Page:Notes and Queries - Series 11 - Volume 7.djvu/210

 202 NOTES AND QUERIES. [11 s. vn. mar. is, uh& the biography of the author in the ' D.N.B.' does not mention it. The first title is :— " Fair Warning : or a Fresh Taste of French Government at Home. Being a Demonstration from late Matter of Fact; That French Arbitrary Principles, can never consist with a Legal and Limited Constitution ; and that a Freedom from the Iron Yoke, cannot be bought too Dear, what- ever its cost to us. London... .1710. Price id." On p. 12, in an " Advertisement," it is explained that these " papers were calculated for the late intended invasion, about what time they were transcrib'd, and actually deliver'd for the Press (but that Storm soon blowing over) they have lain by ever since " until—as the second title indicates—the author had occasion to complain of the personal outrages and indignities he suf- fered at St. Katharine's. The title to these supplementary pages reads :— " A True and Faithful Account of divers Arbitrary, Illegal, and Injurious Practices in the Collegiate Church and Royal Hospital of St. Katharine's near the Tower, contrary to the Statute* and Charters of Foundation. From the year 1700 to 1700." This title does not overstate the interest of the succeeding pages, but the whole work is simply an indictment of the administra- tion of the Earl of Feversham, appointed Master by the Queen-Dowager on 25 Oct., 1698. Lewis de Duras, Marquis of Blanque- fort (Earl of Feversham by marriage and succession to the title in 1677), was said by Bissett to have improperly retained the salaries and revenues of the Hospital. He died 8 April, 1709, about one month after the date of the author's last letter in this pamphlet. The calamitous fire at John Nichols's warehouse in Red Lion Court, in February, 1808, destroyed the remaining copies of Ducarel's volume, and subsequent inquiries induced John Bowyer Nichols to prepare a reissue, revising and adding much new matter. Published in June, 1824, the ' Account of the Royal Hospital and Collegiate Church of Saint Katharine near the Tower ' contains some of the original plates, and others re-engraved. A further occasion for its publication was the promo- tion and discussion of a Bill for the Con- struction of Docks on the site, and the author adds a foot-note to his Preface :— " On Tuesday evening, June 1, 1824, the Precinct of St. Katharine presented a scene of great gaiety, originating from the rejoicings .of the inhabitants at the withdrawing of the Bill. The houses of every street, lane, and alley were illuminated." The Bill was again introduced and passed in 1825, when the clearance of the site commenced. Some years ago I asked in these columns for particulars of any protests against this vandalism, but apparently there were no pamphlets published, and only in the journals of the day and the magazines was any comment made. E. T. Carlos provided an excellent summary in The Gentleman's Magazine (February, 1826), pointing out that the demolition of St. Mary's Overy was being discussed, and the Temple Church and Westminster Abbey were being " restored," so it is not remarkable that the removal of this ancient foundation did not receive more notice. Most precious of all the books and pamphlets in my collection on this building is the Sale Catalogue of the materials of the church, dwelling-houses, &c. The sale was held by Paulin, Son & Hearne " on the Premises," Tuesday, 13 Dec., 1825, and two following days, "by order of the Directors of the St. Katharine Dock Company." Some of the " lots " are worth quoting :— " Lot 82. A fine large Portland stone Gothic window to chancel, with wheel in centre, strong iron bars through m[o]untings, and iron work and glazed lights." This is the east window, almost entirely reconstructed during one of the many restorations. In it "a literal imitation of a small coach wheeU its spoke, with Roman paterae attached to its outer sweep, has been introduced instead of a St. Katherine's Circle, with appropriate tracery." —John Carter in The Gentleman's Magazine, 1800, p. 100, writing of the church as it was in 1801. Ix>ts 96 to 108. Each " a carved stone pillar- with cap and base." Lots 83 to 93. Each "a fine Portland Stone- Gothic window on north side of church, with iron work and glazed lights." Lot 114. "A pair of fine Gothic wainscot doors, with lock, key, hinges, and fastenings." It will be known to most readers of this- note that the pulpit, stalls, choir - stalls, alms-box, and some of the finest monu- ments were removed to the Chapel at Regent's Park. Some of the windows bought by Cottingham formed part of his Architectural Museum, and were re- described in the Sale Catalogue (Lots 365- 369) when his remarkable collection was dispersed by Messrs. Foster, 3 Nov., 1851. On the re-establishment of this foundation at Regent's Park the Gentleman's Magazine (July, 1828) described the new Chapel, providing an illustration ; and Ackermann's Repository of Arts (1 June, 1828) has a brief notice, and one of its excellent coloured plates showing the Chapel and flanking: buildings.