Cumberland and Westmoreland; and so contrived as not to interrupt the real landscape of the adjoining hills. Indeed there are so many allurements in this neighbourhood that cannot be described, but in the elegant manner in which Mr. Toland has pictured the vicinity of Epsom*.

Since Mr. Toland's time Epsom, however, has lost many of its charms, which seem to have been transferred to Letherhead.

The CHURCH, dedicated to St. Mary and St. Nicholas, has all the appearance of the architecture of the fourteenth century; its situation is in the highest part of the town, in the road leading to Dorking.

It is said to have been built in 1340, by John de Rumer wick, abbot of Chertsey.

There is nothing striking to denote any of the entrances into the church, excepting at the west end, and this is nearly blocked up by a wall belonging to the adjoining house; and much of the external appearance of the building is offended by the injudicious blocking up some of the principal windows. However the beholder is compensated upon visiting the inside, which possesses all the constituent qualities of convenience and neatness. A very handsome Gothic screen separates the body from the chancel, in which is placed over the altar a masterly painting of the Last Supper, but in very bad condition from the dampness

* You have resolved (as you do every thing) to purchase a summer retreat, cost what it will, somewhere in this neighbourhood. But whether you gently step over my favourite meadows, planted on all sides quite to Woodcot seat, in whose long grove I oftenest converse with myself; or that you walk further on to Ashted House and park, the sweetest spot of ground in our British world; or ride still farther, the enchanted prospect of Box Hill, that temple of nature no where else to be equalled for affording so surprising and magnificent an idea both of heaven and earth; whether you lose yourself in the aged yew groves of Mickleham as the river Mole does hide itself in the shallows beneath, or that you had rather try your patience in angling for trouts about Leatherhead; whether you go to some cricket match, or other prizes of contending villagers, or chuse to breathe your horse at a race, and to follow a pack of hounds in the proper weather; whether I say you delight in any or every one of these, Epsom is the place you must like before all others."

VOL. V. No. 115.

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of the wall. At the opposite end of the church is a handsome music gallery; and in the steeple over it, which is of à heavy structure, were contained six bells, on the fourth of which was cast Wilhelmes Carter me fecit, Ir11; and on the fifth Ora pro nobis Sancta Maria. About 1790, these bells were taken down, and a ring of eight supplies their place.

Among the monuments are those of Mrs. ROLFE, with the following inscription:

Here lies all that is mortal of Mrs. ELIZABETH ROLFE, late of Dover in the County of Kent, who departed this life the 26 of October, 1779, in the 67th year of her age; interred by her own desire at the side of her beloved Cousin, Benefactress, and Friend lady Catharine Thompson, with whom she buried all earthly happiness. This temporary separation (though borne with Patience, Fortitude and Hope) no engagements, no pursuits, could render less bitter to the disconsolate Mrs. Rolfe, who from the hour she lost her other self, knew no pleasure but in the hopes she cherished, on which point her eyes were ever fixed, of joining her friend in the region of unfading felicity. Bless'd with the power and will to succour the distressed, she excited both and in these exercises only, found a ray of happiness. Let the ridiculers of female friendship read this honest inscription, which disdains to flatter. Much might be said; but can any encomium, more exalt a character than the unadorned, simple account of a Friendship so uncommon,-of a gratitude so extreme!

Near this place are deposited the remains of Dame CATHARINE THOMPSON, daughter of Sir Peter and Dame Elizabeth Eaton, and relict of Sir John Thompson, late ford mayor of the City of London. She departed this life on 8th day of October 1766, aged 74.

The merits of the virtuous and just

Survive when tombstones shall be turn'd to dust.

On a small tablet, underneath:

Mrs. ELIZABETH ROLFE,

Late of the Parish of Dover, in Kent, deceased, gives to the Parish of Letherhead, in Surry, the Interest of four hundred

5

pounds

pounds annually, in memory of Dame Catherine Thomson, Daughter of Dame Elizabeth Eaton, who also is buried in this Church. A Copy of this is to be engraved and fixt in the face of the Church; as long as it is preserved, renewed, and kept legible, together with the stone that covers her grave, so long shall the Parish be entitled to the above donation, and no longer. To be distributed as follows: By six of the Inhabitants that pay most largely towards the poors rates March 1777: to ten of the poorest familyes that receive not a constant collection of the Parish, (viz.) Elizabeth Rolfe.

March 1778, the above four hundred pounds is lodged in the Bank of England, as the best Security, and my Heir is answer. able for it.

Here are many antient flat stones; the inscriptions obliterated. Near the altar is a monument ornamented with martial and marine trophies, at the bottom a ship in full sail. The long Latin inscription declares the amiable and brilliant qualities of admiral JAMES WISHART, in the reigns of William III. Anne, and George I.

At the east end of the south aisle, on a brass plate fixed into the wall, are these arms, a chevron between three bugle horns, and this inscription:

Here Fryndly Robart Gardnar lyes,

Well borne of ryght good Race

Who serv'd in Court with Credytt styll,
In worthe Rowl and Place,

Chiefe Sargantt of the Seller longe,

Whear he dyd Duetty shoe

With good Regarde to all Degrees,
As far as Power myght goe;

He past hys Youth in such good fraem,
He came to aeged Years,

And therby purchaest honest Naem,

As by Report apeeres.

A Frynd, whear any cawse be ffownd

And coittes unto all.

Of myrry Moode, and pleasant Spetch,

However Happ dyd fall.

Fowr Childern for to ffornish forth,

The Table round he had.