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light, and the properties of colours from
thence arising, which none but himself
had ever dreamt of; that he was a diligent,
wise and faithful interpreter of nature, an-
tiquity, and the holy scriptures; that by his
philosophy he maintained the dignity of the
Supreme Being; and by the purity of his
life, the simplicity of the gospel; and it
concludes with a just exclamation, What
reason have mortals to pride themselves in
the existence of so great an ornamnent to the
human race! He was born Dec. 25, 1642,
and died in 1726.
So noble a monument erected to real
merit, is a greater honour to the nation than
to the great genius for whom it was raised;
in this light it is viewed by all Europe.
83. On the other side of the entrance
into the choir is another lofty and pompous
monument. This last was erected to the
memory of Earl Stanhope, who is also repre-
sented leaning upon his arm in a recumbent
posture, holding in his right hand a Gene-
ral's staff, and in his left a parchment scroll.
Before him stands a cupid resting upon a
shield. Over a martial tent sits Minerva,
holding in her right hand a javelin, and in
the other a scroll. Behind is a slender pyra-
mid. On the middle of the pedestal are
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two medalions, and on each side the pilas-
ters one. In short, under the principal
figure is a Latin inscription, displaying the
merits of this great man, as a soldier, a
statesman, and a senator: observing, that in
1707, he concluded an advantageous peace
with Spain; and the same year was sent
Embassador to Charles III. In 1708, he
took Port Mahon: In 1710, he forced his
way to the gates of Madrid, and took pos-
session of that capital: In 1715, being of
the Secret Committee, he impeached the
Duke of Ormond. In 1717 he was made
first Commissioner of the treasury, and
Chancellor of the excheqher; and in July
following was created a Peer. He died
in 1721, in the forty-seventh year of his
age.
84. Mr. Thynne's monument has always
been esteemed a very fine one. That gentle-
man is represented dying, and at his feet is
a boy weeping. Underneath on a table of
black marble in white letters is this short
inscription:
Thomas Thynne of Longleate in Com.
Wilts, Esq; who was barbarously mur-
dered on Sunday the 12th of February,
1682.
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