Page:Tixall Poetry.djvu/434

 given his full particular assent to take away the life of the king.—(See Hume's Hist. vol. viii. p. 145. Fox's Hist, of James II. p. 37—44.)

As Tixall is only four miles from Stafford castle, which was the ancient seat of the Staffords; and, as there was always a close connexion between the two families, it can excite no surprise, that a copy of Dryden's poem should have been discovered there.

Of George Holman, Esq. and his family, the only information I have been able to obtain, is contained in the following account, which was transmitted to my friend, the Rev. John Kirk, of Lichfield, by that intelligent antiquary, Mr Sharp, of Coventry.

"Philip Holman, Esq. purchased the manor of Warkworth, (co. Northampton,) of Richard Chetwood, Esq. son of Sir Richard Chetwood. Clarke's "Mirror" is dedicated to him, by which it appears, that he was born in the parish of Ben-net-Fis, London, (of which, Clarke was dissenting minister,) and was a benefactor to the parish, giving a house for the minister, See. This dedication is dated, 'from my study in Thredneedle street, this seventinth of November, 1656.'

He was buried in Warkworth church, and upon a modern white marble, under these arms, a cheveron, between three pheons, is this inscription, (in capitals:)

Hic jacet Philippin Holman Dominus de Warkworth &c. Qui obiit A. Salutis,. Ætatis su.

Upon a marble, on the ground, near the chancel, under these arms: Holman impaling Howard, quartering a cheveron; crest, a cross-bow, between two wings, is this inscription: