1820, aged 35, and James Sandwith, who died as Bombay in the East Indies, March 11, 1821, aged 25 years. In the north aisle sunk in one of the pillars, is a piscina, and in one of the north windows are stained in glass the Ross and Neville arms. The shield of the first field is gules, charged with three water budgets argent, and the other coat is field gules, a cross saltier, argent. On the west wall of the building, is a monument to the memory of Jane, wife of Rich. Conyers, L. L. D. who lived nearly 30 years the exemplary and beloved minister of the parish of Helmsley, she died the 24 of July 1774, in the 56 year of her age. The Doctor died at Deptford in 1786. It is very remarkable that his favourite servant was to have been buried by the side of Mrs Conyers, but the Rev. Mr. Cle ment, the late vicar requested that his remains might be laid by the side of her, which was done. In the church is a neat organ, given by C. S. Duncombe, Esq. in the year 1821. The building is also ornamented with a fine brass lustre, given by the late John Pearson of Whitby; this is engraved on a brass plate, inserted in a large flat stone, near the font. He died Dee. 12, 1770. The parish register begins in 1575 but it is very imperfect, in consequence of the fading of the ink. The name of Richard Leeke, occurs in it, whose initials are cut in the parlour of the vicarage, in a stone over the fire place, R. L. 1695, In this town is a charity school on the national plan supported by C. S. Duncombe, Esq., where 80 children receive gratuitous instruction. Here are two benefit societies; the union society was instituted July 7, 1784, and the orderly society Feb. 15, 1767. There are three good inns, the principal of which is the New Inn, kept by Mr. W. Tate; this is a posting house and has excellent accomodations. In 1821 a new porch was erected over the outside of the south door, which does credit to the builder and those who caused it to be erected. Besides the church, here are a Friend's meeting house, an Independent, and a Methodist chapel. The market at Helmsley is on Saturday, and the fairs are May 19, July 16, Oct. 1, and Nov. 5. About 25 years since a curious stone instrument was found by Mr. Saville Wind, in a tumulus near the road leading from Helmsley to Harum. It is shaped like a smith's hammer, with a hole in it for a handle, which was no doubt used by the ancient Britons, before they were acquainted with iron. A valley near Helmsley, retains the name of Drudale-howl, or Druid's-dale, from which name Baines has concluded that the Druids practised their rites upon the neighbouring hills. On the 13 June 1822, in taking down part of an old house called Cannon garth, adjoining the church, wo local tokens were found, one of them issued in the 17 century by John Thornum, of Kirkby-Moorside (a similar one of which is now in the possession of Mr. Bearcroft of that place,) and the other in a heart-like shape, with the following inscription :— Peter Madox, of New Malton, and Kirkby-Moorside, his half-penny; on the reverse is a hen and chickens, without any inscription. In the vicarage garden was found some time since, a copper coin, having the inscription, Antoninus Pius, Pater Patriæ, round a beautiful laureated head of the emperor; on the reverse is a female figure leaning on an anchor, and holding something in her right hand, with the letters S. C., the usual contraction for Senatus Consultu. Perhaps this may be an emblem of hope, as the Romans personified, and even deified the virtues, vices and qualities of men. Here are 8 good bells, put up at the expense of the parish, in 1770. Not far from Helmsley is DUNCOMBE PARK, the seat of Charles Slingsby Duncombe, Esq. This place is peculiarly interesting, not only from the beauty and imposing grandeur of the mansion, but from the delightful situation in which it stands. The grounds about it display great taste; and the sylvan scenery is indescribably beautiful. From the terrace near the house, the prospects are rich and various at one end of this pleasant lawn is an open Ionic temple, and at the other is a Tuscan colonnade temple; from either of which the prospect is most delightful. It would occupy a volume to describe all the beauties of this Elysium; it is sufficient for me to say that it contains all the refreshing and animating scenery which umbrageous vistas, distant vallies embosoming numerous clusters of foliage, a winding river, a murmuring cascade, and hills of pendent wood, can afford. The eye beholds new objects of astonishment from every fresh point of observation; and hours glide away as if they were moments; while the powers of intellect are carried away in wondering contemplation on these extensive and charming prospects. THE MANSION is built in the Doric style, after a design by Sir John Vanbrugh. The west front of it is considered an excellent specimen of that order. The interior of this princely building is superb, and in every thing worthy of the noble personages who inhabit it. The hall is an astonishing fine entrance; it is 60ft. long and 40ft. wide, surrounded by fourteen lofty Corinthian pillars, and ornamented with several statues ; two of which are worthy of particular notice ;—an excellent antique sculpture, representing the dog of Alcibiades, said to have been the work of Myron.+ -Dallaway, in his description of statuary and sculpture, says, "it was discovered at Monte Cagnuolo, and procured by Henry Constantine Jen * Alcibiades had a dog of uncommon size and beauty, which cost him L226 Os. 10d.—; and yet his tail, which was his principal ornament, he caused to be cut off. Some of his acquaintance told him, that all Athens rang with his foolish treatment of his dog: at which he smiled and said that is the very thing I wished; for I would have the Athenians talk of the dog, lest they should find something worse to say of me. + Myron was a celebrated statuary of Eleutheroe in Boeotia, peculiarly happy in imitating nature. He made his animals so nearly resembling life, that even those of their own species, were deceived, and approached them as if alive, as is frequently mentioned by many epigrams in the Authologia. He flourished about 442 years before Christ; so that this statue of Alcibiade's dog, most have been sculptured at least 2,250 years ago. nings, Esq., who brought it to England; from whom it was transferred to the present possessor, for 1,000 guineas."-The other is the celebrated figure of the Discobulus; which is esteemed the first statue in England. After passing through the hall the visitor is conducted through the saloon, now a library, which possesses an unusual air of grandeur; and from that to an elegant suit of apartments, all appropri ately furnished; but the most interesting ornaments are the pictures, which display great judgment in their selection: they are painted by the best masters, and on interesting subjects.-The following are much admired :: The scourging of Christ,-by old Palma. Three landscapes,-Weston, Martyrdom of St. Andrew,-Carlo Dolci. Bacchus offering marriage to Ariadne,-Guide. Christ visiting St. John,-Guido. Venus and Adonis,-Albano. Assumption of the Virgin,-Carlo Maratti. Virgin and child.-Corregio. Madona and child,-Carlo Cignani. A Dutch merchant,--Rembrandt. David and Abigail,-Guido. An old woman and boy with a lighted candle, Rubens. A most brilliant and astonishing picture. A hawking piece,-IVoovermans. The presentation of Christ in the temple.→Gio vanni Bellini. |