5th of April, and counting the number of days included between the 5th of April, A.D. 30, and Friday, the 5th of April, A.D. 1844, it must be concluded that the Crucifixion could not have happened on any other day, nor at any other date, than Friday the 5th of April, A.D. 30. Lichfield, Aug. 1. MR. URBAN, J. R. Sutton Coldfield, Aug. 1. IN looking over some old numbers of your valuable Magazine I happened to come to an account of Sutton Coldfield, Vol. XXXII. p. 401, and while reading it over (which I did with some interest) it struck me that some further particulars relating to this extensive parish might not be unacceptable to your readers. I have therefore put together a few circumstances connected with this place which are omitted in the former account. Sutton Coldfield appears to have been early distinguished as a hunting seat of our sovereigns. The extensive chace (part of which still remains in its original state) was well stocked with game, and the pools in the vicinity were famous for the bream which they contained. King John dates several of his charters from hence, and shortly afterwards it passed into the hands of the Earls of Warwick (see Blount's Tenures). In consequence of disputes between the Earl of Warwick and Ralph Basset of Drayton, the part of the chace which was situated in Staffordshire was taken away, and the Warwickshire portion became called Sutton Park: at the death of Richard Neville, or more probably at that of George Duke of Clarence, it lapsed to the Crown, from whom in the reign of Henry VIII, John Vesey alias Harman, Bishop of Exeter, himself a native of Sutton, procured a grant of Sutton Park for the benefit of the inhabitants. Its history from this time is very short. During the Protectorate an attempt was made to cultivate it; but at the Restoration the inhabitants restored it to its former state. The park now contains about 2000 acres of heath and wood, and six large pools, of which three are the property of the inhabitants, the others belong to private individuals. Vesey, who, as Fuller says, robbed his see to enrich a beggarly village called Sutton Coldfield, was a most liberal benefactor to this place; he founded an excellent classical school here for the benefit of the inhabitants, he endeavoured to establish the clothing trade, and he built a large number of stone houses in various parts of the parish; of these nearly twenty are still standing. Moor Hall, the residence of the prelate, has been almost entirely rebuilt; it is the property of the Hacket family (descendants of Andrew Hacket, Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry in 1660), but the present inhabitant is R. Garnett, esq. Near Moor Hall is one of the stone houses built by Bishop Vesey to protect travellers over the moors which in those days existed between Sutton and Tamworth. The place was 80 notorious as to be called the ་་ spelunca latronum." The town of Sutton consists of one long street, through which the road from Birmingham to Lichfield passes. About the middle of the street stands the town hall, or Moot Hall as it is called, an ugly brick building of the last century. Higher up is one of Bishop Vesey's stone houses, probably his winter residence. The exterior is almost entirely grown over with yew. On the gable end are the arms of Vesey and Henry VIII. and figures of the Trinity and Virgin Mary, rudely carved in stone, and much dilapidated. The church, built of red sandstone, is of various ages. The east end is probably as old as the reign of Edward I.; but the chancel was rebuilt in the last century, and the aisles were added by Bishop Vesey; in one of them his monument, a recumbent figure in full canonicals, is placed. The rest of the church is quite barren of interest; there is no stained glass, and but few monuments, principally those of the Jessons and Sacheverells, whose seats, Langley Hall and New Hall, are both in the parish. There is also a brass of the notorious Anthony Burgess the nonconformist, who was Rector here about 1656. The patronage of the rectory belonged to the Riland family; from them it was transferred to the Bedfords. The present Rector is the Rev. R. Williamson, D.D. There are two chapels of ease at the hamlets of Hill and Walmley. The population is about 4000. The number of free schools is eight. Sutton Coldfield is governed by an unreformed corporation called "The Warden and Society," and also by a Lord High Steward, which office is now held by the Earl of Aylesford. Of historical events there are few. During the civil wars the governors of King Edward VI.'s grammar school in Birmingham sent the marble bust of that monarch to Sutton Coldfield to be kept in safety by the Warden, of whom they afterwards received it back, and reinstated it in its usual place. On the west side of the park stands a clump of trees known by the name of King's Standing, said to be the first point where Charles I. halted after the battle of Edgehill. This tradition is partially confirmed by a mouument in Middleton Church, four miles from Sutton, to a Lord Londonderry who died of wounds received in Edgehill fight. that Mr. Britton has addressed the following letter "To the Southey Monument Committee; which I think you may with great advantage insert in your Magazine, in order to give the subject publicity, and feel the public pulse. Yours, &c. T. E. J. London, 2nd Aug. 1844. "GENTLEMEN, I am not a little gratified to observe the movement that has been amiable and estimable natives. Southey made at Bristol, relating to one of its most deserves not only the fame he has so justly attained, but every kind consideration and sincere regard which the Bristolians can award to his memory: he has honoured English literature and his natal place; and the latter will participate in his public honours, if it duly appreciates his worth, and manifests that appreciation Mr. by an appropriate posthumous testimonial. A bust, a statue, or an allegorical monument in a church, is not, however, in my estimation, either adequate to the object, or novel enough for the subject. Shut up within church-walls, it would be too There are several other places worthy exclusive, too sectarian; and would appear of notice in this parish. New Hall, destined for the select few, rather than formerly the residence of the Sache- for the general mass of society. verells, is a fine old place, and contains Walter S. Landor, whose writings are many interesting relics. Langley Hall replete with genius and learning, properly and Pedimere Hall were both ancient observes that monuments in churches are seats, but are now farm-houses. Four usually placed there for profit and perOaks Hall is a modern building, stand-quisite.' In reprobating the disgraceful ing in an extensive park; it was the seat of the Luttrells, and the celebrated Anne Lady Carhampton, wife of Henry Duke of Cumberland, resided here. The present possessor is Sir Edmund Cradock Hartopp, Bart. Yours, &c. A FRIEND. MR. URBAN, London, Aug 17. THE good citizens of Bristol have lately made a move respecting a MoNUMENT to SOUTHEY, but it is much to be feared that they will neither make that exertion, nor manifest that zeal and taste, which are necessary to the accomplishment of their object, in a manner commensurate to the individual, to the place, and to the present age. Their monument to Chatterton is a lamentable failure; their proposed restoration of the fine and interesting church at Redcliffe seems to be slumbering, if not quite dead; and the projected bridge over the Avon, at Clifton, is in a similar state. In the hope of kindling a spark of local enthusiasm and patriotism, it appears practice of interring human bodies in churches, he also gives it as his opinion that even monuments should not be ad mitted within their walls. On this point I differ with him; for I think that appropriate architectural and sculptural memorials may be well and advantageously placed in churches; but they should only be devoted to persons who are intimately associated with the sacred edifices, and designed in forms and styles to harmonize with, and embellish, rather than disfigure the buildings in which they are placed. Mr. Landor may have been the first to express his public opinion' on these subjects, but I have repeatedly written against the danger and offensiveness of church interments, in my 'Cathedral Antiquities,' History of Bath Abbey Church,' and other works. "Long before the late talented Mr. Kemp, of Edinburgh, made his design for mittee, urging the propriety and peculiar the Scott Monument, I wrote to the Comapplicability of a design in the style or manner of an architectural cross, with statues, bas-reliefs, and other ornamental appendages, strictly analogous to the character of the Great Unknown,' to his literary works, and to his country. I also made sketches of such a design, but did not send them to the Committee; for the extent and cost of its execution would, I fear, have exceeded the limits of the anticipated subscription. It gave me much pleasure, afterwards, to see and advocate Mr. Kemp's designs, and I am equally gratified to hear that they are likely to be carried into complete effect. This will be the first cenotaph of the kind in the world, and, from its beauty and originality, it is likely to be imitated in other places, in commemoration of eminent men. Though this design is on a large, elaborate, and costly scale, it is somewhat deficient in its direct and immediate application to the distinguished person to whose memory it is devoted. It has nothing, indeed, personal but the single statue of Scott, in the whole composition; whereas the design I contemplated embraced more of illustrative sculpture, and other objects, allusive to the history, antiquities, literature, &c. of Scotland. It was my aim also to collect and concentrate within it copies of all his literary works, in their various and numerous editions and illustrations, thus amassing and preserving a bibliographical history of the author and his writings. It is my suggestion and recommendation that something of this kind be raised in your ancient commercial city; but I would extend it to all the EMINENT WORTHIES OF BRISTOL. "This subject has frequently and long engrossed my attention, and my consideration of it has been revived and stimulated by the recent proceedings commenced in honour of my old and much esteemed friend. "I first met Southey in Bristol in 1799; corresponded with him whilst he was preparing his Memoir and Works of Chat. terton;' derived some valuable information from him when writing my 'History, &c. of Redcliffe Church;' and received several interesting letters from him during his residence at Keswick. He is fairly entitled to the greatest posthumous compliment which his fellow citizens can bestow, but I think they may do this in connection with a testimonial to other meritorious natives of Bristol. If this suggestion be duly felt by the Committee and the inhabitants, I shall be prepared to enter into full explanations and particulars of the plan I have to propose; and I am sanguine enough to believe that a CENOTAPH OF BRISTOL WORTHIES may be designed, with so much novelty, applicability to place, persons, and events, and so eminently effective in appearance, as to form a remarkable and interesting feature of the city. "Canynges has left a magnificent, but sadly mutilated, monument to his memory -Redcliffe Church; Edward Colston founded, built, and endowed a valuable public school; Nicholas and Thomas Thorne also founded a free grammar school; and Alderman John Whitson, born of poor parents, amassed great wealth in Bristol, and gave it liberally to benefit the inhabitants. Many others might be enumerated, to shew that there have been residents and natives of the city, eminently entitled to the respect, gratitude, and emulation of all who possess a spark of amor patriæ. In conclusion, I will venture to quote a few remarks which I made about two years ago, in an Essay printed by the Churchwardens of St. Mary Redcliffe, with their Appeal to the Public' on the proposed restoration of that church. 'Local patriotism is a virtue which has essentially promoted the improvement and importance of almost every old city and town in Great Britain. An Englishman's native place and home is naturally dear to him 6 when the pleasures and cares of life have accompanied him to ripe old age, and fortune has crowned his career, he meditates on the reminiscences of that home, and of the relatives and friends with which it has been associated. Hence originated most of the noble foundations and exemplary charities which belong to Bristol; hence the fame accompanying the names of Colston, Cabot, Penn, Carr, Whitson, the Whites, the Fitzhardings, the Thornes, and the Canynges, of the olden times; whilst those of Seyer, Southey, Freeling, Chatterton, and many others of the present, are intimately associated with this place, by deeds of munificent benevolence or by works of merit. To some of these men Bristol is not only indebted for much of its fame and greatness, but thousands of its natives have derived important benefits from their good deeds and their popular influence. Their names and memories should therefore be constantly brought under public notice, not merely to do them honour, but to rouse others to follow their example. Portraits of such of them as are not already in the Council House, should be exhibited and preserved in that and other public places; their monuments should also be guarded with religious care; and, were such testimonials as the following repeated of all public benefactors, it would still further promote the cause of local patriotism: A pious Meditation, by John Whitson, Alderman of the city of Bristol, with some Account of the author. By G. S. Catcott and the Rev. John Eden, 8vo. 1829. With a portrait, and view of his monument. Go thou and do likewise.' "Yours, &c. J. BRITTON." REVIEW OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. Richard III. as Duke of Gloucester and King of England. By Caroline A. Halsted, author of the "Life of Margaret Beaufort," &c. 2 vols. 8vo. THE pages of this work are replete with proofs that the author has exercised the utmost pains and diligence, not only in collecting facts, but in comparing authorities. The fault we find is, that she has paid too much deference to the latter, classing among them modern and occasional writers, and quoting their sentiments and expressions as if they were really of weight, when, in truth, their means of information must have been very inferior to her own. It would appear as if she was afraid that her materials would prove too scanty for the design she had in view, and that therefore she was ready to appropriate all that had ever been written on the subject, rather than to build her work afresh upon documentary evidence, and upon those writers of nearly contemporary date who were likely to have been well informed. From this cause, and from an inclination for fine and sentimental writing, the incidents of Miss Halsted's biography are too often overwhelmed in floods of commentary, and even her professed impartiality is rendered ambiguous by prolonged arguments on both sides of a question. The views of historical writers must necessarily change, and be modified, as, in the progress of their investigations, they acquire a closer approximation to that perfect truth which they can very seldom succeed in attaining. So, whenever a fresh gleam of light is shot into the far-distant retrospect, into scenes now obscure in the depth of centuries, it is desirable that they should retouch their pictures, obliterating the false lines or colours made when they stood in imperfect and disadvantageous lights,-not merely prolong their canvas, or crowd it with unmeaning shadows. Had Miss Halsted learned that inestimable art, "the art to blot," she might possibly have comprised her work in one volume instead of two : GENT, MAG. VOL. XXII. an advantage in any case, if effected without the loss of either facts or documents. She would also have avoided the inconsistency of being at once the constant apologist and eulogist of Richard, and yet the author of such sentiments as the following: "Very early, therefore, must the subject of this memoir have been inured to the sanguinary proceedings, and been an eye-witness of the harrowing scenes, which, so subversive of the best feelings of human nature, marked his youthful days; and very early, too, must the bane ful influence of a desire to command and ambition, nurtured on desperate deeds, All which is very inconsistent with the general current of the author's narrative, and indeed of her comYork was a boy only eight years old ments, according to which, Richard of when his father struggled for the crown, and his brother attained it; and afterwards continued the faithful subject of the latter during his not brief reign. So, in p. 83, the author enlarges in these observations on the advantages which the princes of the house of York are supposed to have derived from their sojourn at Utrecht. "They continued to abide there until the house of York regained the ascendancy, and King Edward IV. was established permanently on the throne. The Low Countries being at this crisis the seat of chivalry, renowned for its knightly spirit, and distinguished throughout Europe by its patronage of learning and encouragement of the fine arts, the young princes benefited materially by an event which, apparently fraught with such evil to their 2 N house, thus proved to themselves individually of singular advantage. It gave them opportunity for mental culture, and altogether a more accomplished education than the distracted state of England would have admitted at that period." All this is an amplification of a passing assertion of Buck, that the princes had at Utrecht "princely and liberal education:" which our author's more accurate information ought rather to have taught her to reject than to aggravate; for, by her own showing, their absence from England could not have exceeded three months, deducting from which the time consumed in travelling, there could have been room for a very brief course of study indeed, even if their visit had been anticipated, and every provision made for it, instead of its being, as it actually was, the unexpected flight of refugees. It is on very slight grounds, as far as we can perceive, that Miss Halsted has formed her view of the conduct, sentiments, and character of Cecily Duchess of York. The following passage is an example how far too imaginative she is : "By his ill-judged marriage King Edward forfeited his mother's respect, and weakened her affection; while Clarence's treacherous and unprincipled conduct warred with all the better and nobler features of her nature. In the young Duke of Gloucester she beheld a firmness of character that contrasted as strongly with the weak points of his eldest brother, as his fidelity to this latter was opposed to the envious and ungenerous acts which, from his entrance into life, had characterised every movement of her second son towards his royal kinsman. Richard's highly honourable career was equally at issue with that of the ignoble political conduct of the false and perjured Clarence.' On his actions she could dwell with pride and pleasure; and on him, therefore, there is little doubt that his mother henceforth fixed her hopes and strong affections." What, it may be asked, had been the "actions" of the "highly honourable career" of Richard up to this time, namely 1470? If any were known, our author would have dwelt upon them as she has on other minute circumstances: but the truth seems to be, that it was at this very time that his public career was first com menced. A few pages on we read that "on the 26th of March, 1470, the King appointed Richard Duke of Gloucester, then but seventeen years of age, [Clarence was three years older,] commissioner of array in the county of Gloucester," and on the 15th of the next month a commissioner for a simi lar purpose in the counties of Devon and Cornwall; of which appointments, if he was only named in a commission with others, we should think little, as his name may have been inserted merely in deference to his rank. However, soon after (Miss Halsted does not give the exact date, which was desirable,) the Duke of Gloucester was made Warden of the Northern Marches; but before he had even time or opportunity to prove his manhood, he accompanied the King in his flight to the court of Burgundy. This is, as far as we can perceive, the summit of the virtue and fortitude of the future Richard the Third, up to that period. If, as our author successfully shews, he was then too young to have been guilty of some of the crimes which party writers or poets have accumulated upon him, so was he also too young to have proved himself so marked a contrast to his brother Clarence. Such high actions," as yet, to adopt the words of Gray, "His age forbade; nor circumscribed alone His growing virtues, but his crimes confin'd; Forbade to wade through slaughter to a throne, And shut the gates of mercy on mankind." The youthful disposition of Richard the Third may form a good subject for ingenious speculation, but such discussions can never lead to any certain result, unless supported, as other parts of history, by contemporary evidence. The true state of affairs in the year 1470 seems to have been this: the Earl of Warwick, discontented with the treatment he received from the King, conceived the project of strengthening his influence, already great, by alliance with Edward's next brother the Duke of Clarence, whom he may, or may not, at that time, have destined to supersede the King." *Edward had then no son. Edward the Fifth was born on the 4th of Novem ber in the same year. The former circumstance may have encouraged the ambitious aspirations of Clarence. |