Page:Notes and Queries - Series 10 - Volume 10.djvu/300

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NOTES AND QUERIES. [io: x. SEPT. 26,

"buried there on 7 July. A large flat tomb- stone of lias (within, and near the north door of, the church) records their names. Rolle erected a cenotaph for his wife and himself on the east wall of the south choir- aisle in 1789. The bells of the church were recast by him in 1767, and a new parsonage house for the benefice was built after his death, partly with moneys from his estate.

In 1761 he was offered the living of Sarsden, Oxfordshire, and was authorized to exchange Berwick St. John for some other New College benefice which would be tenable with it ; but the suggestion came to nothing. He remained at Berwick, retaining his faculties until the end of his long life. After his wife's death in 1788 he was assisted by curates, but up to that time he had discharged for thirty years all the duties of the parish without a prolonged holiday. A manuscript volume in the care of the present rector exhibits Rolle as an observant farmer and a devoted clergyman, chronicling the farming customs of the place, the services of the church, and the education of the village children. It is probably worthy of publication.

Rolle is introduced into James Ridley's ' Tales of the Genii,' in the ninth tale of ' Mirglip [Pilgrim] the Persian, or Phesoj Ecneps [Joseph Spence], the dervise of the groves,' as " Ellor [Rolle], gentle companion of my former years ! With thee I trained my early mind to Piety and Virtue."

Of the seven poems under Spence' s name which are reprinted from the Oxford Uni- versity sets of verses in Nichols's collection of poetry, the second pair were by Rolle. He is said to have been one of the three executors to Spence's will.

[T. F. Kirby, 'Winchester Scholars,' p. 228; Foster, ' Alumni Oxon.'; Gent. Mag., 1787, p. 1124; 1791, p. 682; Hoare, 'Wilts' (Hundred of Chalk), pp. 68, 71, 75 ; J. L. Vivian, ' Visitations of Devon,' p. 652 ; Buncombe's letters, 2nd ed., 1773, ii. 95 ; information from the Rev. W. Goodchild, Rector of Berwick St. John.]

W. P. COURTNEY.

(To be. continued.)

ST. MARGARET'S AND ST. JOHN'S, WEST- MINSTER, AND THE STRAND. It may be of some interest to the inhabitants of these parishes, and to students of the history of the Strand district, to know that the Trustees of the United Westminster Almshouses are the owners of 21 and 22, Buckingham Street, Adelphi ; 7 and 8, Duke Street, Adelphi,

8 and 9, York Place, Adelphi ; and 50, Strand. The Trustees are also owners of the premises known as the Head- Quarters and Drill Hall of the Queen's Westminster Volunteer Corps, now a portion of the Territorial Army, but allowed by special permission to retain their old style and title. These premises are situated in Buckingham Gate (formerly James Street), Westminster, and in Brewers' Row adjoining. The said Trustees also own 178, 180, 182, 184, 186, 188, 190, and 192, Uxbridge Road ; and 1 to 10, Hopgood Street, Shepherd's Bush, W., and Nos. 1 to 11, The Pavement, Forest Lane, Stratford, E. This information has been often desired, but was not easy to obtain. W. E. HARLAND-OXLEY.

Westminster.

" STAR AND GARTER TAVERN," PALL MALL. A permanent record should, I think, be made in * N. & Q.' of the exact locality of this tavern, which ceased to exist, as such, about a year ago. Here, on 26 Jan., 1765, the fatal encounter took place between William, fifth Lord Byron, and Mr. Chaworth. The house is still standing, its present number being 44. The persons who dined together on that occasion were : John Hewett (chairman), Lord Byron, the Hon. Thomas Willoughby, Sir Robert Burdett, Frederic Montagu, John Sherwin, Francis Molyneux, William Chaworth, George Don- ston, and Charles Melish, all gentlemen of Nottinghamshire. They dined on the second floor, the duel being afterwards fought in an empty room on the first floor. There was no light in the room, except a tallow candle which stood on a table. Before Lord Byron had time to draw his weapon Mr. Chaworth made the first " pass," his sword piercing through Lord Byron' s waistcoat. Chaworth , who thought that he had mortally wounded his adversary, inquired after his hurt. While Chaworth was speaking Lord Byron shortened his sword, and stabbed Chaworth in the belly.

It has generally been assumed (1) that Lord Byron was the aggressor ; and (2) that he was so overwhelmed by remorse for his crime that he shut himself up at New- stead, and refused all company. As a fact, Lord Byron was never blamed, either by Mr. Chaworth on his death-bed or by any of his friends, for the part he had in that gentleman's death. Mr. Chaworth began the quarrel upstairs, and was then very offensive. He was regarded by his acquaint- ances as a fire-eater, and noted for his quarrelsome disposition. As to Lord Byron