(From a Correspondent.) ON removing the houses on the western side of High-street, in the borough of Southwark, in order to make the approaches to the new London Bridge, two ancient chapels, belonging to the fine old church of St. Saviour, are exposed to view. These chapels form the subject of the accompanying sketch. The church of St. Saviour is on the plan of a cathedral, having a nave and side aisles, transepts, and choir with side aisles, besides the additional chapels-the one dedicated to Our Lady, and a smaller one at the east end, called The Bishop's, from its containing the tomb of Bishop Andrews.

The chapels at the east end are in a ruinous condition, and used as receptacles for planks, lumber, &c. The tomb of the bishop is boarded off; and, with some difficulty, and through much dust, I clambered over the partition. It is an altar tomb, with a recumbent figure of the bishop, in his scarlet robes, as Prelate of the Order of the Garter. He wears a black cap, and a small ruff-a book held in his right hand lies on his VOL. XVI.

X

breast. He died in 1626, aged 71.* Here also is a monument to the wellknown Abraham Newland. In the chapel of Our Lady is a grave-stone of a bishop in pontificalibus, supposed to have been for the celebrated William of Wykeham, bishop of Lincoln, who was buried in this church. He was the most renowned architect of his day, and not only founded New College, Oxford, and St. Mary's, Winchester, but also raised the stately pile of Windsor Castle. In this churchyard lay the bones of Massinger, the poet; but no stone marks the spot ;-obscure in his life, the parish register records, with melancholy brevity, his interment," March 20, 1639, buried, Philip Massinger, A STRANGER!" Not so with Gower, the early English poet, to whom is a handsome monument in the north aisle. A fillet set with roses

On turning to Moss and Nightingale's "History and Autiquities of the Parochial Church of St. Saviour, Southwark," we find that the Bishop's Tomb was repaired in 1703, and again in 1810: at the latter period in the inanmer described by our correspondent. If we mistake not, the remains of the Bishop and the monument itself have beeu removed.-Ed. M. 456

(For the Mirror.)

IN Sir Walter Scott's life of this eminent character, celebrated equally for his talents and eccentricities, (when relating the Doctor's appointment as Dean of St. Patrick's,) he observes, that "the name of that cathedral has since become a classical sound, because connected with his memory.' "During a late residence of many months in Dublin, I was neither a reluctant nor unfrequent visiter of that interesting spot. The edifice itself has but slender claims to admiration; and whether regarded as to its external appearance, or internal appointments, is scarcely worthy of the Irish metropolis. The dingy state of the hangings, and dirty appearance of every thing around (though partially relieved by the banners, swords, and helmets of the Knights of St. Patrick,) contrast strongly with the cleanliness of English cathedrals. But here, how reluctantly soever, I must reverse the picture. Patriotism must give way to truth; and in pursuing the parallel farther, I must admit, that if deficient in the particulars I have mentioned, in other and much more important respects, St. Patrick's manifests a decided superiority. service is performed in a style of magnificence only excelled at our musical festivals. One of the finest and most powerful organs in the united kingdom, under the skilful control of a masterly performer, sends forth its tones of mingled grandeur and sweetness; and the choir is maintained on a scale of efficiency, which those who have been present will bear me out in the assertion, is utterly unknown in the cathedrals of this country. Who that ever listened to the astonishing powers of the lamented Spray, will not promptly accede to this remark? And who that

The

For an engraving and description of Gower's Monument, and a few descriptive particulars of the venerable church of St. Saviour, see Mirror, vol. xiii p. 225.

visits Ireland does not hear of him from every mouth, in terms equally expressive of admiration of his transcendent talents, and regret for his irreparable loss ? * True the choir has suffered much by his removal; but in the mellow notes and brilliant shake of Smith, the powerful voice of Frank Robinson, and the clear, deep tones of his brother, not to mention Jager, Buggan, Magrath, &c. sufficient yet remains to render St. Patrick's a centre of general attraction. Full service is performed only on Sunday, at three o'clock; and I never failed to make one of its crowded congregation. Before the commencement of service, it is a common practice to stroll along the aisles, gazing at the monuments. Among these, which are but little remarkable either for number or importance, there is no one which so much attracts the general observation, as that of Dean Swift. The inscription is in gold letters on a black ground; and as it is not quite correctly given in Scott, I shall insert it here :

Above is a bust of Swift, contained in a circular recess, round the margin of which is inscribed, "This bust is the gift of S. T. Faulkener, Esq." Below this are his arms, bearing the following motto: "Cum magnis vixisse."

On the next pillar to this is a tablet, which I regarded with equal curiosity, from the romantic and mysterious connexion, of the person to whose memory it is erected, with Dr. Swift. It is surmounted by a skull, and bears the following inscription; which as it is little known to the English reader, will be perused with interest :

"Underneath lie interred the mortal remains of Mrs. Hester Johnson; better known to the world by the name of Stella; under which she is celebrated in the writings of Dr. Jonathan Swift, Dean of this cathedral.

#

"She was a person of extraordinary endowments and accomplisments, in body, mind, and behaviour; justly admired and respected by all who knew her, on account of her many eminent virtues, as well as for her great natural and acquired perfections.

"She dyed January the 27th, 1727-8, in the 46th year of her age; and by her will bequeathed one thousand pounds towards the support of a chaplain to the hospital founded in this city by Doctor Steevens."

Of this extraordinary person, (who to use the language of Scott) "purchased by a life of prolonged hopes, and dis appointed affection, a poetical immortality under the name of Stella," a few particulars may not be uninteresting. It was during his second residence at Moore Park, the seat of Sir William Temple, that Dr. Swift became acquainted with Hester Johnson; who, with her mother and sister, was many years an inmate. He was then at the age of thirty, and she thirteen; and on him devolved the task of her instruction in writing, and other common rudiments of education; but notwithstanding the style of encomium in which the epitaph speaks of her "extraordinary endowments and accomplishments," and "great natural and acquired perfections," there is pretty good evidence of her deficiency on many of the most ordinary points of information. This relation of instructor and pupil continued four years; and it is not to be wondered at, if the confi

anthems, &c.; and on the other a funeral urn Spray was an Englishman; and Smith and most of the choir were collected from English Cathedrals; which doubtless they would not have quitted, had their talents been properly appreciated and encouraged.

Thus spelt in the original.

dential habits it induced, should have given rise to feelings of a more tender character. In fact an attachment sprung up; which though it continued till the lady's death, (a period of more than thirty years) never passed beyond Pla tonic bounds. On the death of Sir William Temple, Swift went to Ireland with Lord Berkeley; and two years afterwards, settled at his living in Laracor; where, at his invitation, he was soon joined by Stella, (now a full-grown beautiful girl) accompanied by a friend, Mrs. Dingley. To avoid misconception, they lived in separate houses, and never met but in the presence of a third person. When Swift was appointed Dean of St. Patrick's, Stella and her compa nion returned also to Dublin. Her tranquillity, however, was after some years disturbed, by the arrival of Miss Vanhomrigh, styled Vanessa by the Dean, to whom she became attached during a visit, which he had recently paid to England. To the tender of her affec tions which she made to the doctor, he replied only with offers of friendship, Stella was seriously affected by her rival's appearance in Dublin; and to quiet her apprehensions, and save her declining health, Swift consented to go through the ceremony of marriage, provided it should be kept secret, and that they should never live together. With these hard conditions they were married in the Deanery Garden, by the Bishop of Clogher, in 1716. It is right to add, that this marriage is on some hands denied altogether; but the reader may see the arguments on both sides, in the life by Scott, who gives his suffrage to the affirmative side of the question.

The

Vanessa, who was ignorant of this event, retired to Marley Abbey, Cel bridge, where the Dean paid her occasional visits. "This abbey," says Scott, "is built much in the form of a real cloister. An aged man showed the grounds to my correspondent, He remembered the unfortunate Vanessa well; and showed her favourite seat, still called Vanessa's Bower; where she used often to sit with the Dean. bower commanded a view of the Liffey, which had a romantic effect; and there was a small cascade that murmured at some distance. During the past year I repeatedly visited this abbey, the resi dence of my lamented friend, Jeremiah Houghton, Esq., from Yorkshire. He was, of course, particular in showing me the bower, and other spots, consecrated by their connexion with the romantic story we are tracing. The scenery about the winding river, with the trees

overhanging its glossy bosom, is certainly beautiful." The "cascade" alluded to, is more properly a wear or dam, of considerable breadth, but small height, constructed for the convenience of the neighbouring mills. In this sequestered retreat Vanessa continued for some years to nourish her hopeless passion; to which she at last fell a victim, unable to survive the discovery of Swift's marriage with Stella. The acquaintance of the two latter was maintained in the same guarded manner till the lady's death, about five years after her rival's.

I have yet another relic of the Dean, an inscription which he placed on the tomb of a servant :

Here lieth the Body of Alexandre. Mc Gee, servant to Dr. Swift, Dean of St Patrick's. His Gratefull Master caused this Monument to be erected in memory of his Discretion, Fidelity, and Diligence, in that humble station.

Ob. Mar 24, 172-2-1, Ætat 29.

This is copied from a tablet behind one of the doors of the cathedral; and is a pleasing memorial, as a testimony of the proper sense entertained by the master, of the good offices of a faithful servant. N. R.

CITY WARDS.

(To the Editor of the Mirror.) IN No. 452 of the Mirror, there is an article by P. T. W. on the Origin of the Names of the City Wards. Thinking that the following must have escaped his notice, I have been induced to send them. J. G. B. Aldgate Ward takes its name from the eastern gate of the city, anciently called Ealdgate. The principal streets in this ward are Aldgate High-Street, Leadenhall-street, as far as Lime-street; Fenchurch-street, as far as Fishmonger'salley, inclusive; Jewry-street and Crutched Friars, as far as Seething-lane; Shoemaker-row and Bevis Marks, to Camomile-street; St. Mary-Axe and Lime-street, as far as Cullum-street.

The Wards of Farringdon Within and Without, were anciently but one ward under one alderman, who obtained the possession of it either by inheritance or purchase. It received its name (according to Thornton's History and Survey of London and Westminster,) from William Farrendon, citizen and gold

smith, who purchased the aldermanry in 1279; under whom and his son, Nicholas, it remained for many years, and ever after retained their names. This ward, however was of such considerable extent, that in the year 1395, it was divided into two, viz. Farringdon Within, and Farringdon Without.

N. B. P. T. W. has not mentioned the Ward of Aldgate at all, and in his account of the Ward of Farringdon, he has mentioned William Farringdon for Farrendon.

THE 66

DAYBREAK.
(For the Mirror.)

O SWEETLY sings the nightingale,
And fresh the breezes play,
The Day Star's beam
On Avon's stream,
Foretells the rising day.

Fair Cambria's lovely mountains,
And Severn's rapid sea,
In glory bright
Reflect the light

That rises o'er the Lea.

And clouds of brilliant hue,
Succeed the morning grey,

The golden sun,
His race to run,
Is on his glorious way.

The woody verdant groves,
The sunny water's spray,
The breathing gale,
The spreading sail,
All tell of Rising Day.

O use thy moments well,
For short thy time must be,
Life glides away,
Swift comes the day,
No Sun shall rise for thee.

The Novelist.

LORD

W.

OF LITTLEFENCE; OR, WITTE WINNETH THE WARRE."

(For the Mirror.) "SIT ye down here awhile, sir," said the honest country lad who acted cicerone to a traveller viewing the ruins of an ancient fortalice, "and I will, to the best of my knowledge, tell you the story of Winwar Castle, and the reason of its name.

"You see-or some years ago, sir, you might have seen, for time weareth away even stone letters an inscription above the great gate, and beneath every one of the windows, which said, ' Witte winneth the warre,' being, as I suppose, of the same meaning with that scripture which says, ' The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the

strong; or, as you may interpret it after you have heard my story, craft overcometh strength. Well then, there lived in this castle, so long ago as the days of the old knights, a great baron, who, for power, and men, and money, beat them all. On account of his great strength, and the surety wherewith he slew his enemies in battle, he was called 'William of the Ironhand. One day he made a great feast, in the hall of this very castle; and getting, in his wassail, proud and boastful, all unlike a Christian man, he swore so great was his power, that he feared neither men nor spirits, and as for the possessions of his neighbour, the Lord of Littlefence, he meant next day to make himself master of them, without striking a blow. Now, Georgie of the Greenwood-so was his neighbour called-being one of those good-natured, careless men, who, living without a dread of danger, are wholly unprepared for it, and being moreover upon very friendly terms with Ironhand, did not care to put himself to much trouble and expense in fortifying his house and grounds, especially as he had little idea of sustaining an attack from the very quarter whence, in time of need, he expected the readiest aid. Hearing therefore, for he was one of the baron's guests that night, his good friend Ironhand thus discover the secret purposes of his soul, in the truth with which wine is said to inspire men's tongues, he quaked so greatly with fear, that he shook the very settle upon which he sat. Georgie of the Greenwood was, in fact, a thoughtless, timorous man, 'who loved a sylvan life-never made war but upon wild animals proper for the chase, and knew that Littlefence had neither wall nor ditch capable of barring his premises from the intrusion of dog or cat; therefore, alarmed he was, yet whilst Ironhand was loudly swearing his ruin, he durst not proffer a word, good or bad, lest the drunken baron should be tempted to put him to death; but calling aside a trusty friend, and one who was also extremely dear to Ironhand, he conjured Sir Wilfred to speak on the morrow with Lord William, and dissuade him from prosecuting his evil designs, at least for a few days. Greenwood then, hastening from the castle of his quondam ally, rushed home, as if pursued by a dozen demons. Next day, as the Lord of Littlefence stood beside the workmen whom he had hastily collected, encouraging them to hollow trenches, throw up ramparts and breastworks, and rear walls and barricadoes, yet expecting every moment to behold

the advance of Ironhand and his formidable bands, Sir Wilfred galloped up, and delivered to him a message from the baron to this effect: He greeted the Lord of Littlefence most heartily, and 'was grieved from his soul for what he had said when overcome with wine; but, nevertheless, as a leal knight, feeling that his honour was concerned where he had passed his word, he could not do otherwise than keep it, and gave the proprietor of Littlefence three good weeks in which to prepare it for his assault, bidding him in the meanwhile, God speed.'

"The unfortunate owner of a fine, but neglected demesne, employed the respite thus awarded, aided by the instruction of Sir Wilfred and other military friends, to the best advantage; so that when Ironhand, at the expiration of his time, led a strong company to the attack of his friend's place, he began much to doubt the success of his undertaking, should its garrison at all compete, with the now solid defences wherewith it was environed. No opposition, however, was offered him from battlements and towers, which seemed utterly unguarded and desolate; and deeming that they were so, because their defenders feared to trust anything so unstable as new masonry, he dreaded to enter the place, lest an ambuscadeagainst which he knew strength would little avail-should pick him and his men clean off, in a manner equally inglorious and unsatisfactory. He hesitated; but his men-at-arms, perceiving his perplexity, clamorously desired him to proceed; wherefore, the redoubtable Ironhand entered the habitation of his friend, and found it desolate !-nor this alone; wall after wall had been run up in a manner so ingenious, as to form narrow passages wherein it was impossible for two to walk abreast. Ironhand and his men traversed them in search of the inmates of the house, but were quickly dispersed, and lost as in a labyrinth. Moreover, the furniture was all gone; so that there was nothing to reward the disappointed depredators for their pains.Then did Ironhand desperately rage at the manner in which he had been beguiled; and dispatching half his party to scour the country in search of the Lord of Littlefence, who could not he conceived have travelled far, he remained with the other division, to keep and clear the valuable prize he had taken, according to his intention, without striking a blow. But no sooner had this force departed, than a larger, in the pay of Littlefence, rushed from the thick woods