10 s. x. NOV. 7, 1908.] NOTES AND QUERIES.
371
Hans Sloane will be found at p. 250 of
Beaver's ' Memorials of Old Chelsea,' 1892.
Further along the Embankment, opposite Chelsea Old Church, is a granite drinking- fountain with four horse-troughs and one or two troughs for dogs. There are English and Latin inscriptions ; but as the latter appears to be only a literal translation of the former, it seems hardly necessary to print it. The English inscription is as follows :
" In affectionate remembrance of the late 1 George Sparkes | of Bromley in Kent, formerly Judge at Madras | in the East India Company's Civil Service, | a great and good man, | Gifted with every refined feeling, | and much esteemed by all who knew him. | Died 30 January, 1878, | in his 68th year, | Erected by his Widow, | A.D. 1880."
At the south-east corner of the Old Churchyard is the tomb of Sir Hans Sloane, which from its close proximity to the passer- by may be justly called one of London's most cherished memorials. It is a canopy with four pillars, covering a white marble urn entwined by serpents. It was designed by Wilton the sculptor. The inscription reads :
" To the Memory of I Sir | Hans Sloane, Bart. | President of the Royal Society | and of the College of Physicians, | who in the year of our Lord 1753, | the 92nd of his age, | without the | least pain of body | and with a conscious serenity of mind, | ended a virtuous and beneficent Life. | This monument was erected | by his two daughters, | Eliza Cadogan and Sarah Stanley."
Near the east entrance of the Old Church is a cenotaph in pillar form, which also I feel justified in claiming as one of London's memorials. The pedestal is circular, and the upper part of the pillar is surmounted by an urn enriched with foliage, the whole being surrounded with an iron railing. The inscription is as follows :
"Philip Miller, | sometime Curator of the Bo- tanick Garden, | Chelsea, | and Author of * The Gardener's Dictionary,' | died December 18 th , 1771, aged 80, | and was buried on the North side of | this Church-yard, I in a spot now covered by | a Stone inscribed with his name. I The Fellows of | the Linnsean and Horticultural Societies | of London, | in grateful Recollection of | the eminent Services rendered to | the Sciences of Botany and Horticul- ture by his Industry and Writings, | have caused this Monument to be | erected to his Memory. |
A.D. 1815."
His place of burial " would not conveniently admit " of a monument, hence it was placed where we now find it, so that it readily meets the view of not a few pilgrims to Chelsea.
In the centre of the roadway of High Street, Kensington, facing St. Mary Abbot's Church, is a tall column of red granite and
stone. Upon the pedestal is a bronze tablet
inscribed :
" In Memory of [Her Most Gracious | Majesty Queen Victoria. | Born at Kensington Palace, 24 th May, 1819. | This Column | was erected by the Inhabitants of | th$ Royal Borough | of Ken- sington, | 1904. | Lewis H. Isaacs, Mayor. | W. Chambers Leete, Town Clerk. | H. L. Florence, Architect."
The column appears to bear two blocks of granite, between which is a stone band in- scribed " Victoria, Queen and Empress," with a relief portrait. The whole is sur- mounted by an urn, and is of very good design.
MB. PAGE asks (ante, p. 122) if the "statue of William III. presented by the Kaiser " is yet placed. Yes, it is in position, close to Kensington Place, but, I fancy, a trifle too far off for comfortable inspection or perusal of the inscription ; at least I found it to be so. The inscription on the pedestal is :
" William III. | of Orange, | King of Great Britain | and Ireland, 1689-1702. | Presented by William II., j German Emperor and j King of Prussia, to | King Edward VII., for | the British Nation. | 1907."
It may be described as being opposite the Palace or on the lawn. I have not been able to ascertain if there was any unveiling ceremony or when it was placed in position. The statue of Queen Victoria, the work of the Princess Louise (Duchess of Argyle), is also close to Kensington Palace, in the midst of flower-beds, and I think faces east. The Queen is seated, and is represented as she appeared on her accession to the throne. It struck me as an exceedingly good piece of work, although I believe it has been ad- versely criticized. The inscription is :
" Victoria R., | 1837. | Here, in front of the Palace where she was born | and where she resided until her Accession, | her loyal Kensington subjects erected this statue, | the work of her daughter, to commemorate fifty years of her reign."
With reference to the granite obelisk in Kensington Gardens to Capt. Speke, I should like to know how it comes that his com- panion Capt. Grant was not joined with him. The inscription simply reads : "Speke, Victoria Nyanza | and the Nile | 1864."
At no great distance is the fine work of the late G. F. Watts known as ' Physical Energy.' There is no inscription but the names of the sculptor and the firm by whom it was cast, Burton of Thames Ditton. It bears the date June, 1904, and was placed in position on 26 Sept., 1907, in Kensington Gardens. It weighs six tons, and measures 12ft. by 12ft.
W. E. HAJRLAJSTD-OXLEY.
