Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
;~ ; • I' ¦ " • ¦ London And Middlesex A...
a visit from his favourite cat , when confined in this apartment , by way of the chimney , is purely imaginary ; for it is a very remarkable fact , that in the White Tower there is not the slightest indication of a fireplace or a chimney to be found . The Society then proceeded to inspect the Beauchamp Tower , which was formerly used as the officers' mess-room , and has lately undergone a
thorough repair , and admirably has Mr . Salvin , the architect , discharged the important trust allotted to him . The small houses facing the Tower G-reen , and those abutting on it in Mint-street , have been pulled down , and the Beauchamp Tower now stands out in bold relief . It is supposed to have derived its name from having been the prison of Sir Thomas de Beauchamp , Earl of Warwick , in 1397 . This appears to have been the general prison or place of confinement for state
prisoners , and its walls are literall y covered with devices and inscriptions , the work of illustrious persons , both of rank and birth . It consists of two stories , and the entrance is by way of a circular ( well-worn ) staircase , the passages being formed in the substance of the walls . The windows have still the heavy iron grating before them , denoting the former character of the place , and the floor of oaken planks appears to have been well worn by the tread of those unfortunates
who have been incarcerated within its dreary walls . The discovery of these memorials , sculptured by the sad inmates to beguile the tedious hours of their confinement , was made in the year 1796 , in effecting some alterations in the building when converting it , as we before said , into a mess-room for the officers of the garrison . These inscriptions have given to this tower much historical celebrity , and since it was opened to the public it has been inspected by thousands ; and , for
a description of the various carvings , we must refer our readers to an excellent little brochure , sold by the guardian warder of this tower , published by a Mr . W . R . Dick , who , in his preface to the work , states that during the restoration of this tower he held the post of clerk of the works , and partially discovered some and preserved others : he has thus rendered great service to his countrymen and archseologists in particular . The hour of four had now
arrived , when the meeting of the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society was to be adjourned , and it was a matter of great regret to the members that time did not permit them to continue their visit further . A vote of thanks was offered to Lord de Ros , the Lieutenant of the Tower , who had been the chairman of the meeting for the day , for his kindness and affability in having rendered to
the meeting his very valuable assistance during its researches . Votes of thanks were also accorded to the various members of the committee who had addressed the meeting in the various parts of the Tower . All business being ended , the Society adjourned till Monday , October 5 th , 1857 , when they met at Hampton Court Palace . An account of the latter visit will be found at page 868 of our November number .
The "Pillabs op Happiness . —Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity , religion and morality are indispensable supports . In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism , who should labour to subvert these groat pillars of human happinesH , these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens . And let us , with caution , indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion . — Washington .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
;~ ; • I' ¦ " • ¦ London And Middlesex A...
a visit from his favourite cat , when confined in this apartment , by way of the chimney , is purely imaginary ; for it is a very remarkable fact , that in the White Tower there is not the slightest indication of a fireplace or a chimney to be found . The Society then proceeded to inspect the Beauchamp Tower , which was formerly used as the officers' mess-room , and has lately undergone a
thorough repair , and admirably has Mr . Salvin , the architect , discharged the important trust allotted to him . The small houses facing the Tower G-reen , and those abutting on it in Mint-street , have been pulled down , and the Beauchamp Tower now stands out in bold relief . It is supposed to have derived its name from having been the prison of Sir Thomas de Beauchamp , Earl of Warwick , in 1397 . This appears to have been the general prison or place of confinement for state
prisoners , and its walls are literall y covered with devices and inscriptions , the work of illustrious persons , both of rank and birth . It consists of two stories , and the entrance is by way of a circular ( well-worn ) staircase , the passages being formed in the substance of the walls . The windows have still the heavy iron grating before them , denoting the former character of the place , and the floor of oaken planks appears to have been well worn by the tread of those unfortunates
who have been incarcerated within its dreary walls . The discovery of these memorials , sculptured by the sad inmates to beguile the tedious hours of their confinement , was made in the year 1796 , in effecting some alterations in the building when converting it , as we before said , into a mess-room for the officers of the garrison . These inscriptions have given to this tower much historical celebrity , and since it was opened to the public it has been inspected by thousands ; and , for
a description of the various carvings , we must refer our readers to an excellent little brochure , sold by the guardian warder of this tower , published by a Mr . W . R . Dick , who , in his preface to the work , states that during the restoration of this tower he held the post of clerk of the works , and partially discovered some and preserved others : he has thus rendered great service to his countrymen and archseologists in particular . The hour of four had now
arrived , when the meeting of the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society was to be adjourned , and it was a matter of great regret to the members that time did not permit them to continue their visit further . A vote of thanks was offered to Lord de Ros , the Lieutenant of the Tower , who had been the chairman of the meeting for the day , for his kindness and affability in having rendered to
the meeting his very valuable assistance during its researches . Votes of thanks were also accorded to the various members of the committee who had addressed the meeting in the various parts of the Tower . All business being ended , the Society adjourned till Monday , October 5 th , 1857 , when they met at Hampton Court Palace . An account of the latter visit will be found at page 868 of our November number .
The "Pillabs op Happiness . —Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity , religion and morality are indispensable supports . In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism , who should labour to subvert these groat pillars of human happinesH , these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens . And let us , with caution , indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion . — Washington .