Eminent characters. binson. care. Amongst the numerous distinguished individuals, to whom Bristol BRISTOL. has had the honour of giving birth, may be mentioned William Grocyne, Greek professor at Oxford, the intimate friend of Erasmus, and godfather to Lilly, the grammarian, born in 1442; William Botoner, author of "Polyandria Oxoniensis," from which Anthony & Wood seems to have taken the idea of his celebrated book on the learned men of Oxford; Sir William Draper, well known for his controversy with Junius in defence of the Marquis of Granby; Thomas Chatterton, the unfortunate poet; Mrs. Mary Robinson, the English Sappho, as she has been not unaptly styled; Mrs. Ann Yearsley, the well known poetical milk-woman; James Dawes Worgan; William Barrett; Sebastian Cabot, the first discoverer of the continent of America; Dr. Caleb Evans, &c.; Mrs. Hannah More; Southey, the laureat; and Cottle, the poet, are also natives of Bristol. Mary Robinson, a female whose great personal attractions, combined Mary Rowith some literary as well as histrionic talent, procured her in the latter part of the last century a degree of public attention, much increased by the notoriety of a temporary connexion established between her and the then heir-apparent to the throne. Her father, an American by birth of the name of Darby, commanded a trading vessel belonging to this port, and in which city the subject of this article was born in 1758. At an early age she was placed under the care of the Misses More, one of whom, Hannah, has since acquired so much celebrity, and with them she continued till, in her fifteenth year, she became the wife of an extravagant and profligate attorney, named Robinson, whose vices having at length immured him within the walls of a prison, his young wife was compelled to adopt some method of procuring for herself that support which her husband ought to have afforded her. The stage appeared the only propable means of success, and to this she had recourse. Garrick saw and fostered her rising talent. Her personal beauty was a powerful co-operative, and after appearing with great success in Imogen, Juliet, Ophelia, and other of Shakspeare's heroines, her greatest triumph was exhibited in her representation of Perdita, in the "Winter's Tale," in which character she is supposed to have achieved the conquest already alluded to, and whence she derived the appellation by which she was afterwards generally distinguished in the world of fashion. This illicit amour, the conducting of which will ever reflect disgrace on the courtly panders, who ought to have checked, yet unblushingly encouraged it, was even more brief than usual. A general officer, whose services in the American war have been favourably mentioned, and who was at least as remarkable for the elegance of his person and manners, as for his military abilities, was her next protector, or rather favourite, for she lavished on him all her disposable property, and caught Constancy. a violent rheumatism by suddenly following him to the sea-side to release him from a temporary embarrassment. She subsequently retired to the continent, and on her return in 1788, commenced her literary career, in which she had considerable success. "Vancenza,' ""Hubert de Sevrac," "The Widow," " Angelina," "Walsingham,' "The Natural Daughter," "Modern Manners," together with some other novels; a tragedy, entitled the "Sicilian Lovers ;""Nobody," a farce; and two volumes of miscellaneous poetry; some "Lyrical Tales ;" and an autobiographical sketch of her own life, remain to attest her possession of at least considerable feel- Feeling and ing and talent, and so far to add to her misfortunes. In 1800, her health began to decline rapidly, principally owing to her inabillity to take exercise, having never recovered the use of her limbs; and she died at her house at Englefield-green, December 28, in the same year, in the forty- Died Desecond year of her age.-Memoirs by herself.-Gent. Mag. Thomas cember 28, Chatterton was born on the 20th of November, 1752, in Pile-street. At a very early age he was returned from school, "too dull to learn!" In 1760, he was admitted into Colston's charity-school. In 1767, he was placed with Mr. Lambert, an attorney. Some years before this, he is 66 Royal a mour. talent. 1800. BRISTOL. Thomas Chatterton, the poet. reported to have written many good poems, and specimens have been published of lines written when he was only eleven years old, particularly a hymn for Christmas Day, remarkable for its just harmony and ease of expression. At an early period, he acquired an enthusiastic admiration of antiquarian and heraldic researches. In 1768, he published, in Farley's Bristol Journal, a "Description of the Fryars passing over the Old Bridge, taken from an ancient manuscript." This singular production excited great attention. The contributor was soon found, and threats and persecutions were used to induce him to say by what means he had acquired the original. He gave evasive and impertinent answers. At length, he said, that he had received the paper, with some others, from his father, then dead, who found them in some old trunks, which had long been in the St. Mary's muniment room over the northern porch of St. Mary's church, Redcliffe. church, Redcliffe. This account received some confirmation, from the circumstance of his father's having been many years sexton of that church, and that, being a schoolmaster, he had been known to use several pieces of old parchment as covers to his school-books. Chatterton said, they were taken from Canygne's chest, and that they were the productions of Thomas Rowley, a monk, and others, in the fifteenth century. The poem just mentioned was followed by others of a similar description, sufficient in quantity, to fill an octavo volume. These productions procured him the notice of several persons of respectability and literature. Mr. Catcott, author of a Treatise on the Deluge, and also of a Descriptive Account of Pen Park Hole, in Gloucestershire, introduced him to Mr. Barrett, at that time engaged in collecting materials for his History of Bristol. These gentlemen High pre-implanted or nurtured, in his bosom, those seeds of ambition, and that enthusiastic thirst for literary fame, which ultimately proved his destruction. Disgusted with his profession, and panting for greatness, he left Bristol in 1770, and came to London; where, as a periodical writer, on one subject or other, he had sufficient employ; but his remuneration fell His removal much short of his expenses. Before he left Bristol, he had made an effort to procure the patronage of the Hon. Horace Walpole, who referred the inspection of Chatterton's packet of MSS. to Mr. Gray and Mr. Mason; and those gentlemen immediately pronounced Rowley's Poems to be mere forgeries. On this unpleasant information being communicated to Chatterton, he wrote an impatient letter to Walpole, demanding the return of his MSS. which being complied with, the correspondence for ever ceased, and the hopes of the unhappy youth were blasted. Stung with Disappoint- disappointment, and pride, attended by abject want and poverty, in a fit of despair, he put a period to his existence, by poison, at his lodgings in Brook-street, Holborn, in the eighteenth year of his age. The controversy respecting the authenticity of Rowley's Poems is now pretty well set at rest, and the honour of these compositions is generally given, though we think incorrectly, to the unfortunate Chatterton. tensions. to London. ment and death by poison. Serious riots in 1831. On the 23d of April, 1808, a great part of the city was inundated by the sudden overflow of the river Frome; several houses were four feet deep in water, and the goods, and many houses on the banks of the Wear, were swept away by the flood. On April 2, 1821, Bristol was visited by a tremendous storm of thunder and lightning: the electric fluid struck that venerable pile, the Redcliff Tower, and forced out several stones from the bell-loft window; it rolled up the lead from the roof, and displaced several of the stones; many vessels were driven on shore, and at Stanton-drew, thirteen sheep were killed by the lightning. It is much to be regretted that, on the 29th and 30th of October, 1831, serious riots took place here, in consequence of the arrival of Sir Charles Wetherall, in his capacity of recorder of this city, when the canaille of the people (whom reason can never reach) had imbibed so strong a feeling of dissatisfaction, that they resolved to drive him out if he ventured to set foot in the place; and, although apprized of this unpopularity, he im BRISTOL. the mob. destruction. prudently (as it is supposed) determined on going to Bristol as usual, and made his public entry. Instead of the procession taking place as usual at from four to five in the afternoon, the sheriffs, &c., went out to meet the recorder at ten, and thousands assembled between the turnpike-gate and Totterdown, to greet his arrival. The moment Sir Charles came within sight of the populace, yells and groans were uttered loud and deep. The recorder, escorted by the city cortegé, reached the Guildhall, and proceeded (in spite of all obstacles) to open the commission, but from the groans and yells not a word could be heard. Sir Charles threatened in vain to commit; the noise increased; constables were sent into the body of Ungovernthe hall to seize the offenders. Sir Charles afterwards proceeded to the able fury of Mansion-house; in his way to which, on passing the Commercial-rooms, he was cheered by the persons assembled there. This infuriated the mob to such a pitch, that hundreds of them entered the Mansion-house, around which many thousands were still assembled; stones were thrown in all directions, and several windows broken. A slight scuffle now ensued between the mob and special constables, and two or three were taken into custody: a general rush was then made by the people to the quay, where they armed themselves with bludgeons. The crowd still increased, and at five o'clock the riot act was read. From this moment, notwithstanding the appearance of 300 constables, it was found impossible to restrain the fury of the mob. The military were called, and attempted to relieve the council-house, which had been violently attacked, and the 14th regiment of dragoons fired, which so exasperated the mob, that they assembled the next morning (Sunday) to continue the work of devastation, which they | Lamentable had already commenced, and in spite of all resistance, committed most dreadful ravages on the buildings and property of the inhabitants. They broke into the Bridewell, and set the prisoners at liberty, and succeeded in forcing an entrance to the new gaol, from whence they also released the prisoners after which, they set fire to the premises, which burnt with unabated fury for some hours. The toll-houses and the county court prison suffered the same fate. The work of destruction was carried to the bishop's palace; here a few individuals had hastily collected, and for a while succeeded in staying their diabolical designs: orders were then sent for the military, who had been guarding the Mansion-house, which they had no sooner left than the flames from the latter indicated the promptitude with which the mob had acted, to effect its total destruction, and many of them forfeited their lives for their criminal temerity. The Custom-house, and all the back building of store-rooms, in Little King-street, were soon in one mass of fire. About three o'clock in the morning, the Excise-office was on fire. On this night it may truly be said that the city was given up to plunder; and Monday morning dawned on such a scene as had never before been witnessed at this place. The flames it is true were subsiding, but the appearance of Queen-square was appaling in the extreme. Many buildings were reduced to heaps of smoking ruins, and others were momentarily falling in; many persons were killed both by shot and sword. The loss was supposed to be £300,000. at least. The branches of manufacture are numerous; one of the principal of which is, that of every description of glass bottles: brass, copper, lead, iron, and tin-works also £300,000. abound, and great quantities of soap, leather, gunpowder, and earthenware are made here. Ship-building and rope-making are also much pursued. It may, in fact, be deemed an emporium of every kind of exportable articles, and more especially of the principal commodities produced by the surrounding counties. Market, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Thursday, for cattle.-Fairs, March 1 to 10, and Sept. 1 to 10 for general traffic.-Mail arrives 9.14 morning, departs 5.30 afternoon.Bankers, Hardfords and Co., draw on Smith, Payne, and Co.; Miles and Co., draw on Barnet, Hoare, and Co.; Worrall and Co., on Barnard and Co.; Elton and Co., on Prescott, Grote, and Co.; Ames and Co., on Smith, Payne, and Co.; Hawthorn and Co., on Barnett, Hoare, and Co.: Savery and Co., on Rogers and Co.; Stuckeys and Co., on Robarts and Co.; Stuckeys and Co., on Lubbock and Co.; Pitt and Co., on Hoare, Barnett, and Co.-Inns, Bush, Full Moon, Talbot, White Hart, and White Lion. Awful ap the town. pearance of Loss estimated at * BROADSTAIRS. This was formerly a place of some trade, and sent out vessels to Greenland and the Baltic; but it is now chiefly distinguished Sea-bathing. as a fashionable sea-bathing place, much frequented by persons who wish to be more select and retired than they can be at Ramsgate and Margate, for whose accommodation, handsome houses have been, and are continually increasing. The machines, rooms, baths, &c. are similar in construction, and applicability to those of Ramsgate; and there are two subscription libraries, one in the town, and the other on the cliff. At a very short distance from the town, is a small pier, where the fishing boats and other light vessels load and deliver their cargoes. Near the harbour, are the remains of the arch of an ancient portal, formerly defended by a port-cullis and gates to guard the place from the sudden attack of pirates, to which it was formerly subjected. At this place was a chapel dedicated to the Virgin, whose image, under the appellation of "Our Lady" of Broadstairs, was once held in such religious veneration, that the top-sails of the ships that passed the place, were lowered to salute it. The remains of this chapel have been converted into dwelling-houses. The parish church is a hand Ancient portal. Monastery. some structure about a mile distant. ↑ BROADWATER.-Fairs, June 25, and Oct. 30, for horned cattle, sheep, and horses. BROMBOROUGH. This parish, containing the townships of Bromborough and Brimstage, is in the hundred of Wirrall. A monastery was founded here, by Elfleda, Countess of Mercia, about the year 912. There is a well in the parish, whose waters are said to possess an incrustrating quality; moss leaves, and small twigs, after remaining in it some time, are BROMBOROUGH. Incrustrat ing well. St. Blase's well. * BROMLEY. This pleasant, healthy, and respectable market-town, is said to derive its name from the Saxon words Brom-leag, signifying a field or pasture of broom; and the great quantity of that plant on the waste places near the town, sufficiently corroborates this etymology. The Etymology. manor of Bromley was given to the Bishops of Rochester, in the eighth century, by Ethelbert, King of Kent, and with some slight interruptions, it has continued in their possession till the present time. These prelates had a palace here at a very early period, which was pulled down by the late Bishop Thomas, who erected the present edifice, a plain brick mansion, about the year 1777. This is now the only episcopal residence belonging to the see of Rochester. It stands about a quarter of a mile from the town, and is pleasantly situated on the brow of a hill, looking towards Beckenham and Hayes. In the grounds is a chalybeate spring, called St. Blase's well, which anciently had an oratory annexed to it, dedicated to St. Blasius; it was much frequented at Whitsuntide; because Lucas, legate for Sextus IV. granted an indulgent remission of forty days enjoined penance, to all those who should visit this chapel, and offer up their orisons there in the three holy days of Pentecost. After the Reformation, the oratory fell to ruins, and the well was stopped up; but being re-opened in 1754, was by the bishop's orders," says Hasted, "immediately secured from the mixture of other waters; since which, numbers of people, especially of the middle and poorer sort, have been remarkably relieved by it from various infirmities and diseases." Bromley church is a spacious building, consisting of The church. a nave, chancel, and aisles, with an embattled tower, surmounted by a cupola at the west end; the north aisle was rebuilt in 1792; Bishop Thomas contributing £500. towards the expence. Amongst the sepulchral memorials, which are numerous, is an ancient tomb in the north wall of the chancel, under a recess pointed arch, with mouldings springing from Antiquities. two pillars on each side, having capitals ornamented with foliage the upper part, and east side, are mutilated. The person whose memory this was intended to commemorate, is unknown; but it is conjectured to be Richard Wendover, Bishop of Rochester, who died in 1250. Against the same wall is an inscribed monument to the memory of Bishop Zachary Pearce, D.D. who died in June, 1774, aged 84 years; and a slab in the pavement records the name and virtues of John Yonge, another Bishop of Rochester, who died in 1605. Two other bishops of this see were also interred in this edifice; Walter de Henche, who died in 1360; and John Buckeridge, who was translated from Rochester to Ely, in 1628. Among the other memorials, are brasses of Richard Thornhill, Esq. who died in February 1600, and his two wives, Margaret Mills, and Elizabeth Watson : |