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Article THE TOMB OF JOHN STOWE. ← Page 5 of 8 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Tomb Of John Stowe.
seven , in Avorship of the seven sacraments ; and this candle shall begin to burn and to be set upon the altar from AIL HalloAvs clay till it be Candlemas day folloAving , and it shall be Avatching candle , of eight in the pound . Also , I will have six new torches , and tAv . o torches of St . Michael , and two of St . Anne , and two of St . Christopher , and tAvo of Jesus , of the best torches . "
This AA'ill , and the condition of the family at that period , are sufficient evidences of the fact that the good old city chronicler Avas born and bred in the expectation of succeeding to an inheritance of competency and credit . That he must haA r e received the advantages of education seems also evident from his thorough acquaintance with the Latin languageand the great
, skill and ease Avith Aidiich he Avas enabled to transcribe all the ancient manuscripts which fell in his way . He Avas a A ^ ery diligent observer of city customs , and displayed much tact in the compilation of his antiquarian gatherings . It is not too much to say that he Avas the father of all historians AA 4 IO devoted their time and labours to the elucidation and history of London .
His accuracy has never been impeached , and the minuteness of his details , a point so essential Avhere topographical matters are concerned , seems something marvellous , when the scantiness of his materials , and the difficulty of collecting them , are taken
into account . It is most extraordinary , too , the pams taken by him , to sift and ascertain correctly the nomenclature of tlie various highways and byways of the great metropolis , and to give their proper value and estimate to the dimly recorded legends Avhich clung to the obscure places Avhere tradition so delights to dwell . In this general correctness and
zealous adherence to truth , Stowe might Avith all propriety be imitated by modern historians , Avhose tendency to add certain floating myths to recognised facts , tends very materially to detract from the usefulness of their undertakings . What a picture it is to contemplate , that able , active inquirer , travelling from monastery to monasteryfrom chapel rood to chapel loft
, , diving into the dark recesses of some abbey ' s secluded booktreasures in search of data , by which he could arrange and complete his inimitable survey ! To think of the labour , toil , and countless discouragements he must have undergone in the pursuit of so creditable a task ; and all this accomplished in an age when public conveyances were unknownand travelling
envi-, roned with all sorts of perils and discomfitures ; enough in themselves to deter even the most zealous from encountering them . At a time when learning Avas confined exclusively to the monks and some of the upper classes , and Avhen error and superstition held their most intolerant and benighted SAvay over
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Tomb Of John Stowe.
seven , in Avorship of the seven sacraments ; and this candle shall begin to burn and to be set upon the altar from AIL HalloAvs clay till it be Candlemas day folloAving , and it shall be Avatching candle , of eight in the pound . Also , I will have six new torches , and tAv . o torches of St . Michael , and two of St . Anne , and two of St . Christopher , and tAvo of Jesus , of the best torches . "
This AA'ill , and the condition of the family at that period , are sufficient evidences of the fact that the good old city chronicler Avas born and bred in the expectation of succeeding to an inheritance of competency and credit . That he must haA r e received the advantages of education seems also evident from his thorough acquaintance with the Latin languageand the great
, skill and ease Avith Aidiich he Avas enabled to transcribe all the ancient manuscripts which fell in his way . He Avas a A ^ ery diligent observer of city customs , and displayed much tact in the compilation of his antiquarian gatherings . It is not too much to say that he Avas the father of all historians AA 4 IO devoted their time and labours to the elucidation and history of London .
His accuracy has never been impeached , and the minuteness of his details , a point so essential Avhere topographical matters are concerned , seems something marvellous , when the scantiness of his materials , and the difficulty of collecting them , are taken
into account . It is most extraordinary , too , the pams taken by him , to sift and ascertain correctly the nomenclature of tlie various highways and byways of the great metropolis , and to give their proper value and estimate to the dimly recorded legends Avhich clung to the obscure places Avhere tradition so delights to dwell . In this general correctness and
zealous adherence to truth , Stowe might Avith all propriety be imitated by modern historians , Avhose tendency to add certain floating myths to recognised facts , tends very materially to detract from the usefulness of their undertakings . What a picture it is to contemplate , that able , active inquirer , travelling from monastery to monasteryfrom chapel rood to chapel loft
, , diving into the dark recesses of some abbey ' s secluded booktreasures in search of data , by which he could arrange and complete his inimitable survey ! To think of the labour , toil , and countless discouragements he must have undergone in the pursuit of so creditable a task ; and all this accomplished in an age when public conveyances were unknownand travelling
envi-, roned with all sorts of perils and discomfitures ; enough in themselves to deter even the most zealous from encountering them . At a time when learning Avas confined exclusively to the monks and some of the upper classes , and Avhen error and superstition held their most intolerant and benighted SAvay over