He gained a scholarship at King's College, Cambridge, and obtained his degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1772, and of Master of Arts in 1773. He was second to Lord Erskine in the State trials of 1794. His advocacy in the cause of liberty was the founda- tion of his eminence. After a time he changed his political opinions on being made king's counsel, and became ex officio a violent persecutor. In 1795 he became Recorder of Bristol ; in 1805 he was appointed Solicitor-General, on which occasion he was knighted ; in 1807 ne was returned member for Cambridge ; in 1812 he was made Attorney-General ; in 18 13 he was created Chief Baron of the Exchequer, and soon after Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, on the resignation of Sir James Mansfield, which office ill-health soon obliged him to resign. The history of this learned man is remarkable from the changes in his temper and disposition which took place in the course of his life. He is stated to have been possessed of a strong mind, peevish temper, and great legal knowledge, perfected by vast industry and continual practice ; but it is to be hoped that the asperity with which he treated all who differed from him, with or without a wig, will never be imitated. It has been said, . O 2 IOO however, that when raised to the bench all his petulance disappeared, and a dignified amenity went hand in hand with duty. He died in 1820. GIFFARD. Colonel John Giffard was born at Brightley, eight miles to the south of Barnstaple, in the parish of Chittlehampton, in the year 1594. He was the son of Arthur Giffard, and Agnes daughter of — Leigh, of Northam. The Giffards were near of kin to the Grenvilles. In the reign of Henry III., Sir Walter Giffard resided at Wear Gifford, three miles to the south of Bideford, close on the banks of the river Torridge, where an ancient mansion stands, now the property of Earl Fortescue. The house has the appearance of great antiquity, and the old ceiling in the dining hall is considered very beautiful. In the parish of Parkham, about six miles to the south-west of Bideford, the remains of an old mansion still stand, in which the family of Giffards flourished in the reign of Edward I. Sir Walter de Giffard came over to England with the Conqueror, and he is said to have been his kinsman. William the Conqueror created Sir William Giffard the first Earl of Buckingham. There were three knights of the name of Giffard who flourished in this county in the reign of Henry III. When the civil wars broke out in the reign of Charles I., Colonel Giffard adhered faithfully to the cause of his sovereign, for which he suffered by the forfeiture of large sums of money and great persecutions : nor did it end here, for he was taken and cast into prison, where he was treated with great cruelty. He lived to see the restoration of Charles II., IOI which his friend and neighbour, General Monk (afterwards the Duke of Albemarle) was very instrumental in accomplishing. Such was Colonel Giffard's deportment towards his fellow-men in his relation with them, that he won the esteem of all. He was a most distinguished soldier. He died at Brightley, and his remains are deposited in the parish church of Chittlehampton. GIFFORD. ROBERT Lord GlFFORD, Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, and subsequently Master of the Rolls, and Deputy-speaker of the House of Lords, with the title of Baron Gifford, of St. Leonard's, Devon, was the son of a merchant in the city of Exeter. He was born in 1779, and was originally articled to an attorney, but entered himself in the Middle Temple in 1800, and in 1808 was called to the bar, and was afterwards elected member for the borough of Eye. In 18 19 he succeeded Sir Samuel Shepherd as Attorney General, and in this situation the arduous duty of arranging the trial of Queen Caroline fell upon him, in conjunction with the Solicitor General, Sir John Copley. In the conduct of this painful trial, it was allowed on all hands, he exhibited firmness and moderation. His address to the House of Lords, where he had to contend against his powerful opponent Mr. Brougham, lasted just two days. The following tribute, which is well worth recording, has been paid to Lord Gifford by a political opponent, " Few men will be more deeply deplored by their family, or more tenderly remembered by their friends than Lord Gifford." His own affectionate nature secured for him the warm regard of those who were near enough to appreciate his character, 102 he was unassuming, unaffected, mild, friendly, and indulgent, his attachments were constant, his resentments hard to provoke, and easily subdued. In his last moments he was sustained by the domestic affection and religious hope which had cheered his life. It may with truth be said that he rose by " fair means " to his high station. It was the opinion of Lord Chief Justice Gibbs, one of the greatest lawyers of the age, that he had known no man equal as a lawyer to Gifford. He first distinguished himself on the Western Circuit. He was sought out by ministers to fill the office of Solicitor-general, it was his lot to hold office in a stormy period, but all who knew him were ready to bear testi- mony to his great ability, judgment, and delicacy in conducting the prosecution against Queen Caroline, and he well deserved the promotion to the Chief Justiceship of the Court of Common Pleas, which he obtained in January, 1824. In addition to his ordinary legal acquirements, he was better acquainted with the Scottish law than any other English lawyer. Amongst those who have risen from the middle classes to the highest stations of the law, it will be difficult to name any one of them who owed his preferment to his merit more justly than Lord Gifford, for he possessed those virtues which are most fitted to disarm the jealousy naturally attendant on great and sudden advance- ment. He died 1826. GILBERT. Sir Humphrey Gilbert was born at Greenway, in the parish of Brixham, South Devon. He was the son of Otho Gilbert ; and his mother, who was the daughter of Sir Walter Champer- i°3 nown, of Modbury, after the death of his father married Waiter Raleigh, of Fardel, by whom she had the renowned Sir Walter Raleigh, consequently he was half-brother to Sir Humphrey Gilbert. The family of Gilbert have flourished in the county of Devon since the time of the Conquest, and even before that time in the reign of Edward the Confessor. They have married into several noble families, namely, Champernown, Compton, Ager, Hill, Valetort, Crocker, Molineux, Pomeroy, and the Grenvilles, and from the last named descended the earls of Bath. Early in life Sir Humphrey Gilbert's energies were directed towards a voyage of discovery to the great continent of America. Queen Elizabeth granted Gilbert power to take possession of any country which was not owned by a Christian power. In his first attempt at sea he failed to make any important discovery ; but, nothing daunted, determined to make a second attempt, which he undertook almost entirely at his own expense. His efforts on this occasion were crowned with great success in the Northern seas, particularly in the discovery of the straits which are to this day called by his name, " Gilbert's straits." After his return to England, Queen Elizabeth conferred on him the honour of knighthood. He appears to have been a real favourite with his sovereign, who presented him with a golden anchor, adorned with a large pearl, as a mark of her especial favour ; and she consented to his marrying one of her maids of honour, Ann, daughter of Sir Anthony Ager, by whom he had many children. Being still determined to do honour to his country, and gain further renown for himself, he set sail a third time from Cawsand bay, near Plymouth, on nth June, 1583. Having reached New- foundland, he proceeded to Canada, and entered the great river St. Lawrence, taking possession of 200 leagues of territory in the name of his Queen ; having first, in conformity with ancient custom, cut a sod of earth with his spade, and planted the standard. In 104 this voyage he secured to England the immense trade with New- foundland which has added so vastly to her wealth. In all the enterprises of this noble-minded man, he ever first sought to establish the Christian religion as a guide to those whom he placed under subjection to the British crown. He constantly wore on his breast the words, " Mars and Mercury," conjoined by a cross, and underneath the two Latin words, Quid non f Gilbert having performed the great work which he had undertaken, set sail to return to England. On his departure from England his little fleet consisted of three small crafts, one of which was lost ; his own little ship was named the Golden Hind, the other the Squirrel. It unfortunately happened for himself and his country that he resolved to return home in the smaller vessel, the Squirrel, contrary to the advice of those around him. A violent storm came on, which soon buried in the deep the little vessel and most of her noble crew ; — and thus perished one of England's greatest and bravest men, one who has contributed so much to her glory. Seeing that no help remained, holding in his hand the Bible, he called to the crew, nearly in the same memorable words which were used by the brave Sir Richard Grenvil, when dying of his wounds, " We are as near to Heaven here at sea as on land." The fate of Sir Humphrey Gilbert has furnished a theme for one of Longfellow's finest ballads. It is traditionally stated that a remarkable apparition appeared on the sea at the moment the ship's head was turned towards old England, which filled the hearts of the crew with forebodings of the evils which were to happen. The Golden Hind arrived safely in England, conveying the intelligence of Gilbert's important discoveries, as well as of his melancholy end. There is still in the family an effigy of Sir Humphrey Gilbert, which represents him holding in one hand a general's truncheon, and in the other a globe, over which is i<>5 written, " Virginia." On its breast hangs a golden anchor, with the pearl at its peak, and underneath is written. — "The picture of his mind, if you do crave it, Look upon virtue's picture, and ye have it." Sir Humphrey Gilbert left issue nine sons and one daughter. His eldest son, Sir John, who died early, was a man of great promise, both as a soldier and a scholar. At his death he was Custos Rotulorum of this county. His motto was Mallem mori, quam mutare, I would rather die than change. The late General Walter Raleigh Gilbert was a descendant of Sir Humphrey Gilbert. The General's exploits and bravery in India gained for him a world wide reputation, and his country- men have erected a lofty monument to his memory on Bodmin Moor, in the county of Cornwall, on which are recorded many of his noble deeds. THE GRENVILLES. Sir Theobald Grenvil or Granville was born in 1350, at Bideford, North Devon, where there is still to be seen the remains of the ancient seat of his family, which is situated about a quarter of a mile above the bridge. Stowe, on the borders of Cornwall, was the " stronghold " of the Grenvils for centuries. John Grenvil, Earl of Bath, after the Restoration, pulled the old place down, and on nearly the same site built a magnificent house. When the Cornish estates came to Lady Grace Grenville, who married Carteret, the new house was pulled down entirely, and nothing left remaining of it except the P io6 stables, which are now standing, and converted into a farm-house, The furniture and everything was sold and dispersed all over the neighbourhood. " Sic transit gloria mundi." It is said that the Grenvils divided their time between the two mansions, but that Bitheford (now called Bideford) was their chief place of residence, Dr. Fuller remarks : " That their merits and renown were so great, that if engrossed by one county, it would make that county too proud, but if divided it would make both happy." Sir Theobald was descended in a direct line from Sir Richard de Grenvil, the first of this name who settled in Devon at the time of the Conquest ; he was second son of Hamon Dentatus, Earl of Carboyl, Lord of Thorigny and Granville of Normandy, who sprang from the warlike Rollo. Richard de Grenvil, who first settled at Bitheford, greatly assisted his eldest brother, Robert Fitz Hamon, in his wars with the Welsh, when he slew Rees Ap Theodore, Prince of South Wales, and Jestin, Lord of Glamorgan, for which services his brother Robert divided that country between him and eleven other knights, who had been his companions in arms. After these exploits, Sir Richard de Grenvil resided at Neth, in Wales, which town of Neth, together with large domains, were given to him by his brother Robert. Sir Richard built a monastery there,* and dedicated it to the Virgin Mary, and he also gave liberally to the Church. After a time he returned to Bitheford, where he ended his days. It appears that the Christian name of Richard descended from father to son just 200 years from the time of Henry II. The Grenvils married into many noble families, viz., the Courtenays, the Bovils, the Gilberts, and the St. Legers. From the Bovils * Amongst the ruins of the monastery at Neth, there have been recently discovered some tiles, on which are represented the arms of the Grenvils, namely, three horsemen's lance-rests on a shield. io7 descended the famous Sir Bevil Grenvil, the father of Sir John Grcnvil, Earl of Bath. The most remarkable undertaking of Sir Theobald Grenvil was his founding and building Bideford bridge with its twenty-four arches. The stone used is the blue lias or Aberthaw lime stone, which has wonderfully stood the test of time. The bridge is con- sidered one of the most remarkable structures of the kind in England ; in later days it has been widened twice, the last time in the years 1864 and 1865, increase of traffic over the bridge demanding greater space.f At the time that Bideford bridge was first built, it is stated that Sir Richard Gurney,"~£he" parish priest, had a dream in which he was admonished to commence the great work, the spot where the foundation stone should be first laid having been communi- cated to him in his dream, and he there found a rock which reached across the river in a direct line from east to west. This gentleman having related his dream to Sir Theobald Grenvil, they at once set about providing the means for carrying out so great a work. They were supported by most of the gentry in the county, and, more particularly, by the bishop of the diocese, t The question of improving the bridge was agitated for fourteen years ; at length, a resolution was carried at a meeting of the feoffees to spend £6,000 for the purpose required, the proposition emanating from Mr. T. L. Pridham, J. P., and being seconded by Mr. George Brayley, junr., a solicitor. A building committee was accordingly formed, the members cf which were Mr. Pridham, Mr. Brayley, Mr. Rooker, Mr. Dingle, Mr. Joce, Mr. Ley. The town clerk and bridge steward, Mr. Charles William Hole, and Mr. Thomas Martin, the bridge warden, ably assisted in carrying out the im- portant work. The architect was Mr. Page, of London, who rebuilt Westminster bridge without stopping the traffic over it — a wonderful achievement. The cutwaters of the arches of Bideford bridge were nearly all rebuilt without stopping the traffic over it, and the widening was carried out by means of wrought and cast-iron, the tie bars being of wrought-iron. It now forms a handsome and commodious structure, and is much admired, more particularly as the character of the old bridge with its twenty- four arches is still preserved. p2 io8 (Grandison), who caused a Chapel to be erected at each side of the water, where every passer-by was obliged to contribute his mite to aid the undertaking. The yeomen of the county also sent them aid by lending carts, horses, and men to help. The bishop likewise sent forth Indulgences, of which many availed themselves, and such were especially granted to those who would give liberally towards the building of the bridge at Bitheford. A descendant of Sir Theobald was the brave Sir Richard Grenvil, Vice-Admiral of the English fleet, who, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, engaged single handed the whole Spanish fleet of galleons, fifty in number, in his ship called the Revenge, with only two hundred men on board, whereas the enemy had more than two thousand on board their ships. The action which lasted twenty-four hours took place near the Terceira Islands. Sir Richard and his brave crew killed more than one thousand of the enemy, and sank four of their largest ships ; all the powder of the Revenge having been exhaused he at last yielded after having been mortally wounded. His dying words of en- couragement to his brave men were, " Remember, my lads, you are as near heaven at sea as you would be on land."* Sir Richard did not survive more than two days after the action ; the sea was his grave ; and his ship was so much damaged that she sank before she reached the Spanish port, and well might it be said that this was one of the bravest sea-fights the world has ever known. Mary, daughter of Sir John St. Ledger of Annery, and widow of Sir Richard Grenvil, survived her husband many years, and was buried in the family vault in Bideford Church. Sir Bevil Grenvil was also one of this noble race ; he married * Nearly the same words were uttered by another of Queen Elizabeth's brave admirals Sir Humphry Gilbert, who, in his last moments, is recorded to have uttered them whilst he upheld the Bible in his hand. '/./ /, ( 109 a daughter of Sir Thomas Smith, of Exeter. Sir Bevil, whilst fighting in 1643 for the Royalist party at Lansdown, near Bath, defeated the enemy, but sacrificed his life in the fight. His son John was a gallant knight in the army of Charles II., with whose fortunes and troubles he was closely united. King Charles II. created him Lord Granville of Kilkhampton and Bytheford, Viscount Granville of Lansdown, and Earl of Bath. He was also High Steward of the Duchy of Cornwall, Lord Warden of the Stannaries, Groom of the Stole to His Majesty, First Gentleman of His Majesty's Bedchamber, and one of the Lords of the Privy Council, and also recognized as Earl of Carbol, Lord of Thorigny and Granville in Normandy; he died August 12, 1701, and was buried at Kilkhampton. Sir John Granville, Earl of Bath, married a daughter of Sir Peter Wyche, by whom he had several children. He was succeeded by Charles, who was accidentally shot from his own pistol whilst preparing to go to his father's funeral, so that two Earls of Bath were buried on the same day and in the same tomb. He was succeeded by his son William Henry, consequently there were three Earls of Bath above ground at one time. With the last named William Henry ended the elder branch of the Granvilles, which was continued by George Granville, Lord Lansdown. The estates, which had been in the male line of the family for many centuries were claimed by the last Earl's two aunts, the Ladies Jane and Grace Granville, to the exclusion of the rightful heirs George and Bernard, who were supposed to side with the Pretender, which was the cause of the estates being severed from the male line. Expensive law suits were carried on for some years in the hopes of reclaiming the pro- perty, which ended in the ladies gaining the day, so that Jane no Granville held in possession the Devonshire property, whilst Grace Granville took possession of the estates in Cornwall. The Honourable Bernard Granville was the second son of Sir Bevil Grenvil, and brother to Sir John Grenvil, the first Earl of Bath ; he was born at Stow, 1630, and was only fourteen years of age when his father, Sir Bevil Grenvil, fell at the battle of Lansdown. His son George was created Lord Lansdown of Bideford and Kilkhampton, by Queen Ann. He was a brave soldier, and at an early age joined his brother John in the defence of the Scilly Islands, which were besieged by the Parlia- mentary forces under Admiral Blake ; he was afterwards very active in the service of Charles II. during his exile, and then joined the Royal army in the west, and had many narrow escapes of his life. It was the Honourable Bernard Granville whom General Monk selected, as his most trusty kinsman, to convey to Charles at Breda the important message that all was now ready for the restoration of the Monarchy. This important mission was secretly and faithfully discharged, and the king at once prepared for his departure for England, where he was met at Dover by General Monk, Colonel Morris, and a sufficient force for the purpose required. The Honourable Bernard Granville was returned to Parliament on several occasions. He died 14 June, 1701, and was buried at Lambeth, where a handsome monument is erected to his memory, which records a life spent in faithfulness to his king and country. He held the offices of Gentleman of the Bedchamber to the Duke of Gloucester during his exile, and was one of the Grooms of the Bedchamber and Gentleman of the Horse to Charles II. The latest descendant of the Honourable Bernard Granville is the present Bernard Granville, of Wellesbourne Hall, near Warwick, who is now engaged in writing the history of his ancient and distinguished family. Ill Sir Bevil Grenvil was buried in the family vault at Kilkhamp- ton, where the leaden coffins of five of this noble family are now to be seen. There is in Bideford Church a vault which contains the remains of many of the Grenvils. There is also a handsome monument in memory of Sir Thomas Grenvil (a.D. 1513), which represents him recumbent in a suit of armour ; it stood on the right side of the altar under a canopy of free-stone, surrounded by sculpture, which formed a screen in the old Church at Bideford. This member of the Grenvil family was Lord High Commissioner of the West of England. The monument by the good taste of the building committee, now occupies the same position in the beautiful new Church which has been erected by public subscriptions on the same site as the old one, which tradition reports to have been founded by some of the Grenvil family.* * Another monument of no small interest may be seen in Bideford Church ; it repre- sents in marble the bust of a Mr. Strange, a rich merchant, who resided in the town at the time of the great plague in 1660. There are sufficient evidences on this memorial of the dead to show that Strange was a good and humane man, and we read, that during the awful visitation many hundreds died of the plague, which caused such terror that the people in authority fled from their posts, and amongst the rest, the mayor of the town, upon which Mr. Strange took upon himself to administer to the wants and necessities of those who were stricken, not thinking of, or caring for danger. He was, however, the last who died of the fearful disease. The inhabitants of the town erected the monument to his memory. The bust of Strange on this monument is represented with its mouth besmeared with tar, which, it is said, he believed would render the evil harmless ; this supposed disinfectant he found to fail him at last, and he died a.d. 1660. The old font, which has been again erected in the new Church, is of very ancient date, being of Norman or cable pattern. The Rev. F. L. Bazeley, the respected rector, was" the great promoter of the building, in whose time it was commenced and finished. 112 HANKFORD. Sir William Hankford, Lord Chief Justice of England, was born at Hankford, in the parish of Bulkworthy ; he afterwards resided at Annery, in the parish of Monkleigh, about three miles to the south of Bideford. Annery in former days was a noble seat, with a spacious park surrounding it. It is not quite certain where Hankford received his education. In the reign of Richard II. (i 391) he was made Sergeant-at- law, and he rose to be one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas. When Henry IV. ascended the throne of England, Hankford was created Knight of the Bath, and in 141 3 was made Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench. He retained the office for eleven years. Hankford is stated to have exhibited wisdom, justice,* gravity, * The writer will here record some events which happened in the time of Judge Hankford, and when Gascoygne was Lord Chief Justice, when it would devolve upon him, as Lord Chief Justice, to try a case of felony, but illness or other circumstances prevented him. It so happened at this time that a servant of Prince Henry was charged with a felonious act. Fuller quotes Elliot as having recorded that Gascoygne was the judge on this occasion, but it is known that Elliot does not even name Gascoygne in Ihe matter, whilst Prince and other authorities, as well as tradition, record that Hankford was the judge who tried the case. Prince Henry being in court ordered the judge to acquit the prisoner, which Hankford refused to do, whereupon the Prince raised his hand and struck the judge on the bench a blow in the face. The judge taking the insult calmly, addressed the prince saying, " He had not done this affront to him, but to the king, his father, in whose place he sat, and if he would not as a subject obey the laws of his country, how could he expect to be obeyed when he was king ? Therefore (said he), in the name of the king, your father, I now commit you to the Fleet prison." The prince seeing the justice of his sentence, and knowing the judge to be an upright man, without opposition or a remark, allowed himself to be taken to prison. The king, on hearing of what had happened, after enquiring into the circumstances, is known to have said " that he rejoiced that he had a judge of such integrity, who dared to administer justice without fear or favour, and a son who so submissively obeyed the law." "3 and sobriety as a judge. He met with his death in a remark- able manner. It is recorded, that being weary of his life, he called to him the keeper of his park, and accused him of want of proper diligence in preserving his deer, and ordered him to be more careful in his rounds at night, telling him, if he met any one at night who would not stand and speak at his command, that he should at once shoot him ; this the keeper promised faithfully to do, whereon Hankford chose a dark and tempestuous night and walked forth into the park, having arranged all things so that his deadly purpose might not fail, he placed himself in the way of the keeper, who in his rounds demanded his name, and the keeper ordered him to stand ; no answer being given, the keeper at once shot him with his cross- bow, and to his great horror found that it was his master whom he had killed. The tree under which he was standing was famous for centuries afterwards, and was known as Hankford's oak* The country folks avoided it at night believing that the ghost of the Chief Justice in his robe of office would be seen. It is said that Hankford was driven to desire death by various causes, the troublous times, and the assassinations that were daily committed, so that his mind was upset, and he became almost bereft of his reason. Judge Hankford was buried in Monkleigh Church, which is about a mile from the fatal spot, and a noble monument was erected to his memory, on which he was represented kneeling in his robes of office, and out of his mouth appeared the words of this prayer, " Miserere mei, Deus, * Hankford's oak still stands in a field not far from Annery house — the field is now in the possession of John Coffin, Esq., of Portledge. There is also to he seen in the rear of Portledge House another oak apparently of the same age, and nearly of the same dimensions. Amongst the records of the Coffin family is to be seen one four hundred years old, in which directions are given to the steward to fell the oak in question, as it had come to maturity. These trees are well worth the inspection of antiquaries. Q ii 4 secundam magnam miserecordiam tuam," and on a book in his hand is written, " Miserere mei, Deus, secundum magnam. justi- tiam divinam." But little now remains of this monument in Monkleigh Church, the hand of time, the great spoiler, has robbed it of its beauty. Near this monument of Hankford was the image of his son, represented in armour, kneeling. Judge Hankford had issue two sons, Sir Richard of Annery, and John of Sideford in the parish of Shebbear in this county. The family of Hankford married into those of Lord Fitz Warren, the St. Legers, and the Earls of Bath. Sir Richard Hankford's second wife was daughter of Thomas Boteler, Earl of Ormond, who had two daughters, Ann, wife of Sir James St. Leger, and Margaret, wife of Sir Thomas Bullen, the father of Anna Bullen, the mother of Queen Elizabeth, by which it would appear that that illustrious queen was closely connected with the county of Devon. Annery, with its manor, came to Sir James St. Leger. One of this line married Sir Richard Grenville, of Bideford ; another, George Stukeley ; another Edmund Tremaine, of Collacombe. Sir John St. Leger having no son sold the pro- perty of Annery. HARDING. Thomas Harding, D.D., Treasurer to the Church at Salisbury, was born at Combmartin, on the northern coast of Devon, adjoin- ing Berrynarbor, which place was also the birthplace of Bishop Jewel, so famous in after years as an opponent of the doctrine preached by Harding. These remarkable men received their early education at the Grammar school at Barnstaple. On leaving the "5 school at Barnstaple, Harding went to Winchester School, and thence to New College, Oxford, of which he became a Fellow, and, after the expiration of two years, a perpetual. His great attain- ments were brought to the knowledge of King Henry VIII., into whose favour he speedily rose. His knowledge of Hebrew gained him the Professor's chair. In the reign of Edward VI., Harding became devoted to the Protestant religion, and an acknowledged friend of Peter Martyr, who was at that time at Oxford, and had the reputation of being the most learned man in Europe. Harding at this time preached at Oxford most violently against the Church of Rome, calling her a " mass of idolatry" and the very mystery of iniquity. On the death of Edward VI., having first been appointed Archdeacon of Barnstaple by the Bishop of Exeter, he suddenly changed his religious opinions, and became a violent Romanist, denouncing all Protestants in anathemas the most unbecoming the sacred office which he held ; calling Protestants, from his pulpit, publicans and sinners, Turks, infidels, and heretics, and other such names, which did not, at any rate, show that Christian charity had much to do with his religion. Owing to this intemperate zeal, he grew greatly in favour with the perse- cuting and faithless Bishop Gardiner, and other members of the Romish Church, as well as with Queen Mary, who had been so lately raised to the throne of England. Dr. Harding had been early appointed one of the domestic chaplains to the Duke of Suffolk, at a time when his Protestant principles made him conspicuous for his zeal in the Protestant Church ; and the Duke felt confident that his faithful teaching would secure to his daughter, Lady Jane Grey, all that he could desire as to her religious faith. Harding ably instructed his young pupil, who, at the age of seventeen, was mistress of Greek and Latin, and seven other languages. Her knowledge of the Scriptures was so extensive that it was considered that nothing but inspira- Q 2 u6 tion could have imbued her with such true piety and acquaintance with the Word of God. The following letter, which she addressed to her former tutor, Harding, remains as a memorable record of her opinions of that faith which she considered both unscriptural and fatal to the best interests of the English nation, and of her condemnation of the apostacy of her tutor. So full of interest is it, that the writer ventures to insert it here. — "So oft as I call to mind the dreadful and fearful saying of God, ' That he that layeth hold upon the plough, and looketh back, is not meet for the kingdom of Heaven,' and, on the other side, the comfortable words of our Saviour Christ to all those that, forsaking themselves, do follow Him, I cannot but marvel at thee, and lament thy case, which sometime seemed to be a lively member of Christ, but now the deformed imp of the devil ; sometime the beautiful temple of God, but now the stinking and filthy kennel of Satan ; sometime the unspotted spouse of Christ, but now the unshamed-faced paramour of antichrist ; sometime a faithful brother, but now a stranger and apostate ; sometime a stout Christian soldier, but now a cowardly runaway. Yea ! when I consider these things, I cannot but speak to thee and cry out upon thee, thou seed of Satan, and not of Judah, whom the devil hath deceived, the world hath beguiled, and the desire of life subverted and made thee of a Christian an infidel; wherefore hast thou taken the Testament of the Lord in thy mouth ; wherefore hast thou preached the law and will of God to others ; wherefore hast thou instructed others to be strong in Christ, when thou thyself dost now so shamefully shrink, and so horribly abuse, the Testament and Law of the Lord, — when thou thyself preachest not to steal, yet thou most abominably stealest, not from man, but from God ; and committing most heinous sacrilege, robbest Christ thy Lord of His right members — thy body and soul — and choosest rather to live miserably with shame in the world than U7 to die and reign gloriously with honour, reign with Christ, in whom even in death is life. Why dost thou now shew thyself most weak, when, indeed, thou oughtest to be most strong. The strength of a fort is unknown before the assault ; but thou yieldest thy hold before any battery be made. Oh, wretched and unhappy man, what art thou but dust and ashes ? and wilt thou resist thy Maker that fashioned thee and framed thee ? How darest thou neglect the law of God, and follow the vain traditions of man ? and whereas thou hast been a great professor of His Name, become now a defacer of His glory ? Wilt thou refuse to worship God, and worship the inventions of man, the golden calf, the whore of Babylon, the Romish religion, the abomin- able idol, the most wicked mass ? Wilt thou take upon thyself to offer up any sacrifice to God for our sins, considering that Christ offered up Himself, as St. Paul saith, upon the cross a lively sacrifice, once for all ? Can neither the punishments of the Israelites, nor the terrible threatenings of the Prophets, nor the curses of God's own mouth, fear thee from honouring any other God than Him ? Does not the Prophet at last conclude, " confounded be they who worship graven images ? " The Israelites were answered by Jeremiah, and Jeremiah warned others, and thou art warned thyself by many scriptures in many places. God will have all honour, and glory, and worship given to Him only. And Christ said to Satan who tempted Him (even the same devil which hath prevailed against thee), " It is written, thou shalt honour the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve." And wilt thou honour a detestable idol, invented by Romish popes, and the abominable college of cardinals ? But thou wilt say, thou doest it for a good intent. Oh, sink of sin ! Oh, child of perdition ! How did Saul, who for that he destroyed the Word of God for good intent, was thrown out of his kingdom ? But thou wilt say, I will not break unity. What ! n8 not the unity of Satan and his members, not the agreement of antichrist and his adherents ? Were not the false prophets in a unity ? Were not the Heathen, and the Amalekites, Perizites, and others ? But mark, my friend, yea (friend, if thou be not God's enemy), there is no unity but where Christ knitteth the knot. The unity of all men is not a unity but a conspiracy." Lady Jane Grey concludes her letter with these lines, " Be con- stant, fear not for any pain, Christ hath redeemed thee, and Heaven is thy gain." Notwithstanding this vigorous appeal to the conscience of Dr. Harding, its contents seem to have had no influence in bringing him back to the faith which he had forsaken. Queen Mary dying, Queen Elizabeth, her sister, ascended the throne of England, and carried on the Reformation in the Church which had its commencement in the reign of Edward VI. Elizabeth, with her strong hand and powerful will, deprived all those dignitaries in the Church of their preferments, who would not conform to the teaching of the " Reformed Church." Harding was amongst the number, and he left his native country and settled at Louvain, and became the target for Popish shafts ; and far better for him would it have been if he had remained in his native county of Devon, where in early life he was held in the highest esteem amongst his friends and admirers, for his advocacy of the true faith. His early companion was Jewel, who in later life contended faithfully and with success against Harding's assumed religion of popery. Harding preached at St. Paul's Cross, in justification of the Romish religion, which discourse Bishop Jewel ably answered. Dr. Humphrey, who wrote the life of Bishop Jewel, gives Dr. Harding great commendation in the words which he uses relative to these great champions of their respective faith. He says, " in many things they are equal, for they did both excel in the glory of learning and eloquence, and hi some H9 things they did exceed each other. Dr. Harding was somewhat more free and bitter in his language, Bishop Jewel more sweet and graceful ; and in truth, it may be said, Harding scarce touches the argument with the tip of his lips, Jewel drinks deep into the matter, and anxiously enquires into particulars." Harding did not receive any advancement in the Romish Church, and it is said he was disappointed that his great talents had not served him better, but perhaps remorse had some share in embittering his latter years. For the last ten years of his life he resided in Louvain, where he was buried in 1572, in the Church of St. Gertrude, and a handsome monument erected to his memory, on which his figure is represented, with his right hand supporting a Church which appears to be falling. There are many representatives of the ancient family of Harding now residing in north Devon, who are highly respected by their numerous friends and neighbours, and are known as a kind-hearted and generous race. HARRIS. Sir William Snow Harris is a native of Devonshire, and one who has contributed more to the safety of life and property at sea than any other man, by his invention of the lightning conductors, both for iron-clad ships and those built of wood. Many years elapsed before this invention was properly appre- ciated : if had to contend against interest, prejudice, superstition, and ignorance. A royal commission, however, finally put a stop to all objections to his system, and the invention was declared to be of the greatest possible advantage, as it fully answered the purposes for which it was invented. Before the year 1841 the 120 estimates of damage done by the electric fluid in the navy alone amounted to .£10,000 a-year. Since that time the loss has been comparatively nothing, owing to the safety afforded by Harris's conductors ; and our ships are spared the delay of reparation in foreign stations which used to be so frequent from the effects of lightning. Sir William Harris has devoted most of his time and energy for many years to the particular science of electricity and its effects. He is also the inventor of an improved mariner's compass, now employed in all our ships of war. He has written on electricity, thunder storms, animal magnetism, and other subjects. It was a long time before the Government fully acknowledged the important services of Sir William Harris ; but in 1847 he had the honour of knighthood conferred upon him, and the Queen allowed him out of the privy purse the sum of three hundred pounds a year. Prior to that time his services had been often mentioned in both Houses of Parliament. In i860 he was appointed Government referee in all matters connected with electricity, and superintended fitting up his conductors to the royal palaces, houses of parliament, powder magazines, and other important buildings. The last on which he was engaged was that of the Royal Mausoleum at Frogmore, in which are deposited the remains of the lamented Prince Consort. HAWKINS. Sir JOHN Hawkins, Knight, a brave English Admiral, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, was born at Plymouth in 1529. He took an active part against the Spanish Armada, on which 121 occasion he was Rear-Admiral of the fleet, on his return to England he was made Treasurer of the Navy. There existed at that time great jealousy between the two great Admirals of the day, viz., Hawkins and Sir Francis Drake, the former always expecting to take the lead in the fight, from being the oldest sailor. The name of Hawkins has been somewhat tarnished, by his having been the first who engaged in the slave trade on the coast of Africa, having made several voyages with cargoes of slaves between Guinea and the West Indies. It is considered that his son, Sir Richard Hawkins, who was also born at Plymouth in 1560, was superior to his father as a sea captain. Sir Richard was engaged on many desperate sea fights with the Spanish fleet, and was generally successful, although with inferior force to that of the enemy ; the most memorable of his engagements was that in which he was attacked by eight of the Spanish ships of war, having on board thirteen hundred men ; Sir Richard had only seventy-five men and boys on board his single ship r but despite the enormous odds he fought the enemy for three whole days, nor did he yield until his crew were almost all disabled, and he himself wounded seven times, surrendering at last on honourable terms, and securing life and liberty to those of his crew who survived. HENRIETTA. Princess Henrietta, the daughter of Charles I., was born in the city of Exeter ; her mother was the daughter of Henry IV. of P" ranee, who, while passing through Exeter, was un- expectedly confined at Bedford house, 1644. The Princess was 122 baptized at the Cathedral by Dr. Burnett, the Chancellor, on the 2 ist July, 1644. The Queen resided in the city of Exeter for a while, at the time she was impeached for high treason ; at length she was advised to quit the city, and made the best of her way through Cornwall to Falmouth, where she embarked, and reached a small town in Brittany, named Le Conquest. The infant princess remained in Exeter for two years, and was then taken by her governess, Lady Dalkeith, to France, where her mother gave her every advantage in her education. At the age of fifteen she was married to Philip, Duke of Orleans, brother to Lewis XIV. Her personal attractions were very great, but in the midst of her splendid court she was made miserable by the conduct of her husband, who proved unfaithful. She died prematurely at the palace of St. Cloud, at the age of twenty-six. It was strongly suspected that poison was given to her by order of her husband, and so it was believed by her brother, King Charles II. A full length portrait of Princess Henrietta, painted by Sir Peter Lely, may be seen in the Guildhall, at Exeter. This picture was presented to that city by King Charles II., in commemoration of the kindness of the citizens towards the princess. HODY. Sir John Hody was born at Nethaway, in the parish of Brixham. He was advanced to the high office of Chief Justice of the Court of King's Bench by King Henry VI. in 1440, and remained in office two years. He was succeeded by another of our distinguished countrymen, Sir John Fortescue. Sir John I2 3 Hody was a judge of the highest integrity and honour ; and it is said that no earthly power could cause him to swerve from the strictest obligations of his office. It is recorded of him that he had to try his own son Thomas for a capital crime, and that with his own hand he signed his death warrant. His son, however, did not live to undergo the sentence passed upon him by his father, for he put an end to his own life in prison. Judge Hody lies buried in Brixham Church. There is no monument to his memory, and most likely his death is not recorded, owing to the disgrace which had fallen on his family. HOLLAND. John Lord Holland, Duke of Exeter, was born at Dartington, about a mile from Totnes. His birth place was a splendid mansion, resembling a college, with quadrangle in the centre of nearly an acre in extent, and the hall within it was a hundred feet long. The castle of Exeter, called Rougemont, formerly entitled a palace, was also the residence of Holland, Duke of Exeter, the father of him of whom we are speaking. The palace of Exeter was formerly the residence of the West Saxon kings. It is at this day a beautiful specimen of an old ruin. Within the gates, close to the entrance of the castle yard on the south side, there was a record of the baptism of John Duke of Exeter. The ceremony took place at Dartington, and there was present the abbot of Tavistock, who presented the infant with a cup of gold, " and ten pounds in gold therein." The prior of Plympton gave twenty pounds in gold. The godmother, who was the wife of Sir John Pomeroy, Knight, carried the infant to the church to R 2 124 be christened, and was supported by her husband and Sir John Denham, Knight. Twenty-four men preceded, walking with torches in their hand, which, as soon as the ceremony was over, were lighted. This noble child was born in the reign of King Henry IV., 1399; his mother was Elizabeth, daughter of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster ; his father was half-brother to Richard II., and brother-in-law, by his wife, to King Henry IV., at that time on the throne of England. He was, however, found guilty of con- spiracy, with his brother (the Earl of Kent) and other lords, against the life of King Henry, in order to restore King Richard to the throne of England. He was beheaded, and most of his property confiscated. Some of his estate, however, was left for his son Richard, who died without issue ; John, the second son, succeeding him, to whom all the former titles and estates were restored by King Henry V, who made him general of his men- at-arms and archers of the king's fleet at sea, in which high command he greatly distinguished himself, and was in consequence made constable of the tower of London. King Henry V. dying, Holland grew into great favour with Henry VI., whom he ran- somed out of prison at his own cost, and for which he received ;£i23 per annum out of the exchequer. He first married the widow of Edward Mortimer Earl of March, and secondly Beatrice, the widow of Thomas Earl of Arundel. At this time he became lord high marshal of England ; and for his great services to his two sovereigns he was granted five hundred marks a year, with right to hold a seat in the House of Lords next to the Duke of York — a privilege also granted to his male heir for ever, — and was also constituted lord high admiral of England, Ireland, and Aquitaine. He married a third wife, daughter of John Montague Earl of Salisbury. At fifty years of age he died, in the twenty-sixth year of the reign of Henry VI., ■ 125 I447> ar) d was buried in a vault, close to the high altar in St. Kntherine's Church, near the tower of London, to which church he left rich ornaments for the use of the priest in the administra- tion of the Holy Sacrament, with charge to pray for the repose of the souls of his son and that of his wives, as well as his sister Constance, all of whom were buried in the same vault with himself. Henry, the son of John Duke of Exeter, was a brave soldier, but his career was an unfortunate one. Having espoused the fortunes of the House of Lancaster, he was desperately wounded at the battle of Barnet, and left for dead on the field of battle for several hours ; he ultimately recovered, but was obliged to fly his country. Notwithstanding he had married a sister of King Edward IV., he was actually seen running bare-footed begging alms of the Duke of Burgundy, who married a sister of his wife. The corpse of this wretched man was found on the sea coast, near the town of Dover, without any satisfactory account of the means by which it came there. HOOKER. RICHARD HOOKER, a native of Exeter, and an eminent Divine, who became Master of the Temple — was born 1533, and was said to possess such great powers of mind, as a boy, that the Master of Exeter Grammar School predicted he would become a man of learning, and educated him without fee or reward. His talents became known to Bishop Jewel, who sent him at an early age to Oxford, where his studies were so diligently pursued that he soon became tutor to some of the most promising students ; amongst whom were Sandys, afterwards Bishop of 126 London ; and his dear friend George Cranmer, a near relation of Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury. Hooker, who was chosen fellow of Corpus Christi College, 1577, was appointed by the Chancellor of the University Regius Professor and Lecturer in Hebrew, and having taken holy orders was appointed to preach at Paul's Cross, 1581. Whilst in London on this occasion he was taken ill, and was carefully nursed by a Mrs. Churchman, and out of gratitude he married her daughter, who brought him neither wealth, beauty, or accomplishments, and what was worse than all no amiability of temper. Soon after his marriage in 1584, he was presented by Mr. Cheney to the poor living of Draiton Beauchamp, in Buckinghamshire. His shrewish wife compelled him to perform the most menial offices belonging to the house and nursery, in fact his studies were nearly forsaken, and he lived a life of misery. In this state of things he was unexpectedly visited by his two old friends and pupils Sandys and Cranmer, and they beheld, with disgust, his wretched position ; to improve which Sandys interceded with his father the Archbishop of York, who in 1585 obtained for him the appointment of Master of the Temple. In this eminent position, however, he had little peace ; for Travers, who also officiated in the Temple, was a Presbyterian, and was endeavouring to set up that form of religion in England ; so that the benchers, who attended these preachers' discourses, said they had Canterbury in the morning and Geneva in the evening. Archbishop Whitgift was at length, under such circum- stances, obliged to put a stop to Travers' preaching in the Temple, against which Travers protested and appealed to the Privy Council, who confirmed the decree. Hooker's writings on this occasion brought him into great repute with the most learned men of the nation. Soon after this his enemies sought his ruin, by employing a disreputable woman to enter his room, and threaten him that 127 she would bring charges of misconduct against him, if he did not furnish her with money. This wicked attempt, however, was frustrated by his two friends, Sandys and Cranmer, who happened to be in the room at the time concealed behind a screen. He now r sought a quieter life, and was appointed, by the Archbishop, to the living of Boscuin, near Salisbury, where he wrote the four first books of his " Ecclesiastical Polity." Ultimately Queen Elizabeth presented Hooker to the good living of Bishopsbourne, in Kent, where he ended his days, after finishing the eight books of his great work. It is said that a few days before his death, his house being attacked by robbers, he eagerly asked if his books were safe, of which being assured, he replied, l< then it matters not, for no other loss can trouble me." His whole life appears to have been one of bright example ; his great care was to promote love and charity in his parish, and he was often heard to say that he laboured always to have a conscience void of offence towards God and towards man ; and in his dying moments, he said " I feel that inward joy which this world can neither give nor take away." He died at Bishopsbourne, and was buried in the chancel of that Church, where thirty years after his death a monument was erected to his memory by Sir William Cooper. There were but four months between his death and that of his widow, who married a second time, and it was suspected that she came to an untimely end through the means of her new husband. She was found dead in her bed the morning after an interview with the Archbishop of Canterbury, who had sent for her in order to get possession, if possible, of Hooker's writings. 128 HOPKINS. Hopkins, Bishop of Raphoe, in Ireland, was born in 1633, at Sandford, near Crediton, at the time his father was clergyman of the parish. He was educated at Magdalen College, Oxford, where he was one of the choristers. On leaving Oxford, he went to London, and became a celebrated preacher. He married, first, the daughter of the Lord Mayor of London (Thomas Vyner) ; secondly, a daughter of the Earl of Radnor, Lord President of the Council, in the reign of Charles II. He became chaplain to the Earl of Radnor Lord Lieutenant of Ireland ; and afterwards chaplain to his successor, Lord Berkeley, who created him Dean of Raphoe ; the Duke of Ormond subse- quently created him Bishop of Raphoe. He remained at his post until the Papists obtained the supremacy, and threatened him, when he fled into England for safety, the propriety of which has been much questioned. Having returned to London, he obtained the living of Alderman- bury, 1687, but did not live long, and is said to have died of grief, finding that his son had become a Roman Catholic. His charities were large in amount, for he always put by one tenth of his income for charitable purposes. He was generous to needy students at the University, to widows and orphans, more parti- cularly those of the poorer class. His works are voluminous. He died at his house in the parish of Aldermanbury, and lies buried in the Church, which he had faithfully served. 129 HUGHES. Arthur Hughes, born in 1803, was the son of the Rev. Sir Robert Hughes, Bart, Rector of Maker, near Plymouth, and nearly related to Admiral Hughes, a noted naval officer. Hughes had three brothers, the present Sir Robert, the Rev. Thomas Hughes, and William Hughes, a barrister. His father died when he was very young, and the family removed to Southampton, where they resided many years with the sister of his late father, Mrs. Haywood, whose husband, Colonel Haywood, had been ranger of the New Forest, which post brought him much in contact with George III. and the Court. Mr. Hughes was a self-taught artist, and was much encouraged in the art of painting by Share, the well-known painter at Southampton. He married early in life, Elizabeth, the daughter of Mr. Thomas Burnard, of Bideford, and soon achieved reputation as an artist. Many of his fresco and other paintings still adorn the walls of Hyefield Cottage, at Bideford, which he built for his residence, and where he resided several years, during which time he painted several pictures of great merit. The writer, who was Hughes' intimate friend, re- members that, at one time, he had paintings to execute for three Sovereigns, and one of them for our own Queen, to whose notice he was brought by some noble families in Devon, friends of his father. The Queen was charmed with Mr. Hughes' production, and she has in her possession several cabinet paintings from his hand. There is no doubt that, had his life been spared, he would have risen to great eminence as a painter. He died about the age of thirty-three of fever at Dresden, where he had gone to study the old masters ; and so greatly was he esteemed by young artists and other friends there, that they erected a suitable monument to his memory. He left three S children by his first wife. His second wife was the Honourable Miss Petre, a niece of the Duke of Norfolk. The talents of Mr. Hughes were not confined to painting, for his genius was evidenced in many ways ; he built his own elegant little carriages ; he constructed canoes for wild fowl shoot- ing ; and his acting in genteel comedy was admirable whilst per- forming with amateur friends for charitable purposes, on which occasions his services were indispensible, and his scene paintings added greatly to the interest of the performance ; his knowledge of human nature, and the good taste he evinced in the parts which he assumed, made his acting of no ordinary character. In wild fowl shooting, he is said to have been equal to the celebrated Colonel Hawker. His method of approaching birds on the water was remarkable, being accomplished by means of paddling with his hands on either side of his canoe. The writer remem- bers on one occasion croin that in the sixteenth century the ancestors of the admiral sought refuge in the county of Cornwall to avoid the persecutions of the time of Queen Mary. Their place of residence in Cornwall was Urvan, near Padstow, and there is a monument in the parish Church to the memory of Ralph Keats. Great wealth was brought to the family of Keats, by a marriage of one of them with an heiress (a daughter of William Stow, of Stowe, in Herefordshire), the issue of that marriage was Jonathan Keats, who was created a baronet in the reign of Charles II. ; at whose death, the family became extinct in the county of Cornwall. i 4 9 KEBIE. Kebie, surnamed Corinius, was bishop of the Isle of Anglesey in the year 360. He was one the ancient Britons, and tradition asserts that he was the son of Solomon, duke of the western provinces, before it was divided into Devon and Cornwall. Devon was then called Danmonia, and Cornwall received the name of Corinea, from a kinsman of Brute, who, in a trial of strength with Gogmagog the giant, threw him over the Hoe at Plymouth into the sea, and had the county of Cornwall as a reward for his powers and dexterity in wrestling ; so goes the legend, how true it is, would be difficult to decide in these our days ; at any rate, it shows that the sport of wrestling was at very remote times, as now, the favourite amusement of the stalwart men of Devon and Cornwall. That the famous castles Frematon and Tintagel, in Cornwall, are said to have been the abodes of the Danmonian princes, Brutus and Corineus, is firmly believed in Cornwall to this day — and he would be a bold man who disputed it. Kebie early travelled into France, and took up his abode at Poictiers, where there were many learned men, amongst them, St. Hilarie, the famous Christian bishop, who was imbued with the true faith of the Gospel. Kebie was anxious to take part in the struggle which he saw was about to take place under the Arian heresy, in consequence of the appearance of the Romish religion in Brittany. Having been consecrated by the Bishop St. Hilarie to the bishoprick of Anglesey, he returned to his native country, where, by his holy example and sound doctrine, he instructed the people of North Wales. He is said to have converted to the Christian faith King Ethelrick, who at first offered great opposition to his efforts ; it is also said that the I^O king and his followers were all struck with blindness when they were about to persecute the bishop ; this circumstance had such an effect on them that they all prostrated themselves before him, and by the holy man's prayers were restored to sight, after which the king and his followers devoted themselves to God and his servant. Kebie was buried at Anglesea, and a noble monument was erected at Holyhead to his memory. KELLAND. The Rev. William Kelland was the incumbent of Land- cross, about a mile to the south of Bideford. Some particulars of the life of this primitive, amiable, and good man, and his family, are well worth recording. There are many in Bideford who remember the Rev. William Kelland's happy face, when on market days he used to visit that town, with his whip under his arm, and his dress the neatest of the clerical order. On such occasions the joy of his heart appeared to be to talk of his children, who were then rising into fame, one at the Uni- versity of Cambridge, another at that of Dublin. The living of Landcross was given to Mr. William Kelland by the late Lord Rolle, its value is just eighty pounds a year, on which he contrived to live and educate his four children, three boys and one girl, and he kept good credit with all ; the marvel was how this was accomplished ; when he used to say " Mrs. Kelland, my wife, is the best manager in the world," and true it is that Mrs. Kelland was not only a good manager and a good mother, but a highly gifted person, on whom the early education i5' of her children devolved. To her instruction may be partly attributed the after success of her children. Philip the elder, being well versed in the first rudiments of education, became a teacher in a school, and after a time went to the University of Cambridge, with very limited means at his command he entered Queen's College in 1830, and early sought to maintain himself there by means of his talents. Mr. Mayne, the com- petitor of Kelland (who is now one of the astronomers at Greenwich), went to the University in the same year, and his early education was much of the same character as Kelland's, he having been a teacher at a small school in the country. It was soon seen that both these young men would distinguish themselves at the University, as each problem in mathematics was answered by them, as readily as they could have been by their tutors, and a race for honours was commenced between the two Devonians. At the two first examinations Mayne headed Kelland, but a third examination took place when Philip Kelland was declared to be the best man. The day at last came for the final examination, before which, Hopkins the examiner, was asked his opinion as to the merits of the respective candidates. He said " Mayne will be sixth wrangler, but Kelland will be higher than that." The result of the contest was looked for with intense anxiety by the whole University. It was at length announced that Kelland was first wrangler, and Mayne was sixth wrangler. It is said that the result gave great delight to the president, who being in bed when he heard of Kelland's success, jumped out of bed, and in his delight ran round the corridors in his night dress, proclaiming to every one whom he met the good news for Queen's. Of course a senior wrangler gives to the College, of which he is a member, great eclat. Kelland's rise was now rapid ; a fellowship was at once given to him, and he was sought after as the best mathematical tutor. 152 After remaining at Cambridge a few years, he was at length elected professor of mathematics at the University of Edinburgh, where he is greatly respected. Mr. Mayne, before alluded to, is one of the astronomers at Greenwich. He married a sister of Mr. Kelland, who is spoken of by her brothers as the most distinguished mathematician of the three, she having joined her brothers in their mathematical studies. KEMPTHORN. SIR John KEMPTHORN, one of England's bravest sea captains, was born at Widcombe, 1620, in the parish of Ugborough, in the south of Devon. In early life Kempthorn was sent to Topsham to learn navigation, and to prepare for a sea-faring life. Topsham, in days of yore, was a seaport of great impor- tance, gave birth to many a good sailor, and sent many ships to Newfoundland and elsewhere. Kempthorn's first enterprize was made in sailing to the straits of Gibraltar. In this em- ployment he made great advancement in the management of his vessel, which procured for him the command of a ship of large tonnage, with which he engaged a Spanish ship of war, having on board one of the knights of Malta. In this engage- ment he was greatly outnumbered, and at last made prisoner and taken to Spain, where he was most generously treated as a prisoner of war. So great was considered his courage in his late engagement, that he was called by the people "a miracle of valour." The kindness which he received Kempthorn never forgot, and some years afterwards he had an opportunity of »53 returning it to a Spanish captain, a prisoner in the tower of London, who Kempthorn often visited and greatly befriended, until he procured his release. Kempthorn, from his known bravery and wisdom, was appointed to the command of a frigate called The Mary Rose, with 230 men on board, and 48 guns ; and with this ship he acted as convoy to a fleet of merchantmen. Whilst thus acting he en- countered at once seven sail of Turkish men of war, which bore down upon The Mary Rose. Kempthorn allowed five of the ships to pass him without returning their fire ; as soon, however, as the admiral's and the vice-admiral's ships came abreast, one on either side, he gave them a tremendous broad- side, and sank both. He then engaged the remaining five, which he either sank, or took as prizes and brought home to England. This memorable action, together with that of Sir Richard Grenville, are among the most celebrated in the history of naval fights. In the year 1665, England was engaged in a war with the Dutch, who put to sea with a fleet consisting altogether of 121 sail, their object being to meet and engage the English fleet, commanded by the Duke of York, who had under his command 114 sail — a formidable array, the like of which Europe had never before seen. The enemies met, each confident of success — the Dutch from their superior numbers, the English from their known bravery. A most sanguinary battle took place, in which the English not only gained a complete victory, but destroyed or took nearly the whole of the Dutch fleet, bringing eighteen ships to England as prizes ; ten of the largest ships of war were sunk or set on fire, and the admiral's ship, which carried no less than 84 guns and a numerous crew of the choicest seamen, blew up. It is recorded by Prince, that " the English lost only one ship in this memorable engagement." He also records that our hero, X 154 Kempthorn, took a most conspicuous part in the fight. For this signal service he was honored by a flag being offered to him in the next fleet which went to sea, and which was commanded respectively by Prince Rupert, the Duke of Albemarle, Jordan, Holmes, Allen, Tyddeman, Ulburt, Smith, Sprague, and Kempthorn. The Dutch fleet was at sea waiting for the English, but after two days' fighting, it sought shelter in its own shallow waters, where the English could not venture to follow. In this engage- ment the English losses were one ship burnt, three captains killed, and 300 seamen killed and wounded. On the other hand, the enemy, it is reported, lost four thousand men killed, and three thousand men wounded, among them several of their best officers. Their fleet returned to the Texel completely shattered. These naval fights, as well they might, put an end to the war with Holland for some years. On Kempthorn's return to his native shores, King Charles II. conferred on him the honour of knighthood, and he was con- stituted one of the commissioners of the royal navy, a trust he filled with great faithfulness to his king and country to the time of his death. He married in 1649, and had many sons who were distinguished for services rendered to their country. Sir John Kempthorn died at Portsmouth, 1679, to the great grief of the nation, which he had so faithfully and so nobly served. He is spoken of as a good and generous man. His remains lie buried in the Church at Portsmouth, and on his tomb is inscribed the following : " Here beneath this stone doth lie As much valour as could die ; Who in his life did vigour give To as much justice as could live ; But death, which ne'er could him dismay, Unkindly snatched him hence away." 155 KING. Peter King, Lord Chancellor of England, was the son of a grocer in Exeter, and the nephew and friend of John Lock, the celebrated author of the work on The Human Understanding, and whilst in his apprenticeship to his father, he in secret made himself master of Greek and Latin. His uncle, John Lock, seeing his great abilities, sent him to Leyden University, on leaving which he entered the Middle Temple, where he gained great repute. In 1706 he was returned member of parliament, and was soon made lord chief justice of common pleas. In 1725 he was raised to the higher dignity of lord chancellor. King was not less distinguished for his ecclesiastic learning than his legal attainments. He wrote several controversial works, and amongst others the History of the Apostles Creed and the Con- stitution of the Primitive Church. He died in 1743, leaving four sons, who inherited his titles. The seventh Lord King gained great celebrity by his writings on Political Economy and Thoughts on Bank Restrictions, on which Lord Brougham has commented in eulogistic terms. KINGSLEY. The Rev. Charles Kingsley, Professor of History in the University of Cambridge, and rector of Eversley in Hampshire, was born at Holne, in Devonshire, of which parish his father was the rector. His education was commenced at Helston, under Mr. Derwentwater Coleridge, and continued at King's College, London, X 2 156 and, after that, at Magdalen College, Cambridge, where he took honours as senior optime, and a first class in the classical tripos. He was ordained in 1842, and in 1844 became the rector of Eversley, in which year he married the daughter of Pasco and the Honorable Georgina Grenfell. Mr. Kingsley is now one of the chaplains to the Queen. Mr. Kingsley has obtained a great literary reputation as the author of Yeast, Alton Locke, Hypatia, and other works ex- hibiting high powers as a novelist. Water Babies "is a charming book, adapted to young readers. One of his most interesting historical novels is that of Westward Ho ! which he wrote whilst residing at Bideford, in the neighbourhood of which place the scene is laid. The Grenvilles, the principal heroes of this story, are ancestors of Mrs. Kingsley, and their ancient residence is close to the town of Bideford. KITTO. JOHN Kitto, d.d., was born at Plymouth in 1804. His life exhibited a striking example of perseverance under difficulties which would, by most men, be considered insurmountable. His father was a jobbing mason, in whose occupation his son was obliged to assist, and whilst thus employed he unfortunately fell from a great height, the concussion depriving him of the faculty of hearing, and subjecting him to a long confinement, during which his mind was employed in acquiring knowledge. In 18 19, in consequence of the poverty of his parents, and his own inability to assist in supporting himself, he was removed to the work- house at Plymouth, and in 1821 was apprenticed to a shoemaker, '57 by whom he was illtreated, and he had again to seek the workhouse. In 1823, some essays from his pen appeared in the Plymouth Journal, and were reprinted in a small volume. In the following year he entered the service of a dentist at Plymouth, and his talents and assiduity attracting notice, he was enabled to enter the Missionary College at Islington, where he applied himself to learn the trade of a printer, in which capacity he was sent out to Malta. But his state of health, always delicate, unfitted him for the occupation, and he returned to England in 1829. Shortly after he was selected to accompany Mr. Groves on an extensive Eastern tour, in the course of which he visited most of the principal cities of Asia. On his return home in 1833, he pub- lished The Deaf Traveller, and having been introduced to Mr. Charles Knight, he was engaged by him to edit the Pictorial Bible. The Lost Senses — Deafness and Blindness was also published by Mr. Knight ; and among the other works written or edited by Kitto were The Cyclopcedia of Biblical Literature ; Palestine, and the Physical Geography of the Holy Land. A stroke of paralysis incapacitated him to a great extent, and he became greatly embarrassed in his means. In 1850 Lord John Russell conferred on him a pension of £100, which enabled him to visit Germany in the hope of recruiting his health. He died at Cannstadt, in Wurtemburg, in 1854. No modern writer has done more to diffuse information on subjects connected with Biblical criticism, and his works are re- markable monuments of zeal and scholarship, and of mental energy in overcoming difficulties. 158 LANGTON. STEPHEN LANGTON, Cardinal and Archbishop of Canterbury, was a native of Exeter, which is proved by a document found in the council chamber of that city. He was educated at the University in Paris, where he became one of the greatest scholars of his age, and was made supreme chancellor of the above named University, a high honour for an English scholar. His great learning having been made known to Pope Innocent III., His Holiness sent for him, advanced him to the honour of the purple, and made him cardinal of Chrysogone. Herbert, archbishop of Canterbury, having died in 1207, the dignity was bestowed on Langton by Pope Innocent III. This act greatly enraged King John, who felt that his power was impugned and his wishes set at naught, for he had intended that John Gay, Bishop of Norwich, should be the new archbishop ; the monks at Canterbury, on the other hand, wished to appoint their sub- prior, and in secret conveyed him to Rome to be invested by the pope, who did not regard either the wishes of King John or of the monks of Canterbury, but required the latter under the peril of an anathema to elect his favourite, Langton, to be their archbishop ; whereupon King John charged the monks with high treason, and banished them and Langton from his kingdom. The Pope at once issued a decree interdicting King John and his kingdom, so that the functions of the clergy ceased, with the exception of baptism, the confessional, and the Eucharist to be administered only at the time of death. King John not having regarded the pope's mandate, the pope at once excommunicated the king, and denounced him as having fallen from all kingly authority. King John, who feared the invasion of England by the French king, who desired to maintain the '59 pope's power, adopted the prudent course of restoring Archbishop Langton, the bishops, and the monks to their proper places, he receiving again his crown at the hands of the pope's legate, and paying a thousand marks a year to the see of Rome. A remarkable incident occurred whilst Langdon was archbishop. A young man, of comely appearance, represented himself to be the " Saviour of the world," exhibiting the marks of the nails on his hands and feet, and the wound in his side ; he was looked on as an impostor, and suffered death. Langton, in order to shew his reverence for Thomas a Becket, who was his predecessor, ordered that his remains should be disinterred, and reburied with great pomp, and directed that a handsome monument should be raised to his memory. The king, with the nobles of the land, and a great concourse of people, were present at the ceremony. LEOFRICUS. Leofricus, the first Bishop of Exeter (1050) and Lord Chan- cellor of England, — is said to have been descended from Brutus. He was brother to Alfricus, archbishop of Canterbury, and was created bishop of Crediton by Edward the Confessor in 1046, and four years after, through the king's favour, was enabled to remove the seat of the bishopric from Crediton to Exeter. His instal- lation at Exeter was one of peculiar interest, as it is said that King Edward and his queen, Edith, came there to induct him into the bishopric. The king taking him by the right hand and the queen by the left led him up to the high altar ; the king- seated on his right and the queen on the left, and Leofricus in the centre. i6o Leofricus died in 1073, the seventh year of the reign of William the Conqueror. The erection of the cathedral at Exeter was commenced in the reign of King Athelstan, 930, but was not completed till the time of Leofricus, 120 years after; it is dedicated to St. Peter. In the reign of King Edward the Elder, three cathedrals were ordered to be built, viz., those of Bodmin, Tawton, and Wells. LOVELACE. Jacob LOVELACE, a native of the city of Exeter, was born 15 March, 1656, and died at the age of sixty. He succeeded his father, a clockmaker, in an obscure part of the city, and his habits inclining him to live a very retired life, he was seldom seen. He, however, was thought to be a man of great ability, and his clocks were much sought after as specimens of superior workmanship. Some time after his death the wonderful clock, a representation of which is given in this volume, was found in a garret in his house ; it remained there neglected and covered with dust for many years, after which it fell into the possession of Mr. Dickenson, of Tiverton, from whom it was purchased by Mr. Burt, a well-known dealer in art curiosities ; from Mr. Burt's hands it passed into the possession of various persons, and at last was purchased by Mr. John Stone, of Exeter. Before this, however, an ingenious clockmaker of Exeter, named Frost, undertook to clean and refix the machinery, and to set it going in all its various departments, which occupied him and his son two years and half ; the latter still lives, from whom these particulars have been gathered. i6i Soon after the clock got into the possession of Mr. John Stone, it passed into other hands, and found its way to London, and was exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 185 1 ; afterwards, it was exhibited in Regent street, London, by Mr. Frost, senr., at which time it was owned by Mr. Rookes, who refused one thousand guineas for it. It is now said that it stands in a horse bazaar in Liverpool in a very neglected state ; it is to be hoped, that it will some day find its way back to Exeter, there to perpetuate the name of Jacob Lovelace. The details of this wonderful piece of mechanism are thus described : " It gives the moments of time, the hours of the day, the days of the week, the day of the month, the rise and setting of the sun, the growth and decline of the moon ; and by a curious mechanical calculation, a hand indicates once in four years that the month of February has twenty-nine days. There are also graceful figures which move their hands and point to the hours and quarter-hours, when the clock strikes, at which time chimes are heard playing. Also, a beautifully painted revolving panorama, representing day and night, by means of emblematic figures, that of Apollo in his chariot drawn by spirited horses, and attended by figures making their appearance by day, whilst the goddess Diana appears by night seated in her car drawn by four stags, with twelve figures representing night. Underneath the clock are figures represented, which ring a beautiful peal of bells, as occasion may require ; the belfry is enclosed by folding doors, exhibiting on the inside, when thrown open, two paintings, the one on the right being a view of the old city gaol Exeter, and on the left the venerable ruins of the castle of Rougemont in Exeter." When it is considered the age in which this wonderful piece of machinery was constructed, and the limited resources of Jacob Lovelace, it must be admitted that he was a remarkable man, Y 1 62 possessed of high powers of mechanical construction and mathe- matical calculation. The work occupied him thirty-four years, and it is to be lamented that he died in the workhouse at Exeter.; just two centuries after his death, his name is considered de- serving of a place amongst the " Celebrities of Devon," as having completed one of the most remarkable pieces of mechanism on record. MONK. GEORGE Monk, the celebrated Duke of Albemarle, was born on 6th December, 1608, at Potheridge, in the parish of Merton, near Great Torrington, North Devon, where the family had resided since the reign of Henry III. The seat at one time was surrounded by an extensive park. It is said that the name of Monk came to the family in consequence of the estate falling to one belonging to an order of monks, who was determined to perpetuate the religion of the donor by taking the name of Monk, but the fact that the family name was formerly Moigne {Moiue, French for Monk), is a far more feasible explanation. George Monk was the second son of Sir Thomas Monk, who married a daughter of Sir George Smith, of Exeter, and was by his father's side, descended from King John, it is said. For some reason which has never been satisfactorily accounted for, Monk was brought to the little Church at Landcross, a mile south of Bideford, to be baptized, and his name is to be seen entered first in the baptismal register book now in use in that Church. The early commencement of Monk's exploits is rather curious and worth relating : his father, Sir Thomas, being much in debt, sought an interview with the under-sheriff of the county, in Il.l.lWlRISSJ. \[C . tC GE V/C/COS/SSf. ur />.v /'\ Gi i \r ik 1. 1. 1: cawm 92 iRavii wave A ivj-. . lUGUsnissi \i:'C. IR.QLC n \i. •l)i< Hi HER \ i : lis (. iri'l t^YEc Gl V7 ,"K. // / 1 6 3 order, if possible, to make arrangements to pay the debts. The under-s'ieriff, in an apparently friendly spirit, acceded to his request, and Sir Thomas accordingly went to Exeter to meet the sheriff, who at once caused him to be arrested and sent to prison. George Monk, then only sixteen years of age, feeling the treacherous conduct of the under-sheriff, sought him out and inflicted a severe summary punishment on him. Of course such an offence against a law officer could not be overlooked ; to avoid punishment, young Monk sought counsel of his kins- man, Sir Richard Grenvil (the younger brother of Sir Bevil Grenvil), a man of great renown in arms, who recommended him to go to sea for a time ; this advice was accepted, and on young Monk's return, Sir Richard took him into his service and under his protection. From him he learnt the art of war : first being intrusted with the colours of his regiment, he soon gained his company, his military abilities being at once apparent ; he was appointed to the command of a company of 200 men, most of whom were noblemen and gentlemen volunteers, and it is said that he kept them in perfect discipline. With these he served under Lord Vere, Earl of Oxford, and also under Lord Goring, in Scotland. Having become major of his regiment, he did good service for England in defending the passage over the river Tyne. After the wars in Scotland had ended, he was appointed by his cousin, the Earl of Leicester (then lord lieutenant of Ireland), colonel of his regiment, which went over to Ireland to quell the troubles there, and greatly distinguished itself, and Monk was re- warded by being made governor of Dublin. On giving up this post of honor and responsibility he came to England, and was presented to the king (Charles I.) This first interview with the king took place in the presence of the secretary of state, Lord Digby, in the gardens of Christ Church College, Oxford. The Y 2 164 king appointed Monk to the command of the troops which had come from Ireland, and they having been surprised by Sir Thomas Fairfax, Monk was taken prisoner, and sent, by order of the Parliament, to the Tower, where he remained for some years. The king, knowing his good parts and his noble bearing, sent him £100 to provide for his immediate wants ; and after a time, he was released at the solicitation of Lord Lisle (son of the Earl of Leicester), who was then going as lord deputy to Ireland, and on his departure took Monk with him. Monk was entrusted with great command there, and proved himself equal to a task of no ordinary character by dispersing the rebels who fought under an able general (Owen Rue O'Neale). Monk's high military prowess was soon discovered by Cromwell, who, notwithstanding his former partizanship in the cause of the king, sent him with an army of 20,000 men into Scotland, where he completely subdued the forces of the king. He then returned to England as general in the army, having subdued and taken the castle of Stirling, and 5,000 stand of arms, and 40 pieces of ordnance, with all the records of Scotland, the chair of state, and the sword of the king ; all of which he caused to be sent to the tower of London. He also took the castle of Edinburgh, never before subdued. After all this fighting Monk fell into ill- health, which was restored by his using the Bath waters. Soon after this, Monk, who had proved himself to have been so good a general, was called on to defend his country by sea. The Dutch having greatly infringed on our maritime laws, Generals Dean and Monk were placed in command of our fleet ; the former was warned of his death in a dream the night be- fore the first engagement with the Dutch, and it happened that the first cannon shot fired by the Dutch took his life, after which, the whole responsibility of the battle fell on Monk, who lost but one other captain and 150 men: only one ship of the i6 5 English fleet was disabled, whilst the Dutch lost eight of their best ships, and 1350 prisoners of war were taken. Another en- gagement soon followed, when thirty-three sail of the Dutch were sunk, and their admiral, Van Tromp, slain, with numerous other officers and men. In this engagement, only one ship of Monk's fleet was sunk, although the loss of men was very large on the side of the English. After these engagements, a large amount of prize money was due to officers and men, which they came to demand of Monk and Cromwell, at Whitehall. Monk informed them, that, as soon as the Dutch ships were sold, their demands should be satined, on which the sailors appeared to be pleased at first, but after a while they reassembled armed, to the number of three or four thousand men ; Monk was so enraged that his word should be doubted, that he actually drew his sword and attacked the leaders of the mob, and slew several of them, the rest of them retiring. This is perhaps one of the most daring acts of any single man on record, but it is strong evidence of the undaunted courage of this remarkable general. Soon after the Dutch war, Cromwell caused a massive gold chain to be made, and a medal to be appended to it, recording Monk's famous victories, which chain he placed round his neck ; Cromwell having invited Monk to dinner with several distinguished nobles and others, to witness the ceremony. After this, Monk, not being quite satisfied with the government and the state of things in England, took up his residence amongst the Scottish people at Dalkeith, near Edinburgh, where he appears to have gained the affections of the people by his kindness and generosity. Here he remained till the death of Cromwell, 3rd September, 1658, after which a proclamation was read in Scotland naming Cromwell's son, Richard, as his suc- cessor, to which the English soldiers made no reply by cheering, 1 66 but openly declared they would much rather have Monk for a protector than a man they did not know. The new protector sought Monk's good opinion and advice as soon as he was elected. Monk, however, declined to act in any way, but recommended him to call a parliament, which he said was the wisdom of the nation. When the new usurper en- deavoured to govern, the army became disaffected, the consequence being that young Cromwell was obliged to surrender all right to the place and power he had at first accepted. England was at this time in a great strait, without a head to govern her, and she was fast sinking into disgrace amongst nations. This state of things was viewed by Monk with great concern and distress, and he resolved to come to the rescue of his country, he therefore assembled an army of four regiments of horse, and six of foot soldiers, and entered England on new year's day, 1659. He was met by the sectarian general Lambert, the assumed friend of the protector, who had brought into the field 20,000 men, but they were by the prudence of Monk dispersed without striking a blow. He now marched to London unopposed ; the people from the highest to the lowest greeting him everywhere as he passed, believing that he had no other object than his country's welfare. On reaching London, he was visited by various persons oi distinction, and entered the city with great pomp, two members of parliament, Scott and Robinson, being sent to escort him to the House of Commons, where a chair of state was placed for him within the bar. The speaker then addressing Monk, said that the nation was in a most precarious condition before his army made its appearance in London, which circum- stance the speaker compared to the little cloud which Elijah saw on Mount Carmel, and which in an instant spread to the refreshment of the whole nation. General Monk, seeing the corrupt state of the Parliament then 167 assembled, ordered it to be dismissed, and new elections to take place, by which the country should be properly represented through its members. This act made General Monk popular beyond measure in the city of London, and he was created captain general of all the land forces ; he was, moreover, strongly solicited to assume the supreme command of England. To this request the general replied, " That it was a greater honor to be an honest subject, than a great usurper." It was at this juncture that Sir John Grenvil,* a near kins- man of Monk, who had for some time been seeking a private interview with the general, was permitted to see him in secret at the house of Monk's friend, Mr. Morice, in Covent garden. The greatest caution was necessary in bringing about this meet- ing, as it was well known that Grenvil was a true Royalist. He had just arrived from Breda, where Charles II. was then staying, who intrusted him with a letter, with strict directions that it was to be delivered into no other hands than those of General Monk. This memorable letter, in which Charles II. promised him great rewards and high promotion, if by his means the restoration should be brought about, was read by Monk with apparent emotion. In answer, Monk desired Sir John to convey to Charles these few words : " That it had been his misfortune for many years to be cast into the society of his majesty's enemies, but that his heart had been ever faithful to him, and that he still kept an eye upon his service whensoever the king should be in a condition to accept it, to which he had now in some measure arrived at, through manifold difficulties and disappoint- ments, and he was resolved to endeavour to bring about his majesty's restoration with the hazard of his own life and fortune." In declining his majesty's proffered generosity, he said, " There * Afterwards created Earl of Bath, Viscount Grenvil of Lansdown, Baron Grenvil ■of Bideford. r68 was sufficient reward in the conscience, and satisfaction in serving his prince and his country, and that he would not sell his duty or bargain for his allegiance." The new parliament, which fully represented the opinions of the people of England, who had suffered in many ways under the power of the usurper Cromwell, were glad to recall their king to the throne, and, all things being prepared, Charles II. entered London on 29th May, to the great joy of the whole nation. Monk was at this time in command of the Coldstream guards, which regiment he had raised in Scotland for the defence of his king and country* That the restoration of Charles to his throne should have been accomplished without the loss of a drop of blood is a remarkable fact. It may be interesting to relate the manner of the king's coming to England. Charles landed at Dover on the 26 May, 1660, about noon ; General Monk received him with becoming duty, kneeling on one knee, the king himself raising him up. On marching through Canterbury, the king knighted Monk, and dignified him with the honour of the Garter, in which ceremony, the king's brothers, the Dukes of Gloucester and York, took part. Charles reached London on his birthday, 29 May, and entered the city in great state, the lord mayor preceding him with the drawn sword of state, the Duke of Buckingham and Monk following, then the king, and on either side of him, the Dukes of Gloucester and York. Thus was Charles II. restored to the throne of his ancestors. The king created Monk captain general of the army, and master of * This regiment of guards has, ever since that day, been an ornament as well as a safeguard to the nation, ready at all times to do battle in the hour of need; and, in later days, it has won imperishable honors in Egypt, in the Peninsula, and in the Crimea. The badges of honor are to be seen in the star in their caps, and the red feather which adorns the side of their shako. !f>9 the horse ; he was also made gentleman of the bed chamber, privy councillor, and commissioner of the treasury ; and in ad- dition to these honours, he was, by letters patent under the great seal, created Duke of Albemarle, Earl of Torrington, and Baron of Potheridge. The members of the house of commons in their joy accompanied the Duke of Albemarle to the upper house and greeted him with acclamations. The king settled on Monk and his family £7,000 a year for ever. For many years he was lord lieutenant of the County of Devon. To the great honour of Monk, it is recorded that he remained at his post in London during the dreadful plague of 1665, when it was calculated that 14,000 persons weekly fell victims to the awful visitation, and that altogether 200,000 died o^" the plague in London and the provinces. After this Monk again commanded a fleet, in conjunction with Prince Rupert, against the Dutch. These admirals were as usual victorious, and the Dutch learnt that they could not cope with the English, though with double the force which the English brought against them. In the year 1667, the Dutch fleet entered the Thames, taking England by surprise, and getting as far as Chatham, did great injury to our dock-yard there. The king at once dispatched his favourite Monk to the spot to see what could be done for the protection of life and property. To his utter dismay Monk found that this important position was quite unprotected, and strongly suspected that there was treachery in the case ; he, however, employed every means in his power, which were but small, and soon caused the Dutch to retire to safer quarters. In 1668 Monk's health again failed. In the year 1669 he had the happiness to see his only son, Christopher, married to Lady Elizabeth Cavendish, soon after which finding his end drawing near, he received the sacrament at the hands of his protestant z 170 chaplain, dying in that faith to which he was ever devotedly attached, on 3 January, 1670, and it is recorded "that his end was in peace with his God and all mankind." Before concluding the abridged account (which has been culled from various sources) of the illustrious Monk, a name which our county of Devon may feel justly proud, some account may be given of his appearance and general character as stated by his domestic chaplain, Gumble, who, it would appear, was his frequent companion. He says " Monk's appearance was majestic and comely, his body strongly knit together, apparently well fitted for the arduous duties he had to perform ; he soar'd far above the temptations which beset mankind ; his temper was even ; he never allowed an officer to oppress a soldier, — he looked on such an one as a tyrant ; he, however, never allowed a fault to go unpunished in the army, if it came to his know- ledge. He was never known to enrich himself to the detriment of any man, nor did he make a purse for himself, out of the spoils of war. His temperance was remarkable ; he hated a drunkard, thinking him not worthy of trust in any way. He was an early riser, considering four or five hours rest sufficient for him. He was the kindest of husbands and a good father, and at the death of his second son no father felt the loss of a child more keenly. Prudence and forethought were remarkable features in his character, which was proved by the judgment he evinced in restoring Charles II. to the throne of his ancestors, and this without the loss of blood ; although Monk had to contend with various interests and passions of men, who first expelled the monarch ; afterwards by Monk's superior tact and knowledge he made them all subservient to his will, and the people actually called aloud for the restoration of the monarchy. His family devotions were most regular, and after the morning's repast he devoted himself to his own affairs, to those of the I7i nation, and was open to hear the complaints of the most humble individual, whose grievance he would endeavour to rectify. He never delayed the settlement of any important business, which was a boon to many a great man who sought his counsel and advice. In fact it was evident that his high religious principles were a guide to him in all his actions, and through all his life, he strictly maintained the religion of the protestant faith of the Church of England, which he believed to be the glory and safeguard of the nation. He was never known on any occasion to swear an oath, a rare example for soldiers to follow ; he was constant in his public devotions whenever opportunity offered ; and he had a great abhorrence of anything approaching Church spoliation or sacrilege." We must now close the account of the exploits, life, and character of George Monk, who has been styled a mighty hero, and, take him all in all, one of the greatest heroes England has ever known. During his last illness, the king and the Duke of York paid him many visits, and the king took upon himself the expense of his funeral — the last tribute of respect which he could bestow. His body was embalmed, and laid in state at Somerset House, for the space of five weeks, and then conveyed to Westminster Abbey with all the pomp and grandeur which money could procure. It was there deposited in the Chapel Royal, and afterwards buried in Henry VII.'s Chapel, amongst the ashes of the kings and queens of England. The funeral sermon was preached by the Bishop of Salisbury, his text was, " Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." Monk left one son, who died whilst he was governor of Jamaica, and left no issue. The Right Honorable Charles Stanley Viscount Monck is a descendant of this family, who was born at Templemore, in the county of Tipperary, in 1819, and is the fourth peer, having Z 2 172 succeeded his father in 1849. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and afterwards called to the bar in Ireland ; and in 1852 represented Portsmouth in parliament. He was made governor of British North America by Lord Palmerston, at a critical time, 1861, when a prospect of war with the United States was imminent, in consequence of the seizure of Messrs. Slidell and Mason on board the Trent. At this time Lord Monck dis- played great zeal and courage. His abilities as a statesman are most apparent, by his scheme of the confederation of the British North American provinces, which is now accomplished. Canada is indeed greatly indebted to Lord Monck for having allayed the dissensions of political parties in its legislative assemblies, which made it more than difficult, at the time he was created governor, for any ministry to stand its ground. MORICE. Sir William MORICE, principal Secretary of State to Charles II., was the son of John Morice, a native of Exeter, and was born in 1602. His father was fellow of All Souls' College, Oxford, and his mother (a relation of General Monk), was the daughter of John Castle, a schoolmaster. The father of William dying when he was young, left a rich widow, who afterwards married Sir Nicholas Prideaux of Saldon, in the parish of Holsworthy. At the age of eighteen, Morice entered as a fellow commoner at Exeter College, Oxford, his tutor being the learned Dr. Carpenter, who took great pains in his education. Dr. Prideaux, at this time rector of the College, used to speak thus of William Morice, " Though he is little in stature, he will one day be great in the state." Morice having obtained his master of arts degree, retired into the country, and resided with his mother at Churston, in 173 the parish of West Putford, not far from Bideford, North Devon, where he studied hard, and having a most retentive memory, made great advance in learning. At an early age he married the grand-daughter of Sir Nicholas Prideaux. Having an ample fortune and great learning, he was called on to represent his native county in Parliament in the year 1645, and in 165 1 he was chosen sheriff for the county. Soon after General Monk's return to England, on Morice's great attainments being made known to him, he sought his acquaint- ance, which ended in Morice's becoming the principal adviser of Monk, whilst endeavouring to bring about the restoration of King Charles II. The king, knowing the great regard and esteem which General Monk had for Sir William, wrote him a letter, asking his advice and assistance in order to bring about his restoration to the throne of England, which Sir William promised faithfully to endeavour to accomplish, he having at that time great weight in the country. King Charles being well assured by General Monk, of the sincerity, ability, and knowledge of Sir William Morice in all matters in connection with the Restoration, sent him, through Sir John Grenvill, the signet which would give him the office of secretary of state on the king's restoration, which re- required the greatest tact to accomplish, and placed him in a peculiar position whilst dealing with the two parties in the House of Commons. Sir William Morice, about the time of the Restor- ation, held the commission of colonel in a regiment of foot, and was made governor of Plymouth, which distinguished post he filled with great loyalty and ability. On King Charles landing at Dover, he was received there by General Monk and Colonel Morice. The latter was at once knighted, and soon afterwards sworn in at Canterbury as one of the principal secretaries of state and privy councillor. In 1661 he was elected member for Plymouth. 174 Sir William Morice having well performed the office of secretary of state in the reign of Charles for several years, petitioned the king to release him from his arduous duties, which petition was graciously granted, not without great reluctance on the part of the king, who highly prized the services of his faithful adviser. In 1668, Sir William retired from public duties in time to make his end peaceful and happy, and lived at his country house at Werington. He was a most humane and kind-hearted man towards the poor, for whom he directed an almshouse to be built at Sutcombe, near Holsworthy, for six poor people, to each of whom he allowed two shillings a week. He lived to the age of seventy-four, and died 12 December, 1676, and lies buried in Holsworthy Church. He left several sons and daughters, and his eldest son, William, was created a baronet by King Charles II. MORRIS. The late LIEUTENANT COLONEL MORRIS was considered one of the most expert swordsmen in the English army. When a boy he was remarkable as a daring rider after the fox hounds, and it was the delight, as well as the wonder, of the experienced huntsmen in the field to see him on his little Exmoor pony* keeping closer to the hounds than almost any other person. At an early age Morris entered the army and joined a light cavalry regiment, which was sent to India, where he saw much service. We afterwards find him with the army in that memorable * The true Exmoor pony is considered the purest and highest English breed, and capable of the greatest amount of endurance. »75 war in the Crimea, where so many of our brave men met their deaths either by the sword, by disease, or by the severity of the climate, and, it is also feared, from privation. Morris was at this time in the 17th regiment of Lancers, and was severely wounded in the disastrous charge at Balaclava, and carried off the field ol battle. After a time, he recovered from his wounds, and returned to his native home at Fishley, the ancient seat of the family in Devon. A procession of the neighbouring gentry and his friends assembled to greet and welcome him ; it was resolved to invite him to a public dinner, on which occasion he was presented with a handsome sword, his own trusty blade having been taken from him by the enemy when he was lying wounded on the field of battle. Morris was afterwards ordered off to India, where he died of cholera, in i860. The friends of Colonel Morris have given further evidence of their admiration of his brave and noble conduct, and have since erected an obelisk on Hatherleigh moor to his memory, not far from Fishley, which records his heroic deeds as a soldier. MOWBRAY. The Right Honourable John Robert Mowbray, the son of Robert Stribling Cornish, an architect of merit, and a worthy citizen of Exeter, was born in 1815. He received an excellent education, first, at Westminster school, and then at Christ Church, Oxford, where he graduated in 1847 5 having married Miss Mowbray, of Bishopswearmouth, Durham, an only child, he assumed the surname of Mowbray, was called to the bar at the Inner Temple, and went the western circuit. In 1853, he 176 was elected M.P. for Durham, in the conservative interest. He was appointed judge advocate general by the Earl of Derby, and sworn in a privy councellor in 1838. He sat for the city of Durham from June, 1853, to November, 1868, when he was returned for the university of Oxford. NORTHCOTE. James NORTHCOTE, an eminent portrait and historical painter, was born at Plymouth in 1746. His father was a watchmaker in that town ; he early displayed an accurate eye for drawing, and when twenty-five years of age was advised by Dr. Mudge, physician at Plymouth, to place himself under the tuition of Sir Joshua Reynolds, with whom he remained five years, after which he practised his profession as portrait painter with great success. In 1777, h e went to Italy to study the paintings of the great masters, and returned to England with his reputation as a painter greatly increased ; and his illustrations to Alderman Boydell's superb edition of Shakspeare, added greatly to his fame. In the year 1787, he became a royal academician. He studied deeply, and had an accurate knowledge of human nature. He wrote the life of Sir Joshua Reynolds, as well as that of Titian, and a book of fables illustrated by himself. He was penurious in his habits, made a large fortune, and died at the age of 85. 177 NORTHCOTE. Sir Stafford Northcote, born 1818. This distinguished statesman succeeded his grandfather in 185 1 to the ancient baronetcy of Northcote of Pynes, which is about two miles to the north east of Exeter. He received his education, first at Eton, and then at Baliol College, Oxford, and obtained the highest honours in that university, coming out as a double first-class man. He was chosen by Mr. Gladstone, then president of the board of Trade, under the strongest recommendation of the principal of his college, to be his private secretary, in which capacity he greatly distinguished himself as a man of untiring industry, and the highest ability. He was called to the bar by the society of the Inner Temple, in 1847. He has held the offices of Financial Secretary to the Treasury, President of the Board of trade, and secretary of state for India in the conservative administration. His knowledge of financial subjects is very great, and he is looked upon as one of the most prominent members of his party. Sir Stafford represented Dudley from March, 1855 till April, 1857, and Stamford from 1858 till 1866. North Devon has now the honour of claiming him as its representative. He is chairman of the Hudson's Bay Company. ODON. Odon, Earl of Devon. This memorable warrior headed the English forces in order to contend against the Danes, who, about the ninth century, invaded England with a large army, and landed on Northam Burrows, about three miles to the north a 178 of Bideford. The Earl, who was strongly entrenched at Kenwith castle, about a mile from Northam Burrows, was ready to give battle. The Danes, knowing the position of the English, at once endeavoured to besiege the castle, but the garrison made a sally and drove back the Danes with great slaughter. The English returned to their stronghold and renewed the contest on the next day, at the close of which the Danes were con- vinced that they could not withstand the determined bravery of the English. After several days fighting the Danes made a desperate stand at a point of the road which has been known from that time to the present as the Bloody Corner. There one of the Danish chiefs fell in battle and was buried. The Danes became dispirited and fled to their ships, which were waiting to receive them in the waters of the Torridge, on the banks of which, Hubba, the Danish king, was slain. There is still to be seen an immense stone marking the spot, and called Hubba stone. Few of the Danes escaped to their ships, and thus ended the Danish invasion of England on the coast of North Devon. It is a remarkable fact, that tradition has handed down to us many particulars of the invasions of the Danes, and noted the spots where battles were fought by them against the English. It was not many years since that notice was given to the in- habitants of Northam and Appledore, that search would be made beneath a large stone at Bloody Corner for relics of the chief who was said to have been buried there ; consequently a great number of persons assembled at the spot at a given hour, the stone was raised, and pickaxes and shovels were quickly at work. Having reached a considerable depth nothing could be discovered to gratify the wondering spectators, and all were about to depart, when a merry doctor, who resided in the neighbourhood, happened to espy a decayed sheep's bone which 179 he slipped unobserved into the pit that had been so carefully and deeply dug ; the bone was at once declared to be human, and claimed by a young antiquarian, who carried it home to be placed in his cabinet of curiosities. Not long after this the doctor called on the antiquarian, who in great glee produced the bone, which he said must have been buried in the bowels of the earth for at least a thousand years. The joke was explained, and the bone was thrown away in disgust, the anti- quary ruminating on the easy manner by which he had been duped. We would refer the reader to the admirable ballad, in the old English style, written by Edward Capern, entitled the "Ghost of the Dane," for a more graphic description of Bloody Corner. ORGAR. Orgar, Duke of Devon, born at the Palace, at Tavistock, A.D. 900, was son of Alpsius, Duke of Devon. Edgar, the first Saxon monarch, married his daughter. Orgar was a great and renowned prince, said to be possessed with great piety, and founded the famous abbey of Tavistock, which was completed by his son Ordolph. Elfrida was his only daughter, and is said to have been both beautiful and accomplished ; her- charms reached the ears of king Edgar, who dispatched Earl Ethelwold to see her, and report to him faithfully if all were true respecting her beauty and love- liness of character. The result was that the earl was so 2 cr i8o captivated with her beauty that he concealed the object of his mission, and sought her hand for himself, reporting to King Edgar that her charms had been greatly overrated. The king suspecting that he had been deceived by his courtier went him- self into Devonshire, on a visit to the Duke Orgar, apparently for the enjoyment of hunting in the Dartmoor forest. Ethelwold suspecting the true nature of the king's coming, entreated his countess to hide her charms from the king by poor apparel, and coldness of demeanour whilst in the presence of her sovereign. The fair lady weighed the matter over in her mind, and believing that she had been made a dupe, she decided not to obey the command of her husband, but adorned her person with most costly jewels and splendid attire, and thus awaited the approach of the king, whom she received with all the graces which she could command, so say the chroniclers, that she appeared to the king more like an angel than a human being. The king finding that he had been betrayed by his favourite, took the opportunity, whilst hunting in Dart- moor forest, to slay him for his perfidy at a spot on the moor known as Warlwood. The king now became the suitor of the fair Elfrida, and married her. She bore him two sons, Edmund who died young, and Ethelred who was afterwards king of England. The circumstances which led to the accession of Ethelred are thus graphically described in history. He and his mother were staying at Corff castle, in the Island of Purbeck, in Dorsetshire, where they were honoured by a visit from King Edward, who was then hunting in the neighbourhood. Whilst drinking a cup of wine at the gates of the castle, his mother- in-law, Queen Elfrida, who had long coveted the crown for her own son Ethelred, caused an assassin to stab him in the back. The king feeling that he had been mortally wounded, rode off, but soon fell to the ground from loss of blood, and his foot i8i being entangled in his stirrup, his body was dragged for miles, and his brains were found scattered on the road. King Edward, was the eldest son of Edgar by his first wife Queen Ethelsted, so that Ethelrcd obtained the throne by the result of two murders, his father, King Edgar, having been the murderer of this queen's husband, and his mother having caused the murder of her step-son King Edward. It is recorded that Queen Elfrida bitterly repented of her crimes, and retired to the monastery of Warwell, in Hampshire, where she lived performing daily penance, and after her death she was buried within the precincts of that monastery. Her son Ethelred was crowned king at Kingston on Thames, by Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, 979. On this memorable occasion the Archbishop denounced on him the wrath and indignation of the Almighty, as follows : " You now having come to the throne of England by the death of thy brother, whom thy mother hath caused to be murdered ; the sword shall not depart from thy house, but rage furiously all the days of thy life, unto the time that thy kingdom shall be given to a stranger, whom thou knowest not, neither shall thy sin, nor the sin of thy mother, nor the sin of those wicked men who executed her commands, be expiated but by the vengeance of Almighty God." Strange as it may appear, these prophetic words were realized by an invasion of the Danes, which took place shortly afterwards. The monastery of Tavistock is said to have been erected by Ordulph, the son of Orgar, who, it is related, saw a vision, which directed him to build a house for ecclesiastics. The monas- tery was large enough to contain a thousand persons, and was richly endowed by Ordulph with many mansions and lands ; the Danes, however, made sad havock, and a few years after the monastery was built it was almost entirely destroyed, but it was 182 aftenvards re-built in even greater splendour. The abbot had a great contention with Oldham, bishop of Exeter, whom the pope excommunicated, and on the death of the bishop it is said that they dared inter his body till the sentence of excommuni- cation had been relaxed by the pope. PALK. Sih Robert Palk. The early records of the family of Palk date from the fifteenth century, in the reign of Henry VII., at which time the family resided at Ambrose, in the parish of Ipplepen. The father of the first baronet was Walter Palk, who was member of Parliament for Ashburton, and his second son was elected M.P. for the same borough after the death of his father. The great talents of his eldest son Robert, recommended him as a fit person to fill the responsible post of the Governor of Madras. After some years Palk returned from India with con- siderable wealth, and in 1772 he was created a baronet as a reward for his distinguished services. He purchased the manor and estate of Haldon with its mansion, which he greatly added to and improved It is considered, at the present time, that few houses in the county are ] superior in structure and magni- ficence ; the scenery around embraces in the distance the city of Exeter with its ancient Cathedral, the whole valley of the Exe, with its river falling into the ocean, and the range of hills which carry the eye to the beautiful wood clad hills in the neighbourhood of Sidmouth, Ottery, and Honiton, in fact few prospects surpass the beautiful view from the house and grounds at Haldon. It is worthy of remark that, during Sir Robert i8 3 Palk's residence in India, the strongest friendship was formed by him with the able and brave Major General Stranger Lawrence, to whose memory Sir Robert Palk erected a lofty tower and a statue, on a high situation on Haldon estate ; the tower can be seen a distance of 50 miles. The second baronet, Sir Lawrence V. Palk, was one of the members for the county of Devon, which honourable post is now held by the present Sir Lawrence Palk. The family of the Palk's have married into several distinguished families, viz : the Vansittart's, the Darnley's, the Lisburne's, and the Wrey's. The present baronet married the daughter of Sir T. H. Hesketh, Bart. It is due to the present baronet to say that he makes a useful and energetic member of Parliament, and has introduced measures which are considered highly beneficial to his country. PATCH. THOMAS Patch, an eminent painter and engraver, was a native of Exeter ; having obtained considerable reputation in England, he went to Italy about the year 1740, visiting Rome, Florence, and other cities, where he selected for subjects of his pencil several altarpieces and windows ; his most favourite painters were Fra Bartolomeo, Magaccio, and Giotto. The former, a Tuscan artist, a friar whose paintings were most highly thought of by Raphael, whose works he often copied in the middle of the fifteenth century. Magaccio was a painter of much celebrity in Florence early in the same century, and appears to have been the chief painter who was the means of bringing about a new era in painting in that city. Giotto was that sublime painter 1 84 who executed those beautiful works in the church of the Car- melites, alas, now no more, as the Church has been destroyed by fire. The only copies of these famous pictures were taken by Thomas Patch, and engraved by him on steel. These en- gravings are scarce, forty copies only having been struck for his relations and friends, after which the plates were destroyed. These beautiful works of art were bound up in a volume of large dimensions, and dedicated to Horace Walpole, a great patron of the fine arts, 1760. The presentation copy was sold by auction at the sale at Strawberry Hill, the residence of Horace Walpole, and purchased by Mr. Smith, of Bond street, London. Another copy was lately purchased by a royal acade- mician for 100 guineas ; a third copy is in the British Museum ; the writer is fortunate in possessing a fourth copy, he having married a descendant of the artist. Patch was a near relation of Bishop Burnett, the author of the History of the Reformation, and Burnetts own Times. Two members of this family, father and son, each bearing the name of John, were amongst the four who were appointed surgeons to the Devon and Exeter Hospital when it was first established in that city. They were men of considerable repute ; their portraits are to be seen on the walls of the committee room, painted by Opie and Grant at the expense of the citizens. PETRE. Sir William Petre was a statesman of great renown, having been a privy councillor and secretary of state in the reign of two kings and two queens of England. He was the son of John Petre, Esq., of Tor Newton, near Totnes, where he iS5 was born ; and was the founder of the noble family of Fctrc in Sussex. He was educated at Exeter College, Oxford, and at All Souls, of which college he was a fellow in 1523. In 1526 he took his degree of bachelor of civil law, and 1532 that of doctor of the same faculty. He then became tutor to the son of Lord Wiltshire, and was in consequence introduced at Court, where he obtained the favour of Henry VIII. He was a man of great accomplishments and gentlemanly bearing, and was sent on his travels by the king with an annual allowance, being ordered to keep a journal, and to be prepared with charts and maps of the places he visited, and not to stay long in any one place, nor to converse with any of his own country, but with people of high estate in the countries where he visited. He was provided with a tutor, who was well able, by his experience, to give him the best counsel. The agreeable and easy manner of Petre gained for him the good opinion of all with whom he associated, of whose eminent qualities he was a great observer and admirer. After five years travel he returned to England a most accomplished gentleman, and became a great favourite with the king. He made rapid advances in his fortune, first receiving a commission to enquire into the property of monasteries, and take account of their plate and jewels. He was also directed to procure evidence as to the offences of monks and nuns, by which much scandal was elicited, and a strong feeling excited against the religious estab- lishments of the country, an object greatly desired by the king. For these services he was knighted, and received large grants of abbey lands, and was made a privy councillor and one of the principal secretaries of state, 1543. In 1544, when the king was about to depart for France, Sir William Petre was appointed one of the council to assist the queen (Catherine Parr) in the administration of the government of the country b 1 86 during the king's absence ; and he was also named in the king's will to assist in the government of the county during the minority of Edward VI., in whose reign he was also one of the privy council and secretary of state. He was empowered, in connection with the archbishop of Canterbury, to correct, punish, and imprison all rectors, vicars, and others, in the Church and out of the Church, who should speak against the Book of Common Prayer. In all matters connected with the Church he evinced the greatest care and discretion, making but few enemies, notwithstanding the power with which he was invested. In the reign of Queen Mary, he avoided as much as possible all interference in ecclesiastical affairs, but he made himself so useful, that she created him principal secretary of state, chancellor of the order of the garter, and privy councillor, and intrusted him with the treaty of marriage between her- self and the Archduke of Austria. By this time Petre had amassed great wealth and valuable lands, principally derived from the monasteries, which he contrived to retain for himself and his posterity, obtaining from the Pope, Paul IV., a special dispensation for the purpose. To have done this he must have used great importunity, he living in the reign of a Roman Catholic queen, and himself being of the protestant persuasion. After the death of Mary, Elizabeth was not long in finding out the great ability of Petre as a statesman and counsellor, and he being, moreover, of her own religious opinions, she made him her principal secretary of state and privy councillor. His first labours in her reign were coupled with those of Sir Nicholas Bacon, lord keeper, in searching the records in the Tower, Exchequer, and Rolls, to solve certain difficulties which had arisen with regard to Philip of Spain. It is recorded that Sir William Petre was repeatedly sent ambassador to foreign i8 7 countries, on successful missions, on which occasions he shewed himself to be an admirable diplomatist. At length becoming old in the service of his country, and having obtained the high regard of all classes of his countrymen he breathed his last 1 57 1, and was buried in Ingatestone Church, where there is a monument to his memory. He died in the Protestant faith, and by his will left large sums for charitable purposes, and gifts to the College where he was educated. His acts of charity whilst living were most liberal, and his exemplary character has been recorded by several historians. Camden says, " he was a man of great wisdom and exquisite learning, compassionate, and bounteous to the poor." Dr. Lloyd says, " Petre was smooth, reserved, resolved, and yet obliging." He served his respective sovereigns faithfully, being to Henry observant of his honour ; to King Edward he recommended himself by strictly maintaining the laws ; in the reign of Mary he attended wholly and strictly to state affairs ; and with Elizabeth he gave full scope to the religion -which he believed to be the true faith. He had the good sense to keep his own council, and tact to discover the councils of others. At his death he bequeathed seven mansions with lands to his son John, his heir, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth, and afterwards created a Baron, 1603. The present Lord Petre, of Writtle, in the county of Essex, is a descendant of Sir William Petre. POLLARD. Sir Lewis Pollard, one of the judges of the common pleas, was son of Robert Pollard, of Way, who settled on him his b 2 1 88 lands in Roborough, near Torrington, in the reign of Edward IV. The family had a seat at Horwood, four miles to the east of Bideford. Here, in the reign of Edward III., Walter Pollard lived, who married a daughter of John Copleston, of Coplestone, and had issue Walter and Robert. The judge Lewis Pollard was descended from the last named Walter Pollard. The family flourished for many generations afterwards in the parish of Horwood. Sir Lewis was born 1465. It is doubtful where he received his early education, which must have been very good, as we find him as a young man, a member of the Inner Temple. He was chosen reader to that Society ; and in the twentieth year of the reign of Henry VII. was, with nine others, called to the degree of serjeant-at-law to his majesty, on which occasion there was a great feast given in the archbishop's hall, at Lambeth, at which the king was present, and the company numbered a thousand, including members of the Inns of Court. He was also made serjeant at-law to King Henry VIII., and was after- wards, owing to his great learning, advanced by that king to the honourable post of justice of the common pleas, which he held for many years. He was considered a most able and learned judge, and above all an upright one. He accumulated great wealth, and purchased the manor of Kingsnympton, near South- molton. He married the daughter of Thomas Hext, of Kingston, in the parish of Staverton, by whom whom he had eleven sons and eleven daughters ; four of his sons obtained the honour of knighthood, viz: Hugh, John, Richard, and George. One of his sons was archdeacon of Barnstaple and canon of Exeter Cathedral. His daughters allied themselves to the most famous families in the county, so that their blood was mingled with that of the first of the aristocracy of Devon. Amongst those who were married to the daughters of the judge 1 89 were Sir Hugh Stukley, of Affeton ; Sir Hugh Courtenay, of Powdcrham ; Sir Hugh Paulctt, of Sampford Peverell ; and Sir John Crocker, of Lineham. The judge lived to a great age, and dying, was buried in the parish church of Kingsnympton, where in a window was to be seen painted on glass, the judge, his wife, and twenty-two children. A curious circumstance is related of the wife of judge Pollard ; she, with her own hands, painted the window before named, when she had only twenty-one children, but she still hoped to be blessed with another, which happy circumstance came to pass, so in the end the window was a faithful record of the number of her numerous progeny. Only one small pane of glass now remains of the window which represented the family group. POMERAI. Sir Ralph DE POMERAI. The founder of the ancient family of Pomerai, or Pomery, came over with William the conqueror, and greatly assisted him in his exploits. This noble family of Pomerai held their castle, now called Berry Pomeroy, near the town of Totnes, South Devon, from the time of the conquest to the days of Edward V. The family made several alliances with the most distinguished peers of the realm, and on one occasion with the blood royal, Joel de Pomerai having married a daughter of Henry I., who was sister to Reginald, earl of Cornwall. Ethelwarde de Pomerai rebuilt the monastery of Buck- fast, which had been destroyed by fire by the wrathful Danes. The family greatly enriched several monasteries. The whole 190 village of Plimtree was given to the abbey of Ford, by Joscelin de Pomerai, for the salvation of his soul and that of the king's, and the souls of his father and his mother, and that of his brother, Lord Henry de Pomerai. Of this ancient family there is but one remaining monument to be met with, which is in the parish Church of Madern, in the county of Cornwall ; and this has been much defaced by the hand of time, and by the misdeeds of the wilful and sacrilegious ; it must have been a magnificent structure in memory of the departed lords of Pomerai. Berry Pomeroy Castle was one of the most splendid buildings in bygone days ; it stands on a rock and overlooks a beautiful valley, but it is now nearly demolished, there being nothing remaining but its walls, to denote its great extent. The last of the name who possessed the castle was Thomas de Pomerai, who commanded in the wars with France in the reign of Henry VIII. No one appears to know how the family came to be dispossessed of this princely estate. POOLE. Sir William Pole (by some called Poole), born at Shute house, in the eastern part of the county of Devon, flourished in 1590, was a noted authority as an antiquarian, having compiled several books connected with his native county, of which he was sheriff. He was knighted by James I. in 1606. Sir William Pole belonged to an ancient Devonshire family of that name, and was also descended from the Cheshire and Staffordshire Pooles, there having been an intermarriage of the two families a few generations previously. The history of the Cheshire and Staffordshire branch of the family is so interesting, that we will give some account of the events which befell it. At a very early date they lived at Staverton castle, in the county of Staffordshire. Poole Hall, in Cheshire, was also their seat, over the gateway of which is the date 1 200. In the reigns of Henry VIII. and Queen Mary, they suffered great persecutions, and in the state prison in the Beauchamp tower, we find no fewer than three names of Poole, sons of Sir Richard Poole, Bart., written on the prison walls, with sentences indicative of their sufferings, some of which are here transcribed : " I.H.S. a passage perillus maketh a porte pleasant, 1568, Arthur Poole, Al. slice 37, A. P." "Edmund Poole, 1563, aged 27 years." *"Jefferye Poole, 1562," " Dio semin in laclirimis in exultatione meter, A. 21, E. Poole, 1562." Cardinal Poole was also a son of the above named Richard Poole. Sir Richard Poole married the Countess of Salisbury, a daughter of the Duke of Clarence, brother to Henry VI., so that their children were of the Tudor and Plantagenet blood, and nearly related to Henry VIII. Henry entertained a deadly hatred against the countess and her children, in consequence of her son, the cardinal, having in severe terms remonstrated with him for his attempting to obtain a divorce from his queen, Catherine of Arragon ; it is certain the Cardinal did not spare Henry in this matter, either in his letters or in his personal interviews. Having occasion to fear the king's wrath he fled to Rome, and obtained the protec- * Jeffery Poole, the wretched son of the Countess of Salisbury, endeavoured to save his own life by giving false evidence against his mother, which led to her execution, which, however, did not save him, for in the end he died an ignominious death. 192 tion of the pope. At this time it is stated that a conspiracy was formed, headed by Cardinal Poole, his brothers, and Lord Edward Courtenay to dethrone the king, but it is not quite clear that this was actually the case. Henry, however, at once seized on the Countess of Salisbury and her sons, and sent them all to the tower, and directed that the countess, although seventy years of age, should at once suffer on the block. Her execution was of the most revolting description : having escaped from the headsman she was again brought to the block, he holding her by the hair of her head, whilst she exclaimed, " This is the death of a traitor, and I am none." The following letter, which was found by Mr. Froude in the State Paper office, a copy of which that gentleman has kindly handed to the writer, will be read with interest, as it proves that the Countess of Salisbury took no part whatever against the king, Henry VIII. " Chapter House, Westminster. " Sonne Reginald, I send you God's blessing and myne, more of my charitie than of your deserving ; for where my hope and trust was in God, to have had comfort in you, the same by your demean turned to worse. Alas ! that ever you should be the cause that I, bearing toward you so motherly and tender a heart as I have done, should for your folie receive from my sovereign lord such message as I have late done by your brother, to whom, being a woman, his highness has shewn such mercy and pity, which never lay in my power, by no service that I can do to deserve ; but trusting that my children should, by their service, do some part of my bounden duty for me ; and nowe to see you in his grace's high indignation. Onlesse God shew his power upon me, I am not able to bear it. Trust me, Reginald, that never went the death of thy father or my childe so nigh my hearte as this hathe done ; wherefore 193 upon my blessing I charge thee to call thy spirits to thee, and take another way, and serve our maister as thy bounden duty is to doo, unless thou will be the confusion of thy mother. You write of a promise made of you to God, sonnc, that was to serve God, and thy prayer, whom if you do not serve with all thy might, with all thy power, I know thou cannot please God, and thy bounden is so to doo above all other, for who hath brought you up and maigntaigncd you to learning, but his Highness, whom, if you will not serve to the contentation of his minde, as your bounden duty is, trust never in me, and that you may so serve his Highness, I shall pray daily to God to give you his grace and to make you his servant, or else to take you to his mercy." This touching letter from the Countess of Salisbury to her son Cardinal Poole must prove to any reasonable mind, that she was innocent of any treasonable intentions of which she had been accused, and it evinces also the merciless conduct of Henry VIII. towards his nearest of kin in order to gratify his spirit of revenge, for not being able to procure from the pope a divorce from his queen. The family arms of the Pole's of Cheshire, as well as that of the Pole's of Shute, and other branches of the family in this county, are Azure, semy fleur-de-lis, or: a lion rampant argent, surmounted by a ducal coronet. To Sir William Pole, as an historian, we are greatly indebted, he having devoted much labour to the production of a history of most of the celebrated characters of this county. 194 PORTSMOUTH. Isaac Newton Fellowes, Earl of Portsmouth, Viscount Lymington, and Baron Wallop, is the son of Newton Fellowes, the fourth earl, who succeeded his brother in 1853, and died 1855, when the present earl came to the title and estates. He is descended from England's great philosopher, Sir Isaac Newton. The family of Wallop is of ancient and knightly degree, hav- ing been seated at Well-hope, near Southampton, before the Conquest. The present earl resides at Eggesford house, North Devon, and occasionally at Hurstbourne park, in Hampshire. He is a man who appears to be fully aware of the responsi- bility which large estates and wealth entail upon their proprietors, for he is known as a good and generous landlord, and possesses a kind heart, and he and his noble countess devote themselves to acts of kindness and charity. Few of our nobility stand higher in the estimation of all those who have the happiness to come within the sphere of their influence than the Earl and Countess of Portsmouth. The earl is master of fox-hounds, and is an ardent sportsman ; many a cavalry soldier has first learned to be a good horseman by following in early life the Eggesford fox-hounds. PRIDEAUX JOHN Pkideaux, Bishop of Worcester, 157S, was born at Stow- ford, or as some say, at .Harford, near Ivy Bridge. He was one of twelve children, and his father had but very small means. His first effort to advance himself was to seek the office of parish 195 clerk in the parish of Ugborough, but as he was opposed by another candidate ; a trial was made at the request of the pa- rishioners, in order to ascertain which of the two had the best voice, and best delivery in reading. Fortunately the appointment was given to his opponent, and Bishop Prideaux was often heard to say, " Had I been parish clerk at Ugborough, I should never have been Bishop of Worcester." He was, however, at the time greatly grieved at being superseded, and a gentleman seeing what an effect it had on his mind, sent him at his own expense to a school, saying, " Grieve not, my boy, God may design you for better things." He obtained a little knowledge of Latin at school, which appeared to give him a desire to know still more, and he walked all the way to Oxford, and found employment in the kitchen of Exeter College, and was there engaged in the most menial offices, and for little pay. When the business of the scullery was over, he was generally seen with his book in his hand, im- proving the little learning he had obtained in his native village. He was encouraged by some of his own county men who were students, they willingly giving their assistance and best advice to the studious boy in the kitchen. He was at length admitted a member of the university, and became bachelor of arts in 1599. In 1602 he was chosen proba- tioner and fellow of his college. In 1603 he was appointed master, and soon after entered into holy orders. Being now noted as a remarkable scholar, on the death of Doctor Holland he was elected rector of the college and doctor of divinity, and three years after that, 1 6 1 5 , he was made regius professor at Oxford, which distinguished office he continued to hold for twenty-seven years ; he was also one of the canons of Oxford, as well as vice- chancellor, thus holding the highest honors the university could confer, sitting both as a spiritual and temporal judge, next to the chancellor, who is generally some remarkable or conspicuous c 2 196 nobleman or prelate. He had the high honour of being vice- chancellor five times. During his rectorship of his college, so faithfully and truly did he conduct himself, that not only did men of family and education in his own country enter themselves at his college, but foreigners, who had heard of his learning and wisdom, came from all parts to do so, so that in his day his college flourished more than any house in the University of Oxford. He was a strong adherent of Church and State, and impressed loyal and religious feelings on all who came under his guidance and teaching. In his day a strong faction grew up between the Calvinists on the one hand, and Armenians on the other. This faction existed not only in the university, but also in the nation at large. In these matters how the learned doctor acquitted himself is shewn by the lectures and orations which he delivered ; notwithstanding which great confusion and discord followed. His books are for the most part written in Latin, which circumstance rendered him famous, not only at home, but abroad, and these books, if collected, would make a small library of themselves. He was consecrated Bishop of Worcester 1641, at Westmin- ster. His loyalty to Charles I., and the then unpardonable crime of being a bishop, caused him to be ejected from his bishopric and persecuted by the prevailing party, and he was obliged to sell all his goods, and even his library, so that he is known to have said " he ate his books for a maintenance." Notwithstanding all this he conducted himself with invincible courage, denouncing the traitors in his diocese, and taking up arms in defence of his religion and its rites, an example almost unparalleled in English history. He was often known to speak of the poverty in which he first came to Oxford, and always kept the leather breeches he then wore in the same wardrobe in which he kept his robes of office as a bishop. 197 With regard to his charities no man knew of their extent ; he was always bountiful to the poor, as he said he was bound to be, as they were God's image. He was of a most forgiving temper, and his attentions to his parents and poorer relations were beyond all praise. He frequently visited them ; and on one occasion, when on his way he was passing through his native village, being near the Church, he heard the bell tolling, and on enquiry finding it was for his aged grandmother, he halted, and read the funeral service over her remains, and after that preached a funeral sermon. His father and mother were buried at Hartford. To their memory he erected a monument with an inscription ; the monument represents his father and mother in plain attire standing opposite to each other, with a desk between them ; behind the father stand his seven sons, and behind the mother her five daughters, whilst in the centre is the bishop himself in his scarlet robes. Underneath are these words in letters of gold : " Here rest the bodies of John Prideaux, of Stowford, and Agnes his wife, the parents of seven sons and five daughters. John Prideaux, the fourth son, doctor of divinity, and his majesty's professor in the University of Oxford, rector of Exeter College, chaplain to Prince Henry, King James, and King Charles, hath left this filial remembrance, 20 July, 1630." Bishop Prideaux's style of preaching was manly for its strength, maidenly for its modesty, and elegant for its phraseology ; his powers of memory were so great that he retained whatever he read. If he received injuries he resented them for the moment, but they were soon forgiven and forgotten. The good bishop, in that violent storm which in those days tore asunder the Church, retired to the house of his son-in-law, Dr. Sutton, of Bredon, in Worcestershire, where he died of a fever, 1650. Having little left of his worldly goods or money, he bequeathed 198 poverty and piety as his last legacy to his relations. He was buried in the Chancel of the Church at Bredon, and at his funeral there was an immense concourse of people — bishops, peers, and commoners assembled to honour his memory. PUTA. PUTA is said to have succeeded Westamus as Bishop of Tawton, about the year 912 ; he is reported to have been bar- barously murdered whilst on his journey to Crediton, to which place he was going to pay homage to King Alfred, who, with his army, was encamped near that town. The cruel murder of Puta so enraged the king, that he at once directed that the episcopal chair should be removed from Tawton to Crediton. RALEIGH. Sir Walter Raleigh (or Rawleigh) was born in 1552, at Hayes, in the parish of East Budleigh, in the south east of the county of Devon. The house in which he was born still remains. The family of Raleigh were natives of Devon ever since the Norman Conquest. Many of the families of celebrity may claim kin with this remarkable man. The Courtenays, the Carews, the Champernownes, the Gilberts, the Grenvils, and the Drakes. Of Sir Walter Raleigh himself, it is written that he was not only the glory of his county but of the kingdom ; combining un* Bale a:: 199 high qualities as a statesman, warrior, philosopher, and historian, England has scarcely produced a greater man. At an early age Raleigh became a commoner of Oriel College, Oxford, and was soon known to be highly gifted in his knowledge of the classics, and as an orator. On leaving college he studied law in the Middle Temple, and made himself well acquainted with the municipal laws of his country. On leaving the Temple he at once took to the sword, and with it soon entered the path which leads to greatness and to fame. His first exploit was in France. Having joined his kinsman Champernowne with a troop of gentlemen volunteers, they went at the command of their queen to free the Protestants from the persecutions which at that time bore so heavily upon them. After this he betook himself to the seas, and made himself master of navigation and the discipline necessary for a sea-faring life. His great merit and acquirements were soon observed by Queen Elizabeth, who found in him one well calculated to take part in the great achievements of the times ; and notwithstanding the jealousies by which Raleigh was surrounded, his noble bearing and high qualities soon surmounted them all, and he became Queen Elizabeth's favourite and adviser. About this time he is said to have written on a window with his diamond ring : " Fain would I climb, but I fear to fall," which the queen having read by chance wrote underneath : " If thy heart fail thee, best climb not at all." The queen at length permitted Raleigh to undertake a voyage of discovery, being advised by those whose rank and influence in the country Elizabeth could not well oppose. Their chief object was, however, to get Raleigh out the way, as it was considered by them that he was becoming too much in favour, and in the good graces of his sovereign. Jealousy and suspicion were raised by Essex, Leicester, Cecil, and others, who were willing 200 to do or say anything to prejudice Raleigh in the queen's good opinion. These efforts failed, for after a time Raleigh returned to England, having discovered a new country, rich in produce of various kinds, particularly in gold, which contributed greatly to the wealth of England. This newly discovered country was named Virginia, after Queen Elizabeth ; on this occasion Raleigh was knighted, which was considered no small honour in those days, knighthood being only conferred on those who greatly distinguished themselves. The year 1588 will be ever memorable in the annals of history, as the period when Spain's Invincible Armada threatened our shores ; this powerful fleet took three years in preparing, but in one month it came to grief through the valour of the officers and sailors of old England, of whom Raleigh must be said to have been the chief, although Sir Richard Grenvil, Drake, and Hawkins, all Devonshire men, took noble parts in vanquishing the foe. Philip of Spain, thinking he was still too powerful for England, prepared another fleet, against which Raleigh warned his country- men in parliament ; and by his able counsel and heroic conduct he was the means of frustrating this attempt also. After this Sir Walter fell into disgrace, and lost the favour of Queen Elizabeth by intriguing with one of the maids of honour, a daughter of Sir Nicholas Throgmorton, whom, however, he after- wards married. This was an offence not easily overlooked by the maiden queen, who ordered Raleigh to be sent to the tower for a time ; on his release he again set sail on a voyage of discovery, and having been successful he returned to his native country ; he found the frown which he had left on the queen's brow was greatly relaxed, and he soon regained the favour he had lost. The queen at this time appointed him one of the four admirals who were about to attack the coast of Spain. The fleet went 201 to sea numbering 150 sail, manned by 17,000 soldiers and sailors. It was divided into four squadrons, commanded res- pectively by the Earl of Essex, Lord Howard, Sir Thomas Howard, and Raleigh. This expedition was successful, and the fleet returned laden with a vast amount of wealth, and gained great renown. Raleigh is said to have given to the inexperienced admirals his able advice in the undertaking, which cost the Spaniards twenty millions of ducats. By the death of the queen, Sir Walter lost his greatest friend. Not only did Raleigh suffer, but the whole nation mourned and grieved for the loss of a sovereign, who had so gloriously reigned over them for forty-five years, and had raised England to that standard of greatness which she has ever since maintained. On the occasion of James coming to the throne of England, his first efforts were to make peace with Spain, which that country rejoiced at, in order to recover its power, which had been so weakened by the repeated victories obtained over her, that she was well nigh reduced to the greatest humiliation and despair, and might at that time have been easily brought under the dictation of England. Raleigh foresaw what would be the result of peace with Spain, and in vain advised his king to carry on the war, well knowing that Philip would, as time and opportunity offered, again threaten our shores with hostile fleets. Soon after the accession of James, Raleigh was accused of high treason, for which he was tried with others at Winchester on the 17 November, 1603, and was condemned to die on the scaffold, although there was little or no proof of his guilt. James, however, hesitated to take his life, and Raleigh was imprisoned in the tower of London. The trial of Raleigh for high treason was one of the mo^t famous, yet infamous, of our state trials, and as evidence of the d 202 spirit of the age and the bearing of Coke, who was the attorney- general on the occasion, it is recorded that he called the prisoner viper, traitor, and wretch, nay, even that he spat upon him. As it has been stated, Raleigh did not meet his death on the scaffold for some years after he was condemned for high treason, and in his long imprisonment his wife was allowed to participate. He was at length released by order of the king, and was solicited to go another voyage of discovery, in the hope that he might bring more gold into the treasury. He returned to England again in 1618, having encountered the greatest privations during his long voyage, which were caused by his secret enemies, who compassed his destruction ; and it is recorded that on landing on his native shores, he was instantly arrested by the vice-admiral of Devon, who was his former friend, one of his own county, whose conduct towards Raleigh brought upon him the disgust and hatred of every true-hearted Englishman, in consequence of which he banished himself to the island of Lundy, where he died a most wretched death. Raleigh, whose second arrest was at the instance of the Spanish ambassador, Gondomar, was executed on the scaffold 19 October, 161 8, the sentence of death passed fourteen years before, having been revived. Before his death he uttered these touching words, " O man, put not your trust in princes, but only in the power of the living God ;" then turning to the executioner, he spoke words of forgiveness to him. On being asked which way he wished to place himself on the block, he said, " So that the heart is right, it matters not which way the head lies." So died Queen Elizabeth's favourite and true adviser. His attainments were too much for Essex, he was the envy of Leicester, and Cecil's rival. r Before concluding this brief account of Raleigh's life, we will endeavour to sum it up with a few remarks on his general 203 character and actions. It has been before stated how completely he overmatched Philip in our war with Spain, and it has been said by one of our historians, that no braver man than Sir Walter Raleigh ever drew a sword in his country's cause. His voice in the council, and his arm in the fight were ever ready, active, and bold. We read of Raleigh's voyages, his discoveries, his parliamentary duties, and know that some of the ablest state papers of the time were drawn up by him. Then again, his voluminous History of the World, commencing with the creation, was written during his fourteen years imprisonment in the tower ; this wonderful production deals with questions which perplex Metaphysicians. The Greek and Latin authors, and even the Rabbis are said to be quoted by him with that exactness which denote him a perfect scholar. Raleigh's history has been styled a marvel of erudition, and in addition to it, he wrote on various other subjects, which give evidence of the powers of his mind, and his almost universal knowledge. Amongst such works may be noticed works on the prorogations of Parliament, on trade, on shipping, on the state and resources of Spain, on the life and death of William the Conqueror, on the life of Mahomet ; one of his works on cabinet councils was reprinted by John Milton. Amongst Sir Walter Raleigh's latest descendants are the late General Raleigh Gilbert, whose heroic deeds in India are well known to his countrymen. Also Colonel Gilbert, and Pomeroy Gilbert, men highly esteemed by all who know them. Another descendant was Walter Raleigh, born in Exeter (who, in early life, was a friend of the writer), the son of Major Raleigh, and a nephew of the late Lord Kensington, his mother's sister having married that nobleman ; he was educated for the medical profession, and was a resident pupil of the late Mr. E. P. Pridham, of Exeter, and studied at the Devon and Exeter Hospital under the late Mr. Samuel Barnes, a surgeon of the highest repute, and Mr. 204 James, of equal celebrity. After having obtained honours at the College of Surgeons, he went to India under the immediate patronage of Mr. Canning, who was at that time prime minister. In India, Walter Raleigh made a rapid and large fortune, he then returned to his native country hoping to fulfil an engage- ment of marriage which he had entered into previously to his leaving England, but his fond hopes were doomed to disappoint- ment. He died, unmarried. The latter portion of his life was passed at Eglington Castle, the noble owner of which, with his lady, had formed a friendship for Walter Raleigh of no ordinary character whilst in India, so that he had quite a home in the domestic circle of this noble family. REYNOLDS. Sir JOSHUA Reynolds was born at Plympton, in South Devon, in 1723, and was educated at the grammar school in his native town, of which his father was the head master. At a very early age he displayed a great genius for drawing, so much so that his father placed him with Hudson, at that time a celebrated portrait painter in London. Having been with him for a while, young Reynolds resolved to go to Italy in order to study the works of the old masters, and selected those of Michael Angelo, Raphael, and Titian, all of which attracted his admiration, and greatly assisted to make him one of our most eminent painters. Reynolds returned to London in 1753, and was soon considered the first of English portrait painters. The good education which he received from his father, and his gentlemanly bearing, soon gained him a place amongst the distinguished men of the day. 205 His works of art arc most remarkable for giving to the portraits which he painted the almost life-like air and attitude of the person before him. He was unanimously elected the first president of the Royal Academy in 1768. To the members of this noble insti- tution he yearly delivered lectures on the art of painting, of the most instructive and interesting character, which greatly raised him in the estimation of his hearers. In the year 1773, the degree of doctor of laws was conferred on him, and in 1784, the king appointed him his principal portrait painter, at which time he was knighted. His portraits are very numerous; the National Gallery alone contains fourteen, amongst which is an admirable likeness of himself, painted with his own hand, and considered a most beautiful work of art. Burke has paid a just tribute to Sir Joshua Reynolds ; he says, "he had too much merit to excite much jealousy, too much innocence to provoke enmity." He died in 1792, and was buried in St. Paul's Cathedral, where a monument by Flaxman is erected to his memory. Mr. Tom Taylor has written The Life and Times of Sir Joshua Reynolds. RISDON. Tristram Risdon was born at Winscott, near Great Tor- rington, where he was first educated. He became a famous antiquary, and wrote the celebrated Survey of Devon. He graduated at Pembroke College, Oxford, about the latter end of the fifteenth century, and is reported to have been an accom- plished gentleman and a good scholar. He spent many years 206 in writing his useful and interesting work, it having been begun in 1605, and finished in 1630 ; he died at a great age at Winscott, and lies buried in St. Giles Church, without even an inscription to record his worth and learning. RISDON. Thomas RiSDON, bencher, as well as treasurer and governor of the Inner Temple, was the younger son of Thomas Risdon, of Bableigh, in the parish of Parkham. His mother was the daughter of Giffard, of Halsbury, an adjoining estate. His ancestor was lord of the manor of Risdon, in Gloucestershire, in Richard the III.'s reign. Thomas Risdon greatly distinguished himself as a lawyer, and wrote several learned books on the laws of England. He was elected reader of the Inner Temple, and afterwards double reader. His geat attainments brought to him a considerable fortune, and enabled him in middle life to reside again in his native county, where he purchased an estate called Sandwell, near Totnes, on which he built a handsome mansion. He was chosen by the ancient corporation of Totnes to be the recorder for that borough. Thomas Risdon married a daughter of Mr. Hawkins, and died without issue, at the age of one hundred, on 9 October, 1641, and was interred in Harberton Church, where a suitable monument is erected to his memory. He left his large fortune to Francis Risdon, of Bableigh, his eldest brother's son, whose mother was a Bluet. 207 ROBSART. Amy ROBSART : this beautiful girl (whom, so says tradition, rather than authentic history, the Earl of Leicester married, and afterwards caused to be murdered, in order that he might accom- plish his ambitious views) was born at Lidcote Hall, situated about ten miles to the east of Barnstaple. Sir Walter Scott has so exactly described in his historical novel, " Kenilworth" the situation of Lidcote, that there can be no doubt of its identity. The description runs thus : " The ancient seat of Lidcote Hall, is situated near the village of that name adjoining the wild and extensive forest of Exmoor. The old mansion was a low venerable building, occupying a considerable space of ground, which was surrounded by a moat." The name of Lidcote Hall still remains, and so do some of its massive walls, now overgrown with weeds and ivy. An old farm house now takes the place of that which in days of yore was the seat of grandeur and old English hospitality, as well as the birth place of the broken hearted and miserable Amy Robsart, who fell a sacrifice to the ambition of the Earl ot Leicester, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Sir Walter Scott took the hint of his pathetic story rather from Nichle's ballad, " Cumner Hall," than from actual facts. ROLLE. DENNIS ROLLE was a native of Devon, being born at Bicton in 1614; his mother was the daughter of Sir Thomas Dennis, of Bicton, by Ann his wife, who was the daughter of William 208 Paulet, Marquis of Winchester ; his father was the son of Sir Henry Rolle, of Stevenston. The property of Stevenston was originally given by Michael de St. Stephens to Richard Basset, in the reign of King Henry III.; it afterwards came to John de la Ley, who took the name of Stephenston. One of the daughters of this family married Monk, of Potheridge, and her sister married Moyle, of Stevenston, whose son became one of the judges of the king's bench in the reign of Henry VI., 1454 ; this member of the family appears to have been born at Steven- stone. Of Dennis Rolle, Dr. Fuller remarks, in his Worthies of England, that " He was a man of great worth, on whom too much praise cannot be bestowed, and adorned with such qualities as make up a perfect English gentleman ; he possessed a ready wit, a generous mind, and a large soul." It is recorded that the cele- brated Sir Bevil Grenvil, whose generosity and hospitable mode of living had caused some temporary inconvenience in his money matters, applied to Mr. Rolle for the loan of a large sum, which was readily granted, and Grenvil's bond given for the amount. Soon afterwards, Sir Bevil visited Mr. Rolle at Bicton, when the bond was produced, and thrown by the latter into the fire and burnt, Mr. Rolle at the same time saying, " Your word, sir, is quite as good as your bond ; your bond I have now destroyed." It is needless to say, that in due time, the sum was repaid with in- terest. A celebrated divine, Sydenham, who knew Mr. Rolle well, has thus written of him : " Truly generous, and nobly disposed, virtuous and good ; to his friends he was generous and kind ; to the poor his liberality knew no bounds, so that all were made happy who came within the precincts of Bicton." He is said to have inherited his noble heartedness from the families with whom he was allied, his grandmother being the daughter of the Marquis of Winchester, whilst he himself married a daughter of Lord 209 Paulct. He possessed great wealth, which he was persuaded had its duties to fulfil, and he well knew how to use the bounties with which he was blessed. In the year 1636, he was sheriff of the county, which honor he supported with great dignity and pomp. Mr. Dennis Rolle died in the month of June, 1638, at the early age of twenty-four, and was buried in Bicton Church, where a handsome alabaster monument is erected to his memory, and to the memory of his beloved and excellent wife. Dr. Fuller is said to have written the following epitaph to the memory of Dennis Rolle, and as it records his goodness and his virtues, the writer inserts it for the benefit of the living. " His earthly part within this tomb doth rest Who kept a court of honor in his breast, Birth, Beauty, Wit, and Wisdom sate as peers, Till death mistook his virtues for his years, Or else Heaven envied earth so rich a treasure, Wherein too fine the ware, too scant the measure. His mournful wife her love to shew in part, This tomb built here, a better in her heart, Sweet babe ! his hopeful heir (Heaven grant this boon), Live but so well ; but oh, die not so soon." Mr. Dennis Rolle left one son, who died soon after his father ; five daughters survived, four of whom married the following gentlemen of high repute, Sir George Strand, of Sussex ; Sir John Rolle, knight of the Bath ; William Cook, of Highman, Gloucester ; Sir John Acland, of Cullompton. The latest member of the Rolle family who was in posses- sion of the princely estates of Bicton and Stevenstone was the Right Hon. Lord Rolle, a generous and worthy peer, withal a most loyal patriot, who, in the time of war, raised a regi- ment of calvary for the defence of his country. He was greatly esteemed by George III., being often a visitor at Windsor Castle. An incident in his latter days is worth recording: At the coronation of Queen Victoria, when ascending the steps of the e 2IO throne to do homage to the queen, his foot slipped, and he nearly fell to the ground ; the queen, with the quick sympathy of her nature, stretched forth her gentle hand and assisted the aged peer in regaining his footing. He left no issue to succeed to his large domains, which have since been enjoyed, in accordance with his will, by the second son of the late Lord Clinton, of Heanton, who is nephew to the present Lady Rolle, his lordship's second wife. The Honourable Mark Rolle is reported to be a good and generous landlord. He is master of fox-hounds, and an ardent lover of field sports. RUSSELL. LORD John RUSSELL, in 1539, had the grant from Henry VIII. of Tavistock Abbey, with an immense estate in the county of Devon, at which time he was created Earl of Bedford. William, the fifth earl, was created Marquis of Tavistock and Duke of Bedford. Before the civil wars, the Earls of Bedford resided frequently at Bedford House, in the city of Exeter. The Russells commanded in several battles during that stormy period, and were victorious on the side of royalty, which circumstance added greatly to the wealth of their noble house. William Duke of Bedford, born in 16 14, was educated at Magdalen College, Oxford, and was a member of the Long parlia- ment. He commanded the horse at the battle of Edgehill, and joined the royal standard, and fought with great bravery and judgment as a commander. After the battle of Newbury he retired from active service, until the iestoration, when he was elected Knight of the Garter, and assisted at the coronation of Charles II. ; he was also present at the coronation of William and Mary. He died in 1700. 211 Lord William Russell, third son of William, Duke of Bedford, was beheaded for high treason, for complicity in the Rye house plot, laid for the purpose of assassinating the king ; it is said that his cause of action was the fear which he entertained that popery would again predominate in England. He adopted the political principles of the Whig school, as the Russclls have ever done, and joined the Dukes of Monmouth and Argyle, Lords Essex, Howard, and Sidney, and others in open rebellion. He was tried and found guilty, in the forty-fourth year of his age. After the revolution, however, the proceedings against him were annulled. The writer cannot pass unnoticed that noble-minded and re- markable person, Lady Rachel Russell, the daughter of the Earl of Southampton, who, with true womanly spirit, attended the trial of her husband, Lord " William Russell, watching the proceedings, and taking notes on that occasion ; Lord William having been refused counsel for his defence. The affectionate solicitude which she evinced during the hours of trial, and the magnanimity of her behaviour after Lord Russell's death, rank her amongst England's most noble characters. She survived her husband forty years, during which time she devoted herself to acts of charity and devotion. Within the last fifty years the late Duke of Bedford expended many thousands in the improvement of the town of Tavistock, in which he has erected several public buildings, namely, the guildhall, hotel, prison, and spacious rooms for the Tavistock institutions, including a library, museum, and reading room. The library now contains 5,000 volumes. The duke, moreover, at great cost, caused the town to be well drained, and a plentiful supply of pure water to be brought into it. The buildings are chiefly erected on the sites of ancient structures, the style of which they in a great measure represent. The late duke also built a beautiful family mansion in the parish of Milton Abbot, e 2 212 near Tavistock, where the family has taken up its residence, administering greatly to the wants and requirements of the neighbourhood, especially amongst the poor. The present Earl Russell, who is the third son of John, Duke of Bedford, has for many years taken a most active part in politics in the country, having been twice prime minister. RUSSELL. The Rev. John Russell is well known as a first rate hunts- man, not only in Devon, his native county, but in most other counties in England, and is distinguished for his knowledge of the habits of the wild animal. There have been many celebrated huntsmen in Mr. Russell's and Mr. Osbaldiston's day, but it is admitted, take him all in all, that no man knows so well how to find, how to hunt, and how to kill a fox as John Russell. Some account of Mr. Russell, gathered from those who have been con- stantly in the habit of hunting with him, as well as from various writers on the noble English sport of foxhunting, will prove his preeminence in the field. " There can be no doubt, that both Mr. Osbaldiston and Mr. Russell must have been strongly imbued by nature with the desire of chasing the wild animal. It is an inborn passion which will make its appearance under circum- stances adverse as far as worldly means are concerned. One man may have wealth, large estates, a fine stud of horses, and plenty of servants, all of which will apparently render it an easy matter for him to be a first rate master of fox-hounds ; whilst another man with restricted resources, but equal desire, will arrive at a higher standard of excellence in all matters connected with 213 the kennel and the hunting field, than his more wealthy neighbour ; and such may be considered to have been the case with the two ardent and first rate men, Mr. Osbaldiston and Mr. Russell. Genius is in no way to be smothered if the heart and inclina- tion be equally strong ; to reach the goal is a simple question of time." Both these celebrated men, by attention, kindness, and firmness, acquired such a personal influence over each hound in his pack, that a word from the well-known voice commanded instant attention, which severity of treatment never could attain. In a published letter entitled " Osbaldiston and Russell " are the follow- ing remarks : " Mr. Russell is brilliantly quick in cover, and when he has found, one sound of his celebrated scream, brings every hound to him, however deep may be the woodland. He has two peculiar notes of his horn, these were so thoroughly under- stood by his hounds, that on hearing the note, which indicated the find and away, they would leave the strongest scent, to hasten to the joyous signal. Mr. Russell is a patient drawer, and if there is a fox in the country he is sure of a find. A loner attention to the habits of the wild animal, and the keenest attention to minutiae (not heeded by others), give him a great advantage in this particular." Mr. George Templer, of Stover, in this county, was an early friend and companion of Mr. Russell in the hunting field, from whom Mr. Russell learnt much as regards the management and training of fox-hounds. Mr. Templer' s tact was such in training animals to do his bidding, that he even trained a number of foxes to course rabbits ; he would turn down a wild fox amidst his pack of fox-hounds, and not a hound would move before his words were given, " Be off and axvay ;" these are extraordinary instances of the power cf training animals, as well as the instinctive knowledge of the brute creation. Mr. Russell has often been heard to say 214 he knew the character, good points, and defects of every hound in his kennel, — he had equal command over them with Mr. Templer. "As long since as 1828, Mr. Russell hunted the west country from Torrington to Bodmin. His hounds were small, but they had the best blood in them from the pack of Mr. Templer. These small hounds, for three years, showed unprecedented sport in the western country, which is still in the memory of many who, at that time, followed the chase, and many a tale is yet told, in the settle of the wayside inn, of the runs that happened during that hunting period of unwonted brilliancy. The houses in the neighbourhood were then filled with guests, who came from a distance to enjoy the sport, and also to see the noted man Mr. Russell, who with a fox on foot was nearly certain to ac- count for him, for out of thirty-two foxes found in one season, twenty-eight were killed, two were earthed, and two only were lost. In the year 1828, Mr. Russell is said to have killed ninety- three brace of hares with the same pack of hounds. Mr. Russell's cheery mode of hunting in covert is most exhila- rating, and the hounds confiding in their huntsman fly to him at the slightest signal of command. An instance of Mr. Russell's acute- ness of observation is thus spoken of : At one of the meets at Hayne, the seat of Mr. Harris, with whom Mr. Russell conjointly hunted for some years, a plantation was drawn blank, and the hounds had quitted the cover, when the keen eye of Mr. Russell observed on an overgrown hedgerow the branch of a briar which had been displaced, and caught upon a thorn by the passage of some animal ; he touched the branch lightly with his whip, it gave way, and returned to its original position. He then called to him his little terrier " Vic," who, at once, at his command went into the hedgerow, and in a few moments out came a fox, which gave a capital run. It was a combination of such facts, 215 together with his thorough knowledge of what is required, that has made the name of Russell pre-eminent as the sportsman of the west. No man made more daring casts, or was more eager to get near his fox by a forward movement through the know- ledge of the habits of the animal than Mr. Russell ; this know- ledge has also contributed to make him superior to other hunts- men of repute. This part in the science of hunting he learnt from his friend, Mr. Templer. To these attributes of excellence may be added an indomitable perseverance, with a patience in difficulty that usually had its reward, and when, from adverse causes, an absence of sport was unavoidable, a constant fund of good humour and an amiable hilarity, so perfectly free from vul- garity, or anything approaching to improper levity of speech, dispels that solemn sadness that often looms over a disappointed field." Mr. Russell is now in his seventy-fourth year, his spirit of endurance and muscular power appear not to have left him, and he thinks nothing of riding 80 miles to join his friends at dinner, and riding home the next day. On the last day of fox-hunting in 1867, he rode 35 miles to cover, to meet the Hon. Mark Rolle's hounds on Broadbury ; a fox was found which ran a distance of many miles, to the further side of Yestor, on Dartmoor, where the fox was lost ; Mr. Russell had then 40 miles to reach his own home, where he arrived on that day in time for a late dinner. It has been remarked that whilst in the hunting field he infused a noble and manly spirit into the hearts of those around him. Many a brave soldier first learnt to cross the country with him and his hounds. Whilst recording some of the feats of Mr. Russell as master of fox-hounds, we must not omit to speak of him, also, as one of the first and foremost for many years in hunting the wild red deer in the forest of Exmoor and its adjacent coverts, where these noble 2l6 animals still find their fastnesses, and are yearly hunted by the stag-hounds kept by Mr. Bisset, a pastime which is known to have existed from the days of Queen Elizabeth, exclusively in the counties of Devon and Somerset. It is to be hoped that this recreation of the highest order may not be interrupted, either by the reclamation and cultivation of large tracts of lands, which have been almost barren and waste from time immemorial, or by the hand of the poacher, who, it is feared, of late years has laid low many a noble stag with his rifle or his gun. A most interesting work has recently been published by Charles Palk Collyns, entitled The Chase of the Wild Red Deer in the Counties of Devon and Somerset. This book, written by one who, for nearly fifty years, followed the unique sport, is nicely illustrated by upwards of forty engravings, and contains an account of almost every remarkable chase which occurred during that period. Mr. Collyns, who has now gone to his rest, was in possession of a manuscript written by Mr. Boyse, of Withypool, which records all the remarkable runs and incidents with the stag- hounds from the year 1776 to that of 1816, at which period Mr. Collyns takes up the subject and brings it down to the year i860, he having been present at nearly every run during a period of 46 years ; it is to be hoped that some good sportsman now living will not allow the interesting subject to drop. Mr. Collyns, in his truly interesting work, says that he wishes to record not only the events in the hunting field, but also to hand down to posterity the names of those "good men and true," who have been masters of the stag-hounds for the last 150 years, viz : Acland, Graves, Worth, Bassett, Fortescue, Fellowes, Chichester, Bisset, and others, who have with liberality and hospitality contributed to keep alive the spirit of hunting the wild red deer. To the late Mr. Charles Palk Collyns, of Dul- 217 vcrton, therefore, is mostly due the credit of recording the principal events which have occurred in stag-hunting in Devonshire during the last hundred years ; this book is replete with interest to every one who reads it, but more particularly to the sportsman, both young and old. Before concluding, we will quote from Mr. Collyns' book a description of a stag breaking cover and coming to the open : " The master of stag hounds : ' How is this Tom ? You are wrong for once !' ' No, Sir, not I. I'll swear it was a stag and a good one ; but you see he has pushed up a hind and gone down, and we must have him up again ?' So the tufters are stopped, and sent back on heel, and by and by, that unmis- takeable yell, which announces a view, is heard, and this time the antlered monarch reveals himself to the whole of the as- sembled multitude. It is but for a moment ; again he seeks the depths of the covert, but the tufters rattle him along, and are so close that he has no time for playing tricks, and, beyond all doubt, must now face the open. We ride towards the spot, where, in all probability, he will break, and as the voices of the hounds come nearer and yet more near, you may almost hear the pulses of the throng of spectators standing by the gate of that large oat stubble beat with excitement. Hark ! a rustle in the wood, then a pause ; then a rush and then, in his full glory and majesty, on the bank separating the wood from the field, stands the noble animal ! Look at him ! Mark his full, thoughtful eye, his noble bearing ; look at his beamed frontlet, how he bears it— not a trace of fear about his^gestures — all dig- nified and noble, yet how full of thought and sagacity. He pauses for a minute, perfectly regardless of the hundreds at the gate, who gaze upon him. He has too well considered his course of action to be deterred from making good his point ; quietly and attentively he listens to the tufters, as, with unerring instinct, / 2lS they approach, "The cry is still, They come." His noble head moves more quickly from side to side — the moment for action has arrived — the covert is no longer safe ; he must seek safety in flight, and look to securer shades. So he gathers himself together to run his course. ' But ere his fleet career he took, The dewdrops from his flanks he shook ; Like crested leader, proud and high, Tossed his beamed frontlet to the sky. A moment gazed adown the dale, A moment snuffed the tainted gale, A moment listened to the cry That thickened as the chase drew nigh ; Then as the headmost foes appear'd, With one brave bound the copse he cleared.' " — Scott. [This is a true picture of a wild stag when he first breaks cover for the open]. " The first bound is full of grace ; at the same time gazing at the hunters which are near to him — his momentary pause, ere he takes a few strides, as if he feared them not, and then a bounding trot, which may be better styled the very poetry of motion, which is soon exchanged for a long easy stately gallop. Did you ever wjtness movements more elastic and graceful? The tufters are stopped. Sam and his coadjutors emerge from the covert ; the pack is laid on after law is given. The signal is sounded, the hounds press forward and are unrestrained — they dash — fling up their sterns — a whimper — a crash — they are off, and a hundred horsemen follow, as best they may, across the wild open waste. The pace is tremendous. The ground un- even, and often deep — already a tail, many a gallant steed is sobbing. On — on still, till we come to Badgworthy water. Now Sam, show yourself worthy to bear the horn, for there are few things requiring nicer judgment than making a cast in water." Mr. Charles Palk Collyns never aspired to be master of the stag hounds, yet, it may be admitted, he was a perfect master of 219 the art of hunting the stag, and of language which gives to the sport a true and unutterable charm ; he is the first who has at- tempted to describe stag hunting in all its glory. For the sake oi Devonshire may his mantle, if it be possible, fall on one not less worthy our praise and our admiration. We cannot close this short account of Mr. Russell, as one of " Devon's Celebrities," without giving to the reader some charming lines written by two of Mr. Russell's friends, and ofttimes his companions in the hunting field, namely, George Templer and Paul Treby. Mr. Templer's Address to his Old Horn : " Though toil hath somewhat worn my frame, And time hath marred thy beauty ; Come forth lone relic of my fame, Thou well hast done thy duty. Time was when other tongues would praise Thy wavering notes of pleasure ; Now, miser-like, alone 1 gaze On thee a useless treasure. Some hearts may prize thy music still, But ah ! how changed the story ; Since first Devonia felt the thrill That roused her sporting glory. Grace still in every vale abounds, But one dear charm is wanting ; No more I hear my gallant hounds, In chorus blithely chanting. And there my steed has found a rest. Beneath the mountain heather, That oft, like comrades sworn, we've prest In pleasure's train together. And some who at thy call would wake, Hath friendship long been weeping, A shriller note than thine must break Their deep and dreamless sleeping. r 220 I, too, the fading wreath resign, For friends and fame are fleeting, Around his bolder brow to twine, Where younger blood is beating.* Henceforth be mute, my treasured horn, Since time hath marred thy beauty, And I, like thee, by toil am worn, We both have done our duty." The Answer, by Paul Treby : " 'Twas when I heard thy parting song, And sad, yet sweet adieu ; A rush of feeling drove along, And brought past scenes to view. Methought I heard that horn's shrill sound, And the melodious voice, Which sweetly cheered the leading hound, And bade us all rejoice. Methought I saw that brilliant smile Flit o'er thy sunny face ; Which oft thy comrades did beguile — Thy comrades of the chase. Alas ! 'twas but a pleasant thought, A vision of the day, By nights of melancholy wrought ; Those joys have passed away. Enough ! No muse's aid I seek, To greet thee ere we part ; For me, the trickling tear must speak, For me, the throbbinsj heart " * Sir Walter Carew. 221 SMITH. Sir Montague Smith, Knight, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, is the son of Thomas Smith, town clerk of Bideford, in which town he was born in 1809. He was educated at the Bideford Grammar school, and was there considered a plodding boy. He was articled to his father, and when his education was completed, he became the partner of Mr. John Risdon, solicitor, of Torrington, North Devon. He, subsequently, kept his terms, and afterwards studied at the Inner Temple under Sir William Follett, the celebrated lawyer, who, finding Mr. Smith both industrious and persevering, did all in his power to advance him in life. Mr. Smith was called to the bar in 1835, and was created a judge in 1865, and is now an ornament to the bench. He sat as member of parliament for Truro from 1859 till 1865. SPEKE. Captain John Hanning Speke, the undaunted and intrepid discoverer of the source of the Nile, was the son of William and Georgina Speke, of Jordans. It has been said by Capt. Speke's biographers generally, that he was born at White Lackington, the ancient seat of the Spekes, in Somersetshire ; but the place of his birth has been erroneously stated by them, for he was un- doubtedly born at Orleigh Court, about three miles to the south west of Bideford. We are more particularly anxious to correct the mistake, knowing how proud Devonians will be to rank Capt. Speke amongst those of its most celebrated characters. His early 222 education was under the Rev. George Johnson, the master of the Barnstaple Grammar school ; from thence he went to Blackheath. At the age of seventeen he was posted to the 46th Regiment Native Infantry, and was soon in active warfare in the Punjaub campaign in Sir Colin Campbell's division. Nor was he idle during his furlough ; each year he made exploring expeditions in the Himalaya, and some of the hitherto unexplored parts of Thibet. In these excursions he studied the botany, geology, and natural history of these regions, making a most interesting collection of specimens. These efforts were much encouraged by his com- manding officer Sir William Gumra. He soon after turned his attention, in company with a friend, to the exploration of Eastern Africa, and, in 1858, reached the head of the great lake Nyanza, now called the Victoria Nyanza. Being determined to ascertain if the Nile had its sources from the great lake, Capt. Speke set out with Capt. Grant from Zanzibar, in i860, to find the southern end of the lake, which, after difficulties and dangers of the greatest magnitude, they accomplished. To their great delight and to the glory of England, they discovered the Nile at Uron- dogone, from whence they traced its source to the lake Nyanza. This important intelligence reached England by telegraph in 1863, and thus was solved the problem which for ages has engaged the attention of explorers. To Capt. Speke, therefore, must be ascribed the honor of settling the question as to the origin of the Nile, in 1863. His works, giving an account of his travels and discoveries, were published in 1863 and 1864. The queen has directed the word " Nile " to be added, and two crocodiles to be affixed, to the family arms of the Spekes. Had Capt. Speke's life been spared, the efforts of his noble spirit would have been directed to freeing the poor African from the bondage of slavery, for which purpose he had submitted propositions to the Government. 223 England had to deplore the early death of Capt. Speke by a gunshot accident. Capt. Speke received from the Geographical Society of France a gold medal in i860, and from the Royal Geographical Society of Great Britain a similar gold medal was presented to him in 1 86 1, for his important discoveries in Africa. A well authenticated anecdote of an ancestor of the late Capt. Speke affords a striking instance of the reign of terror which ex- isted at the time of James II. Judge Jefferies was on a circuit in the west, on which occasion he sent a message to Mr. Speke at White Lackington (who, he heard, had secreted and entertained the Duke of Monmouth during the rebellion of 1685), that he should breakfast with him on the following morning ; an inti- mate friend of Mr. Speke was staying with him at the time, and thinking that so condescending an offer was not made without evil intent, said to Mr. Speke, " I shall be off to night, as there is, I am sure, some mischief brewing." The morning came, and the judge and some of his officers were at the door at White Lack- ington in good time for the repast, which was done ample justice to by all parties. The judge then said to his host, " My master, the king, has a great desire to possess a head of one of his dutiful subjects, and I now propose that you shall have the honor of furnishing what the king has asked for ; therefore, I have directed that you shall be hanged under the entrance of your doorway, and after you are dead, your head shall be taken off and sent direct to his Majesty." No argument or entreaty of Mr. Speke had any avail, and the sentence was at once carried into execution ; such was the return for the hospitality of the worthy and good-hearted Speke, whose loyalty was not, however, in accordance with the views of the brutal Judge Jefferies. 224 STAPLEDON. Walter Stapledon, Bishop of Exeter, and Lord High Treasurer of England, was, according to Prince, born at Annery, about two miles south of the town of Bideford. This ancient seat of Annery was in the possession of the family of Stapledon for many generations, until a female heir to the estate married with Hankford, from whom descended the famous Judge Hankford. In those days Annery was a splendid mansion ; it is said to have been, for some time, the residence of Sir Thomas Bullen, father of Anne Bullen, the mother of Queen Elizabeth. The first ot the Stapledons, of whom history speaks, was Sir Richard Stapledon in the reign of Edward I. Walter Stapledon received a good education, and was esteemed a man of great learning, and, by his faithful preaching and eloquence, he gradually rose high in the estimation of the digni- taries of the Church, till at length he was consecrated Bishop of Exeter, 1307. After the solemnity, which was conducted on a magnificent scale, he left London, and travelled on horseback to take possession of his see at Exeter, alighting at the east gate of the city, where he was received by the great and noble of the county of Devon. The whole distance from the east gate to the Cathedral was covered with black cloth, on which the Bishop walked ; Sir William Courtenay, the steward on the occa- sion, walking before him. After the installation, a magnificent banquet was given to the high, low, rich, and poor, the cost of which is said to have exceeded one year's income of the Bishopric, which, at that time, was more than .£7,000 per annum. Stapledon's life was passed in great honor, both as a prelate and a statesman. In the reign of Edward II., he was made privy counsellor, lord high treasurer of England, and ambassador 225 to foreign states in matters of great importance. In 1326 he was appointed guardian of the city of London ; and shortly afterwards fell a sacrifice to an infuriated mob, at the instigation of those, who should have protected and guarded his person, not only on account of the high office which he held, but also for the many virtues which he possessed. History records that France and England being at war with each other, Edward II., king of England, was desirous of peace, and in order to bring about a cessation of hostilities, it was re- commended to make the queen of England the mediator, Edward II. having married Isabella, the sister of the French king. It was considered that the petition of Edward would thus be the more readily regarded with favour. Isabella accordingly left England with a large retinue, she being placed under the especial protection of Stapledon, who had from his king instructions to watch the progress of events. The mission for peace having been successful, Stapledon was dismissed. The bishop having com- municated his suspicions to the king that the queen had ulterior views as to the throne of England, he at once summoned the queen and her son to return, with all others who were engaged in the mission. Isabella, having concerted a plot to dethrone her husband, refused to comply with the king's mandate, in which plot the king of France joined ; the object of the conspiracy was to place her son on the throne of England ; as he was but a youth, she concluded she would herself be appointed regent, and, in that case, she would have the power of avenging herself on her supposed enemies, who appeared to have more influence over the king than she wished. Isabella having secured the sympathy of some of the English barons landed in England, and was quickly surrounded by a considerable army, which marched upon London. Edward, foreseeing the danger both to his crown and life, fled for safety and landed on the island of Lundy, which is situated about 9 226 ten miles off the north coast of Devon, leaving Stapledon, with full power, in possession of the city of London. On the approach of the queen and her army, the bishop ordered the mayor (in the king's name) to close the gates of the city. This failed to arrest the progress of the queen's army and the mob, whose first object was to seize the bishop, who fled for safety to St. Paul's Cathe- dral, from whence he was dragged into the streets and brutally murdered. His headless body was drawn through the city, the mob laying hold of his vestments for that purpose. The corpse was then thrown on a dung heap, and treated with every indig- nity ; it was afterwards buried in the sand on the banks of the Thames, near the bishop's city residence, where, for a time, it was allowed to remain, when it is said the queen, being visited with remorse of conscience, directed it should be removed and buried with great pomp and cost in the Cathedral at Exeter, where a marble monument on the left side of the Altar, in good preservation, represents the bishop in his robes. We now proceed to speak of what followed this tragical event. Edward II., when he was dethroned, was imprisoned in Berkeley castle, in the county of Gloucester, and brutally mur- dered, at the instigation of Queen Isabella, by Roger Mortimer. In the year 1327, the eldest son of Edward II. at seventeen years of age, ascended the throne of England. Edward III. being well aware of the evil doings of Mortimer, as well as those of his mother the queen, ordered them to be arrested, the former he caused to be executed, and the latter to be im- prisoned for life. When Edward III. had been on the throne about three years, he ordered a synod to be held in London, before Archbishop Simon, by whom it was declared that diligent search should be made, and that all those who took part in the murder of Stapledon, or were privy to the plot, should be 227 seized and executed. Thus were the crimes avenged of which Queen Isabella was the instigator. Having given some particulars of the life and death of Bishop Staplcdon, we now proceed to speak of some of his acts of munificence and charity. He founded Exeter College, Oxford, formerly known as Staplcdon Inn. He also caused to be erected an edifice in Oxford for students, which was named Staplcdon Hall. It would be difficult to enumerate the number of learned and great men who have been educated at Exeter College, per- haps no college in Oxford surpasses it in this respect. It was endowed by Stapledon with thirteen fellowships, which were to be given to students from the archdeaconries of Exeter, Totnes, Barnstaple, and Cornwall. Many were the noble acts of charity performed by Bishop Stapledon in the good city of Exeter, such as building hospitals for the sick, and alms-houses for the aged and infirm. TRACEY. Sir William ue Tracey. In the parish Church of Morthoe, on the north coast of Devon, is a large tomb, the sides of which are composed of freestone, whilst the upper part or slab is of black Cornish stone ; on it is cut the figure of a priest, vested, and supporting a chalice in his raised hands, and along the head and south side of the figure runs an inscription in Lombardic charac- ters, as follows :