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trade when Henry VIII. in 1538 or 1539 built the castle of Camber. The dissolution of religious houses completed the ruin of the town.

In 1573 there arose a flash in its expiring prosperity, when Queen Elizabeth, "beholding the goodly situation, ancient buildings, grave bench of a mayor and twelve jurates in their scarlet gowns, and city-like deport ment of the people (there being there several gentry), as well as the projection [i. e. the plan] of the place, she gave it, as she thought deservedly, the name of Little London."

But, notwithstanding the great show made upon this occasion, Lambarde, in his Topographical Dictionary, published only two years afterwards, declares there were then "not above sixty households standing, and those for the most part poorly peopled; all which happened by reason of the sea having forsaken the town."

From that time the decay has silently proceeded, until at last Winchelsea has become a very quiet village. In 1719 Dr. Harris, the historian of Kent, who was rector of St. Thomas in Winchelsea, describes the town as without trade; and in Sliford's Collections it is said that in 1730 the streets were overrun with grass, though well paved. Under some of the houses still standing there are ancient crypts, and many other crypts exist on land without apparent buildings: these were the warehouses of the ancient merchants. They abound in the northern quarters of the town, where therefore the merchants resided, whilst the tradesmen occupied its centre, in the vicinity of the market-place.

Of the two churches, a fragment of one only remains. It was erected in the centre of the town, and dedicated to Saint Thomas the Martyr of Canterbury. It was originally a cruciform structure of large dimensions, with a central tower; but the present remains consist of only the choir and its aisles, and some portions of the transepts. This handsome example of a transitional style, passing from the EarlyEnglish to the Decorated, forms nearly a square, being in length from east to west (including the present chancel) 70 feet, and in width about 66 ft. 6 in. Three arches on either side, supported on fluted and banded shafts of Caen GENT. MAG. VOL. XXXIV

stone and Sussex marble, portion off the aisles, in each of which was a chantry chapel. Some recent repairs have opened to view the architectural features which are represented in the accompanying Plates.

The

The windows on the north and south sides of the chancel had been bricked up and plastered over. Upon opening them out, the shafts and tracery were found in a very decayed state, but sufficiently distinct to exhibit very peculiar and handsome tracery of foreign rather than English character. windows are set within slightly recessed arches, which rise from slender shafts of Sussex marble, placed upon a continuous string of the same material. Below the northern window was found the doorway to the sacristy, which had been wholly concealed by the mayor's pew. Both window and door have been carefully restored, as shewn in Plate I. The only English window that has been observed resembling this is one at Chartham, in Kent, which is engraved in Rickman's Architecture.

On the south side were disclosed the Piscina and Sedilia (Plate II.) Within the arch of the piscina is a richly carved shelf, of stone. The sedilia are formed of one continuous bench, but separated into three seats by clustered columns of Sussex marble. The diapered pattern at the back is cut in the stone. This handsome specimen of architectural sculpture, with the adjoining bracket, has been entirely restored.

It appears probable that the church was reduced to its present dimensions by one of the French attacks of the fifteenth century. The ruins of the transept walls, which are covered with ivy, as is a great portion of the chancel, give a very picturesque character to the exterior.

The chantry of Saint Nicholas in the south aisle was founded shortly after the erection of the church by the family of Alard, which was the most important in the town. This aisle contains two monuments, much resembling that of Aymer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke, in Westminster Abbey. One of these, of which an engraving was published in Blore's Monumental Remains, 1824, is attributed to Gervase Alard, who was Admiral of the Western Fleet in the 4 K

reign of Edward I. The other, which differs from it but slightly, is attributed by Mr. Cooper to Stephen Alard, who was also Admiral of the Cinque Ports and of the Western Fleet in the succeeding reign. In the north aisle are also three canopied tombs, of similar design but somewhat inferior execution. Like the former, each contains a single effigy, one a knight in mail armour, the next a lady, and the third a youth in robes. In all probability, as Mr. Cooper shows, these also are all Alards.

These men, no doubt, were the seakings of their age: their silent effigies

are now the sole memorials of the once dreaded barons* of Winchelsea; as this fragment of a church, and two or three ruined towers, are the only relics of the once busy port, whose merchants were princes, and whose ships formed the navy of the crown. If Winchelsea is hardly to be compared with some of the ruined cities of more distant climes, there is scarcely another spot more wholly changed from its condition in former ages, or which can suggest to the reflective mind a more striking example of the vicissitudes of human fortune.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF JOHN BRITTON, F.S.A.†

ALTHOUGH this work is still in complete, and the biographical portion contains little more than the earlier life of the author, yet we are unwilling to leave it without the notice justly due to the variety of the materials, the spirit of the composition, and the elegance of the decorations; and we have no doubt that when completed it will present a specimen of autobiography equally honourable to the author and gratifying to his friends. In these volumes Mr. Britton will not only present us with his portrait skilfully painted, but richly and handsomely framed. With him the pencil and the pen, the author and the artist, are united; and the effect of this happy union is discernible in the manner in which the subjects of his memoir are discussed, in the accuracy of his

views, the discrimination of his judg ment, the propriety of his language and his descriptions. Mr. Britton has devoted a long and laborious life to the study of art in its various branches, making Architecture the centre round which the sister arts of Sculpture and Painting cluster with congenial feeling and love. To his steady exertions and well-directed enthusiasm the public is indebted for the promotion of many plans of improvement and embellishment in the public edifices and monuments of national fame, as well as in the preservation of those great and venerable relics of earlier times, which genius erected and piety consecrated to the noblest purposes, and which were scattered through the land with a profusion which at once showed the copious and steady

* We do not find in Mr. Cooper's pages any remarks upon this designation of Baron. In Boys's History of Sandwich are some absurd observations, which attempt to exalt the barons of the Cinque Ports above the dignity of a knight, and to place them on an equality with barons of the realm. On the seal of Winchelsea engraved circ. Edw. I. the townsmen are styled "the barons of the lord the king of England of Winchellese:" the members summoned to parliament for the Cinque Ports were styled barons; as were those whom they sent to carry the canopies over the King and Queen at their coronations. But within the town itself no particular value seems to have been set upon the designation of baron, as the corporation consisted of a mayor, bailiffs, and jurats. It seems, then, that the "barons" of the Cinque Ports were equivalent to the "citizens" and "burgesses" of cities and towns. Still, we should like to have seen some investigation of the origin and import of the term. The present Lord Brougham was one of the barons for Winchelsea in four parliaments from 1815 to 1830, and his brother Mr. James Brougham was one of the two last barons, previously to its dis

franchisement in 1832.

The Autobiography of John Britton, F.S.A. Part i. 8vo. Lond. 1850.

spring from which that munificence had flowed, and the distinction, then allowed and acted upon, between the moderate demands of private life and the unlimited generosity in all objects contributing to the public glory:

fuit hæc sapientia quondam Publica privatis secernere, sacra profanis;

and we may add, in the language of the same poet,

oppida publico

Sumtu jubentes, et Deorum Templa novo decorare saxo. We must, however, recall ourselves from any prolonged observations on these subjects, to the more useful and practical purpose of giving some account of the contents of the portions of the volume now before us. The first, which is unfinished, or perhaps only commenced, carries the history of the author down from his birth to the time of his engagement with Messrs. Parker and Wix, solicitors, of Gray's Inn, Hatton Garden, in 1798, as clerk, at a salary of a pound a week. This brings us to the seventy-second page, with which this fragmentary portion terminates, and leaves us in strong desire to take possession of the remainder. It is not our intention to follow Mr. Britton's earliest steps in his opening journey of life, nor have we room to enter into what, under other circumstances, might be a narrative of usefulness and interest. We have no wish to forestall the incidents of the Life, which will be best viewed when seen entire in all its parts; and shall only observe, that whatever progress Mr. Britton made in fortune and reputation, and whatever eminence he now enjoys, has been entirely owing to the unremitted steadiness, perseverance, and integrity of his conduct, to the wise and judicious direction of his talents, to his zealous attachment to his profession, and his undeviating punctuality in the execution of his purposes. These are the elements on which success in life is built and secured. Without these genius is but a brilliant meteor that blazes and disappears; without these the favour of the public is soon withdrawn, and the patronage of the great of no avail: great talents may be wasted in obscurity, but good sense never goes

without its reward. At p. 17, Mr. Britton mentions the publication of a volume, entitled "The Authorship of the Letters of Junius Elucidated," published by him in 1848; in this essay Mr. Britton gives an extract from a letter by the late Bishop of Llandaff to him, acknowledging that nothing he had ever read previously on this perplexing subject had ever gained his assent equally to Mr. Britton's arguments in favour of Colonel Barré. Some notice of this work was given in our Magazine for August, 1848; to which we have only now to add, that, acknowledging the authority of the Bishop and the ingenuity of Mr. Britton, our opinion is that the question lies just as it was before. We never felt much confidence in the supposed existence of the letters at Stowe on this subject, nor was our curiosity much excited by the mysterious concealment in which they were so long preserved. But we will extract a few lines on the subject from Mr. Britton, because they tell us, however little, more than we ever knew before:

"Since my Essay was published, and the bishop's letter was written, that estimable prelate has paid the debt of nature, and the splendid and valuable property at Stowe, including its extensive and choice library, has been sold by auction. The manuscripts, however, were kept separate, and disposed of privately to the Earl of Ashburton for 5000l.; but the secret and mysterious letters of Junius were withheld by a member of the Buckingham family, whence it has been publicly inferred that they may either involve the honour of one of the Grenvilles, or contain secrets of a momentous and alarming import. I am however informed by a confidential and honourable friend, who read the JuniusStowe letters (three in number), that they do not implicate any of the family, nor militate against my theory of their having been the production of Barré. On the contrary, my friend tells me that one of the letters alludes to the author's position in life, and appears to be in perfect accordance with Colonel Barre's character."

It is, we think, to be lamented that Mr. Britton has not favoured us with copies of or extracts from the numerous letters he received from persons of great literary eminence on the subject of his publication. They would, if they did nothing more, at least give

I

us what is the present and prevailing impression on the public mind.

As we advance in the volume we find many interesting notices of persons distinguished in science and literature whom Mr. Britton knew in his early days, and whose names have been preserved in the faithful register of his memory. At p. 55 we have mention of an author now almost forgotten, but whose writings the late learned Archdeacon Nares once recommended to our attention, and shewed us the volumes in his library. Mr. Britton's account is as follows:

“Benjamin Martin.-Though his pub

lications are almost unknown to modern readers, they were exceedingly popular at the time referred to. Written in a fluent, familiar style, interspersed with apposite scraps of poetry and quotations from the best authors, and illustrated by numerous diagrams, they were both amusing and instructive to the youthful student. Among the principal were"The Philosophical Grammar,' 'The Young Gentleman and Lady's Philosophy,'' Biographia Philosophica,' and 'The Philosophical Magazine;' the last extending to 14 volumes 8vo. Benjamin Martin was remarkable for the pursuit and acquirement of knowledge under difficulties. In early life he was a day labourer, became a schoolmaster at Chichester, travelled over

the country as lecturer on experimental

philosophy, settled in Fleet-street, London, as an optician, and thence issued his numerous publications. An improvident and wicked son involved him in speedy bankruptcy, which affected his mind, and he attempted to cut his throat. He was born at Worplesdon, Surrey, in 1704, and died in London in 1782."

We next meet with an account of Dr. Trusler, whom Mr. Britton knew in Clerkenwell, and whose pseudomanuscript sermons he duly commemorates. He also ranked the Rev. Joseph Towers among his learned acquaintances. He wrote for the Biographia Britannica and other publications; but we believe his light has gone out. At this time he used to hear much from his landlord in Smithfield-bars of his teacher and spiritual guide, William Huntington. Mr. Brit

ton says,―

"He was a natural son of a poor woman by a farmer. He progressed through the stages of errand-boy, day-labourer, gardener, collier, and coalheaver, and at last

turned preacher, thinking it an easier and more profitable employment than any of the others. He struggled with poverty and privations for some time, but continued to obtain money, food, and clothes by telling his auditors that God would find him a horse,' a pair of breeches, a suit of clothes, a house, and various other

His

necessaries and even luxuries, which were forthwith sent to him by his deluded followers. In speaking of the horse he says, I believe it was God's gift; I have often thought if my horse could have spoken he would have more to say than Balaam's ass, as he might have said, I am an answer to my master's prayers.' congregation became so numerous and so generous that they built Providence Chapel for him in Gray's Inn Lane, at an expense of 9,000l. When finished, he refused to preach unless it was settled on him in freehold. This was yielded to by his weak dupes, and he continued his rhodomontade discourses, living in a sumptuous manner at Herne's Hill, Pentonville, where he married, as his second wife, the widow of Sir James Sanderson, Bart." &c.

We leave, however, without reluctance, the history of these godly folk who make to themselves fortunes, not out of their own strength, but from others' weakness, such facts occurring within the sanctuary every day; and find ourselves in the presence of one of the cited and puzzled and mystified public most singular characters that has excuriosity and private investigation for a considerable time. This was the Chevalier d'Eon. Mr. Britton says,—

"At the time I met him (at an eatinghouse in Great Turnstile, Holborn,) he dressed in female attire, and was respectable and respected. Though an occasional guest at this humble house of refreshment, it was evident that he had been accustomed to refined society, and was courteous, wellinformed on various subjects, and communicative.-I own that I always hailed the meeting with gratification, and that it induced me to prolong my dinner-time till the last moment."

The history and adventures of this extraordinary person were full of romance and adventure; and it is to be regretted that they were not put on record by himself. His story, says Lysons, has for many years excited much curiosity and interest. After distinguishing himself in the service of his native country as a soldier and negotiator, he assumed the habit of a

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female at the requisition of the French court, and as such was appointed to a situation in the household of the Queen; but he is now known to be the son of a gentleman of an ancient and respectable family at Tonnerre, in Burgundy, where he was born Oct. 2, 1728. Though subjected to many hardships and vicissitudes, he lived to attain his 82nd year, and died in a lodging in Milman Street, Lamb's Conduit Fields, London, May 21, 1810, and his corpse was interred in the old parish church yard of St. Pancras. The body was dissected by Mr. T. Copeland, in the presence of Lord Yarmouth, Sir S. Smith, and the Honourable Wm. Littleton, and other persons, who verified that the deceased was a perfect male. The register of his baptism states the child to be a boy, though the sex appears then to have been doubtful. Throughout life the personal appearance, manners, and modest demeanour of the Chevalier were of the female sex: as a man, he was noted for courage.

These are pleasant and lively sketches miniature portraits of persons worthy to be remembered, and forming figures in the background of history. As he proceeds, no doubt, Mr. Britton's biographical gallery will expand in proportion to the value of his materials. It is of importance to collect as much as we can save from the thefts of time, of those who have lived within the last half century, in whatever way distinguished, as for the most part they have not yet been placed on their historic pedestals, or found their way into the niches hereafter to be assigned to them, whether as busts or full-length figures; and much of the weight and value of the accounts hereafter to be given will depend on the records of those few of their contemporaries who have survived them. We wish, therefore, to stimulate Mr. Britton to fresh exertion, and invoke him to call up from the depths of memory whatever he can faithfully record, which will enable ourselves and our posterity more justly to estimate the character of those with whom he has lived "juvenilibus annis," and whose talents and acquirements rendered them worthy of his friendship.

The second portion of the work before us contains a descriptive account of the literary works of Mr.

Britton from 1800 to 1849, that is, for half a century, divided into several sections. Among the most interesting to us is the account of Fonthill Abbey, illustrated as it is with views of that singular and romantic edifice; and we are pleased to find that Mr. Britton promises to give us in a future part of his biography some remarks on the character of its founder. This we shall be glad to see executed with a becoming sense of its importance. The author of Vathek and the founder of Fonthill Abbey was a person gifted with great and various talents, and with extensive and accurate knowledge; he was an enthusiastic lover of all that is beautiful in nature and art, almost beyond the common sympathy, which he pursued with the same eagerness almost to his latest moments, and which, no doubt, formed the enjoyment of his life during that later part of it when the evening shadows had descended with more than their usual darkness, and an additional gloom was thrown upon the solitude of age.

We next meet with an interesting account of the work, once much read and approved, called the "Beauties of England and Wales," and of Mr. Britton's contributions to it. At p. 35 is a most valuable list of those persons who assisted in the work, including the nobility, gentry, and clergy of the respective counties. It appears that of this work when it commenced there were no less than ten proprietors, and other persons subsequently took shares. Some of the earlier volumes Mr. Britton describes as imperfectly executed; but he gives praise to the volume on Oxfordshire and Worcestershire, by Mr. Brewer, and to his able Introduction; to the account of South Wales, by Dr. Rees; and Yorkshire, by Mr. Bigland; to his own account of Wiltshire; and Mr. Brayley's Kent.

The general account of Mr. Britton's works extends through 126 pages of this volume, including the important portion of Cathedral Antiquities; and he has mentioned the works still in contemplation, among which is one we lament not to have been finished, the "History of Ancient and Domestic Architecture." For this he still possesses extensive materials, which would enable him to fill up a void in one

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